Events - month view
earlier monthsFebruary 2018
22nd Annual North Country Crop Congress and Agribusiness Tradeshow
February 1, 2018
10-3pm
Lowville, NY
2018 Cow Comfort Conference
February 6 - February 7, 2018
Liverpool, NY
Topics Include:
The importance of maximizing cow comfort and the role of animal welfare in the dairy industry
Preparing for the worst (animal abuse allegations and emergencies)
Cow comfort and economics of robotic milking herds
Cow comfort in the maternity pen
Cow cooling vs. barn ventilation
Speakers Include:
Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Ohio State University
Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Jason Karszes, Cornell University
Curt Gooch, Cornell University
Click here to register.
The importance of maximizing cow comfort and the role of animal welfare in the dairy industry
Preparing for the worst (animal abuse allegations and emergencies)
Cow comfort and economics of robotic milking herds
Cow comfort in the maternity pen
Cow cooling vs. barn ventilation
Speakers Include:
Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Ohio State University
Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Jason Karszes, Cornell University
Curt Gooch, Cornell University
Click here to register.
2018 Cow Comfort Conference
February 6 - February 7, 2018
Liverpool, NY
Topics Include:
The importance of maximizing cow comfort and the role of animal welfare in the dairy industry
Preparing for the worst (animal abuse allegations and emergencies)
Cow comfort and economics of robotic milking herds
Cow comfort in the maternity pen
Cow cooling vs. barn ventilation
Speakers Include:
Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Ohio State University
Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Jason Karszes, Cornell University
Curt Gooch, Cornell University
The importance of maximizing cow comfort and the role of animal welfare in the dairy industry
Preparing for the worst (animal abuse allegations and emergencies)
Cow comfort and economics of robotic milking herds
Cow comfort in the maternity pen
Cow cooling vs. barn ventilation
Speakers Include:
Dr. Katy Proudfoot, Ohio State University
Dr. Trevor DeVries, University of Guelph
Jason Karszes, Cornell University
Curt Gooch, Cornell University
2018 Cow Comfort Conference, "The Latest Research in Cow Comfort"
February 6 - February 7, 2018
Liverpool, NY
Along with help from partners and sponsors, the Cornell Cooperative Extension North Country Regional Ag Team and the South Central NY Dairy & Field Crops Team are hosing the 2018 Cow Comfort Conference - "The Latest in Cow Comfort". The 2nd annual installment of this conference will highlight the importance of maximizing cow comfort while showcasing the latest research and industry findings. The conference is open to anybody, and last year's attendees included a variety of producers, allied industry, extension, and students.
Soybean/Small Grains Congress - Batavia Location
February 7, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Batavia, NY
The Soybean/Small Grains Congresses are right around the corner! We have two exceptional speakers this year.
Dustin Lewis, PhD, District Manager, BASF Crop Protection
Dustin Lewis, PhD, District Manager, BASF Crop Protection
Adam Gaspar, PhD, Field Agronomist, DuPont Pioneer
Soybean/Small Grains Congress - Waterloo Location
February 8, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Waterloo, NY
he Soybean/Small Grains Congresses are right around the corner! We have two exceptional speakers this year.
Dustin Lewis, PhD, District Manager, BASF Crop Protection
Adam Gaspar, PhD, Field Agronomist, DuPont Pioneer
Dustin Lewis, PhD, District Manager, BASF Crop Protection
Adam Gaspar, PhD, Field Agronomist, DuPont Pioneer
Hemp Workshop at the NYS Farmshow
February 8, 2018
10am-12am
Speakers:
Joy Beckerman, Principal, Hemp Ace International
Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins, Asst. Professor of Agronomy, SUNY Morrisville
Reuben Stone, Valley Bio Ltd.
Chris Logue, Director, Division of Plant Industry, NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets
Lawrence B. Smart, Professor Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Professor, Cornell
**Get a free entrance ticket at local Ag businesses or CCE!**
NY Pork Producers - Annual Meeting
February 10, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Corfu, NY
Producers of all ages involved in pork production are invited and encouraged to attend the NY Pork Producers annual meeting.
