Events - month view
earlier monthsSeptember 2024
CNYDFC Listed Event
Corn Silage Dry Down Day
September 3, 2024 : Corn Silage Dry Down Day
10am - 3pm
Keystone Mills
Fort Plain, NY
Bring your samples (bundles of 3-4 plants from each field) to get your whole plant dry matter and estimated harvest date range.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Field Corn Walk: Tackling Tar Spot and Crop Challenges
September 3, 2024 : Field Corn Walk: Tackling Tar Spot and Crop Challenges
3 PM- 4:30 PM
Niefergold Farm
Lawtons, NY
Do you grow corn? Are you interested in foliar diseases? Join us in Erie County for an upcoming Field Corn Walk!
Corn Silage Dry-Down Clinic
September 4, 2024
10 am - 2:pm
E. Merlin Wenger Farm
Port Byron, NY
Join South Central Dairy & Field Crops Team and Cayuga County Cooperative Extension Specialists for a corn silage dry-down clinic! Our corn silage crop maturity is variable this year. To ensure harvest and preservation of the best crop possible we are holding a corn silage dry-down clinic. Bring in your field samples to test dry-matter. We will be using an NIR machine which allows rapid results.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Field Corn Walk: Tackling Tar Spot and Crop Challenges
September 4, 2024 : Field Corn Walk: Tackling Tar Spot and Crop Challenges
3 PM- 4:30 PM
D & L Saunders Farm LLC
Whitesville, NY
Do you grow corn? Are you interested in foliar diseases? Join us in Allegany County for an upcoming Field Corn Walk!
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Agritourism Workshops Monthly! -Handling Difficult Customers
September 10, 2024
12:00pm-1:00pm
virtual
Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?
Join our monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required!
CNYDFC Listed Event
2024 Agritourism Monthly Webinar Series
January 9, 2024
February 13, 2024
March 12, 2024
April 9, 2024
May 14, 2024
June 11, 2024
July 9, 2024
August 13, 2024
September 10, 2024
October 8, 2024
November 12, 2024
December 10, 2024
Noon - 1pm
Zoom
Free webinar series meeting the second Tuesday of every month.
Tioga County Summer Pasture Walk #3
September 12, 2024
1 pm - 3:30 pm
Michael Troyer's Farm
Candor, NY
Join Us for our no cost Tioga County Summer Pasture Walk #3 on September 12th, 2024 at 1-3:30pm.
Location: Michael Troyer's farm, 696 Honeypot Rd, Candor
Topics: parasite management w/ grazing small ruminants, record keeping, pasture rejuvenation, winter management, stockpiling
Presenters: Jess Waltemyer, Cornell University Small Ruminant Specialist; Troy Bishopp, USC, Madison County SWCD, Janice Degni & Betsy Hicks, CCE Dairy & Field Crops Team
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
SWNY Skilled and Modern Trained Butcher Roundtable Discussion
September 16, 2024 : Skilled and Modern Trained Butcher Roundtable Discussion
10am - 12pm
Cutco Theater JCC Olean Campus
Olean, NY
Please join this open discussion with local farmers, livestock processors, CCE, academic institutions, workforce development, and more. Your input will help guide strategies to develop a talent pool of skilled tradespeople critical to a profitable local farm and food economy.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Broiler Processing Workshop at Green Heron Growers
September 17, 2024 : Broiler Processing Workshop at Green Heron Growers
2pm - 4pm
Green Heron Growers
Panama, NY
This free workshop brings participants on a tour of Green Heron Growers' organic pastured raised broiler enterprise and a live processing demonstration to share how to safely and humanely process broiler chickens under the 1,000 bird exemption.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Composting Livestock Mortality and Butcher Waste
September 17, 2024
5:30pm-7pm
Bare Bones Butchering
Friendship, NY
