Since Jan. 1, seven Wyoming County 4-H Youth have competed in a contest to win a registered dairy calf of their choice. The 4-H Win-A-Calf Project is a nine-month project where youth keep monthly expense records, research dairy topics, and do an interview all in the hopes to win a registered dairy calf. (more…)
by Catie Joyce-Bulay
“We always have the biggest smiles on our faces when we walk around, like ‘I can’t believe we live here,’” said Gregg Stiner, co-owner of Grace Pond Farm, during a recent Farm Training Project workshop, a series of webinars put on by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Big news was announced in the dairy world earlier this month, with Nestlé offering its support – in the form of $10 million over a five-year period – for the Net Zero Initiative, a new industry-wide effort that will help U.S. dairy farms of all sizes implement new technologies and adopt economically viable practices. The initiative ties into the dairy industry’s environmental stewardship goals of achieving carbon neutrality, optimized water usage and improved water quality by 2050. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
Entrances to livestock barns can get quite messy. Depending on how often and how many animals are utilizing it, plus any heavy equipment accessing the entryway, the area can become dangerous and dirty. As with other heavy use areas, proper planning, construction and maintenance can go a long way in mitigating cow comfort and safety issues. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Ben and Sharon Peckman are experienced farmers, successfully operating their Franklin County, PA, dairy farm. Sharon manages the herd of 160 milking cows and 130 replacement heifers in a free-stall system. The Peckmans grow crops on about 1,000 acres for dairy rations and cash crops. (more…)
by Richard J. Skelly
MILFORD, NJ – Operating since the summer of 2010, the Bobolink Dairy and Bake House has quickly carved out a reputation for providing quality over quantity in foodie and organic farmer circles.
Known for their regenerative agricultural approach and practices, Jonathan and Nina White are second career farmers who kept their jobs while entertaining the possibility of eventually farming full-time.
Jonathan’s fascination with cheeses and cheesemaking led him to raising cows for milk. His cows at Bobolink are pasture-fed. (more…)
by Sally Colby
It’s a fact: Consumers are several generations removed from the farm and don’t understand agricultural production. While farmers have worked hard to garner consumer trust, there’s still a gap between what happens on the farm and what consumers believe. Despite education campaigns and increased farm transparency, many consumer distrust issues are centered on animal welfare and antibiotic use. (more…)
by Jennifer Roux
On Oct. 8, 1996, just hours after having his first and only son, Michael Roux Sr. kissed his wife goodbye and left the hospital to purchase his very first Milking Shorthorn from Kenny Goodwin of North Berwick, Maine. Since then, the Roux family has been writing their own story in the dairy business. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The purpose of farming organically is to protect natural resources to produce an agricultural product. Organic growing requires farmers to work with the natural environment to promote a healthy biome – one where the balance of beneficial elements outweighs the presence of any detrimental ones and keeping disease and pests in check by creating nutrient-rich soils in which nutrient-dense, healthy crops can thrive. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
While most farmers seek to keep animals away from their crops, Nathan and Sarah Anderson work at ways to integrate wildlife into natural habitats on Bobolink Prairie Farms, their Aurelia, Iowa, farm, to increase overall profitability. Practical Farmers of Iowa offered “Using Conservation to Improve Farm Profitability” as a recent webinar in which Nathan Anderson spoke about their edge-of-field conservation on marginal lands to provide water quality and wildlife benefits while improving return on investment on farmed acres. (more…)
Chenango County Ag-Stravaganza
by Janet Pfromm, 4-H Coordinator
Chenango County 4-H and the Chenango County Agricultural Society partnered together this summer to host a 2020 Ag-Stravaganza for youth and adult exhibitors in Chenango and contiguous counties. The show boasted more than 100 exhibitors and 400 domestic projects and animals for competition.
4-H Domestic Projects, Judge’s Choice Awards to: Maygan Roy, David Palmer III, Aidan Brown-Smith, Meghan Funk, Sarina Bell, and Amon Van Alst.
