Events - month view
earlier monthsAugust 2022
NCRAT Listed Event
Dairy Cattle Handling and Safety Program For Youth
August 1, 2022
1-3pm
Beiler Farm
Croghan, NY
This program is applicable to any local youth that currently work with (or aspire to work with) dairy cattle. This on-farm program will focus on cattle behavior, flight zone, good handling practices, risks and hazards when handling cattle, and it will include a hands-on portion. Ages 12 and up.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship
August 2, 2022
11am CST
Zoom
-DGA opportunities available as an Apprentice or farmer Mentor
-What managed grazing looks like on a dairy farm, with real life scenarios
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
2022 Soil Health & Climate Resiliency Field Days
July 13, 2022
July 20, 2022
July 25, 2022
July 28, 2022
August 2, 2022
August 4, 2022
August 9, 2022
August 25, 2022
August 31, 2022
Tines vary based on dates and locations
Join the New York Soil Health team and partner organizations at a soil health field day! The statewide event series will take place May-August 2022.
More details and registration will be available soon.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Farm Equipment Technology Training @ Empire Farm Days
August 3, 2022
9:45am - 3:00pm
Empire Farm Days
Pompey, NY
The NYS Soil and Water Conservation Committee, NRCS, and the NY Soil Health Alliance will offer a walking tour of the equipment on display at the Empire Farm Days.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Beef Quality Assurance
August 8, 2022
August 10, 2022
Aug. 8, & 10, 6pm
Dream Weaver Farm
Richfield Springs, NY
Online Classroom Training and Chute-side Training.
Beef Quality Assurance is a nationwide certification program to help ensure a safe, wholesome and quality beef product for consumers.
Topics covered include cattle nutrition, handling and vaccine protocols.
Cornell Hemp Field Day
August 11, 2022
8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Cornell AgriTech
Geneva, NY
The Cornell Hemp Field Day will incorporate multiple workshop-style talks on several topics including hemp genetics and breeding, pest management, and grain and fiber production. It will also involve demonstrations of combine harvesting and baling. This hands-on field day will have interactive workshops offering DEC credits on the use of pesticides and disease management. Digital ag applications and an introduction of the USDA hemp germplasm repository will also be included.
https://hemp.cals.cornell.edu/...
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2022 Summer Crop Tour
August 11, 2022
8:00am - 3:30pm
Catalpa Farms
Canandaigua, NY
Registration for the 2022 New York Corn & Soybean Growers Association Summer Crop Tour is now open! The crop tour will be held Thursday August 11, 2022 at Catalpa Farms in Canandaigua NY. Join us as we welcome our keynote speaker Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions! Eric will present the Wild Side of Weather.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Cornell Hemp Field Day
August 11, 2022
8:00am to 3:00pm
Cornell's AgriTech Campus
Geneva, NY
Registration is now open for our annual Cornell Hemp Field Day, on Thursday August 11, 2022, 8:00 am- 3:00 pm at Cornell's AgriTech Campus in Geneva, NY. The focus this year includes hemp genetics and breeding, pest management, and grain and fiber production, including demonstrations of combine harvesting and baling.
NCRAT Listed Event
Basic Dairy Vet Skills Training
August 12, 2022
10am - 3pm
Keeseville, NY
This program is applicable to dairy producers that would like to learn and improve basic dairy veterinary skills. This training program is not intended to replace routine veterinary care, but rather help producers learn basic skills in various areas related to dairy cattle health and care. This training will be as hands-on as possible, while maintaining animal and participant safety as a top priority.