Routine and emergency losses of poultry and livestock are significant environmental, biosecurity and waste management concerns. In addition, disposal of offal and butcher waste is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive as renderers close. Mortality composting is cost effective, environmentally sound, compassionate, easy to do, and can be done at any time of the year. This presentation will cover what composting is, site preparation, and how to compost livestock on farms; including the regulations in New York State.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Late Summer Pasture Walk
September 19, 2024 : Late Summer Pasture Walk
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Murphy's Grass Farm
Sherman , NY
We hope you'll join us for an upcoming Late Summer Pasture Walk. Topics include weed management, improving yields, soil sampling and much more! No charge to attend. To help plan for light refreshments, please RSVP by September 17th to Lisa Kempisty at 716-664-9502 Ext 203.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Swine 101 Week - Western
September 23, 2024 : Swine 101 Week - Western
5:30pm - 8:45pm
CCE Livingston Auditorium
Mount Morris, NY
Join CCE and representatives from the National Pork Board, USDA, and NYS Ag and Markets for one of 5 3-hour swine-centric workshops across the state. These events are free and dinner is included. Topics include how the Pork Checkoff works, Biosecurity and Foreign Animal Disease, Marketing Strategies, Parasite management, and RFID Tag use. Registration is required.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Swine 101 - Western
September 23, 2024
5:30pm - 9pm
Auditorium
Mount Morris, NY
Do you raise pigs? Join us for a free informative workshop, sponsored by the New York Pork Producers. Topics include:
Marketing, Understanding the Pork Checkoff, Biosecurity, Pest & Parasite Management, and Animal Identification: RFID Tags, Do I Need Them?
Event & Dinner supported by the New York Pork Producers with funds from the National Pork Board
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
CANCELLED Swine 101 Week - Finger Lakes
September 24, 2024 : Swine 101 Week - Finger Lakes
5:30pm - 8:45pm
Branchport Fire House
Branchport, NY
Join CCE and representatives from the National Pork Board, USDA, and NYS Ag and Markets for one of 5 3-hour swine-centric workshops across the state. These events are free and dinner is included. Topics include how the Pork Checkoff works, Biosecurity and Foreign Animal Disease, Marketing Strategies, Parasite management, and RFID Tag use. Registration is required.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Swine 101 - Finger Lakes
September 24, 2024 : Swine 101 - Finger Lakes
5:30pm - 9pm
Branchport Fire House
Branchport, NY
Do you raise pigs? Join us for a free informative workshop, sponsored by the New York Pork Producers. Topics include:
Marketing, Understanding the Pork Checkoff, Biosecurity, Pest & Parasite Management, and Animal Identification: RFID Tags, Do I Need Them?
Event & Dinner supported by the New York Pork Producers with funds from the National Pork Board
CNYDFC Listed Event
Tax Awareness for Farmers - Webinar
September 25, 2024 : Tax Awareness for Farmers
1pm - 2pm EST
Zoom
NY FarmNet Free Webinar
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Allegany County Farmer Neighbor Dinner
September 25, 2024
5:30pm
Lake Lodge
Alfred Station, NY
You are cordially invited to attend the Allegany County Farmer Neighbor Dinner. You will experience a gourmet Farm to Table dinner showcasing locally grown and raised products exquisitely prepared by ACES Catering while enjoying musical entertainment by Emma Tyme.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Statewide Swine 101 Week
September 25, 2024 : Statewide Swine 101 Week
5:30-8:45 pm
CCE Herkimer County
Herkimer, NY
Come and join us at one of these 5 Locations across New York State for a FREE DINNER, timely information, and a take home gift!
