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Improving Cattle Production Efficiency and Health Through Breeding and Probiotics

Posted on by Sean McGovern

Calf digestive issues can be a substantial hindrance to livestock health and productivity in the U.S dairy and beef industries. SARE-funded research conducted by Peixin Fan may provide insights on microbiome-guided strategies that offer beef and dairy farmers new options for improving livestock resilience and profitability.

Fan, then a PhD student at the University of Florida, examined a multi-breed Angus-Brahman beef cattle herd to better understand how the microbiomes of calves, influenced by genetic composition and diet, could reduce calf susceptibility to digestion concerns. With support from a Southern SARE Graduate Student grant, Fan studied the relationship between calf microbiomes and health, focusing on identifying beneficial bacteria that could combat harmful pathogens.

The results were promising and confirmed earlier findings that cattle with a higher Brahman genetic composition are more resistant to parasite diseases. The study also isolated bacteria strains associated with combatting diarrhea pathogens. By manipulating calf microbiomes through diet and strategic interbreeding, farmers may be able to reduce the incidence of loose stool with less reliance on costly antibiotics or other treatments.

A recent post-project evaluation of SARE projects awarded between 2016–2019 found that SARE’s unique support for graduate student research that helps farmers solve problems was key to the project’s success.

“Our intention with what we're calling a microbiome guided strategy is to use our research findings to enhance calves’ microbiomes by suggesting to farmers how they can breed and manipulate the animal diet to boost their economic outcomes,” said Fan.

Fan’s work was made possible with the support of her PhD advisor Kwang Cheol Jeong (University of Florida), Mauricio Elzo (University of Florida), and Miju Kim (Kyung Hee University).

Visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts-GS19-206 for more information on this project's impact.

Developing Efficient Probiotics for Microbiota of Diarrhea-Resistant Livestock is part of a series produced by Insight for Action as part of a post-project evaluation of SARE's regional grant programs. For more information visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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Farmers and Ranchers Are at the Core of SARE’s Research Investments

Posted on by Sean McGovern

SARE has been around for nearly 40 years. The impacts that our grant and outreach programs have had on the sustainability of U.S. agriculture are because of one simple thing: Farmers and ranchers are at the center of everything we do.

SARE provides grants directly to producers, which mitigates the financial risk of testing new ideas for making their operations more profitable, productive and sustainable. And all of SARE’s grant programs require producer engagement throughout their project activities. 

“SARE is a funding source for producers,” says SARE grant recipient Emily Cornell of Sol Ranch in Wagon Mound, N.M. “It’s designed for producers, and I think that’s really important.”

Now, SARE’s 2025/2026 Report from the Field highlights 12 innovative projects led by producers to help make their operations more profitable, productive and sustainable. A few examples include:

Download or order your free print copy of 2025/2026 Report from the Field at https://sare.org/report or by calling (301) 779–1007. 2025/2026 Report from the Field is available in quantity for free to educators for use in educational workshops, classes or tours.

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Ancestral Mexica Farming: A Comparative Yield Analysis

Posted on by Sean McGovern

In north central Kansas, farmers lack a selection of high-quality, nutrient-dense varieties of flour seed corn that meet the needs of local markets. When more nutritious ancestral seed varieties are available, it’s important to understand how to use modern production practices to improve their yield and production efficiency.

In response, Pantaleon Florez III of Maseualkualli Farms in Lawrence, Kan., compared traditional methods with no-till production practices using three types of heritage corn varieties. With support from a North Central SARE Farmer/Rancher grant, Florez found that the traditional method of hilling stabilized the plants in turbulent weather and improved yield in two of the three varieties. As an added bonus, promotion of these project results also improved visibility and market opportunities for the farm with the local community.

As a result, the project improved the economic sustainability and production efficiency of farmers who seek to make more informed choices about seed selection and production practices to meet the needs of local markets.

A recent post-project evaluation of SARE projects awarded between 2016–2019 found that community-based partnerships were key to the project’s success.

“SARE guides you in the direction of building partnerships; you need more than just yourself,” says Florez. “The SARE grant process helps you figure out those partnerships and how everything is connected.”

Visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts-FNC19-1161 for more information on this project's impact.

Ancestral Mexica Farming: A Comparative Yield Analysis from the 1500s is part of a series produced by Insight for Action as part of a post-project evaluation of SARE's regional grant programs. For more information visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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Sustainable Farm Law 101 for Farmers

Posted on by Sean McGovern

Farmers and agricultural educators require a solid understanding of the law to understand producers’ rights and responsibilities while managing risks. Farm Commons, a nonprofit based in Minnesota, helps producers build resilient agricultural businesses by training both them and educators in sustainable farm law. With the support of Professional Development Program (PDP) grants from SARE, Farm Commons has expanded legal education initiatives across the United States, helping agricultural communities gain access to critical knowledge.

Rachel Armstrong, executive director and founder of Farm Commons, has developed a training model that empowers agricultural educators to guide farmers through legal challenges common in their region. Armstrong’s project, piloted in SARE’s North Central region, laid the foundation for nationwide training adapted to the unique conditions in different agricultural landscapes, from the urbanized Northeast to the geographically varied Western region.

