High input costs force rethinking of cattle grazing strategies
With skyrocketing feed and fertilizer prices, cattle producers may be looking at management alternatives, from reduced stocking rates and paddock-style grazing to legume usage and new fertilization strategies.

Family counts blessings, friends after tornado ravages community
Rockie Peterson's family has lots of friends and they have shown up to help them rebuild.

Trust protecting wide open spaces
Members of the Kansas Livestock Association formed Ranchland Trust of Kansas as a mechanism for grazing lands owners to perpetually protect the working ranch landscape of the state.

Higher costs may force industry to downsize nation's cow herd
Speaking to cattlemen at a Kansas State University field day, K-State Economist James Mintert outlined forces at work in the beef industry and discussed how they may impact producers.

Just Past the City Limits: Pig roast
9. The pig roast was okay—it was the hanging-from-the-tree-in-the-front-yard processing that seemed to upset folks.

College beating record fuel prices with vegetable oil
Merrimack College isn't known for breakthrough science discoveries but the head of the school's maintenance department has cooked up an odd mix to save money on diesel fuel.

Kennedy: keep government, corporations apart to save environment, economy
“They have put polluters in charge of virtually all the areas of government that are supposed to be protecting us from pollution.”

Technology a friend to modern cowboys
Modern amenities, traditional gear blend for happy trails.

May hay harvest poses challenges
Putting off baling can result in forage quality dropping like a rock.

Just Past the City Limits: What's that, Doc?
Farm page top 10 column

Canola gets a good look
Grower assesses alternative to wheat in cropping strategy

Once a champion, blind and abused mare gives birth
“Crystal hung solid with us and tolerated a lot more than other horses would. She’s truly the against-all-odds mare."

Just Past the City Limits: Bank on it
Farm page top 10 column

State pulls food pantry venison to check for lead
“Of course we’re all kind of disappointed because it is a good product. It’s done a lot of good.”

Just Past the City Limits: Say what?
Farm page top 10 column

Firefighters tow wandering cow from pool
"They can do a doggy paddle for a little while, but are not really built for swimming."

Rising food costs cause higher school lunch prices
The high price of oil on work markets and lower production of wheat in the Midwest are driving up the cost of bread, milk and other school lunch staples.

Kluis: Good time to be a farmer

Save the bees, save the world
The students were surprised about the mysterious disappearance of bees, which farmers rely on to grow their fruits and vegetables.

Travel: Experiencing Outameni in Jamaica
Visitors can take an exciting multi-media look at Jamaica’s rich ethnic heritage at Outameni, an attraction that opened in September near the town of Falmouth.

Sewer sludge banned from crops
Processed human waste will no longer be brought into Limestone County, Ala., for distribution as fertilizer on fields.

Expert on grazing land offers predictions, perspectives on cattle

John Lyons opens HorseFest

HorseFest opens in Missouri

Dark color doesn’t affect beef quality
Why are some cuts of beef in the meat counter dark? Eldon Cole, University of Missouri Extension livestock specialist, said it is the result of physiological changes that take place after the animal has been harvested that causes meat to be dark rather than bright red. It impacts a small percentage of beef.

Farmers must be savvy using biodiesel operations
Soybeans are not the only fuel source. Fuel also can be made from sunflowers or canola.

Farm tries share program to survive
Community Supported Agriculture is a growing trend among farms that allows residents to buy a share of the farm and reap the benefits of its harvest.

Just Past the City Limits: Horse sense
Farm page top 10 column

Evaluate poultry litter value based on crop need
Alternative fertilizer source a good deal if the numbers work.

Retired engineer wants to pass on the art of maple sugaring
The best weather for maple syrup production is nights in the 20s with sunny days reaching near 50 degrees in order to loosen up the sap and have it flow from the trees. It's even better when there is snow on the ground for a long period of time to keep the roots of the trees cold longer.

Ken McNabb in the saddle for HorseFest
“Good horsemanship is good horsemanship. It doesn’t make any difference what kind of saddle you put on in the morning.”

Poultry companies defend use of litter as fertilizer

It’s been ‘a good sideline business'
A Bar breeding excels in ranch horse competitions.

Deputy nabs man accused of stealing saddles in six states
A Texas recreational vehicle park owner recognized David Elmo Henry Jr. from a wanted poster and alerted law enforcement agents.

