Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 4/11

Here are this week’s top stories from Farm and Dairy:

1. Pick a chick: Choose the best breed of poultry for your backyard

There are hundreds of chicken breeds available. Every poultry enthusiast will offer a different answer when you ask which poultry breed is the best. Before you purchase chicks this spring, decide your preferences and take your available resources and space into consideration before making your decision.

Online columnist Ivory Harlow offers several pointers for choosing poultry, ranging from choosing breeds that will do well in your climate to choosing breeds you like.

2. Research shows raw milk dramatically increases risk for illness

Researchers at John Hopkins Center for a Livable Future (CLF) conducted a study, revealing adverse effects of drinking raw milk. The results showed that children, pregnant women and the elderly are at the greatest risk of illness caused by raw milk.

It’s estimated that 3.5 percent of the U.S. population drinks raw milk, but the team of researchers determined that raw milk consumption accounts for over half of milk-related foodborne illness.

3. Consider that pipeline’s impact to your pasture and hay fields

Before negotiating an agreement with a pipeline company to build on your property, you should contact an experienced attorney.

It is critical for landowners to understand how soil and water resources could be affected by pipeline construction. When negotiating, landowners can select which forages they want reestablished. They can also reference ODNR standards for pipeline construction that address issues such as erosion, compaction and drainage.

4. Mt. Pleasant Community Garden volunteers share gift of fresh produce

In North Canton, Ohio, garden volunteers at the Mount Pleasant Community Garden, started in 2011 by the Mount Pleasant Church of the Brethren, have donated more than 43,000 pounds of fresh produce to the Stark County Hunger Task Force. The produce has served more than 27,000 people in need in Stark County.

The group welcomes anyone interested to join them in their charitable work, by planting, pruning, weeding, harvesting or weighing the produce.

5. April’s gardening to-do list

April brings more sunshine and warmer weather, two welcome gifts for gardeners. This month, it’s important for gardeners to finish cleaning up their lawns, prune their shrubs, bushes and trees and get their soil ready for planting.

Some cold-weather plants can be transplanted during the month of April, and others can be directly sown, depending on the location. Otherwise, the countdown is on for May and June planting.