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Our walkie-talkies are acting up. I've looked into replacing them with a few Relay devices, but really, I don't see the point. Everyone seems to have a cell phone, so it's easy to keep in communication while out and about on the farm. Have cell phones made walkie-talkies obsolete on the farm...

I've done the same song and dance for the past five years. I start the spring by announcing that this is going to be my last crop, my last batch of chicks, my last full season as a farmer because I'm going to retire. But I'm never really ready to let it go. Winter thaws and it's time to plant...

It's impossible to know exactly how many people have passed away from COVID-19 worldwide, but it's estimated to be around at least 3.69 million just by totaling the countries that report their stats. Has this sudden depopulation had a positive impact on global warming? Although I believe the...

It's been horribly windy and that's not something I'm used to having. It's already toppled my corn and green beans. I know how to solve the problem when there's too much rain or not enough rain, but wind is new to me. I guess I need some sort of a windbreak like I use with my livestock during...

My rooster keeps pitching an unholy fit. He takes his job seriously when it comes to protecting the flock, but I can't figure out what the fuss is about to save my life. The hens run and hide when he kicks up a fuss, but they don't seem particularly worried. Could he be getting dementia or...

Which of the vehicle or farm machinery attachments and implements have been the most useful to you? Which ones really aren't worth the expense? I have a forklift attachment for my tractor that I hardly ever use. I only got it because most other farmers I know simply rave about it. It works...

I'm looking to get a zero-turn mower so I've been checking prices and features. Well I recently ran across this one. RYOBI 42 in. 100 Ah Battery Electric Riding Zero Turn Mower-RY48ZTR100 - The Home Depot They're claiming that one charge can handle three acres of mowing. What do you think...

I bought an expensive (to me!) vacuum cleaner, and it was money well spent. We usually go for those cheapo models that get the job done, but offer little else. Well, I splurged on an Oreck vacuum cleaner, like they use in hotels, and it was worth every penny. It vacuums all floors. Hardwood...

From reading here it seems like lots of folks might not be willing to loan out machinery and other equipment. So what do you consider fair game (willing to loan or rent out) and off limits (not willing to loan out or rent out)? I think I've loaned just about everything I have once or twice...

I have a camera set up and three raccoons are causing havoc with my goats. They are getting in at night and dumping the water. It gets the area wet and has soaked some goats too. I put the goats up at night and I leave them with plenty of water. Should I stop? I don't store food in the goat...

I have a shed with a little of this and a little of that in it, the point is you never know what you're gonna find. Well, today I unearthed two badly rusted cast iron pans. I guess they belonged to my late mother. Does anyone know how to fix them up? The rust is pretty bad, but it doesn't go...

I've been keeping my grandkids who aren't old enough for school. I do this to try and help my children out. Due to the pandemic, they don't have many choices for childcare anymore. I don't mind watching them and they're well-behaved, but I'm worried about what we'll do as the weather starts...

I'm just curious about whether anyone else has a rooster who favors a couple of hens or so when it comes to mating and hanging out. I have a rooster that is almost entirely monogamous from what I can tell. He watches over the whole flock and alerts them all to good foraging spots, but he only...

Which crops do you grow that serve several purposes? Mine is corn. I can eat it, I can make many things with the husks, I can feed the corn to my livestock, I can let my livestock graze on the stalks after the harvest, and it's a nitrogen fixer for the soil.

Maybe I'm just being a cranky old man, but it feels like everything I buy lately is made to fail within a short time period. I'm finding equipment with plastic wheels, plastic screws, cheap aluminum washers, irreplaceable batteries, and the like. And it's not a matter of getting what you pay...

Which big industry trends do you think are coming down the pipeline? Will technology and precision farming still rule the day or are we heading in another direction?