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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking to pause its high-profile lawsuit against the cryptocurrency exchange Binance as the regulator tries to present itself as more crypto-friendly under a new administration. Binance and the SEC filed a joint motion Monday asking for a 60-day stay in a lawsuit the regulator filed with significant fanfare two years ago under its previous chairman, Gary Gensler. Monday’s filing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia said the SEC approached Binance asking for the pause. The regulator said the work of a new crypto task force launched by Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda that’s supposed to improve ties to the crypto industry “may impact and facilitate the potential resolution of this case.” The filing is the first “tangible action in existing enforcement actions that recognizes a change in direction of the agency,” said Carol Goforth, a distinguished professor at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Binance is the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange – a digital marketplace where customers can buy, sell and store different types of crypto — and the SEC’s lawsuit drew considerable attention when first filed. Gensler said in a statement at the time that Binance and its founder, Changpeng Zhao, had engaged in an extensive “web of deception” while the SEC’s X account posted a graphic highlighting a key piece of evidence of alleged wrongdoing: a quote from Binance’s chief compliance officer saying to another employee in 2018, “We are operating as a fking unlicensed securities exchange in the USA bro.” In a separate case, Binance later agreed to pay a roughly $4 billion settlement and Zhao pleaded guilty to a felony related to his failure to prevent money laundering on the platform. A key issue facing the cryptocurrency industry is whether certain digital assets should be regulated as securities – a position that the SEC under Gensler supported while many in the crypto industry are opposed. Cryptocurrencies are a kind of electronic cash that have moved from the financial fringes to the mainstream in rapid fits and starts, despite being marred by scandals and market meltdowns. The SEC has targeted crypto exchanges like Binance, Coinbase and others for allegedly operating unregistered securities exchanges. That scrutiny came after the high-profile meltdown of FTX, the exchange founded by disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried. The industry said it was unfairly treated by the Biden administration, and Gensler in particular, and spent heavily to help Trump and Republicans in the last election. Trump and GOP lawmakers have signaled their eagerness to help the crypto industry with friendly legislation and light-touch regulations. Uyeda launched the new crypto task force last month, saying the agency needed a reset in its approach to crypto. “To date, the SEC has relied primarily on enforcement actions to regulate crypto retroactively and reactively, often adopting novel and untested legal interpretations along the way,” the agency said in announcing the task force. “Clarity regarding who must register, and practical solutions for those seeking to register, have been elusive.” Legal experts said the pause in the Binance case could indicate similar changes in the SEC’s ongoing legal action against other crypto exchanges. “I would expect that all of these cases will be either dismissed outright or settled on very favorable terms to the defendants,” said James Murphy, a securities law expert. That’s bad news, said Corey Frayer, a former SEC official who recently left the agency. “The SEC delaying what appears to be a slam dunk case in Binance while welcoming crypto’s return to its pre-FTX days is a bad omen for any other ongoing crypto litigation,” he said. In a statement, Binance said the SEC’s case “has always been without merit” and praised Uyeda for “his thoughtful approach to ensuring digital assets receive the appropriate legislative and regulatory focus in this new, golden era of blockchain in the U.S. and around the world.” —Alan Suderman, AP business writer View the full article

Android is redesigning its parental controls to give caregivers easier access to their child’s data, as well as bring what were initially smartwatch-only “School time” features to phones and tablets for the first time. Credit: Google It’s now easier to find screen time tools on AndroidFirst, all of Family Link’s screen time tracking tools are getting consolidated into one tab. This reflects changes Google made to Family Link’s screen time tools during the pandemic, which gave parents a more granular look at which apps their kids were using on their phone. This was a necessity for remote learning, when screen time was sometimes necessary, but also arguably introduced a bit of bloat to the app’s interface. Now, aside from a general overview of total screen time, you won’t be bothered by screen time data unless you go looking for it. More powerful controls and better support for multi-child homesSimilarly, the Controls tab now has direct and upfront buttons for approving app downloads, blocking specific websites, and adjusting data settings, so you no longer need to venture into your settings or scroll down multiple times to access these frequently configured options. Multi-child homes also get a bit of a bonus in this update, as a floating slider in the top-left corner allows parents to switch between their kids’ profiles without navigating away from the page they’re on. Credit: Google ‘School time’ mode limits apps during school hoursBy far, the biggest updates here are the introduction of “School time” and Parent-managed contacts. While Google already promised it was bringing “School time” to Android, it seems that moment has finally arrived. Originally introduced, oddly enough, on the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch, School Time will start rolling out to Android phones and tablets next week. Essentially, the feature allows parents to set up recurring time blocks, say, for school hours, that limit a phone’s functionality and silence notifications. Essentially, while School time is active, apps are limited to a specific list chosen by parents. This will ensure a child can only use apps they need for school, although parents can build breaks into the schedule, so a child can use their phone’s full functionality during recess or lunch, for example. This can also be used for planned days off and vacations, and because School time is set up on a day-by-day basis, weekends can easily be worked into a schedule as well. Plus, there’s a “Disable for today” button on the child’s phone that parents can use to quickly dismiss School time (presumably by using a code, although I’ve reached out to Google for confirmation). Basically, School time takes what might have been a laborious process—restricting apps some of the time and allowing them at other times—and automates it. Previously, Google had also said that School time for Android phones would limit calling and texting to a specific list of contacts, although there’s no mention of that in today’s press release. As with the “Disable for today” button, I’ve reached out to the company for clarification and will update when I hear back. School time also technically doesn’t need to be active only during school hours, and works in addition to the separate “Downtime” mode that locks a child out of non-emergency phone use when they’re supposed to be sleeping. Credit: Google Get ready to start rubber stamping your kids’ contactsFinally, “in the coming months,” parents will be able to limit their kids’ general calling and texting to only specific contacts. This will let you set up contacts for your child through Family Link, at which point you’ll be able to limit all calling and texting to only those contacts (as well as emergency numbers). If your kid does make a new friend, though, they will be able to send over new contacts and request approval for them. View the full article

Don’t just think you’re doing great; quantify it. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Don’t just think you’re doing great; quantify it. By Jody Padar Radical Pricing – By The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

A handy reviewer’s checklist. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

A handy reviewer’s checklist. By Ed Mendlowitz Tax Season Opportunity Guide Go PRO for members-only access to more Edward Mendlowitz. View the full article

The Federal Reserve is set to refrain from cutting interest rates for "quite a while," following a hotter-than-expected inflation report, according to Mohamed El-Erian. View the full article

Alexander Vinnik is in custody on money-laundering charges View the full article

The Apple Watch Ultra 2, which came out in 2023, is Apple's latest and most expensive smartwatch. After Apple's latest event and the release of the new Apple Watch 10, it was expected the Ultra 2 would drop in price. As is the case with most Apple flagship products, the discounts aren't massive, but at this price point, anything helps. The GPS + Cellular Apple Watch Ultra 2 is currently $679 (originally $799), the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] Smartwatch with Rugged Titanium Case & Blue Ocean Band One Size. $679.99 at Amazon $799.00 Save $119.01 Get Deal Get Deal $679.99 at Amazon $799.00 Save $119.01 The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is different than the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra and the Apple Watch Series 10 (although for most people, the Series 10 is the best choice). It's the most premium Apple watch, with the biggest case size (screen), brightest screen (3,000 nits), deepest water resistance of 100 meters, and longest battery life of up to 36 hours. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 is packed with fitness-focused features, but even if you aren’t a health nut, it still has a lot of great features for casual users as well. People who want a reliable sleep tracker can learn a lot about their sleep habits with the Ultra 2 as long as they keep it well-charged. There are other features not highlighted on the event like nap detection, a translation app, and a feature for Ultra users only that helps you keep track of your current progress in the gym. The model currently available for $679 is the cellular version, meaning you have an independent cellular signal on your smartwatch and can leave your phone behind on runs and still listen to music or make calls. View the full article

The company more than doubled results over comparable periods and exceeded estimates due to stronger economies of scale and valuation adjustments in its favor. View the full article

Japanese technology company SoftBank Group Corp. reported a 369.2 billion yen ($2.4 billion) loss for the fiscal third quarter as it racked up red ink from its Vision Fund investments. That’s compared to a 950 billion yen profit in October-December 2023. Quarterly sales rose 3% from the previous year to 1.83 trillion yen ($11.9 billion), the Tokyo-based company said Wednesday. The report comes barely a month after Masayoshi Son, the founder and chief executive, appeared with President Donald Trump in Washington, as well as with Sam Altman of OpenAI and Larry Ellison of Oracle, to announce an investment of up to $500 billion into an artificial intelligence project called Stargate. Son has repeatedly said the company is banking on a future in artificial intelligence. SoftBank Group invests in an array of companies that it sees as holding long-term potential, including unlisted upstarts, so its financial performance tends to swing wildly. For the nine months of this fiscal year through December, it recorded a profit of 636 billion yen ($4 billion), a reversal from a loss of 459 billion for the previous year. Investment gains were recorded in its holdings in Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba; Coupang, a South Korean retailer based in the U.S.; a mobility service provider DiDi Global and Grab Holdings, a Singaporean technology company, while improved sales came in its British semiconductor company Arm’s business. Some of the investment gains from the earlier months of this fiscal year were erased in the latest quarter. The company does not issue an annual forecast. Yuri Kageyama is on Theads: https://www.threads.net/@yurikageyama —Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer View the full article

