How-To Library

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

Moving from the city to a small farm is the right choice for many families. Is farming life new to you? Some families mistakenly romanticize life in the country. Farming the land is hard work and involves financial risk. Smart novices consider not only their agriculture interests, but also their financial resources, attributes of their property and benefits of the crops they choose to plant.

Contingency planning is an important part of farm or ranch management. A contingency plan determines how a farm will respond to a crisis or disaster and how quickly it will be able to resume normal operations. Key decision makers can jump into action without having to come up with a plan in the middle of a crisis. If something tragic happens, are you prepared?

Rabbits are very active, social, and playful animals that will form a close bond with other rabbits and with people— if the environment is right. Believe it or not, rabbits have feelings, too! So, knowing what to expect from a pet rabbit is an important consideration before purchasing one for yourself or for someone else. Rabbits have the potential to be wonderful pets, but it’s important to consider the lifestyle and physical capabilities of a potential pet rabbit owner.