by Tamara Scully
Conservation planners may not be familiar with working with certified organic livestock producers, and may harbor misconceptions about organic farming. Yet conservation planning and organic livestock farming share the same foundation: to preserve natural resources and promote biodiversity. [Read more…]
by George Looby, DMV
Animal agriculture has long relied on the addition of antibiotics to increase feed efficiency and to aid in the control of low grade intestinal infections, especially in young animals. This practice has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as the human population has had to contend with the development of so-called super bugs which are resistant to conventional antibiotic therapy. [Read more…]
by Alex Huebner
For the Kriese family at Spring Pond Farms, raising beef cattle is an indelible part of their history. John Kriese, the current owner of Spring Pond Farm II, has been raising Herefords on his own since his grandfather gave him one as a gift back in 1970. His daughter, Kate, is established in the beef showing world in New York State, winning multiple Grand Champion 4-H awards for her Hereford heifers. [Read more…]
by Bill and Mary Weaver
One of the highlights at the Main Horse Arena at Ag Progress Days 2015 was the 6-horse-hitch team of high stepping Belgians from Sunny Hill Farms in Myerstown, PA. Ken and Karen Sandoe have been showing these towering draft horses for more than 17 years. [Read more…]
by Troy Bishopp
“There are two things that interest me: The relation of people to each other, and the relation of people to land,” said American author and conservationist, Aldo Leopold. Since 1992, The Upper Susquehanna Coalition (USC) with its network of 19 Soil and Water Conservation Districts in New York and Pennsylvania have followed the same sentiment. [Read more…]
by Steve Wagner
“I’d like to thank the PA Corn Growers for sponsoring my talk here today,” said Eric Rosenbaum, one of the presenters at the 2015 Farming for Success at Penn State’s Research Station in Lancaster County, PA. The corn growers association, he added, “is active within the state. We are doing a lot with education, not only to educate farmers on what we can do to increase yields and profitability, but also to educate the non-ag community on what is considered a normal farming practice, why we do the things we do, why we have big sprayers, why we have big combines, why we’re using pesticides and why we’re using GMOs.” [Read more…]
by Pat Malin
LEE CENTER, NY — As a schoolboy, David Steinbach relished studying American history and life in rural New York State.
Then in the 1990s, armed with an engineering degree from Virginia Tech University, he entered the business world. Unfortunately, it meant leaving behind his passions. In 2006, after a frustrating spell sitting behind a desk, he made an abrupt about face. [Read more…]
by Bill and Mary Weaver
Ben Nolt, President and Co-Founder of Capital Area Therapeutic Riding Association (CATRA), narrated for CATRA’s “Miniature Horse Extravaganza” as his all-volunteer assistants put the miniature horses and donkeys through their paces and tricks at the Main Horse Area at Ag Progress Days 2015. [Read more…]