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Cornell Cow Convos Podcast- Episode 13 Release
September 26, 2024
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
Cornell Cow Convos-Episode 13
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
October 2024
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Silvopasture - Planting Trees in Pasture Workshop
October 1, 2024
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Wild Geese Farm
Franklinville, NY
Join Allegany County Cornell Cooperative Extension, Soil & Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service staff for an on-farm workshop on establishing silvopasture systems in livestock pastures.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Farm Fresh Marketing: A Veteran Cohort
October 2, 2024
October 9, 2024
October 16, 2024
October 23, 2024
October 30, 2024
November 6, 2024
Join Katelyn Walley - Marketing for a farm involves promoting and selling agricultural products by understanding consumer needs, creating a unique brand, setting competitive prices, and using various channels to reach customers. With successful marketing efforts, farmers can build customer loyalty, increase sales, and ensure the farm's profitability. With so many moving parts to consider, many farmers find creating their farm's marketing path can be challenging and uncertain.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
LEAF: Biosecurity - Controlling Dangerous Germs Lurking on the Farm
October 2, 2024 : LEAF: Biosecurity- Controlling Dangerous Germs Lurking on the Farm
6pm - 8pm
JCC Carnahan Center
Jamestown, NY
Join us for a discussion on bacteria and viruses that are of concern to livestock farms in WNY. We'll discuss the most common ones for poultry, small ruminants, pigs, and cattle and review preventing and managing these diseases. This session is offered simultaneously in-person and over Zoom.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
2024 Livestock Mortality Composting Workshop at Bluegill Farms
October 3, 2024 : Livestock Mortality Composting Training at Bluegill Farms
10am - 2pm
Steuben County Office and Bluegill Farms
Bath, NY
Join CCE and Cornell Waste Management Jean Bonhotal to discuss properly constructing and maintaining livestock mortality and butcher waste compositing piles on the farm. The classroom session will be followed with lunch and a trip to Bluegill Farms to see, dig into, and discuss their compost piles and keys to a successful process!
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Fall Program: Maple, Mushrooms, and Business
October 5, 2024
9am - 12noon
Ellicottville Town Center
Ellicottville, NY
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cattaraugus County will host speakers Saturday on maple production, mushrooms and farm business management.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Beef Quality Assurance
October 5, 2024
9am - 3pm
Empire Livestock
Cherry Creek, NY
Join Beef Quality Assurance and hear the following: "Together We Are More" The importance of building relationships in the beef industry, BQA Presentation, Chute-side Training and Rural Mental Health Resilience.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Agritourism Workshops Monthly! -Creating Value-Added Items/Experiences
October 8, 2024
12:00pm-1:00pm
virtual
Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?
Join our monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required!
CNYDFC Listed Event
2024 Agritourism Monthly Webinar Series
January 9, 2024
February 13, 2024
March 12, 2024
April 9, 2024
May 14, 2024
June 11, 2024
July 9, 2024
August 13, 2024
September 10, 2024
October 8, 2024
November 12, 2024
December 10, 2024
Noon - 1pm
Zoom
Free webinar series meeting the second Tuesday of every month.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Larger Herd, Low-Overhead Dairy Grazing Field Day
October 10, 2024
10:30am-1:30pm
Graceland Dairies
Dansville, NY
Join us at the farm of Holly Burley Moore for a discussion on how she keeps her overhead costs low on her 550 head grazing dairy.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County
October 10, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County (Spanish)
1pm - 4pm
Niagara County Cooperative Extension
Lockport, NY
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County
October 10, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County (English)
1pm - 4pm
Niagara County Cooperative Extension
Lockport, NY
To assist or not to assist? That is (one of) the questions dairy farm personnel have while working in the maternity area on a farm.
This workshop will teach best calving management practices to minimize stillbirth rates and improve calf and cow health during and directly after the calving process.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate
October 16 - October 17, 2024
6pm-9pm
Zoom
The Farm Disaster Preparation program will help farm owners plan for and manage possible disasters. This program focuses on practical pre-disaster education and preparedness regarding farm equipment safety on the road, fire or structure collapse, storm and wind damage, criminal activity, farm chemical risks, and biosecurity. Farms that complete the training will receive a certificate to provide to their insurer and may be eligible for a credit or discount toward the farm's annual insurance premium.
The Farm Disaster Preparation Certificate is directed to all sizes of farms and all types of products. Dairy and livestock farms are especially encouraged to participate in the program due to their additional concerns regarding animal agriculture.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County
October 16, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County (English)
1pm - 4pm
Ontario County Cooperative Extension
Canandaigua, NY
To assist or not to assist? That is (one of) the questions dairy farm personnel have while working in the maternity area on a farm.
