Northeast

Children’s museum debuts interactive 'Moo-ve The Milk' exhibit

audrey@agproud.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Downtown Buffalo, New York’s Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson Children’s Museum has added a captivating new addition to its fourth floor. The “Moo-ve The Milk” exhibit is a hands-on display that takes children and their families through the journey of milk from cow to grocery store, making dairy education as fun as it is informative.

Midwest/North: Tips for drylotting beef cows

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When drought forces tough decisions or expanding herds find themselves without pasture availability, drylotting beef cows may be an option to consider.

Midwest/North: Should I buy hay or grow my own?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

While cost is the primary factor, there are several reasons to choose buying hay or growing it.

Midwest/North: Growing summer annual forages

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

With poor profitability projections on most row-crop budgets, planting summer annual forages and using forage mixes for grazing should be considered on marginal acres.

Integration of forage crops for managing herbicide-resistant weed seedbanks in Northeastern cropping systems

mrenz@wisc.edu — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Weed control is becoming increasingly challenging for field crop producers across the Northeastern United States, including New York (N.Y.). Several factors are driving this trend, including the introduction of new and invasive weed species, the growing prevalence of herbicide resistance, increasing cost of herbicide premixes, and unpredictable weather that often limits timely field operations.

Midwest/North: Don't overdo it on spring greenup

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Turning cows out on immature forages can have long-reaching consequences, including permanent damage to grass stands, high risk of grass tetany and a need for supplementation to fill nutritional gaps.

Midwest/North: A little better is still better

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The constant talk of the cattle markets and market volatility has put a lot of anxiety into decision making. I have found myself trying to be a steady voice in consultations with producers, reminding them that a little better is still better.

Midwest/North: When do cows feel the cold?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

With winter weather and lower temperatures setting in, it is time to talk about when cows feel the cold. The big factors that determine the lower critical temperature for cattle are temperature, wind speed and heaviness of winter hair coat.

Meyers Brothers Dairy holiday silage bag tradition

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Every year, a festively decorated silage bag is proudly displayed along Route 30, Lincoln Way, in St. Thomas, Pennsylvania, visible from the road and brightening the holidays for passing drivers. As a cherished tradition, members of the Meyers family work together to generate ideas and create the design.

Midwest/North: Breeding season tips for fall-calving herds

wmeteer@gmail.com — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

While general breeding practices are similar to spring-calving herds, breeding fall-calving cows can pose some unique challenges.

Vermont dairy expands through strategic growth

frances@agproud.com — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Scotch Burn Farm is an eight-generation dairy located in Ryegate, Vermont, that has steadily grown over the years. Expanding the farm by purchasing land was an easy decision for Ethan Nelson, one that opened new opportunities for his family. They had been looking to grow, and the timing worked out perfectly when his uncle and cousins decided to sell.

Midwest/North: Is it time to bale graze?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:03 -0400

Adding nutrients, organic matter and ground cover to poorly productive lands have some raving about bale grazing.

Midwest/North: More grazing days = more profit

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Allowing cattle to graze into late fall and early winter is crucial to maximizing profits. Stockpiling cool-season forages and growing cover crops for forage present opportunities to extend the grazing season.

Midwest/North: Manage your herd, manage drought

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Consider a few animal management strategies to mitigate the effects of drought.

Midwest/North: Focus on the fundamentals

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

While better cattle prices are a relief to many, it is important not to lose sight of the basics.

Midwest/North: Hay storage tips

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 22 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Proper storage of hay prior to feeding is important to reducing waste, avoiding nutrient loss and maintaining palatability.

Economic Update: Fluid milk sales continue downward trend

karen@agproud.com — Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:10:03 -0400

Here is news affecting dairy producers' bottom lines in the middle of April 2025.

Surviving Hurricane Helene: How Biltmore Farms endured floodwater and power loss through community support

audrey@agproud.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400

When Hurricane Helene struck on Sept. 27, 2024, Biltmore Farms faced one of its toughest challenges yet after the storm brought relentless rains, howling winds and rising floodwaters that devastated the dairy farm and surrounding areas. Dairy manager Mike Corn recounts the chaos and hardships that unfolded over eight days without power and limited resources.

Midwest/North: Breeding season bandits

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 23:00:00 -0400

With breeding season approaching, let’s look at some areas of focus that could be robbing from conception rates. Some factors that I think deserve discussion are cow condition, cow requirements, lush pastures, timing of vaccinations, lack of heterosis, stress and bull fertility.

2025 State of Dairy: Northeast: Growth-minded and cautious

kimmi@agproud.com — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Looking to the future, many dairy producers across the Northeast – especially in New York and Pennsylvania – are capitalizing on positive margins. “A lot of producers in our area of New York are positioning for growth, whether that be herd size, expansion or diversification,” says Tyler Reynolds of Reyncrest Farm, Corfu, New York.

Midwest/North: Three cattle handling tips

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Investing time in animal handling skills improves the quality of life, safety, health and performance … for both animals and humans.

Midwest/North: Tips for assisted calving

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 26 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Although there are year-round management strategies that can impact calving season success, here are some short-term, in-the-moment calving tips for success this year.

Preparing for winter at Brigeen Farms, Castonguay Ayrshires

kimmi@agproud.com — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

While Maine is well known for lobster, lighthouses and its scenic North Atlantic coastline, the state is also home to 140 licensed dairy farms, including Brigeen Farms in Turner and Castonguay Ayrshires in Livermore. As the leaves fall and the crisp autumn air turns to icy conditions, snowstorms and frigid temperatures across the Northeast, cow comfort, herd health and safety are top of mind for these two dairy farms as they prepare their facilities and animals for inclement weather.

Midwest/North: Planning and managing to avoid dystocia

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 23:00:30 -0500

We know that not every dystocia can be prevented, but there are some management factors that can help reduce difficult births.

Retired Vermont dairy farmer writes children’s Christmas book

audrey@agproud.com — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The Christmas Calf by George Woodard captures the essence of a true holiday miracle through the perspective of a 9-year-old farm boy. On a cold Christmas Eve, this young boy's curiosity and care lead him to the barn, where a cow is expected to give birth. In the quiet, snowy night, he experiences the wonder and mystery of new life, illuminated by the magic of the season. Woodard’s storytelling transports readers to this heartwarming moment, making The Christmas Calf a memorable tale for all ages.

Midwest/North: What is overgrazing?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Now is a great time to evaluate your pastures and develop strategies to improve grazing days for next year. Feed may be less expensive this year, but it won’t stay that way.

Dotterer Dairy: Where sunflowers and farming blossom together

audrey@agproud.com — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

To innovate in ways that bring the community together, Doug and Cortney Dotterer have ventured beyond traditional dairy farming, transforming a section of their land into a vibrant sunflower maze – a project that has become a local attraction. What began as a casual idea inspired by a farm in Kentucky has now flourished into an annual event, attracting thousands of visitors eager to experience the beauty of sunflowers and farm life.

Midwest/North: Start with a forage test

wmeteer@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0400

For those buying or selling hay, forage testing can play an even bigger role in pricing and purchasing value.

Midwest/North: Why are my cows open?

wmeteer@gmail.com — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:12 -0400

Having some open cows is normal in a 60- to 90-day breeding season. However, if the number of open cows is excessive (greater than 6% to 10%), evaluation of management, nutrition and herd health needs to take place.

Land stewardship and sustainability at Thunder View Farms

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The Coombe Family of Thunder View Farms is passionate about preserving the land while creating a sustainable and profitable beef business.