Planning for Succession - Managing Business Transition to a New Generation, Warsaw Location
February 12 - March 12, 2018
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Warsaw, NY
Members of each generation involved in agricultural business together are encouraged to attend this interactive workshop series to learn about skills, tools and tactics needed for success in a multi-generation business.
Planning for Succession - Managing Business Transition to a New Generation, Riga Location
February 12 - March 12, 2018
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Churchville, NY
Members of each generation involved in agricultural business together are encouraged to attend this interactive workshop series to learn about skills, tools and tactics needed for success in a multi-generation business.
SCNY Dairy Manager Discussion Group Tour to WNY
February 13, 2018
10 am- 3pm
Newark, NY
2018 Corn Day
February 13, 2018
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cooperstown, NY
NYCO Winter Meetings
February 13, 2018
10am-2pm
Meeting discusses forages with Tom Kilcer.
Our meetings are free and there is no need to RSVP! Please bring a dish to share for our potluck lunch!
Sustainable Agricultural Lease Workshop
February 15, 2018
7:00 p.m.
Warsaw, NY
Join Steven A. Walker, Esq. of Scolaro, Fetter, Grizanti, and McGough, P.C., Agricultural Services Division, for a discussion of sustainable agricultural leases. Come learn how farmers and landowners can work together to develop a lease. Meeting both of their goals for profitability and sustainability.
New York Learning Circles - Conservation & Farmland Leasing: Talking with Your Farmer
February 15, 2018
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Mount Morris, NY
More than one million women now own or manage farmland across America with many of these women inheriting their land from their spouse or parents. Research shows that women landowners can benefit from learning about conservation practices from other women landowners and conservation professionals. To reach the growing number of women landowners interested in conservation, American Farmland Trust, along with Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team & Ohio's Wood Soil & Water Conservation District, have joined together to offer a number of different opportunities to share information and learn more about preserving their land long into the future.
We hope that you can join us for 1 or more of our Learning Circles! Invite a friend or family member to join you!!!
We hope that you can join us for 1 or more of our Learning Circles! Invite a friend or family member to join you!!!
Heifer Workshop - How to Make Decisions on Who to Keep, Genetics and Record Keeping
February 15, 2018
Registration: 9:30, Program: 10-3pm
Ithaca, NY
How to Make Decisions on Who to Keep, Genetics and Record Keeping
Topics include:
Economics of heifer programs
Record keeping and tracking heifer programs with dairy comp
Decision making based on genetics
Economics of heifer programs
Record keeping and tracking heifer programs with dairy comp
Decision making based on genetics
Organic Weed Management Topics
February 21, 2018
11am-2pm
McLean, NY
Cost: $10, includes lunch
Speakers include:
• Matt Ryan, an Assistant Professor at Cornell's Sustainable Cropping System Lab. He will talk about crop rotation, cover crops, and other cultural weed management practices. His interests also include: using cover crops for organic no-till soybean production, perennial grains, and adapting to climate change.
• An Organic Farmer Panel including:
o Tony Potenza of Trumansburg, who has had a tremendous history of organic field crop experience evidenced by his NOFA NY Farmer ID # of 01.
o Pete Mapstone of Manlius NY, Pete and his son Jeremy grow forage and grain to feed their 300 cow organic dairy.
o Phil Stauderman of Genoa NY raises organic crops for his son Karl's dairy and to sell
• Matt Ryan, an Assistant Professor at Cornell's Sustainable Cropping System Lab. He will talk about crop rotation, cover crops, and other cultural weed management practices. His interests also include: using cover crops for organic no-till soybean production, perennial grains, and adapting to climate change.
