Wordless Wednesday: Trimming an Agriculture Themed Tree for the Holidays

Producers, farmers, consumers and the general public are getting ready for the holidays. The holidays are full of family, friends, and great food. So much goes into the holidays, such as preparation of meals, gifts, events, get-togethers, and school programs. In my house, especially during the holidays, we take time to celebrate agriculture for everything it has given our family. We not only live on a farm but we also work off the farm in the agriculture field. From the food agriculture puts on our table, to the experience and knowledge it has given us, we are truly thankful. Our family celebrates by decorating one of our trees with agriculture ornaments and lights. Dairy cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, goats, corn, wheat, barns, and much more go on the tree to send a thankful message to celebrate agriculture this holiday. Enjoy...

 

 Celebrating agriculture and Wordless Wednesday...

The ABC's of Raising Backyard Poultry

Backyard poultry is a fun enterprise whether it is a project for your children or a project for you. There is so much to think about when it comes to raising live animals such as a small flock of chickens. Breeds, purchasing birds, and equipment are just a few topics that should run through your mind.

When people think about chickens they think about three main topics: odor, mess, and noise. All three can be curtailed depending on how you decide to run your small flock operation. First, chickens can smell just like dogs and cats can if they are not taken care of. Maintenance and daily manure removal from the chicken coop or housing can reduce odor and mess issues. The noises from the chickens mainly come from the loud crow of the rooster. Many people believe that you need a rooster to have eggs every day, which is not true. You only need a rooster if you want your eggs fertilized to eventually have chicks. Some research has even proven that hens might actually lay eggs more consistently when there is no rooster in the flock.

When you are starting to think about raising chickens, you need to check your local laws to see if you are allowed to raise poultry in your backyard. County, city, community laws and ordinances all need to be looked at when determining if you may raise chickens. In the past few years, more and more cities and towns have been allowing chickens in the backyard.

The first decision you need to make is why you want to raise poultry. Do you want meat or eggs? Depending on how you want to use the chickens will determine what breeds you will need. Each breed has different characteristics. For example, Leghorns are known for producing large amounts of white eggs, while Rhode Islands are known as a dual purpose breed and have brown eggs.

After deciding on what breed you are interested in you will have to decide on the age of the birds you would like to purchase. Hatching chicks, purchasing birds from a breeder or buying from a hatchery are all possible options. Hatching chicks can be a challenging but learning experience. If you have children, hatching might be a great educational experience for them. Many people forgo the hatching stage and purchase day old chicks from hatcheries. The chicks can survive up to three days on the nutrition that they received from the egg before hatching. This means that sending chicks in the mail is a possibility. Purchasing day old chicks from a hatchery will allow you to choose only pullets if you are not interested in buying a rooster. Just remember when buying chicks, purchase from a quality source such as a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) participant.

Once chicks are received, you will need a brooder to keep them warm and dry. You can easily construct a brooder using cardboard box, bathtub, or plastic bins. Round the corners of the brooder to eliminate any piling that could happen when birds get too cold. Inside the brooder will need to be a heat lamb to keep the chicks warm as well as a food and water source.

After about six weeks, chicks will be ready to go outside. Make sure you have the proper type of facilities for your chickens. The chicken coop can be very basic, as long as it is efficient for the birds to use. Fresh water, dry food, shelter, and nest boxes for eggs are all important for the chicken coop. Predators are also an issue that will have to be taken in consideration when building the chicken coop. Owls, hawks, raccoons, weasels, fox, dogs, and cats are possible predators. A strong fence buried about a foot under the ground is an option that many poultry owners decide to do to deter predators.

Raising chickens can be a huge benefit to your household. Chickens, of course, can provide the family with fresh eggs and meat. Table scraps and insects are no longer an issue. Chickens will consume your household food waste as well as reduce insect population in your backyard. Chicken manure could be a valuable part to your compost, which will add rich nutrients to your garden. Raising poultry can truly be a rewarding experience for the whole family.

Brooder and chicken coop plans as well information on raising and caring for poultry and more information can be found by contacting your local Cooperative Extension office or by visiting Penn State Start Farming.

