Lee Newspapers, Author at Country Folks

Horse Tales: Research on horses at Rutgers

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:51:46-05:00October 19, 2021|Mid Atlantic|

On Sept. 23, the Department of Animal Sciences at Rutgers University Graduate Program presented a webinar on “assessing muscular tension as an indicator of acute stress in horses.” The study presented was a prototype for using the approach in assessing stress in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the horses they are working with during an eight-week equine-assisted activities program. Ellen Rankins, a third-year Ph.D. candidate at Rutgers, gave the presentation on the use of surface electromyography units (sEMG) to record the muscular tension experienced by the horse as an indicator of stress. Surface electromyography is used in humans as an aid to diagnose neuromuscular disorders, determine the need for surgery and to evaluate muscular function and the effects of sports and rehabilitation programs. (more…)

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Feeding dairy calves with autofeeders

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:49:15-05:00October 19, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Sally Colby

No matter how dairy calves are fed, the goal is the same: to make sure calves have a good start. While some farmers raise calves in pairs, historically, most calves are raised without direct contact with other calves. Using autofeeders for group-housed calves is a significant management switch and requires a commitment starting with personnel managing fresh cows and their calves. (more…)

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Inside World Dairy Expo: An experience for those who walk on two or four legs

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:46:13-05:00October 19, 2021|Eastern Edition, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Hannah Majewski

The atmosphere in the barns is like no other. Everyone is there for the same reason: to see the best of the best compete on the colored shavings. World Dairy Expo is an experience that no exhibitor or spectator can forget. The barn aisles are filled to the brim with high-quality dairy cattle from all across the U.S. and Canada and a community of people who are infinitely passionate about this sector of the dairy industry. (more…)

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Grow-NY finalists aim to benefit Upstate New York

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:30:12-05:00October 19, 2021|Eastern Edition|

by Enrico Villamaino

2021 marks the third year that Grow-NY will offer $3 million in prize money to seven food and agriculture startups from across the globe. (more…)

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Capturing rain is a full-time job for grazing dairies

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:28:38-05:00October 19, 2021|Eastern Edition, Western Edition|

by Troy Bishopp

PENN YAN, NY – After the historic 2020 drought in the Finger Lakes, area grazing dairy farmers are enjoying 2021’s robust growing season with plentiful moisture, heat and a return to pasture walks with an emphasis on biology. (more…)

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Introducing Isabella ‘Izzy’ Wallace

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:26:21-05:00October 19, 2021|Eastern Edition|

Hi, folks! My name is Isabella Wallace, and I will serve as the 2021-22 student writer for Country Folks representing SUNY Morrisville. I am a sophomore and will graduate in 2024 with a bachelor’s in dairy management. I grew up in Homer, NY, across from E-Z Acres, owned by Pete and Mike McMahon. They have 2,200 acres and 800 cows and are a third-generation dairy. (more…)

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The future of milk labels and reducing waste

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:38:36-05:00October 12, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, Western Edition|

by Enrico Villamaino

As much as 40% of food in the U.S. is reportedly going to waste. According to the USDA, an estimated 13.9 billion pounds of food and 17 billion pounds of milk are lost to waste annually. (more…)

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Air quality and cows

Lee Newspapers2021-10-12T14:15:38-05:00October 12, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Tamara Scully

Animal agriculture contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. That is a fact. However, the contribution of livestock – all livestock animals, not just cows – contributes a mere 4% of the GHG emissions in the U.S. according to the EPA. (more…)

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Managing farm finances

Lee Newspapers2021-10-19T13:37:56-05:00October 12, 2021|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Effectively managing the farm family’s finances can make the difference between a farm succeeding or folding. MidAtlantic Women in Agriculture recently presented “Managing Farm Family Finances” with presenters Maria Pippidis and Jesse Ketterman, both Extension educators. Pippidis is with the University of Delaware and Ketterman is with the University of Maryland. (more…)

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Dairy grazier showcases resiliency when Fred arrives

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:46:35-05:00September 28, 2021|Eastern Edition, Western Edition|

by Troy Bishopp

If you want to learn about the attributes of good grazing management, go on a pasture walk with a herd of farmers. But if you want to see real resiliency on the land, visit a grass farm when “Fred the Hurricane” blows into town and dumps seven inches of rain on the landscape. It’s an opportunity to appreciate and study how dairy graziers are building soil health, producing high quality organic milk and providing ecosystem services for their community in the face of weather events. (more…)

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Farmer Pete and his sheep

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:06:21-05:00September 28, 2021|New England Farm Weekly|

by Sally Colby

Pete Sepe, known in his community as Farmer Pete, has been raising sheep for a long time – starting as a youngster in 4-H and continuing through high school. After high school, when he was headed for Cornell, Pete gave his sheep to his brother. (more…)

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Building clean water

Lee Newspapers2021-09-28T10:00:36-05:00September 28, 2021|Mid Atlantic|

by Sally Colby

Savvy farmers in early civilizations managed cropland drainage for higher yields. Over the years, farmers experimented with a variety of drainage methods, including clay pipes that were widely used until the 1970s. But no matter what the year or design, the goal was the same: to keep excess water away from roots. (more…)

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