Columns

Happy June Dairy Month consumers, but know that it is not a happy month for dairy farmers.

One of the many blessings that dairy farming affords is the daily routine of tasks that need to be completed each day. It’s the time spent in the tractor, milking cows, tending to livestock and tackling projects that seem to make the days, months and seasons speed by.

The roof fell off

I love this time of year. It’s time to put up some hay.

Adventures in grazing

A vast assortment of slogans can be seen on bumper stickers, but I like one that I saw many moons ago that said,“Cows don’t give milk. It’s taken from them by force!”   

The future of the dairy veterinarian

I am the current president of the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association. Representing the MVMA, I recently attended the white coat ceremony at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Jumping into June Dairy Month

Welcome to June Dairy Month. I am so excited to jump into the celebration of National Dairy Month.

Storybook summer

Happy June Dairy Month. It should surprise none of you who have read this rambling column before that I have a slight obsession with books.

Cool, comfortable cows

As the school year finished, the last of the big toothless smiles of kindergartners hopped off the bus on Friday to spend a few hours at our farm.

Door opens for farm bill activity

Combest Sell and Associates managing partner Tom Sell hopes the agreement on the debt ceiling will spark momentum for the farm bill.

Rock pickin’ season

When my editor asked if I had time to spend a few hours picking rocks at Jerry Pohlmann’s farm, my immediate response revealed that I had no clue about what I was getting myself into: “Sounds like fun.”

Culling rate 4.5% above last year

CME cheese prices continued to fall the third week of May as traders anticipated the April milk production report Friday afternoon.

A truly rambling update

Temperatures this week may trick us into thinking we skipped over spring in favor of the heat of summer. The calendar, however, tells us differently.

Rock picking: A family adventure

When my father-in-law, Keith Hinchley, was alive, he would beep his horn at the end of the barn and tell me that the neighbors were already in the fields.

A spring of breakdowns

Sometimes you just have to laugh and heave a heavy sigh as all your best laid plans are kicked to the side by the latest breakdown. The alternative of letting the frustration explode into anger doesn’t do any good. If anything, it may lead to more breakdowns.

Joy and sorrow

“When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

A few unseasonably warm days in late April not only melted most of the snow but also reminded us to turn our attention to heat abatement.

The dreaded B word

The aging process sometimes has a way of sneaking up on a guy, jumping out and yelling, “Boo!”

Eighty-nine farmer leaders from across the 10-state Midwest region attended Midwest Dairy’s annual meeting in early April in Des Moines, Iowa.

Life skills learned on the farm

This past weekend at church, a friend started talking about the cozy morning they had had next to the fireplace.

Vang pleased with omnibus ag bill

House Agriculture Committee Chair Samantha Vang said her goal is to solve the problems of farmers.

« Prev | 1 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 25 | Next »
Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.