by Sally Colby
No two farm transfers are the same, but there are some basic considerations that apply to every situation. Dr. Alex White, Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech, shares some of the most important points for farm families to think about during transition planning. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
How can your farm better manage drought years? By improving soil health. A recent eOrganics webinar, “Preparing for Drought: The Role of Soil Health in Water Management in Organic Production,” addressed the topic. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
By American standards, Virginia is pretty old. Its nickname, the Old Dominion State, was earned by the loyalty Virginia showed to the Royalist cause during the English Civil War. Virginia has a lot of history in it, some of which goes back to before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. That history includes Richlands Farm. (more…)
by Sally Colby
For most kids, school is out and summer vacation has begun – but that didn’t stop an enthusiastic group of young people from signing up and attending Youth Dairy Day in Shippensburg, PA (one of three sessions held throughout the state). The event provided an opportunity for youth ages 5 – 18 to learn more about the dairy industry through a series of demonstrations and hands-on sessions. While many of the youth were from dairy families, some were just starting to participate in dairy projects and others had no prior dairy experience. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Every cow on the dairy farm is special, and each has special needs at least twice during the year. Dairy managers and employees can work together to identify and manage these cows in the most timely and appropriate manner. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Dr. Alex White, Department of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech, has tip for ruining a family dinner: start bringing up topics that many families avoid, and ask questions like “Hey Mom and Dad – what am I getting from your will?” or “When are you going to retire so I can take over?” or “We should invest in new equipment.” (more…)
by Tamara Scully
Animal welfare isn’t only about physical health. Biologically healthy dairy cows can be mentally or emotionally stressed, and unable to express their natural tendencies or preferences. Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Ph.D., of the Ohio State University has been researching cow behaviors in the maternity pen since her undergraduate days at the University of British Columbia. Proudfoot presented research findings from her own research as well as from that of colleagues in a recent Dairy Cattle Welfare Council webinar. (more…)
by Sally Colby
At one point in Cliff Hawbaker’s dairy career, his goal was top production – squeezing every bit of milk from his cows. In 1998, a fellow dairyman who had switched to grazing convinced Hawbaker to give grazing a try. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Many people are familiar with the concept of a dairy princess – the poised young woman in the sash strolling around the county fair or visiting local schools to talk up the benefits of the dairy industry. Emily Shaw was never a dairy princess, but she is a different kind of royalty: an Instagram influencer, with nearly 7,000 followers. As @DairyGirlFitness, she inspires others to keep in shape and support the dairy industry. (more…)
by Sally Colby
While only two percent of the population is involved in farming, injury and fatality statistics indicate it is the most dangerous industry.
Dan Neenan, National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, discussed the hazards of working in grain bins, which are considered a confined space, and how farmers can avoid entrapment. (more…)
by Sally Colby
On a sunny day in late May, longtime Ohio crop farmer Jay Butterfield was going about his regular farm duties, including working in one of the farm’s grain bins. When Butterfield found that the auger in the bin was clogged, he used a plastic rod to dislodge it. Butterfield was successful in his effort to free the soybeans, but he also dislodged the crusty surface he was standing on. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Love ag research? The 2018 Farm Bill offers a new opportunity for qualifying farmers to partner with NRCS to get part of $25 million in grant money to use on-farm conservation measure and study their effectiveness. Kari Cohen, projects branch chief with USDA NRCS in Washington D.C., presented a webinar on the topic recently, highlighting what applicants should know during the application process. (more…)
