by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Want more milk fat? Improve your herd’s rations, said Tom Jenkins, DVM, Ph.D., with Clemson University. He presented “Feeding Fat in Lactation Rations” as a recent webinar hosted by Agricultural Modeling and Training Systems. (more…)
Paul Olson, President, National Farmers Organization
Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue visited my home state of Wisconsin. At least I thought he was the Secretary of Agriculture. He sounded more like the Undertaker of Agriculture. (more…)
by Sally Colby
At the opening of the 2019 All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, PA, Cindy Weimer, senior vice president of industry relations for the American Dairy Association (ADA) North East, shared information about what the organization is doing on behalf of dairy farmers.
“They’re not only farmer-funded, they’re farmer directed,” said Weimer, “and done on behalf of all farmers who are working hard every day and contributing to programs.” (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
With tighter profit margins than ever, farmers need to focus even more on planning to make their operations profitable. Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) recently hosted “Three Steps to Build Your Profitable Farm” with Larissa McKenna, FACT Humane Farming Program director, as the moderator and Charlotte Smith with 3 Cow Marketing as the presenter. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Some shoppers go out with a very specific idea of what they wish to purchase. Others let themselves fall victim to their impulsive whims. How does a greenhouse or farm stand draw in both of these types? Let the customers know exactly what you have before they drive past with your signage. (more…)
by Katie Navarra
A little more than a decade ago, Tilldale Farms in Hoosick, NY transitioned from a dairy to a multi-species livestock farm. Dan and Joanne Tilley sell meat directly to consumers at farmer’s markets and retail shops. On Sept. 19, the couple hosted the final event in the summer long beef production series sponsored by the Capital Area Agriculture & Horticulture Program of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Albany County. The focus of the workshop was cultivating a successful freezer trade, which the Tilley’s have done for their Red Devon grass fed cow/calf herd, broiler chickens and pork. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
CANASTOTA, NY — Dairy meetings that ponder the future of a life devoted to taking care of the nation’s matriarch cows and providing the world with nutritious food are becoming head-scratchers in achieving economic viability. At the recent Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) Annual Meeting and Field Day, organic farmers are not exempt from addressing a myriad of factors that are threatening their livelihoods. (more…)
Cutting Edge T Delilah, owned by Ken Main and Kenny Jo Manion of Copake, NY, made history for a second year in a row on Saturday, Oct. 5, becoming only the second Brown Swiss to ever claim back-to-back World Dairy Expo Supreme Champion titles. Taking the title of Reserve Supreme Champion of World Dairy Expo is Grand Champion of the International Ayrshire Show, De La Plaine Bingo Stinger, owned by Blue-Spruce Farm of Bridport, VT. (more…)
by Stephen Wagner
Being a veteran of scholarship pageants since 1965, the 63rd Pennsylvania Dairy Princess Coronation was its usual spectator treat. What got me started in pageant-watching in the first place: I was dating a girl in 1965 who wanted to enter the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, the next step to the Miss America Pageant. We were in theater together and were between gigs when she decided to do this. She won the Miss Pennsylvania title, part of which was due to winning the talent portion of the pageant with a monologue from “Joan of Arc,” and went on to Atlantic City for Miss America. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
CORTLAND NY — As the autumnal equinox is ushered in, so too is the annual conservation skills training regime for conservation professional partners. Whether environmental stewardship is agriculture, rural, municipal or urban related, the folks on the front line of service seek ongoing training to help clients reach their water quality goals throughout the state. (more…)
by Sally Colby
By the time a farmer begins to harvest corn silage, there’s already a significant investment in what’s coming in from the field. Expenses including seed, fertilizer, inoculant and plastic and the many hours spent planting, harvesting, packing and covering are either paid or will be paid shortly after harvest. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
No signage directs you to Smith’s Stock Farms Inc., in Hornell, NY, where 11 DeLaval robotic milking systems (RMS) have recently been installed.
The farm, about 2,100 acres, was originally established in 1832 on 52 acres. Brothers Lowell and Dale Smith are current owners at the farm. Lowell’s son Aaron, along with Andrew Smith and Chris Passero, are slated as being future owners of the Steuben County dairy. (more…)