Farm stands go year-round to make ends meet
The century-old Woodman Farm now stays open in an effort to make ends meet, a trend seen among farms across New England, according to the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. A few miles away in Newbury, the Tendercrop Farm does the same thing.

Search is on for cattle that gain on less feed
Using a Residual Feed Intake score, researchers are identifying superior beef cattle genetics.

A good year for wheat fungicides?
Price, 'out-of-towner' varieties boost interest in application

Just Past the City Limits: Say what?
Farm page top 10 column

Managing manure: Farmers fight regulation of animal refuse
Lief Noble said a proposed regulation that would require manure to be hauled by a licensed hauler would have posed a real problem for animal owners.

Eastman Gelatine looking for its place in a digital age

Port 33 expansion: Grain elevator sells

Cattle killings plague Northeast Oklahoma
Ranger: 23 head — 'probably a lot more' — shot in recent weeks

Just Past the City Limits: What a deal
Farm Page Top 10 column

Teaching, learning go hand in hand for John Lyons
“You can max out the potential of a car or a computer or most anything else but I’ve never seen a horse reach its full potential. Whatever you can dream you can train a horse to do.”

Just Past the City Limits: I promise
Farm page top 10 column

Beef industry dealing with new D.C. playing field
Top lobbyist for cattlemen's group addresses Missouri beef producers

Just Past the City Limits: No saddle, no service
Farm page top 10 column

Dairy owners, opponents awaiting IDEM decision
Courtney Justice is worried that it’s only a matter of time before the permits are granted for a controversial mega-dairy in northern Carroll County. And when that time comes, he wants to be prepared.

Some farmers welcome ‘the sludge’
Hundreds of acres of farm land in Sumter County might be injected with food processing wastewater residuals and waste from grease traps of restaurants.

Police shoot uncooperative cattle

Regulators reject Senate push for fishing disaster declaration
“We did find some difficulty in Massachusetts and in Maine, but nowhere near a failure,” Allen said Wednesday. “We stand by our decision.”

Year-round care keeps herd bulls fit for duty
There's a lot of management required to wean off a profitable calf crop but the critical first step is getting the cows bred in a timely manner.

Just Past the City Limits: What a deal
Farm page top 10 column

Company launches fried chicken fat blocker
“Popcorn chicken was taken off school menus because it can’t meet (nutrition) standards. We can do it.”

‘Mythos’ series makes the Four and others look fantastic
Comics Corner column

Rising hay costs hit farmers, livestock owners hard
The skyrocketing cost of diesel fuel is boosting the price of hay and forcing owners of horses and other livestock to dig a little deeper to keep their animals fed.

Tuna regulators reject U.S. call for moratorium
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., said, “It’s a real alarm bell when Massachusetts fishermen are working harder than ever, but catching fewer bluefin. Whatever the reason behind this, we need to prevent this stock from collapsing.”

Top dog
Cattle herding canine garners awards.

AG wants litter application stopped

Lucas: Farm Bill needs a miracle
“We already have a crop in the ground and we don’t know what rules we’re playing under.”

Take a fresh look at cattle vaccination
Vet says you have to 'set the table' for maximum vaccine efficacy

Just Past the City Limits: For real?
Farm page top 10 column

Oklahoma-bred horse wins Breeder's Cup race

Giant pumpkin wins place in Guinness Book of World Records
Jutras managed to fend off a challenge from Donald Young of Des Moines, Iowa, who grew a 1,662-pounder, just 27 pounds shy of Jutras’ giant. Dan and Jason McKie of Gasport, N.Y., grew one to 1,631.5 pounds, the third largest pumpkin ever grown.

Grain: The new gold
Local Bakers and brewers are being hit hard by skyrocketing flour and malted barley prices. The next target? Consumers.

Feds won’t declare fishing disaster
Officials of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced Monday that Massachusetts’ request for a declaration of an economic disaster for the groundfishing fleet has been denied. Similar requests by Maine and Rhode Island were also rejected.

Hops price increase adds to brewer’s woes
“I won’t drink less beer, I’ll just be spending more money.”
Sean Corcoran of Haverhill, enjoying a pint at The Tap

Editorial: Why NASA secrecy?
NASA's refusal to release a survey that shows air travel in the U.S. is more dangerous than commonly believed is arrogant, insulting — and possibly criminal.

