Goats

The best option for adding sheep or goats to an operation is to purchase from a reputable breeder.

Regenerative farming and soil health are the focus for pastured-raised animals at Terra Vitae Farms.

One of the goals in FFA is to prepare members “for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.”

For Cliff Behrmann, bacon runs in the blood. Behrmann is the owner of Behrmann Meat and Processing, a business started by his maternal grandfather and Behrmann’s father.

Livestock managers and owners are invited to join University of Illinois Extension for the Storing Forages: Balancing Cost and Performance workshop on Thursday, Sept. 19.

Sheep and goats are a popular choice for youth and adults. Small ruminants are a good place for anyone to enter the livestock business on small acreage. Often, they develop into significant farm enterprises.

The earth provides an overabundance of food, but the distribution of that food is the struggle.

Five new officers elected by the delegates during the 96th Illinois FFA State Convention will be traveling throughout the state during the upcoming year engaging with members to inspire them to achieve their goals.

Three little piggies went to a yoga class. Their human companions had a blast.

Visitors learned about farm animals and other ag-centered topics at the 2024 St. Joseph County Ag Days.

The Noble Research Institute is focused on land stewardship for improved soil health for grazing animal production with lasting profitability.

Fifteen Indiana farm families will share their stories at the Indiana State Fair this summer, showcasing the diversity of agriculture in Indiana.

Cattlemen learned about options for their operations at the Illinois Beef Expo trade show.

I was just having so much fun with the minus-15 temperatures and 20 mph winds last month that I just forgot to write an article. Well, the last part is true. Things have been mundane around here — unroll hay, break ice and fill water tanks.

It’s been great so far this December to do chores without having to break the ice on the energy-free waterers we use here. Pretty much all fieldwork has been done by now around here.

Working with the goat herd at Hummel Livestock has resulted in Chase Hummel winning the National FFA agricultural proficiency award in the area of goat production — entrepreneurship/placement.

After completing his training to become a radio technician for the U.S. Army, David Boelkens had orders to go to Hawaii, but when he got to California his orders were changed to Vietnam.

Jeremy Rutledge is proud of his service to his country, he’s proud of returning to the family farm, but what he’s most proud of is being a father and husband.

With an aim to challenge the status quo, Precision Planting opened its Precision Technology Institute five years ago. The farm that focuses completely on research has since hosted visitors from across the globe.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program to Aug. 11.

Four outstanding FFA students were selected as State Stars at the 94th annual Indiana FFA State Convention.

Years of working on FFA projects resulted in four FFA members selected as Star winners during 95th annual Illinois Association FFA State Convention.

FFA members who have developed exceptional projects will be introduced during the 95th Annual Illinois FFA State Convention, set for June 13-15.

Five district finalists for the Star in Agricultural Placement award will be honored on the stage of the Illinois FFA Convention.

They might be family, their moms are sisters, but when it comes to FFA, Emma Dinges and Natalie Pratt go their own way.

Lambing and kidding season may typically be associated with springtime, but more and more producers are shifting to get newborns on the ground earlier.

Bringing a couple old newspaper articles with him to the podium to prove his point, Gov. Eric Holcomb told the Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention that Indiana’s story is the chronicle of agriculture in the state.

Remember when you were a kid and your parents said your missing dog or cat had gone to live on a farm? Believe it or not, that farm actually exists — sort of.

FFA members with projects that include managing crops, raising pigs, goats, rabbits and puppies, as well as experiments with cattle were honored during the Stars over Illinois event held on the second day of the 94th Illinois FFA State Convention.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a bill that would have allowed hunting ranches to raise bovids. That’s a term for cloven-hoofed mammals, including bison, buffalo, sheep, goats and antelopes.

More than 30,000 entries from across the country arrived in Louisville to compete at the North American International Livestock Exposition. Held annually at the Kentucky Exposition Center, exhibitors showcase top livestock in hopes of winning a portion of the nearly $750,000 in premiums awarded during the various competitions.

Grappling with a changed industry, two brothers operating their family’s dairy farm in Vermont have made the drastic decision to give up hundreds of cows for goats.

Hello from Graze-N-Grow. I feel blessed since our last rain, seven-tenths, because crops and pastures are doing great. I recently talked with a friend, an organic farmer, from extreme northern Iowa, who’s had all of 3.5 inches for the whole year and nothing so far in June.

Hello from Graze-N-Grow. Just when I was finally adapting to our snowy, frigid February, it all disappeared. This month, though, seems easier to adapt. All the lambs seem to enjoy the weather regardless of the temperature. I’m continually amazed by their hardiness compared to the wool breeds we used to raise. Since it’s harder for me to get up and down nowadays I sure don’t miss having to pull lambs or get them to suck.

With spring right around the corner and new livestock being born or brought into an operation, it’s important for individuals in the livestock industry to stay up-to-date on what’s going on in the different livestock sectors.

Hello from Graze-N-Grow. I think we all owe a debt of gratitude to the person who decided to make February the shortest month. Except for a rodent from Pennsylvania and a Roman saint, the month has very few redeeming qualities in the northern latitudes. My apologies to those who happened to be born in February. Since the snow keeps accumulating without melting, at least it’s now easier walking than it was on the ice underneath. That is, after the paths are plowed.

If foot-and-mouth disease infects U.S. livestock herds, market disruption will be significant.

A livestock first aid kit is a good tool in case of accidents on the farm.

If you’re looking for dinner ideas, lamb and goat dishes may be just what the doctor ordered.