Country Folks
Posted on February 18, 2026
Many dairy cows go on to a second career as beef, and it’s the responsibility of everyone on the farm to care for them properly until they leave the farm. Veterinarian Dr. Julia Herman, who consults on animal health for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), says dairy farms have a lot to...
Country Folks
by Joseph Armstrong 
Posted on February 18, 2026
For many small processors, getting beef officially graded can be a challenge. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has developed a Remote Beef Grading Program (RGP) that is removing much of that burden by allowing plants to submit carcass information digitally rather than relying on in‑person...
Country Folks
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
Posted on February 18, 2026
A recently published study assesses the feasibility of creating a Northeast value-added dairy training center to support makers of dairy products. The findings were summarized by Shayna Cohen and Liz Thorpe in a presentation hosted by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets’ Northeast Dair...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on February 18, 2026
Farmers have plenty of stress to deal with – input costs, prices for their goods, pests and weather, one of the most influential effects on their income. To address weather challenges, Alex Lindsey, corn physiologist in Ohio State’s Department of Horticulture & Crop Science, presented “Managing Corn...
Country Folks
Horse Tales
by Judy Van Put 
Posted on February 18, 2026
It’s been a hard winter so far, with lots of snow and frigid temperatures. We’ve seen many days of wind chills well below zero, and so having a few days in the 30s is always a welcome respite! However, there is still more winter to come – and it’s a good time to utilize any break in the weather to p...
Country Folks, Crop Comments
Crop Comments
Crop Comments A9 
Posted on February 18, 2026
According to Steve Culman, Ph.D., soil scientist at Ohio State, cation exchange capacity (CEC) is a fundamental soil property used to predict plant nutrient availability and retention in the soil. It is the potential of available nutrient supply, not a direct measurement of available nutrients. Soil...
Country Folks
by Rebecca Chaney 
Posted on February 11, 2026
MILFORD, NY – Otsego County is known for its rich agricultural history and touted as a great place to work, live and explore, makes it the perfect location for a farm-to-table business. Formally known as Sunny Acres Swiss Farm Store , named after the farm, the business in Central New York has evolve...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
Posted on February 11, 2026
When you sell your crop matters. Michael Howlett, representing Howlett Farms in Avon, NY, presented “Markets with Michael” as part of the recent Corn Congress, an annual event hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program. Howlett shared that fro...
Country Folks
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
Posted on February 11, 2026
"I like spreadsheets a lot,” said Zach Mangione of Cross Farm . The farm is a certified organic, pasture-based livestock enterprise raising broilers, turkeys and pigs in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. Cross Farm is certified by Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF), a third-party organic certifier. VOF Certif...
Country Folks
by Sonja Heyck-Merlin 
April 22, 2026
According to Alyssa Dietrich Warner, it’s commonly recommended to feed a newborn calf a minimum of four liters of colostrum at the first feeding. Some...
Country Folks
by Ben Simons 
April 22, 2026
On March 28 and 29, Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School FFA Chapter celebrated a longstanding tradition with Oneida County’s official maple weekend cer...
Country Folks
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant 
April 22, 2026
As a matter of economy, Francisco Leal Yepes, DVM, Ph.D., and assistant professor of ambulatory and production medicine in Cornell’s College of Veteri...
Country Folks
by Sally Colby 
April 22, 2026
Any time between giving birth through weaning or dry-off is the ideal time for ewes or does to develop mastitis. The cost of mastitis is significant d...
