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The Financial Benefits of Going Grass-Fed with Sheep
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How to weather inflation of agricultural inputs. A common expectation is that grass-fed market lambs should fetch a premium price, a price that is higher than conventional grain-fed lamb. That is not always the case unless you are able to tap into a niche market. Sales barns or livestock markets do not pay a higher…
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Keeping Sheep Comfortable
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How to assess and provide adequate shelter to sheep Do sheep need a barn in the winter when it is cold? Do they need shelter when it rains? Should they have shade when it is hot? These are the typical questions I am receiving, especially from beginning farmers. In assessing what sheep need to feel…
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How Much Hay Do I Need for Winter?
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In part 18 of our “What’s Your Beef?” series on raising cattle on small farms, we discuss how a sharp pencil and a good calculator can go a long ways in figuring out how much your hay will cost you. As you read this in the autumn months, it might be prudent to go over…
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Should I Fertilize My Beef Pastures?
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In part 17 of our “What’s Your Beef?” series on raising cattle on small farms, we discuss grazing conditions for beef cattle and other classes of grazing livestock. My motivation in writing this article is due to the many atrocious grazing conditions that I find beef cattle and other classes of livestock grazing in…
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Mastitis in Sheep
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How to Reduce Cases of Mastitis in Your Flock Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder caused by bacteria. It leads to a loss of milk production and the quality of the milk is affected. Depending on the various bacteria that can cause mastitis, it will be more or less severe. In most cases I…
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How to Keep Your Beef Cattle Healthy
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In part six of our “What’s Your Beef?” series on raising cattle on small farms, we look at some management items that you will want to pay attention to if you intend to keep your beef herd healthy and profitable. As you read this issue, the golden days of autumn are with us; the warm…
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Older Cows Are More Profitable
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It’s not uncommon for dairy producers and their advisors to discuss culling rates and how many heifers need to be raised to maintain or grow the milking herd. The conversation at times leads to discussions about how long it takes a first calf heifer to pay for herself. In other words, how long does she…
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Some Considerations for Beef Cattle Calving
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In part four of our “What’s Your Beef?” series on raising cattle on small farms, we present several management factors for your beef cow-calf herd to take into consideration. This is the fourth installment in our ongoing series “What’s Your Beef?” to assist new and beginning beef cattle producers. Previous installments can be seen in recent…
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Antibiotic Usage & Pathways
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On‐Farm Perspectives from CNY Dairy Producers Pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other emerging contaminants have been gaining attention across agricultural, environmental, and public health sectors. Slowly, we have expanded our understanding of the broader impacts of these compounds and how they can potentially move in our food, water, soil and air. As consumers as well as farmers,…
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Faces of Solar Grazing
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In part three of our “Solar Grazing“ series, meet some graziers and learn about their operations. In this article, we will look at how each solar grazier has organized their operation and how they have benefited from membership in the American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA). Lewis Fox, Julie Bishop, and Carolina Solar Services were all kind enough to share their knowledge and experience of solar grazing…
Livestock & Dairy
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