|
There's a variety of information in this week's issue of American
Cowman Update. From tips for feeding your horse in the winter to
ideas for developing your own on-farm ID system, we hope you find the
information informative and useful.
We also want to hear your ideas about helpful tips you use on your
cattle operation. How do you make calving season go a little smoother?
What are you doing to deal with high corn prices? And, do you have any
unique marketing arrangements that have been successful? Through the
American Cowman blog that we launched two-weeks ago on the
website, producers can log on and share a comment. Or, if you have a
question that you'd like to get input on, share it on the blog and maybe
another producer out there will have the answer you're looking for. You
can view the blog by clicking on the link below, or visit the
American Cowman website (www.AmericanCowman.com) and
click on the blog image. To share your comments click on this link: blog.americancowman.com/community_blog/
^ Back to Top
|
A newly published report looks at whether agricultural easements
preserve farmland from urban influences. Presented by the American
Farmland Trust (AFT), the four-part study is the first national study of
agricultural conservation easement programs.
Agricultural easements allow landowners to sell and/or donate the
development rights on their farms to government or nonprofit
organizations in exchange for agreeing to keep the land permanently
available for agriculture. The use of farm easements has grown
exponentially since the 1970s; today thirty-three states have at least
one publicly funded easement program at the state or local level.
Overall, the study found that: "Among all techniques for protecting
farmland in urbanizing communities, easements hold the most
promise---considering their perpetuity, voluntary participation by
landowners, and the matching of public purposes and farmer
interests.To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
^ Back to Top
|
Over the past several decades, family farms (and by extension rural
communities) have become more and more endangered. A number of states,
including Nebraska and Iowa, have begun to address the difficulties
associated with entering farming or ranching as a career way of life.
With the greatest barrier to beginning farmers or ranchers being
financial -- basically a lack of capital (or access to capital),
Nebraska and Iowa have implemented tax programs designed to encourage
retiring landowners to work with persons wishing to enter
farming/ranching. To read the complete article, click on the headline
above.
^ Back to Top
|
The Rural Advancement Foundation International has released The
Farmer's Guide to Agricultural Credit, a guide that provides
step-by-step advice on financing non-traditional farm-based enterprises.
Creative ideas, from growing organic produce to grinding corn into
grits, offer farms a way to stay afloat in financially challenging
times. However, these ideas can be difficult to explain to lenders who
are used to dealing with traditional commodity crops.
Farmers have experience with getting annual operating loans, but are
often unprepared for the amount of documentation lenders expect for a
new enterprise. Agricultural lenders know how to assess risks and
benefits of familiar crops, but few of them are prepared to evaluate a
new kind of project. The Farmer's Guide helps close this gap. To read
the complete article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
| advertisement |
|
Two million calves have been
enrolled.
One more reason why yours should be next.
NEW! Age
and source verification, an optional program enhancement.
- Convenience -- Sell to more than one packer or feedlot
without additional paperwork.
- Confidentiality -- Prevent access to sensitive
records.
- Flexibility -- Cattle enrolled in AgInfoLink's PVP for age
and source verification may be eligible for multiple PVP and Quality
System Assessment (QSA) programs.
Enrolling in SelectVAC® has never been easier. Visit www.selectvac.com or contact your
veterinarian or animal health supplier.
SelectVAC is a registered service mark of Pfizer Inc. © 2006
Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. SVC06041
|
Although horse owners may think they're doing their animals a favor
by adding corn to the diet in cold weather, hay is actually a better
feedstuff for keeping horses warm. That's according to South Dakota
State University Extension equine specialist Mark Ullerich, who says
there's a common misconception that corn or some other high-energy
concentrate can help horses generate heat.To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
In the past, views of farming and its influence on American life and
culture focused on the roles that men played as farmers. Women's
contributions were largely ignored, perpetuating the stereotype of the
"farmer's wife." But, a new exhibit at Michigan State University (MSU),
Voices of American Farm Women, presents a contemporary
perspective on women farmers.
The exhibit will debut during Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR)
Week, March 2-10, in the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center's south
lobby. It features 30 black-and-white photographs that explore a diverse
group of women and their relationships to the land.
