Some dairy farmers also worry that too much cropland has been used for corn production to make ethanol, a fuel additive. Like the Mayers, Oberhaus doesn't like taking farm machinery on roads that were once pretty quiet but now are filled with commuters who don't understand farming. The loss of agricultural land is a concern for Wisconsin farmers as more rural properties are consumed by urban development. Every year it becomes more difficult, and more expensive, for Oberhaus to rent land...

The second year nearly tripled the amount of land and it again doubled the following year to 100 acres. One tractor had a two-way plow, a few had steel wheels on the back and another was classified as a crawler having unique wheels. Most of the tractors were at least 60 years old and ranged from a one-plow bottom to a four-plow bottom. They are young and it s their first time on a tractor or first time plowing. I just like to get old tractors out to plow like they used to in the old days,...

The daylong event, co-hosted by Delegate Paul Stull and the Frederick County Farm Bureau, will explore topics such as the Green Fund -- legislation to help clean the Chesapeake Bay; the dairy industry; value-added agriculture; organic farming; feed to fuel; and bio terrorism and foreign animals. The daylong event, co-hosted by Delegate Paul Stull and the Frederick County Farm Bureau, will explore topics such as the Green Fund -- legislation to help clean the Chesapeake Bay; the dairy...

PAUL At an antique farm equipment beet harvesting demonstration in Paul Saturday, those who gathered got to see first hand the evolution of technology. The first demonstration was a two-mule plow, which slightly lifted the beets from the soil and required workers to follow behind to pluck and top the beets. A drastic improvement could be seen as Fisk used a 1951 model McCormick tractor and sugar beet harvester on another row of beets. During the demonstration, a patch of beet field was...

A parade hightlighting the antique tractors will begin at 3. There will be a variety of entertainment for your enjoyment and mouthwatering food booths offering strawberry shortcakes, sundaes and milkshakes. Hots, hamburgers, salt potatoes, and nachos, plus soda and spring water will be available. If you're hankering for some strawberries you can pick up a quart at the festival. New this year is a pulled pork dinner with takeouts available. The drawing for raffle winners will take place...

A mechanical grape harvester at Chateau Chantal vineyard and winery along M-37 looks as peculiar as it is efficient, as technology in the grape and wine industry evolves as did machinery that harvests wheat, corn, cherries and other agricultural products. The winery also received a state grant last year to help purchase $60,000 of other mechanical equipment to reduce manual labor needed for harvesting and maintaining its 35 acres of vineyards. Winemaker Mark Johnson still favors...