This initiative also improved the legal support capacity of Farm Service Agency staff, Extension educators and nonprofit farm advocates through in-person workshops and online modules. Within months, most participants reported increased confidence in assisting farmers with legal concerns, leading to adoption of best practices in risk management. 

This research increased economic and social sustainability among producers by enhancing their legal awareness and preparedness. The organization continues to refine its training models, ensuring agricultural communities are equipped to navigate legal challenges effectively.

“Agricultural educators also serve a really powerful role in helping to spot issues, identify what issues are really important, which are right for education, and which demand an attorney ASAP to help recognize what the farmer is trying to do and support them,” says Armstrong. “We are seeing our agricultural professionals be better able to spot legal issues and help route that farmer to a solution, particularly in the area of employment law.”

Visit https://www.sare.org//sare-impacts-ENC18-164 for more information on this project's impact.

Sustainable Farm Law 101 for Agriculture Professionals and Educators is part of a series produced by Insight for Action as part of a post-project evaluation of SARE's regional grant programs. For more information visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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New Video: Learn And Adapt As You Go 

Posted on by Sean McGovern

Heather and Alby Brandon know that raising nearly 20 acres of mixed fruit and vegetable crops requires constant experimentation and evolution. On their family farm in West Kingston, R.I., the Brandons have learned to adapt year after year to grow their business successfully.

Over time, they’ve found that starting small and scaling up carefully helps them manage risk and respond to what works best in their fields. “It’s just trial and error. You have to try different things,” says Heather. “It’s an ongoing process,” adds Alby. “Every year feels easier. We get more done, it feels like we’re more on top of the weeds, the harvests, and everything else.”

Every year brings something new – changing weather, evolving pests, and other unexpected challenges. That’s why the Brandons value connecting with other nearby farmers and working together to share equipment and production strategies. 

They advise younger farmers to work with more experienced growers to learn the ins and outs of the business, because taking advice from other farmers is much more efficient than figuring everything out on your own. “I think it’s very important that you work…at least five to 10 years with a much more experienced grower,” says Alby. 

This video is one in a series produced by SARE titled Practical Tips for Beginning Farmers. Based on their own experiences when starting out, farmers from across the country share advice about common challenges facing beginning farmers in today's agriculture. To view the entire series, visit www.sare.org/resources/practical-tips-for-beginning-farmers/.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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New SARE Video: Build Strong Networks 

Posted on by Sean McGovern

At HKJ Ranch in Cobbtown, Ga., fourth-generation cattle farmer Handy Kennedy knows firsthand how critical it is to reach out for support, especially in today’s complex and rapidly changing agricultural landscape.

“If I had one piece of advice for beginning farmers it would be, do not try to go at this alone,” says Kennedy.

Facing the challenge of raising lower-risk, value-added cattle, Kennedy turned to Fort Valley State University Extension and University of Georgia Extension. With help from their livestock specialists, Kennedy developed a stronger herd using better forage, genetic, and risk management strategies—allowing his ranch to demand more from its cattle and stay competitive.

Kennedy also sought guidance from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the USDA Farm Service Agency. “There is help out there and you must tap into that help,” he says. “That is the only way you can stay sustainable and comfortable in today’s agriculture world.”

HKJ Ranch now pays it forward by mentoring beginning farmers, helping them create business plans and refine marketing strategies to turn their visions into demand-driven, profitable operations. 

This video is one in a series produced by SARE titled Practical Tips for Beginning Farmers. Based on their own experiences when starting out, farmers from across the country share advice about common challenges facing beginning farmers in today's agriculture. To view the entire series, visit www.sare.org/resources/practical-tips-for-beginning-farmers/.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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Biofumigants for Sustainable Soilborne Disease Management in Nursery Production

Posted on by Sean McGovern

In Tennessee, innovative research into biofumigant cover cropping practices has provided nursery producers with new options for managing diseases while reducing workers’ exposure to chemicals.

Fulya Baysal-Gurel of Tennessee State University (TSU) led the study at the Otis Floyd Nursery Research Center, working in partnership with nursery producers and graduate students. With support from a Southern SARE Partnership Grant, the project investigated the efficacy of using brassica cover crops as a biofumigant to suppress Phytophthora root and crown rot in boxwood production. The team conducted research both in controlled university settings and in on-farm trials, where the biofumigation practice successfully reduced disease severity in treated plots compared to untreated areas.

“We conducted on-farm trials in two nursery growers’ fields where they had the problem in their production. We inserted this rotation program into 10-acre areas, and at the end of our study, we were able to suppress soilborne disease severity by over 50% on the treated plots compared to non-use areas,” said Baysal-Gurel.

TSU’s outreach efforts extended the results to nursery industry associations, peer-reviewed publications, and sustainable agriculture conferences. These engagements strengthened networks between researchers and producers, fostering further collaboration on sustainability initiatives.

The project demonstrated great promise for having major impacts on environmental, economic and social sustainability. Adoption of biofumigant cover cropping by Tennessee nursery growers has the potential to reduce their reliance on chemical fungicides and improve soil health, but additional research is needed first.

