A strong farm lease isn’t just a formality, it’s the foundation of a flourishing farming partnership. Whether you’re an experienced operator or a first-time farmer, a well-crafted lease prevents confusion and helps both parties stay on track. Here’s how to create a crystal-clear, ironclad lease that...

Dr. Glenda Pereira, the host of “ Maine Farmcast ” and the UMaine Extension dairy specialist, sat down with Dr. Juan Romero, associate professor of animal nutrition at UMaine, to discuss the challenges concerning hay production in New England. Producing hay in New England is mostly challenging due t...

The last few days of September, I saw early plantings of winter rye sprouting nicely in some Central New York counties. Happily, I see more corn growers planting autumn cover crops. The more productive title for these late season plantings is “winter forage,” a mindset which acknowledges that someth...

It was once again showtime at the Big E, where grace under pressure and hard work paid off. Before the Eastern States Exposition officially opened to the public on Sept. 12, competitions were already taking place in the Mallary Agricultural Complex. Outside the building, show cows were showered with...

Raising livestock takes some serious doing. Feeding, watering and minding troublesome animals makes for a long day’s work. When it’s over, who has the energy to sit down and sort through charts, graphs and economic trends to figure out how best to get your meat to market? Consider calling in the exp...

“Media coverage can bring significant attention and credibility to your farm, but it requires understanding what makes a story interesting, how to pitch it and how to maintain positive relationships with journalists,” said Molly McManus, agritourism and marketing coordinator at CCE Broome in New Yor...

Hiking, hunting, harvesting? Going for a walk in the woods? Riding your horse? Mowing your lawn? Picking apples? Beware of yellowjackets. “Historically, they always come out this time of year to feast on aster and goldenrod,” said Mary Wigmore, owner of Ashfield, MA-based Wigmore Forest Resource Man...

On Sept. 18, Jim, an organic dairy farmer, called me to discuss possible corn silage toxicity issues that worried him. He milks about 70 cows in Genesee County (NY), and his farm is “regular” organic (not grass-fed). I’ve been advising him on his crop program for several years. He grows corn for sil...

"We’re seeing the collision of the beef and dairy markets in a way we wouldn’t have dreamed of a few years ago.” That’s how Derrell Peel, Ph.D., Extension and livestock marketing specialist, Oklahoma State University, began a late summer update on the cattle market. He said no one could have anticip...