Droughts have always been part of farming and ranching, but many small livestock owners are experiencing longer, hotter, or more frequent dry periods than they remember from years past. Whatever the reason, drought can affect your pasture, your livestock, and your bottom line. The good news is that planning ahead can help reduce its impact … Read more
What are flight zones? Most small farmers know about the flight zone—an animal’s personal space that causes it to move away when someone gets too close. But knowing how to use the flight zone can make moving livestock easier, safer, and less stressful for both you and your livestock. Animal behavior expert Temple Grandin has … Read more
Sometimes a newborn livestock baby just won’t nurse, and suddenly you’re the one on bottle duty! Whether a mom rejected her little one or a twin needs an extra boost, raising these bottle babies is a unique adventure full of wagging tails and 2:00 AM feedings. It might seem overwhelming at first, but with the … Read more
As spring quickly approaches, you may be wondering how to protect your newborn livestock from diseases. This post might help you better understand how immunity works and what you can do to help your newborns thrive. The Importance of Colostrum and Passive Immunity Unlike human babies, livestock are born with little to no immunity to … Read more
Lice in animals can be a common problem during winter. Many farmers deal with heavyinfestations that can cause unthriftiness, reduce weight gain, and lead to economic losses.Lice affect many livestock species, including cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, and goats.Different types of lice infect humans. Animals do not carry or spread human lice. What are lice? Lice … Read more
Small farms matter! Over the coming year, The Livestock Conservancy and the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University will develop practical animal health information made for YOU. Together, we hope to create better tools for small farmers and especially breeders, to help keep animals healthy, and to know what to … Read more
While they don’t dress up or eat candy, holidays like Halloween can benefit our livestock. This post will explain what you can do to ensure your animals stay safe during the holiday. History Halloween comes from old Celtic traditions that celebrated the harvest and the beginning of winter. It is also the time of the … Read more
As an organic farmer, you know the benefits of raising livestock organically. In this post, we celebrate and hope to raise awareness of the benefits of organic agriculture for everyone! What does “organic” mean? The National Organic Program (NOP) describes organic ag as an approach that seeks to understand how all parts of the system … Read more
On the farm, arthropods like flies, mosquitoes, mites, and ticks can be more than a nuisance—they can carry diseases, damage hides and wool, and even cause death. You’ve probably heard about New World Screwworm (NWS) in the news. Once nearly eradicated from North America, NWS has been recently detected in Central America and Mexico. Northward … Read more
Steps to help protect livestock and poultry health Fairs are a great chance for youth to learn leadership, community, and real-world skills. The importance of biosecurity while showing animals during fair season cannot be stressed enough. Consider the following before heading to the fair this year. More important tips can be found below. Resources Bring … Read more