Top Stories

The 2026 Monroe County Junior Fair Livestock Sale brought in $828,285 from 488 lots on Aug. 27.

After heavy flooding, farmers face the task of clearing debris. Noble SWCD's Kirstin Roman talks about who is responsible for cleanup, key safety checks before turning livestock into pastures, and proper regulations for clearing stream log jams to protect your land and animals.

Editor Rachel Wagoner and reporter Paul Rowley give readers a rundown of the top stories in the Farm and Dairy the week of Sept. 10, 2026.

Nearly 700 communities across the United States, mostly in the Northeast and Great Lakes region, rely on aging combined sewer systems that release untreated waste into waterways during heavy rains. As severe storms become more frequent, environmental experts note that protecting connected river systems requires both massive infrastructure upgrades and natural stormwater management.

Heather Birkmire, owner of the former Pure Gold Stables in Salem, Ohio, is heading to trial this November on multiple animal cruelty charges after investigators discovered the starved skeletal remains of horses on the property.

As Varroa destructor mites grow resistant to traditional chemical treatments, Central State University researchers are studying and breeding honey bee colonies that actively bite and chew off parasites. Learn how this research aims to protect crop pollination and bee health in Ohio.

Despite its fierce name and massive size, the hickory horned devil is a harmless caterpillar that lives high in the forest canopy. Discover the fascinating life cycle of this gentle giant and its incredible transformation into the royal walnut moth, North America's heaviest moth.

Michelle and Rose Morian of Mish-Ro Jerseys in Atlantic, Pennsylvania, received the 2026 Young Jersey Breeder Award. The sisters were recognized for their expertise in breeding exceptional Registered Jerseys, their community leadership and their dedication to agricultural education.

As the farming population ages, more agricultural families are forced to balance off-farm jobs, demanding daily chores, and caregiving for aging parents. Ohio State University Extension's LuAnn Duncan explains the impact of this chronic stress and why open communication and planning are vital for rural caregivers.

The 2026 Medina County Fair Livestock Sale brought in $1.1 million in sales from 775 lots on Aug. 7 and 8. Get the full sale of champions and a photo gallery here.