Living the Country Life Radio Program: Week of December 26, 2011

John Deere Maintenance Monday: Snow blades

In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Tina in Indiana. She's tired of shoveling snow, and since she and her husband are the new owners of a compact tractor, they're wondering what kind of snow blade they should put on the front of it.

Radio interview source: Dan Paschke, John Deere Product Manager, John Deere

Listen here: John Deere Maintenance Monday: Snow blades

John Deere Maintenance Monday: Engine block heaters

In this edition of Maintenance Monday, we're answering a question from Jenny in Michigan. Her tractor's diesel engine has a hard time starting in cold weather, and she wonders what kind of engine heater works the best.

Radio interview source: Dick Parish, Ag Engineering Consultant, Ag Machinery Engineer.com

Listen here: John Deere Maintenance Monday: Engine block heaters

Country View: Julie Helm -- Biosecurity Queen -- Clemson, SC

Julie Helm is a poultry specialist veterinarian at Clemson University in South Carolina. She teaches biosecurity to students and to poultry owners to help flocks stay helathy. A lecture on the topic could be nap-inducing, but Julie dresses up the message. It has earned her the title of "Biosecurity Queen".

Radio interview source: Dr. Julie Helm, DVM, Clemson University

Listen here: Country View: Julie Helm -- Biosecurity Queen -- Clemson, SC

Choosing a paint sprayer

Paint sprayers make big jobs go faster. Your choice of sprayers varies by material flow rate, spray pressure, and horsepower. You can also decide between electric power or gas engines.

Radio interview source: Jill Churchill, Associate Product Manager, Wagner

Listen here: Choosing a paint sprayer

Setting up a micro-dairy

The trend of micro dairies is expanding because of the public's growing demand to know where its food originates. A micro dairy refers to an operation that milks ten cows or less. The milk, or milk products such as butter, ice cream, and cheese, are sold directly from the farm or at farmers' markets.

Radio interview source: Steve Judge, President, American Micro Dairies

Listen here: Setting up a micro-dairy

Protecting a fen wetland

If the ground is moist and trembles when you step on it, you might have a fen wetland. It has significant deposits of peat, and are continuously saturated by ground water. Fens are rare and important to preserve, as they house a diverse ecosystem.

Radio interview source: Jason Daniels, Environmental Scientist, EPA

Listen here: Protecting a fen wetland

Making homemade nut butters

If you're nuts about peanut butter, why not make it yourself? Once you taste your homemade nut butter, you may decide there's no reason to buy it anymore.

Radio interview source: Lynn Blanchard, Director, Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen

Listen here: Making homemade nut butters

Water tank aeration systems

Stock tanks are a popular option for watering animals. A bubbling aerator keeps water fresh in the summer, and prevents it from completely freezing over in the winter.

Radio interview source: Tom Reyburn, Owner, OK Water, Inc.

Listen here: Water tank aeration systems

Snow fencing

If you don't want to face another long winter of plowing out the lane, put up snow fences. They're easy to install, and can really help minimize the drifting.

Radio interview source: Greg Brenneman, Extension Ag Engineer, Iowa State University

Listen here: Snow fencing

Swabian Hall pigs

Carl Blake of Iowa set out to re-create the rare Swabian Hall pig, prized for its meat. He found a Meishan and a Russian Wild Boar, bred them, and hoped the result would be tasty.

Radio interview source: Carl Blake, Breeder, Iowa Swabian Hall Pigs

Listen here: Swabian Hall pigs