• An Organic Farmer Panel including:
o Tony Potenza of Trumansburg, who has had a tremendous history of organic field crop experience evidenced by his NOFA NY Farmer ID # of 01.
o Pete Mapstone of Manlius NY, Pete and his son Jeremy grow forage and grain to feed their 300 cow organic dairy.
o Phil Stauderman of Genoa NY raises organic crops for his son Karl's dairy and to sell
Adding New Cuts to Your Freezer Trade
February 21, 2018
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Canandaigua, NY
Retired USDA meat marketing specialist Steve Olson will be demonstrating some of the newly developed beef cuts. These cuts can add value to your direct marketing/freezer trade sales!
Hemp Workshop at the NYS Farmshow
February 23, 2018
10am-12am
Speakers:
Joy Beckerman, Principal, Hemp Ace International
Jennifer Gilbert Jenkins, Asst. Professor of Agronomy, SUNY Morrisville
Reuben Stone, Valley Bio Ltd.
Chris Logue, Director, Division of Plant Industry, NYS Dept. of Ag and Markets
Lawrence B. Smart, Professor Plant Science, Horticulture Section, Professor, Cornell
**Get a free entrance ticket at local Ag businesses or CCE!**
2018 Pesticide Recertification Core Credits
February 27, 2018
10-3pm (2-1 hour sessions in the morning, 2-1 hour sessions in the afternoon)
Canton, NY
Farmer Appreciation Luncheon
February 27, 2018
11-2pm
Dryden, NY
In conjunction with CCE Cortland and Farm Service Agency.
For more information please contact Melanie Palmer at 315.424.9485 ext. 228 or mjp@cornell.edu.
2018 Pesticide Recertification Core Credits
February 28, 2018
10-3pm (2-1 hour sessions in the morning, 2-1 hour sessions in the afternoon)
Malone, NY
Forage Congress
February 28, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Mount Morris, NY
In response to producer requests and feedback from our first Forage Congress in 2017, the NWNY Team is proud to host our second Forage Congress. This conference will bring together the topics of dynamic harvest schedule, farm forage requirements, and critical management zones for yield stability, nutrient conservation, best crop selection and economics in a one day venue. Great speakers, valuable take home messages!
CCA credits will be available.
CCA credits will be available.
March 2018
Planning for Succession - Managing Business Transition to a New Generation, Ontario Location
March 1 - March 15, 2018
6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Canandaigua, NY
Members of each generation involved in agricultural business together are encouraged to attend this interactive workshop series to learn about skills, tools and tactics needed for success in a multi-generation business.
Hay/Pasture School
March 2, 2018
9:30-3:00pm
Burrville, NY
Hay/Pasture School
March 3, 2018
9:30-3:00pm
Canton, NY
2018 NOFA ORGANIC DAIRY & FIELD CROP CONFERENCE
March 6, 2018
Link to Program details: https://www.nofany.org/events-news/events/odfc-conference
Register here: https://www.cvent.com/events/2018-sponsorship-advertising-marketing-opportunities/registration-24586364ce5349a49700b32e84eb69e8.aspx
CANCELLED **** Getting Started with Grazing **** CANCELLED
March 7, 2018
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Newark, NY
Are you looking to start a rotational grazing on your farm? Do you run out of pasture in the summer and need advice on how to overcome that? This workshop will help you take your grazing operation to the next level.
Spring Safety Meeting
March 9, 2018
9:00 a.m. registration
Cortland, NY
Hay/Pasture School
March 9, 2018
9:30-3:00pm
Chazy, NY
Herd Manager Training
March 12 - March 19, 2018
10am - 3pm (both March 12 and March 19)
Malone, NY
2018 Dairy Day
March 13, 2018
10:00am-3:15pm
Cooperstown, NY
2018 Dairy Day~Register now!
Herd Manager Training
March 13 - March 20, 2018
10am - 3pm (both March 13 and March 20)
March 13th will be held at Farm Credit East, Burrville, NY
March 20th will be held at CCE of Jefferson County, Watertown
Click here to register.