Pasture Walk: Multi-Species Grazing and Direct Marketing
August 13, 2022
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Red House Ranch
Van Etten, NY
Join livestock farmers, Ike and Dave Mallula for a tour of their multi-species grazing operation. Learn how they manage beef, poultry, and hogs on pasture, and how they engage consumers to direct market pasture-raised meats
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2-Day Hoof Trimming Workshop
August 16 - August 17, 2022
9:30am - 3:30pm
Lamb Farms
Oakfield, NY
Registration Now Open! - 2-Day Hands-on Hoof Trimming Workshop
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Irrigation Pasture Walk - Birds All Dairy
August 17, 2022
Noon
Birds All Dairy
Canaseraga, NY
If you are interested in learning more about Kim's irrigation system, there will be a pasture walk at their farm on August 17th at noon. The farm is located at 3642 Old Worden Rd, Canaseraga NY 14882. Bring a dish to pass or $5 for lunch.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2022 Aurora Farm Field Day
August 18, 2022
10:00am to 3:00pm
Musgrave Research Farm
Aurora, NY
The date for the annual Cornell Field Crop research field day has been set for Thursday, August 18th at Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora, NY. The program will consist of 8 presentations from our researchers on a host of topics.
2022 Aurora Farm Field Day
August 18, 2022
9:45 am - 9:00 pm
Musgrave Research Farm
Aurora, NY
2 DEC Recertification Credits will be Available
for Commercial and Private Field Crop Licenses
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Ticks - What are they? How they can affect your livestock and how to effectively manage them.
August 23 - August 24, 2022
12pm - 3:45pm EST
Webinar
Join the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and U.S. Department of Agriculture for a two-day virtual symposium, August 23rd and 24th, on ticks. The program will especially focus attention on the Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) and its potential impact on the U.S. cattle industry.
This webinar is for cattle producers, state animal health officials, veterinarians, and other industry stakeholders interested in learning how to identify the ALT and better manage its associated diseases and spread.
Growing Great People: Training Skills for Dairy Farmers
August 23, 2022
1:00 - 4:00 pm
Sunnyside Farms
Scipio Center, NY
Become an Effective On-the-Job Trainer! This hands-on workshop is for all farm managers, supervisors, and employees who are involved in training other employees. Multiple participants per farm are encouraged to attend. Learn together in English and Spanish.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Making a Living Farming - Springville, NY August 24th, 4:30pm - 7:30pm
August 24, 2022
4:30 pm - 6:00pm (formal program) ; 6:00pm - 7:30pm (tomato tasting)
Dirt Rich Farm
Springville, NY
Join the Young Farmer's Coalition of WNY and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York for a presentation on how to make a living farming, USDA-NRCS support programs for small and beginning farmers, and how to achieve organic certification. A light dinner will be served and a tomato tasting will start at 6pm, following the formal program.
Growing Great People: Training Skills for Dairy Farmers
August 24, 2022
1:00 - 4:00 pm
New Hope View Farm
Homer, NY
Become an Effective On-the-Job Trainer! This hands-on workshop is for all farm managers, supervisors, and employees who are involved in training other employees. Multiple participants per farm are encouraged to attend. Learn together in English and Spanish.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
NY Soil Health Field Day in Pavilion, NY
August 25, 2022
9:00am - 3:00pm
Gary Swede Farms
Pavilion, NY
American Farmland Trust invites you to join them in this field day. They will share practical, field-tested results of advanced regenerative practices targeted to dairy, field and specialty crop farmers.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2022 Pre-Harvest Workshop
August 26, 2022
10:00am - Noon or 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Noblehurst Farms - 2795 Stewart Rd (CR-58), Linwood, NY 14525
Lamb Farms - 6880 Albion Rd, Oakfield, NY 14125, NY
Corn silage harvest is approaching. The way corn silage is harvested and stored is a single event that affects your operation for the entire next year. Are you prepared to set your operation up for success?
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
What You Need to Know About the New CAFO Permit
August 30, 2022
12pm EST
Webinar
On Tuesday, August 30 at 12:00 PM, Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA), Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and NY Farm Bureau will host an educational webinar for farmers, custom applicators, and environmental planners to review the new CAFO permit. The permit was released on July 22, 2022 and will go into effect on January 23, 2023.
September 2022
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Pasture Walk - Niagara County
September 8, 2022
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Al-Noor Farm
Ransomville, NY
Join us for a pasture walk and talk Thursday, September 8th from 6:00-8:00pm at Al-Noor Farm in Ransomville, NY.
