Ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic will be felt for ye to come in nearly every aspect of our lives, from how we work to how we play to how we learn to how we connect with others. For many, the forced downtime was eye-opening: We reassessed how we wanted to not only spend our time, but how we wanted to live.
The inability to go to restaurants and forced meal planning at home for many families had them delving deeply into where their food comes from and who their buying power supports. Added to this was the fact that many city-dwelling folk learned that their cement walls were just that: barriers to truly living. Thousands of people began looking for land where they could have a garden and raise some of their own food, whether in the form of eggs or meat.
This renewed interest in self-sustainability, combined with other factors, has led to a nearly meteoric rise in the price of everything from real estate to fertilizer. Another unforeseen effect of the pandemic? The incredible interest shown in horseback riding and horse ownership.
As one of the only activities that could continue when nearly all team sports were halted, riding schools and equine breed registries have experienced massive growth.
This influx of new, large-animal owners has brought into stark relief what many have been talking about for years: the shortage of large-animal veterinarians.
FACTORS CAUSING THIS CRISIS
In years past, most owners of animals small and large were spoiled for choice when deciding to whom to bring their animal for care. They often were able to weigh things like proximity, price and personality, and choose which vet they were most comfortable with.
Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Hobby Farms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra November - December 2022-utgaven av Hobby Farms.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The RISE of Opportunist WEEDS
Be prepared to see increasing changes in weeds we fight, such as poison hemlock and poison ivy, and in the crops we grow.
LIVESTOCK Health
Prepare yourself for how to spot symptoms of illness in your farm animals so that you can get them help before it's too late.
CUT FLOWER Farming
If you're considering growing flowers for sale, brush up on these five key things to know before diving in.
WINTER Survival
Keep your land, animals and yourself in good shape this winter with this helpful advice.
COVERAGE CONCERNS
Avoid common insurance mistakes for rural and hobby farm businesses.
FARMER'S GUIDE Berries
Set the stage for tasty strawberries, blueberries and brambles with these soil-boosting garden tips.
Preconditioning CALVES
Follow our step-by-step guide to get more money for your calves.
Soil Conservation
Often, outside of having a specific problem that needs to be addressed, soil conservation isn't something every farmer readily thinks about. Yet conserving the soil should be at or near the top of every farmer owner or manager's list of concerns because absent the prevention of soil erosion, we have the opportunity for another dust bowl.
Year-Round Lettuce & Salad Mixes
It's easy to think of salad greens as just a spring- or fall-garden crop, but it's possible to enjoy freshly harvested lettuces, mustards and more from your own garden year-round.
Barn Improvements
Days are never long enough for a farmer. From dawn to well into the night, tasks arise that often require immediate action. Having to search for tools or equipment is an enormous time waster and incredibly frustrating when you can't find what you need, especially when you know you have it.