Is your farm on Twitter? Michele Walfred, communications specialist with University of Delaware Extension, believes more farms should embrace this social media platform. She presented “Yes, It’s Time for Twitter. Really.” as a recent webinar hosted by University of Maryland Extension and MidAtlantic...

If you sell directly to consumers, your farm’s website represents a critical piece of your marketing strategy. Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) offered “How to Create a Farm Website That Sells” as a recent webinar presented by Charlotte Smith, owner of 3 Cow Marketing. Larissa McKenna, human farmin...

Tall grass grazing relies on the relationship between the pasture plants and the soil microbial organisms. This relationship, based on nutrient cycling, is the key to growing nutritious and plentiful pasture. Whether growing warm or cool season grasses – or both, depending on your growing region – t...

Hemp has faded in and out of history, and its contributions have been easily forgotten. But efforts by citizens, researchers and lawmakers led to hemp’s removal from the Schedule I Drugs list in January 2019. The use of hemp for a variety of purposes is hardly new. References dating back to Mesopota...

Many businesses use social media as part of their marketing strategy. Charlotte Smith, owner of 3 Cow Marketing, believes farmers shouldn’t be an exception. She presented “How to Find & Engage with Customers on Social Media” as a recent webinar hosted by Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT). Smith was ...

For farmers grazing cattle in an organic system, winter housing is an important consideration. Many farmers are choosing to outwinter cattle, an old system that’s getting new attention. “Outwintering is reduced input dairy farming,” said Dr. Brad Heins, assistant professor in the Department of Anima...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the popularity of the 21-ingredient “Impossible Burger,” the plant meat industry is being grilled about its right to even use the term “meat.” Much like the dairy industry’s fight for their real milk designation against the plant-based milks, animal agriculture has advocates ...

The Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance represents an active, vital and long-standing group of dairy farmers – along with industry support professionals – many of whom gathered recently in Canastota, NY for their 19th Annual Field Days. The focus of the event was on strategies for the long-te...

PETERBORO, NY — When John O’Brien was a young lad and saw his first cow standing in a field, his mum said, “It was all over for him; this fascination with bovines.” Nearly 55 years later, the Australian CEO of Nature’s Blueprint Cow, renowned international livestock judge and cattle industry maveric...

Want more milk fat? Improve your herd’s rations, said Tom Jenkins, DVM, Ph.D., with Clemson University. He presented “Feeding Fat in Lactation Rations” as a recent webinar hosted by Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems. “A multitude of factors affect milk fat content,” Jenkins said. They inclu...

Paul Olson, President, National Farmers Organization Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited my home state of Wisconsin. At least I thought he was the Secretary of Agriculture. He sounded more like the Undertaker of Agriculture. Mr. Perdue took on the serious problem of the disappearing smalle...

Some shoppers go out with a very specific idea of what they wish to purchase. Others let themselves fall victim to their impulsive whims. How does a greenhouse or farm stand draw in both of these types? Let the customers know exactly what you have before they drive past with your signage. But what t...

A little more than a decade ago, Tilldale Farms in Hoosick, NY transitioned from a dairy to a multi-species livestock farm. Dan and Joanne Tilley sell meat directly to consumers at farmer’s markets and retail shops. On Sept. 19, the couple hosted the final event in the summer long beef production se...

CANASTOTA, NY — Dairy meetings that ponder the future of a life devoted to taking care of the nation’s matriarch cows and providing the world with nutritious food are becoming head-scratchers in achieving economic viability. At the recent Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) Annual Mee...

Cutting Edge T Delilah, owned by Ken Main and Kenny Jo Manion of Copake, NY, made history for a second year in a row on Saturday, Oct. 5, becoming only the second Brown Swiss to ever claim back-to-back World Dairy Expo Supreme Champion titles. Taking the title of Reserve Supreme Champion of World Da...