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Health issues are foremost in our minds today. When discussing food safety, one topic that comes up frequently is traceability. This refers to the ability to track produce through all steps of the supply, production, and distribution process; from seed lots to dinner tables. Admittedly, this can sound like quite a bit of paperwork. Today we’ll walk through the basics of a traceability process and see that it's easy to incorporate into your farm operation. Benefits of Traceability Without accurate record keeping, claims that produce is local or organic or otherwise are just that; claims. Traceability means you can provide customers with evidence that supports and documents these claims. This evidence can also open doors to new markets. Traceability can increase customer confidence and enhance your brand’s reputation. Improved inventory accuracy – brought about by traceability efforts – can also reduce spoilage and shrinkage. However, the primary benefits of traceability become apparent when a food-borne illness (or other type of concern) occurs. Accurate record keeping can help facilitate efficient (and less costly) recalls, minimize the impact of contaminated produce, and settle complaints and questions. Good records can also facilitate getting back in business sooner after a recall – particularly when you can demonstrate that your lots were not part of the recall. Internal and External Traceability To implement traceability, farmers need to track both internally and externally. Internally refers to where and how produce is grown on the farm. This includes information like the crop name and variety, the specific block or field, treatments, harvest dates, harvest crew, and more. External traceability requires tracking both one step back (your suppliers) and one step forward (your buyers). Tracking suppliers means recording things like lot numbers from seeds and all other inputs. Tracking buyers can be done through your invoicing. If you sell directly to consumers, tracking may take the form of maintaining a customer mailing list. Using Lot Codes for Traceability Traceability is accomplished by using unique codes associated with individual lots of produce. While the code can be any combination of numbers, letters, and colors, codes can be created in such a way that you can ascertain certain facts at a glance. These could include the crop and variety name, field or block, and harvest and packing dates. Using Julian dates (numbering 1 to 365) rather than months and days can save space and make details less obvious to casual observers. Your lot code could also include information about your spray records, soil amendment applications, harvest and packing crews, packinghouse details, and more. This article from the Virginia Cooperative Extension discusses one lot code approach in detail. These codes need to be associated with each lot, often by use of stickers or stamps. Farmbrite makes it easy to print out QR codes that can link to all of this information and can be accessed anywhere using a smartphone. Printing these codes to adhesive-backed paper makes it easy to post this information on containers and in the field. Again, no matter what code you use, each lot must have a unique code, and every container leaving your farm should bear that code. What Is a Lot? A lot is simply a specific portion of a crop. You get to decide what this means on your farm. A lot might be the entire crop harvested from the same field on the same day. On bigger farms, that might represent several lots. While smaller lots necessitate more record keeping, there are related benefits. Should a recall occur, smaller lots can increase efficiency and reduce the likelihood that impacted produce gets distributed to multiple buyers. Accordingly, smaller lots can result in less produce being recalled. Other Ways Farmbrite Can Help with Traceability While traceability measures can be started using a notebook, a pen, and some masking tape, technology can help. When you add a new crop in Farmbrite, you’re asked to enter information specific to your farm, like the field and bed number. You’re also asked for data specific to your inputs, like the seed company, origin, and lot number. Entered once, this information is then linked throughout Farmbrite whenever you need it. You can enter a trace number or simply have one automatically generated. Either way, it’s automatically linked to your inventory. Similarly, at harvest time, you enter in the data you need to record – once. This includes information like how much you harvested and when. This can even be done via the Farmbrite mobile app. Mock Recall The way to test your traceability system is to conduct a mock recall. To do so, you identify one or more lot numbers, then contact the associated buyer(s). You might select a lot you know you sold to a buyer with whom you have a long relationship, or you might select the lot at random. Either way, let the buyer know you’re conducting a mock recall, ask how much of the lot they have sold and how much they have left, then document their response. Time is of the essence. A typical recall needs to be completed within 2-4 hours, because in a real recall you’d want to reach buyers before the food was consumed. If you sell directly to consumers, reach out to them by phone if possible. Again, explain you’re conducting a mock recall to insure their safety, and indicate that you will follow-up with an email. In the email, ask them how much they’ve consumed. You will want to keep their email reply in your records. In all cases, be clear that the product identified in the mock recall CAN be distributed and consumed, and that you are simply taking these steps to ensure food safety. If you run into any hurdles in your mock recall, consider the test a success, as it has identified areas in which you can improve your traceability and recall processes. Final Thoughts Clearly, implementing accurate traceability can have significant benefits in the event of a food-borne illness. However, it also has benefits on non-emergency days. Traceability can provide your buyers and customers with more reasons to purchase from you. Farmbrite can not only save the time it takes to track the information necessary for traceability, it also offers easy accessibility to this info. Try Farmbrite for free. Additional Resources Farm Food Safety Plans & Traceability – University Massachusetts Amherst How and Why to Conduct a Mock Recall – Carolina Farm Stewardship Association National Good Agricultural Practices Program – Cornell University

On the Farmbrite blog we talk a lot about how easy it is to collect farm and ranch data in Farmbrite. You can even use the Farmbrite mobile app to enter information – on your iPhone – from the field, even offline. But some typing is involved. Unfortunately, not all of us are as efficient at typing on our phones as our kids (or grand kids). If you’re not wild about typing, you can dictate info into Farmbrite using speech-to-text functionality that’s built into today’s computer and phone operating systems. It can save time compared to typing with your thumbs on a phone, and it turns out it can be really useful on your laptop or desktop computer, too. If you’re like me, you probably know this functionality is there, but just haven’t gotten around to using it in Farmbrite. Here are some tips to get you started. iPhone Wherever you’d like to type, whether you’re in the Farmbrite iPhone app or something else, click where you want the text to appear and a cursor appears there indicating it’s ready for me to enter something. Then, to begin dictation, click on the microphone icon. It appears to the left of the spacebar and I’ve circled it below. Now start talking. When you’re finished, click on the keyboard icon at the bottom of your screen: Again, you’ve likely done this before, but maybe not in Farmbrite. Sometimes we need a reminder to move computer or phone techniques from one application to another. Mac Computers While speaking into your phone really beats trying to type with your thumbs, it turns out that this dictation functionality can be pretty handy on your laptop or desktop computer, too. But since there isn’t a “microphone” key on your computer’s keyboard, discovering how to get it to work can take a few more steps. To use voice dictation on your Mac, click wherever you want to enter text within Farmbrite (as we did above). Then you can choose from two ways to begin dictation: Press the Fn (Function) key twice, or Click the Edit menu and select “Start Dictation.” Choose one, then begin speaking and your text will appear. When you’re done speaking, click “Done.” For more information, including how to control your Mac using your voice instead of a keyboard and track pad, and how to work with different languages, check out this Apple support link. Windows Computers To start dictating on your Windows 10 computer or laptop, click where you want the text to appear. Next press the Windows logo key + H to open the dictation toolbar. To stop dictating at any time, say “Stop dictation.”’ If the dictation toolbar doesn’t appear, you may need to turn on online speech recognition here: Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Speech You can learn more about using dictation in these Windows support articles: Use voice recognition in Windows 10 Use dictation to talk instead of type on your PC The second article also provides a list of commands you can use with your computer to move around the page, enter punctuation and symbols, and switch languages. Have an older version of Windows? While I didn’t have a Windows 8 computer on hand to try it out myself, I did find this Windows video showing how to use speech recognition in Windows 8.1. Use in Farmbrite Farm Management Software Not sure where you might use this functionality in Farmbrite? You might dictate notes into your schedule and add tasks to be completed (or make notes about their completion). Specific information about your livestock or crops could be recorded, from changing cattle feed and grazing areas to what nutrients and treatments you’re using on a particular crop. Anything to do with money, from purchases and expenses to sales, can be quickly captured this way. You might dictate notes within your contacts or capture information regarding your machinery including needed repairs and maintenance. In short, any bit of ranch or farm information that might come in useful later can be entered by voice into Farmbrite. Closing Thoughts If you haven’t tried this before in Farmbrite, I encourage you to try it. When it’s easy to capture notes, you will capture more notes. And whether you use this information for your organic certification application – or something entirely different – it’s always better to have “too much” info and background then not enough. If you’re not currently using Farmbrite on your ranch or farm, you can explore it and hands-free data entry at no charge. Try Farmbrite for free.

