Silage is simply fermented fodder stored in an airtight condition to be fed to livestock later on. Any type of grass plant can be used, including cereal grains such as corn, sorghum, and oats. Note, however, that the grain is not the only part being ensiled (made into silage); the whole plant is cut and…
Goat owners, if you can only buy one book on goat health, consider this book by Pat Coleby. It is guaranteed to quickly become a favorite, one you will refer to often whether you raise goats for milk, meat, or fiber. Coleby’s approach in Natural Goat Care to goat care is unique, based on the principle that…
This traditional dairy breed couples production with grass-based sustainability.
Most gardeners probably already know the basic tenet of garden crop rotations: Do not plant the same vegetable in the same place two years in row. The reason we observe this tenet is threefold: To avoid building up diseases in the soil. To hopefully make conditions less than ideal for insect pests. To avoid depleting…
Guineas are bizarre birds, no question. They have blue faces and bony knobs on the tops of their heads, and they make an incredible amount of noise. It is nearly impossible to talk over as few as three guineas all squeaking and chattering at once. That said, they can be great helpers in the garden…
What is that strange-looking weed your favorite milk goat just ate? Your nationwide field guide either doesn’t have a picture of it or provides such a confusing explanation of the plant’s range that you can’t really decide if it’s even likely to exist in your part of Kansas. What to do? When you encounter an…
The Cattle of Kings may be novelty items, but they offer valuable survival and reproductive traits to the beef world.
How many acres do you own? Ten? Five? Two? None? Good news—you can still farm! Yes, it’s true! Limited acreage cannot prevent you from pursuing a country lifestyle or from raising food either for your own use or to sell to others. With wise stewardship of the land, a couple of acres can yield an…
The term “upgrade” may sound a little strange at first when applied to livestock. How in the world can somebody upgrade a cow or a goat? Upgrading refers to crossing two livestock breeds with a specific purpose in mind—improving one of the breeds. For example, suppose you raise a rare breed of cattle. There are…
That first year of entrepreneurship can be rather daunting, no matter what your business is. Fortunately, Sarah Beth Aubrey walks you through the process in ten steps. The ten steps outlined in Aubrey’s book, Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business, are: Build a plan. Test the waters. Get the money. Choose your business…
