I’m guessing that many of you never even noticed the title of this regular column, “The courage to evolve.” There was actually a great deal of thought and reflection that went into choosing those words.

The treadmill of life doesn’t afford the time to stop and think, let alone sort out the pieces and put them where they belong. We blindly go from one task to the next seemingly without rhyme or reason.

When it comes to agricultural policy, there are many reasons to support the viability of family farms. One of them is to recognize the ability of farms to help sustain the communities around them. Family agriculture keeps money and people in the area, improving the local economy and ultimately empowering its rural residents.

Consistent daily and weekly owner maintenance is necessary to get the most from automated milking, feeding or cleaning systems. Regular cleaning, inspecting and checking components prevents costly downtime, protects milk quality and reduces stress on cows and farmers.

Across the Pacific Northwest, sugarbeet growers are facing one of the most challenging market environments in decades. Domestic sugar prices have fallen sharply, dropping more than 33% over the past two years. For many sugarbeet growers, the 2025 crop resulted in losses exceeding $500 per acre. If current conditions continue, the economic outlook for the sugarbeet industry is grim.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is essentially pneumonia. Caused by specific bacteria and viruses, it is the most expensive disease in the beef industry.

Remote monitoring systems help dairy operators keep conditions steady and act on problems before they put cow health or facility performance at risk. They also boost productivity by allowing staff to respond quickly when something changes.