By now you're probably well versed in the benefits of rotational grazing practices to improve soil and pasture health, increase forage yields and improve animal health and growth rates. What isn't always discussed in these practices and you may not be aware of, are the benefits of multi-species grazing systems to the health of your pastures. Not sure which grazing system is right for you? Learn more about different livestock grazing methods. In this article we'll go over; what is multi-species grazing, what are the benefits of this type of grazing and what are some of the key considerations to think about for your farm. What is Multi-Species Grazing? Multi-species grazing is a grazing system that encourages and supports the grazing of multiple species of animals on the same paddock, as a single herd or utilizing the leader-follower method. Multi-species grazing is often cited as a practice that can help increase biodiversity in order to support and promote regenerative agriculture. Multi-species grazing typically uses a method of rotational grazing to effectively manage animal movements through the pasture using small divided sections or paddocks. Animals are given a small section to graze for a short amount of time to ensure that forage materials are not depleted and that forage plants can regrow quickly. Animals are rotated through the paddocks accordingly to a planned grazing sequence (rotation), typically every few days (depending on forage yields, animal health and weather). Once each paddock has been grazed, the sequence starts over again with the paddock that has rested the longest. Key Benefits of Multi-Species Grazing? Because each species has different nutritional needs and forage preferences, this method effectively utilizes all available nutrients in the paddock. This grazing system also provides more effective weed control because different species graze in different ways and prefer different plants. Additionally, because different animals are susceptible to different parasites they typically do not share parasites. This means that a a pasture recently grazed by cattle is unlikely to pass parasites onto your sheep or chickens and even better, it means that species like chickens will probably appreciate the parasites and fly larvae left from cattle manure. By using different species with different nutritional needs in a holistic and balanced way you can make your pastures cleaner, healthier and more productive. Additional benefits include: Raise more meat per acre Improved weed control Reduced pesticide and herbicide usage Increased pasture and soil health Reduction of parasite loads (when sheep or chickens follow cattle) Cleaner pastures Improved forage yields Additional soil carbon sequestration Increased biodiversity of farm More balanced pasture utilization Diversified income sources (cattle, sheep, chickens, etc) Different species can perform better in different pasture topographies Less predator stress in some situations Increased soil security Various funding and grant programs available for regenerative agriculture Potential Considerations for Multi-Species Grazing While multi-species grazing provides for a diverse operation and well balanced use of pastures it also requires species specific equipment and facilities and can sometimes be quite labor intensive. This increased effort of labor is often offset by creating healthier, more productive soils and pastures, which results in healthier, more productive animals. Some additional factors to consider when considering converting to a multi-species grazing system: Additional cost and labor is likely required Different types of fencing may be needed for different species Additional management practices may be needed Different species may require different shelter and facilities Sheep and goats tend to require more care than cattle Smaller animals, like chickens, may required additional protection from predators Stocking rates and animals per acre can be more difficult to calculate Mineral and supplement distribution may be more challenging to manage Some animal species may not get along well, meaning that you may need to use a follow-the-leader approach vs inter-grazing Best Animals for Multi-Species Grazing There are lots of different livestock options that could be used in a multi-species grazing operation. Multi-species grazing works best when you are able to pair the appropriate animals to work together as one system and where the animals are best suited to the role you're hoping they will play in your operation. Cattle, sheep, and goats are commonly used for multi-species grazing operations because the way that each of these animals graze differs and doesn't conflict. Grazing cattle rely on forages that can be easily grabbed with their tongue and pulled into their mouth. Goats on the other hand, tend to graze at higher heights, even head height and above, by browsing. Meanwhile, sheep typically graze with their heads down and create a short crop of pasture and prefer more tender forage than cattle or goats. It is also common to graze chickens or other poultry after the ruminates (either free range or using a chicken tractor). Chickens are an excellent clean up crew. They will come along after the cattle, sheep and goats and eat parasites and larvae left behind as well as help clear and spread manure. They also produce a nitrogen rich manure that can enrich pasture soils. It's a good idea to move chickens regularly by utilizing a chicken tractor to minimize the impact their scratching can have on a single area. Here is an article about building chicken tractors. Pigs are also an excellent species to consider in a multi-species grazing operation. Pigs can help to revive a worn-out pasture by rooting and digging, acting as a biological tiller. As they are also omnivores, they will also dig for additional parasites that the chickens may have missed. While pigs can help to prepare a field for crop rotation, producers need to be careful to maintain a reasonable ground cover and rotate pigs regularly to prevent pigs from stripping your pasture bare. 15-20 growing pigs or 7-10 sows per acre can usually be managed effectively. Summary Multi-species grazing provides many benefits and is a practice being adopted by more and more farmers as part of biodiversity programs. When considering moving to a multi-species grazing system, it's best to evaluate the time and resources needed to manage the grazing plan effectively as well as understand the costs and benefits of managing each livestock type. We hope this article has been informative. If you need help keeping track of your livestock, take a look at our software, Farmbrite. Farmbrite is a complete livestock management system that provides integrated multi-species breeding, livestock record keeping, grazing, management, tracking, sales and reporting software to run a thriving livestock business. We're designed to support bio-diverse, multi-species livestock operations. Learn more about how we can help with your farm.

As you're probably aware there are a number of different types of grazing systems or methods out there. Each of these popular grazing methods have pros and cons and some are better than others at helping producers meet specific operations objectives while maintaining livestock density and supporting soil security. In this article, we'll break down some of the most common and popular types of grazing systems out there and help you understand which grazing method might work best for your needs. Continuous Grazing Continuous grazing provides a single pasture system where livestock have unrestricted, uninterrupted access to a pasture or paddock throughout the entire grazing season. This method provides little or no rest for the land and includes no livestock rotation or managed grazing plan. While continuous grazing reduces the management time and costs in fencing it results in animals selectively grazing on forage they prefer, resulting in uneven distribution of manure. Additionally, this method is harder on the pasture resulting in longer recovery and regrowth times which can lead to low-nutrient forages, erosion and deterioration of the land. Rotational Grazing The rotational grazing method utilizes a large pasture and divides it into 2 or more smaller paddocks. Livestock are rotated through these paddocks in a planned grazing sequence (rotation), typically every few days (depending on animal health and weather). This method provides time for pasture regrowth and helps to more evenly spread manure and break worm and pest cycles. Once each paddock has been grazed, the sequence starts over again with the paddock that has rested the longest. While this method requires more labor and fencing expenses it helps to increase forage growth, improve livestock health and performance, improve pasture health, reduce supplemental feed and increase profitability. Temporary fencing is often used to allow for adjustments to paddock sizes between grazing periods based on weather and the health of the pasture. Strip Grazing The strip grazing method involves using portable electric fences to section off small areas of a pasture for animals to grazing in for a relatively short amount of time. Animals are often moved as much as once or twice per day. This rapid movement of animals ensures that each area is lightly impacted which supports pasture growth. Typically animals are moved in a single direction with no back fencing to minimize forage waste due to trampling. Because of the frequency of animal movement this method is somewhat labor intensive. Mob Grazing Mob grazing, also known as ultra-high density grazing, is a grazing system that involves a large concentration of animals (mob) in a small area for a short amount of time. Similar to strip grazing, animals are moved multiple times per day using temporary fencing. Because of the intense impact of the grazing a large amount of animals at once, paddocks are only grazed 2 or 3 times per year allowing for long rest periods to support forage growth. Mob grazing forces animals to graze everything available in a paddock rather that selectively grazing for choice forage like in other grazing methods. This grazing method involves significant labor due to the frequency of movements and requires careful grazing rotation planning to ensure paddocks are not over grazed. Because of the increased labor required this method best works for animals with lower nutritional requirements. Creep Grazing Using the creep grazing method allows for younger animals to have access to the higher quality pastures and forage first by eliminating the competition from older animals. Called the creep method because this system uses a creep gate to allow younger animals access. Because younger animals have access to higher nutrient rich pastures young calves often see faster gains than nursing alone and the pressure on nursing cows to provide milk is reduced providing for quicker recovery for cows. Leader-Follower Grazing Leader-follower grazing, sometimes called forward grazing or first-last grazing, utilizes two different groups of livestock, each with different nutritional needs grazing on one paddock one after another. This method allows animals with higher nutritional needs (example, nursing calves) to first selectively graze on more nutritious forages. The next group, with lower nutritional needs follows to graze the rest of the paddock. This method also works well for grazing two different species. Multi-species Grazing Multi-species grazing systems encourage and support grazing multiple species of animals on the same paddock as a single herd or utilizing the leader-follower method. Because each species have different nutritional needs and forage preferences, this method effectively utilizes available nutrients in the paddock. This method also provides more effective weed control as different species grazing in different ways and prefer different plants. While multi-species grazing provides for a diverse operation and well balanced use of pastures it also requires species specific equipment and facilities and can be quite labor intensive. Learn more about the benefits of multi-species grazing. Summary As you can see there are many different types of grazing methods. Hopefully this article provided some insight into the difference between these popular grazing systems. Most studies and producers would agree that some type of rotational grazing offers the largest benefit to pasture health, soil security, forage quality, and animal health and performance. Check out this guide to rotational grazing to learn more. Take a look at how Farmbrite can help you plan and manage your grazing and livestock operation more efficiently.