This Thanksgiving... Thank a Farmer!

The Truth About Factory Farming

- The Beef Checkoff and www.explorebeef.org

Wordless Wednesday: Thank a Farmer This November

 

This November when you are enjoying your delicious food products harvested by one of America's finest farmers, remember to reflect on where that food came from and who produced it. Berks County, PA is home to 1980 farms with 222,119 acres of land in agriculture with the average farm size being 112 acres. Agriculture is Berks County's number one industry.

Celebrating Wordless Wednesday!

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure- Biosecurity on the Dairy Farm

Everyone in the dairy industry knows what biosecurity is, but do we really pay attention to it as much as we should? Sometimes it takes a disease outbreak on a farm to really make biosecurity hit home. Careful attention to biosecurity can reduce cost of a disease outbreak and improve production and profitability.

Biosecurity is a combination of practices that the farm does to prevent the spread of disease onto the dairy farm. The producer or the farm owner is the real person in charge of biosecurity. A tight biosecurity program will minimize disease exposure and maximize resistance for the herd. It’s just like that decade old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

The first step of biosecurity is to recognize and implement a regular plan of action on your farm. The plan should reflect farm goals for production and health. It is without a question how diseases actually spread between animals. Interaction through direct contact or surfaces is one of the greatest threats. In your plan, you should identify risk levels for specific diseases then a vaccination plan. It might be best to consult your veterinarian about your biosecurity plan and possible risks on your farm. Let’s take a look at some of the general risks that your farm deals with everyday.

New or Sick Animals

Introducing new animals to your farm is sometimes overlooked as a threat. Producers should make sure they know where the animal is coming from, such as what type of health program the farm has, the cattle vaccination plan, and what the farm’s biosecurity program looks like. When purchasing new animals it is always a good idea to ask questions about the farm’s health program.  Does the animal have health papers? Health papers would require a veterinarian to sign off on that animal signifying that it is free of disease.

When bringing that animal into your herd always isolate for at least fifteen days from the other animals. Testing the new herd addition is also a good idea. This will allow you to know if the animal has any unknown diseases that could spread through your herd. Vaccinate then give boosters as needed to these new additions.

New animals are not the only ones to isolate. Any animal that is showing signs of sickness or disease should be isolated. Boots should be washed and disinfected after caring for the sick animals. Your veterinarian will be a helpful resource to help develop a health program that includes vaccinations and parasite control for your herd. 

Cleanliness

Maintenance in calving areas, isolation sick pens, calf hutches, and milking parlor are extremely important to keep clean. Keep soiled bedding to a minimum in these areas. When animals are removed, disinfect feeding and drinking areas as well as gates and anything else that was touched by that animal. This means after calving, sickness, or new animals, these areas should be disinfected. Calves need the best possible start so it is crucial that they have a clean environment. Cow housing is also important to keep clean to assist with the control of mastitis.

Visitors

Visitors are expected on your farm, so it is best to have a plan before they enter. Some of your high risk visitors might be present everyday on your farm but also on other farms. These include veterinarians, haulers, hoof trimmers, and neighboring farmers. Make sure these folks are arriving with clean boots, equipment, and vehicles. If they do not have clean boots, provide disposable boots for them to wear. Always have extra disposable boots available for those questionable visitors. Cattle haulers tend to be a great risk to your farm because they pick up cattle from a variety of different places. For this reason, they should have limited access to the barns. Designate an area that is located away from the general dairy barns for haulers to pick up cattle. This will minimize the spread of disease from the trailer to the farm.

As the farm owner, you should be taking proactive steps to increase biosecurity on your farm. A proactive biosecurity plan can reduce the cost of disease on your farm. Your biosecurity plan could be your ounce of prevention. For more information on biosecurity, contact your county extension educator or veterinarian.

Wordless Wednesday in the Corn...

Happy September! You know what this means... Fall is coming. I thought this picture was only appropriate!

Celebrating Wordless Wednesday!

Animal Handling with Temple Grandin

Understanding how animals behave is the first step to proper animal handling. Experts from the meat industry, including Temple Grandin, discuss animal behavior and proper handling techniques. This video is a great reminder for livestock producers.