The latest refinance surge helped lift total application activity up for a second straight week, even as purchases fell, the Mortgage Bankers Association said. View the full article

“Blocked by robots.txt.” “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt.” These two responses from Google Search Console have divided SEO professionals since Google Search Console (GSC) error reports became a thing. It needs to be settled once and for all. Game on. What’s the difference between ‘Blocked by robots.txt’ vs. ‘Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt’? There is one major difference between “Blocked by robots.txt” and “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt.” The indexing. “Blocked by robots.txt” means your URLs will not appear in Google search. “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt” means your URLs are indexed and will appear in Google search even though you attempted to block the URLs in the robots.txt file. Is my URL really blocked from search engines if I disallow it in the robots.txt file? The answer: No. No URL is entirely blocked from search engines indexing if you disallow the URL in the robots.txt file. The scuttlebutt between SEO professionals and these Google Search Console errors is that search engines don’t completely ignore your URL if it’s listed as a disallow and blocked in the robots.txt file. In its help documents, Google states it does not guarantee the page won’t be indexed if blocked by robots.txt. I’ve seen this happen on websites I manage, and other SEO professionals as well. Lily Ray shares how pages blocked by robots.txt files are eligible to appear in AI Overviews with a snippet. This just in: pages blocked by robots.txt are eligible to appear in AI Overviews. With a snippet. Normally, when Google serves blocked pages in its search results, it shows “No information available for this page” in the description. But with AIO, apparently Google shows a… pic.twitter.com/JrlSwWGJH9 — Lily Ray (@lilyraynyc) November 19, 2024 Ray continues to show an example from Goodreads. One URL is currently blocked by robots.txt. Something I see a lot of in AIO: seems like when a certain site is deemed as a good resource on the topic, that site might get 3-5 links within AIO. In this example, Goodreads has 5 different URLs cited in the response (including one currently blocked by robots.txt ) pic.twitter.com/Akilxvrk8v — Lily Ray (@lilyraynyc) November 19, 2024 Patrick Stox highlighted a URL blocked by robots.txt can be indexed if there are links pointing to the URL. Pages blocked by robots.txt can be indexed and served on Google if they have links pointing to them.@danielwaisberg can you make this clearer in the live test warning in GSC? pic.twitter.com/6AybwEU8Bf — Patrick Stox (@patrickstox) February 3, 2023 How do I fix ‘Blocked by robots.txt’ in Google Search Console? Manually review all the pages flagged in the ‘Blocked by robots.txt’report First, I manually reviewed all the pages flagged in the Google Search Console “Blocked by robots.txt” report. To access the report, go to Google Search Console > Pages > and look under the section Blocked by robots.txt. Then, export the data to Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV to filter it. Determine if you meant to block the URL from search engines Scan your export document for high-priority URLs that are meant to be seen by search engines. When you see the error “Blocked by robots.txt” it tells Google not to crawl the URL because you implemented a disallow directive in the robots.txt file for a specific purpose. It’s completely normal to block a URL from search engines. For example, you may block thank you pages from search engines. Or lead generation pages meant only for sales teams. Your goal as an SEO professional is to determine if the URLs listed in the report are truly meant to be blocked and avoided by search engines. If you intentionally added the disallow in the robots.txt, the report will be accurate, and no actions will be needed on your end. If you added the disallow in the robots.txt on accident, keep reading. Remove the disallow directive from the robots.txt if you accidentally added it by mistake If you accidentally added a disallow directive to a URL by mistake, remove the disallow directive manually from the robots.txt file. After you remove the disallow directive from the robots.txt file, submit the URL to the Inspect URL bar at the top of the Google Search Console. Then, click Request indexing. If you have multiple URLs under a whole directory, start with the first directory URL. It will have the biggest impact. The goal is to have search engines recrawl these pages and index the URLs again. Request to recrawl your robots.txt file Another way to signal Google to crawl your accidentally disallowed pages is to Request a recrawl in Google Search Console. In Google Search Console, go to Settings > robots.txt. Then, select the three dots next to the robots.txt file you want Google to recrawl and select Request a recrawl. Track the performance of before and after Once you’ve cleaned up your robots.txt file disallow directives, and submitted your URLs to be recrawled, use the Wayback Machine to check when your robots.txt file was last updated. This can give you an idea of the disallow directive’s potential impact on a specific URL. Then, report on the performance for at least 90 days after indexing the URL. Get the newsletter search marketers rely on. Business email address Sign me up! Processing... See terms. How do I fix ‘Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt’ in Google Search Console? Manually review all the pages flagged in the ‘Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt’ report Again, jump in and manually review all the pages flagged in the Google Search Console “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt” report. To access the report, go to Google Search Console > Pages > and look under the section Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt. Export the data to filter it to Google Sheets, Excel, or CSV. Determine if you meant to block the URL from search engines Ask yourself: Should this URL really be indexed? Is there any valuable content for people searching on search engines? If this URL is meant to be blocked by search engines, no actions need to be taken. This report is valid. If this URL is not meant to be blocked by search engines, keep reading. Remove the disallow directive from the robots.txt and request to recrawl if you want the page indexed If you mistakenly added a disallow directive to a URL by accident, remove the disallow directive manually from the robots.txt file. After you remove the disallow directive from the robots.txt file, submit the URL to the Inspect URL bar at the top of the Google Search Console. Then, click Request indexing. Then, in Google Search Console, go to Settings > robots.txt > Request a recrawl. You want Google to recrawl these pages to index the URLs and generate traffic. Add a noindex tag if you want the page completely removed from search engines If you don’t want the page indexed, consider adding a noindex tag instead of using the disallow directive in the robots.txt. You still need to remove the disallow directive from robots.txt. If you keep both, the “Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt” error report in Google Search Console will continue to grow, and you will never solve the issue. Why would I add a noindex tag instead of using a disallow directive in the robots.txt? If you want a URL completely removed from search engines, you must include a noindex tag. The disallow in the robots.txt file doesn’t guarantee a page will not get indexed. Robots.txt files are not used to control indexed. Robots.txt files are used to control crawling. Should I include both a noindex tag and a disallow directive to the same URL? No. If you’re using a noindex tag on a URL, do not disallow the same URL in the robots.txt. You need to let search engines crawl the noindex tag to detect it. If you include the same URL in the disallow directive in the robots.txt file, search engines will have a hard time crawling that URL to identify that the noindex tag exists. Creating a clear crawling strategy for your website is the way to avoid the robots.txt errors in Google Search Console When you see either of the robots.txt error reports in Google Search Console spike, you may be tempted to renege on your stances for why you chose to block search engines from a specific URL. I mean, can’t a URL just be blocked from search engines? Yes, a URL should and can be blocked from search engines for a reason. Not all URLs have thoughtful, engaging content meant for search engines. The natural, panacea to this error report in Google Search Console is always to audit your pages and determine if the content is meant for search engine eyes to see. View the full article