Parasitoid wasps are members of a large group of insects that includes thousands of parasitic insect species in over 40 families. These small, flying wasp parasites are so tiny that they are hardly ever noticed. Most are tiny, with many species smaller than a millimeter. However, they make up for their small size by their sheer numbers and efficiency. As a group, these tiny parasitic predators are an important biological agricultural pest control method. We all know the impact that harmful insects can have on your crops. Many organic producers, or those looking to reduce their use of pesticides, partner with beneficial insects to help eliminate harmful insects. Parasitoid wasps are an important non-pesticide control method to manage or reduce certain agricultural pests. In this article we'll cover details on parasitoid wasps, their benefits to your farm or garden and how to attract them. What are parasitoid wasps? Parasitoid wasps are a part of a larger group of flying wasps. The difference is that parasitoid wasps lay their eggs inside other insects in order to complete their lifecycle. These tiny wasp are very diverse in appearance and can range in size from 0.005 inches to over 3 inches long. The smallest known adult insect is actually called Dicopomorpha echmepterygis. These tiny wasps are sometime called fairy-flies and have bodies smaller than a single-celled paramecium. Parasitoid wasps are helpful in controlling native and invasive species of agricultural pests. Parasitoid wasps are typically so small and are very diverse in appearance, that they can only be reliably identified by an expert. Like other parasitoids insects, they lay their eggs in or on the bodies of other arthropods. As you can imagine this results in a very bad day for the effected insect, which sooner than later will die and become a host for a new generation of wasps. Different species of parasitoid wasps lay their eggs in different insects, including aphids, beetles, leafhoppers, caterpillars, and flies, who are among the unfortunate. The good news is that these tiny beneficial wasps don't sting or bite people or have a nest or hive that needs protection. Parasitoid wasp lifecycle Each species of parasitoid wasp has a species of insects it needs to complete its lifecycle. The adult wasps seek out these other insects and then lay their eggs on it or inside it. The wasp eggs hatch inside or on the body of the parasitized victim and then provide a ready-made meal for the larvae. The larvae will typically continue to feed on the hosts until they enter their pupae stage. The pupae can sometimes be seen on the outside of the host insect. Eventually the adult parasitoid wasp will fully emerge and fly away, leaving the host insect dead. Eggs: The eggs of the parasitoid wasp are hardly ever seen as they are often laid inside the bodies of the host insect. Larvae: Also rarely seen, they may sometimes been noticeable as a small dark shape within the body of the parasitoid wasp's victim. Pupae & Cocoons: Each wasp larvae will spin its own cocoon once they break free from inside the host's body. These tough cocoon of parasitoid wasps can be identified as small lightly colored (white or yellow) oblong (rice shaped) cocoons often in clusters. These cocoons can sometimes be spotted on or near parasitized host insects. Adults: Once parasitoid wasps become an adult they can vary in size from very tiny (0.005 inches) to a few inches long. The adults are solitary insects and typically feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers. This image was originally posted to Flickr by Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil. Benefits of parasitoid wasps The parasitoid wasps main benefit to farmers and gardeners is to provide a pesticide free way to help reduce, control and manage harmful agricultural pests. The wasps lay eggs inside or on the body of their hosts, which will later emerge, feed upon and kill the host insect. There are a huge variety of parasitoid wasps, each with their own evolutionary preference for host insects. These tiny killers are known to seek out zombie hosts from various other insects including: Aphids, Beetles, Butterflies, Cabbageworm, Caterpillars (including armyworms, cabbage looper, fall webworm, tent caterpillars, tomato fruitworm, redhumped caterpillar, etc) Flies Leafhoppers Moths Psyllids Sawflies Some spiders Thrips and others Because of their efficiency in reducing populations of harmful pests, parasitoids wasps are one of the most widely used biological (non-pesticide) based insect control method in North America and are especially beneficially for organic producers. Parasitoids wasps do not bite or sting humans and pose no risk to people. How to attract parasitoid wasps in farms and gardens While parasitoid wasps are one of the most beneficial groups of predatory insects. Due to their small size they often go unnoticed. Here are a few simple ways to help attract and promote parasitoid wasps in your farm or garden Reduce the use of insecticides - Because parasitoid wasps are very sensitive to pesticides you should reduce the use of chemical insecticides in order to create a safe and friendly ecosystem for beneficial insects, like parasitoid wasps, lady bugs, green lacewings, bees and others Plant consistently flowering plants - Adult parasitoid wasps feed on nectar and pollen so keeping flowering plants that provide a reliable nectar source will help attract parasitoid wasps and other helpful insects. Keep some bad garden pests around - While no farmer or gardener wants to leave potentially destructive bugs on their crops, keeping a low level of pests around will provide a valuable food source and encourage beneficial bugs to take up residence. Use sugary sprays - Because adult parasitoid wasps feed on sweet nectar and pollen, you can apply a mixture of sugar and water to plants where you'd to attract them. Buy parasitoid wasps - If all else fails or you need a jump start to reduce the population of harmful garden pest, you can purchase parasitoid wasps to control a variety of pests. You can often find them for sale online or at a local garden center. Summary These tiny killers often go unnoticed, but they are one of a variety of beneficial insects that you should try to attract and protect in your garden. While the lifecycle of parasitoid wasps may seem like something out of a science fiction horror movie, these tiny wasps are an excellent ally in the fight against harmful crop destroying insects and they can be a valuable tool that every farmer and gardener should consider using. To learn more, check out some of these other resources: Aphid wasp parasitoid Braconid and ichneumonid wasps Parasitic wasp of whitefly Scoliid wasp Parasitoid wasp biology This article was written by our knowledgeable staff farmers at Farmbrite. Thanks for reading.

Ever wonder about how much of the earth's surface is used for agriculture? Us too. So we did some research and wanted to share it with you. In this article we'll break down the different areas of land use on earth and look at usage by different agricultural products. Before we get into the details about the the different crop land uses, let's look at some basic data about the earth to get sense of the scale of things. The earth's total surface is 196 million square miles and is mostly covered by water. The earth really is an ocean world with more than 71% or 139 million square miles of its surface covered in water. That leaves just 57 million square miles or 29% of the earth's surface with land. Let's take a look at the different types of land areas on earth. Ok, so there are about 139 million square miles of habitable land on earth. That habitable land is broken down into 5 main categories. Earths Land Uses Land Use Breakdown Now we've broken down those areas we can start to understand how much of the earths surface area is used for farming, ranching or other crop production. To summarize, about 1/2 of all the earth's habitable land is used for agriculture. That's a little more 12 billion acres or about 35% of the total surface area of the earth. To put that in perspective that's about 5 times the area of the United States. It takes a lot of land to feed the 7.9 billion people on the planet, so it's not surprising how much land goes to feeding all those hungry mouths. Let's take a look at how that breaks down between livestock usages (including grazing and animal feed production) and crop production. Global Protein Production Wow, it takes a lot of land to support all those cows, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens and other livestock that are used for meat, cheese and dairy production. How does that land usage translate into global protein production? Let's see what percentage of agriculture land goes to what major protein sources. Agricultural Land Use The vast majority of agricultural land is used for livestock production and supporting livestock production. Of the 2.7 billion acres that are used for crop production, the vast majority of land is dedicated to the production of cereals and grains, followed by oil crops. Of the land that is used for protein production, the majority is used for beef, lamb and dark chocolate (yum). Summary Overall, we are using much of the habitable land on protein and other different agricultural products grown for consumption. We hope you enjoyed our break down the global land use for agriculture and how the land is used. To learn more check out these great resources: Other Land Use Data Global Land Use Visualization from Our World in Data Food and Agriculture Organization Statistics Other interesting facts about agriculture USDA Farming Stats and Data Written by our staff writers and farmers at Farmbrite.

