Even lifelong hunters get sloppy. Comfort turns to complacency and a few small slip-ups can tank your entire season. The truth? Skill isn’t just about what you do, it’s also about what you avoid. Here are four common mistakes even seasoned hunters still make – and what to do instead – to stay at the...

Heather Darby, agronomic and soils specialist for University of Vermont Extension, has a “love/hate relationship with cover crops.” “It’s not always going to work out,” she said in her opening remarks presenting “Modifying Cropping Systems to Maximize Benefits from Cover Crops.” Darby spoke at the r...

In mid-August, Pecos Bill (aka Wild Bill), a fellow Cornell ag graduate, sought my advice for a particular cropping situation on his Chenango County dairy farm. He said they usually harvest two cuttings of sorghum, in mid-July and late August. But this year, starting wet, then turning dry most of su...

National Farm Safety and Health Week (NFSHW) is taking place this year Sept. 21 – 27. NFSHW is a time to increase awareness of the high risk of accidents and injuries in agriculture and to promote the adoption of life-saving health and safety practices. Despite a slight decrease in total fatal occup...

When a barnyard is partially in concrete and the pasture is little more than holes left by the hooves of beef cattle, what’s the answer? In Craig Alleman’s case, the best solution was more concrete. Alleman’s farm was a mess, with mud and pugging throughout the pastures. Pasture vegetation didn’t st...

Over the last 15 years, I have become a super believer in winter forages. Winter forages – small grains planted during late summer or early autumn – have been selectively bred to go dormant over winter, then spring to life as soon as prolonged cold weather loosens its icy grip in March or April. Wha...

DENTON, NC – “When you start with no knowledge, it’s an uphill climb,” said Mark Wilburn, reflecting on his journey as a cattleman. In 2007, as a 21-year-old with no farming experience, he purchased 30 acres with the intent to raise cattle. A few months later, he bought some commercial cows. It was ...

Dairy and beef farmers are aware of the cyclical nature of the cattle industry. They also know the two segments are closely related. Corey Geiger, economist for dairy production and processing, CoBank, recently discussed trends in dairy and beef. “Dairy is dynamic and growing,” said Geiger. “It’s th...

Hello, farm family! When did you last experience conflict in your farm life? Most of us experience some form of conflict every day, though we might not immediately recognize it. Types of Farm Conflict Some of us only equate “conflict” with yelling, screaming, throwing things and other forms of viole...