The era of the free internet is over: In recent years, countless websites have added paywalls. This means if you want to read their articles, you have to sign up and pay a monthly subscription fee. Some sites have a “metered” paywall—meaning you can read a certain number of articles for free before they ask for money—and others have a hard paywall, where you’ll have to pay to read even one article. Paywalls are mostly a thing with news websites, largely because relying on advertising income alone isn’t a viable strategy anymore, forcing these companies to pursue direct revenue sources like monthly subscriptions. In that sense, paywalls aren't a bad thing—it’s wonderful to support journalism you find valuable. If nothing else, I hope you support the websites that you read regularly—especially your friendly local news outlet. But sometimes you just need to get around a paywall quickly. Maybe you've lost your password, haven’t saved it on your phone, are in a rush, or are strapped for cash and swear to yourself that you’ll subscribe later. If one of these exceptions applies, there are many ways to bypass paywalls on the internet—though not nearly as many as there used to be. Many once-reliable methods of bypassing paywalls have stopped working almost entirely (pour one out for pasting the headline into Google and opening the link in a private browsing window). The methods discussed below are more robust—and thus, more likely to work. I'll start with my favorite, which has served me well for the past year or so. But a word of caution: You may be able to use some of these methods successfully today, but that could change in the future as websites clamp down on bypass methods. (This article is regularly updated as some methods stop working and others pop up.) Archive.today is the best, most reliable option for bypassing paywalls Credit: Screenshot by Joel Cunningham Archive.today is the fastest, most reliable way to quickly bypass a paywall that I've found, and I've been using it successfully for the past year across a wide range of sites. It's a site that will create an archived version of any website you paste into the search bar. (Think of an archived version like taking a screenshot of any website with a time stamp—a self-described “time capsule,” if you will.) Archive.today “saves a text and a graphical copy of the page for better accuracy” and gives you a short link to an unalterable record of any web page. Yes, yes—but as a bonus, you can often use this functionality to bypass a paywall and read an entire paywalled article without issue. Just paste your article link into the black “I want to search the archive for saved snapshots” bar and you'll be taken to a page where you can view earlier archived versions. If the article you’re trying to bypass isn’t already archived, then put the URL into the red “My URL is alive and I want to archive its content” bar. The site will then begin generating the archived version, which usually only takes a few minutes. You'll be sent straight to this archived version once it's ready, and you can come back to it later by copying the new URL from your browser's nav bar. You can also add browser extension to Chrome that will create a button in your browser toolbar you can click to instantly create an archived of any web page. The archived version will even automatically open up in a new tab. I've only had this site fail me once or twice. Usually, there's already an existing archived version for anything I want to read, but creating a new one only takes a minute or two. Still, if it doesn't work, try the next option. More free, easy methods to try to get around a paywallUse 12ft.io12ft.io is a simple website created with the sole purpose of breaking through paywalls—and like Archive.today, it's simple to use: Simply paste the paywalled link in the text field and hit “Submit.” (Alternately, you can type “https://12ft.io/” before the URL in your browser bar.) The site will then show you the cached, “unpaywalled version” of the page. The only problem is that the site doesn't always work on all websites (The Wall Street Journal being a notable example; I also can't get it to show me anything from Crain's Chicago Business). If you get the “access denied” message, try another method on this list. Explore the web 'shackle-free'If 12ft.io isn't working for you, there's a similar alternative, shacklefree.in. You can either visit that site and paste your link into the address bar, or you can type shacklefree.in/, and paste the article link directly into the browser bar after the slash. The service claims to work with "150+ websites." Spaywall promises to "legally bypass paywalls"Another site that works similarly to 12ft.io and Archive.today, Spaywall states that the site "legally [bypasses] paywalls by redirecting you to archived news and research papers." In testing links, it appears it takes the site a big longer to archive pages than some of your other options, so it's probably best for reading older articles. Use smry to read the article (or an AI-generated summary)A newer tool I found while poking around "get around a paywall" Reddit, smry.ai is a tool that works similarly to 12ft.io and Archive.today, in that it shows you a cached version of the article page (pulled, according to the developer, from either the Internet Wayback Machine or Google cache), which allows you to read the entire thing. What sets this one apart is AI integration: Click the purple "generate" button on the results page to get an AI-generated summary of the article's key points. In practice, I found the summaries to be more akin to social media posts than an outline (for example, a 7,000-word New York Magazine article about the recent assassination attempts on the life of former President Donald Trump was trimmed to a single short paragraph), but if you're just looking for the gist—or trying to decide if you want to read the entire article at all—it's a nice little addition. Try Remove Paywalls (but don't pay for the browser extension)Another site that works similarly to 12ft.io and Archive.today, Remove Paywall promises to provide access to archived versions of webpages and get you around most any paywall. In testing, it seemed to work just as well as the aforementioned options: You simply navigate to the website and paste the URL of the article you're trying to read into the search box. Unlike the other options, Remove Paywall also offers a browser extension that purports to be able to get you around paywalls automatically. There's a catch, though: It requires a one-time purchase of $80, a steep cost for something you can easily do for free with minimal extra effort, and it isn't available on the Google Play Store because it doesn't align with the storefront's current requirements. Side-loading extensions is generally a no for me. More complex solutions to your paywall problemsIf you're willing to try solutions that are a little more technical than a mere copy and paste, one of these options might work for you. Disable JavaScript in your browserSome websites use JavaScript to hide content behind paywalls, and you can circumvent those blocks by disabling JavaScript in your browser. Note that disabling JavaScript can (and will) break most websites—some may not let you view comments, while others may not load at all. But it’s worth trying if you just need to read the content of the post. Ideally, you’d use a separate browser for this so that you don’t have to keep enabling and disabling JavaScript. Once you’ve chosen your secondary browser, check out our guide to disabling JavaScript in various ones. Use a VPNSome paywalled sites, like The Washington Post, will let you read a limited number of articles for free each month, then throw up the wall once you've hit the limit. You can use a VPN to change up your IP address and trick the site into giving you more freebies. This method won't help you on sites that don't offer any free access, but it's worth trying, and will work with both paid and free VPNs. Try another browser add-onThere are lots of browser extensions that allow you to bypass paywalls on many websites. For academic articles, Unpaywall (Firefox, Chrome) is a good choice. For Chrome or Edge, you can also try Postlight Reader, which can also do you the favor of cleaning away the clutter of ads and generally making online content easier to read. Edit a couple of elements on the webpageIf you understand a bit of HTML and CSS, you can edit elements using your browser to go past some paywalls. Essentially, you’re editing the page to remove the banners that lock content behind a subscription. It’s a lot like opening the curtains to reveal the nice view outside your window. It works with some websites, but others have added a hard block that reveals the article only if you’ve signed in with a paid account. Still, it’s worth trying once to see if it works: On any website, right-click the banner just below the last visible sentence of the article and select Inspect Element. This will open up a console where you can search for the offending elements and hide or change them. The exact element varies from site to site, but it’s often labeled display, paywall, or subscribe. Here’s a neat GIF on Reddit that shows you how to get it done. Use a paywall bypass shortcut on AndroidIf you are trying to read a paywalled article on an Android phone, you can get around it with the Bypass Paywalls Clean browser extension. This extension used to be available for Firefox but has been removed from the Mozilla store. However, you can add it to a different browser; Reddit users recommend trying the Kiwi browser. Use a paywall bypass shortcut on iPhoneThe last method on our list works only on iPhones: Apple’s free Shortcuts app lets you run automation routines on your iPhone, and its tools have been used to bypass paywalls on various websites. There are plenty of these shortcuts, and they may all not work with all websites. Get started by trying AntiPaywall, Bypass Paywall, Paywall and Cookie Bypass, or Unpaywall. Two totally legal, ethical ways to get around paywallsCheck if your local library provides accessMany libraries offer access to paid magazine and newspaper subscriptions online. Typically you'll have to go to your library's website, log in with your card number or account details, and then access different publications indirectly, via the library's portal (for example, if you live in Marin County, California, you can easily read the Washington Post for free). There are too many library systems out there to count, so you may or may not be lucky enough to be in one that offers this perk, but it's worth a shot; since the library is paying the publication for the service, you don't even need to feel guilty. (Not sure if your system has a news portal? Ask your local librarian!) Ask a subscriber for a "gift article"This one isn't likely to be feasible often, but it's worth a shot for when you're trying to read that one paywalled article that's going viral: Many publications allow paid subscribers to "gift" a copy of a certain number of articles every month (The Washington Post and The New York Times each allows gifting 10 articles per month, for example). If you know your aunt subscribes to the New York Times, it can't hurt to ask if she's willing to gift you the occasional read. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Here’s part 2 of questions from federal workers who are currently under attack by the administration, as well as others affected by the fall-out. Part 1 (and an explanation of what’s going on) was here. 1. For those of us staying, how do we deal with this? For those of us choosing to stay and continue defending the constitution, any advice? What are ways to deal with uncertainties, short notice changes, conflicting information, being short handed, and low morale? I hope many of us still feel that service and putting others before ourselves is good and the right thing to do. I wish there was a good answer for this. Much of what’s happening is designed to get you to leave on your own. It’s going to be a rough ride for a while, and it will help to expect that. You’ll still be blindsided by things — you can’t be prepared for all of it — but you can brace yourself to know that it’s going to be rocky for a while. While things are so chaotic and volatile, the more unflappable you can be — the more you can simply roll with things like conflicting and constantly changing info, or being short-staffed, or how uncertain everything is — the less seasick you’ll be through all of it. It’s not a great answer, I know. But for people who are staying, know how many of us are very grateful to you. Thank you for doing what you can to hold the line. 2. Encouraging staff to leave before they’re laid off I’m in one of the nonprofit sectors being heavily impacted by the executive orders. Even though they haven’t taken away our funding yet, upper management is sufficiently terrified to start saying we’re not renewing contracts in that work (in case funding gets clawed back). We are looking at significant decreases or the elimination of our department over the next 4-6 months. I am the manager of a double-digit-sized team, who are all very passionate about the population we work with and our department. A few of them have loudly said they will go down with the metaphorical ship. Alison, I don’t want that! They’re all very talented and competent, and I would rather they find somewhere to land safely while I play Nearer My God to Thee. Any time I see a job I think they would be well suited for I will send it their way, but it feels awkward to do so. How do I walk the line between “you are an integral part of this team and sorely missed” and “get out while you still can”? Be up-front with people! “I appreciate your dedication, but there are many ways to do good work in the world that don’t require you to go down with the ship. I want you to take care of yourself and your family, and I cannot in good faith discourage you from looking for a safe landing spot.” You don’t need to nudge them every day to job search, but you should be clear that you support them in looking and believe they should look, and that there’s no special valor in refusing to. 3. Applying for a federal job in the middle of this I’m a long-time federal employee. A month before January 20, I began an interview process for an internal transfer. I completed the final interview shortly before the hiring freeze. I sent out thank-you notes, received a couple of polite acknowledgements, and it’s been radio silence ever since. Ordinarily, I would assume that I wasn’t picked and move on, but this is such an odd situation. I’ve heard that internal transfers will eventually be allowed. I suppose there’s a chance that the position will be eliminated or I will be fired, although I’m aware that I’m very fortunate not to be in my probationary period. I’ve not followed up at all since my thank-you notes. There’s been so much chaos and confusion that I felt like it would be inappropriate and insensitive. But … should I? If so, when? and what on earth do I say? Don’t follow up right now. There’s a federal hiring freeze (with the exception of a small number of exempted positions), and following up will make you look strangely oblivious to that. At most you could send a note saying, “I understand things are most likely on hold right now, but if you do return to filling the position, I’d love to talk further.” But it’s not really needed; it would be more about your own desire to close the loop in some way than anything likely to have a practical impact on next steps. I’d just sit tight for now and see how things develop. 4. Resume when I just got promoted but am already job-searching Like many federal employees, I am expecting Reduction in Force in the upcoming weeks and am trying to prepare by updating my resume (thanks for the great resume advice, by the way!). The problem is that I was just promoted to a new position two months ago. I’m not sure how I should address this, if at all. I saw your advice to not include a short-term position unless it was intended as such from the beginning (e.g., a campaign), and I appreciate that advice. But I haven’t technically been laid off yet, and the promotion was a pretty substantial upgrade in terms of title (and expected responsibilities), and I’m reluctant to not highlight that on what are effectively marketing materials for myself. But I certainly haven’t been in the position long enough to have any “accomplishments.” Do I leave it off my resume and address it in my cover letter? I have to imagine that there have been other people in my position, federal employees or not, but can’t seem to find any good advice online. Leave the promotion on your resume, and you don’t need to address the short nature of it in your cover letter. It will be clear to anyone in touch with hiring right now why you’re leaving. More broadly, the advice about not including short-term positions that weren’t intended to be short-term is really about when you held a single short-lived position at a single company. It never applied to promotions at an existing company, even short-term ones! 5. Free job-hunting help for federal employees I would love to pay for copies of your How To Get A Job ebook for a few of the federal employees who are undergoing such horrendous job conditions right now, many of whom I suspect may not have much job searching experience and possibly also not outside government jobs. It’s an outstanding resource. Any suggestions on a way to do this? Maybe there are other readers with the same impulse? That is a lovely offer, and it makes me want to send it for free to any federal worker who wants it. Federal workers: Email me with whatever evidence of federal employment you’re comfortable providing and I’ll send you a copy. View the full article