Hatching your own chicken eggs is the dream, right? It turns out you don’t need a rooster on your property to get the job done. Learning how to incubate chicken eggs is easier than most people think, and the process allows you complete control over the hatching process. Not only do you get to choose both the breed and the number of birds, but incubators enable you to watch the hatching process take place in real time. Let’s dive into how to hatch eggs in an incubator. Here’s what you need to know to get started. The Egg Incubator Choosing the right incubator is critical to successfully hatching chicks at home. Compared to a mother hen, incubators have some advantages. They allow you to automate the warming process so that the eggs stay at a consistent temperature and humidity level for three weeks before hatching. Likewise, incubated chicks tend to be friendlier with humans because they don’t imprint on their mother. The most significant risk with incubators can be power outages—you’ll need a backup plan for warming the eggs if your electricity goes out during the incubation phase. Choosing an Egg Incubator There are a variety of styles of incubators for eggs available. Simple models have a basic heat and humidity source controlled by a switch, while others include a fan for air circulation, an automatic egg turner, and a digital display for monitoring the temperature, humidity level, and days until hatching. Where you keep the incubator matters more than most realize. Keep it in a room without drafts that maintains a consistent temperature and away from windows and direct sunlight. You also want it out of reach of pets and curious children that might disturb it. Where To Find Fertilized Eggs Fertilized chicken eggs aren’t hard to come by if you know where to look. If you own a rooster, odds are every egg you interact with has the potential to grow a chick. Otherwise, it’s possible to purchase eggs from a breeder. This tends to be the best way to secure a specific breed. Note: fertilized eggs are notorious for not shipping well and tend to have a low hatch rate after so much jostling. When possible, find a local supplier where you can skip the mailing process to pick them up in person. How To Properly Incubate Eggs All incubators will have different operating instructions, which should always be your first guide. Even so, these general guidelines work for most devices. Before adding eggs, test the incubator out by letting it run for at least 24 hours. This gives it time to stabilize the interior temperature and enables you to make any adjustments before placing sensitive eggs inside. Inspect each egg for deformities or hairline cracks and discard any that aren’t perfect. Place them in the incubator slightly on their side with the pointed end angled down. Monitor the incubator for the first hour after adding eggs to ensure the settings stay consistent. Avoid opening and closing it, as this will disrupt the temperature sensors. Note: If you’re using shipped eggs, let them set out for 24-48 hours before adding them to the incubator. This allows the yolks to settle and reach room temperature. Moving cold eggs to a warm incubator may cause them to crack and die. (Shipped eggs are notoriously hard to incubate but not impossible.) The Egg Incubation Process The steps for incubating your eggs will vary based on the day. Days 1-17 This is the majority of the incubation period. Plan to turn each egg once every eight hours (unless your incubator has an automatic egg turner). Many people mark one end of each shell with an X to help them keep track. Ideally, chicken eggs need to be incubated at a constant temperature between 99-102°F, with 45-55% humidity. It’s okay if the humidity level fluctuates—it’s not as critical as the temperature. Monitor the interior temperature and humidity, adding water to the reservoir when it gets low. After a week, you can “candle” the eggs for signs of a developing embryo. Days 18-20 You’ve reached the lockdown phase for incubation. From now on, you’ll stop opening the incubator and turning the eggs. Increase the humidity to 65-70%, and prepare a space for the newly hatched chicks for when they move out. Day 21+ By day 21, you’ll start to hear peeping from inside the eggs. They may begin to rock back and forth, with small cracks developing. It can take over 24 hours for chicks to make it out of their shells, and it’s crucial you don’t interfere with the process, even if a bird appears to be struggling. In fact, the challenges of hatching helps these little birds develop proper muscle function. Leave all chicks in the incubator until the hatching process is finished, so you don’t interfere with the humidity levels. The chicks eat their yolk sac just before hatching, meaning they can go several days without additional food and water. In fact, moving chicks before they are dry and fluffy can leave them chilled and prone to illness. Incubating Duck Eggs: What’s the Difference? Chickens aren’t the only feathered fowl that can hatch eggs within an incubator. Many people have great luck with ducks as well. The primary difference with incubating duck eggs is that they take 28-35 days to hatch—up to two weeks longer than chicken eggs. Keeping the two together may cause problems if you’re opening the incubator frequently to pull out baby chicks. For this reason, it works best to focus on one bird type at a time. Many people have great luck with duck, quail, turkey and many other types of eggs as well. Just be sure that your incubator can hold the size of egg you plan on hatching. Incubating Chicken Eggs for Fun and Farm Profits Hatching chicken eggs at home with an incubator is a satisfying experience, whether you want 5 birds or 50. And if you need help managing your expanding farming operation, consider Farmbrite software. Our program will help you manage your entire agriculture business. This comprehensive software system will improve farm performance and sustainability, highlight inefficiencies, and showcase ways you can increase production and sales. Author Bio: Lydia Noyes is a freelance writer and hobby farmer in West Michigan. She writes about food, farming, health, and wellness topics related to the planet and people within it. When not tied to her computer, you’ll find Lydia weeding, reading, or chasing after her ever-growing flock of chickens. Curious about what Farmbrite can do for you? Take it for a free test drive for 14 days.

According to the most recent family farm statistics in the US, 98% of all farms are actually run by families and contribute to 88% of our food production. Generally, most family farms — small, midsize, and large-scale — are neither low-income nor low wealth, as median household income increases along with farm sales. It is necessary, however, to ensure continuity on these farms for the next generation onwards. This can be achieved through succession planning, or the smooth transfer of leadership (and in many cases, ownership) or a business, so that it can thrive even when its current owners leave. Farm succession planning is a complicated process that takes 12–24 months to execute, not including the time it takes to reach an agreement. Unfortunately, many farm owners put this off until they’re almost retired, as they often are too overwhelmed to start. This doesn't have to be overwhelming if you take small steps. What is farm succession and why is it important? As mentioned earlier, farm succession is a set of contingencies put in place by farm owners to ensure that their property continues to prosper once they have stepped down from management. Proper succession planning is all about helping operations run smoothly and without interruption during this transition period. A successful succession plan ensures that you can rely on your successors to carry out the mission and the vision of your organization, as well as accomplishing key goals. Many strategies often rely on heavy employee involvement, with the end-goal being upskilling and promotion. It also encapsulates any long-term plans to help the new farm manager to gather their bearings before fully transitioning into a leadership position. Lastly, farm succession planning is all about adapting to new changes brought on by new leadership. It is important for farms, especially those run by families, to have a succession plan in place to ensure that there will be no conflict in terms of the flow of management. This will also prevent any legal battles from popping up between possible inheritors, ensuring that all assets are divided as the previous owner intended. Having a good succession plan also ensures that the next generation of leadership has requisite knowledge of the farm’s operations and is equipped with the right capabilities to help the business continue growing. While many people think that a family business doesn’t need this kind of plan when it comes to succession, it will actually help save everyone from operational, logistical, and emotional headaches in the long run. Without a clear plan, it is possible for a farm’s operational structure to crumble and cease functioning. As not only your business’ leader but as the head of your family, it is your responsibility to prevent that from happening. It can be a tedious process – but one that is definitely worth an immense amount of attention. If you’re feeling lost or confused about where to start, here are a few tips you can begin with for your farm succession planning: 1. Be clear in your communication According to agricultural economy researchers, farm family businesses that actively discussed their goals, identified successes, and were educated on the transfer process were more likely to make progress in both management and ownership transfer. The initial discussion doesn’t have to be formal; you can simply call a family meeting to initiate the process. Be sure to include everyone who will be impacted. If you already have potential successors in mind who are capable of running the farm, ask if they want the job so you’re sure to be on the same page. If there are multiple successors vying for the role, talk about the potential for sharing responsibilities or consider ways to separate the operation so they can run viable agribusinesses independently. Remember, this is an emotional decision for all, so you have to communicate clearly over potential disagreement and conflict. 2. Structure a succession timeline As previously mentioned, many succession plans can take anywhere from a year to two years from finishing. Sometimes, it can take even longer than this, depending on what your plans and ideas for your new successor may be. It is critically important to note that implementing a hasty succession plan can spell trouble for your business, since it may leave the next leader with less time to understand what you have curated in your business, less time to create their own strategies and bring those ideas to fruition. Research has also found that a total assessment of the farm’s capabilities is important in helping minimize any economic risks succession might bring to the business. The study echoes the fact that time is needed to help new leaders create well-thought-out policies and regulations once they have taken charge of the business. An effective timeline should always start with a training and trial period. In a scenario where you are stepping down, you should give yourself a few months to impart important knowledge to your successor – teaching them the ins and outs of your business and of the industry. Then, give them a trial run and have them make important decisions under your guidance to see if they are ready to take over. After this, cede complete power to them and reiterate to your employees that they are the new head of the business. This will ensure that workers will listen to your successor and give them the same respect you were given. A slow and steady transition will allow everyone to get accustomed to the change in leadership, and allow you to gauge the capabilities of your successor or help correct mistakes during this learning period. 3. Assign roles during the transition In the case of many heirs, both farming and non-farming, you can identify the various roles and responsibilities available. It’s likely your heirs have various strengths that can make them a good fit for farm operations, crop sales and grain marketing, or capital and financial management – to name a few. You will also need someone to oversee the day-to-day operations of your farm with a unified strategy in mind. As a business leader, they would need to have a knowledge of economics, finance, marketing, management, and operations. Obviously, this is a tough requirement; which is why those with extensive business administrative training are so highly-sought after for their skill sets. It helps to choose someone with a mix of know-how both on and off the farm. This person could be on top of the hierarchy in decision-making, or you can decide on a more egalitarian approach. During the transition, your family should test out this system so you can improve on it. 4. Create measurable goals It is also important to determine whether or not your succession plan is successful and effective. Thus, it's necessary to set visible and tangible goals to meet. A study on measuring effective succession planning explains that there is no one-shoe-fits-all when it comes to different organizations – the same can be said for your farm. You should be creating metrics based on what you want the next leader to achieve, since these goals will lay a clear path and serve as a way to determine if you are on the right track. One thing you can look at is your employee’s satisfaction levels. This can be done through a formal survey or through simple interviews. How your employees feel, especially those who have worked on the farm for a long time, can tell you a lot about how operations are going. If they think that things have gotten more difficult since the transition, it might be time to make some changes to your strategy. You can also look at other factors, such as cost vs. revenue. If you are spending more than you are earning, there might be an issue with how your successor is handling farm finances, which should be addressed as soon as possible. This will prevent your operations from sinking into debt. Having a good metric of effectiveness will help you determine whether your succession plan is effective or not and can be a way to make necessary adjustments. A place to measure this would be having a farm management software to track these numbers. We're biased of course, but this is the best way to keep track of your farm business all in one place. It is up to you to decide the best way to do that but whether you use a management tool like Farmbrite or a spreadsheet make sure to keep good records. 5. Be sure to account for finances Speaking of finances, operations may slow down at the beginning of a succession plan. Your heir might want to make structural changes to better meet their vision for your farm or employees might need an adjustment period to get used to the new leadership. Because of this, it is important that you pay attention to your finances during this time. Aside from the other factors touched upon earlier, there are many other factors that you should account for aside from expenses and revenue. You should create contingencies just in case money continues to come in more slowly than anticipated during the transition period. Since the environment can be a key factor in whether or not your farm will profit for the season, you might want to consider setting aside money for agricultural insurance, which can be used when the time is right. This will alleviate any environmental factors out of your control — which could make the succession period harder and more stressful — as well as ensure that all your workers will still be able to receive the right pay and benefits as scheduled. Finances can also signal growth, so paying more attention to your profit’s trajectory at this period will let you know if you've chosen the right person to take over after you have stepped down. Keeping detailed entries on your operation’s cash flow might seem like a small thing but it can truly tell you a lot about the effectiveness of your strategy and other contingencies you need to put in place. 6. Tackle tensions and potential sources of conflict There are many ways succession planning can go wrong. At the heart of it, however, is ensuring you value everyone’s input through open, honest discussions. Everyone should have the chance to be heard and feel respected. When it comes to assets, for example, be transparent that being fair is not necessarily being equal. For instance, if only one child will be on-farm while others are off-farm, then it would help to set expectations early on. You also want to prepare ahead for any circumstances that can change in the future. Death, divorce, disability, or disagreement can throw your succession plans off, so these should be included in discussions as well — ideally along with relevant paperwork, like legal documents or insurance policies. Planning for the worst can spare your heirs the heartache down the road. Once your plans are set, be sure to formalize all agreements. Organization will be your friend, so nothing will be forgotten or left to chance. Keep track of farm records on one platform, rather than storing information across separate spreadsheets and documents. This will keep all pertinent information in one place and help successors easily gain access to the data once they are the head of the office. 7. Ensure the legality of your succession plan When running a family business, your possible heirs might fight over who should succeed you as the head of your farm– especially if your stepping down happens due to unforeseen circumstances like sudden death. Making your succession plan legally binding – either through a contract or a will – is a way of avoiding unnecessary quarrels from happening between heirs. This is a written form of your strategy. It should list everything from who will succeed you as head of the farm, which assets go to whom, and even the ideal time frame of when everything should take place. You should draft this and have it reviewed by a trusted lawyer as soon as possible. This will take away any difficulties a sudden departure might cause your family, and provide them with actionable instructions to follow, so they can continue running operations — whether on the occasion of your retirement, an accident, or on your passing. Be sure to include other details such as how many shares each person will have, how much income they may continue receiving, and other eligibility requirements for becoming your successor. Without anything legally binding, the heir to your company might not have the right leverage and knowledge to navigate the agricultural landscape properly, leading to troubled times for your business. For a farm run by a family, succession plans pose an important and much-needed structure to aid in keeping your business running once you have stepped down. It is essential for you to take the right steps and form this plan well-ahead, to ensure that operations continue running smoothly for all the generations to follow.. ========================== J Martin is a freelance writer and researcher. She covers a number of topics, including business, agriculture, and sustainability. She is particularly interested in how family farms operate. When she’s not working on her latest piece, J enjoys tending to her backyard garden at home.