March 20th will be held at CCE of Jefferson County, Watertown
Click here to register.
NYCO Winter Meetings
March 13, 2018
10am-2pm
Meeting discusses putting hogs into crop rotation & funding opportunities for beginning farmers.
Our meetings are free and there is no need to RSVP! Please bring a dish to share for our potluck lunch!
Profitable Meat Marketing
March 13, 2018
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Geneva, NY
Join Ag. Marketing Specialist Matt LeRoux at a Profitable Meat Marketing workshop to find out if you are covering all your meat marketing costs?including your TIME?and bringing in a profit.
Herd Manager School
March 15 - March 22, 2018
9:30 registration, program 10 am - 3 pm
Tully, NY
Herd Manager School will be offered as a 2-day program, held one week a part from each other. The School will include morning classroom sessions as well as afternoon hands-on, on-farm learning.
Topics: Transition Cow Health and Management
Transition Cow Facilities
Demonstration of Health Management Concepts
Antibiotic Stewardship and Protocols
Cull Cow Management
How to Use Your Local Vet
Body Condition Scoring During Transition Period
Case Studies on Antibiotic Residues
*** CLASS FULL *** Herd Manager Training - 2 Day Program, Day 1
March 16, 2018
9:30am - 3:00 pm
Phelps, NY
The Herd Manager Training is a 2 day program held one week apart from each other. The program will be held on farm with a combination of presentations, demonstrations, farm walk through and discussion.
Who should attend: Those who work directly with cows or train people that do.
This program is eligible for FSA Borrower Credits.
Who should attend: Those who work directly with cows or train people that do.
This program is eligible for FSA Borrower Credits.
Meat & Greet Farmer & Chef Fair
March 17, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Geneva, NY
The Meat & Greet Farmer and Chef Fair is your chance to connect with customers. Open to all kinds of Finger Lakes livestock farms with all kinds of species and cuts. Bring your marketing material and be eager to talk about their products. Regional chefs will provide local meat cooking demonstrations with meat from farms in attendance - and free tasting samples! The cost is $25 per farm.
This event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available in HWS Medbery Lot adjacent to Pulteney Street.
Farm Tour at Smith's Tre G Farm
March 20, 2018
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Manlius, NY
The Smith Family transitioned their dairy to organic production over the past three years and are now shipping to Organic Valley Coop. In addition to the transition to organic they added two Lely Robotic milkers to do the milking on their 130 cow farm. The Smiths have relied on a well-managed diversified farm to remain sustainable. In addition to their dairy they operate a long running strawberry business in the summer.
We will begin with a farm tour including the paddocks designed by Kirk Smith to make grazing and robots compatible. At lunch the Smith Family will relate their experience of transitioning during challenging times.
Contact Abbie for more details at ajt248@cornell.edu.
SCNY Dairy Manager Discussion Group Tours
March 20, 2018
1pm-5pm
Auburn, Skaneateles, NY
*** CLASS FULL *** Herd Manager Training - 2 Day Program, Day 2
March 23, 2018
9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Oakfield, NY
The Herd Manager Training is a 2 day program held one week apart from each other. The program will be held on farm with a combination of presentations, demonstrations, farm walk through and discussion.
Who should attend: Those who work directly with cows or train people that do.
This program is eligible for FSA Borrower Credits.
Who should attend: Those who work directly with cows or train people that do.
This program is eligible for FSA Borrower Credits.
Soil Health & Pest Management Workshop
March 27, 2018
9:30am - 3:30pm
Horseheads, NY
DEC Pesticide Applicator Credits & CCA Credits will be available.
Pre-registration is REQUIRED by March 19th for lunch headcount.
Contact Tom at Schuyler County Soil and Water at 607.535.0878, or email tomeskildsen1@gmail.com.
Event is FREE of charge, lunch included.
