Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 1/24

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

1. Wilmington Area High School: Student raffles off hard work for baby’s bills

It only took one young man with a big heart to spark a change. Ty Phillips, a Wilmington Area High School freshman and FFA member, decided that he could do something to help his advisor’s baby who was born with a hole in his heart. Joanna McKelvey had twin boys July 1, 2014. Since then, baby Brett has had his share of surgeries and hospital stays.

Phillips decided to restore a John Deere 520 pedal tractor, raffle it off and donate the raffle money to the McKelvey family to help cover medical expenses for Brett. The raffle isn’t until May, but people from as far away as Missouri and Florida have purchased tickets in order to support Brett McKelvey.

2. Horse owners: Learn the best ways to control parasites

A whole-farm approach is necessary to control equine gastrointestinal parasites. This type of approach can cut down on deworming, save money on ineffective products and help you to determine which horses are are “shedders” and which ones have natural resistance.

A course will be offered Feb. 28 in Prospect (Butler Co.), Pennsylvania, to educate horse owners about whole farm parasite control.

3. DIY natural cleaners for farm and home

You likely have cupboards teeming with various products used to complete numerous cleaning jobs. An array of homemade household cleaners can be made from products like Borax, Zote, Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, white vinegar, salt yeast and lemons.

Making some of those cleaners yourself —  like laundry detergent, glass cleaner and garbage disposal freshener — could save money and keep some chemicals from store-bought cleaners out of your home.

4. Scenes from the 2015 Pennsylvania Farm Show

Square-dancing tractors were one of the popular attractions at this year’s Pennsylvania Farm Show, held Jan. 10 through Jan. 17 in Harrisburg. In addition to a video documenting this unique demonstration, there are plenty of photos that capture the many events of the Farm Show.

5. New Castle auctioneer named champion bid caller at Pa. Farm Show

The 36th Pennsylvania Auctioneers Association Bid Calling Contest brought together over 20 auctioneers to vie for the title of champion auctioneer. Jeff Pennington of New Castle was named the champion auctioneer.

To qualify for the competition, the candidates had to apprentice with a licensed auctioneer for two years or take a 15-weekend course, then take a license test. The bid calling competition consists of three rounds: a practice, a preliminary and a third round with the top 10 auctioneers. Contestants were judged on presentation, voice control, clarity and salesmanship.