Dairying is an all-consuming endeavor; there’s no “halfway” about it. So when the parlor doors close for the last time, retiring dairy producers sometimes find themselves at a loss for activity and drive, or staying connected to an industry they’ve loved.

Creating mazes in 42 states, Stolworthy says, “When I started, many people thought corn mazes were just a fad, but I decided to do them anyway, thinking that it would be a great career for a few years – but it kept going.”

Sprinkler irrigation has come a long way in the past 50 years, and pivot irrigation has seen tremendous advances in technology that improve production and efficiency.

“The skills they’ve learned, the work ethic, doing chores, taking care of animals have set them up to be successful adults. This is why we do what we do through 4-H and FFA – try to raise kids with those skill sets.”

David and Natalie Nelson are a young couple who try to help educate the public about the importance of agriculture. Their farm is 125 years old this year.

Almost all breeds in the U.S. today are of British and European descent, but many ranchers in Southern areas prefer cattle with some Zebu influence. In recent years, African types with less Zebu genetic influence and more Bos taurus have been introduced.

Every farm has a cash crop, and for Galen Lee that's asparagus and peppermint.

Traditional annuals and more exotic cocktail cover-crop mixtures can make great forage for cattle on a temporary basis, but over the long haul, a good stand of perennial pasture can be the best choice.

Intermountain Packing is in full swing with a new beef/bison packing plant in Idaho Falls. They fill a specific market niche.

Digital dermatitis (DD) has been a problem in dairies for a long time and is becoming more prevalent in beef cattle, says Terry Engelken, a professor in the college of veterinary medicine at Iowa State University.