“We are seeing the impact on the disease severity, but many questions come with that,” said Baysal-Gurel. “Growers see the efficacy but are questioning me about the economic cost and compatibility with their production practices.”

Visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts-OS18-112 for more information on this project's impact.

For more information, see “Biofumigation: Opportunities and Challenges for Control of Soilborne Diseases in Nursery Production.”

Biofumigants for Sustainable Soil-borne Disease Management in Nursery Production is part of a series produced by Insight for Action as part of a post-project evaluation of SARE's regional grant programs. For more information visit https://www.sare.org/sare-impacts.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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Fish in the Fields: Increasing the Sustainability of Rice Farming Practices

Posted on by Sean McGovern

University of Arkansas researchers are partnering with rice farmers in Arkansas to explore whether co-cultivating fish in flooded rice fields can reduce methane emissions and create an additional income source for growers. Supported by a $30,000 On-Farm Research Grant from Southern SARE, the three-year project tests whether adding fish to flooded rice fields during the winter fallow period can improve environmental and economic outcomes.

The project builds on work by the Resource Renewal Institute (RRI) in California, where initial “fish in the fields” trials demonstrated that integrating fish into rice paddies has the potential to reduce methane emissions by up to two-thirds. The University of Arkansas research team, led by bioengineer Benjamin Runkle, examined the use of the practice on large-scale rice systems in the largest rice producing state in the United States, introducing golden shiners as the test species.

While most research has focused on methane released during the summer growing season, winter emissions remain less studied. In Arkansas, nearly 30 percent of rice acreage remains flooded in the winter for ecological benefits, such as supporting migratory waterfowl. However, according to Sam Carroll, a graduate student who participated in the project, these flooded conditions can increase methane emissions by as much as 45 percent compared to non-flooded fields.

Researchers hope that introducing fish will lower emissions by disrupting the methane-producing cycle in flooded soils. Early results indicate that winter-flooded rice fields have the capacity to produce healthy fish biomass and may decrease methane emissions during the flooded period. But more work needs to be done to attribute those changes to the presence of the fish. Fish mortality, variable field conditions, and limited replication made it challenging to isolate the effect of fish presence. Nonetheless, overall methane levels during the winter period were significantly lower than during the summer, and lower than those recorded in comparable studies.

For more information, see Fish in the Fields Program Implementation Guide.

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New Video: Navigate Multigenerational Farming With Communication

Posted on by Sean McGovern

Working a farm with family can be a gift, and ownership transfer to successive generations requires intentional communication and understanding. At Flat Rock Dairy in Paulding, Ohio, dairy farmer Gretl Schlatter knows just how rewarding and complicated it can be to effectively manage a family business.

“Farming is a great blessing and full of challenges,” says Schlatter, who returned to her family’s farm in 2009 and now manages it with her father and siblings. Like many farmers, she grew up on the farm and knew from a young age she wanted to continue to be part of it. But working across generations means striking a balance between wisdom with enthusiasm.

Schlatter encourages young farmers to respect the invaluable experience of older family members and not to get discouraged or give up if new ideas aren’t immediately accepted. She says it’s important for older generations to feel proud of what they’ve built and the opportunity they've provided for others without feeling threatened by change. Success, she’s learned, comes from treating family like business partners. "If you do need to bring in a mediator or third party to help you through that, your business is worth fighting for," says Schlatter.

This video is one in a series produced by SARE titled Practical Tips for Beginning Farmers. Based on their own experiences when starting out, farmers from across the country share advice about common challenges facing beginning farmers in today's agriculture. To view the entire series, visit www.sare.org/resources/practical-tips-for-beginning-farmers/.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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New Video: Leverage Public Programs for Land and Support

Posted on by Sean McGovern

Many beginning farmers find buying land a challenge when they first start their business. At Brandon Family Farm in West Kingston, R.I., Alby and Heather Brandon discuss how public programs and creative partnerships can help grow a thriving business.

“You definitely don’t need to own land to start a farm business,” says Alby Brandon, who began by leasing fields before taking the leap into ownership. With farmland scarce and expensive in Rhode Island, the Brandons reached out to a local land trust, which connected them with a hobby farming couple willing to share fields and equipment. “They helped me prepare the land the first year I started the farm,” Alby recalls about the partnership that helped them grow from one acre to three, then 10.

As the farm expanded, the Brandons turned to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management’s Farmland Access Program to buy their own land through a “buy, protect, sell” model that made ownership affordable. They also took advantage of Farm Service Agency microloans and Natural Resources Conservation Service programs, including high tunnel cost shares and cover cropping incentives to start and maintain their business. They encourage other farmers to do the same. “There’s a lot of opportunities out there for access to capital and to…build a farm business,” says Alby. “It’s waiting there for you.”

This video is one in a series produced by SARE titled Practical Tips for Beginning Farmers. Based on their own experiences when starting out, farmers from across the country share advice about common challenges facing beginning farmers in today's agriculture. To view the entire series, visit www.sare.org/resources/practical-tips-for-beginning-farmers/.

For information on grants and resources available from SARE, visit www.sare.org.

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