By George Looby, DVM Global warming aside, the winter of 2013-2014 is shaping up to go on record as one of the harshest in decades and all domestic creatures exposed to its rigors need help in making adjustments to survive the elements. Animal owners are generally well tuned to the precautions neces...

REO virus is a malady that appears and goes away, only to re-appear now and then, here and there, seemingly defying any pattern of severity or species. It is so hard to spot that often only vigilant farmers and/or veterinarians who conduct more than cursory examinations are likely to become suspicio...

Attendees of the 2014 Virginia Farm Show not only had opportunity to see the latest in products and services to the farming industry, they were also able to participate in competitions and drawings for cash and prizes throughout the three-day event. With Friday’s popular Skid Steer Rodeo, sponsored ...

It didn’t take long to see the changes from previous years at the 2014 Virginia Farm Show. As attendees made their way from Building 1 to Building 2 Jan. 16-18, they were welcomed with a new paved asphalt floor inside the facility. According to Lee Publications Trade Show Manager Ken Maring, all exh...

The tractors lining the arena looked like a testimony to mid-20th century farming. Brand names included Case, Allis-Chalmers, Minneapolis Moline, Massey-Harris and lots of John Deere, many restored to use after being discarded in favor of new models. And if it weren’t for the polished paint and shin...

Producing wool doesn’t start with shearing the sheep; it begins well before birth. Two primary factors which affect wool quality are genetics and nutrition. Dr. Nancy Irlbeck, of the University of Colorado — a sheep farmer herself — discussed the importance of nutrition in fiber development, offerin...

Do you want to share variety trial results, on-farm experiment results or great new equipment with fellow farmers? One great way is to invite fellow farmers or researchers over for a field visit. You might combine it with other topics and speakers for a four to six hour field day. Charlie White of P...

UNION GROVE, NC — After milk prices collapsed in 2009, Nathan Souther decided to make big changes. “We either had to get bigger or get out,” he said. In 2009 the dairy was milking about 450 cows. Today it milks 750 Holsteins (3x). To accommodate the more than 50 percent increase in herd size, Southe...

HARRISBURG, PA — Three generations arrived at the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Monday, Jan. 6 to assist a 12 year old boy while he competed for the first time with his team of miniature horses in the horse pulls. After unloading the supplies in subzero temperatures, Dale Long stood in line with all of ...