Two significant climate-related events are drawing a lot of my attention. The first one was an on-farm seminar which was written up in last week’s Country Folks. Elizabeth Tomlin wrote the article titled “Climate Smart Farming encouraged at twilight meeting”. The seminar was held last month at the Mosher Farm in Bouckville, NY. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Whether a dairy herd is large or small, ensuring milk quality is an important aspect of management. Dr. Frank Welcome, veterinarian with Quality Milk Production Services in Ithaca, NY, explained some of the factors that contribute to or hinder quality milk. (more…)
by Troy Bishopp
MUNNSVILLE, NY — “Keeping the rumen healthy makes the grazing dairy cow more productive,” emphasized Organic Valley’s Ruminant Nutritionist, Silvia Abel-Caines. (more…)
The Cayuga County 4-H Youth Fair & Open Beef Cattle Show took place on July 28 during the Cayuga County Fair, 4-H Youth Fair & Big 6 events, which were held at the Ward O’Hara Agricultural Museum & Dr. Joseph Karpinski Educational Center on Route 38A, Auburn. Exhibitors received the following awards: (more…)
by Tamara Scully
A presentation by Cornell professor Matt Ryan, and PhD student Ann Bybee-Finley, of the Sustainable Cropping Systems Laboratory, discussing an ongoing three-year forage resiliency experiment, was held recently in conjunction with a pasture walk at Larry and Denise Moore’s 270-acre certified-organic dairy farm in Lansing, NY. (more…)
It is generally agreed, that the first trial occurred in 1873 in Wales. A few Welsh shepherds gather to show how well their dogs could carry out the herding tasks expected of them on a daily basis. Gathering, fetching, driving, penning and splitting off one or more sheep were part of this initial, informal contest. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
A diverse group of farmers met with NYS Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball and NY Farm Bureau President David Fisher and agriculture representatives, on Aug. 29 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse to voice their frustration and outrage over the impact that newly imposed tariffs, that are causing them financial ruin, and to encourage the government to come to a rapid trade agreement. (more…)
by Courtney Llewellyn
Food, artwork and livestock weren’t the only things on display and being judged at the 2018 Great New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY. One of the quieter competitions is for the best hay in the state. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
In an effort to listen to farmers up close and personal, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, a former farmer and veterinarian, toured several farms in upstate New York on Aug. 23. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
Being able to go with the flow — be it adverse weather, changing market conditions, or changing family needs — has always been a part of farming. Today, with climate change, economic volatility, international trade wars and changing consumer perceptions of food and farming, resiliency to weather any type of storm is more important than ever. (more…)
At the end of important football games the players on the winning team often take a bushel basket full of ice and an orange electrolyte-laden beverage and douse their coach’s head with it. This particular beverage is routinely consumed in large quantities by sweating athletes. (more…)
by Miranda Palmer
“Ice cream brings people together,” said businessman and Arizona Governor, Doug Ducey. When you’re showcasing agriculture in Tioga County, New York what better way to celebrate and teach residents than over this delectable, frosty dairy treat. (more…)