Photographer Cynthia Vagnetti has documented women farmers from across
the United States whose alternative farming techniques promote
environmental responsibility, economic stability and community
well-being. Women from 15 states -- including Michigan -- are
represented in the exhibit. Vagnetti is an MSU doctoral student in
writing, rhetoric and composition and teaches Public Life in
America.
"Through exhibits like this, we can engage the public in a deeper
understanding of issues such as food and farming connections,
entrepreneurs, social responsibility, biodiversity and our relationship
to the land," says Julie Avery, MSU Museum curator of rural life and
culture.
^ Back to Top
|
Billed as a "Celebration of Healthy Grass-Based Farming, Food and
Families," GRAZE-A-PALOOZA will be held March 31, 2007 from 9 am to 5 pm
at the White Eagle Conference Center in Hamilton, New York
Program speakers for the event will include:
* Kate Clancy, consultant, scientist, and author of Greener Pastures:
How grass-fed beef and milk contribute to healthy eating;
* Jerry Brunetti, internationally recognized speaker, founder of
Agri-Dynamics and author of The Keys to Herd Health;
* Dr. Susan Beal, DVM, specializing in homeopathic medicine and herbal
remedies for livestock;
* Holly Burley and Gary Burley, pasture-based dairy farmers and
contributors to the GRAZE Magazine; and
* Mike Debach, Leona Meat Plant, an all natural beef company.
Additional session topics will cover soil life, stocking rate
strategies, grassland birds, small garm marketing and many more.
Admission is $30 which includes lunch, trade show and materials.
Pre-registration is required. Contact Kim Totten at 607-334-3231 Ext. 4
or register online @ www.cnyrcd.org
^ Back to Top
|
The storied life of one of the greatest professional rodeo athletes
in history, Roy Cooper, is captured on film in a new DVD titled
Roping My Dreams released during this year's National Finals
Rodeo in Las Vegas. Footage in Roping My Dreams follows Cooper --
the first cowboy ever to earn $2 million -- along the glory days of the
rodeo circuit during which he forged a fast friendship with country
music singer George Strait.
In addition to Strait, rodeo celebrities recalling Cooper anecdotes
include four-time world all-around champion Trevor Brazile, rodeo
announcer Bob Tallman, roper and former Dallas Cowboy fullback Walt
Garrison and six-time world all-around champion Larry Mahan, as well as
Cooper's parents and three sons and many other rodeo peers.
Cooper says he hopes the DVD will help "motivate people from all walks
of life." The DVD is available at www.roy-coopersuperlooper.com
or by calling 866-224-3151.
^ Back to Top
|
| advertisement |
|
 Gallagher has a field staff of 26 fencing professionals
willing to come to your farm or ranch to review your needs,
troubleshoot your problem or simply discuss your future plans.
Rotational grazing, predator problems, horse fencing or any fence
related issue; we will likely be able to provide you with an effective
and affordable solution!
Check out the Gallagher web site for the professional
nearest you.
|
A useful website to help identify plants is the Noble Foundation's
online Plant Image Gallery at www.noble.org/imagegallery.
It is divided into sections on grasses and grass-like plants; forbs; and
trees, shrubs and woody vines. Each section contains an index of common
names, scientific names and family. Multiple full-color photographs of
each entry enhance a user's ability to correctly identify the plant in
question. The "Image Gallery Search Engine" is a new tool that allows
users to choose criteria about an unknown plant from dropdown menus and
then run a search for potential matches. To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
In today's world of lightening-fast technology and computerized
gadgets of every sort, some would have you believe that the only way to
keep records is by computerized spreadsheets, electronic ear tags and
chute-side scanners.
Maybe you think someday you'll learn about all of those thingamajigs and
start keeping records.
You don't have to wait for someday to start keeping detailed records on
each and every head. Delaying your record keeping until you've learned
every inch of a new technology might take years. Perhaps the mere
thought of working all the kinks out keeps you from even trying
individual ID. Some producers find that computers and digital files make
them more efficient and organized, but if that's not your knack, don't
let the lack of computer deter you.
It doesn't matter if you keep it by cow number or cow name; the
important part is keeping those records. To read the complete
article, click on the headline above.
^ Back to Top
|
|
|
