News

As the vibrant days of summer give way to the cool, crisp air of fall, it's an important time for farmers and livestock managers to focus on pasture health. Effective pasture management during the fall can set the stage for a productive spring. This blog will explore two key components of fall pasture care: rotational grazing and soil care. Understanding Rotational Grazing What is Rotational Grazing? Rotational grazing is a livestock management practice where animals are moved between different pasture sections (or paddocks) to allow forage plants time to recover and regrow. This method contrasts with continuous grazing, where livestock...

There comes a time in every chicken’s life (usually around 14 – 18 months old) where they start to lose all their feathers, look gangly and downright ugly. But don’t be alarmed! This is a natural process that occurs annually. This process is called molt. What is molt? Molt is the natural shedding of feathers and regrowth of new ones. This usually happens in the fall as day length shortens. It is the chickens way to refresh old feathers and grow new ones for the coming winter. Molt happens in an expected order, starting at the head, down the back, breast and...

While recently reviewing farms feed program, the manager explained that some of her horses only received 1 pound of grain per day. She felt their weight was good, but yet they appeared to be lacking something in their diet. She was wondering what type of supplements she could add. When we looked at the tag on her feed, the problem was obvious. Her feed was designed for to be fed at a rate of 0.5 – 0.75 pounds per 100 pounds of body weight. This means that to provide proper fortification for a 1000 pound horse, she would need to...

The use of fat in the equine diet has a long history. A very old book, Horse Secrets by A.S. Alexander, published in 1913, points out that horse traders knew back then that adding fat to the diet was beneficial for gaining weight and improving hair coat. They may not have known why it worked, but they knew that it worked! Corn oil was an early oil source as it was available and palatable. Flax seed, boiled to both soften the husk and to eliminate anti-nutritional factors, was also used to provide both fat and protein. The use of vegetable...

Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors, but the warmer weather can pose challenges for backyard chickens. As temperatures rise, it’s crucial to ensure your feathered friends stay cool, hydrated, and healthy. In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips for caring for chickens during the summer months to keep them comfortable and thriving. 1. Provide Plenty of Fresh Water Hydration is Key: Ensure that your chickens always have access to clean, cool water. During hot days, water evaporates quickly, and chickens can become dehydrated. Check water levels multiple times a day and refill as needed. Consider using multiple...