Some farmers are experimenters – they start with raw materials and an idea and test a method. If their hypothesis works, success! If it doesn’t, they tweak the formula and try again. Other farmers prefer to follow a tried-and-true template to help them achieve their goals. Offering a template for sh...

Farmers all are too familiar with what’s left over after harvest – the corn stubble that pokes up through the snow all winter. It may not seem useful, but corn residue can actually be a valuable resource. The leaves, husks, kernels and cobs can serve as food to grazing cattle. And, when properly man...

Among its many hard-learned lessons, the pandemic taught us that planning for business interruptions is vital for farm continuity in case of emergency. Shannon Dill, Extension educator with University of Maryland Extension in Talbot County, presented “Creating a Farm Business Continuity Plan” as a r...

CALLAWAY, VA – On a recent sunny winter day, Tim Bowman oversaw the activity at his dairy as the afternoon milking began. His oldest son, Will, was driving a tractor up and down the free-stall barn, using a PTO-driven blower to spread square bales of straw grown on the farm into the stalls. His full...

When farmers are planning new livestock facilities, the intended water source should be a top priority. Drinking water problems can lead to low milk production, and in some cases, affect animal health. The more common problems are aesthetic issues, such as chloride that makes water taste salty but d...

I have the privilege and the pleasure of having a vet for a wife so what I know and what I do is from her knowledge and skill. From time to time people drop off an orphan or down calf needing some support. Many beef cows are on a low nutritional plane, even in the last trimester. This can put the ca...

Bigger is better for corn yields, especially during periods when corn experiences price spikes. Producers need to make the most of their possibilities for profits and maximize their yield. Tony J. Vyn, from Purdue University’s Agronomy Department, presented “Tricky Keys to Big Corn: Bigger Plants, M...

On an overcast day, the cattle grazing the fields of Chapel Ridge Farms in Gettysburg, PA, look almost black. But their true color is deep cherry red, characteristic of the Santa Gertrudis breed. Chapel Ridge Farms is owned by Gene and Linda Moose and operated with the help of their daughter Sue, he...

Making every acre count helps farmers increase their profits. The headlands on a farm often represent an area overlooked for their profits. Quirine Ketterings and Sunoj Shajahan presented “Turning Yield Data Into Action: How Much Yield Do We Give Up on Headlands?” at the recent Corn Congress, presen...