How-To Library

The best way to handle any emergency situation that may arise with your horse is to think like a scout and be prepared. A well- stocked barn medicine chest will let you immediately start treating your horse’s injury or illness, instead of running around the barn looking for items you need.

A well-designed horse barn promotes the health, safety and performance of your horses.

If you own a barn or manage a stable, you’re likely aware of one persistent problem that plagues them all. PESTS. No matter the weather, season, or temperature, pests make their way to your stalls unless you have a formidable plan to dissuade them. Hopefully, you have an excellent strategy already in place. If you don’t, consider these pest control tips to fortify your stable and deter those pesky menaces from causing unnecessary harm to your barn ecosystem.

All horse owners should have an understanding of basic Equine First Aid.

The measures taken during the harvesting and storage of grain are critical to keeping it in good condition until the grain is needed. Preparation, consistent monitoring, and being proactive throughout harvest and storage are the best ways to safeguard the grain’s quality and usability.

To get the best taste, texture and cooking quality, vegetables should be harvested at optimum maturity.

If you plan on growing fruits and vegetables to bring from garden to table, you may be wondering how you can maximize your harvest - especially if you have limited space for planting. Succession planting (also called successive planting) is a simple strategy to keep your garden producing crops all season long. All it takes is a little planning ahead.

The principle of testing is the same: know what you’ve got since looking at a bale of hay or an acre of ground doesn’t tell all.

For most cow-calf operations, forage is the primary source of nutrition. Therefore, it is important to provide cattle with the best quality forage available. By paying close attention to the quality of forages, you can ensure healthy, productive animals and minimize the cost of purchasing supplemental feedstuff.

There are many styles of fencing to choose from, depending on the size of your farm and your type of operation. Also important, is the size and aggressive tendencies of the animals to be fenced. Here are some tips to help you decide which type of fencing is best for your farm; consider the strengths and weaknesses of each type before choosing!

Nothing lasts forever. Fences and gates are no different. As the gateway to your herd and the border that keeps them contained, gates and fences put up with a lot. As time ticks by wires begin to sag due to curious livestock or posts begin to naturally lean or degrade due to weather and temperature changes. That’s why it’s important to establish a routine of regular maintenance to ensure the longevity of your investment, and to keep your farm borders functional and effective.

Good business management includes planning for the future. With regards to your farm, where do you want to be one year from now? Five years from now? What will happen when you retire? Have you made long-term retirement plans? With so many things to think about, it can feel overwhelming. It’s important to have a solid plan for transitioning your farm to new ownership