Schedule:
9:30 Registration and coffee
9:50 Welcome - Tom Eskildsen, Schuyler County SWCD
10:00 Weed Control Topics - Janice Degni, Field Crop Specialist, Cornell
Cooperative Extension South Central NY Field Crop Specialist
11:00 Bradford, PA Cover Crop Interseeding Program - Nathan Dewing,
Bradford County Pennsylvania SWCD
11:30 Growing Healthy Soils: The relationship between plant biomass,
residue, organic matter, and soil biology - Paul Salon, USDA NRCS
Regional Soil Health Specialist
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Pasture Management Do's & Don'ts - John Wickham, Grazing
Specialist, Schuyler County SWCD
1:30 Agricultural Water Management in Today's Climate - Tom
Eskildsen, Senior District Technician, Schuyler County SWCD
2:15 Pesticide Record Keeping & Worker Protection Standards - Chris
Wainwright, NYS DEC Pesticide Control Specialist
3:15 Questions & Wrap Up
9:50 Welcome - Tom Eskildsen, Schuyler County SWCD
10:00 Weed Control Topics - Janice Degni, Field Crop Specialist, Cornell
Cooperative Extension South Central NY Field Crop Specialist
11:00 Bradford, PA Cover Crop Interseeding Program - Nathan Dewing,
Bradford County Pennsylvania SWCD
11:30 Growing Healthy Soils: The relationship between plant biomass,
residue, organic matter, and soil biology - Paul Salon, USDA NRCS
Regional Soil Health Specialist
12:00 Lunch
1:00 Pasture Management Do's & Don'ts - John Wickham, Grazing
Specialist, Schuyler County SWCD
1:30 Agricultural Water Management in Today's Climate - Tom
Eskildsen, Senior District Technician, Schuyler County SWCD
2:15 Pesticide Record Keeping & Worker Protection Standards - Chris
Wainwright, NYS DEC Pesticide Control Specialist
3:15 Questions & Wrap Up
Are You Robbing Your Pastures to Feed Your Livestock?
March 29, 2018
Lunch at 12 pm with a meeting to follow until 2:30 pm
Dryden, NY
Managing the Soils and Pastures of your operation are the two key components of a profitable livestock grazing operation. Altfrid Krusenbaum, a Wisconsin grazing consultant, will discuss his experience with managing pastures on his farm to generate profit. Cleason Horst of "Friendly Blends" soil amendments in Canandaigua, New York will talk about the depletion of soil fertility in pastures and how farmers can identify this by understanding soil lab reports.
Cost: $5.00 to cover lunch
For more information, contact Fay Benson at afb3@cornell.edu.
To RSVP, email Abbie at ajt248@cornell.edu, or Steph at sav66@cornell.edu
April 2018
Chemung County Shop Meeting
April 4, 2018
1-2:30pm
Elmira, NY
Topic:
Comparing 2017 forages to the past years.
-Presentation
-Discussion
-Light refreshments
*Bring your forage sample or results to discuss*
We will be looking to identify alfalfa fields for measurements in May.
To register:
Call Steph at 607.391.2662 or email sav66@cornell.edu.
Webinar: Inside the 2018 Margin Protection Program
April 9, 2018
1-2pm
This webinar will be hosted in Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton County CCE Offices.
Changes coming to the MPP Dairy Program
April 9, 2018
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
A risk management tool for dairy producers.
*CANCELLED* Producing a Consistent Product
April 14, 2018
9 am - noon
Morrisville, NY
American Foulbrood Disease
April 17, 2018
6-8pm
Lowville, NY
Dairy
Livestock
Grazing
Forages
Grains
Upcoming Events
The first ever Bale Grazing Winter Pasture Walk
January 11, 2025
Watkins Glen, NY
Have you heard about or seen bale grazing and wondered if it would work for you?
Do you want to learn the nuances and logistical context for implementing this regenerative practice?
Are you interested in seeing the impacts of bale grazing on land and animals from a practicing farmer?
Do you need some fresh air, a bowl of chili and to network with other beef farmers in the snow (or possibly mud)?
