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The Complete Guide to Helping Chickens Through Summer Heat by Nancy Jefferson, Ph.D., Poultry Nutrition & Technical Services, Kalmbach Feeds Summer can be one of the most challenging seasons for backyard chickens. Heat can influence feed intake, water consumption, egg production, activity levels, and overall flock health. Unlike humans, chickens cannot sweat. They rely on natural cooling mechanisms to regulate body temperature, which means prolonged periods of heat and humidity can place significant stress on your flock. Understanding how heat affects chickens is the first step toward preventing problems before they occur. With proper hydration, nutrition, housing, and daily management, backyard flock...

Protect Your Corn Yield with a Timely Fungicide Application By Gilbert Barrett, President/CEO, White County Farmers Exchange **Professional Drone Application Available Throughout Northeast Georgia** You've invested heavily in seed, fertilizer, herbicides, and crop management. A properly timed fungicide application helps protect that investment by maintaining a healthy, productive plant during the critical grain-fill period.  Fungicides control gray leaf spot, northern corn leaf blight, and southern rust while also improving plant health, stress tolerance, stalk quality, and grain fill. One-Pass Fungicide ProgramBest timing: VT (full tassel) through R1 (silking).Approach Prima: 6.8 fl oz/acre.Trivapro: 13.7 fl oz/acre. Two-Pass ProgramFirst application: V8–V10.  Second application:...

Summer Broadleaf Weed Control in Pastures: Making Every Spray Count         By: Gilbert Barrett, President/CEO, White County Farmers Exchange One of the biggest challenges for pasture managers in the Southeast is recognizing that we don't have just one weed season—we have two. Winter annual weeds require a fall or winter herbicide program, while summer perennial and annual broadleaf weeds require a completely different approach. If you only spray once a year, you are likely leaving significant weed pressure unchecked during the opposite season. Dogfennel: Timing and Coverage MatterDogfennel is one of the most difficult pasture weeds to control once it becomes...

The Ultimate Backyard Bird Feeding Setup (Feeder + Food + Placement for Maximum Activity) by Mike Allway, Director - Wild Bird Seed at Kalmbach Feeds If you want more birds in your backyard, it takes more than simply putting out a feeder. The best bird feeding systems help birds feel safe, find food easily, and return consistently throughout the year. When the setup is working well, you’ll usually notice more activity, more visiting species, and more consistent feeding patterns. Starting with reliable wild bird food, thoughtful feeder placement, and a few small adjustments can make a noticeable difference in how birds respond to...

Summer brings longer days, increased activity, and plenty of opportunities for backyard flocks to thrive. However, as temperatures climb, chickens can quickly become stressed by the heat. Excessive heat can impact egg production, feed intake, and overall flock health. By taking a few proactive steps, you can help your birds stay comfortable, productive, and healthy throughout the hottest months of the year. Recognizing Heat Stress in Chickens Unlike humans, chickens cannot sweat to cool themselves down. Instead, they regulate body temperature by panting and holding their wings away from their bodies. When temperatures rise, it's important to watch for signs...