Farm and Dairy’s week in review: 1/3

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

1. It doesn’t pay to be average in the dairy business

One way to identify strengths and weaknesses in your farm is to complete a whole farm analysis. The Ohio Farm Business and Benchmarking program allows farmers to analyze their 2014 finances and production records.

In 2013, 35 Ohio farms invested their time in this process and were able to use the information gleaned from the analysis to make sound business decisions in 2014.

2. Choose the best seed for your garden

Spring is months away, but selecting your seed for this year’s garden should be on your winter to-do list. When you leaf through seed catalogs, keep these factors in mind: performance, place, space and waste. By carefully selecting seeds that will produce the types of plants you want, as well as the amount of product you wish to produce will help you eliminate waste and plan a fruitful garden.

3. Got a new tablet for Christmas? E-Cycle your old one

A new year often means cutting the clutter and cleaning out closets, but before you throw away your old electronics, learn about e-Cycling.

E-Cycling is the process by which old electronics are recycled by recovering valuable materials that can be reused, not to mention that it keeps electronics out of landfills and cuts down on emissions and harmful toxins. The Environmental Protection Agency heads up e-Cycling programs.

4. Farm and Dairy’s top stories of 2014

2014 was another big year for agriculture. With events like the passage of the farm bill in February and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s decision to not implement a secondary beef checkoff program in December, the year had its highs and lows.

Several of this past year’s top stories will continue into 2015, specifically shale oil and gas, water quality and CAUV changes.

5. Grain marketing strategies for a tight year

The one thing for certain in 2015’s grain market is uncertainty. However, five principles can help farmers prepare for daily fluctuations in the market. All in all, preparation is key, especially when it comes to purchasing fuel early, managing inputs and equipment purchases.