When I was fresh out of college, I worked as a guide at a wilderness retreat center. We hosted weekend retreat groups, encouraged participants to compost food waste in our big compost bins, and provided a pamphlet to help them do it correctly when one of the staff wasn’t present. One hot fall afternoon, I drove to work for my usual cleanup after a weekend group. But as soon as I headed toward the two huge bins behind the kitchen, I knew there was trouble. I could smell it from 60 feet away. I c

Eggplants are one of my favorite fruits. I feel conflicted admitting that, however, as they’re one of the more challenging plants to grow on my dry Ozark hill. Since I don’t spray plants with chemicals or grow hybrids, any plant grown in my garden is devoured by flea beetles before it reaches maturity. Chinese String Eggplant, just starting. Wren everett My best chance at eggplant success, then, is to grow them in leaky 5-gallon buckets on the porch, and baby them like the needy, prima donna p

If you are a gardener, chances are you’ve grown tomatoes. There are few plants more adored and widely grown across the gardener landscape from carefully watered patio pots, to the sprawling volunteer emerging from the compost pile, to the ruby-studded plants staked out in the back 40. Luigi Chiesa//Wikimedia Commons But I would guess that while the percentage of gardeners who have grown a tomato is close to 100%, the percentage of people who have saved tomato seeds is much smaller. Let’s get to

Desert Spirit Culinary Landrace from Wild Mountain Seeds “No. No, no, NO! ARGHHH!” This is typically not the sound you want to hear coming from the squash patch. But I had reached my wit’s end and was throwing a (teeny tiny) hissy fit over my plants (maybe). With a desire for food security and self-sufficiency, I had planted about 30 Hubbard squash plants — a breed renowned for its long storage potential. Visions of fall harvests danced in my head as they sprouted and began to vine across the g

Read Time: 5 MinutesShare this post As the popularity of fishing grows, so does the responsibility to preserve the ecosystems that make fishing possible. Eco-friendly fishing isn’t just a trend—it’s a way to ensure that future generations can enjoy the same waters and species we treasure today. By adopting sustainable practices, anglers can minimize their environmental impact and contribute to the health of marine and freshwater environments. Heres how you can fish responsibly: Choose Sustaina

Read Time: 3 MinutesShare this post Fishing is one of those pastimes where everyone has an opinion on the best time to go. Some swear by the early morning light, while others will tell you that the real magic happens after the sun goes down. The truth is, both daytime and nighttime fishing have their own unique advantages and challenges. So, whether you’re an early riser or a night owl, let’s break down what you can expect when fishing during the day versus at night. Daytime Fishing: The Class

Read Time: 4 MinutesShare this post A t-top is one of the most valuable upgrades you can add to your center console boat, providing essential shade, storage, and functionality for your fishing trips. With multiple options available, selecting the right t-top for your boat requires careful consideration of factors like boat size, fishing style, and key features. In this guide, we’ll compare Fishmaster’s t-tops and help you determine the best fit for your boat. Fishmaster T-Tops: Key Features &a

Last Updated on 2025-11-10 Most tanks aren’t complete without a catfish. They eat a lot of the food that other fish miss, and they’re also great at helping to reduce the amount of algae in the tank. However, when you’re choosing, you’re going to notice there are so many different types of catfish to choose from. In this article, not only will you learn about the different types of catfish, you’ll also learn how to look after them as well! So keep reading to find out everything you need to know

A complete milking for every quarter of every cow, every time, is what we all strive for. On our way to that goal, we encounter many challenges. One challenge is bimodal milking: a delayed milk letdown or even absence of milk in one or more teats during the milking process. Bimodality can strongly impact both milk production and cow health. Let’s examine its impact on dairy farm performance and outline strategies to effectively reduce its occurrence. Milking Technology Manager / Lely NARelatedBi

Typically, by the third or fourth milking during startup, most cows have adjusted to the new flow and rotary milking routine. Image courtesy of GEA.Investing in a rotary parlor is a big commitment – financially and logistically. With a plan that prioritizes people and cows, you can help ensure the rotary keeps turning for years to come with a well-executed startup. Senior Manager of Herd Management / GEARelatedPlanning, installing and starting a new rotary parlor typically takes at least one yea

Home » Producers share journey with no-feed automated milking systems Two dairy producers shared insights into how a no-feed approach to milking with robots has shaped their management and long-term outlook on dairy farming during a Tanbark Talk Oct. 2 at World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin.   Darn it! This content is only for registered users with a subscription!   Already a registered user? Sweet! Make sure you are signed in. Sign In If not, what are you waiting for? It’s FREE.Click her

Cows eat in a retrofitted tiestall barn. Image by John Gerbitz.My transition away from milking in tiestalls came when I sold my cows in 2001. If you are keeping your cows, there are still good reasons to consider transitioning away from tiestalls. Maybe your motivation is herd expansion, higher production, regulatory compliance, aging facilities or labour efficiency. For Canadian farmers, regulatory compliance will limit the use of tiestall barns beginning in April 2027. If labour efficiency is