What's the difference between an alpaca and a llama Llama vs Alpaca; are they the same? Both llamas and alpacas are cute, fluffy. and look similar. What makes these animals different? This article will give some insight into their differences, the similarities and this might give you some insight into why they are so popular. Size is a big difference The first difference you might notice between these animals is that alpacas are smaller than llamas. Alpacas are about 2.5-3 ft tall and about 110-190 lbs as an adult. Llamas are much larger coming in at about 5.5-6 ft tall and 290-440 lbs as an adult. Personality and disposition All animals have their own personality but the general disposition of these two breeds is another aspect that separates them. Depending on the way animals are raised they can be more tame or not. Both are herd animals and want to be with other animals. Alpacas may generally be somewhat more tame or friendly but might not like being rushed at or handled roughly. (Does anyone like that?) They like quiet, gentle interactions. Llamas are much more independent generally and stand-offish. For this reason and their size, they are often great companion animals. They can also be used as guardian animals to guard other animals like alpacas. But there are always exceptions to this rule so llamas may also be gentle and friendly. As the breeder or handler about their disposition. What's in a Face While llamas and alpacas are both adorable, you can see a difference between these two species in their faces. Alpacas have smaller, short faces. Llamas on the other hand have a long snout. Those Ears Alpaca ears are short, pointed and stick out slightly to the side. Especially if they are listening to the sounds around them. Llamas ears are long, more rounded on the top and cylindrical. Their ears might be similar to a donkey. Llamas "point" their ears in the direction they're listening, forward or backward. Colors Since alpacas have been bred for their fiber mainly, they are usually all one color. There are about 22 shades of alpacas ranging through the spectrum. Since they have been bred for thousands of years for their fleece it tends to be more uniform or all one color within this large spectrum. Llamas range in coloring from white, grey to reddish brown all the way to black. They may have spots or can be found with more than one coloring in their fleece which sometimes makes it hard to process into a unified skein of yarn. Alpaca vs Llama Fiber If you stop into any yarn shop lately you may find a whole wall of yarn made of alpaca fiber but much less with llama fiber. Alpaca fiber or fleece has been revered for thousands of years, even being called "The fiber of the Gods" by the Incan civilization. Alpacas have very soft, fluffy, warm and lightweight fleece that can be worn right next to the skin. It grows back every year and they need to be shorn before it starts to get hot outside. There are two breeds of alpacas that grow a different types of fiber. Huacaya, pronounced “wah-ki-ya”. They are the more commonly recognized alpaca. They are generally referred to as being fluffy, with some fleece characteristics that could be compared to sheep wool or cashmere. Suri, pronounced “Sir-ee”, is the second type of alpaca. Suri alpacas have a silky type of fleece that hangs from their body in a "lock". For Llamas, their hair grows more slowly and might only need sheering every year or two. They have two types of hair in their coats; a course guard hair and a soft undercoat. The guard hairs are much more course or rough and if not removed make llama fiber rough. Usually fiber that hasn't processed out these hairs is made into rugs and outer clothing, or things that aren't worn next to the skin because it can be itchy and irritating to the skin. Alpaca and Llama breeding and purpose Both alpacas and llamas are referred to as new world camelids. Which is a bit confusing since they have been bred for about 6,000 years. Alpacas have been bred for mainly for their fiber which has been prized for its softness and luster. Llamas were bred for meat and as a pack animal because if it's larger size. Their fiber is used but not as often as it is harder to process. While both animals may have originated in Peru and Bolivia and are part of the Camelid family, Alpacas are thought to have been bred from the wild Vicuna. The llama may have been bred from the wild Guanaco. Wild Vicuna Wild Guanaco Both animals have many differences that make them unique but they may have more things in common. Here are some things that probably led to you thinking they were similar in the first place and some of the other reasons they are so popular. 11 things Alpacas and Llamas have in common They both have soft padded feet which is easy on pasture. They have only bottom teeth in the front which makes them gentle grazers. (They won't rip out grass from the roots, just trim it.) They have adapted to live in high mountains so they don't require a lot of water They do not require a lot of food-only about 4 lbs a day. They are tidy animals and tend to leave a manure pile in one area of a pasture. They don't usually eat trees. They will come if you call them by name Both have an average pregnancy of 11.5 months Both alpaca and llama fiber is low in lanolin. That means it doesn't have the "grease" that sheep wool offers. This makes it easier to process. Both alpacas and llamas have hollow, lightweight fiber which makes it very warm and light weight. They are both herd animals and have evolved to be together in a herd with other animals. Additional information about Alpacas and Llamas Alpaca Resources If you are interested in learning more about alpacas this is a good place to start. This site references books, associations, national conferences, fiber info, and some of the basics of owning alpacas. Here is another resource with other information about getting started with Alpacas. The Alpaca Owners Association has a learning center that you can choose to look into and see if this breed of animal is for you. Llama Resources Here are some additional resources if you are interested in getting llamas. Conclusion Overall, llamas and alpacas are more similar than they are different and that might be why folks often get them confused. But once you know the differences you can always tell the difference. We hope you enjoyed our list and will think about bringing one to your farm too. Here is a link to some insight into Camelid history Here is some more information on the difference between the two species. Take a look at our Farm and Livestock Management Software to help keep track of your Alpaca or Llama herd. Written by our knowledgable staff writers /farmers at Farmbrite.

