I live near Bradford County in Pennsylvania. In 2012, Bradford County ranked ninth in the state and 144th in the nation for milk production. In 2014, Bradford was among the 44 counties nationally that produced 50 percent of the nation’s milk, as reported by the Kansas City Market Administrator’s office.

We all know the best lessons are shared in hindsight. Last year was a wet one for northern Pennsylvania. For 38 days (from May 25 to July 1), it rained every other day.

On June 9, I posted an ad for a registered 20-month-old Angus bull on craigslist.org and an online livestock forum with the keywords “high-performance genetics” along with an outstanding picture taken with a Nikon D800 and a 24-120mm F/4 lens.

So, your cows are off their feed – maybe even off their feet. Perhaps you’ve noticed a disruption in your herd’s breeding interval, maybe a few more open than normal compared to previous years. Having ruled out diseases and pathogens, it’s time to consider: Is it something they ate?

So just out of curiosity, can anyone remember a time when cheatgrass did not dominate the Western landscape?

It’s hot; it’s muggy; and the potted plants on the porch are wilting. Farther out, the grass beneath the old oak tree is devoid of the vibrant green color associated with a healthy ecosystem. You’re not concerned though – the solution is to just turn on the water, right? Plants just need a drink is all.