Highland Cattle: Love at first sight

CM-MR-44-3-Scottish-Highland-cattleby Bill and Mary Weaver

Gary and Caralyn Van Horn, owners of Hickory Meadow Farm, prize the Highland cattle they have been raising for the past 12 years on their farm in Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA. “I’ve never seen one sick. They thrive entirely on grass. I’ve never had to call a vet for a calving, or assist in a calving myself. I’ve never lost a cow during calving or had a stillborn calf. The only medicine they need is worming once a year. I’ve never had to advertise to sell them,” commented Gary. [Read more…]

Sweet and sassy

CN-MR-20-1-sweet-and-sassy-8375by Laura Rodley

You have to start somewhere and be given a chance. That is what Gary Gaylord of Rensselaer Falls, NY did for his team Sweet and Sassy, a pair of 10 month-old-Chianina breed oxen. He travelled the six hours from his home to the Massachusetts Ox Teamsters Association Ox Pull this past June to let them pull for the first time, competing against other teams. [Read more…]

Penn State Dairy Science Club named Outstanding Chapter at ADSA

CM-DY-25-1-dairy-science-clubFor the fourth consecutive year, Penn State’s Dairy Science Club was named the Outstanding Chapter at the American Dairy Science Association Student Affiliate Division (ADSA-SAD) annual meetings held in Salt Lake City, Utah, from July 18-21. The award is based on an annual report of chapter activities, participation in the ADSA Student Affiliate Division, club publications and website. [Read more…]

Senator Gillibrand begins hearing concerns for new farm bill

CEW-MR-3-Senator-Gillibrand48by Michael Wren

HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY — Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a listening session to hear and understand the questions and concerns of local farmers in the Hudson Valley in order to better represent them in the upcoming vote on the farm bill in two years. Gillibrand will be holding these events throughout New York. The event was held at Fishkill Farms where co-owner Josh Morganthau spoke of his recent changes to the farm, altering it from a traditional apple orchard to producing flowers, vegetable, fruits, and eggs. [Read more…]

Going to the dogs

CN-MR-32-2-Sheepherding-Demo1632by Kristen M. Castrataro

The Scottish Highlander Festival held in June at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Richmond, RI had a rainy start, but that didn’t thwart Sylvia Murray or her Border Collies, Fern and Tessie. They were as eager to demonstrate the art of sheepherding as if the sun had been shining brightly.

A regular fixture at the Festival, Sylvia provides information about Border Collie temperament, sheepherding history and sheep psychology. Her two dogs are ideal candidates for demonstrations because they behave very differently and show two distinct methods of working sheep. [Read more…]