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Family Farmer Finds a Connection to Eaters Through Livestock

Food Tank

Niman Ranch members uphold high standards of sustainable and humane farming practices, and they receive a stable, premium market for their pork products. He could become a livestock farmer by using existing infrastructure or building barns that could be repurposed for other ventures if he decided to change course.

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Bringing Youth Back to the Farm in Rural America

Food Tank

Iowa is the number-one pork producer in the United States, but it has relatively few hog farms. Large factory farm facilities have replaced smaller family farms. The state lost nearly 90 percent of its hog farms from 1982 to 2017, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Census data.

Ruralism 107
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Livestock are Dying in the Heat. This Little-Known Farming Method Offers a Solution

Modern Farmer

Rooted in preindustrial farming, the method involves intentionally incorporating trees on the same land used by grazing livestock, in a way that benefits both. It also provides much-needed natural shade for livestock. Research shows that as the planet warms, livestock deaths will increase.

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The Cheapest Hay Is the Hay You Never Buy

UnderstandingAg

In the following discussion, I would like to share some thoughts on how to add net profit into a grazing operation, as well as share my own experiences reducing hay inputs with the grass-finished beef herd that roams across our northern Michigan family farm. What class of livestock are they?

Pasture 95
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Opinion: European Farmers Are Standing Up to Free Trade—Will US Farmers?

Modern Farmer

Dumping manure in public spaces, hurling eggs at government buildings, blocking major roads —the European farmers who have taken to the streets to challenge free trade policies sure know how to raise a ruckus. Now, with the Farm Bill debate continuing at least through September of this year, pricing policy reforms could take center stage.

Manure 86
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Regenerative Food Certification: Gold Standard or Greenwashing?

Modern Farmer

The certification, funded by the Rodale Institute, Patagonia and Dr Bronner’s, insists on five practices to improve soil health: integrating livestock, keeping the soil covered, minimizing soil disturbance, incorporating diversity and zero chemicals, as well as a soil test every three years. Photography courtesy of Cabriejo Ranch.

Food 94
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Bringing Back Local Milk, Ice Cream, and Cheese

Civil Eats

Some regions have expanded their focus to include climate-smart ranching practices, including managed grazing and resilient cropping systems , which can mitigate the environmental and climate impacts of industrial livestock production. But that hasn’t been the PCC’s focus, Pheasant says.

Pasture 140