Ohio pioneers made cheese to preserve milk without refrigeration
Without refrigeration, early Ohio Country farmers relied on traditional cheesemaking to extend their winter milk supply. Historian Paul Locher breaks down the step-by-step pioneer process of using rennet, straining whey and pressing hard cheeses to preserve dairy for months.
Celebrate dairy farmers all month long
In celebration of June Dairy Month, Dwight Roseler reflects on the 250-year history of American agriculture. From a humorous "city boy" definition of a cow to the deeply moving words of Frank Mann’s Farmers Creed, discover why we owe so much gratitude to our hardworking dairy farmers.
Farm and Dairy Weekly Rundown: Episode 62 (6-18-26)
Reporters Liz Partsch and Paul Rowley give readers a rundown of the top stories in the Farm and Dairy the week of June 18, 2026.
Big Boy No. 4014 steams across the Northeast for America 250
Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 drew huge crowds in Lorain, Ohio, as the restored million‑pound steam locomotive tours the nation for America’s 250th.
What you can do to revive worn-out hay stands
Weather patterns left Ohio’s 2026 first-cutting grass hay short and low-yielding. If your long-term hay fields are struggling, OSU's Garth Ruff discusses how managing soil fertility, planning a late-summer reseeding or even transitioning the land to grazing can help maximize your returns.
20-year-old cattle dealer revitalizes former Mercer Livestock Auction
From watching cows at age 2 to owning a sale barn at 20, Cole Byler is revitalizing the historic Mercer Livestock Auction, which he's now operating at Mercer County Stockyards. Alongside his family, Byler has already grown attendance from 50 to over 420 head of cattle, proving that passion and hard work pay off early.
Some states tighten up movement restrictions as screwworm cases multiply
With a dozen New World screwworm cases detected in the U.S., states like Pennsylvania and West Virginia are implementing strict animal movement restrictions and quarantines to protect livestock from this destructive, flesh-eating parasite.
JBS to close beef packing plant in Souderton, Pa.
JBS, the world’s largest meatpacking company, announced it is closing its beef production facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania, laying off 1,500 workers effective Aug. 14. The slaughterhouse can process 2,000 cattle per day, making it one of the largest beef slaughterhouses east of the Mississippi.
Dragonflies: Unique aerial acrobats
Naturalist Tami Gingrich explores the fascinating world of dragonflies, from their jet-propelled aquatic nymph stage to their role as agile mosquito-hunting aerial acrobats.
Mercer County Grange Fair canceled due to lack of volunteers, funding issues
The Mercer County Grange Fair in western Pennsylvania was canceled after 60 years due to a lack of volunteers and funding as a result of the current high cost economy, organizers said.
