by Sally Colby
Veterinarian and researcher Dr. Doerte Doepfer has seen a lot of foot problems in cattle, but said the two standouts are foot rot and hairy heel wart.
Hairy heel wart (also known as strawberry foot, raspberry heel, interdigital papillomatosis or digital dermatitis) has been an ongoing problem for dairy farmers. More recently, the issue has been showing up in beef herds. (more…)
by Sally Colby
It can happen at any time. A cow slips as she leaves the parlor, or perhaps she’s weak after calving or has milk fever. She’s down, and the goal is to get her on her feet as quickly and safely as possible. (more…)
Recently, the New York State Horse Council presented the second of its four equine nutrition webinars. Presenter Meghan Crout works as an equine sales specialist for Land O’Lakes. She graduated from SUNY Cobleskill with a degree in agribusiness and is a horse owner herself. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
“Without labor nothing prospers,” said ancient Greek scribe Sophocles. The ongoing pandemic has brought attention to the role the agricultural workforce plays in ensuring Americans (and the world) are fed. But there are still major labor issues to be decided – H-2A reform, COVID-19 workforce safety and nurturing the next generations of ag leaders. These were the topics covered by American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall during his “Shaping the Future of Our Essential Agricultural Workforce” presentation during the virtual NASDA Winter Policy Conference. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Grazing one’s own land can provide an economic way to raise beef cattle; however, not every cattleman possesses enough land to effectively graze his herd. Whether he grazes his cattle on his own land or on someone else’s, it costs money. Father and son team Jon and Jared Luhman operate Dry Creek Red Angus. The family-owned direct market, grass-fed beef and organic cash crop farm is in Goodhue, MN. Their herd contract grazes on cover crops and crop residue, including their neighbor’s fields and at sites as remote as Nebraska. They shared their findings at “Contract Grazing Cover Crops for Winter Feed,” a recent webinar hosted by Practical Farmers of Iowa. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
It’s always about the next big thing, whether it’s a new model of phone or the new “superfood.” The big thing in content creation and sharing right now is TikTok.
The short, vertical videos on the app, often accompanied by prerecorded sound bytes or music, are dominating social media, but they’re not just for teens. Viral success can happen overnight, even for farmers and growers. You just need the right equipment, some inspiration and a message to share. (more…)
by Sally Colby
It doesn’t take long for undesirable species to choke out unused pastures. The easy fix is herbicides, but managing them mechanically is sometimes a better option. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
Carbon dioxide and carbon seem to be frequent headliners these days. Whether it comes in the form of a carbon cowboy, carbon footprints, carbon sequestration, carbon capture or carbon credits, many want to store it away as humus on agricultural lands to save the planet. (more…)
The U.S. government declared farmworkers essential in March 2020. The CDC has advised giving ag workers early access to vaccines, but different states have taken different approaches to that guidance. There are more than 50,000 ag workers in New York State. Despite that, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has decided not to include them in Phase 1B of the vaccine rollout plan. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Want greater soybean and wheat yields? Dr. Shawn Conley, University of Wisconsin-Madison soybean and wheat specialist, presented “Getting Your Best Soybean and Wheat Yield” as part of the New York Soybean & Small Grains Congress hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crop Program. Team leader Mike Stanyard, Cornell Extension specialist, emceed. (more…)
The March 1 issue of Country Folks listed the name of Second Alternate State Dairy Princess Elizabeth Hyman with an incorrect spelling. We apologize for any inconvenience.
by Troy Bishopp
“Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try,” said President John F. Kennedy. It’s sage advice in life, and sharing your story on the farm opens the portals of social media. Agriculture has said they need more farmer advocates to educate the public on the realities of farming. Challenge accepted… (more…)
