Skip to content Making and Using On-Farm Compost April 19, 2019October 18, 2016 by farmingmag Making your own compost is one way to keep its cost down, but it still takes time and management to make high-quality compost. Compost is a valuable soil amendment that has the potential to provide nutrients to crops, improve soil … Read more
Skip to content Cover Crops and Nutrient Management April 29, 2019June 23, 2016 by farmingmag Cover crops offer many advantages for agriculture. They contribute organic matter, curb soil erosion, promote soil health, suppress weeds, help control pests, attract pollinators, provide forage, improve air quality, conserve moisture and boost fertility. Several plant families comprise cover crops. … Read more
Skip to content Executing the Perfect Manure Management Plan April 22, 2019September 28, 2016 by farmingmag Establishing a management plan minimizes hazards while enhancing crop value. A livestock farm of any size must consider how to handle the manure produced by the animals raised on the property. By default, smaller farms will have less volume … Read more
Skip to content Holistic Management April 15, 2019January 1, 2014 by farmingmag Holistic grazing planning practices are rooted in the belief that wild herds of animals functioned to keep grasslands healthy and productive. By managing domestic livestock on the farm to mimic this behavior and positively impact soil health, our ecosystems can be restored to … Read more
Skip to content Grazing the Dairy: Pastured Production April 17, 2019February 17, 2017 by farmingmag Total mixed rations (TMRs) is big business. These rations are a combination of grains, forages, minerals, protein feeds and additives, and formulated by a dairy nutritionist to provide the optimized nutritional package needed to maximize milk production, reproductive capability and … Read more
Forages New Corn Hybrids for 2016 SHARE ON: Dorothy Noble — January 21, 2016 The November feed outlook by USDA boosted U.S. corn supplies to a near-record 15,415 million bushels. In that report, USDA lowered its predicted ethanol use and exports, but raised corn’s feed and residual use. Breeders are continuing to develop improved hybrids … Read more
Skip to content Manure Management: From Compost to Energy May 1, 2019April 21, 2016 by farmingmag Anaerobic digesters are an important part of manure management. Anaerobic manure digesters, also known as methane digesters, collect manure and convert the energy stored in its organic matter into biogas. This gas consists primarily of methane, carbon dioxide and … Read more
Skip to content Larger Dairy Farms = More Management May 4, 2019June 1, 2014 by farmingmag As profit margins wane and milk prices fail to keep up with inflation, most dairy farms find it necessary to increase herd size to stay in business, instead of continually cutting costs on smaller herds. Across the U.S., the … Read more
Skip to content The State of Milk Prices in 2017 April 15, 2019January 3, 2017 by farmingmag Milk prices are expected to rise nearly $2 in 2017 Milk prices are expected to rise nearly $2 in 2017. Low milk prices have made the past two years difficult. Despite the news of rising prices, some are … Read more
Skip to content An Old-Fashioned Dairy April 30, 2019November 3, 2014 by farmingmag The Hockmans own and farm 130 acres and rent 570 additional acres within a 5-mile radius. These fields provide the forage for their herd.Photos courtesy of Doug Hockman Photography. Paul Hockman remembers a meeting of the minds back when he and his … Read more