Blogs

Planting corn on the Landis hill farm in Fairfield County on May 14.

Drive-by planting observations for 2013


By Matt Reese

In driving around Ohio roadways during the bustling planting season, I always enjoy peeking in on the progress in the fields via the view from the road. Here are some trends I noticed in 2013: 1. New equipment is almost the norm. I got so used to seeing new (or almost new) equipment as I [...]

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This team of Belgians — Jeff and Dick — owned by Doris Mosher is from Marengo, Ohio. This team participates in a few county fairs and is used in a carriage business.

Malabar Farm Spring Plowing Days


By Kim Lemmon

I would venture to guess that most folks outside of the draft horse community tend to believe that plowing with horses is a job performed only by Amish farmers these days. Despite the general trend during the past 50 or 60 years toward tractors and machinery, there are still folks who use their horses to [...]

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Educational lessons focused around tractors for elementary kids

I believe life’s greatest lessons are learned working on a farm. That being said, it can be quite difficult to get energetic young farmers to actually go inside, sit down and do educational lessons or homework. That’s why I was excited to come across these educational lessons for children in grades kindergarten through second grade [...]

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Agreality – The Glass Walls Project

Ty Higgins, Ohio Ag Net

Transparency; by definition it means to be easily detected or seen through. This word has been used for some time in conversations about our government, but lately it has been the buzz word when it comes to production agriculture. Consumers are asking more and more where exactly their food comes from. Using “the customer is [...]

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Although this tiny miniature horse stallion's wither only reaches my mid-thigh, he has proved size doesn't always matter in the breeding shed.

Breeding livestock: It’s all about the math


By Kim Lemmon

Those of you that raise and breed livestock as either a hobby or as part of your livelihood know that it is not an easy task. I’ve raised and bred rabbits and goats in the past, but this year I took on the challenge of breeding horses. This spring after surviving my first foaling season, [...]

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My son loved the pigs at preschool farm day.

Dad on duty

My wife was out of town again. This time she was on a three-day lobbying trip with the American Sheep Industry in Washington, D.C. While she hob-knobbed and met with legislators, I was once again charged with keeping things running smoothly at home. I employed my usual tactics that help things run more efficiently when [...]

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Watch out: Ticks aplenty this spring

Matt Reese

I was out splitting and gathering firewood the other day in grass that was almost knee high. I had already seen a number of ticks (more than usual) this spring, so I was expecting them, but I was astonished about how many there were crawling up my pant legs and arms. I would stop my [...]

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Horses racing is combined with a casino at ThistleDown Racino, Ohio's newest horse racing track to add a casino.

ThistleDown: Second Racino opens in Ohio


By Kim Lemmon

Although I have been to casinos in Las Vegas, my only previous experience with live horse racing had been at county fairs. I had also never attended Thoroughbred racing before. In April 2013, ThistleDown reopened as a Racino near Cleveland. Early in the month, the casino opened. Racing started again at the facility on April [...]

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Lolo was born around 12:30 a.m. on April 29, 2013. It was a relief that the mare had a problem-free delivery.

Endless string of restless nights equals healthy filly


By Kim Lemmon

The nights have been nearly sleepless at my home for the last few weeks. Ever since I lost my first foal of the year, I have been on high alert in expectation of the second foal. I have spent all my nights in recent memory fighting to stay awake as I tossed and turned and [...]

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Biodiesel is now more than just soybean-based.

What are your plans for the “March Against Monsanto”?

Crowds are rallying, hazmat suits are being laid out in anticipation and black markers by the dozens are being used to scrawl a skull and crossbones on cardboard signs to prepare. The “March Against Monsanto” is looming on May 25, but I have other plans. This protest being held in state capitals across the country [...]

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