If you answered Yes to any question, The Northeast Region National Grazing Lands Coalition, the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Dairy & Field Crops Team, and Angus Glen Farm are teaming up to showcase The first ever Bale Grazing Winter Pasture Walk!
Cultivating Success with Better Bookkeeping
January 16, 2025
January 30, 2025
February 13, 2025
February 27, 2025
March 13, 2025
March 27, 2025
: Cultivating Success with Better Bookkeeping
Save the Date! Join us for a six-session virtual series designed to boost your knowledge about what bookkeeping services are available to help you excel in farm recordkeeping.
Announcements
Farm Participants Needed for Bale Grazing Grant!
Information on the Project:- Approximately 10 acres total needed to bale graze two different bale densities
- "Core" farms will graze two winters, "Demo" farms will graze one winter.
- Payments for both "Core" farms and "Demo" farms
- Baseline soil sampling by bale grazing team
- Forage measurements in early season by bale grazing team
- Late season clipping if residual not trampled down by farm
Interested farms can enroll for this winter or next.
Looking for 2-3 dairy farms to enroll! If interested, please reach out to Betsy Hicks, 607.391.2673 or bjh246@cornell.edu
Cornell Cow Convos - New Podcast
On-going podcast, New episodes released on the last Thursday of the month.Guest speakers, CCE Dairy Specialists.
Housed on Soundcloud Channel is CCE Dairy Educators
Topics:
- Preventative healthcare for cows
- The trend of beef on dairy
- What to look forward to in the new year for dairy
- Socially grouping or pair-housing calves
Dairy Acceleration Program Funds Available
Funds available for the
- organization of financial records/benchmarking up to $1,000
- continued business planning (for farms awarded in a previous year) up to $2,500
- business planning up to $5,000
2018 Drug Residue Prevention Manual
For more than 30 years, the U.S. dairy industry has focused educational efforts on the judicious use of antibiotics through the annual publication of a Best Practices Manual. The 2018 edition of the National Dairy FARM Program: Farmers Assuring Responsible Management? Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention Manual is the primary educational tool for dairy farm managers throughout the country on the judicious and responsible use of antibiotics, including avoidance of drug residues in milk and meat.The manual is a quick resource to review those antibiotics approved for dairy animals and can also be used as an educational tool and resource for farm managers as they develop on-farm best management practices necessary to avoid milk and meat residues. Visit the Manual and Form Library to download copies of this important tool!
Follow us on Facebook
The team updates our facebook page frequently - follow us to be updated on our events, see some fun videos and get local area updates!facebook.com/SCNYDairyandFieldCropsTeam
ProDairy Forage Management
Are you prepared to change your routine this spring?By: Joe Lawrence, Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and Ron Kuck, Cornell Cooperative Extension North Country Regional Ag Team
While spring tasks vary by farm, there are many "rites of spring," and they are often completed in a fairly rigid sequence. Depending on the farm, these often include fixing fence, spreading manure, planting new seedings, planting corn and harvesting first cutting, and are often performed in this order.
We are optimistic that the upcoming turn in weather will allow these task to be accomplished in a timely manner, but at this point it is time to ask yourself: Are you willing to change your spring routine?
In addition to adverse weather it is no secret that everyone is facing extremely tight economic times, and dealing with forage inventories of poor digestibility forages from 2017. This combination of factors makes it more critical than ever to be ready to tackle the task that will have the most impact on your business at the proper time.
Recent reference articles on dealing with tough times:
• Key Opportunities to Optimize 2018 Crop Production Efficiency
• Resources for Dealing with Spring Weather Delays
First Cutting
The number one focus should be on timely harvest of first cutting.
