One of Monte Bottens’s favorite quotes is “The electric light did not come from the continuous improvement of candles,” courtesy of Oren Harari, a business professor and author of several management books. The quote suggests that innovation is the result of ongoing improvement. Looking at Harari’s q...

The reason for the success of bespoke agricultural tour agency Explorations by Thor can be summed up succinctly by co-owner and co-founder Donna Thor: “Farmers love to talk to other farmers!” she said. “And whether it’s a farmer from across town or halfway around the world, they always like to share...

From the time dairy farm neighbors began to hold informal contests to compare cattle, the goal has been to raise and show the ideal dairy cow that’s profitable for the farm. Today, opinions vary regarding the level of emphasis for conformation, selection and culling strategy. Some believe conformati...

In 2023-24, sizable portions of the U.S. – including the Mid-Atlantic – experienced their longest droughts since the 1950s. Denise Schwab, a beef Extension specialist for Iowa State, is counseling farmers on how best to recover and proceed from these long-term dry spells. “When we talk about pasture...

Part 2: Reducing methane brings opportunity Is it worth farmers’ time and money to work toward reducing methane emissions? Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality Extension specialist at UC-Davis and director of the CLEAR Center , collaborates with the animal ag sector to answer questions su...

No matter how well-planned, farm succession is difficult. The “family” concept is often emotion-based, especially regarding the issue of treating children equally. Joy Kirkpatrick, farm succession outreach specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, has some tips for making the process smoother. On...

Purchasing a horse is one expense, but it’s difficult to predict the cost of maintaining a healthy and sound to animal an average expected lifetime of 25 years. While some aspects of horse care can be modified to lower expenses, it doesn’t pay to skimp. Dr. Jorge Colon, DVM, Cornell University, asso...

Agritourism events are very popular, especially when livestock are involved. It’s a great way to expose the public to agriculture and gain support for local farmers. Farmers are aware that animals can be unpredictable, but a lot of visitors do not understand the risks associated with livestock. Visi...

Dr. Craig Drury, a soil biochemist for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, is conducting research to devise soil and crop care methods that reduce ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emissions while augmenting soil health and crop yields. His goal is to develop strategies that allow producers to ...

Agricultural products can be grown in the same plot of land as trees and shrubs, a management practice known as agroforestry. Agroforestry can increase the biodiversity of a farm and even provide a new revenue source for the business. Recently, the Rodale Institute hosted a webinar with Propagate, a...

Although the leaves are falling and snow may soon blanket much of your land, grazing management should be something you consider year-round. The American Forage & Grassland Council hosts its annual meeting early each year, deep in the heart of winter – in 2025, from Jan. 12 – 15 in Kissimmee, FL – b...

Agriculture can be a dangerous industry, but a lot of hazards can be prevented with training and education. Each year, AgriSafe hosts multiple webinars during National Farm Safety & Health Week (which takes place in September), and one topic they covered this year was grain-related entrapment. Purdu...

Part 1: What’s the problem? Dr. Frank Mitloehner, professor and air quality Extension specialist at UC-Davis and director of the CLEAR Center , collaborates with the animal ag sector to create better efficiencies and mitigate pollutants. Mitloehner also focuses on food production challenges that wil...

While ballot initiatives aren’t common in rural areas, farmers should take note of what’s happening in other cities – even across the country – because there’s a chance an activist movement in one area will eventually become a problem in another. For example, an upcoming Denver, CO, ballot measure w...

Working in agriculture can be dangerous, with lots of hazardous equipment being operated, chemicals and pesticides being applied and exposure to environmental factors. In fact, Sheri Saskowski, the safety manager at Wyffels Hybrids , said, “Agriculture has one of the highest rates of work-related in...