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Biosecurity

April 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Biosecurity, simply put, is protecting the health of humans and animals from disease.  Taking precautions and setting up some preventative measures is the best way to reduce the risk of disease and transmission, particularly with regard to livestock.   Disease can move from farm to farm or animal to animal in a number of ways.  They can be transmitted by rodents, pets, equipment, humans or the air. Below are a few simple ways to practice biosecurity that can make your farm a healthy place for your animals. Provide plenty of feed, … [Read more...]

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Brush Control Options in Fence Lines

February 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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If you have fencing on your property, you will need to keep branches, trees and weeds from growing up on fence lines. Why worry about cleaning out brush and weeds from fence lines? Along an electric fence, weeds and brush can short out the fence and allow the livestock to walk through. Removing brush and weeds also helps prolong the life of the fencing and reduces breakage. As trees grow through the fence, the wire can be stretched or may break when limbs fall. In addition to gaps in the fence that allow livestock to roam, loose wire can pose a … [Read more...]

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How to Avoid a Frozen Septic System

November 12, 2010 By 1 Comment
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As the weather begins to get colder in many parts of the country, it is important to remember to care for your septic system.  While most landowners who live on their land full time are aware of what to do and what not to do, many who own property which is their weekend getaway, hunting camp, or hobby farm, may overlook taking care of their septic system until a problem arises.  Our friends at the University of Nebraska Extension Service have six tips to help you keep your system in working order even during the coldest of seasons. 1. If … [Read more...]

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Fences Should Be More Than A Mental Barrier

November 1, 2010 By 2 Comments
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Everyone has heard the expression "good fences make good neighbors." This has never been truer than in today's world. Many counties have closed range laws, meaning that if livestock gets out of a pasture and causes damage such as an automobile accident, the owner of the livestock is liable. As more people move to the country from the city, we have seen a need for better understanding of proper fencing for various livestock species. Several common types of fences are five to six strands of barbed wire fence, electric fence, woven wire fence … [Read more...]

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Safety on Rural Roads

October 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Whether you are a resident or a visitor to rural parts of America, special attention to safety during harvest time is essential, particularly on our rural roads.  Here are a few tips to help keep you and the farmers safe: Remember that weather conditions typically dictate when farmers work, so don't be surprised to see farm equipment on the road at any time of the day or evening. A car going 50 mph coming up behind a farm implement moving 15 mph, closes in at a rate of over 50 feet per second.  Slow down! Don't pull out in front of … [Read more...]

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Gardening As We Age

October 11, 2010 By 4 Comments
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We came across this article written by TC Conner and thought it was worthy of sharing.  Whether you are reaching this age or already there or have parents who are, take note.  We don't have to give up things we enjoy, we just need to know how to adjust. The aging process cannot be put on hold, but seniors with physical limitations can still enjoy gardening well into their golden years by changing how they garden. Some, if not most, of you are baby boomers like me, but I would be naive to think that we're all equally physically fit. You … [Read more...]

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Fire Safety in the Woods

October 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Most of us know the do's and don't's of general fire safety, but if you own a home in the woods, or you are planning to build in the future, there are some things you need to know and precautions to take against fires and fire damage.  The good news is most don't cost anything but a little time and effort. We have highlighted 25 of the top things you should do and check for around your home.  Now that the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are falling, take time to make sure your house is "firewise" and you and your family are … [Read more...]

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Tips and Techniques – Water Terms

August 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Water is always a topic that seems to come up whenever folks are buying land, selling it, or improving what they already own.  What is the difference between a creek and a stream?  a pond and a lake?  What is meant by riparian doctrine?  What is watershed?  a gaining stream?  porosity? Whether you are buying, selling, or improving, it is best to understand what these terms mean, and sometimes it can be an overwhelming task to search a host of different locations for such information.  We have compiled a list of nearly 100 terms that … [Read more...]

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Stream and Wetland Crossings

August 4, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Many landowners find themselves needing to cross a creek, stream, or wetland on their property and many times,  it becomes a monumental and/or an expensive endeavor.   Crossing such waterways or wetlands can harm water quality, wildlife, and even alter the water flow....not to mention the potential of damage to any equipment a landowner might be using.  Proper planning is imperative and the lack of it can cause more problems down the road.  Most states have requirements concerning creek or wetland crossings and often a permit is … [Read more...]

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Scrap Iron Removal

July 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Recently there has been an increase in the value (and price) of  scrap iron, copper, and aluminum.  Landowners can use this market fluctuation to their advantage to help solve a common problem of rural landowners.  The problem?  Piles of scrap metal and other junk found on property, usually dating back to a time when recycling wasn't as accessible and landowners weren't as conscientious. … [Read more...]

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