FARM & FLOCK

Chickens are often seen as a‘ starter livestock,’ and they’ re increasingly becoming a gateway into modern homesteading.

Chickens can do more than provide eggs and meat, with rotational pasturing helping them improve soil health and manage pests.

If you’ re craving a kaleidoscopic effect in your egg basket, look no further than this assortment of chicken breeds that lay colorful eggs.

Shorter days and seasonal changes naturally slow egg production, but proper nutrition and flock care can help support healthy hens through the fall.

FEATURE

Montana State researchers aim to autonomously eliminate plant-killing bacteria from hydroponic farming systems.

SEASONAL ACRES

Match a snowplow to your machine and property by avoiding common mistakes involving weight ratings, hydraulic compatibility and blade selection.

GROW & GARDEN

Late-summer planning helps protect soil and prepare pastures and gardens for the season ahead.

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Explore UTVs, grazing tools and pumpkin varieties for fall work and harvests.

Dear AcreageLife readers,

September has a way of making us pause and take stock. The days are getting shorter, mornings are a little cooler and the pace of summer begins to give way to the routines of fall. On an acreage, that transition can be especially noticeable. There are still plenty of chores to finish, but there is also a growing list of things to prepare before winter arrives.

Fall is a season of change on the acreage, and that includes the flock. Shorter days naturally slow egg production, making nutrition and flock care especially important as hens adjust to the season. Chickens can also play a role beyond

the coop, with rotational pasturing helping support soil health and manage pests. From choosing breeds that add color to the egg basket to preparing pastures and gardens for the months ahead, fall offers plenty of ways to make the most of the season.

As summer winds down, this issue offers plenty of ideas to carry into the next season. Whether you are tending a flock, preparing your garden, caring for livestock or simply looking ahead to winter chores, there is always something new to learn and another opportunity to make your acreage a little better than you found it.

— The AcreageLife Editorial Team

Vol. 25 No. 9 September 2026

Publisher Catalyst Communications Network

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