NCRAT Listed Event
Dairy Reproduction and A.I. Training Course
September 8 - September 9, 2022
9:30am - 3:00pm
CCE Clinton
Plattsburgh , NY
Attend this 2-day training course to become trained in dairy reproduction and artificial breeding techniques. There will be classroom sessions in the morning, followed by hands-on practice on farm in the afternoon. After this class you will be trained to artificially inseminate dairy cattle.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Cover Crop Field Day 2022
September 9, 2022
12:30pm - 2pm
Providence Farm Collective
Orchard Park , NY
Join the SWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crop Program for a cover crop field day! Three cover crop plots consisting of sorghum sudangrass, teff, and buckwheat were seeded in mid-July, and this field day will evaluate their performance to date and provide opportunities to learn more about how they can fit into your operation.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Regional Dry Down Day- Seneca County
September 9, 2022
10am - 2pm
Keystone Mills
Romulus, NY
The CCE NWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team will be coming back to Seneca County September 9th this year to test your farm's corn dry matter.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Managing Colostrum Supply
September 14, 2022
4pm - 5pm EST
Online
What Farm Management and Nutritional Factors are Associated with Colostrum Yield and Quality?
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Managing Colostrum Supply: What Farm Management and Nutritional Factors are Associated with Colostrum Yield
September 14, 2022
4pm-5pm EST
Webinar
Ingestion of an adequate amount of high-quality colostrum is essential for the growth and health of newborn calves, yet many farms struggle to manage periods of low colostrum supply. This webinar will overview colostrum components and discuss findings from a recent study describing nutritional and farm management factors associated with colostrum production. Colostrum feeding and monitoring programs will also be covered in a panel discussion. This event is free of charge, but registration is required.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2022 Silvopasture Showcase Tour
September 15 - September 16, 2022
8:00am - 3:30pm
Held in the Finger Lakes Region of New York
Watkins Glen, NY
Join the SCNY Team for this not-to-be missed opportunity to see successful silvopasturing in action and network with peer practitioners and supporters of ultra-regenerative agroforestry. We will visit several farms over the course of two days to see and learn how silvopasturing is being utilized on a diversity of grazing operations in New York's Southern Tier Region.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2022 Cornell Sheep and Goat Symposium
September 16 - September 17, 2022
Frank Morrison Hall, Cornell University
Ithaca, nY
The focus of the Symposium this year will be grazing management for goats and sheep. It will include pasture walks at the Cornell Solar Farm and at the Cornell Forage Plots Friday afternoon and again Saturday.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
2022 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium on Grazing Management for Goats and Sheep
September 16 - September 17, 2022
Cornell University/Frank Morrison Hall
Ithaca, NY
- Pasture walk at the Cornell Solar Farms
- Forage walk at the Cornell Forage Plots
- Managed Grazing 101
- Forage Basics
- Making Grazing Management Decisions
- Solving Problem Spots in your Pastures
- Potential Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Pastured Small Ruminants
- Grazing Sheep on Solar Farms
- Using Goats to Manage Vegetation Challenges and Enhance Grazing Environments and Landscape
See attachments for registration form and other information.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Atrazine Update:WEBINAR
September 16, 2022
2pm - 4pm
Zoom webinar hosted by Syngenta providing an update on the current status of Atrazine and the impending comment period in the Federal Register.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Finger Lakes Fiber Festival
September 17 - September 18, 2022
Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 10am-4pm
Hemlock Fairgrounds
Hemlock, NY
Join us for shopping, classes, lectures, and demonstrations!
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Fall 2022 CleanSweep NY **Registration deadline 9/19**
September 19, 2022
Falconer, Hornell, Watkins Glen & Castle Creek, NY
The Fall 2022 CleanSweepNY collection event will take place in Chautauqua, Steuben, Schuyler and Broome counties. Farmers and pesticide applicators/technicians from neighboring counties are encouraged to participate at one of these locations.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Free "Talk Saves Lives" Training for Agricultural Community of New York State
September 29, 2022
9am - 10:30am
Online
Did you know that farmers are more likely to die by suicide than the general population?
