Next year is 2020 – and if you haven’t heard a pun about a “perfect vision” for the new year, we’re reiterating it here. At Lee Newspapers, we are making changes now to present a new vision for our loyal readers. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
Tucked away in Central New York, the fourth, fifth and sixth generations of a farming family are working to live up to their brood’s mission statement: “To live lives of significance that we can share with our family and friends. Our aim is to produce quality products using sustainable methods that allows us to move responsibly into the future while protecting that part of God’s creation entrusted to us.” (more…)
by Sally Colby
Given some acreage and a bit of time, nearly anyone can put weaned beef calves on good pasture and watch them grow. Sounds simple enough, but pasture management and grazing requires skill and attention to what’s happening in pastures – not just when pasture is growing, but throughout the season. (more…)
by Sally Colby
At the first Lamb Summit held recently in Fort Collins, CO, 200 sheep producers and industry leaders from across the nation gathered for a variety of educational sessions designed to showcase the latest in sheep production. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
New York’s NRCS Resource Conservationist, Ed Henry, set the stage of Grasstravaganza 2019 by quoting Thomas Jefferson’s understanding of a strong agronomic economy as the backbone of a nation: “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals and happiness.” Henry believes the adoption of properly managed grazing is one of the most efficient ways to produce food for New York consumers and inspired the capacity crowd to grasp the possibilities. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Invasive insect species can cause havoc on a farm because in many instances the pests have no natural predators. That’s why Patricia Wakefield-Brown, invasive species outreach for Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva and volunteer coordinator with Finger Lakes Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management, presented on invasive species at the recent Empire Farm Days. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Understanding components driving soybean and corn yields and best practices for field management were among topics of interest presented during the 2019 NY Corn and Soybean Growers Association (NYCSGA) Summer Crop Tour recently hosted by Merrimac Farms, Inc., Mount Morris, NY. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Since glyphosate is a hot button issue for both consumers and producers, American Hort brought together several experts in the field to discuss the topic. American Hort represents the entire horticulture industry and has been following the glyphosate debate in the interest of dispersing the science behind the glyphosate issue. (more…)
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY – Cattle handling for vet appointments and routine procedures is “an extremely important part of raising cattle and it’s part of the Beef Quality Assurance program,” said Mike Baker, Ph.D., beef cattle Extension specialist with Cornell University. Baker led a presentation on beef cattle chutes at the recent Empire Farm Days. The presentation highlighted several features of various chutes in a live cattle demonstration. Presenters showed how beef producers can effectively use them to improve handling cattle to reduce stress in cattle and make cattlemen’s tasks easier. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Herbicide classification charts and weed identification guides may not be on your ‘Christmas wish-list,’ but if you’re reading this, maybe they should be. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Anyone who has worked cattle with a spouse or other family member knows the process can lead to tension and arguments. Cattle become stressed because they’re crowded and forced to move unnaturally, and noisy gates and tight spots are uncomfortable and unfamiliar. People become flustered, try to rush, and everything falls apart – including family relationships. (more…)
by Betsy Hicks, Area Dairy Management Specialist
Dairy farms today are faced with difficult decisions that impact their day-to-day operations in both short-term and long-term business viability. During this drawn-out low in milk prices, attention to these decisions can be the difference between a farm being able to cash-flow through the lows, or a farm losing thousands of dollars of equity that was earned during better times. To help our producers work through difficult financial decisions, the team has facilitated profitability conversations through two means: the Dairy Acceleration Program and Dairy Profit Teams. (more…)