-Meat News Network

Are you in the horse industry for the long haul? Your banker wants to know!

Are you in the horse industry to make money? Most people within the industry are not in the business to achieve their “get rich quick” goal. Most people have horses for a hobby and want to promote the industry. But if horses are your business, you will probably need to obtain some type of financing. It may be difficult to convince your banker or financial institution that your operation is not a hobby and you are in this for the long haul.

This is very important in obtaining financing to purchase your land, barns, and pay expenses for your horse enterprise. Let’s be realistic, the equine industry is capital intense and it can be quite costly whether you are just starting out and need to purchases land or you are paying expenses. At some point, you will probably need a loan to pay for capital purchases or short term expenses. To obtain a loan you will first have to prove to your banker or financial institution that you have the ability to make loan payments and your operation will be profitable. In Pennsylvania, 63 percent of the horse operations have their horses for pleasure and not for showing, breeding, working, or therapeutic uses. This is why most banks assume that equine operations are a hobby for horse lovers. Convincing the bank that you will be profitable is the first step in applying for a loan.

There are different types of loans that you could apply for such as line of credit, intermediate loans, and long term financing. Line of credit is used for paying immediate expenses such as feed, tack, and veterinarian bills. An intermediate loan, 5- 7 years, would be used to purchase items like a truck, horse trailer, equipment, and fencing. Long term financing like a mortgage, would be used to pay for horse breeding stock, purchase land, and construct buildings. The term of a loan should match the life expectancy of whatever you want to purchase.

A Performa or business plan will help to make your banker understand why you want a loan and how you will pay it back. Both of these tools list income and expenditure predictions for your operation. It also demonstrates the borrower’s ability to pay back the loan and indicate whether your business will be profitable. The Performa or business plan will also help you in setting up a budget, while the business plan will assist in marketing as well.

Speaking of making money, have you thought about all the different options in making your horse operation profitable? Will your farm be able to offer boarding? Boarding is a very simple way to make a few extra dollars as long as you have adequate facilities. Training is another way to earn money on the horse farm. If you are good at training your own horses and have great horsemanship skills then this probably will be a rewarding experience for you. How about breeding horses? If you want to enter this market you have to make sure you have quality stock and the ability to market your horses. I have mentioned several different options to prove to your banker that you can be profitable and are in the business for the long haul. Be creative and explore other options, such as therapeutic riding.

Do not overlook insurance! Depending on the type of operation that you have or would like to have, insurance is protection for yourself, your farm, and your horses. Make sure that you invest in an insurance policy that will protect you and your family against liabilities. If you are boarding horses or offer riding lessons make sure you have adequate coverage. You also want to familiarize yourself with the equine liability act, which includes signage on your farm in two locations that reads “You assume the risk of equine activities pursuant to Pennsylvania law.”

So next time you are trying to convince your banker or financial institution that your horse operation will be profitable, remember to know what type of loan you need, have a Performa or business plan, and know of possible options of making money on your operation. Prove to your banker that you are in this enterprise for the long haul.

Educating Extreme Makeover Home Edition about Goats

Lena-Dove Song Dairy, Paul- Designer for Extreme Makeover, and myself

When celebrities come to your town, the chances of meeting them are usually slim. Well not this time.... I had this unusual call from one of the assistant producers from Extreme Makeover Home Edition television show. Apparently they were in our area doing a house for the much deserving Urban family. Trisha Urban's husband passed away, from a heart attack, nine hours before she was in labor with their daughter Cora. The Urban family have a few animals, including goats.

The Extreme Makeover crew called Penn State Cooperative Extension in Berks County to learn more about goat behavior, housing, and care. The show will be building what they call "a goat palace" and what I call a barn. They needed expertise to assist in this special project. So I felt  the best way to learn about goats is to actually go out and visit a goat farm. While filming, Lena, owner of Dove Song Dairy, and I taught Paul, Leigh Anne, and Tracey (designers from Extreme Makeover) about dairy goats. We gave them a few suggestions about building the "goat palace" such as proper ventilation and clean, fresh water. The designers even had the opportunity to milk a few goats on camera! The designers as well as the filming crew seemed to really enjoy this learning experience.

