Comments for Modern Farmer

Comment on ‘Waste Wool’ is a Burden for Farmers. What if it Could be a Solution Instead? by ECOWOOL Canada

ECOWOOL Canada — Wed, 08 May 2024 22:58:36 +0000

Women taking the lead in pelleting and the wool industry in general is very encouraging. I’m happy to say that we initiated the first academic greenhouse trials using wool pellets in North America. Additionally,in 2024 we are doing field trials using wool pellets in a hayfield and grazed pasture setting. We have at least one market gardener doing field trials this year. Our preliminary Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of wool pellets, when grown, processed, and used locally, sequesters more carbon in the soil than without, even when raising the sheep and transportation of wool is accounted for.
Wool is such an amazing and underutilized resource. Hats off to all the amazing people making unwanted wool into a valuable and circular product.

Comment on Biogas From Mega-Dairies Is a Problem, Not a Solution by Mrs. Carey

Mrs. Carey — Wed, 08 May 2024 13:42:58 +0000

We have a digester down the street. They haven’t increased their amount of cows. Instead they have brought in manure to digest. Which might be another solution just like towns with water treatment plants. Why not have town digesters?

Comment on On the Ground with the Farmers Producing Antibiotic-Free Meat by Emily Baron Cadloff

Emily Baron Cadloff — Tue, 07 May 2024 13:44:10 +0000

In reply to Me Mo.

Hi Megan,

Thanks for reading the piece, and letting us know. Some farmers do use antibiotics, but obviously not everyone will choose to. We love to hear about individual farms and sustainable farming practices, however, so if you’d like to tell us more about your farm, you can reach me at emily@modfarmer.com.

Comment on Map: Who Composts? by Indianapolis

Indianapolis — Tue, 07 May 2024 10:40:16 +0000

I’m really confused about this. We compost (my family). I don’t understand this concept of a community or city compost. Why would I want the city to pick it up and compost it for me? I use the compost in my garden. Why not just compost yourself and use it.
Anyway, I checked and Indianapolis does not have such a program, but there are a couple private companies. Again, I don’t understand why we are paying private companies to pick up compost, compost it for us, and then supposedly return it to customers when we could just do it ourselves.

Comment on On the Ground with the Farmers Producing Antibiotic-Free Meat by Me Mo

Me Mo — Tue, 07 May 2024 00:59:41 +0000

"Although the US banned the use of antibiotics for growth, they are still used for disease prevention and disease control. If one animal gets sick, the entire group is often treated because they live in such close proximity to one another." I'm sorry- but this assumption is just typical alarmist rhetoric. How about some scientific research to document this "fact." We have never done this practice on our beef farm and all the other beef and pork farmers we know, don't do it either. I love to read Modern Farmer articles, but find lately the authors make some pretty strong opinions that are often not based on facts.

Comment on Meet the Woman Who Launched a Local Training Program to Save Native Bees by Deanna

Deanna — Mon, 06 May 2024 20:48:08 +0000

This is such a beautiful program that Andrea has created! I love bees and without them we would all perish. They are literally life bringers. Bravo Andrea! You make the difference. Thank you!

Comment on ‘Waste Wool’ is a Burden for Farmers. What if it Could be a Solution Instead? by Jerilea

Jerilea — Mon, 06 May 2024 01:39:11 +0000

I like to put “waste wool” into the bottom of flower pots. It helps to grow the plants, stop dirt and water from running out and it breaks down by the end of the season. A friend thickly lines raised garden beds with “waste wool” and wraps them in chicken wire (the chicken wire is the edge of the garden bed, no wood). He has the best squash and zucchinis. He also insulated his entire barn with this wool.

Comment on Cultivating Crops, No Sun Required by fnaf

fnaf — Mon, 06 May 2024 01:02:59 +0000

Fantastic, I think it's the greatest one out there, so tell me what you think! Best of luck!

Comment on Meet the Asian Jumping Worm, the Farmer’s New Threat by Carol

Carol — Sun, 05 May 2024 20:19:00 +0000

In reply to Cityrednek. They take all nutrients from soil and ground is not fit for vegetable growing

Comment on Are Flooded Fields and Orchards the Answer to California’s Groundwater Shortage? by Subgenius

Subgenius — Sun, 05 May 2024 17:51:11 +0000

Makes sense but not a word on soil conditions going anaerobic for extended periods of time and its impact on productivity?