Celebrating women in the history of farming They are our sisters, mothers, grandmothers, daughters, aunts, neighbors, ancestors, partners, mentors and friends. The women who have added to the beauty and robustness of agriculture are vast and we would like to acknowledge the underrepresentation and put them front and center in the spotlight today. This is by no means an exhaustive list but we have put together a few names of the superstar women who we admire and have helped shape what we know as agriculture today. Anna Baldwin Anna Baldwin was a dairy farmer in New Jersey. She held 5 patents for inventions to improve dairy milking production. One of which was the Hygienic Glove Milker, patented in 1879 and was the first suction milking machine. This invention paved the way for the modern milking machine we use today. Harriet Williams Russell Strong Harriet Williams Russell Strong was an innovator, business woman and conservationist. She worked not only to bring her own farm back from the brink of failure but also to help conserve water through irrigation and damning allowing water irrigation. Helping countless others bring water to otherwise arid land. She was also a lifetime advocate for women's rights and powerful voice in the women's suffrage movement alongside Susan B Anthony. Shown below is one of her 5 patents. Mary Engle Pennington “Ice Woman of the Cold Chain." Despite the many closed doors that Biology showed her as a women scientist she went on to receive her Ph.D and work in the US Department of Agriculture's, Bureau of Chemistry (now known as the Food and Drug Administration). Her groundbreaking work with food storage and education for dairy farmers handling raw milk, poultry and fish spanned 40 years. Her refrigeration methods revolutionized food storage and distribution and reshaped the way we store food safely. Her patents and work were not unnoticed. In 2018 she was indicted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for her Food Preservation & Storage patents. Alice Evans, aka “The Pioneer of Safe Milk" Alice Evans was an American scientist whose pioneering work on milk bacteria led to the understanding of these bacterium present in milk being both an occupational hazard for farmers and food safety concern for the public. Her work revolutionized the safe handling of dairy. At a time with little knowledge of raw milk diseases, she made controversial discoveries about the bacteria present in milk. One of those, Bacillus abortus, is a bacterium that causes spontaneous abortions in animals and constant fluctuating fever in humans. Her work with food safety has saved countless lives. Her trailblazing and often criticized research eventually led to the mandatory pasteurization of milk. She also became the first female president of the American Society for Microbiology. Fannie Lou Hamer A dedicated Civil Right activist and lifetime farmer, she founded the Freedom Farm Cooperative in 1969. The work of this group helped create opportunities for poor black sharecroppers, like the pig bank and other land, housing and voting opportunities. Together the Freedom Farm Cooperative purchased farmland in the Mississippi Delta to build a place to empower poor black farmers and sharecroppers. The Farm grew to more than 640 acres, demonstrating the potential for prosperity and resilience of the Black farming community. Reminding us that providing food to our community is a human rights issue. Despite profound hardships of racism, sexism and classism, she persevered and worked tirelessly for the rights of her farming community and women as a collective. Her work and quotes, still echo today. In 1993 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame posthumously. Barbara McClintock A plant geneticist, biologist and an agricultural scientist. Her graduate findings from Cornell were one of the sparks that began cytogenetics and corn chromosome research but that was just the beginning. She went on to discover radical findings about hybrid plant chromosomes and changes in plant genes called transposition. Although some of these findings were recognized as the most significant research in modern biology they were met with resistance and hostility. Almost two decades later in 1970, another finding in molecular biology was found that proved her earlier findings. 35 years after publishing her work on transposition, she was awarded the Nobel Prize. Dr. Temple Grandin American scientist, author, animal behaviorist and active proponent for autism and neurodiversity. She has overcome her own share of obstacles being autistic herself. She is outspoken about "the need for different kinds of minds" and it has influenced her work with animals. Much of her work is in the care, understanding and the humane treatment of livestock. She has been widely cited from her many books and papers about the need for the humane treatment of animals leading up to the time of slaughter as well as the importance in the manner of care they receive at feed lots. She was one of the first scientists to report that animals are sensitive to distractions and other sources of fear in handling facilities. One of the innovations she designed is a curved conveyer rail system which leads animals in a way that is calm and unforced. She has authored or co-authored 60 peer reviewed scientific papers and other books. Her work continues today, she speaks all over the world and is a professor at a university close to our hearts, CSU. Preserving the history of women in farming There have been many women throughout history that ended up in farming as their profession by both desire and necessity. Some have been unfortunately been forgotten and there is a movement to preserve those memories in history called the Female Farmer Project. The Women in Ag Science has some wonderful posts on their blog about some of the women we've mentioned here. Women Who Revolutionized Agriculture and the World: Part 1 Women Who Revolutionized Agriculture and the World: Part 2 Happy National Women's Month! It's a fact that there are many women throughout history who have worked in agriculture and still do this work. One of our founders, Janine Russell is also a women working in agriculture who is following in the foot steps of her grandmother and great grandmother by working in agriculture. Today (and everyday) we celebrate all of the women who do this work; to grow our food throughout the world and work tirelessly to care for their livestock as well as the many other things that need to get done around the farm. Farmbrite is a farm management software that helps farmers and ranchers track and gain insight into the production of their crops and livestock. Take a look at how they can help you today.

Farming is a physically demanding lifestyle (as you probably know). Every day, they get up before the sun and plug away at a checklist of never-ending chores from milking to feeding, weeding and everything in between. And since most farms are family-owned, there’s a good chance that the rest of the household chips in to share the work. Farm families spend so much time ensuring the health of their livestock that it’s easy to neglect their own needs. But maintaining this lifestyle just isn’t realistic if you’re in a constant state of physical exhaustion and mental strain. So, here are some of our top tips to keep your family healthy! Tip 1: Pack Nutrition into Every Meal As a farmer, you’re constantly monitoring the nutrient intake of your livestock and crops. Do the same for you and your family! Getting enough nutrients from your meals will help you maintain the physical energy and mental stamina you need to make it through those long days on the farm. The calcium found in dairy products, for example, carries out many essential roles throughout the body, supporting bone strength, blood pressure regulation, and muscle movement. While meat and dairy products contain a wealth of beneficial nutrients, plants play an equally important role in supplying our bodies with other essential vitamins and minerals including folate, magnesium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Tip 2: Stay Hydrated All Day Like eating healthy, drinking enough water is crucial for your whole-body health, especially when you work a physically demanding job. New Heights Physical Therapy explains that staying hydrated will give you energy, protect your joints, keep your organs running smoothly, and help you avoid infections. But drinking water isn’t the only way to hydrate. According to Taste of Home, beverages like milk, coconut water, tea, fruit juice, and sports drinks can also be hydrating. Just be mindful of the sugar content! Tip 3: Understand Agricultural Ergonomics How you treat your body at work is just as important as the foods and beverages you use to fuel it. Although farm labor is a great source of exercise, it can also be hard on your back and joints. It’s not uncommon for farm workers to experience back pain, muscle strains, and pain in the hands and shoulders. Following good workplace ergonomics will reduce strain on your body and help you work more efficiently. Learn proper lifting techniques, avoid excessive bending, and invest in ergonomic tools that protect the health of your hands, shoulders, and arms. It’s also a good idea to add some stretches to your daily routine. Tip 4: Take Care of Official Business Although a lot of work certainly goes into running a dairy farm, there’s also a lot of work that takes place behind the scenes. For example, if you’re just starting your own business, make sure you register your business with the state (as an LLC, for example), and remember to draft an operating agreement, which essentially lays out the rules for managing your business (in this case, of course, a dairy farm). This agreement will also explain the roles and responsibilities of those involved with your LLC. If you’re registering as an LLC, save on lawyers’ fees by using a formation service like Zenbusiness. Tip 5: Take Breaks A farmers work is never done, so it’s up to you to take breaks when you need them. It can be hard to step away from work when your to-do list is always growing, but taking regular breaks will keep your body and brain charged up so you can work more efficiently and give your farm the attention it needs. As with the mood-elevating effects that being around animals elicit, breaks will boost your productivity, restore your motivation, and help you stay sharp so you can make the best decisions for your farm. Most importantly taking breaks is important for maintaining relationships with your loved ones. You sacrifice a lot to provide for your family, so make sure you reap the rewards of your labor. Your work isn’t going anywhere! Making healthy choices in your daily life isn’t the only way to combat stress and physical exhaustion on the job. Adopting advancements in dairy farming technology can help you save a lot of time and get more done with less work or using farm management software like Farmbrite to keep you organized. You can't get things done if you're not at 100%. By doing small things to restore and keep up your energy and mental health, you will stay focused on the job you need to do which helps you go faster overall. This article was written by, Gloria Martinez who loves sharing her business expertise and hopes to inspire other women to start their own businesses and seek promotions in the workplace. She created WomenLed.org to spotlight and celebrate women’s achievements.

Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges today, and the way we grow food is often part of the problem. But, while most sustainable farming techniques focus only on minimizing harm, one methodology goes further by leaving the land in better shape after each growing season. This farming philosophy, known as regenerative agriculture, offers real hope for a more sustainable future. It’s easier than you think to implement regenerative farming strategies into your own operation. Here’s what you need to know to get started. What is Regenerative Agriculture? The regenerative farming movement got its start in the 1980s when organic agriculture experts at the Rodale Institute coined the term to refer to holistic farming practices that prioritize building healthy soil. The four basic principles of regenerative agriculture include the following: Promote a biodiversity of plants and animals Decrease tilling (or eliminate it entirely) Reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and other external inputs Graze livestock according to regenerative management standards At its core, this agricultural approach views soil health as the foundation of a thriving planet. Regenerative farm techniques offer many ecosystem benefits, including promoting biodiversity, improving the water cycle, and sequestering carbon to combat climate change. Five Ways to Incorporate Regenerative Principles on Your Property No matter what scale you operate on, there are ways to follow regenerative agriculture principles on your property. Here are five ideas for inspiration. 1. Prioritize Crop Diversity Biodiversity is a primary principle of regenerative farming. Fields that support a variety of crops better mimic the growing conditions in the natural world and develop healthier soil biomes because of it. Consider skipping the conventional monoculture planting strategy and instead incorporate multiple species into each garden bed through intercropping, companion planting, and seasonal crop rotation. Ideally, you want a mix of perennial and annual crops growing together at different root depths. 2. Integrate Livestock Into Cropland Modern farming sees plants and animals as two separate categories of food production—regenerative agriculture works to bring them back together. This better mimics the natural world and the mutually beneficial relationships that exist between them. Best of all, bringing animals and cropland together eliminates many of the problems associated with both by optimizing nutrient cycling between them. Manure is a primary source of pollution with conventional livestock operations, but it provides in-field fertility in a regenerative farming system. Consider putting sheep or goats out to pasture after taking in your hay harvest or to graze on your cover crops when it’s time to till them in. Not only will these herd animals produce natural fertilizer to the fields, but their grazing can stimulate the plants to grow faster. 3. Create a Conservation Buffer Natural habitat space is shrinking worldwide at alarming rates. Make your property part of the solution with a conservation buffer. These small strips of land are strategically placed throughout rural properties to act as a barrier between fields and natural spaces. Conservation buffers work to slow down erosion and stop the spread of nutrients and chemical runoff from the farm to surrounding ecosystems. You can plant these strips with native plants to create habitat space for beneficial species, and you’ll promote biodiversity both in the soil and above it for healthier land in the long run. 4. Experiment with Silvopasture Go one step further with livestock on your property by incorporating them into a silvopasture management system. This is the process of keeping grazing animals within a managed woodlot or orchard for the benefit of both. Farmers get the benefit of managing a profitable tree operation, and the animals enjoy the shade, wind protection, and diversified diet that natural foraging allows them. Over the long run, a well-managed silvopasture builds up soil and reduces energy and expense for feeding your livestock. Continual grazing also keeps brushy growth down so the woods stay more pleasant for people to walk in. On my own property, I frequently graze my American Guinea hogs under apple and nut trees. This heritage pig breed thrives on pasture and makes quick work of any windfalls from the orchard. Others create silvopasture by planting perennial ryegrass within their woods to support a herd of goats. 5. Build Soil with Biochar Wildfires are a natural ecological process, and you can reap the rewards for soil health on your property by making and using biochar. This natural soil amendment has been used for thousands of years in the Amazon. It can enhance crop yields, enrich the soil, and improve water retention by increasing the ground’s carbon content and creating habitat space for beneficial microorganisms. Make your own through a controlled burn of woody brush. Pile up woody debris in a shallow pit or burn barrel, and let it burn uninhibited until the smoke thins. Toss soil on top to restrict the air supply and make the pile smolder. Let things burn down until the wood is thoroughly charred before wetting the wood to put out the fire. Once cooled, break up the large pieces until the char fits through a garden soil sieve. You’ll need to “charge” the biochar before spreading it in your fields to ensure it absorbs nutrients and beneficial microorganisms. Strategies vary, but one method is to mix it 50:50 with grass clippings before covering and leaving it undisturbed for at least three months. Experiment with Regenerative Farming Today A farming business is only as strong as the foundation it’s built on. Look for ways to incorporate regenerative farming principles into your property management plan, and you’ll reap the rewards of healthier soil. There are other ways to optimize your farm operation. Here at Farmbrite, we offer software designed to help you manage your entire agriculture business. This comprehensive management system will improve farm performance and sustainability, highlight inefficiencies to reduce wasted time and resources, and help you increase production and sales for better success in the long run. Additional regenerative farming resources: Kiss The Ground Rodale Institute Savory Institute Soil Health Academy Regeneration International Author Bio: Lydia Noyes is a freelance writer and hobby farmer in West Michigan. She writes about food, farming, health, and wellness topics related to the planet and people within it. When not tied to her computer, you’ll find Lydia weeding, reading, or chasing after her ever-growing flock of chickens. Curious about what Farmbrite can do for you? Schedule a free 30-minute demo to see how it can help integrate regenerative practices into your farm operation.

When starting a livestock breeding program, the essential step is setting clear goals that you’re breeding for — and then stick to them! Many farmers develop and maintain an on-farm herd (or flock) of animals specifically adapted to thrive on their farm with the qualities they value. That may be a herd of beef cattle that finish well on just grass, no grain needed. Hardy sheep that don’t need to be wormed. Or a flock of turkeys that thrive on pasture production. Other farmers may be breeding specifically to produce pedigreed animals meeting breed standards, show stock or even healthy, superior-quality breeding animals that sell for a premium. Either way, setting clear goals for your breeding program and following standard livestock breeding best practices will take you a long way to your perfect herd (or flock)! 1) Start with the Best Animals You Can Afford Always start your herd with the best-quality animals you can afford to buy. Many new livestock farmers make the mistake of starting with cheap (or even free) animals, thinking it is a quick way to start their breeding program. Those animals set you up for failure more often than not —poor vigor, critical conformation faults or high susceptibility to pest and disease. If nothing else, you’ll spend many years trying to breed “away” from the problems you started with. Look for high-quality, vigorous animals and make sure to vet carefully anybody you’re buy breeding stock from. Ask to see parents (or the whole herd). If you are purchasing a pedigreed animal, make sure you see (and can take) the pedigree with you, there are many scams amongst so-called “purebred” animals. One option for starting a herd on a tight budget is purchasing older male animals. This is a common practice in beef cattle. Ranchers will typically switch out their herd bulls after several years to keep their genetics from getting in-bred. This gives you an older — but proven — animal to add to your herd at an affordable price with several years left to contribute to your gene pool. If you can only afford one really good quality animal to start with, make sure it is a male. Your male will have the most significant impact (to start) on your breeding program. 2) Livestock Breeding Selection — Keep the Best, Eat the Rest Another tried and true “best practices” standard for breeding is to “cull, cull and cull again.” This can be one of the most challenging, even emotional, concepts to enforce in a breeding program. It can be hard to choose if you have an animal you bred and like for some reasons but not others. Or, when you have better young stock than your older stock, it’s time to let the older animals go. Another way to think about it is your herd is only as good as the worst animal in it. Rigorously culling out the animals with unwanted traits is the fastest way to reaching your breeding goals. If your ultimate plan is to develop a program to sell your extra livestock as breeding quality, make sure to only sell as breeding stock animals that you would have kept yourself (but don’t have room for). Selling your ‘culls’ as breeding quality is a quick way to garner a poor reputation amongst livestock breeders. 3) Classic Livestock Breeding Tools – Outcrossing, Inbreeding and Line Breeding Outcrossing is breeding together two unrelated animals. Outcrossing results in a wide variability of genetics but may not include the traits you are looking to develop. Linebreeding and inbreeding are techniques breeders use to “lock-in” desirable traits within a herd. The difference between the two is the degree of separation between the animals. Inbreeding means mating father to daughter, mother to son or brother to sister. It can risk developing genetic diseases, but most livestock can be successfully inbred for several generations without risk. Linebreeding is highly strategized inbreeding, breeding close relatives (like half-brother to half-sister) also to lock in desirable traits. Especially if you had good genetic diversity, to begin with, most livestock can be line bred for many generations before any specific ‘inbreeding’ genetic issues pop up. One thing to remember with inbreeding and linebreeding is again to cull heavily. You can expect to see more distinct undesirable along with desirable traits. Most livestock breeders follow a specific plan of inbreeding and line-breeding followed by strategic outcrosses for genetic diversity. 4) Utilize High-Tech Breeding Tools (If You Can Afford Them) Over the last few decades, high-tech breeding tools have been developed to quickly help breeders reproduce superior genetic animals. Or can identify key genetic traits even before breeding. In-vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET) are two techniques used primarily in cattle and sometimes in other livestock. IVF involves harvesting unfertilized eggs directly from the animals, fertilizing and incubating them then implanting them in donor females. ET uses hormones to stimulate the selected female to produce many more eggs than normal in their cycle. The animal is bred, then those embryos are “flushed” from the donor’s uterus and transferred to a new donor (or frozen to use later). Another more recent tool is genomics. Scientists are rapidly “mapping” the DNA of different species (sheep was one of the most recent), and with that comes the ability to identify genetic markers for specific traits. This can be especially useful for early prediction amongst young stock for desirable (and undesirable) traits like, for instance, longevity or reproductive ability. Genetic testing has been chiefly used in cattle production. A final ‘high-tech’ tool that breeders are starting to use is cloning. Although the jury is still out on how “exact” cloning can be when replicating a superior animal. But, there is no doubt that cloning does preserve that animal’s genetics which means they can be passed on more rapidly or in more significant numbers. All the high-tech breeding tools can be expensive and are typically only used by breeders with an investment into reproducing genetically superior stock for sale. Farmers looking to create a healthy and reliable “farmstock” herd usually stick to the first three tried and true breeding best practices. Georgie Smith, known in her community as “Farmer Georgie,” is a fourth-generation farmer and journalist living on her family’s historic farm on a Pacific Northwest island. She ran her own small farm for more than 20 years. These days, when she’s not herding chickens, fixing the antique tractor (again) or growing heirloom dry beans, Georgie writes about farming. Georgie is passionate about supporting healthy, equitable and sustainable food production and thriving family farms. www.farmergeorgiewrites.com Here at Farmbrite we hope you found this information helpful for your livestock program. And happy breeding! Do you have any particular breeding successes you’re proud of and would like to share? Send us an email!