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Pasture Walk - Niagara County
September 30, 2022
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Binksberry Hollow
Wilson, NY
Join us for a pasture walk and talk Thursday, September 30th from 6:00-8:00pm at Binksberry Hollow in Wilson, NY.
October 2022
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
American Dairy Goat Association National Convention
October 1 - October 7, 2022
Ramada by Wyndham Hotel & Conference Center
Syracuse, NY
The NYS Dairy Goat Breeders Association and ADGA will be hosting the AMERICAN DAIRY GOAT ASSOCIATION'S 2022 National Convention on October 1-7, 2022 at the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center in Syracuse, NY. This conference will host hundreds of dairy goat breeders from across the USA, Canada, Mexico and other countries and is open to anyone interested in the dairy goat industry and dairy goat products.
General programming will be held daily with an almost unlimited number of seminars and workshops featuring topics related to all areas of raising, breeding and keeping dairy goats from basic to the newest trends and technology. There will be workshops for people wanting to start a commercial goat dairy as well as for hobbyists and dairy goat breeders. There is a huge tradeshow area with vendors, craftsmen and other goat related businesses promoting and offering their products.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Maple Syrup Workshop
October 3, 2022
5pm - 8pm
Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben
Bath, NY
Are you new to maple syrup production or an experienced sugarmaker interested in improving your operation? Join Cornell University Maple Specialist, Aaron Wightman, for an evening of maple syrup production tips and research updates. A variety of topics for a range of skill levels will be presented through a combination of slides, hands-on exercises, and demonstrations. Active participation and discussions are encouraged.
Questions regarding workshop content can be directed to Aaron Wightman, arw6@cornell.edu
To register call 607-664-2300 or email amz65@cornell.edu
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Business Planning for Beginning Farmers
October 5, 2022
6pm - 8pm
JCC Carnahan Building
Jamestown, NY
Business plans for farms are often viewed as yet another chore to do and usually result in dusty binders taking up space on the office shelf. This discussion based workshop will walk you through the mental exercise of planning your future agricultural adventures. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the use of a business plan, the essential components, and a "to-do" list of things to think about to inform future planning efforts. Additional opportunities for one-on-one follow up will also be offered. FSA Borrower credits may be made available for your attendance. This workshop will be taught by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist from the Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program with Cornell Cooperative Extension. She is a graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Animal Science and Ag Business Management, and owns and operates a diversified livestock farm.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
FAMACHA and Internal Parasite IPM Training at Mitrowski House Farm, Machias NY
October 6, 2022
4:00pm - 6:30pm
Mitrowski House Farm
Machias, NY
Join Amy Barkley of the SWNYDLFC Team and Lynn Bliven of CCE Allegany for a comprehensive, hands-on FAMACHA training. We will review common internal parasites of sheep and goats, anti-parasitic drug classes and the use of Integrated Pest Management to reduce resistance in parasite populations, and pasture management for optimal forage production and limiting of potential parasite burdens.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
*Canceled* Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training
October 8, 2022
10:00am - 2:00pm
HLW Acres
Attica, NY
- Please Note this event has been canceled. - Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a nationwide certification program to help ensure a safe, wholesome, and quality beef product for consumers. Topics covered include herd health management, nutrition, behavior, and handling. Producers attending the training will become Level 2 certified.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Milk Quality, Understanding That PPD! & a Peek Into Future Prices
October 11, 2022
10:45am - 2:30pm
Quality Inn
Oneonta , NY
3 sessions, 2 speakers, and 1 buffet included.
