Consider This

As John Marble and I were discussing this week’s Thinking Grazier, he asked me to take a look at historic fuel prices and where they were today compared to the past. Of course, based on everything we are hearing in the news, it feels like prices today are outrageous compared to what they used to be. […]

This week marks one year since Chip Hines passed away. He provided us with so much great information and advice, so I wanted to honor him again by sharing one of his many great articles. Many men suffer from this un-researched affliction that is somewhat prevalent in the cattle raising community. This problem has been […]

Extreme weather conditions, as seen in recent flood, drought and fire events worldwide, are some of the most obvious ways in which rising atmospheric CO2 levels are changing our world. But there are some serious effects that CO2 is having on our ecosystems that are less easily observed. A new study led by Wits University […]

Our livestock could be one of the biggest dangers we face. Here’s how to be safe. And – Yes, you ALL need to read this!

This is more “grazier-related” than grazing-related. Here’s to your health! Does coffee cure heat disease? How about coconut oil for ending obesity? And green tea – is that really a cancer preventative? Last, but not least, are my Facebook friends a good source for information about what I should and should not be eating? David […]

By uprooting carbon trapped in soil, wild pigs are releasing around 4.9 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide annually across the globe, the equivalent of 1.1 million cars.   An international team led by researchers from The University of Queensland and The University of Canterbury have used predictive population models, coupled with advanced mapping techniques […]

If you’re a meat and potatoes kind of person, you’ll love this salad!

Thanks to Michelle Arnold for this excellent article! There are many important diseases in sheep and goats but none are as common or threaten the herd health as much as internal parasites (worms). Although there are many types of worms that may contribute to a parasite problem, the blood-sucking barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is […]

More and more places around the world are facing the challenge of flood risk due to sea-level rise, land subsidence and frequent storm surges. Some are approaching this problem by developing dikes or storm barriers. But construction of these hard engineering solutions can also destroy coastal ecosystems and the services they provide. For example, in […]

Black Vulture populations are increasing and, with warmer winters, their range is expanding too. Once only found in the southeast United States, the birds are now being seen as far north as Indiana. The problem is, unlike their cousin the Turkey Vulture, which only feeds on carrion, black vultures are aggressive enough to take live […]

Diverting urine away from municipal wastewater treatment plants and recycling the nutrient-rich liquid to make crop fertilizer would result in multiple environmental benefits when used at city scale, according to a new University of Michigan-led study. Doing a comprehensive analysis of the environmental impacts of urine recycling compared to conventional fertilizer production may seem like […]

Thanks to Kat Kerlin and the University of California, Davis for this article. Note that the study provides recommendations about carbon markets specific to California, but these recommendations could be extrapolated to other markets as well. A study has found that increased drought and wildfire risk make grasslands and rangelands a more reliable carbon sink […]

Millions of dollars in bad decisions are made every year as ranches manage through dry-times. Not to mention the damage to pasture heath that occurs through delayed decision making. Primarily, hope of moisture to come and emotional attachment to breeding stock, drive the procrastination of necessary decisions. Having a well-developed drought plan is something that […]

This weekend I was talking to a friend who has changed her lambing date to coincide with spring grass growth on her Vermont farm. No more worries about how to save hypothermic lambs for her, plus she’s reduced her labor costs and other inputs associated with lambing in colder months. “And you know,” she said, […]

Removing the bulk milk tank marks the end of an era at Bishopp Family Farm.