You have field dust in your eyes, sunflower seeds on the cab floor, you need to run to town and pick up a new clutch for the truck, and you’re wondering if the market is strong enough to sell your calves.

Cheese curds, cow-naming rights, or a plate at an on-farm harvest meal are all available through the just-launched a kickstarter campaign by Redhead Creamery, one of Minnesota’s newest cheese producers.

Progressive Dairyman asked Biomin experts to comment on their annual mycotoxin survey findings from earlier this year. Q. What is most strikingly different about this year's survey compared to previous years' surveys? A: We have been conducting a mycotoxin survey for several years. The survey allows feed and animal producers to assess the risks of using certain feedstuffs/feeds from different regions.

Holistic Management International (HMI) is hosting two farm field days in Wisconsin and Michigan. Both events are part of HMI’s Open Gate On-Farm Learning Series and will demonstrate how the holistic management whole farm/ranch planning system enables producers to better manage risk, make better decisions, and benefit from adoption of sustainable agriculture practices.

One-third of all companies in the S&P 500 Index are family run businesses according to Business Insider. That’s impressive! Family run businesses care about the long-term effects of their decisions, focus on future generations and have passionate, dedicated family members at the top. In family farming operations, we share in those impressive qualities.

Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI) and GeneSeek, a Neogen Corporation subsidiary headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, announced the immediate availability of the Developmental Duplication (DD) genetic condition test. The launch allows Angus breeders to order the DD test either by using Association archived or new samples. Details on the test are available at the American Angus Association AAA Login website.

To better serve its customers and meet their needs for beef, Cargill is investing $48 million in a new automated order distribution system at its Dodge City, Kansas plant. Construction will begin during the fourth quarter of calendar 2013, with the new system scheduled to be operational by spring 2015.

A long-term study in Australia offers a new weed control model for global agriculture. This mechanical method targets weed seeds during harvest, reducing the quantity of weeds that can grow in future crop cycles.

The 2013 Wisconsin Holstein Association State Picnic was held on Saturday, August 17, at the Siemers’ Holstein farm of Newton, Wisconsin. Over 400 Holstein enthusiasts enjoyed food, weather and camaraderie on a beautiful August day.