Farm and Dairy

01/28/2025

Range Resources Corporation recently filed a legal challenge to Cecil Township's Zoning Hearing Board against its new oil and gas ordinance that increased well pad setbacks from 500 feet to 2,500 feet.

The ordinance was updated in November 2024 after residents spoke of the noise and health impacts of living close to wells. The company argues that the ordinance excludes land use for oil and gas development in the community.

Natural gas company Range Resources filed a legal challenge on Dec. 26 against Cecil Township's new oil and gas ordinance which increased well pad setbacks.

01/27/2025

We have some bird flu news for you today. First up, bird flu was detected in a flock of 50,000 laying chickens in eastern Pennsylvania. This is the first case of bird flu in a commercial flock in nearly a year in the state.
https://www.farmanddairy.com/.../bird-flu.../857665.html

But wait, there's more: A rare subtype of the bird flu has been found at a commercial duck farm in California, according to the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.
https://www.farmanddairy.com/news/new-strain-of-bird-flu-h5n9-found-on-california-duck-farm/857660.html

And in case you missed why any of this matters: researchers are concerned about H5N1 bird flu's ability to mutate and reassort because it could cause more severe illness in humans (or in other animal species).
https://www.farmanddairy.com/.../researchers.../857014.html

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a 50,000-bird layer chicken flock in Lehigh County.

01/27/2025

Tami Gingrich details the characteristics and habits of rock pigeons that allow them to survive and thrive among humans.

Tami Gingrich details the characteristics and habits of rock pigeons that allow them to survive and thrive among humans.

01/23/2025

Influenza pandemics have often moved from wild birds to domestic poultry, then to pigs and finally to people. In each species, the virus can mutate or can reassort with endemic viruses and become more fit.

The 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic appears to have reassorted from swine, according to the CDC. The flu outbreak was unusual because it caused severe respiratory disease in young adults and children.

“The most predictable thing about flu is that it’s unpredictable,” said Dr. Andy Bowman, of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “If (H5N1) goes to pigs, there are so many viruses (in swine) to reassort. It could enter pigs and not be a good fit, but maybe it could find a (virus) friend to reassort.”

In that case, reassortment might lead to more human infections. But at this point, it’s unclear what symptoms the disease might cause, or how serious it might be.

The spread of H5N1 into new species alarms researchers who say it could reassort in a new species, like pigs, leading to more severe human infection.

01/22/2025

It's still a little cold for a hike, but as temperatures climb, look for nature's cast-offs. In a recent column, Tami Gingrich details some all-natural items — pine cones, nuts, cocoons and more — that can be collected to create beautiful handmade wreaths.

Tami Gingrich details some all-natural items — pine cones, nuts, cocoons and more — that can be collected to create beautiful handmade crafts.

01/21/2025

It’s stressful to rehome one animal, let alone more than 70 of them. But that’s just what a group of friends did after the sudden and tragic loss of a farm family in rural Beaver County, Pennsylvania last week.

“Within 12 hours, every single animal on that farm was spoken for,” said family friend Judie Mammone. “It goes to show what type of people Michelle and Bill were.”

It’s stressful to rehome one animal, let alone more than 70 of them. But that’s just what a group of friends did for the Hunt family in rural Pennsylvania.

01/16/2025

Nine farm families in Pennsylvania were awarded century and bicentennial farm designations at the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show on Jan 10.

The award ceremony honors the dedication of families who have been farming the same piece of land for more than 100 or 200 years.

Secretary Russell Redding honored nine Pennsylvania families with century and bicentennial farm awards at the 2025 annual Pennsylvania Farm Show on Jan. 10.

01/15/2025

Animal science pioneer and autism advocate Temple Grandin gave the keynote speech at the 2025 annual Pennsylvania Farm Show's Women in Agriculture Day on Jan. 9.

During her speech, she discussed the experiences that helped shape her career and answered questions from the audience.

Temple Grandin gave a keynote speech and answered audience questions at 2025 annual Pennsylvania Farm Show's Women in Agriculture Day on Jan. 9.

01/13/2025

A 75-year-old Pataskala woman who died on Christmas Day after being attacked by her neighbor’s pig succumbed to extensive blood loss, according to the Licking County Coroner’s Office. She was not partially eaten by the pig, as was initially reported by some media outlets.

Ken Ford, an Agriculture and Natural Resources Educator at Ohio State University, said pigs are naturally inquisitive, and if they were more pets than farm animals, they may have set upon the victim, believing she could play with or feed them. Pigs can cause significant harm under the wrong circumstances.

A 75-year-old woman who died after being attacked by her neighbor’s pig succumbed to extensive blood loss, according to the Licking County Coroner’s Office.

01/13/2025

Farmers are adopting H2Ohio’s best practices to curb algal blooms, but challenges persist — and there’s still crucial work ahead to protect Lake Erie.

Farmers are adopting H2Ohio’s best practices to curb algal blooms, but challenges persist—and there’s still crucial work ahead to protect Lake Erie.

01/11/2025

Spend a day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show's The Calving Corner with Pennwood Farms.

01/10/2025

Come and support your PA farmers at the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

01/09/2025

The end of 2024 put Ohio at a crossroads of water policy and agricultural initiatives aimed at improving Lake Erie. Farm and Dairy Contributing Writer Jake Zajkowski provides a comprehensive update.

The end of 2024 put Ohio at a crossroads of water policy and agricultural initiatives aimed at improving Lake Erie.

01/08/2025

Marlin Clark weighs in on the weather patterns that have been dominating news cycles and impacting grain prices.

Marlin Clark weighs in on the weather patterns that have been dominating news cycles and impacting grain prices.

01/07/2025

The special state funding aims to fill gaps left by U.S. Department of Agriculture disaster relief programs for farmers who bought extra hay, paid to haul water and faced other unexpected costs from the historic drought that hit much of Ohio in 2024.

It is not yet clear how the funds will be distributed to farmers.

The special state funding aims to help farmers who had to buy extra hay, pay to haul water and faced other unexpected costs from the historic 2024 drought.

01/04/2025

A Gulfport Appalachia oil and gas well pad in Guernsey County caught fire the evening of Jan. 2 after a tank exploded. Residents in a half-mile radius had to be evacuated.

A Gulfport Appalachia oil and gas well pad in Guernsey County caught fire after a tank exploded on Jan. 2, and nearby residents had to be evacuated.

01/03/2025

Since the pandemic in 2020, Harmony Acres dairy, in southwestern Pennsylvania, has continuously expanded its business to include a farm store and milk bottling operation to better serve its community.

Harmony Acres, in southwestern Pennsylvania, expands its business to include a farm store and milk bottling operation to better serve its community.

01/03/2025

Calling all birders! If you're looking for unique viewing opportunities in Ohio during the winter, check out Tami Gingrich's latest column. She details species of hawks and owls that migrate south in the winter and can potentially be spotted in Ohio.

Tami Gingrich details species of hawks and owls that migrate south in the winter and can potentially be spotted in Ohio.