This time, the giant schnauzer went the full Monty. After coming close in the last two years, Monty the giant schnauzer won the top prize at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show Tuesday night, leaving handler and co-owner Katie Bernardin almost too emotional to speak. “He always tries so hard, and we’re just proud of him,” she told the crowd at Madison Square Garden. The spirited schnauzer bested six other finalists to become the first of his breed tapped as Westminster’s best in show, the most prestigious prize in the U.S. dog show world. The dog won the huge American Kennel Club championship in December, and he’d been a Westminster twice before. A standout because of “everything from his attitude to his structure,” Monty is bold, cocky and fun, according to co-owner Sandy Nordstrom. “He’s just a really cool dog,” she said in an interview before his win, which will be his last. The 5-year-old is retiring from showing. The runner-up was, for the third time, a whippet known as Bourbon. Other finalists included a bichon frisé called Neal, a Skye terrier named Archer, and a shih tzu called Comet who’s been a finalist before. Also in the mix were a German shepherd named Mercedes, who came in second last year, and an English springer spaniel called Freddie. Each dog at Westminster is judged according to how closely it matches the ideal for its breed. Winners get a trophy, ribbons and bragging rights, but no cash prize. During a break between semifinal rounds, security personnel surrounded and ousted someone along the sidelines of the ring. The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has protested the dog show for years, said on X that a supporter was removed after holding a sign. Westminster says it celebrates all dogs. The show champions that compete also are household pets, and some do therapy work, search-and-rescue or other canine jobs. “A good German shepherd is an all-purpose dog,” said Mercedes’ co-breeder and co-owner Sheree Moses Combs of Wardensville, West Virginia. Some of her pups have become service dogs for wounded veterans, she said. “Dog shows are fun, but that is what our breed is all about,” she said. While Monty got this year’s trophy, other hopefuls also scored points with spectators. During two nights of semifinals, spectators shouted out breeds and names of canine competitors as if they played for one of the pro teams that call the Garden home, the NBA’s New York Knicks and NHL’s New York Rangers. “Love you, Lumpy!” someone yelled to a Pekingese named Lumpy, who earned laughs for his ambling gait. The arena erupted with cheers for Penny the Doberman pinscher and for a golden retriever named Tuffy, a representative of a popular breed that has never won. She also got some recognition from the judge, as did another crowd favorite, Calaco the Xoloitzcuintli. His breed (pronounced shoh-loh-eets-KWEEN’-tlees) are hairless dogs with deep roots in Mexico. A trip to Westminster is a reminder of dogs’ variety, even just among purebreds. While big, “working” dogs had their day at Westminster on Tuesday, so did terriers. First-round competitor Brina, for instance, is a 158-pound (71.6 kilogram) Neapolitan mastiff. The jowly breed was developed to be an imposing guard dog, but Brina’s owner, Yves Belmont, Ph.D., said he also is impressed by its intelligence. He keeps several of the dogs at his Atlanta-area home. “I’ve been struck by this breed since I was 12. … They’re so unique,” Belmont said as Brina napped in her crate, equipped with a two-gallon (7.5-liter) water bucket. Meanwhile, Tyra the miniature bull terrier also strutted her stuff in a first-round ring. Formally called GCH CH Rnr’s Top Model, she’s named after fashion model Tyra Banks. The hardy terrier breed is “a big dog in a small package, but they always keep you smiling,” said owner and co-breeder Jessica Harrison of Austin, Texas. Asked where the 2-year-old Tyra falls on the mischief meter, Harrison smiled, “like a nine, for sure.” “You can’t be upset with them because they’re just so cute,” she said as Tyra rolled on her back to get a belly rub from a passerby at the Javits Center, the convention venue that hosted the first-round judging of each breed. Westminster also featured agility and obedience championships, held Saturday. The agility prize went to a border collie named Vanish, and an Australian shepherd called Willie triumphed in obedience. —Jennifer Peltz, Associated Press View the full article

I have a lot of apps on my phone. Many of these are there because I want them to be; some are there because I test them out for work; and others are a total mystery. What's worse, some of those—and even some of the ones I enjoy, but don't need—pull money out of my bank account monthly, quarterly, or annually ... and I have no idea. For me, agreeing to a "free trial" is ultimately just a guarantee that I'll lose money because I'm never going to actually check on that app's subscription status again. Or, at least, I didn't used to. I thought it was too hard to scrape through my bank statement, identify recurring charges that only show up as "Apple.com," figure out what app they might be for, open up the corresponding app, and cancel my subscription. It turns out, the iPhone makes it all a lot easier than that. There are actually two spots where every subscription you pay for is lined up in a list: your Settings and the App Store. Find and manage subscriptions in the App Store When you open the App Store, look for your Apple ID photo in the top right. Tap on that and you'll get a menu: Apps, Subscriptions, Purchase History, and Notifications. Tapping Subscriptions will bring you to a page that shows them all, including the app name and icon, its price, and the next time it's going to automatically renew. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson In the top right, you can sort how they appear, whether by name, price, or renewal date. You can tap the name of an app and be taken to a page that breaks down its details and gives you the option to cancel. If you choose to cancel, the page will then update to show you how many days you have left to use the subscription until it expires. If you scroll down, you can also see all of your inactive subscriptions, so you can re-subscribe without opening the apps directly or just see what you've paid for in the past. Find and manage subscriptions in SettingsOpen Settings and tap your Apple ID at the top. You'll see a list of Personal Information, Sign-In & Security, Payment & Shipping, and Subscriptions. Tapping the last one will take you to the same page you can access through the App Store, with the list of your active and inactive subscriptions. Whether you access through the App Store or your Settings, this page is the same. What to keep in mind about managing iPhone app subscriptionsBear in mind that these two methods will only show you subscriptions you've purchased through an app itself, not subscriptions you obtained elsewhere and then signed into an app to get. These are the subscriptions that show up as "Apple.com" on your bank statement, so go through your withdrawals to identify recurring charges from other sources. You'll have to cancel those directly through their provider. My Peacock and MLB.TV subscriptions, for instance, were acquired through the app, so they show up as "Apple.com" on my monthly card statement, but my Netflix sub was purchased directly through Netflix, so that shows up separately and isn't accessible using the App Store or Settings. From the Subscriptions page, you can also toggle on Renewal Receipt Emails. Scroll to the bottom of the page, beneath your active and inactive subscriptions, and make sure this is on so you get a receipt emailed to the account associated with your Apple ID whenever one renews. That can also help you keep track of what is being withdrawn from your account and when, as the emails break down the charges with more detail, unlike the bank statement entry. Each email will tell you exactly which app pulled money and how much it took. How to request a refund from AppleIf you didn't mean to buy an app or renew a subscription, you can always try asking Apple for a refund. Head back to the home page of the App Store and find the "Apps" tab, which is on the bottom of your screen. Scroll down—way down—until you get to "Quick Links." Near the bottom of the links, you'll see "Request a Refund." You deal directly with Apple, not the app developer, which makes this process pretty easy. Tapping the link takes you to a browser page that outlines your next steps: Sign in to reportaproblem.apple.com using your Apple ID. Tap "I'd like to," then select "Request a refund." Select the reason you want a refund from the dropdown menu provided under "Tell us more..." Some reasons they provide include that you didn't want to buy it or a minor made the purchase without permission, but you can also just press "other." Identify the app or subscription you want the refund for and hit Submit. You'll have an update on your request after 24 to 48 hours. It may not work, but it's worth a shot. View the full article