I never thought as an Animal Science Educator I would have the opportunity to educate celebrities, apparently I was wrong. Never say never! 

Celebrating Wordless Wednesday! Well maybe not so much wordless...

Fair Season is Upon Us!

Celebrating Wordless Wednesday!

Summer means fair season! Take the time to visit your local fair in the community. Some people go for the rides, entertainment, and food and others go to exhibit their 4-H and FFA projects. The fair is an educational and fun event to attend with your family and friends. At the fair, spectators have the opportunity to pet the animals, talk to the 4-H'ers and producers, and learn about animal nutrition and proper care. When you are at the fair you can learn so much about animals by just visiting the livestock and dairy barns. Opportunities and experiences are endless at the fair! Maybe you will even have the opportunity to hold a small animal such as this young girl at the Lebanon Area Fair which is going on this week in Lebanon, PA.

So you want to raise livestock?

Whether you plan on raising chickens, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, or some other animal, there are  basics that you should know first before taking the jump into production. Keys to success in raising livestock include knowledge of goals, options, and resources. Knowing these key points will help to shape your farm and make it successful in the long run.

Goals and Options:

Your first step is to identify and evaluate your goals. Ask yourself why you want livestock. Is it because you want to produce a healthy food source for your family? Maybe you want livestock to manage the forage on your land? Or want livestock to produce and sell a fresh product to the public? Whatever the case, goals are instrumental in providing the founding steps to your new venture. 

 After you decide why you want animals, you need to determine what type of livestock will be compatible with your land. Some items to think about are number of acres you have available, township regulations, and property zoning. Maybe your township allows animals but only allows a certain number per acre.  If you only have one acre you probably will want to start with smaller animals, such as chickens.

You will also need to determine what type of operation you want to have. For example, if you know you want chickens, you will have to decide whether you want layers (egg production) or broilers (meat production). If you want to produce milk, you need to choose what kind of milk you want to produce such as goat milk or cow milk.

Knowing the specie of livestock you want to raise will help to evaluate what breed fits your needs. If you want to raise beef cattle and your goal is to be pasture based then you should choose a breed that produces more efficiently on pasture such as Belted Galloway. This is the same for all livestock. There are breeds that will produce better in certain conditions.

Resources:

What kind of resources do you already have available? Facilities, finances, equipment, and advisors are all important when it comes to resources.  Knowing what you have available to you before you start raising livestock will help you to be more prepared.

For production on small acres of land and for the beginning farmer, basic facilities are needed but they also depend on the type of animal you decide to raise. For cattle, head gates, chutes, and pens are needed to make it easier to handle them. Smaller livestock such as pigs, sheep, and goats need separate pens for handling. Feeders, troughs, fencing, and shelter are important for all species. Feeders are necessary if animals are being fed grain. Troughs or tubs are great for providing a daily water source to your animals if you don’t have access to an automatic waterer. Fencing is also important when caring for animals. Livestock need a sturdy electric fence that should be six strands or more depending on the species you are raising. Electric fencing helps to keep livestock in and predators out. Shelter or shade is another important aspect of raising livestock and most imperative during winter and summer months. Shelter is probably the best idea to have for your animals to stay dry and comfortable. If shelter is not available, shaded dry areas will work as well so animals can stay cool in the hot weather.  

Of course these points are just the basics. Raising animals can be quite rewarding as long as you are prepared by knowing your goals. Be familiar with the livestock you want to produce. Rely on resources around you to make educated decisions. Penn State Cooperative Extension educators, veterinarians, other producers, and industry specialists are people that you can rely on when you have questions or concerns.

Berks County Celebrates June Dairy Month

Celebrating Wordless Wednesday!

More than 2,000 employees were treated to free ice cream homemade by Way-Har Farms in Bernville, PA. The ice cream social was to celebrate Berks County's number 1 industry, agriculture, as well as to say thanks to the county's employees. To view the whole story, visit The Reading Eagle.   

How do your animals graze?

