In a continued effort to encourage communication in rural communities, four Wisconsin dairy farm families are opening their farms to the public during August as part of the ACE (Agricultural Community Engagement) On-the-Farm Twilight Meetings.

When we challenge ourselves and look outside our regular world, we can learn critical new elements to apply to our lives. For example, I spend a lot of time reading about agricultural topics to stay current, but I also read as much as I can about the business culture, especially leadership, management and human resources topics or listening to speakers addressing these issues.

Sustaining a cattle ranch on less than 10 inches of rain is near impossible. Cattle producers across the nation have faced this dilemma and the difficult decisions that quickly follow. Simple water conservation practices can help when those tough years and tough decisions arise – whether it’s planting perennial or annual grasses, accounting for every drop of water or bulldozing ponds.

If you have already prepared an estate plan, give yourself a pat on the back – because you are ahead of most Americans. Statistics show that more than half of Americans ages 45 to 64 have not even drafted a will.

A paper released July 16 by AGree describes a disjointed and ineffective system of K-12 food and ag education in the U.S. and identifies needed reform.

Recent precipitation in the Plains states has greatly improved pasture conditions and could solidify grazing plans over the next several months. Improved pasture conditions will provide forages for the low cow inventory.

Cattle management prior to feedlot entry can have a profound effect on cattle health and feedyard performance. Weaning methodology, nutrition and vaccination protocols practiced by commercial cow-calf producers play a critical role in animal performance when they reach the feedyard.

Cow-calf producers can use alternatives to pasture to increase their cow numbers and the U.S. cow herd.

Metaphylaxis is defined by the Farlex Medical Dictionary as the timely mass medication of a group of animals to eliminate or minimize an expected outbreak of disease.

Ranching has been under attack for decades by environmental groups, animal rights groups, vegetarians and wildlife groups. True to human nature, when under attack we dally that rope around the post and dig our heels in the dirt.