Everyone,

Over the last couple of weeks I have been asked multiple times, what will 2017 corn silage quality be like given the rain we have had so far, and is there anything we can do about it? The answer, as always, it depends. The reason it depends is mainly due to three factors, pollination, current inventory, and progress of the current crop. All of which are variable given drought conditions in areas last year, and delayed planting for many this year. In this email I hope to explain what corn silage quality could potentially be, and what management strategies could be utilized to improve it.

What is the potential NDFd of 2017 corn silage?

If we are only considering the fiber portion, which we would be with NDFd, then we have the potential to be disappointed. Corn silage NDFd is determined pre-silk, this is when the plant is building structure in the form of fiber, lignin, and cross linking (rebar that ties it all together). Once the plant goes reproductive its main focus is its offspring, the ear, this is why we typically see little to no plant growth after pollination. The main factors that affect corn silage fiber digestibility are moisture, sunlight, and heat (in that order). Dr. Mike VanAmburgh has said that moisture has a 7x greater the effect on NDFd when compared to sunlight and heat. Even though we have a lot of corn at different growing stages around the countryside right now, it’s pretty safe to say that most of the pre-silk growth has come during wet conditions. Not that I have to remind anyone, but this comes after one the worst droughts on record in 2016, and with that record high NDFd levels. So we are looking at potentially having 2017 corn silage be a complete 180 from 2016, from an NDFd standpoint.   (read more: https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_491.pdf)

Grazing Heifers - An Opportunity for Large Dairy Farms

CONTENTS: An Overview of economics and 10 Fact Sheets covering the resources required to operate a
farm owned heifer grazing system or contracting with a Custom Grazer.

1. Grazing Management
2. Nutrition
3. Animal Control and Movement
4. Infrastructure: Fencing
5. Infrastructure: Water
6. Immunity and Vaccination
7. Fly Control
8. Avoiding Pasture Pitfalls
9. Grazing Checklist
10. Custom Grazing Contract

WRITTEN BY: FAY BENSON, GRAZING EDUCATOR, SCNY DAIRY TEAM

Additional Authors:
Dr. Sam Leadley-Attica Vet Clinic
John Conway-Cornell Pro Dairy
Kara Dunn-Freelance Writing,Mannsville, NY

Through the combined use of Management Intensive Grazing and winter confinement, Dairy Farmers can raise heifers that fit their operations through:

• Reduced Cost of Feed and Labor
• Targeted Growth Goals
• Increased Fitness due to Exercise
• Decreased Post Calving Metabolic Problems

Full PDF Version: https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_439.pdf

Grazing Heifers - An Opportunity for Large Dairy Farms

CONTENTS: An Overview of economics and 10 Fact Sheets covering the resources required to operate a
farm owned heifer grazing system or contracting with a Custom Grazer.

1. Grazing Management
2. Nutrition
3. Animal Control and Movement
4. Infrastructure: Fencing
5. Infrastructure: Water
6. Immunity and Vaccination
7. Fly Control
8. Avoiding Pasture Pitfalls
9. Grazing Checklist
10. Custom Grazing Contract

WRITTEN BY: FAY BENSON, GRAZING EDUCATOR, SCNY DAIRY TEAM

Additional Authors:
Dr. Sam Leadley-Attica Vet Clinic
John Conway-Cornell Pro Dairy
Kara Dunn-Freelance Writing,Mannsville, NY

Through the combined use of Management Intensive Grazing and winter confinement, Dairy Farmers can raise heifers that fit their operations through:

• Reduced Cost of Feed and Labor
• Targeted Growth Goals
• Increased Fitness due to Exercise
• Decreased Post Calving Metabolic Problems

Full PDF Version: https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_439.pdf

Eligible farms include but are not limited to dairies, orchards, greenhouses, vegetables, vineyards, grain dryers, and poultry/egg. The farms must also be customers of New York State investor-owned utilities and contribute to the System Benefits Charge (SBC). Please check your farm’s current utility bills to see if your farm pays the SBC.

You can request the level of energy audit that best fits your farm’s needs. NYSERDA will assign a Flexible Technical Assistance Program Consultant to visit your farm and perform an energy audit at no cost to you.

For more information and the NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program Application click here

ALBANY - Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the release of program criteria for the $25 million Southern Tier Agricultural Industry Enhancement Program. The eligibility requirements are now available online at www.agriculture.ny.gov. The program will provide crucial funding for projects designed to help farms and agribusinesses expand and grow their operations, as well as increase environmental enhancements in Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins and Tioga counties. Applications will be available beginning January 19, 2016.

"New York's agriculture industry is an economic engine in upstate communities - driving growth and expanding opportunity," Governor Cuomo said. "I'm proud to announce $25 million in State funding for the Agriculture Industry Enhancement Program which will provide vital support to all farmers and agribusinesses in the Southern Tier and keep New York's agricultural economy growing."

Eligible projects will increase agricultural production on farms and improve profitability, as well as support farmers in better managing and enhancing environmental resources. Projects that are awarded State funding may receive up to $100,000 to help with expenses associated with construction, renovation, irrigation, drainage, environmental enhancements, fencing, trellis systems and greenhouses. Eligible applicants that demonstrate an exemplary commitment to protecting or enhancing natural resources, may also be entitled to an additional $10,000 toward their project.

The Department of Agriculture and Markets will work in coordination with the County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) to administer the program. The SWCDs will pre-qualify projects and oversee the implementation of awards. Awards will be made on a semi-annual basis for a period of two years or until funding is depleted. Applications will be available and filed locally through each respective county SWCD. To find a list of the SWCDs, click here.

Applicants must meet the Department's definition of a farm operation and meet additional criteria as outlined in the program criteria, including participation in the New York State Agricultural Environmental Management program within the past three years, or a commitment to participate in the program prior to being awarded.

State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, "The Governor's targeted initiative to invest in this 11-county area is a big win for agriculture, and we're excited to provide applicants the details of the program and begin to accept their proposals in a few weeks. The funding being made available will have a significant impact on the future success of many farms and agribusinesses that are looking to increase production as well as their environmental sustainability."

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Senator Patty Ritchie said, "Preserving our State's farmland is so important to ensuring New York's agriculture industry has the room it needs to thrive and grow. I'm pleased that farmers and agribusiness owners will soon be able to take advantage of this special program, which will not only provide them with the support they need to make their operations more successful, but also will help them to enhance their land's environmental protections."

Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Assemblyman Bill Magee said, "The funding for farms and farm businesses announced by Governor Cuomo today will encourage sustainable growth, giving farmers in the 11-county area an opportunity to invest in the protection of farmland and natural resources, while enhancing increased agricultural production in the Southern Tier."

-NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets