SALEM, Ohio — As best as Dean Armstrong can figure, he was at least 18 months old before he started writing. OK, maybe he wasn’t that young, but the cowboy poet has been filling up pages with his thoughts ever since he learned to spell. Anyone who writes knows words can be personal, but last [...]

A dismal decline in milk prices during recent months has left America’s dairy farmers facing devastating circumstances. Thanks to the global economic recession and growing dairy supplies, milk prices are down more than 50 percent from last summer. The tumble comes on the heels of all-time highs in 2007 and the second-highest level on record in 2008.

James Wood (center) accepted a trophy in 1973 for taking first place in his class at the tractor pulling championship in Louisville, Ky. Now, he’s working on his final pulling tractor — a project he calls Last Ride.

An increase in 2008 Current Agricultural Use Value rates has many Ohio farmers wondering what happened to a program that typically helps them save a substantial amount of money on property taxes.

SALEM, Ohio — Anyone can give chocolate for Valentine’s Day, but now there’s a vegetable that allows you to declare your undying devotion. The I Love You Bean is rather self-explanatory — it’s a lima bean with the words I Love You etched onto the bean. As it sprouts, the words of affection appear. It’s [...]

KIDRON, Ohio — As technology improves, our production practices tend to change. Whether you’re milking cows or growing apples, it’s natural to check out the latest trends and newest equipment. But cutting-edge innovations often come with a big price tag, so how can you be sure those new ideas are worth a hefty initial investment?

SALEM, Ohio — A new program called Farmers Assuring Responsible Management has been created to boost consumer confidence in the U.S. dairy industry. Designed to show the dairy industry’s commitment to the highest levels of animal care and quality assurance, Farmers Assuring Responsible Management is a joint effort between the National Milk Producers Federation and [...]

SALEM, Ohio — Turbulent change has rattled the beef industry recently, leaving many producers wondering how to take the next step. A February meeting series called Managing Dynamic Change in the Beef Industry will guide farmers through the process of understanding today’s beef cattle business. Topics to be covered include herd profitability; buying, selling and [...]

Dave Noll thinks about expected progeny differences and corn gluten and how many round bales he needs to get through winter. He builds fence and drives tractors and vaccinates cows. It’s the stuff that farming is made of.

Alaron Conservancy has received the Conservation Business of the Year award from the Lawrence County Conservation District.