Apple renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America on its maps Tuesday after an order by President Donald Trump was made official by the U.S. Geographic Names Information System. The move follows Google, which announced last month that it would make the change once the official listing was updated and wrote in a blog post Sunday that it had begun rolling out the change. In Google’s case, the company said people in the U.S. will see Gulf of America and people in Mexico will see Gulf of Mexico. Everyone else will see both names. After taking office, Trump ordered that the water bordered by the Southern United States, Mexico and Cuba be renamed. The U.S. Geographic Names Information System officially updated the name late Sunday. Microsoft has also made the name change on its Bing maps. The Associated Press, which provides news around the world to multiple audiences, will refer to the Gulf of Mexico by its original name, which it has carried for 400 years, while acknowledging the name Gulf of America. View the full article

Hay farming is an agricultural practice that has been around for centuries. It involves the growing and harvesting of hay, which is used primarily as feed for livestock. Hay is a critical component of the agricultural industry and plays a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of farmers across the world. In this article, we will discuss what a hay farm is, the different types of hay that are commonly grown, and how to start a farm that produces hay. What is a Hay Farm? A hay farm is a type of agricultural operation that focuses primarily on the growing and harvesting of hay. Hay is a type of grass or legume that is cut and dried for use as animal feed. It is typically grown in large fields and harvested using specialized equipment, such as hay balers and mowers. Hay farms can be found all over the world, from small family-run operations to large commercial enterprises. How to Start a Hay Farm: Practical Steps to Follow Research and Plan Conduct thorough research on hay farming, focusing on different types of hay that thrive in your area. Decide on the type of hay you plan to grow based on the local climate, soil type, and market demand. Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your farming objectives, identifies your target market, and provides financial forecasts. Selecting the Right Hay Varieties Choose hay varieties that are well-suited to your region’s climate and soil conditions. Consider the needs of your potential customers, whether they require alfalfa, timothy, clover, or Bermuda grass hay. Securing Suitable Land Look for land that has the right soil type for your chosen hay variety, ideally well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Ensure the land has adequate sunlight and access to water sources for irrigation if needed. Understanding Soil Health and Fertility Test the soil to determine its nutrient levels and pH balance. Amend the soil based on test results to create the optimal growing conditions for your hay crop. Preparing the Land Till the land to create a smooth seedbed for planting. Remove any weeds or debris to minimize competition and pest risks. Planting the Hay Plant your selected hay variety according to the best practices for seeding rates and depths. Consider using a no-till drill or broadcast seeding method, depending on your land and equipment. Irrigation and Water Management Establish an effective irrigation system to guarantee that your hay farm receives adequate water, particularly during dry spells. Monitor moisture levels regularly to avoid over or under-watering. Pest and Disease Management Apply integrated pest management strategies to control pests and diseases. Regularly inspect your crop for signs of infestation or illness and take action as needed. Harvest Timing and Techniques Identify the best time to harvest your hay, which is typically during the early bloom stage for legumes and the late boot to early head stage for grasses. Use sharp, well-maintained harvesting equipment to ensure a clean cut and minimize losses. Post-Harvest Handling and Storage Bale the hay at the correct moisture level to prevent mold and spoilage. Store the hay bales in a dry, well-ventilated area, off the ground, to maintain their quality. Marketing and Selling Your Hay Develop a marketing strategy to sell your hay, targeting local farmers, livestock owners, and feed stores. Build relationships with your customers to encourage repeat business and referrals. Evaluating and Adjusting Your Practices After each growing season, evaluate the success of your hay farm by analyzing yields, customer feedback, and financial performance. Adjust your farming practices as necessary to improve efficiency, yield, and profitability. By following these steps, you can establish a successful hay farming operation that produces high-quality hay for your target market while managing resources efficiently and sustainably. The Business Side: Simple Steps to Start a Hay Farm Business Starting a hay farm business involves several steps to ensure success. Here are simple steps to help you establish and grow your hay farm business. Name and Brand Your Hay Farm Business Choosing a name and brand for your hay farm business is an important step. The name should be easy to remember, and it should accurately represent your business. You should also consider trademark and domain availability before finalizing your decision. Your brand should reflect your target audience and the values of your business. Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Hay Business To protect your personal assets and comply with legal requirements, you should register your hay farm business as an LLC or corporation. This also helps establish credibility and trust with potential customers and partners. You should also obtain any necessary licenses and permits for your business and make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Sort Out Taxes, Licenses, Permits, and Insurance When starting a hay farm business, you need to familiarize yourself with tax requirements, obtain any necessary licenses and permits, and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage. This helps you comply with legal requirements, protect your business and assets, and avoid any potential fines or penalties. Create a Hay Farm Business Plan Creating a business plan is essential for any successful hay farm business. It defines your business objectives, target market, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Your business plan should also identify potential challenges and solutions and include a clear roadmap for the future growth of your business. Market Research Conducting market research is crucial to understanding your target market and competition. You need to identify market trends and potential customers and assess demand and pricing in your area. This helps you tailor your marketing strategies to effectively reach and engage with your target audience. Buy the Necessary Equipment for Baling Hay To operate a successful hay farm business, you need to invest in the necessary equipment, including tractors, mowers, balers, and storage facilities. You can purchase or lease equipment, depending on your budget and long-term goals. It’s important to research and compare options to ensure you get the best value for your investment. Open a Business Bank Account Opening a separate business bank account is important for managing your finances and keeping accurate records. It also helps you separate your personal and business finances, making it easier to track expenses, monitor cash flow, and prepare tax returns. You can also access financial services and benefits specifically designed for small businesses. Market the Business Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy is crucial to the success of your hay farm business. This should include a mix of online and offline tactics to reach and engage with your target audience. You can use social media, email marketing, content marketing, and advertising to increase brand awareness and drive sales. Choose Where to Sell Your Products Identifying potential buyers and sales channels is an important step in growing your hay farm business. This includes feed stores, horse stables, and livestock auctions, as well as offering delivery services to customers who need it. You should also consider building relationships with potential buyers to establish long-term partnerships. Expand Your Hay Farm Business Exploring opportunities to expand your hay farm business is key to sustained growth. This can include diversifying your product line, increasing production, or offering value-added services. You should also continuously monitor market trends and adapt your strategies to meet the evolving needs of your customers. What is Needed to Start a Hay Farm and How Much Does it Cost? Starting a hay farm requires suitable land, equipment, and baling machinery. The costs of starting a hay farm depend on factors such as land availability and equipment quality. A small hay farm can cost between $10,000 to $20,000, while a large one can easily cost hundreds of thousands. Suitable Land: Hay farming requires land that is suitable for growing hay. The ideal soil type should be well-draining and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The land should also receive adequate sunlight and have access to water. The cost of purchasing or leasing suitable land varies depending on location and size. Equipment: Starting a hay farm requires a significant investment in equipment. This includes a tractor, mower, tedder hay rake, and baling equipment. The cost of equipment depends on the size and quality. Used equipment can be a cost-effective option for beginners. Tractor: A tractor is essential for every hay farm. It facilitates tasks such as plowing, tilling, planting, and harvesting. The price of a new tractor typically falls between $20,000 and $100,000, whereas a used tractor usually costs between $5,000 and $30,000. Mower: A mower is used to cut the hay before it is baled. The cost of a new mower can range from $2,000 to $10,000, while a used mower can cost between $500 to $5,000. Tedder & Hay Rake: Once the hay is cut, it must be dried before baling. A tedder helps to aerate the hay, ensuring it dries evenly. After that, a hay rake is employed to collect the dried hay into rows for baling. The price for a new tedder and hay rake typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, whereas used equipment can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Baling Equipment: Baling equipment is used to compress the hay into bales for storage or transport. The cost of a new baler can range from $10,000 to $50,000, while a used baler can cost between $2,000 to $10,000. Other baling equipment includes wagons, trailers, and wrappers, which can add additional costs. The Hay Farm Industry in the United States The hay farming industry in the United States is a significant sector of the agriculture industry. Hay is an essential feed source for livestock, making it a crucial element for the country’s meat and dairy production. The United States is the world’s largest hay producer, with over 53 million acres of hay harvested annually. The top hay-producing states in the U.S. include California, Texas, South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota. The industry has been growing steadily over the years, and advancements in technology and farming techniques have improved the efficiency and profitability of hay farming operations. The demand for hay continues to rise, and the industry is expected to remain an important contributor to the U.S. agriculture industry. Deciding What Type of Hay Farm to Run Choosing the right type of hay to grow on your hay farm is essential to your farm’s overall success. By considering your livestock’s nutritional needs, soil type and climate, market demand, and cost and labor, you can make an informed decision that will benefit both your farm and your livestock. Common Plants to Grow for Hay Production There are several different types of hay that are commonly grown on hay farms. These include: Timothy Hay: Timothy hay is a variety of grass hay commonly cultivated in North America. It is recognized for its rich nutritional value and is frequently used as feed for horses. Alfalfa Hay: Alfalfa hay is a legume hay that is high in protein and other essential nutrients. It is commonly used as feed for dairy cows and other livestock. Clover Hay: Clover hay is another type of legume hay that is commonly grown on hay farms. It is high in protein and is often used as feed for horses, sheep, and other livestock. Bermuda Grass Hay: Bermuda grass hay is a warm-season grass hay that is commonly grown in the southern United States. It is known for its high yields and is often used as feed for cattle and other livestock. Growing Hay for DIY on a Family Farm or Growing Hay to Sell You can either grow and let your livestock eat hay on your own farm, or you can grow hay to sell to other farmers and livestock owners. Consider factors such as soil type, climate, and market demand when choosing which type of hay to grow. How to Source Equipment to Grow Hay and For Harvesting Hay Sourcing equipment is essential to growing and harvesting hay. The process involves finding the right equipment that matches your needs, budget, and timeline. There are three main ways to source equipment: New: Buying new equipment is an option if you have a higher budget and want to invest in equipment that will last for years. Many farm equipment suppliers offer warranties on new equipment, and you can customize purchases to your specific needs. However, it’s more expensive than used or rented equipment. Used: Buying used farm equipment is a cost-effective option. However, it’s crucial to inspect the equipment carefully to ensure it’s in good condition. Look for reputable sellers, and research the equipment’s maintenance history before