by Laura Rodley
All year long fair organizers prepare for the Heath Fair. Over 5,000 attended the three-day fair in mid-August, featuring sheep, goat and rabbit shows, horse and ox pulling, hay wagon rides, fireworks, kids events, musical venues, an antique tractor parade and tractor pull, lectures and a truck pull. (more…)
by Laura Rodley
Brother and sister Randy Pomeroy and Rachel Monahan are waiting for the fourth inspection of their brand new onsite processing plant where they plan to make cheese. They’ve already passed the first three inspections at their Pomeroy Dairy Farm in Westfield, MA. They hope to have the processing plant up and running this summer. (more…)
by Sally Colby
When he conducts trainings for producers and manure haulers, Penn State senior Extension associate Rob Meinen stresses safety along with the fact that most manure incidents go unreported. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Spend some time with Dr. Sjoerd Duiker and you’ll have a new appreciation for the soil under your feet. Duiker, professor of soil management and applied soil physics at Penn State, said there’s a lot to learn from soil from a perspective that’s three feet deep. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The Dairy Cattle Welfare Council recently hosted veterinarian Dr. Conrad Spangler of Riverview LLP, whose dairy farms are located across several states. Spangler discussed the significance of high-performing down cow care teams. (more…)
by Sally Colby
A discussion of the opioid crisis isn’t necessarily a topic that draws farmers, but Dr. Glenn Sterner, assistant professor of criminal justice at Penn State, said it’s a critical topic. (more…)
by Edith Tucker
PENACOOK, NH – A bill to provide a way for grocery shoppers to voluntarily support New Hampshire dairy farmers by buying specially-labeled milk at a premium price – estimated at 50 cents/gallon – was signed into law by Gov. Chris Sununu on Wednesday, Aug. 7 at the Morrill Farm Dairy in Concord. (more…)
by Laura Rodley
During the end-of-July heat wave, the line was 30 deep as people waited for ice cream at the seasonal Hornstra Farms’ Dairy Bar. There were 14 flavors available, from vanilla to cow tracks (a mix of vanilla, peanut butter cups and fudge swirl). It was a purchase that promoted good feelings: they were indulging in handmade ice cream and supporting a local dairy farm. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The Dairy Sustainability Alliance is a membership group which includes dairy farmers, dairy cooperatives, processors, agribusiness service providers, retailers, and non-profits. It’s composed of a variety of stakeholders from massive corporate entities to individual producers, representing interests all along the dairy supply chain. The Dairy Sustainability Alliance is a program of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. (more…)
by Laura Rodley
Robin the Hood and Maid Marion got married at last, in Sherwood Forest. It was a June wedding, held stateside at the Millers Falls Rod and Gun Club in Massachusetts. Their merry men attended, as did all the guests who arrived through the gates to bestow glad tidings. The Sheriff of Nottingham did not get his way this time, and the couple were able to complete their vows. (more…)
by Sally Colby
Seasoned farmers who have been making hay for years have a routine: watch the weather, cut hay, ted, rake and bale. Seems simple enough, but wet weather over the past two growing seasons has made an already challenging task more difficult. (more…)
by Sally Colby
The sheer volume of manure produced in modern livestock production systems and the necessity to use manure responsibly has led to significant improvements in manure application. (more…)