• Park the corn planter when a field of first cutting is ready for harvest.
o Monitoring 1st cut harvest timing
• Approach harvest by the acre, not by the field. Be ready to skip over a field that has passed its optimum harvest stage.
o Dynamic Harvest Schedules
• Strategically plan feed storage to best utilize forage inventories for the right group of animals.
o Strategic Forage Storage Planning
o When More is Better
Corn Planting
The window for planting for silage is generally wider than for grain, which is why first cutting can and should take priority over corn planting. However, in the event of extreme delays in planting corn, performance will diminish with late plantings. If corn planting progresses into late May or early June, begin to consider alternative options for those acres. Previous research from Cornell and Penn State suggest a 0.5 to 1 ton/acre per week decline in silage yield for planting after mid to late May.
Multi-Tasking
First and foremost during a time of year that can be very busy and stressful, taking every precaution to keep your team safe is critical.
The idea of fitting all of this work into a condensed time period, and still getting key tasks completed before critical deadlines can seem impossible, but year after year many find unique ways to get it all done. Consider working with neighbors, custom operators or renting equipment to accomplish these key tasks on time.
If you currently utilize custom operators, now is a good time to set up a time to meet with them and make sure you are on the same page to get tasks accomplished in the time-frame needed. Make sure that your expectations and goals are clearly defined. They will also be under stress to fit their work into a condensed period and meet their customers' expectations, so defining expectations and pre-planning how to most efficiently get the work accomplished when the custom operator arrives can go a long way to increase the chances for success.
While spring tasks vary by farm, there are many "rites of spring," and they are often completed in a fairly rigid sequence. Depending on the farm, these often include fixing fence, spreading manure, planting new seedings, planting corn and harvesting first cutting, and are often performed in this order.
We are optimistic that the upcoming turn in weather will allow these task to be accomplished in a timely manner, but at this point it is time to ask yourself: Are you willing to change your spring routine?
In addition to adverse weather it is no secret that everyone is facing extremely tight economic times, and dealing with forage inventories of poor digestibility forages from 2017. This combination of factors makes it more critical than ever to be ready to tackle the task that will have the most impact on your business at the proper time.
Recent reference articles on dealing with tough times:
• Key Opportunities to Optimize 2018 Crop Production Efficiency
• Resources for Dealing with Spring Weather Delays
First Cutting
The number one focus should be on timely harvest of first cutting.
• Park the corn planter when a field of first cutting is ready for harvest.
o Monitoring 1st cut harvest timing
• Approach harvest by the acre, not by the field. Be ready to skip over a field that has passed its optimum harvest stage.
o Dynamic Harvest Schedules
• Strategically plan feed storage to best utilize forage inventories for the right group of animals.
o Strategic Forage Storage Planning
o When More is Better
Corn Planting
The window for planting for silage is generally wider than for grain, which is why first cutting can and should take priority over corn planting. However, in the event of extreme delays in planting corn, performance will diminish with late plantings. If corn planting progresses into late May or early June, begin to consider alternative options for those acres. Previous research from Cornell and Penn State suggest a 0.5 to 1 ton/acre per week decline in silage yield for planting after mid to late May.
Multi-Tasking
First and foremost during a time of year that can be very busy and stressful, taking every precaution to keep your team safe is critical.
The idea of fitting all of this work into a condensed time period, and still getting key tasks completed before critical deadlines can seem impossible, but year after year many find unique ways to get it all done. Consider working with neighbors, custom operators or renting equipment to accomplish these key tasks on time.
If you currently utilize custom operators, now is a good time to set up a time to meet with them and make sure you are on the same page to get tasks accomplished in the time-frame needed. Make sure that your expectations and goals are clearly defined. They will also be under stress to fit their work into a condensed period and meet their customers' expectations, so defining expectations and pre-planning how to most efficiently get the work accomplished when the custom operator arrives can go a long way to increase the chances for success.
NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program
NYSERDA offers energy audits to help eligible farms and on-farm producers identify ways to save energy and money on utility bills. Reports include recommendations for energy efficiency measures.Eligibility
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.
Energy Audit Options
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
For more information and the NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program Application click here