Harvest is the reward for months of hard work. But all that hard work can be wasted if a farmer doesn't have a customized harvest plan to maximize the quality and marketability of their produce. Direct-market farmers need to develop a "best practices" harvest plan for each crop and then use that information to develop a plan for the entire farm on harvest day. When working on your harvest plans, keep in mind these six harvest tips. Harvest Market Crops at the Right Size to Sell Some crops, such as radishes or English shelling peas, become over-mature and inedible if they are allowed to get too big and go past their harvest peak. On the other hand, some crops only reach peak flavor when they are mature – such as sugar snap peas. Other crops can capture more market value (and sell much faster) if they are picked when they are small versus big. Think zucchini! Uniformity of size is also essential if you are selling wholesale to chefs or grocery stores. For example, a chef doesn't want a bunch of salad turnips with one giant turnip and four tiny turnips. Instead, they need the turnips sized uniformly. Pick Vegetables and Fruits at the Right Time of Day In the height of the summer, the best time of the day for harvest for crops (and humans) is early, before it's too hot. But, for a busy market farmer with many diverse crops to harvest, knowing which absolutely must be picked while it's cooler outside versus those that can tolerate warmer harvest times is essential for organizing an efficient harvest day. Anything "green" (salad greens or braising greens like kale) should be picked during the coolest part of the day and immediately removed from the field. Root vegetables, like potatoes and carrots, tolerate a hot picking day as long as they aren't left in the field too long. Some 'fruiting vegetables' like tomatoes or cucumbers (and melons and cantaloupes) are best picked when it is still early and relatively cool, but after the morning dew has burned off. Heading brassicas, like broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, can be picked in the evening when temperatures go down, as long as you immediately remove the day's field heat (more about that below). Taking the Field Heat Out of Harvested Crops The next step to maximize your harvested crops' quality and storability is removing the "field heat" from the crop. Removing field heat is a critical step for vegetables that are already prone to wilting in hot weather (like salad greens or braising greens) and can also extend root crops' storage life such as carrots. Produce should be cooled before being sent to the cooler. Otherwise, it takes too long for the cool air to bring the temperature of the crop down, plus it makes the cooling unit work that much harder! Many farmers remove the field heat as part of the washing process, dumping a bin of freshly cut salad mix into a tank of cool wash water. Or, they spray off bunched crops to keep them humid, cool and get them clean at the same time. On scorching days, consider ice in the dunk tank or pouring ice on top of a bin of harvest, such as broccoli or head lettuce, put into a cooler (some farms invest in an ice machine for this purpose specifically!) Handle Your Crop Gently and as Little as Possible "Soft hands" are essential for your harvest team to develop. Overzealous rough handling can bruise tender crops, damaging leaves and making them go bad in storage. Set up picking procedures for each crop. The harvest crew should always follow the same methods, employing the least amount of handling possible, whether that's how they stack the zucchini in the field bin or using a mesh bag to dunk salad greens into a washtub. Setting up methods to handle your crops as little as possible has an added benefit – it saves labor time. Select the Right Package or Storage Container for Your Crop It is essential to think about what to store your crops in after they are harvested. Some items may be packaged directly into market retail units — such as individual bags of salad greens. But, if storing in bulk, salad greens should be kept in plastic bags to keep humidity up. Likewise, root crops, especially if harvested in bulk for later sales, are best kept in open slatted bins, typically unwashed, to prevent mold and mildew. Also, consider space. Good storage bins which can stack, properly filled, maximize cooler space. Store Your Harvest at the Right Temperature and Humidity A big challenge for storing vegetables and fruits for market farmers with many crops is that the perfect temperature (and humidity) can vary markedly from one crop to another. A 36-degree cooler might be perfect for broccoli but too chilly for head lettuce. Some crops do best at room temperatures, like cured onions and garlic, winter squash and tomatoes. Most small farmers with a diverse crop mix should plan to have at least a cold storage room and warm (room temperature) storage. Consider more than one cooler. They can be set at slightly different temperatures and humidity levels and filled with appropriate crops. You've Perfected Your Market Crop Harvest — But You're Not Done Yet! A well-thought-out harvest plan is a big part of a successful farm. But you're not entirely done yet! Make sure to be aware of food safety hazards and follow all food safety rules. Consider how you will transport your crop to market (or for deliveries). Do you have a refrigerated vehicle (or something you can adapt into a refrigerated vehicle?). And then, of course, there is your marketing plan for selling all those beautiful vegetables and fruits! There's a lot to think about for a successful farm business. But, hopefully, with these tips you'll be well on your way to a profitable harvest! For more details on harvest procedures, including a crop-type breakdown, check out this great "Harvesting Crops for Market" guide produced by Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education. Georgie Smith, known in her community as “Farmer Georgie,” is a fourth-generation farmer and journalist living on her family’s historic farm on a Pacific Northwest island. She ran her own small farm for more than 20 years. These days, when she’s not herding chickens, fixing the antique tractor (again) or growing heirloom dry beans, Georgie writes about farming. Georgie is passionate about supporting healthy, equitable and sustainable food production and thriving family farms. www.farmergeorgiewrites.com Farmbrite helps you know keep track of your harvest. Give it a try today.

It's official, you're ready to add goats to your farm and you're in the market for the best goat breed for your operation. Now comes the fun part! Which goat breed you decide to bring home depends on a variety of factors. But, in most cases, your decision will be guided by one of these primary goat uses: Goats for Milk Goats for Meat Goats for Fiber And Goats for Fun! Of course, some of these goat breeds can be multipurpose. So let's get down to the nuts and bolts of the best goat breeds for your purpose! How to Choose the Right Goat Breed Selecting the right goat breed depends on what you'd like to do with your goats. With that being said, you'll also want to ask yourself these questions: Do you have time to groom a goat? Fiber goats must be shorn and also may need to be groomed regularly, for example. Do you have time to milk your goats every day? If you're thinking about adding dairy goats, will you have time to milk them twice a day? Will you need a buck? If you want kids or goat milk, you'll need to breed your does to a buck. Do you have enough space? Some goats are larger than others (the Boer Goat is a bigger breed than the Nigerian Dwarf, for example). So, how much space you have might dictate which breed you choose. Always keep in mind that you'll need at least two goats to keep each other company. Do you have neighbors that don't like a lot of noise? Because some breeds tend to be more vocal than others. These are all things to keep in mind as you decide which breed of goat is the best for you. Best Goat Breeds for Milk We’ll start off by just putting this out there: there's no single goat breed that's better than the other. But, if you want a goat that is production-friendly and can provide the most milk to your family or farm operation, then look no further than the following breeds of milk goats. Alpine Saanen LaMancha Nigerian Dwarf Oberhasli Toggenburg Any of these breeds will provide you with plenty of milk but the Nigerian Dwarf is often used in smaller homesteading operations. This little goat produces high butterfat milk (and quite a bit of it for being so small). The larger goats on this list are utilized in some of the larger commercial dairy operations due to their ability to yield a lot more milk than other breeds. Best Goat Breeds for Meat If you're looking to start a meat goat operation, you'll find that the sale prices for the Boer Goat are usually among the most desirable. With that being said, the Kinder Goat is another up-and-coming breed that offers the best of both worlds; milk and meat production on a smaller scale. Many meat goat farmers choose to crossbreed their meat goats to find a mix of high-yield and parasite resistance in their herds. The following are some of the more popular meat goat breeds. Boer Goat Kinder Goat Kiko Goat It's often said that the Boer Goat is the broiler chicken of the goat world because they grow very fast and are a hefty breed. The Kiko is also quite popular due to its ability to fight off parasites without having to deworm often. Lastly, the Kinder goat is the best of both worlds (and then some) because it’s a hearty little goat with a great carcass and also a decent milker! Those with smaller acreage might enjoy this little goat's many gifts. Best Breeds of Fiber Goats When it comes to the best goat breeds for fiber, the options are a bit more limited than milk and meat goat options. Two goat breeds stand out as the best fiber breeds, and they are the Angora goat and the Cashmere Goat. With that being said, some of the best goat breeds for fiber are often hybrids of these two breeds. The Nigora, for example, is a cross between an Angora and a Nigerian Dwarf goat and the Pygora is a cross between the Angora and the Pygmy goat. The Pygora and the Nigora are both hybrids of the angora and are often used as a part of fiber production. Best Breeds for Pets Some of the best breeds of goats for pets aren't even breeds, they're often crosses! With that being said, some goat breeds are said to be more friendly than others. When it comes down to it, each breed can produce extremely friendly goats. Plus, if you put the time in, you can make a pet goat out of most breeds. For the purpose of this article, though, we're giving you a list of good pet goods with a purpose so you can reap the benefits of both companion goat and production goat. 1. Nigerian Dwarf - Best small goat that’s also a good milker 2. LaMancha - Best milk goat that doubles as a super friendly pet 3. Boer Goat- Friendliest meat goat 4. Kinder Goat - The triple threat pet goat (meat, milk, companionship) 5. Angora Goat - Fiber goats that make good pets When it comes down to it, there’s really no best goat (and most breeds can be made into pet goats) but some goats certainly specialize in certain areas. So, if you’re looking to get goats for a certain purpose, that’s probably where you’ll want to start. And once you’ve brought your goats home, be sure to track all your goat herd health, breeding, treatment, and production information to keep them happy, healthy, and producing! Amanda Pieper is an accomplished agricultural writer who owns and operates a small goat farm in Wisconsin. Amanda is laser-focused on raising healthy goats and pasture-raised poultry.