The Farmyard Connection
Diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans—known as zoonotic diseases—are in the news with increasing frequency, and for good reason! Zoonotic diseases represent a significant concern for farmers and ranchers worldwide. As a livestock producer, what is your role in mitigating risks to your family, animals, and community? How can you maintain public trust as well as productivity in your operation? A general understanding of zoonoses and zoonotic disease transmission pathways and prevention strategies will help you implement…
Proof of Purchase
We know consumers are often bamboozled by the range of possible certification logos displayed on today’s food products. But they’re not alone. Here in the UK, where I raise Red Poll beef cattle (pictured above) and Kerry Hill sheep, the volume of audits that farm businesses now face can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s Farm Assurance (a UK food quality assurance scheme required to access most major markets), organic production, or the many retailer-required audits, farmers can face significant demands on…
AGW Comments to CDFA on Defining “Regenerative Agriculture”
As you may know, the State of California is working to define "Regenerative Agriculture," and we want to ensure our perspective is included in this important conversation. A working group is accepting public comments, and your participation is crucial. This is a unique, potentially historic opportunity to help shape what "Regenerative Agriculture" means in California and beyond, especially as other groups with varying opinions have already weighed in. We encourage you to share your thoughts or amplify our key points…
Do The Right Thing
Editor’s Note: This thought-provoking article on the challenges of prohibiting antibiotics in organic systems was written for our Sustainable Farming magazine by a long-time organic veterinarian and AGW-certified dairy farmer. We’ve long said that while we have deep respect for organic farmers (we are proud to certify many) and organic farming systems, this is one area where improvement in the USDA organic standard is desperately needed. We hope it inspires productive conversations. “Whatever it takes, doc … just no…
Feeding Good
Tim and Sarah Haws own Autumn’s Harvest Farm near Romulus in New York, where they have a number of livestock enterprises How did you get into farming? When Sarah and I were on our first date she mentioned her attempt to hatch grocery store eggs in her clothes drawer when she was little. On our second date I bought her six chicks in lieu of flowers. That was literally the start of Autumn’s Harvest Farm! Today, we manage 125 Katahdin…