buying. Used equipment may have a shorter lifespan than new equipment. Rent: Renting equipment is an option if you don’t want to invest in equipment or only need it for a short period. Renting allows you to use high-quality equipment without the upfront costs of buying. However, it may be more expensive in the long run if you need equipment for extended periods. Renting is also subject to availability, so plan accordingly. The Steps in Making a Hay Crop Understanding the steps in making a hay crop can help farmers achieve maximum yield and quality. Let’s look at what the process involves… Preparing the Soil Soil preparation is essential for the success of the hay crop. This process includes tilling the soil to create a smooth seedbed, applying fertilizers and lime to adjust the soil pH, and clearing away any weeds or debris. Planting and Growing After the soil is prepared, the hay crop is planted and grown. The seed is spread evenly across the prepared seedbed and then covered with a layer of soil. The crop is then allowed to grow, and farmers must monitor it for weed growth and disease. Mowing Mowing is a crucial step in the hay crop process. Farmers must wait until the crop reaches the optimal height before mowing. This typically occurs when the crop is in the mid to late bud stage. Tedding Tedding involves fluffing and spreading the cut hay out to dry. This step helps to ensure the hay is dry and ready for raking. Raking Raking is the process of gathering the hay into rows to facilitate drying and baling. Farmers use specialized machinery, such as a rake or tedder, to move and shape the hay into neat rows. Stacking and Baling in Round Bales or Square Bales The final step in the hay crop process involves stacking and baling so there’s no loose hay. Farmers can choose to bale hay in either round or square bales, depending on their preference and the type of machinery they have. The farmer can then store hay so it’s ready for transport. StepDescription Preparing the SoilTilling, adding fertilizers, and correcting pH to create a suitable seedbed. Removing weeds. Planting and GrowingSpreading seed evenly, covering with soil, monitoring growth, and managing weed and disease. MowingCutting the hay crop at the optimal height, usually in the mid to late bud stage. TeddingFluffing and spreading cut hay to aid in drying and moisture evaporation. RakingGathering hay into neat rows to facilitate drying and baling using specialized machinery. Stacking and BalingCreating bales (round or square) from the dried hay. Stacking bales for storage or transport. Hay Farm: Downsides to Consider Despite its benefits, hay farming has downsides to consider. Weather conditions, such as drought or excessive rain, can reduce hay quality and yield. Hay storage can also be a challenge, and the cost of equipment and labor can be high. Hay Farming: A Sustainable Business Venture In conclusion, starting a hay farm represents a promising and sustainable business venture in the agricultural sector. With careful planning, appropriate land selection, and adherence to best farming practices, hay farming can yield significant returns while contributing to the agricultural community and supporting livestock nutrition. Achieving success in this area demands a commitment to soil health, effective crop management, and a thorough understanding of the market. However, for those who are prepared to invest the necessary time and resources, the rewards can be substantial. As the demand for quality animal feed continues, hay farming stands out as a valuable and enduring business idea. Whether you’re looking to support your own livestock or supply to local farmers and businesses, a well-managed hay farm can serve as a robust foundation for a thriving agricultural business. Hay Farm FAQs What is the Difference Between Hay and Straw? Hay is a forage crop harvested for livestock feed, while straw is a byproduct of harvested grains used primarily for bedding and other non-feed purposes. How Hard is Hay Farming? Hay farming can be physically demanding and time-consuming, requiring specialized equipment and knowledge. However, it can also be a rewarding and profitable industry. Can a Hay Farm be Profitable? Yes, a well-managed hay farm can be profitable. Factors such as crop yield, market demand, and operational efficiency can impact profitability. Is Hay Easy to Grow? Hay requires specific soil, moisture, and weather conditions for optimal growth. However, with proper preparation and care, hay can be successfully grown in many regions. How Much Hay Can 1 Acre Produce a Year? The amount of hay 1 acre can produce in a year varies depending on factors such as soil quality, crop variety, and weather conditions. On average, 1 acre can produce 1-4 tons of hay per year. Is it Worth it to Grow Hay? Whether growing hay is worth it depends on factors such as market demand, crop yield, and operational costs. With proper management, growing hay can be a profitable endeavor. How Should Hay Bales be Stacked to Reduce Waste? Hay bales should be stacked on a well-drained surface, preferably with a moisture barrier, and kept out of direct sunlight to prevent spoilage. Stacking bales in a crisscross pattern can also help reduce waste. Are Round Bales or Square Bales Better for Hay? The choice between a round bale and small square bales or large square bales depends on factors such as storage space, feeding method, and equipment availability. Round bales are generally better for outdoor storage, while square bales are easier to handle and stack. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Start a Hay Farm" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Hay farming is an agricultural practice that has been around for centuries. It involves the growing and harvesting of hay, which is used primarily as feed for livestock. Hay is a critical component of the agricultural industry and plays a vital role in sustaining the livelihoods of farmers across the world. In this article, we will discuss what a hay farm is, the different types of hay that are commonly grown, and how to start a farm that produces hay. What is a Hay Farm? A hay farm is a type of agricultural operation that focuses primarily on the growing and harvesting of hay. Hay is a type of grass or legume that is cut and dried for use as animal feed. It is typically grown in large fields and harvested using specialized equipment, such as hay balers and mowers. Hay farms can be found all over the world, from small family-run operations to large commercial enterprises. How to Start a Hay Farm: Practical Steps to Follow Research and Plan Conduct thorough research on hay farming, focusing on different types of hay that thrive in your area. Decide on the type of hay you plan to grow based on the local climate, soil type, and market demand. Create a comprehensive business plan that outlines your farming objectives, identifies your target market, and provides financial forecasts. Selecting the Right Hay Varieties Choose hay varieties that are well-suited to your region’s climate and soil conditions. Consider the needs of your potential customers, whether they require alfalfa, timothy, clover, or Bermuda grass hay. Securing Suitable Land Look for land that has the right soil type for your chosen hay variety, ideally well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Ensure the land has adequate sunlight and access to water sources for irrigation if needed. Understanding Soil Health and Fertility Test the soil to determine its nutrient levels and pH balance. Amend the soil based on test results to create the optimal growing conditions for your hay crop. Preparing the Land Till the land to create a smooth seedbed for planting. Remove any weeds or debris to minimize competition and pest risks. Planting the Hay Plant your selected hay variety according to the best practices for seeding rates and depths. Consider using a no-till drill or broadcast seeding method, depending on your land and equipment. Irrigation and Water Management Establish an effective irrigation system to guarantee that your hay farm receives adequate water, particularly during dry spells. Monitor moisture levels regularly to avoid over or under-watering. Pest and Disease Management Apply integrated pest management strategies to control pests and diseases. Regularly inspect your crop for signs of infestation or illness and take action as needed. Harvest Timing and Techniques Identify the best time to harvest your hay, which is typically during the early bloom stage for legumes and the late boot to early head stage for grasses. Use sharp, well-maintained harvesting equipment to ensure a clean cut and minimize losses. Post-Harvest Handling and Storage Bale the hay at the correct moisture level to prevent mold and spoilage. Store the hay bales in a dry, well-ventilated area, off the ground, to maintain their quality. Marketing and Selling Your Hay Develop a marketing strategy to sell your hay, targeting local farmers, livestock owners, and feed stores. Build relationships with your customers to encourage repeat business and referrals. Evaluating and Adjusting Your Practices After each growing season, evaluate the success of your hay farm by analyzing yields, customer feedback, and financial performance. Adjust your farming practices as necessary to improve efficiency, yield, and profitability. By following these steps, you can establish a successful hay farming operation that produces high-quality hay for your target market while managing resources efficiently and sustainably. The Business Side: Simple Steps to Start a Hay Farm Business Starting a hay farm business involves several steps to ensure success. Here are simple steps to help you establish and grow your hay farm business. Name and Brand Your Hay Farm Business Choosing a name and brand for your hay farm business is an important step. The name should be easy to remember, and it should accurately represent your business. You should also consider trademark and domain availability before finalizing your decision. Your brand should reflect your target audience and the values of your business. Form a Legal Entity and Register Your Hay Business To protect your personal assets and comply with legal requirements, you should register your hay farm business as an LLC or corporation. This also helps establish credibility and trust with potential customers and partners. You should also obtain any necessary licenses and permits for your business and make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Sort Out Taxes, Licenses, Permits, and Insurance When starting a hay farm business, you need to familiarize yourself with tax requirements, obtain any necessary licenses and permits, and ensure you have adequate insurance coverage. This helps you comply with legal requirements, protect your business and assets, and avoid any potential fines or penalties. Create a Hay Farm Business Plan Creating a business plan is essential for any successful hay farm business. It defines your business objectives, target market, marketing strategies, and financial projections. Your business plan should also identify potential challenges and solutions and include a clear roadmap for the future growth of your business. Market Research Conducting market research is crucial to understanding your target market and competition. You need to identify market trends and potential customers and assess demand and pricing in your area. This helps you tailor your marketing strategies to effectively reach and engage with your target audience. Buy the Necessary Equipment for Baling Hay To operate a successful hay farm business, you need to invest in the necessary equipment, including tractors, mowers, balers, and storage facilities. You can purchase or lease equipment, depending on your budget and long-term goals. It’s important to research and compare options to ensure you get the best value for your investment. Open a Business Bank Account Opening a separate business bank account is important for managing your finances and keeping accurate records. It also helps you separate your personal and business finances, making it easier to track expenses, monitor cash flow, and prepare tax returns. You can also access financial services and benefits specifically designed for small businesses. Market the Business Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy is crucial to the success of your hay farm business. This should include a mix of online and offline tactics to reach and engage with your target audience. You can use social media, email marketing, content marketing, and advertising to increase brand awareness and drive sales. Choose Where to Sell Your Products Identifying potential buyers and sales channels is an important step in growing your hay farm business. This includes feed stores, horse stables, and livestock auctions, as well as offering delivery services to customers who need it. You should also consider building relationships with potential buyers to establish long-term partnerships. Expand Your Hay Farm Business Exploring opportunities to expand your hay farm business is key to sustained growth. This can include diversifying your product line, increasing production, or offering value-added services. You should also continuously monitor market trends and adapt your strategies to meet the evolving needs of your customers. What is Needed to Start a Hay Farm and How Much Does it Cost? Starting a hay farm requires suitable land, equipment, and baling machinery. The costs of starting a hay farm depend on factors such as land availability and equipment quality. A small hay farm can cost between $10,000 to $20,000, while a large one can easily cost hundreds of thousands. Suitable Land: Hay farming requires land that is suitable for growing hay. The ideal soil type should be well-draining and have a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. The land should also receive adequate sunlight and have access to