Jul 30
With the limited availability of non-GMO verified feed, high prices of quality and the difficulty of producing consistent forage throughout the winter, David and Ginger Shields of Pastured Life Farm knew it was time to start looking for a better feed option. Read more
Oct 15
It seems like fall is flying by me this year. Last I recall, it was September and I was gearing up for a month of trade shows and traveling through the glorious autumn weather to enjoy what other folks experience (outside of New England). Growing up in Maine and living in Connecticut now, fall has always been a favorite of mine. The leaves are changing, I can order hot coffee instead of iced, scarves and coats come out of the closet and I can enjoy an afternoon outside without feeling like I’m melting. It’s that homey time of year when you move from the outdoor fire pit and BBQ to the inside fire place with warm apple cider—yum!
As some of our avid readers already know, it is my favorite time of year—FALL! This means finishing up hay crops, chopping corn and traveling to livestock shows. In the dairy industry, the Super Bowl of dairy shows is World Dairy Expo. Expo is a place where the industry comes together to celebrate its finest members, as well as look to the future, by displaying the best of the best in newest innovations and products.
If there is one thing all year that I get excited about, it’s the county fair. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of representing FarmTek’s Fodder Trailer at the Hebron Harvest Fair. There are so many things that I love about the fair—the rides, games, fried dough, tractor pulls and horse shows. So naturally, when I was asked to go and exhibit our fodder trailer, I jumped at the chance! Saturday and Sunday where perfect days for the fair— a bit cool in the morning and in the afternoon it warmed up and was very sunny.
Like many farmers across the nation, Albert Pereira of Pereira Pastures Dairy knows what it’s like to deal with drought and dwindling pastureland for his dairy herd. As the only “Licensed Raw for Retail” dairy farm in West Texas, Pereira raises Jersey cows, which are known for their high-protein and high-quality milk yield. However, when drought conditions were destroying Pereira’s grazing pastures, he knew it was time to start looking for new feed solutions.
It was warm last night—muggy with that thick summer haze hanging in the air. This morning, I awoke to a chill about my kitchen, forcing me to close the windows as I made my coffee. It’s certainly that time of year and, while we all hate to admit it, summer is winding down and fall is simply a sunset away.
With summer pastures dwindling and first frosts fast approaching, this is the perfect time of year to start exploring a means of maintaining that green aspect in your animals’ diets. Being browsers and grazers by nature, domesticated livestock flourish on a fresh diet and thus, can maintain production levels throughout the winter if they still get the greens they need. With the lack of pasture in winter months, animals are essentially eating to survive and whatever energy is left can go to production and quality of life. Imagine taking that maintenance period out of the equation and allowing your animals to thrive year round. It’s no wonder our customers consider adding fodder to their operation to achieve a significant competitive advantage.
There is still time to get a system on order before the last of the green grass is gone, in most of the country. If you give us a call today or shoot us a quick email, we will be able to help you choose the system that best fits your needs and get it shipped before winter hits. Go ahead and contact me directly at atobey@FarmTek.com. Your animals will truly thank you for providing them with fresh, green grass when they are used to boring old hay and grain. Still not sold? Keep reading!
FarmTek is hitting the road!
While they say a picture is worth a thousand words (and our catalogs and websites are jammed full of them), we are FarmTek fully recognize that seeing is believing. This especially holds true when something is such a drastic change from the norm. As fodder has been deemed the new generation of farming here in the US, we want to make you a believer, too. Are you curious to learn more about fodder and the Fodder-Pro Feed Systems by FarmTek? Come find us in the next few weeks at any of the following trade shows!
September 17-19, 2013 in London, OH
The Farm Science Review attracts upwards of 140,000 visitors from all over the United States and Canada. Attendees come for three days to peruse 4,000 product lines from 600 commercial exhibitors, and learn the latest in agricultural production. The educational programs feature Ohio State and Purdue specialists and are second to none in the agricultural exhibition world. Make sure to stop by FarmTek’s booth #22 in tent 8 to see our mini hydroponic fodder system in action. Fodder production is tailored to decreasing feed costs, while improving animal health. You’ll have the opportunity to speak with one of our highly trained fodder specialists in person!
September 27-29, 2013 in West Allis, WI
Our Mobile Fodder Trailer will be there!
World Beef Expo is excited to announce the Ag Products Pavilion will be the new venue for their trade show, education seminars and appreciation dinner. With over 31,000 square feet available, this building will accommodate future trade show growth. The pavilion will also provide attendees an opportunity to visit and learn from livestock enthusiasts throughout the country. Make sure to stop by FarmTek’s booth to see our hydroponic fodder trailer in action. Fodder production is tailored to decreasing feed costs, while improving animal health. You’ll have the opportunity to speak with one of our highly trained fodder specialists in person!
October 1-5, 2013 in Madison, WI
Our Mobile Fodder Trailer will be there!
World Dairy Expo is the international dairy meeting place, a five-day event showcasing the finest in dairy genetics and the newest technologies available to the dairy industry. For the first time, FarmTek will have two presences at the show! We will be located in the Arena Building at booth #486 where you can be sure to talk to us about our dairy products, custom curtain systems and dairy housing. But the main event is in our outdoor Trade Mall lot #709 where we’ll be showing off our brand-new mobile marketing unit that grows live hydroponic livestock feed! We plan on featuring our state-of-the-art Fodder-Pro Feed Systems and you can learn how to provide your herd with nutrient-rich, fresh fodder daily! World Dairy Expo is an event you won’t want to miss.
Where do you want to see us exhibit in the future? We are always open to new trade show ideas!
Today’s Fodder Tales is brought to you by Keith Marzi, one of our top fodder sales representatives. Enjoy!
Tale 1: Penn State’s Ag Progress – August 13-15, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA
Pennsylvania may be one of the nicest states to drive through. Everywhere you look for miles and miles is beautiful. Ken and I hit the open road together for this trip. Many of you may already know Ken. If you ever went on our website and clicked Live Help to chat with a representative, there is a good chance you talked to him! Ken was not only a ton of help on the road and at the show, but also is a great photographer. No photo credits to me!
Alpaca have quickly become a popular choice for those interested in raising livestock that can produce a high-quality and highly desired product. Raised primarily for their fiber, also called fleece, alpaca is one of the best and most desired fibers because of its light-weight, but extremely warm and durable qualities. Alpaca fleece is popular among those who do not like wool, because an alpaca’s fiber is much softer and can be less “itchy” than wool.
Jul 25
Mary Hurley lives on the farm she grew up on with her husband, Wayne. She is the third generation to live on the farm, and moved back to help her dad and brother. Mary and Wayne recently bought their first milk cow and soon realized that feed costs were rising out of control.
Jul 18
My most recent venture out of the office was a first for me. How is that possible you ask? Well, this trade show, I got to take a back seat and see how it all works.
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