HARRISBURG, PA — Antique and collectible milk bottles, signs, ceramics, advertising, awards and artwork were the highlight of the 16th All-Dairy Antiques and Collectibles Show & Sale during the All-American Dairy Show, Sept. 6-11, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg, PA.
The All-Dairy Antiques and Collectibles Show has developed a reputation for showing a variety of high-quality, rare and unusual items. As the only known dairy antiques show of its kind in the United States, it is a valuable educational event and a major market for buying and selling quality dairy antiques and collectibles. It also serves as an educational tool for youth participating in the All-American Dairy Show and the Premier National Junior Events. Continue reading
Category Archives: New England Farm Weekly
Mastitis management on your organic dairy
by Katie Navarra
Mastitis is the most common and most costly disease in milking cattle. It is estimated that mastitis accounts for $1 billion in production losses for the dairy industry each year. The disease challenges conventional and organic dairies alike and prevention is the key to limiting its presence in your herd.
By definition, mastitis is the inflammation of the udder caused by bacterial infection. Mastitis can be subclinical, clinical or chronic. Subclinical is the most difficult to diagnose as no visible signs are present. The udders look normal as does the milk.
While the cow may “look” healthy, if the cow has subclinical mastitis, the somatic cell count will be increased, lowering the overall milk quality. Conversely, cows with clinical mastitis have noticeable changes in the milk as well as swollen udders that are hot to the touch. Cows repeatedly infected are considered chronic. Continue reading
The Big E dairy shows
by Sanne Kure-Jensen
The Big E in Springfield, MA includes a variety of Dairy Breed Shows contests where exhibitors compete against peers, family and friends. Judges choose animals that best conform to breed standards and rank exhibitors on specific behaviors and interaction with their animals. Seven breed associations hold competitions each year at The Big E: Continue reading
Flayvors of Cook Farm
by Laura Rodley
If you look closely, you might just see Elvis Presley at the Flayvors of Cook Farm ice cream store and restaurant on 129 South Maple Street in Hadley, MA, checking out their latest flavor, Elvis Remix. It is made with chocolate peanut butter ice cream and bananas, because — as Elvis would quickly tell you — besides his music, he is famous for eating peanut butter and banana sandwiches — sometimes with bacon, which wouldn’t work very well with ice cream. Elvis Remix is just one of 24 flavors now served at Flayvors, brainchild of owners’ Beth and Gordon Cook, made from the milk of their Jerseys and Holsteins, which are among the top 100 classified Holstein herds in the nation.
Cook Farm won Premier Breeder for 18 consecutive years at the Mass State Show. Continue reading