water. The cost of purchasing or leasing suitable land varies depending on location and size. Equipment: Starting a hay farm requires a significant investment in equipment. This includes a tractor, mower, tedder hay rake, and baling equipment. The cost of equipment depends on the size and quality. Used equipment can be a cost-effective option for beginners. Tractor: A tractor is essential for every hay farm. It facilitates tasks such as plowing, tilling, planting, and harvesting. The price of a new tractor typically falls between $20,000 and $100,000, whereas a used tractor usually costs between $5,000 and $30,000. Mower: A mower is used to cut the hay before it is baled. The cost of a new mower can range from $2,000 to $10,000, while a used mower can cost between $500 to $5,000. Tedder & Hay Rake: Once the hay is cut, it must be dried before baling. A tedder helps to aerate the hay, ensuring it dries evenly. After that, a hay rake is employed to collect the dried hay into rows for baling. The price for a new tedder and hay rake typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000, whereas used equipment can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000. Baling Equipment: Baling equipment is used to compress the hay into bales for storage or transport. The cost of a new baler can range from $10,000 to $50,000, while a used baler can cost between $2,000 to $10,000. Other baling equipment includes wagons, trailers, and wrappers, which can add additional costs. The Hay Farm Industry in the United States The hay farming industry in the United States is a significant sector of the agriculture industry. Hay is an essential feed source for livestock, making it a crucial element for the country’s meat and dairy production. The United States is the world’s largest hay producer, with over 53 million acres of hay harvested annually. The top hay-producing states in the U.S. include California, Texas, South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota. The industry has been growing steadily over the years, and advancements in technology and farming techniques have improved the efficiency and profitability of hay farming operations. The demand for hay continues to rise, and the industry is expected to remain an important contributor to the U.S. agriculture industry. Deciding What Type of Hay Farm to Run Choosing the right type of hay to grow on your hay farm is essential to your farm’s overall success. By considering your livestock’s nutritional needs, soil type and climate, market demand, and cost and labor, you can make an informed decision that will benefit both your farm and your livestock. Common Plants to Grow for Hay Production There are several different types of hay that are commonly grown on hay farms. These include: Timothy Hay: Timothy hay is a variety of grass hay commonly cultivated in North America. It is recognized for its rich nutritional value and is frequently used as feed for horses. Alfalfa Hay: Alfalfa hay is a legume hay that is high in protein and other essential nutrients. It is commonly used as feed for dairy cows and other livestock. Clover Hay: Clover hay is another type of legume hay that is commonly grown on hay farms. It is high in protein and is often used as feed for horses, sheep, and other livestock. Bermuda Grass Hay: Bermuda grass hay is a warm-season grass hay that is commonly grown in the southern United States. It is known for its high yields and is often used as feed for cattle and other livestock. Growing Hay for DIY on a Family Farm or Growing Hay to Sell You can either grow and let your livestock eat hay on your own farm, or you can grow hay to sell to other farmers and livestock owners. Consider factors such as soil type, climate, and market demand when choosing which type of hay to grow. How to Source Equipment to Grow Hay and For Harvesting Hay Sourcing equipment is essential to growing and harvesting hay. The process involves finding the right equipment that matches your needs, budget, and timeline. There are three main ways to source equipment: New: Buying new equipment is an option if you have a higher budget and want to invest in equipment that will last for years. Many farm equipment suppliers offer warranties on new equipment, and you can customize purchases to your specific needs. However, it’s more expensive than used or rented equipment. Used: Buying used farm equipment is a cost-effective option. However, it’s crucial to inspect the equipment carefully to ensure it’s in good condition. Look for reputable sellers, and research the equipment’s maintenance history before buying. Used equipment may have a shorter lifespan than new equipment. Rent: Renting equipment is an option if you don’t want to invest in equipment or only need it for a short period. Renting allows you to use high-quality equipment without the upfront costs of buying. However, it may be more expensive in the long run if you need equipment for extended periods. Renting is also subject to availability, so plan accordingly. The Steps in Making a Hay Crop Understanding the steps in making a hay crop can help farmers achieve maximum yield and quality. Let’s look at what the process involves… Preparing the Soil Soil preparation is essential for the success of the hay crop. This process includes tilling the soil to create a smooth seedbed, applying fertilizers and lime to adjust the soil pH, and clearing away any weeds or debris. Planting and Growing After the soil is prepared, the hay crop is planted and grown. The seed is spread evenly across the prepared seedbed and then covered with a layer of soil. The crop is then allowed to grow, and farmers must monitor it for weed growth and disease. Mowing Mowing is a crucial step in the hay crop process. Farmers must wait until the crop reaches the optimal height before mowing. This typically occurs when the crop is in the mid to late bud stage. Tedding Tedding involves fluffing and spreading the cut hay out to dry. This step helps to ensure the hay is dry and ready for raking. Raking Raking is the process of gathering the hay into rows to facilitate drying and baling. Farmers use specialized machinery, such as a rake or tedder, to move and shape the hay into neat rows. Stacking and Baling in Round Bales or Square Bales The final step in the hay crop process involves stacking and baling so there’s no loose hay. Farmers can choose to bale hay in either round or square bales, depending on their preference and the type of machinery they have. The farmer can then store hay so it’s ready for transport. StepDescription Preparing the SoilTilling, adding fertilizers, and correcting pH to create a suitable seedbed. Removing weeds. Planting and GrowingSpreading seed evenly, covering with soil, monitoring growth, and managing weed and disease. MowingCutting the hay crop at the optimal height, usually in the mid to late bud stage. TeddingFluffing and spreading cut hay to aid in drying and moisture evaporation. RakingGathering hay into neat rows to facilitate drying and baling using specialized machinery. Stacking and BalingCreating bales (round or square) from the dried hay. Stacking bales for storage or transport. Hay Farm: Downsides to Consider Despite its benefits, hay farming has downsides to consider. Weather conditions, such as drought or excessive rain, can reduce hay quality and yield. Hay storage can also be a challenge, and the cost of equipment and labor can be high. Hay Farming: A Sustainable Business Venture In conclusion, starting a hay farm represents a promising and sustainable business venture in the agricultural sector. With careful planning, appropriate land selection, and adherence to best farming practices, hay farming can yield significant returns while contributing to the agricultural community and supporting livestock nutrition. Achieving success in this area demands a commitment to soil health, effective crop management, and a thorough understanding of the market. However, for those who are prepared to invest the necessary time and resources, the rewards can be substantial. As the demand for quality animal feed continues, hay farming stands out as a valuable and enduring business idea. Whether you’re looking to support your own livestock or supply to local farmers and businesses, a well-managed hay farm can serve as a robust foundation for a thriving agricultural business. Hay Farm FAQs What is the Difference Between Hay and Straw? Hay is a forage crop harvested for livestock feed, while straw is a byproduct of harvested grains used primarily for bedding and other non-feed purposes. How Hard is Hay Farming? Hay farming can be physically demanding and time-consuming, requiring specialized equipment and knowledge. However, it can also be a rewarding and profitable industry. Can a Hay Farm be Profitable? Yes, a well-managed hay farm can be profitable. Factors such as crop yield, market demand, and operational efficiency can impact profitability. Is Hay Easy to Grow? Hay requires specific soil, moisture, and weather conditions for optimal growth. However, with proper preparation and care, hay can be successfully grown in many regions. How Much Hay Can 1 Acre Produce a Year? The amount of hay 1 acre can produce in a year varies depending on factors such as soil quality, crop variety, and weather conditions. On average, 1 acre can produce 1-4 tons of hay per year. Is it Worth it to Grow Hay? Whether growing hay is worth it depends on factors such as market demand, crop yield, and operational costs. With proper management, growing hay can be a profitable endeavor. How Should Hay Bales be Stacked to Reduce Waste? Hay bales should be stacked on a well-drained surface, preferably with a moisture barrier, and kept out of direct sunlight to prevent spoilage. Stacking bales in a crisscross pattern can also help reduce waste. Are Round Bales or Square Bales Better for Hay? The choice between a round bale and small square bales or large square bales depends on factors such as storage space, feeding method, and equipment availability. Round bales are generally better for outdoor storage, while square bales are easier to handle and stack. Image: Depositphotos This article, "How to Start a Hay Farm" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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U.S. inflation accelerated last month as the cost of groceries, gas, and used cars rose, a trend that will likely underscore the Federal Reserve’s resolve to delay any further interest rate cuts. The consumer price index increased 3% in January from a year ago, Wednesday’s report from the Labor Department showed, up from 2.9% the previous month. It has increased from a 3 1/2 year low of 2.4% in September. The figures show that after inflation steadily declined in 2023 and for much of last year, it has remained stubbornly above the Fed’s 2% target for roughly the past six months. Elevated prices created a major political problem for former President Joe Biden. President Donald Trump pledged to reduce prices in last year’s campaign, though most economists worry that his many proposed tariffs could at least temporarily increase costs. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core consumer prices rose 3.3% in January compared with a year ago, up from 3.2% in December. Economists closely watch core prices because they can provide a better read of inflation’s future path. Inflation also worsened on a monthly basis, with prices jumping 0.5% in January from December, the largest increase since August 2023. Core prices climed 0.4% last month, the most since March 2024. Inflation often jumps in January as many companies raise their prices at the beginning of the year, though the government’s seasonal adjustment process is supposed to filter out those effects. Later Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will testify before the House Financial Services Committee, where he will likely be asked about inflation and the Fed’s response to it. The Fed raised its benchmark rate in 2022 and 2023 to a two-decade high of 5.3% to combat inflation. With inflation down significantly from its 9.1% peak in June 2022, it cut its rate to about 4.3% in its final three meetings last year. Early Wednesday, Trump said on social media that interest rates should be lowered, “something which would go hand in hand with upcoming Tariffs!!!” Yet the tick up in consumer prices makes it less likely the Fed will cut rates anytime soon. Fed officials are mostly confident that inflation over time will head lower, but they want to see further evidence that it is declining before cutting their key rate any further. The Fed’s rate typically influences other borrowing costs for things like mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. Inflation’s recent uptick is a major reason the Federal Reserve has paused its interest rate cuts, after implementing three of them last year. On Tuesday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said “we do not need to be in a hurry” to implement further reductions in testimony to the Senate Banking Committee. The Trump administration’s tariff policy could lift prices in the coming months. Trump on Monday imposed 25% taxes on steel and aluminum imports, and has pledged to impose more tariffs. Economists at Goldman Sachs forecast that yearly core inflation would fall almost a full percentage point, to 2.3%, by the end of this year, absent any import duties. But they expect tariffs will raise end-of-year inflation to 2.8%. On Tuesday, Fed Chair Powell acknowledged that higher tariffs could lift inflation and limit the central bank’s ability to cut rates, calling it “a possible outcome.” But he emphasized that it would depend on how many imports are hit with tariffs and for how long. “In some cases it doesn’t reach the consumer much, and in some cases it does,” Powell said. “And it really does depend on facts that we we haven’t seen yet.” —Christopher Rugaber, AP Economics Writer View the full article

