New England Farm Weekly Archives - Page 2 of 52

Finding the balance in times of change

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T14:33:41-05:00March 6, 2020|New England Farm Weekly|

by Troy Bishopp

LAKE MOREY, VT – What makes a room full of farmers erupt in a standing ovation for the 24th Vermont Grazing and Livestock Conference keynote speaker, Dr. Jason Rowntree? His heartfelt message that regenerative-acting farmers can heal the planet, feed a populace with nutrient-dense food and provide a nation with a path to resiliency for their grandchildren. Nothing stirs farmers’ emotions more than being appreciated for their toil and stewardship. (more…)

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Vermont Gov. Phil Scott & cabinet visit Essex County

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T14:23:51-05:00March 6, 2020|New England Farm Weekly|

by Edith Tucker

BEECHER FALLS, VT — Gov. Phil Scott and members of his administration visited Essex County — one of the three counties that make up the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) — on Monday, Feb. 24, for its “Capitol for a Day” initiative to spend a day in each of Vermont’s 14 counties. (more…)

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Understanding bindweed

Lee Newspapers2020-03-13T10:50:37-05:00March 6, 2020|Eastern Edition, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

WATERLOO, NY — Has bindweed affected your farm? Dr. Lynn M. Sosnoskie recently spoke on “The Biology, Ecology and Management of Bindweed” at the New York Certified Organic meeting hosted by the Martin Auction Barn. Sosnoskie is an assistant professor of weed ecology and weed management for specialty crop systems with the Cornell University School of Integrative Plant Science at Cornell AgriTech, Geneva, NY. (more…)

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The global beef supply: Thinking beyond your borders

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T15:17:35-05:00March 6, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Stephen Wagner

Dr. Henry Zerbe is vice president of protein procurement and innovation for Wendy’s Quality Supply Chain Co-op Inc. When he spoke at the 51st annual Lancaster, PA, Cattle Feeders Day, he mentioned he had lived in Ecuador for a year – “one of the best things in my life in terms of gaining an appreciation for the benefits that we have here in the country we live in, and an appreciation for all the riches and blessings we have.” (more…)

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Beginning in hemp

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T15:16:38-05:00March 6, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

As hemp production ramps up nationwide, it’s vital to understand the laws managing its cultivation and the latest on cultivation practices. Dr. James DeDecker, director of the Michigan State University Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, recently spoke on hemp regulation and production. (more…)

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PFAS and agriculture: What it means

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T15:13:32-05:00March 6, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly|

The Dairy Voice podcast, from the NDHIA’s media partner, Dairybusiness.com, recently hosted a discussion on a relatively new and emerging concern for the dairy industry: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These manmade chemicals are known as “forever” chemicals, and have caused undo hardship on a dairy farm in New Mexico, as well as one in Maine, both of which were found to have high levels of contamination in their milk. Detectable levels of PFAS have also been found on numerous dairy farms in Michigan, one of a handful of states which have been testing for these chemicals to see just how ubiquitous they are. (more…)

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Farm fitness: Founding a 5K

Lee Newspapers2020-02-24T16:35:52-05:00February 24, 2020|Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly|

by Courtney Llewellyn

Want to bring more people to your farm? Want to find a different source of agritainment income? Farms often boast a lot of land and not a lot of traffic. Have you considered hosting a race? (more…)

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Northeast Pasture Consortium accentuates the power of grass

Lee Newspapers2020-02-24T16:41:13-05:00February 24, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Troy Bishopp

FAIRLEE, VT – With millions of acres of pastureland and hay crops, the wise use and management of grasslands and forage systems to power the Northeast economy, regenerate agriculture, feed the populace and provide ecosystem services is immense. These humble sods contain opportunities to improve agriculture sustainability while solving many climate resiliency and food sovereignty issues. However, the quiet grass needs some PR now and then to accentuate the positives. (more…)

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Mitigating social stress in dairy cattle

Lee Newspapers2020-03-06T14:35:34-05:00February 14, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by Sally Colby

Stress studies in humans clearly show social environment stressors are among the most serious stressors we face. Factors such as a low socio-economic status or not having a good social support network can have a major impact on our health, and caregivers often experience social stress. Many aspects of what has been learned about human stress can be applied to livestock. (more…)

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Spring lamb or not?

Lee Newspapers2020-03-13T10:55:41-05:00February 14, 2020|Eastern Edition, Mid Atlantic, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

by George Looby

To many, the term “spring lamb” has a positive ring to it – a hopeful term that signals the decline of winter, the approach of Easter and a time to get the peas planted. It marks the time of the year when traditional sheep operations are at the very peak of their activity. These farms must carefully plan the time their lambs are born in order to be ready for the Easter market. (more…)

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Learning by doing

Lee Newspapers2020-02-14T16:20:48-05:00February 14, 2020|New England Farm Weekly|

by Sally Colby

When Elizabeth “Lizz” McGlaughlin was a student in the pre-vet program at the University of Maine, she didn’t appreciate the time she was required to spend at the school’s dairy farm. She was more interested in horses, and her plan was to prepare for a career of researching heart problems in race horses. (more…)

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Dealing with dystocia

Lee Newspapers2020-02-10T16:35:03-05:00February 10, 2020|Eastern Edition, New England Farm Weekly, Western Edition|

Dr. Steve Hendrick, DVM, says one of the most critical steps in reducing disease and loss in newborn calves is reducing dystocia.

Hendrick cited a study that examined the causes of calf mortality, and said the main cause of death in stillborn calves was due to dystocia. Other causes of stillborn calves include thyroid gland lesions, myocardial necrosis or myopathy (dead or dying heart muscle or dysfunctional heart) and skeletal myopathy or necrosis. (more…)

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