Western Edition

Watch, ask and learn

by Sally Colby

As consumers learn more about modern agricultural production, they’re also asking questions about how livestock are raised. Many farmers have opened their doors to the non-ag public to show them what’s inside the barn and how daily operations take place, but the biosecurity that’s essential for swine and poultry operations disallows that.

Some consumers have an opportunity to see livestock, including swine and poultry, at fairs, but those animals aren’t in their normal setting and it’s hard for people to relate to the production side. The goal of an ag display is to show people where food comes from; that it doesn’t just show up on a grocery shelf, and that there are people devoted to taking care of these animals. But what’s the best way to accomplish that? [Read more…]

Feeding your horse naturally, part 2

by Paul Burdziakowski

In part 1 of feeding your horse naturally, holistic horse expert, Dr. Harman covered the basics of proper nutrition. The cornerstone of optimal nutrition comes from six main classes of nutrients including water, fats, carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals. In order to get these six nutrients in the horses diet Dr. Harman offered some basic guidelines to follow. [Read more…]

Cattle breeding class hosted by Catskill Veterinary Services, PLLC, part 1

by Judy Van Put

The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County office in Liberty, NY, was the location for an interesting and in-depth class on cattle breeding one chilly January day. Sponsored by Dr. Joseph D’Abbraccio and Dr. Kimberley Crowe of the Catskill Veterinary Services, PLLC, the class was well attended and well received.

Dr. Kim began her seminar on cattle breeding with a discussion focusing on reproductive anatomy of the cow; as she explained that many people are handling the breeding of their own animals today and may or may not be using synchronization protocols. Today’s research shows that knowing what specifically is happening with the animal makes a big difference in the success of breeding and the delivery of a healthy offspring, and learning and knowing reproductive anatomy is very important. [Read more…]

Somerset County lamb brings home the Purple Banner at 100th Farm Show

HARRISBURG, PA – Logan Svonavec from Rockwood, Somerset County and his 144-pound crossbred lamb took home the top honor of Grand Champion Junior Market Lamb on Sunday, Jan. 10 at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.

Before receiving the show’s highest honor, Svonavec and his lamb were awarded the Champion Crossbred Middleweight title as well as the title for overall Champion Crossbred. [Read more…]

NY Farm Bureau Statement On Gov. Cuomo’s State Of The State And Executive Budget

“Governor Andrew Cuomo is moving forward with some major budget proposals that will impact agriculture across the state in positive and negative ways. New York Farm Bureau has advocated on a host of issues mentioned in the State of the State, and many of the Governor’s requests reflect his interest to improving conditions for family farms across the state. [Read more…]

NYS Ag Commissioner optimistic at NYS Ag Society and Forum Meeting

by Pat Malin

LIVERPOOL, NY – New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball is predicting 2016 will be a “year of optimism” for agriculture.

During his address at the 184^th meeting of the New York State Agricultural Society Meeting and Forum on Jan. 7, Ball referred to “renewed recognition of how important the (farm) industry is to our state’s economy.”

With two years in office behind him, Ball is hitting full stride now, especially in the marketing department. With Governor Andrew Cuomo’s help, the department has succeeded in pushing local agriculture farther out into the public square, gaining attention and revenue for farmers and spotlighting the state’s homegrown quality produce. [Read more…]

A question all farmers should answer?

by Troy Bishopp

If you haven’t already heard by now, climate change is on the minds of many New Yorkers, and the world. This has spurred community based leaders and elected officials to open up the (our) coffers in an attempt to research, educate and stem the tide of Mother Nature’s finger-pointing for our years of environmental, financial and social behavior. Why? So we can become a more resilient state.

The earth’s condition has inspired me to educate myself at resiliency summits and agricultural meetings to try and separate fact from hysteria; all the while lamenting about my farm’s biggest resiliency question. What is the one thing that will make us (you) more resilient? [Read more…]

2016 Keystone Farm Show is “Stellar” this year!

by Jon M. Casey

This year’s Keystone Farm Show, the 19^th annual “Farm Show for Farmers” held Jan 5-7, was by far the biggest and best show yet. Some would say it was “Stellar!” With more than 400 exhibitors filling every venue available at the York Fairgrounds in York, PA, attendees were able to shop both indoors and out, because this year’s mild and sunny weather was most accommodating as it welcomed farmers from Pennsylvania and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic states. Venues for the vendor’s displays included eight permanent buildings and a heated 200-foot long tent (for the second year), along with a number of outdoor exhibits strategically placed around the show campus. Show manager, Ken Maring, said the response for exhibit space has been so encouraging that the show staff is considering adding a second heated tent for the 2017 Keystone Farm Show. [Read more…]

Country Folks

Highlighting Agriculture