Answer: Most of the crops grown locally are used for animal feed.
This time of year the combines are rolling and the crops are being harvested. But what do we do with our crops after we harvest them? The answer can be a complicated one depending on what exactly we are ...
Answer: We grow winter wheat and harvest it in July so we have the summer months to apply hog manure on the wheat ground. We empty our manure pits and the manure provides fertility to our soils.
Northern Illinois agriculture is largely dominated by corn and soybeans – green fields everywhere ...
A: Our family has raised feedlot cattle on this farm for many years, but more recently added the cow/calf herd. Caring for the animals is similar, but different, based on their function and purpose.
Most farms have either feedlot cattle or a cow/calf herd. So why do we have a feedlot ...
Answer: Pesticides are safe and effective in controlling weeds/pests and we use the least amount possibleto get the job done.
As a farmer there are a few topics that we receive push back on from time to time. Usually it is not a criticism that we face firsthand but rather a ...
Answer: In my role, I help farmers with a digital farming platform which collects field data during planting and helps with agronomic decisions ultimately aiming to improve crop yields.
It is officially spring! Our goats and chickens are wandering out of the barn to enjoy the sunshine and warming temperatures; we ...
Answer: You have to be passionate about raising livestock to be in this industry.
In response to this question we asked ourselves what else would we do? But seriously, as we think about livestock production our response is this: you have to truly love what you do because livestock farming is ...
Answer: It gave us time to help Dad farm, work with our livestock, and fish! But we missed sports, large family gatherings and all the other “normal” things.
It was Friday, March 13, 2020 when we got home from school as usual. We checked in with Dad and asked him to ...
Answer: Farmers are trained and certified to stay current with USDA and FDA regulations.
We stay up to date with animal practices and food safety measures by maintaining specific certifications that require education in both meat quality and animal welfare. These are programs are provided by our veterinarian service as well ...
Answer: Chores happen! Our animals come first and must be tended to before we can enjoy family time and traditions.
Hooray, it’s Christmas morning! We can’t wait to sit in our cozy house, drinking hot cocoa around the Christmas tree, while watching the kids open their presents, but first... CHORES!
We’ve got ...
Answer: We prepare for the next crop year making decisions about seed, land, and crop insurance. We also work on equipment, market and ship grain, and expand our knowledge of our trade.
This is a question that I encounter typically when I don’t expect it. I’m usually engaged in some mundane ...