Poultry Show, Judge: Jamie Matts
Novice Showmanship Champion: Annika Armstrong
Reserve: Noah Brandt
Junior Showmanship Champion: Amon Van Alst
Reserve: Maria Funk
Senior Showmanship Champion: Devon Fairchild
Reserve: Raichel Brandt
Master Showman: Devon Fairchild
Reserve: Amon Van Alst
Champion Bantam: Maria Funk
Champion Standard: Amon Van Alst
Champion Pigeon: Devon Fairchild
Champion Waterfowl: Noah Brandt
Champion Turkey: Amon Van Alst
Best In Show: Amon Van Alst, Rhode Island Red
Rabbit & Cavy Show, Judge: Kassie Rameaka
Novice Showmanship Champion: Sophia Bell
Reserve: Noah Brandt
Junior Showmanship Champion: Sarina Bell
Reserve: Mason O’Neil
Senior Showmanship Champion: Raichel Brandt
Master Showman: Raichel Brandt
Reserve: Sarina Bell
Champion American Fuzzy Lop: Sophia Bell
Champion Holland Lop: Sarina Bell
Champion Lionhead: Raichel Brandt
Champion Mini Rex: Mason O’Neil
Champion Netherland Dwarf: Ava Kemmeren
Champion Silver Fox: Klarissa Cotten
Champion Pet Rabbit: Phalen Hill
Best In Show Rabbit: Phalen Hill, Pet Rabbit
Champion American Cavy: Annika Armstrong
Champion Abyssinian Cavy: Annika Armstrong
Champion Peruvian Cavy: Noah Brandt
Best In Show Cavy: Annika Armstrong, American
Best In Show Overall: Phalen Hill, Pet Rabbit
Reserve Best In Show Overall: Annika Armstrong, American Cavy
Dairy Goat Show, Judge: Dr. Cynthia Shelly
Novice Champion Showman: Annika Armstrong
Reserve: Aidan Brown-Smith
Junior Champion Showman: Skyler Graham
Reserve: Abriauna Adams
Intermediate Champion Showman: Cole Warren
Reserve: David Palmer III
Senior Champion Showman: Paige Warren
Reserve: Devon Fairchild
Master Showman: Paige Warren
Reserve: Devon Fairchild
Alpine:
4-H Jr. & Res. Jr. Champions; Sr., Res. Sr., Grand & Res. Grand Champions: Abriauna Adams
Open Jr. Champion : Abriauna Adams
Res. Open Jr. Champion: Kaleigh Fairchild
Open Sr., Res. Sr., Grand & Res. Gr. Champions: Abriauna Adams
LaMancha:
4-H Junior Champion, Res Sr. & Res. Grand Champion: Maygan Roy
4-H Senior & Grand Champion: David Palmer III
Open Junior, Res. Junior Champion, Sr. & Grand Champion: Helen Powers
Open Res. Senior & Grand Champion: Susan Graham
Nubian:
4-H & Open Jr Champion; Res Grand Champion: Cole Warren
4-H & Open Res. Jr. Champion: Paige Warren
4-H & Open Sr. & Grand Champion: Meghan Funk
Saanen:
4-H & Open Jr., Sr. & Grand Champions: Cole Warren
4-H & Open Res. Jr. Champion: Skyler Graham
4-H & Open Res. Sr. & Res. Grand Champion: Davia Adams
Toggenburg:
4-H & Open Jr Champion; Res. Sr. & Res. Grand Champion: Devon Fairchild
4-H & Open Res. Jr. Champion: Cole Warren
4-H & Open Sr. & Grand Champion: Peyton Graham
Recorded Grade:
4-H & Open Jr. Champion: Peyton Graham
Open Jr. Champion: Addyson Olsen
4-H & Open Sr. & Grand Champion: Abriauna Adams
4-H & Open Res. Sr. & Grand Champion: Skyler Graham
Nigerian Dwarf:
Open Jr. Champion: Micaela Brandt
Open Res. Jr. Champion: Lucas Meseck
4-H & Open Sr. & Grand Champion; 4-H Res. Sr. Champion: Raichel Brandt
Open Res. Gr. Champion: Micaela Brandt
Oberhasli:
4-H & Open Jr. Champion & Res. Grand Champion: Maria Funk
4-H Res. Jr. Champion; Sr. & Grand Champion: Jase Adams
Open Res. Jr. Champion: Jamie Funk
Supreme Junior Doe of Show, 4-H & Open: Peyton Graham, Recorded Grade
Supreme Senior Doe of Show, 4-H & Open: Peyton Graham, Toggenberg
Best Udder of Show: Jase Adams, Oberhasli
Dairy Cattle, Judge: Doug Wolfe
Open Novice Champion Showman: Melody Van Gorder
Open Reserve: Garrus Van Gorder
4-H & Open Junior Champion Showman: Taylor Hodge
4-H & Open Reserve: Cora Hodge
4-H & Open Intermediate Champion Showman: Will Rumovicz
4-H Reserve: Owen Hill
Open Reserve: Chloe Davis
Open Senior Champion Showman: Mackinze Meisner
Open Reserve: Quinlan Davis
4-H Master Showman: Will Rumovicz
4-H Res. Master Showman: Taylor Hodge
Open Master Showman: Mackinze Meisner
Open Reserve: Quinlan Davis