Pasture Walk: Stockpiling Forages for Winter Sheep Grazing
October 11, 2022
1pm to 3pm
Shetler Farm
Candor, NY
Are your animals still grazing in January? Allen Shetler's sheep are! Join us for a farm tour to learn about techniques for stockpiling pasture and winter grazing small ruminants. See how Allen efficiently delivers supplemental feed to grazing animals using a Greg Judy-style bale unroller. Experience a sheep fencing demonstration and learn how to manage electric fencing for winter grazing. Network with others in the grazing community and discover grant opportunities to expand or improve your grazing operation. Representatives from the Tioga County Soil and Water Conservation District will be present to share information about grazing planning services and funding to support the development of grazing systems.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Fall Update on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak
October 12, 2022
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Zoom - Online Webinar
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is still circulating in the US, with the number of cases in both commercial and backyard flocks increasing as we head into fall. All poultry famers, hobbyists, and enthusiasts are invited to join Cornell Cooperative Extension's Livestock Program Work Team and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets to learn more about this disease, what we know so far about the current outbreak, and how we should prepare moving into the heart of the fall migration.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Fall Update on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Outbreak
October 12, 2022
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Meeting will be held over Zoom
All poultry famers, hobbyists, and enthusiasts are invited to join Cornell Cooperative Extension's Livestock Program Work Team and NYS Agriculture and Markets to learn more about this disease, what we know so far about the current outbreak, and how we should prepare moving into the heart of the fall migration.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Training at Town Line Livestock in Perrysburg, NY
October 15, 2022
9am - 2pm
Perrysburg Volunteer Fire Co / Town Line Livestock
Perrysburg, NY
This nationwide training and certification program arms beef producers with the tools they need to make sound management decisions for the health of their cattle, the safety of their customers, and the quality of their beef.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Free Mental Health First Aid Trainings for Ag Communities of New York State
October 18 - October 19, 2022October 21, 2022
October 25, 2022
November 2, 2022
November 7 - November 8, 2022
8am-5pm
*Check the list for dates and locations*
Did you know that farmers are more likely than the general population to die by suicide?
NY FarmNet is collaborating with county Cornell Cooperative Extension offices this fall to offer free, full day, in person Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses. Farmers, agribusiness workers, and anyone who interacts with the agricultural community in New York is encouraged to attend. Trainings run from 8am to 5pm, and lunch will be provided from a local eatery with a one hour break.
Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You'll build skills and confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You'll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Cover Crop Field Day in Ithaca
October 19, 2022
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Leland Lab
Ithaca, NY
Join members of Cornell's New York Soil Health Team, Cayuga and Tompkins Soil and Water Districts, and King's AgriSeeds/Cayuga Ag Enterprises to view and discuss cover crops.
Free Mental Health First Aid Training for the Cortland County Agriculture Community
October 19, 2022
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Albright Grange
East Homer, NY
Join NY FarmNet & CCE Cortland for a free Mental Health First Aid Training for farmers, agribusiness workers, and anyone who interacts with the agricultural community on Wednesday, October 19th from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (lunch is included).
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Young Farmer's Coalition Board of Director Elections and Potluck
October 23, 2022
5:00pm - 7:30pm
Grange Hall, Corfu, NY
Corfu, NY
The first official chapter meeting of the Young Farmer's Coalition of WNY will decide the leadership going into 2023 and will feature a potluck with ample time for socializing with other farmers in the community. Farmers of all ages and seasons are invited to the meeting and run for a position on the board.
Creating an Effective Land Lease with Attorneys from the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic at Pace University
October 24, 2022
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Taste NY Building
Binghamton, NY
Join CCE Broome and attorneys from the Food and Farm Business Law Clinic at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University for a free in-person event where we explore the components of a functional land lease which can meet the needs of both the landowner and farmer.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
NY Sheep and Goat Producers
October 27, 2022
7pm-9pm
Zoom
Please join USDA /APHIS /VS Small Ruminant Health staff and NY VS staff for a National Scrapie Eradication Program Update
October 27, 2022, 7 pm - 9 pm
via zoom- link will be provided with RSVP
Dr Charles Gaiser and Dr Linda Detwiler will give a brief overview of the scrapie program and review regulations regarding tagging.
A question-and-answer period will follow.
To RSVP please email NYscrapietags@usda.gov
To receive the link to the ZOOM meeting
Upcoming Events
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
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
- 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
- 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?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.For more information and the NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program Application click here