It’s been a beautiful autumn so far, but it won’t be long before winter sets in – and with the weather still favorable, now is the best time to prepare for those long, cold days ahead. One morning last week was cold enough to turn the water a bit “slushy” – a reminder to set up the heat lamp and get...

While most livestock manure is land-applied in one form or another, Dr. Rebecca Larson, University Wisconsin-Madison, said there are opportunities to integrate new technologies for manure management that would benefit producers and, ultimately, the environment. “A perfect system would be keeping it ...

Short rotation woody crops such as willow and poplar, along with C4 grasses, have been the primary feedstocks studied for bioenergy. Expanding upon those requires obtaining knowledge of the ecophysiological requirements of other potential feedstocks. John S. King, Department of Forestry and Environm...

When raising a herd of cattle, the type of housing system used can highly influence the cleanliness, well-being and production of the cows, as well as the ease of management and profits for the farm. One of the most well-known barn management techniques is a free-stall barn. In these barns, animals ...

Whether calf housing is new construction or a conversion, ventilation is a major factor in maintaining healthy animals. John Tyson, Penn State ag engineer, said young dairy calves deal with a variety of health threats – from fecal/oral disease transmission, animal-to-animal disease transmission, poo...

When it comes to proper soil fertility management, maintaining proper soil pH is key. The relative acidity or alkalinity of soil is indicated by its pH. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Any pH reading below 7 is acidic and any pH above 7 is alkaline. Consequently, soils are often described as acidic ...

When those who raise livestock can’t find a breed that suits their needs, crossbreeding is often the answer. Individual animals are selected for desirable traits and carefully crossed to produce offspring that meet strict genetic standards. This is how breeders developed a new pig breed known as the...

Farmers expect weather, pests, disease and family issues to affect their farm’s profitability. What they often do not expect is a lawsuit. Rachel Armstrong, executive director of Farm Commons, recently presented “Farm Liability and Insurance Basics,” hosted by Food Animal Concerns Trust. A Duluth, M...

When raising a herd of dairy cattle, it’s important to do your research on care techniques, such as the structure of their housing facility. Animals’ basic needs must be met so they’ll have a comfortable and enjoyable home, which decreases stress and increases production and ease for farmworkers. In...