Did you ever take the time to actually watch your animal graze? Cattle, sheep, goats, and horses all graze differently. Knowing how your animals graze is a very important part of your grazing program.Cattle are middle grazers, typically enjoying only grass species. Sheep and goats enjoy grazing weeds and enjoy grazing close to the ground. Goats are more browsers, consuming brush, shrubs, and weeds. 

Understanding how your livestock species graze allows you to know how long you can leave them in a certain pasture to graze. It is very easy to leave livestock on the pasture too long when you do not watch your animals graze.  All livestock should be moved at a rate based on pasture growth and season. If animals are not moved in a timely manner (when plants are 3-4 inches high) overgrazing will occur. Removing livestock from pastures at the appropriate time helps grass recover and rest. This encourages more forage growth and less weeds.

Here is a clip from a dairy farmer that was watching how his dairy cattle graze:

Celebrate the Beef Industry

May marks the celebration of Pennsylvania’s beef industry. What better way to celebrate then by promoting Pennsylvania’s 1.8 billion dollars industry. Beef month is a great way to honor the 12,000 Pennsylvania beef producers that are generating a high quality and nutritious product.

Too many times we hear about the negative side of the beef industry. What about all the positive aspects? American families expect to enjoy a high quality beef product. Programs like the Beef Quality Assurance program helps to ensure consumers that there is an increased emphasis on proper cattle care and handling and using low- stress management.

Producers should be advocates by sharing accurate relevant stories about their practices. It is critical that we promote the safety of beef products. Farmers know how they raise their animals, but do customers know or care? I believe customers do want to know where and how their products are being raised. Producers need to educate how they raise cattle under humane conditions. In the last few days of May, cattle producers should be congratulating themselves for being good producers of beef and by promoting proper care of their animals.

Saddles, Tack, Repairs, Oh My!

Have you ever thought about the high costs that go into your horse operation? Whether it’s a new saddle, blankets, or equipment repairs, costs do add up. Equipment and tack ranks high in the expense list, but by following a few tips you might be able to slash expenditures.

Horses seem to have an endless demand of newer equipment. As your animal grows, it outgrows blankets, harnesses, and other tack. What is your first response to outgrown equipment? Well most horse owners tend to run off to their nearest tack shop to buy the newest equipment. Instead, how about calling your tack shop and asking if they have a consignment section. Consignments are great for buying saddles, bridles, blankets, and much more. Another great outlet is the internet. Check out online auctions for bargains on horse equipment. You may find the gear you need for half the price online. Some stores whether it be online or in your neighborhood, put equipment on sale at the end of the seasons. Be a bargain shopper and buy during these times to get the best deals on all your necessities.

How about all that equipment in your stable? When is the last time you did some spring cleaning? Do you really need all ten of those blankets? Why not earn some money by selling some of that nearly new equipment in your barn? You can even use those online auction sites to sell your equipment. Earn some cash to buy some other equipment that you need for your operation. Or why not have a tack swap meet for all of your horse friends. Invite your friends to bring unwanted tack to a gathering. This is a great way to get newer equipment by not paying full price.

Learn how to do as much as possible on your own. This includes repairs, cleaning, and polishing. Sometimes it is not necessary to replace your equipment with the newer version when something rips or brakes. Equipment that rips, can easily be hand sewn back together instead of buying new. Often times harnesses, halters, and bridles become tarnished over time. Many folks recommend a ‘special solution’ that could break the bank. There is no need to buy polish; all you need is a little baking soda and vinegar. This homemade recipe will be excellent for your equipment, environment, and of course your wallet. It also doesn’t hurt to keep your equipment clean and oiled. It is not only much easier to work with equipment that is clean, but it will also probably save you money on repairs. After you have cleaned the brass with your homemade polish recipe, try cleaning your own rugs and blankets as well. Shampoo, toothbrush, towels, and a little bit of extra scrubbing will go a long way when it comes to cleaning on a budget.

So next time you are evaluating your horse costs, remember there are ways to decrease your bills. Don’t make yourself crazy by thinking about all the high costs. Evaluate all expenses and determine if there are ways to cut back. You may be able to find equipment and tack for less, all you need to do is a little research.