This workshop will teach best calving management practices to minimize stillbirth rates and improve calf and cow health during and directly after the calving process.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County
October 16, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County (Spanish)
1pm - 4pm
Ontario County Cooperative Extension
Canandaigua, NY
CNYDFC Listed Event
Fall 2024 Meat Processing and Marketing Workshop Series
October 22, 2024 : SUNY Cobleskill
6:30pm - 8:30pm
SUNY Cobleskill Center for Ag and Natural Sciences Building
Cobleskill, NY
The program costs $10/farm and includes dinner.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Fall 2024 Meat Processing and Marketing Workshop Series
October 23, 2024 : CCE Saratoga County
6:30pm - 8:30pm
CCE Saratoga County
Ballston Spa, NY
The program costs $10/farm and includes dinner.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Cornell Cow Convos Podcast- Episode 14 Release
October 24, 2024
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
Cornell Cow Convos-Episode 14
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Stockmanship & Stewardship
October 25 - October 26, 2024
Erie County Fairgrounds
Hamburg, NY
Elevate Your Beef and Dairy Operations
Join us for a dynamic event tailored for beef and dairy producers in New York and surrounding states. Explore various informative topics, such as carcass quality, grazing management, consumer insights, and more, designed to elevate your operations and boost profitability.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Stockmanship and Stewardship 2024
October 25, 2024
All Day
Erie County Fairgrounds
Hamburg, NY
Save the date!! The event is one of 4 across the US and is a two-day educational experience featuring low-stress cattle handling demonstrations, Beef Quality Assurance educational sessions, facility design sessions, and industry updates.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Feeder School
October 29, 2024 : Insight Dairy - Herkimer County
10am - 3pm
Insight Dairy
Little Falls, NY
One day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders. Offered in English and Spanish at each site. Stations with hands-on activities/demos. Lunch included.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Feeder School
October 30, 2024 : Barber Brothers Dairy - Saratoga County
10am - 3pm
Barber Brothers Dairy
Schuylerville, NY
One day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders. Offered in English and Spanish at each site. Stations with hands-on activities/demos. Lunch included.
Dairy Feeder School - Host Farm: Twin Birch Dairy
October 31, 2024
10 am - 3 pm; Registration at 9:30
Twin Birch Dairy
Skaneateles, NY
One day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders; Offered in English and Spanish at each site; Stations with hands-on activities/demos
Topics Covered During Feeder School:
¨ Economics and importance of feeding and feed management
¨ Dry matter and feeder math basics: how to measure DM and refusals, and adjust ration
¨ Feed consistency and TMR audits
¨ Troubleshooting mixer wagons
¨ Bunk silo management, map out bunk, packing density and preservation, and feed out
¨ Safety
November 2024
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
2024 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium
November 1 - November 3, 2024
Cornell University Campus
Ithaca, NY
The 2024 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium is scheduled for Friday Nov 1st- Sunday Nov 3rd, on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. Goat and sheep raisers and industry stakeholders are welcome to register for the whole event or individual days.
Friday Nov 1st is devoted to advance sign-up workshops on: 1) Secure Sheep and Wool Supply & Biosecurity planning - NYSAGM 2) Learning to do a field necropsy - Dr. Mary Smith DVM, 3) Demos and hands-on skills for new goat and sheep raisers - Betsy Hodge and Dr. tatiana Stanton, and later in the evening, 4) Balancing Rations using Computer Software -Rich Toebe, Delaware CCE
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Harvest Party and Annual Meeting of the Good Farmer's Guild
November 2, 2024 : Harvest Party and Annual Meeting of the Good Farmer's Guild
4pm - 7pm
Massachusetts Avenue Project
Buffalo, NY
Join the Good Farmer's Guild of WNY for a potluck to celebrate the end of the growing season and an update at what the organization's plan is for 2024.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Hoof Trimming Workshop - Lake Country Holsteins
November 6, 2024 : Hands-On Hoof Trimming - Small-Farm Focused
9: 30am - 3:30pm
Lake Country Holsteins
Stanley, NY
Interested in a career as a hoof trimmer? Are you a dairy farmer with too many lame cows and trouble finding a hoof trimmer when you need one? Then join us for a hands-on hoof trimming workshop to learn the foundations of excellent hoof health! We will practice trimming on cadaver hooves.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Farm Fresh Marketing: A Veteran Cohort
