Animals guarding animals: donkeys and dogs
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Guardian donkeys may seem like simply pasturing equines along with the livestock; however, donkeys differ from horses in several ways. (more…)
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Do balanced soil improve farms?
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Maintaining soil balance may positively affect yield, quality and the environment, according to panelists recently assembled by Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center participating in a moderated call-in conference, “Soil Balancing: What do the Numbers Say About Its Effects on Soils, Crops, Weeds and Farms?” Matthew Kleinhenz, vegetable production specialist at Ohio State, moderated. (more…)
Animals guarding animals: llamas
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Could an animal protect your livestock from predators? Food Animal Concerns Trust hosted Jan Dohner presenting “Livestock Guardian Animals: Llamas, Donkeys and Dogs” as a webinar recently to introduce how these animals can ward off predators and warn producers of predator dangers. She lives on her family farm in Michigan. (more…)
Going retail Bolsters Dairy
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
After decades of dairying, Will Comley of Mexico, NY knows volumes about the industry. With the third straight year of low milk prices, he knew that his dairy, like many other family-owned dairies, was in trouble late last year. (more…)
Improving labor efficiency lowers farm overhead
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY — Labor represents one of the largest parts of overhead at any dairy operation. Keeping labor costs under control can help farms increase profits. Ashley Howlett of Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY Farm Business Management spoke on the topic earlier in the month at one of the free Dairy Profit Seminars at Empire Farm Days, hosted annually by Rodman Lott and Son Farms. (more…)
Ration opportunities affect profitability
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY — What you feed your dairy herd directly affects cash flow, according to Tom R. Overton, Ph.D, professor of Dairy Management in the Department of animal Science at Cornell University. Overton, who directs the Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY, presented “Feeding Strategies During Challenging Times” at the recent Empire Farm Days. (more…)
Preconditioning boosts cattle profits
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
SENECA FALLS, NY — Want to get top dollar for your beef calves? Try pre-conditioning. Dave Wilson, a retired large animal veterinarian presented “Putting Profit in Your Pocket with Pre-Conditioning Practices” at the recent Empire Farm Days. (more…)
Empire Farm Days brings world of ag to farmers
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
A group of New York potato farmers began meeting annually in central New York in the 1930s. Their group, the Empire State Potato Growers, continued to expand the event that eventually became Empire Farm Days, which today spans 300 acres at the Rodman Lott & Sons Farm in Seneca Falls, NY. (more…)
Lack of ROPs nearly killed farmer
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Chuck Tellier hadn’t thought much about roll-over protective structures (ROPS) until a tractor accident nearly took his life. Now, he won’t drive a tractor lacking the safety devices. (more…)
Are you over-grazing?
by Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
LIVERPOOL, NY — Do you ever find your farm “running out” of pasture? Sarah Flack, a consultant specializing in grass based and organic livestock farming, spoke on “Matching Cows & Land Base to Increase Farm Income” at the recent 7th Annual Organic Dairy and Field Crop Conference, hosted by Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY). (more…)
