by Troy Bishopp
MUNNSVILLE, NY — In adventuresome farming fashion, Greg and Nathan Peterson and their wives, Brooke Anna and Riley flew from Kansas into New York City, rented a car and navigated through the maze of congested traffic and city tunnels to bring their inspiring and entertaining story to the rural Stockbridge Valley Central School. It’s just another day in the life of the country YouTube sensations and social media influencers. (more…)
by Noah Radliff
During the year, diversified agricultural activities will eventually peak and equipment is needed the most. The mechanical heartbeat of the farm is the tractor. We all have our favorite color of tractors – one minute you’re “swearing by” and the next you’re “swearing at” because when you need it, it breaks down. Now your time, effort and energy (three things that are in short supply on a farm) need to be diverted from your farm’s pressing matters to fix your tractor. Sometimes we need to ask: Is it time to purchase a new tractor? (more…)
by Jon M. Casey
For the past several decades, distillers’ byproducts, also known as co-products, have been a regular addition to the ration programs of beef cattle feedlots throughout Western and Midwestern corn producing regions. This is due largely in part to the increased ethanol in the past 20 years. With this increased use of ethanol as fuel in the transportation industry, and the opening of new distilleries and ethanol plants closer to the corn-producing regions, a consistent source of feedstuffs has become available to nearby feedlots. More importantly, with the increase of corn being used to make ethanol in the U.S. (now over 35% of the annual crop) the increased cost of corn grain makes feeding ethanol co-products like wet distillers’ grains more attractive. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
CAZENOVIA, NY – You can’t buy happiness but you can buy local food at a winter farmers market and that’s kind of the same thing. (more…)
It was a dark, cold Sunday evening just a couple weeks ago and the horses were late coming home from their pasture to the barn for the night. I had their feed, water and hay all ready and was just getting a spare lead rope and flashlight to head out and see where they were when they appeared in the back paddock and headed into the barn. My relief was momentary, as I immediately noticed that Sabrina, my elder mare, seemed to be bleeding profusely from above her eye. I called my husband to come into the barn to help and was prepared to call the veterinarian if necessary, but decided first to calm down, take a deep breath and assess the situation. I put Morgan, our other mare, in her stall where she was happily occupied with eating and didn’t mind being closed in so I could attend to Sabrina. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
Turkey may be the meat of Thanksgiving, but for some it’s the meat of Christmas and New Year’s Day, too. For others, a goose, duck, or Cornish game hen – or maybe something more “exotic” such as quail or partridge – might grace the holiday dinner table. Here’s a look at some of those birds which provide sustenance for our holiday tables, from the perspective of a farmer who raises them. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
It’s clear a love of agriculture runs deeply in the Curtis Szalach family. Siblings Andrew and Erin Curtis Szalach enjoy promoting the Ayrshire breed at events like the New York State Fair and through their various memberships. (more…)
by Katie Navarra
Brent Zimmerman is no stranger to farming. He grew up on a family farm in Michigan that raised dairy, hogs, hay and wheat. After high school he pursued a career in banking until a two-week vacation took him to Tuscany, Italy, in 1991. Instead of boarding his return flight, he stayed for 25 years and changed careers, getting back to his roots. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
In order for a farm to succeed, more than just farming acumen is needed. An ample understanding of agriculture is essential, but even the most knowledgeable farmer would find it difficult to prosper without a fundamental understanding of business practices. (more…)
by Jane Primerano
OXFORD, NJ — The animals from Just One More Farm have made appearances on television shows such as “Saturday Night Live” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
Tractor aficionados had the opportunity to bid on a variety of models from the collection of a lifetime. Phil Card’s lifetime, to be exact. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
On Nov. 12, media outlets from around the globe sent a shockwave throughout the countryside in reporting that the largest dairy processor in America, Dean Foods Company (and substantially all of its subsidiaries), had filed for voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings in the Southern District of Texas. Dairy industry watchdog Pete Hardin, editor and publisher of the Wisconsin-based Milkweed dairy newspaper, said, “The news is jaw-dropping and is the biggest bankruptcy in dairy history.” (more…)
