CLYDE, NY — It’s easy to get nearsighted with the activities on one’s own farm and lose touch with industry trends. That’s why David M. Kohl, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Agricultural and Applied Economics College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, presented “Economic Radar Screen 2019-2...

Hayley Springer cut to the chase by answering the question “What is antibiotic resistance?” It is the ability of bacteria to resist the effects of an antibiotic that would otherwise kill it or stop its growth. This is due, she said, “to a change in the bacteria. People think it’s a change in the ani...

When livestock are grazing, providing shade keeps them cool and productive. Shelter, to protect from precipitation or extremely cold temperatures, is sometimes needed. Pasture forages must provide the needed nutrition, in enough abundance, to promote daily gain and animal health. Silvopasture system...

Those who raise sheep and sell lamb hope every customer will enjoy the unique, mild flavor of lamb. But when some consumers think of lamb, it isn’t always a pleasant association. Perhaps they had lamb that was overcooked, or smelled like a wet sweater in the oven. Many lamb consumers insist on havin...

BOONE, NC – Standing in one of the production rooms of his family’s 50,000-square foot ham house, Bill Goodnight watched a team of his company’s experienced butchers in action, separating ham hocks and femur bones from whole country hams. “We’re boning out 2,000 hams a day, six days a week,” he said...

Part 2: Measures to manage colostrum quality Dairy farmers know the importance of colostrum, but do they know how to get the most from it? Dr. Billy Smith, veterinarian at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, explained how to handle colostrum for optimum benefits. Collection...

Earlier this year at the Northeast Tobacco Growers meeting in Quarryville, PA, hosted by Troop Consulting Services, Grant Troop enlightened his audience about understanding soil test reports. “What a year [2018] we had, with all that rain,” he began. “Tobacco doesn’t particularly like it wet. We hig...

With the “graying” of Pennsylvania farm families, State Senator Elder Vogel has introduced legislation that encourages existing farmers and landowners to work with beginning farmers to help them get started. Vogel’s Senate Bill 478 provides a personal income tax credit for landowners who lease or se...

People farm for many reasons, from continuing their family’s heritage to caring for the land to doing what they love best. But ultimately, they need to make money at it, especially if they don’t work off the farm. Frank Wardynski, Michigan State University Extension educator, presented “Novice Farm ...