Don't forget to pick up a poinsettia for the holidays.
"We would like your help in evaluating the Pennsylvania Farm?A?Syst program that recognizes farmsteads managed in an environmentally courteous way and promotes awareness of existing site conditions and management practices threatening the quality of groundwater and surface water."
"There are many potential economic advantages for reducing the number of tillage operations for crop enterprises. These include: 1) lower fuel costs due to fewer trips over the field, 2) reducing the amount of tillage equipment needed, which results in lower machinery investment, 3) lower labor requirements, which reduce hired labor costs or free up operator time for other farm operations, 4) reducing soil loss from water and wind erosion, and 5) conserving soil moisture."
"Soil compaction is the reduction of soil volume due to external factors; this reduction lowers soil productivity and environmental quality. The threat of soil compaction is greater today than in the past because of the dramatic increase in the size of farm equipment. Therefore, producers must pay more attention to soil compaction than they have in the past. In this fact sheet we will discuss the effects of soil compaction and briefly identify ways to avoid or alleviate it."
"For the expanding dairy farm, culling is a very important issue that can impact the success of the expansion and business profitability and viability. Understanding how expansion impacts voluntary and involuntary culling beforehand is essential as the manager then has the opportunity to adjust and adopt management practices."
"Dairy Digest is published monthly by Cooperative Extension and the Department of Dairy and Animal Science. Choose monthly issues from this year or past years for up-to-date information in the dairy industry. The issues cover a variety of topics ranging from farm business information, training programs, nutrition facts, and much more."
"A successful dairy farm business needs committed workers who complete work procedures consistently and accurately. It also requires all involved to contribute their experience, knowledge, and ideas to constant improvement for the future. This eight-page publication describes how dairy businesses can use standard operating procedures to get everyone driving toward outstanding performance and success."
"One of the biggest reasons that dairy farm work is not completed well and on time is a lack of clearly delegated responsibility and authority. Dairy managers who want to move their businesses to higher levels of performance and profitability need to make sure that no important work falls through the cracks. Do this by delegating responsibility for work and the authority to see that it is done appropriately. "
"Pork production facilities have increased in size in recent years, and large operations now account for the majority of the pigs raised in the United States. This 28-page manual provides planning agencies, township supervisors, regulatory agencies, and hog farmers with a tool to gauge plans for developing a new swine farm or improving an existing site."
"Feed costs represent 45 to 60 percent of the total cost of producing milk. The key to maximizing dairy farm profitability is to maintain nutrient levels while carefully managing feed costs. This 32-page publication provides a basic understanding of dairy cattle nutrition and its role in good herd management. It covers rumen physiology and function, nutritional concepts behind feeding dairy cattle, dry matter intake and its effect on the cow, and feed and feed nutrients for dairy cattle. "
"Dairy Industry Trends and Opportunities - Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 U.S. Top Dairies: Benchmarks for Success Planning for the Family Farm's Future <br><br>and more..."