Headwater Holsteins
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Lorelle and Eric Sherman of Headwater Holsteins, Lewis County, NY say it was a great move, settling into a strong farming community such as theirs is. (more…)
Dairy crisis: Finding alternatives
by Tamara Scully
It’s no secret that the dairy farming sector has been under extreme pressures for decades. The system is broken, and dairy farmers aren’t getting anything near a fair share of milk profits. (more…)
New York Exhibitor Wins All-American Dairy Show Junior Showmanship Competition
HARRISBURG, PA – Lily Marshman, 10, of Oxford, NY, rose to the top of 100 exhibitors on Sept. 17 to become the Champion Junior Showman of the Youth Showmanship Contest during the 2018 All-American Dairy Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. (more…)
Slick sheep shine at Keystone
by Sally Colby
While many sheep exhibitors were washing, carding and trimming sheep prior to classes at the Keystone International Livestock Expo (KILE), held recently in Harrisburg, PA, one breed required almost no preparation at the venue. Shropshire sheep are slick-sheared prior to the show, arrive with almost no wool and need only some last-minute touch-ups prior to exhibition. (more…)
Research at land grant universities
by George Looby
A recent issue of the Financial Partner, a publication of Farm Credit East, summarized the research activities at some of the colleges of agriculture in its service area. Research has long been one of the major activities of these institutions but too often the work they do goes unrecognized.
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Soil health /Cover Crop meeting addresses rainfall trends
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
“It’s those spur of the moment, on-site decisions that decide success or failure… and it’s a moving target… every day,” said Steve Groff, Cover Crops Coach and crop farmer of Holtwood, PA. (more…)
Hay in the shadows
by Ty Mason
When I was growing up we had beef cattle at home and bought the hay to feed them. I knew from that time that if I was going to go into farming livestock of any kind commercially, I was going to make my own hay.
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Lustrous locks at Keystone
by Sally Colby
Darlene Leary of Wind Valley Farm in Oakham, MA, took a few minutes to talk about sheep during a break from preparing a selection of animals for the show ring at the Keystone International Livestock Expo (KILE) held recently in Harrisburg, PA. (more…)
Voluntary milking system dedicated at UConn
by George Looby
On Sept. 7, 2018, a new milking system was dedicated at the Kellogg Dairy Center at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. This system is designed to make more efficient use of time, labor and cow comfort and represents a considerable departure from most of the milking systems now in place. For many of the readership, mastering the art of hand milking remains a vivid memory.
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Balancing projects at Field O’Dreams Farm
by Courtney Llewellyn
AMHERST, NH – Hobbies are supposed to be small diversions from the everyday things most of us need to do. They’re supposed to be fun activities that help you relax or get in better shape or expand your knowledge. When you get into farming, however, you may end up with two full-time jobs. (more…)
The 18th Annual Celebrating Agriculture
by George Looby
There was a hint of autumn in the air as Celebrating Agriculture, held on the grounds of the Woodstock, CT, Fair, celebrated its 18th year of promoting agricultural activities in northeastern Connecticut. Those in charge were pleased with the turn out. (more…)
Eli Bartlett and oxen Mark and Twain win blue ribbons at the Big E
by Laura Rodley
SALISBURY, MA – When Eli Bartlett wanted to join a 4-H oxen club, there were no clubs near him. His aunt, Donna Bartlett, asked Mark Winslow, the leader of the nearest oxen club, which happened to be in Maine, if he could join. The answer was yes. (more…)
