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Farm Properties of Albany County

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This interactive map shows all farm properties in Albany County, e.g. those assessed with codes in the 1xx range. It's not a perfect map, as some farm properties -- especially those with homes on them -- are assessed differently. Regardless, it's interesting to see who owns the farmland around.

Data Source:Β 2019 Final Assessment Rolls posted by local governments across the county.

See A Rare Piece Of New Holland History -1965 Model 1281 Self-Propelled Baler

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Paul Lano's father started a New Holland dealership over 60 years ago. Now Paul and his brother run the business continuing to sell New Holland Equipment. Paul also collects classic New Holland equipment. One of the prizes in his collection is his 1965 Model 1281 Self Propelled baler. Just 430 of these were built and used on big farms in the Rocky Mountain states. We take a tour of Paul's collection and learn the details on this low production baler.

Now that's a piece of ag machinery you've probably never seen before.

Bovine Beauty QueensοΏ½ | Farmer Tim

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Bovine Beauty QueensοΏ½ | Farmer Tim

They use a hand held computer that has all my cow information on it such as her age, her calving date, how many lactations (time between calves) she’s had and previous scores. Every inch of the cows is graded. They look at everything from the length of her teats and the texture of her udder to the strength of her back and legs.  

   We use this information to breed our cows to a bull that will hopefully improve any traits that are weak. A computer analysis will help us choose the best mate for our cows, or we can pick one from a bull proof chart (also in my photo section). Bulls are also chosen to improve health traits as well as milk, fat and protein production. You can even choose sexed semen to help guarantee a heifer (female) calf. It’s all pretty complex, but it is an important part of our farm. 

Emerald ash borer documented for first time in Adirondacks | Adirondack Explorer

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Emerald ash borer documented for first time in Adirondacks | Adirondack Explorer

State officials confirmed Tuesday night that emerald ash borer has infested some trees in the Town of Chester.

The invasive bug has been documented all around the outskirts of the Adirondack Park, but this is the first time the state Department of Environmental Conservation has confirmed an infestation within the park.

Emerald ash borers are metallic, green-winged beetles whose larvae feed on an inner layer of an ash tree. Once they’re grown, the adults exit the tree, leaving behind a D-shaped hole. Over time, the beetle’s lifecycle ends up killing the tree. They’re not great at flying, either, and typically get spread through people transporting wood shipping pallets or firewood.

The history books show the Dutch Elm disease quarantine was more successful than SLAM but I think that has more to the vector of disease - fungus versus insects. Dutch Elm disease did spread quicker during World War II when restrictions were lifted but it wasnt until the 1980s until it really got to devestating Upstate and further decades before got a serious hold in Ontario - really not until the beginning of the 21st century before Toronto lost its beautiful Elm lined streets.

The point is that humans might be an important vector but that doesn't mean that humans can necessarily break the chain. We are more helpless as a society to stop bad things from happening then the politicians want us to believe.