Category Archives: Mid Atlantic

by Jon M. Casey

For a record number of attendees who braved a pending nor’easter, the trip to the Penn Stater Hotel and Convention Center in State College, PA, a new venue for the fifth annual event, proved to be the ideal location. With more than 400 dairy industry professionals attending the two-day event hosted by the Center for Dairy Excellence and the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania (PDMP) on Feb. 12 and 13, organizers were extremely pleased with the turnout. Over 60 exhibitors offered their support for the annual event, with an industry trade show that lined hallways and side rooms at the convention center. During breaks and at times specifically devoted to the exhibits, participants enjoyed the opportunity to visit with agribusiness product and service providers. Continue reading→

by Karl H. Kazaks

ATHLONE, VA — People throughout the Mid-Atlantic remember about the winter of 2009-2010 for the abundance of snow that was visited upon the region. Most places received three to four times their average annual amount of snowfall. Once it fell the snow remained, with some localities reporting the longest period of consecutive snow cover since the early 1960s.

Mike Phillips remembers the winter for other reasons: that was when he was inspired to try grazing cattle on a multi-species cover crop.

As part of his efforts to improve the soil quality of his farm here in northeastern Rockingham County, he had planted a mix of grasses, legumes, and Brassica following a summer annual crop. Continue reading→

by Karl H. Kazaks

HARRISONBURG, VA — The Virginia No-Till Alliance (VANTAGE) recently held its 5th annual winter meetings at a pair of locations, the Rockingham Fairgrounds and in Chatham at the Olde Dominion Ag Complex. Jeremy Daubert, dairy agent with Rockingham County Extension, estimated that over 250 people attended the event in his county. Continue reading→