Ayrshire:
Open Sr. & Grand Champion: Kyler Meisner
Brown Swiss:
Jr. Champion & Res. Grand Champion: Mackinze Meisner
Res. Jr. Champion: Anna Aukema
Sr. & Grand Champion: Chloe Davis
Guernsey:
4-H & Open Jr. & Res. Jr.; Sr. & Res. Sr.; Grand & Res. Grand Champions: Will Rumovicz
Holstein:
4-H & Open Jr., Res. Jr., Sr. & Res. Sr., 4-H Grand & Res. Grand Champions: Lily Marshman
Open Res. Sr. & Res. Grand Champion: Greenview Farm
Jersey:
4-H Jr. & Res. Jr. Champion; Open Res. Jr. Champion; 4-H Res. Grand Champion: Cora Hodge
Open Jr. Champion: Adrienne Hodge
4-H & Open Sr. & Grand Champion: Taylor Hodge
4-H Res. Sr. Champion: Morgan Hodge
Open Res. Sr. & Res. Grand Champion: Chloe Davis
4-H & Open Junior Best in Show: Lily Marshman, Red & White Holstein
4-H & Open Best In Show, Best Bred & Owned, Best Udder: Lily Marshman, Red & White Holstein
Swine Show, Judge: Ashlee Young
Junior Champion Showman: Skyler Graham
Senior Champion Showman: Devon Fairchild
Reserve: Peyton Graham
Master Showman: Devon Fairchild
Reserve Master: Skyler Graham
Champion & Res. Champion Berkshire: Devon Fairchild
Champion Market Hog: Devon Fairchild
Supreme Market Animal: Devon Fairchild, Hog
Sheep Show, Judge: Ashlee Young
Open Novice Champion Showman: Grace Walley
Reserve: Anna Aukema
Open Junior Champion Showman: Brycen Aukema
4-H Junior Champion Showman & Res Open: Amon Van Alst
4-H & Open Senior Champion Showman: Emma Peila
4-H Master Showman: Emma Peila
4-H Reserve: Amon Van Alst
Open Master Showman: Brycen Aukema
Open Reserve: Emma Peila
Cheviot:
4-H & Open Champion Ewe: Emma Peila
Finn:
4-H & Open Champion & Res. Champion Ram: Amon Van Alst
4-H & Open Champion & Res, Champion Ewe : Amon Van Alst
Shropshire:
Open Champion Ram: Conner Kane
Open Champion & Res. Champion Ewe: Conner Kane
Southdown:
Open Champion Ram & Res. Champion Ewe: Kassidy Miller
Open Champion Ewe: Conner Kane
Suffolk:
Open Champion Ram: Aukema Family
Open Champion & Res. Champion Ewe: Aukema Family
AOV:
Open Champion Ram & Ewe: Grace Walley
Commercial White Wool Breed:
4-H & Open Champion & Res. Champion Ewe: Amon Van Alst
Commercial Natural Wool Breed:
4-H & Open Champion & Res. Champion Ewe: Amon Van Alst
Commercial White Meat Breed:
4-H & Open Champion Ram: Emma Peila
4-H Supreme Champion Ewe: Emma Peila, Cheviot
Reserve: Amon Van Alst, CNWB
4-H Supreme Champion Ram: Amon Van Alst, Finn
Reserve: Emma Peila, CWMB
Open Supreme Ewe: Conner Kane, Shropshire
Reserve: Aukema Family, Suffolk
Open Supreme Ram: Aukema Family, Suffolk
Reserve: Conner Kane, Shropshire
Meat Goat Show, Judge: Ashlee Young
4-H & Open Junior Champion Showman; Master Showman: Skyler Graham
4-H & Open Senior Champion Showman; Res. Master Showman: Peyton Graham
4-H & Open Res. Senior Champion Showman: Jaryn Price
4-H Junior Champion: Jaryn Price
Open Junior & Res. Junior Champion: Jake Beers
4-H Sr., Res. Sr., Grand & Res. Grand; Open Res. Sr. Champion: Skyler Graham
Open Sr., Grand & Res. Grand: Jake Beers
Beef Show, Judge: Ashlee Young
Junior & Master Champion Showman: Ricky Pegg
Champion Shorthorn & Supreme Bull: Brittany Fairchild
Champion & Res. Champion Shorthorn Cow & Supreme Cow: Brittany Fairchild
Champion AOV Cow: Ricky Pegg
Champion Commercial Cow: Jake Beers
Champion Market Beef: Ricky Pegg
Horse Show
Walk/Trot-Jog Champion: Leena Harmon
Reserve: Micah Medovich
11 & Under E & W Champion: Marley Goedel
12 & Over E & W Champion: Kerri Johnson
Congratulations to all exhibitors on their accomplishments. To learn more about the Chenango County 4-H Program, visit ccechenango.org/4-h-youth-development, follow us on Facebook (chenango4h), call: 607.334.5841 x1112 or stop by 99 N. Broad St., Norwich, NY 13815.
by Tamara Scully
Confusing and misleading claims on conventional poultry products and overall industry “greenwashing” has left consumers perplexed. (more…)
