After crops are harvested, Minnesota livestock producers will be applying billions of gallons or pounds of stored manure to cropland. Wet weather is complicating the harvest, but it also plays a role in proper manure management. To get the most value from manure as fertilizer and to avoid manure runoff that could pollute nearby lakes and streams, the Minnesota Pollution … [Read more...]
Explore a career in agriculture
The agricultural industry provides a variety of opportunities to professionals interested in this often misunderstood field. According to the employment resource AGCareers.com, more than 250 career profiles are available to people interested in a career in agriculture. And while jobs in agriculture may not be as prevalent as they were a few centuries ago, when 72% of the … [Read more...]
How to safety share the road with farm equipment
By Tyler Waugh www.rearviewsafety.com I’m going back to Kansas for my cousin’s wedding this weekend and I couldn’t be more excited. I get to see my entire family and spend one last time in my childhood home before my parents sell it and move to a bigger city. I’m also very pumped for the open road. As I’ll be driving a lot on rural roads, here are some tips from the Farm … [Read more...]
Grants available for updates to livestock operations Applications accepted through December 18, 2019
ST. PAUL, MN – Minnesota livestock farmers and ranchers seeking to improve their livestock operations are encouraged to apply for the Agricultural Growth, Research and Innovation (AGRI) Livestock Investment Grant program. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) anticipates awarding up to $768,000 using a competitive review process. The AGRI Program’s Livestock … [Read more...]
Sunnyslope Angus LLC ranked sixth in Angus registrations for Minnesota during 2019
Sunnyslope Angus LLC, Lanesboro, ranked as sixth largest in registering the most Angus beef cattle in Minnesota with the American Angus Association® during fiscal year 2019, which ended September 30, according to Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. Angus breeders across the nation in 2019 registered 304,577 head of Angus cattle. “Despite a challenging year, … [Read more...]
After barn collapse, North-Creek Dairy has hope for the future
“It was the first time in 116 years we weren’t milking a cow,” Corey Hoffman of North-Creek Dairy said. After the blizzard in late February 2019, Corey, a fourth generation farmer, and his family thought they were going to have to shut down their dairy farm near Chatfield for good. “I was heartbroken,” he said. It started at about 1 a.m. on February 24. An 80’x100’ section … [Read more...]
Preventing suicide in ag communities training available Free half-day safeTALK sessions planned throughout Minnesota
ST. PAUL, MN – Farmers and others who work in agriculture are used to helping neighbors, clients, family and friends do chores or make repairs, but they may not know how to help someone having thoughts of suicide. A free, half-day safeTALK training sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) and Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will be offered in six … [Read more...]
Grants for equipment, feasibility studies now available Apply for Value-Added Grant through January 23, 2020
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Growth, Research, and Innovation (AGRI) Value-Added Grant Program. The MDA anticipates awarding up to $1 million using a competitive review process. The intent of the program is to increase sales of Minnesota agricultural products by investing in production capacity, market … [Read more...]
Clarifying Canadian bacon
When celebrating Canada Day, revelers may want to enjoy some of the classic foods borne out of this land in the North. Thanks to the wide array of people of varied cultures that reside in Canada, cuisine can range from French foods to wild game first hunted by Inuit and other native peoples. Outside of Canada, the country may be best known for a few exports, including maple … [Read more...]
Agricultural career opportunities
A career in agriculture can prove richly rewarding. While it's common to envision overalls and tractors when imagining careers in agriculture, the opportunities to work in the agriculture industry stretch beyond the farm and into the corporate world. The following are a few of the paths men and women with a passion for agriculture can pursue. • Business: Agriculture is big … [Read more...]
Farm to table businesses booming
Consumers' appetites for local foods are growing, and restaurants have taken notice. Today, many local businesses, including farms and restaurants, have mutually exclusive relationships that make it possible for local residents to enjoy nutritious, locally produced meals. According to the market research firm Packaged Facts, local foods generated $11.7 billion in sales in … [Read more...]
Foods on the barbie need not be unhealthy
Certain foods found at barbecues are better than others for health-conscious men and women. Barbecue season is still in full swing, and that means many evenings spent dining outdoors with a feast of grilled foods at your beck and call. Such foods may be delicious, but some barbecue standards may not be ideal for those trying to maintain a beach-ready body. But even if a trim … [Read more...]
The hottest new grilling trends
Canadians and Americans love their gas grills, but some feel that grilling over gas loses some of the flavor associated with charcoal and smoke. Well worry no more. There are numerous grilling planks and wood chips available (GrillPro, for example, has a full line of flavors) that, when combined with the cooking power of a Broil King gas grill, allow backyard chefs to taste the … [Read more...]
Pros and cons to keeping pigs as pets
People are drawn to pets for various reasons. Self-sufficient cats entice those who prefer independent pets that do not take up much space. Dog lovers might enjoy the companionship and boisterous personalities of tail-wagging pooches. Exotic pet owners appreciate the uniqueness of their reptiles and amphibians and how they may serve as a conversation starters. Pot-bellied … [Read more...]
Pork is a Bergey family tradition
Brandon, Brock, and Brady Bergey have a fun hobby that allows them to combine family time, attending local celebrations, and savoring some awfully good food along the way. The three brothers operate as a team known as Bergey Boys Blazing BBQ, and they recently sat down to talk about their hobby. Having grown up on the family farm near Canton, Brady stated, “Our parents … [Read more...]