October 2, 2024
October 9, 2024
October 16, 2024
October 23, 2024
October 30, 2024
November 6, 2024
Join Katelyn Walley - Marketing for a farm involves promoting and selling agricultural products by understanding consumer needs, creating a unique brand, setting competitive prices, and using various channels to reach customers. With successful marketing efforts, farmers can build customer loyalty, increase sales, and ensure the farm's profitability. With so many moving parts to consider, many farmers find creating their farm's marketing path can be challenging and uncertain.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Ag Energy Efficiencies Program
November 6, 2024 : Ag Energy Efficiencies Program
Noon - 1:30pm
CCE Columbia-Greene Counties
Acra, NY
Free In-Person Program
CNYDFC Listed Event
Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue: Awareness Program
November 7 - November 8, 2024 : Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue: Awareness course
8am - 5pm
CCE Madison County
Morrisville, NY
Join us for this two-day program to learn about the safe extraction of a large live animal in local emergencies.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Hands-On Hoof Trimming Workshop - Coyne Farms
November 7 - November 8, 2024 : Hands-On Hoof Trimming
9:30am - 3:30pm
Coyne Farms
Avon, NY
Are you or one of your employees looking to improve hoof-trimming skills and lower lameness in your herd? Then join us for a hands-on hoof trimming workshop to learn the foundations of excellent hoof health! We will practice trimming on cadaver hooves.
Dairy Feeder School - Host Farm: Walnut Ridge Dairy
November 12, 2024
10 am - 3 pm; Registration at 9:30
Walnut Ridge Dairy
Lansing, NY
One day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders; Offered in English and Spanish at each site; Stations with hands-on activities/demos
Topics Covered During Feeder School:
¨ Economics and importance of feeding and feed management
¨ Dry matter and feeder math basics: how to measure DM and refusals, and adjust ration
¨ Feed consistency and TMR audits
¨ Troubleshooting mixer wagons
¨ Bunk silo management, map out bunk, packing density and preservation, and feed out
¨ Safety
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Agritourism Workshops Monthly! -Implementing Outdoor Recreation on the Farm
November 12, 2024
12:00pm-1:00pm
virtual
Are you thinking of starting an agritourism business or are you currently operating one?
Join our monthly lunch-hour, workshop virtual series and learn how to grow your agritourism business!
Cost: Free to attend, but registration required!
CNYDFC Listed Event
2024 Agritourism Monthly Webinar Series
January 9, 2024
February 13, 2024
March 12, 2024
April 9, 2024
May 14, 2024
June 11, 2024
July 9, 2024
August 13, 2024
September 10, 2024
October 8, 2024
November 12, 2024
December 10, 2024
Noon - 1pm
Zoom
Free webinar series meeting the second Tuesday of every month.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2024 Dairy Feeder School - November 13
November 13, 2024
10:00am - 3:00pm, Registration begins @ 9:30am
Reyncrest Farm
Corfu, NY
Join the Regional Dairy Specialists for a one day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders. The training is offered in English and Spanish and will feature stations with hands-on activities and demonstrations.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Steuben County Crop Symposium
November 14, 2024 : Steuben County Crop Symposium
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County
Bath, NY
The Southwest Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team and Cornell Cooperative Extension Steuben County are excited to host the Steuben County Crop Symposium. Meeting will take place November 14th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Cost is $5 and can be paid at the door with cash or check. Pre-registration is required. Regsiter online or contact Kelly Bourne at 585-268-7644 ext. 10.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2024 Dairy Feeder School - November 14
November 14, 2024
10:00am - 3:00pm, Registration begins @ 9:30am
DeBoover Family Farms
Phelps, NY
Join the Regional Dairy Specialists for a one day on-farm training for dairy farm feeders. The training is offered in English and Spanish and will feature stations with hands-on activities and demonstrations.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Farm to School Summit
November 20 - November 22, 2024 : Farm to School Summit
Syracuse OnCenter
Syracuse, NY
Please join us at the inaugural NY Farm to School Summit, on November 20-22, 2024, at the Syracuse Oncenter.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Cornell Cow Convos Podcast- Episode 15 Release
November 28, 2024
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
Cornell Cow Convos-Episode 15
https://soundcloud.com/user-301921459-118136586/sets/cornell-dairy-convos
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