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ As a freelancer, your online security isn’t just personal—it’s your livelihood. But with cyber threats evolving daily, staying secure online isn’t just about protecting your data; it’s about safeguarding your career, reputation, and income. Unlike employees in traditional workplaces with dedicated IT teams, freelancers are their first and last line of defense. Cybercriminals target independent professionals because they often work remotely, juggle multiple accounts, and may not have corporate-level security protections. With the rise of data breaches, phishing scams, and hacked accounts, taking control of your digital hygiene is crucial. That’s why we’ve compiled a freelancer-specific cybersecurity checklist to help you protect your digital workspace, client data, and financial transactions. This checklist includes five essential timeframes to gradually implement strong security practices and keep your business safe year-round. Awareness and action are the best defenses against cyber threats. Save this checklist and share it with fellow freelancers, clients, and industry peers—because keeping the digital world safe is a shared responsibility. View the full article

This article is posted with permission from our partner MacPaw. MacPaw makes Mac + iOS apps that have been installed on over 30 million devices worldwide. Freelancers Union members receive 30 days of free unlimited access to CleanMyMacX and Setapp: https://freelancersunion.org/resources/perks/macpaw/ As a freelancer, your online security isn’t just personal—it’s your livelihood. But with cyber threats evolving daily, staying secure online isn’t just about protecting your data; it’s about safeguarding your career, reputation, and income. Unlike employees in traditional workplaces with dedicated IT teams, freelancers are their first and last line of defense. Cybercriminals target independent professionals because they often work remotely, juggle multiple accounts, and may not have corporate-level security protections. With the rise of data breaches, phishing scams, and hacked accounts, taking control of your digital hygiene is crucial. That’s why we’ve compiled a freelancer-specific cybersecurity checklist to help you protect your digital workspace, client data, and financial transactions. This checklist includes five essential timeframes to gradually implement strong security practices and keep your business safe year-round. Awareness and action are the best defenses against cyber threats. Save this checklist and share it with fellow freelancers, clients, and industry peers—because keeping the digital world safe is a shared responsibility. View the full article

Reduce audit time by 20% without reducing quality. By Alan Anderson, CPA Transforming Audit for the Future Go PRO for members-only access to more Alan Anderson. View the full article