by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Love ag research? The 2018 Farm Bill offers a new opportunity for qualifying farmers to partner with NRCS to get part of $25 million in grant money to use on-farm conservation measure and study their effectiveness. Kari Cohen, projects branch chief with USDA NRCS in Washington D.C., presented a webinar on the topic recently, highlighting what applicants should know during the application process. (more…)
Students: Pre-Registration open for New York State FFA Welding Contest
SENECA FALLS, NY — Students in grades 9-12 have until July 23 to pre-register for the 2019 New York State FFA Welding Competition that will be held at the 2019 Empire Farm Days. The students will demonstrate their welding knowledge and skills for Morrisville State College scholarship awards on Thursday, Aug. 8 at the 2019 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott and Son Farms in Seneca Falls, NY. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The number of farmers markets operating nationwide has grown exponentially since 1994, when the Agricultural Marketing Service counted 1,755 farmers markets, to 2018 when the count was 8,687. However, market growth has all but stagnated since 2016. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
NEW YORK – In a 4-1 decision, a state appeals court has ruled that farmworkers have the right to organize and collectively bargain.
On May 23, a New York Appellate Division panel ruled that excluding farm workers from organizing and collectively bargaining is “unconstitutional as a matter of law.” (more…)
by Katie Navarra
Parasite control based on fecal egg counts is recommended for livestock as resistance to anthelmintics continues to be problematic. Basing treatment on the results of fecal testing can be costly in large herds. Whether done by a veterinarian or sent to a laboratory for evaluation there is a fee for the service. However, the supplies are readily available and with basic training, livestock owners can learn to run fecal tests on their farm. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
Cows are our friends, and Rick Osofsky wants everyone to realize it.
As co-owner and operator of Ronnybrook Farm in Ancramdale, NY, he is a third generation farmer, and his family has been tending dairy cows since 1930s. (more…)
by Enrico Villamaino
Started by Lewis Fraser Chase, Chase’s Organic Dairy Farm has grown and prospered in Mapleton, Maine, for over 80 years.
Founded in 1935, Chase’s began milking cows in 1955. The entire family is involved in caring for the land and the cattle, and today is owned and operated by Vaughn Chase and his wife Laura Chase. (more…)
by Tamara Scully
The fleece sheared off your sheep has to go through a lot of processing before it becomes a pair of socks, a baby blanket, a coat or a carpet. But getting that wool from sheep to sale isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. (more…)
by Sally Colby
During a drought, farmers hope for rain. When there’s too much rain, farmers wish they could just turn off the spigot.
“In drier conditions, people can get on the fields,” said David Balbian, Cornell Cooperative Extension regional dairy management specialist. “The fiber digestibility is typically better. In dry conditions, we don’t get a lot of feed, but we do get high quality because the lack of moisture reduces the lignin content in the plant, which increases fiber digestibility.” (more…)
by Karl H. Kazaks
OLIVE BRANCH, NC – “I would be drilling wheat until one, two in the morning,” said Derrick Austin, “freezing my tail off. Then get up and go to my grading job. It was the start of where I’m at now. If it hadn’t been for those late nights then I wouldn’t be where I am now.” (more…)
by Sally Colby
A wall full of ribbons is an impressive sight, but is it a confidence booster or a reminder of failure?
When she was 12, Jessica Rupp, of Aspers, PA, started participating in local shows in English classes. But her heart was set on barrel racing. (more…)
by Elizabeth A. Tomlin
Otsego County’s Dairy Promotion held their annual banquet and Dairy Princess presentations on May 5.
A highlight of this meeting was the first presentation of the ‘Young Agvocate Award’ in memory of Jennifer Huntington, owner of Cooperstown Holstein Corp, who passed away in December. (more…)
