Ag commissioner says now is the time for farmers, agribusinesses to prepare for hurricane season

RALEIGH, NC — Hardly a county in North Carolina can say it is immune from hurricane damage. From Ivan in the mountains, Hugo in the foothills, Fran in the Sandhills, and Isabel and Floyd in the East, hurricanes have cost lives and livelihoods in every region of the state.

Scientists are predicting another active hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, which means North Carolina could again find itself in the path of a storm.

Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler is encouraging farmers, livestock producers, food manufacturers, pesticide dealers, timber owners and other agribusinesses across the state to prepare now for hurricane season. [Read more…]

Cayuga County holds Youth Tractor Safety Course

CE-MR-1-Cayuga-Cou1nty1Each year, Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Cayuga County delivers a Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Certification course, specifically to educate youth. Youth from Cayuga and the surrounding counties are invited to participate in this very important safety program. This year, 10 teenagers from Cayuga and Onondaga Counties successfully completed the six week (24 hour) safety certification course. [Read more…]

Fighting the silver bullet mentality

CM-50-1-Fighting-the-s1ilverby Sally Colby

Dr. Gareth Bath, University of Pretoria, South Africa, says when it comes to treating sheep and goats for internal parasites, producers have spent far too long concentrating on the parasites instead of the host.

“We tended to rely on dosing remedies that worked,” said Bath, explaining the worldwide resistance problem. “Since the 1960s, there have been a series of excellent drugs. Unfortunately, this led us to be lazy and get into bad habits and not think of anything except a dosing program. [Read more…]

He that plants trees loves others besides himself

CE-MR-1-Plant-tre1es2by Troy Bishopp

HAMILTON, NY — English Clergyman and writer, Thomas Fuller, inspired this belief in 1660, which is also a timely sentiment for our climate-changing environment. There was definitely some love to share as over 230 residents from Madison, Oneida and surrounding counties bought saplings from this year’s Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District’s 30th anniversary tree sale. [Read more…]

Success rings its bell loudly

CN-39-3-Success-rin2gs2by Laura Rodley

Change is constant. Come summer, Dr. Hess Veterinary Service’s office in South Hadley will be operating under its new name. On April 27, papers were signed making it Hess McWilliams Veterinary Services, as Dr. Frederick Hess and Dr. Rose McWilliams became partners.

Their extern is set to graduate from Cornell University in May. Her name is Caroline Barstow, wife of Steven Barstow, 7th generation farmer at Longview Farm in Hadley, MA. [Read more…]