U.S. Senate OKs $15M in aid for fishermen
Massachusetts fishermen could be in for a share of $15 million in federal relief money approved by the U.S. Senate this week.

Climatologist: Biofuel production could lead to Dust Bowl
An “increasing trend for irrigated corn for ethanol poses questions on using those water resources."

Just Past the City Limits: How'd that happen?
Farm page top 10 column

Fishery mainstay in peril
Two Maine-based commercial fishing groups are asking federal regulators to ban herring trawlers from certain fishing grounds in New England.

Old fence, a new hole and a cranky bull - another day in paradise
Farm page column

The big cheese: Southern Indiana farm is making world-class goat cheese
Thirty years ago Judy Schad packed up her young, city-dwelling family and headed to the country in hopes of fulfilling a life-long dream.

Human waste fertilizer raising stink among residents
A Decatur, Ala., company, Synagro Inc., is spreading “biosolids” on farmland fat no cost. “When the wind is right, we can’t even breathe,” said Goodsprings resident Lori Muse. “People out here are really upset about it."

Farmers question commercial vehicle laws
Greenbrier County farmers upset over a rash of tickets given out by state Department of Transportation officers questioned a Public Service Commission official Monday night over laws concerning vehicle weight, commercial driver’s licenses and medical cards.

Alpacas turning into lucrative business
Alpacas, first brought to the United States in 1984, are becoming a hot commodity because of their soft fleece.

Bull riders out to grab big bonus
Rodeo column

Singer donates $100,000 to disaster victims
“Oklahoma is just prone to natural disasters. I guess it’s just location.”

No reason to panic - soybean rust moves slowly
Since the discovery of Asian soybean rust in Oklahoma, growers have been nervous.

Just Past the City Limits: Votes are in
Farm page top 10 column

Getty Center: Art inside and out
The paintings, which include works by Titian, Poussin, Rembrandt, Goya, Turner, Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne and more, are housed on the upper story of the pavilions fitted with skylights that let in natural light.

Just Past the City Limits: What's bugging you?
Farm page top 10 column

Claremore rancher takes reins of Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association
Involvement in his industry is important to Rogers County cattle producer Ray Heldermon.

Jensen asks Fletcher to seek emergency declaration for drought stricken farmers
Sen. Tom Jensen, R-London, sent a letter to Gov. Ernie Fletcher asking him to seek an emergency declaration from President George W. Bush for Kentucky's drought striken farmers.

Obama: Ethanol helps environment, farmers
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama sees relief in the future for local dairy farmers who are struggling with rising operating costs.

Defense already stepping up for Sooners
“I heard some hitting,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “You could hear pads snapping out there.”

Officials concerned over disappearing farmlands
“On one farm, they picked out a field here and another there, and paid $6,500 to $7,000 an acre,” Andrews said. “That drives up land prices. I’ve seen a lot of this happening in the past two years.”

Bought milk?
Expenses, demand might push price of gallon above $4

Wildfires impact timber markets
The bad news facing South Georgia land owners is that fires burned through 441,705 acres in the state’s worst wildfire season in history, resulting in the loss of $58 million dollars of timber.

Bison meat - don't be buffaloed
More and more Americans are discovering the health benefits of bison meat.

Just Past the City Limits: Experience humbling
Farm page top 10 column

Horse trainer among sport's best-kept secrets

Mazda6 a sedan that won’t make you snooze
Cargazing auto review column

Nation honors scientist for lifesaving discovery
Rita Colwell discovered that if sari cloth is folded about 10 times and dipped in the river when villagers gather water, it filters out -- among other things -- plankton containing a bacteria that causes cholera, a disease responsible for about 10,000 deaths a year in Third World countries.

COOL rules: Will Congress finally enforce it?
As the U.S. House of Representatives once again prepares to ponder the fate of the COOL food labeling initiative, which would require all food products to bear a Country Of Origin Label, it is once again shaping up as a big business vs. small farmer battle.

Farm Show bigger than ever
“It’s a trade show for agriculture.”

State Fair poultry show plucked from schedule
One sneeze can potentially lower the boom on a flock of turkeys or chickens.

Season of struggles without rain
Lack of rain causing problems for farmers, gardeners

Avian flu outbreak might cancel state fair's live fowl exhibit
“We just don’t want any birds gathering in public places."