Over the past several years, I have been engaged in several conversations about transparency, animal welfare, and requests for more information about how livestock make it to our plates. Recently, American Meat Institute has teamed up with Dr. Temple Grandin, a well-know animal scientist who focuses on improving animal welfare practices, especially during slaughter. The … Continue reading Turkey welfare and slaughter Video with Dr. Temple Grandin
Diversity in Forage Management
Remember the cross-country trip I took late this past summer? It was 2,600 miles filled with fun and new experiences. More importantly, it was a great experience to learn more about diversity in forage management from producers across the country. No matter the environment in, no one style of management fits every farm or ranch. … Continue reading Diversity in Forage Management
Visit to an Organic Farm in Minnesota Teaches Flat Ryan a Few Things
Minnesota farmer & blogger Carolyn Olson volunteered to get Flat Ryan out on their farm and it just so happened, that Ryan got to check out planting some cover crops! Carolyn and her husband, Jonathan raise organic crops and conventional pigs on their century farm. Carolyn is active in Farm Bureau, and is a member of … Continue reading Visit to an Organic Farm in Minnesota Teaches Flat Ryan a Few Things
Have questions? Visit the fair.
Nicole Small is a mom to 2 boys and along with her husband, runs their beef, wheat, corn and soybean farm in Southeast Kansas. On her blog she shares a mixture of family life on the farm, delicious and easy recipes and snapshots from her corner of agriculture. Visit her blog or find her on … Continue reading Have questions? Visit the fair.
Guest Post: Update from the Oregon Grass Farmer
There is light at the end of tunnel for Grass Seed Harvest 2013 with about a week left of combining grass and two weeks for baling. I’ve mentioned previously that I live in the Grass Seed Capital of the World, growing about 70% of the world’s cool season grasses. My family farms annual ryegrass, fescue … Continue reading Guest Post: Update from the Oregon Grass Farmer
If slaughter houses had glass walls… (Video)
In the debate over transparency in our food systems and recent 'ag gag' bills/laws across the country, there has been a lot of fuss about slaughterhouses and the consumers' ability to visualize what happens during livestock slaughter. The New York Times ran an opinion article titled "Open the Slaughterhouses" that opened debate on the 'ag … Continue reading If slaughter houses had glass walls… (Video)
Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology in Cattle
As a part of my effort to share more information about biotechnology as it relates to cattle reproduction, this post will address the artificial insemination process we use when breeding cattle. Please leave any questions it may bring to mind in the comments section below or submit a direct message via the contact form on … Continue reading Artificial Insemination and Biotechnology in Cattle
Biotechnology and Cattle Reproduction | Ask a Farmer
Most folks get to share "Peanut" photos of their kids, so I figure it's only fair I get to share one from our cows During the month of April, my schedule is jam packed and I'm finding myself on the road nearly every day. It's breeding season for our cattle in Tennessee and it's the … Continue reading Biotechnology and Cattle Reproduction | Ask a Farmer
When the fields are frozen, there’s still plenty of farm work in winter
What do farmers do during the winter months when fields are frozen? They're not sitting at home. There's still farm work in winter months, too! This was originally published on CNN Eatocracy on February 11, 2013. Click here to see all of my CNN articles. When the fields are frozen, there's still plenty of farm … Continue reading When the fields are frozen, there’s still plenty of farm work in winter
Winter Farm Chores: Not always time off for farmers
Winter does not necessarily mean time off for farmers and ranchers across the country. Although, I do take advantage of the longer hours of dark to catch up on some of my favorite reading. The hay may be in the barn and the crops may be out of the fields, but there are still plenty of chores … Continue reading Winter Farm Chores: Not always time off for farmers