Emily Eilers addresses the challenges of communicating the farm and food story with consumers while facing the narratives inherent when only two percent of the U.S. population grows our food. Source: Nebraska Farmer, February 19, 2025. Link. Commentary Eiler’s article caused me to think about the number of social media posts I saw from cow-calf producers during the … [Read more...]
Fresh salmon? Of course, we’re in Nebraska.
Most Atlantic salmon consumers encounter are farmed, and Nebraska aquafarmers Mimi and Kiel VanderVeen are projecting 1,000 pounds of fish weekly from their Central Plains operation by year-end. They also grow seven varieties of lettuce produced within the aquaponic system. Source: Nebraska Farmer, July 22, 2024. Link. Photo by Mimi VanderVeen … [Read more...]
Make cows earn their living
Running a cow-calf operation costs money, a lot of money. Understanding more about the details of the costs producers incur may help veterinary teams and suppliers reposition their value and likewise support producer profitability. Elizabeth Hodges shares the different economic categories Aaron Berger shared with young farmers and ranchers. Commentary Although one might … [Read more...]
Crop residue grazing recommendations changing
Mary E. Drewnoski, PhD, shares how higher-yielding corn crops, with less downed corn, have changed the way beef specialists recommend crop residue stocking rates. She recommends producers think about fall grazing plans and stocking rates as they plant this year’s crop. The article includes an updated formula for stocking rate on corn ground. Source: Nebraska Farmer, April … [Read more...]
Practices that push cow-calf profitability
Spending money with veterinarians was listed as a top investment producers can make to grow cattle profits in 2024 <Link>. Winter weather stresses producer resources while the ensuing tax season gets pencils sharpened. It is a good time for veterinarians to collaborate on best practices that generate profit gains while ensuring optimal herd health. A University of … [Read more...]
Goats can help control eastern red cedar invasion
Nebraska farmer Mike Wallace sent families of goats to pasture with his herd of cows and sheep and found the goats help control invasive cedar trees economically. The average goat will consume as much as 20 percent of its diet as cedar trees. Eastern red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, is a native invasive species of tree that causes problems on rangeland and in pastures. Grass … [Read more...]
Plastic net wrap on forage bales can harm cattle
In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes. Cows are more at risk than feedlot animals. Remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding. Source: Nebraska Farmer, December 14, 2021. Link. CLIP THE WRAP! It is best to … [Read more...]