Livestock

Farmers are often reluctant to risk investments of time or money to adopt research-based conservation practices on their farms. In southern Wisconsin, a creative approach to fostering informal, farmer-led learning opportunities has been key to encouraging farmers to adopt cost-cutting grazing and cover cropping practices that successfully decrease soil erosion and waterway contamination. Dane County […]

Southern New England’s climate offers ideal conditions for producing bay scallops—a sustainable seafood option that also diversifies aquaculture enterprises. However, an important challenge in bay scallop farming is access to nursery systems that can efficiently raise scallops to maturity before transferring them to grow-out environments. With support from a Northeast SARE Farmer grant, Dr. Daniel […]

In Utah’s arid landscape, cattle producers face a critical challenge: deficiencies in essential trace minerals like copper, zinc, manganese and selenium, which are vital for cattle health. These mineral deficiencies, worsened by drought and environmental conditions, lead to severe health problems, including increased mortality and illness among affected livestock. Dr. Kara Thornton-Kurth of Utah State […]

Throughout the South, urbanization and development have diminished viable farmland. Now, some innovative researchers and farmers are exploring silvopasture—the integration of grazing livestock on forested land—to improve the economic performance and ecological benefits of grazed forests.  Dr. John Quinn and a team of pork farmers and researchers at Furman University received a Southern SARE Research […]

In this episode of ATTRA's Voices from the Field podcast, Weston Lombard and NCAT Sustainable Horticulture Specialist Guy Ames discuss the commercial possibilities and challenges mulberries present, along with different cultivars and growing strategies.