Article List - Country Folks

Dairy grazier showcases resiliency when Fred arrives

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:46:35-05:00September 28, 2021|Eastern Edition, Western Edition|

by Troy Bishopp

If you want to learn about the attributes of good grazing management, go on a pasture walk with a herd of farmers. But if you want to see real resiliency on the land, visit a grass farm when “Fred the Hurricane” blows into town and dumps seven inches of rain on the landscape. It’s an opportunity to appreciate and study how dairy graziers are building soil health, producing high quality organic milk and providing ecosystem services for their community in the face of weather events. (more…)

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Farmer Pete and his sheep

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:06:21-05:00September 28, 2021|New England Farm Weekly|

by Sally Colby

Pete Sepe, known in his community as Farmer Pete, has been raising sheep for a long time – starting as a youngster in 4-H and continuing through high school. After high school, when he was headed for Cornell, Pete gave his sheep to his brother. (more…)

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Building clean water

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:00:36-05:00September 28, 2021|Mid Atlantic|

by Sally Colby

Savvy farmers in early civilizations managed cropland drainage for higher yields. Over the years, farmers experimented with a variety of drainage methods, including clay pipes that were widely used until the 1970s. But no matter what the year or design, the goal was the same: to keep excess water away from roots. (more…)

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Animal health and the big picture at Ag Outlook Forum

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T09:59:44-05:00September 28, 2021|Mid Atlantic|

by Courtney Llewellyn

The annual Ag Outlook Forum is promoted as a first chance to get a comprehensive preview of what lies ahead from leading experts in agriculture. Presented by the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City, this year’s hybrid event featured lectures and discussions from such varied sectors as animal health, sustainability, livestock, soybeans and economics, as well as an address from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. (more…)

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Owen’s goal: Bigger and better

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T14:50:10-05:00September 21, 2021|Western Edition|

by Courtney Llewellyn

Although he’s just 11 years old and starting sixth grade this autumn, Owen Grefrath of Canandaigua, NY, has a lot on his plate. He had a very busy summer, showing at both the Ontario County Fair and the Great New York State Fair, and he splits his time on the farm between his dairy cattle and his beef cattle. (more…)

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Iowa State expert discusses low-cost milk parlors

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T14:47:15-05:00September 21, 2021|New England Farm Weekly|

by Edith Tucker

LEBANON, NH – Despite very tight margins, many dairy farmers continue to seek ways to improve their current milking system or even to consider installing robotic milking, reported John Porter, UNH Extension specialist. (more…)

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Agriculture day and show at the Franklin County Fair

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T13:35:18-05:00September 21, 2021|New England Farm Weekly|

by Joe R. Parzych

At the 172nd annual Franklin County Fair there were a lot of people who came from far and wide to gather at this year’s fair. The prayers to the farm gods for good weather this year worked, with the sun coming out, according to both Clayin Stark of Black Ridge Farm and Matt Phillips of Crescent Farm. (more…)

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Dairy program addresses market volatility

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T14:52:23-05:00September 21, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Sally Colby

Paul Bleiberg, senior vice president for government affairs with NMPF, provided an overview of the new Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program during a recent call with the Center for Dairy Excellence. (more…)

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Vilsack announces $464 million for REAP and ELP

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T14:52:54-05:00September 21, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, The New York Farm Show, Western Edition|

by Enrico Villamaino

Farmers across America are set to receive $464 million from the USDA. In a press conference on Sept. 9, U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack outlined how the funds will be administered.

The monies will be distributed via two existing USDA programs. (more…)

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Staying in the lane

Lee Newspapers2021-09-21T14:50:51-05:00September 21, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, Western Edition|

by Troy Bishopp

GROTON, NY – If ever there was a time to improve a cow lane out to the pasture, it would be now. With recent rains improving forage quality and growth, dairy cows and livestock are poised to optimize performance. That’s if they can get to the pasture in an efficient and safe manner. (more…)

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Sugg kids step up their show game

Lee Newspapers2021-09-14T15:07:28-05:00September 14, 2021|Western Edition|

by Courtney Llewellyn

Brenda Bippert is a fixture in the Great New York State Fair’s Beef Barn, helping to direct traffic through the series of shows that take place during the fair’s run. This year, however, some of the stars of the shows were her grandchildren. (more…)

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Roy Nilson and American Cream draft horses

Lee Newspapers2021-09-14T14:31:59-05:00September 14, 2021|New England Farm Weekly|

by Laura Rodley

Roy Nilson was dodging rainstorms and Hurricane Henri to bring in the hay. The first-generation farmer has 10 to 15 acres of second cutting waiting down the road from his new home. He drives his train of three – tractor, baler and hay wagon – to the 60 acres of fields he currently hays. Conway is the furthest he travels now to bale hay from his Ashfield, MA, home. (more…)

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