Opportunities for High Oleic Soybeans in Dairy Diets | Dr. Tom Overton, Professor, Department of  Animal Science, Cornell University

The availability of high oleic soybeans offers the opportunity to feed more whole soybeans than conventional with inherent (but not zero) risk for milk fat issues. One should not routinely expect increased milk fat percentage if there is not evidence of milk fat depression, so the opportunity may be to examine whether or not there are ways to decrease feed cost. Roasting high oleic soybeans greatly increases their feeding value by increasing the ruminally undegradable fraction. Until these become widely available as feed ingredients in feed mills, this is largely an opportunity for a farm to utilize "extra" acres or partner with a crop farm or purchase as a commodity. Data on impact on milkfat production and income over feed costs will be discussed.

Planning Weed Control and Fertility Programs and Updates for 2025 | Mr. Taylor Harris, Specialist, Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC

We are challenged by herbicide resistant weeds along with long term weed control needs.
An overview of herbicide options for weed control in different scenarios will be presented.
The presentation will include best fit and use practices for herbicides discussed. 

Seed Corn Maggot| Anna Dipaola, PhD Candidate, Dept. of Entomology, Cornell University 

Members of Dr. Katja Poveda's lab will present the latest findings on predicting seed corn maggot damage in New York. They will share results on how soil amendments, cover crops, and insecticides affect this early season pest.

 Integrated Strategies for Weed Control | Dr. Vipan Kumar, Extension Weed Scientist, Section of Plant Science (SIPS), CALS Cornell University

Overview of herbicide resistant weeds in USA and NYS-scope of the problem and review of history, efficacy of pre and post herbicide programs in soybean and corn, spray application technologies and weed control, and non-chemical tools for weed control. Includes review of 2024 field studies.

Growing Season Factors and Corn Silage Performance | Mr. Joe Lawrence, Dairy Forage Systems Specialist, PRO-DAIRY 

From planting to harvest, the growing season can affect the corn crops yield, nutritional value and how it acts as it dries downs for silage harvest. This set of projects looked at the impact of growing season and harvest timing on the overall performance and value of corn silage in the diet. The change in nutritional value as the plant dries down and how this affects the use of the corn silage in a lactating cow diet and differences in diet cost.

 3 DEC credits; CCA credits available