Events - month view
earlier monthsDecember 2022
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Economic Feasibility Case Study of Co-Digestion of Manure and Food Waste on a Northern New York Dairy Farm
December 1, 2022
12pm - 1pm EST
Webinar
Are you interested in exploring whether a manure and food waste co-digestion enterprise might be feasible at your dairy? This webinar will present the economic feasibility of two scenarios of anaerobic co-digestion on a case dairy farm located in Northern New York.
Webinar: Economic Feasibility of Co-Digestion of Manure and Food Waste
December 1, 2022
12:00pm-1:00pm
Zoom
Are you interested in exploring whether a manure and food waste co-digestion enterprise might be feasible at your dairy? This PRO-DAIRY webinar will present the economic feasibility of two scenarios of anaerobic co-digestion on a case dairy farm located in Northern New York.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Manure Management & CAFO Permit Workshop - Waterville
December 6, 2022
11am - 2pm
Waterville American Legion (Clifford J. Fulmer Post 92)
Waterville, NY
Lunch included. CCA Credits available. This event will count as a DEC approved manure applicator training for CAFO permitees.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
NWNY Dairy Day 2022
December 6, 2022
9:30am - 1:30pm
Terry Hills Restaurant
Batavia, NY
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Theme: The Future of Your Dairy's Youngstock
The NWNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops team will be holding it's first "Dairy Day" this December! We will be bringing the latest in dairy research to you with this in-person, 1-day conference.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Manure Management & CAFO Permit Workshop - Ballston Spa
December 8, 2022
11am - 2:30pm
CCE Saratoga Auiditorium
Ballston Spa, NY
Lunch included. CCA Credits available. This event will count as a DEC approved manure applicator training for CAFO permitees.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Artificial Insemination Training Course
December 12 - December 13, 2022
9am - 3pm each day
Insight Dairy, LLC
Little Falls, NY
Two-day course. Lunch included. The course will have classroom and practical components. Registration limited to 14 people.
January 2023
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2023 Corn Congress - Waterloo, NY
January 6, 2023
8:30am - 3:30pm
Quality Inn
Waterloo, NY
Registration is now open for the 2023 Corn Congress - January 5 & 6, 2023
NCRAT Listed Event
Program Sponsorship for Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" Webinar Series
January 10, 2023
February 21, 2023
Tuesday's 12:30pm-1:30pm
Via Zoom
Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell PRO-DAIRY are excited to offer a sponsorship opportunity for our upcoming Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" webinar series. This seven-part webinar series offers cutting edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. There will be excellent information those who are thinking about incorporating technology and those that already have implemented new technology.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Dairy Technology Tuesdays
January 10, 2023
January 17, 2023
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
February 21, 2023
12:30pm - 1:30pm EST
Webinar
Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and Cornell Cooperative Extensions are offering a seven-part webinar series with cutting-edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. If you are thinking about incorporating new technology or have already implemented innovative technology this series is for you.
The webinars will be held from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST, Tuesdays, from January 10 to February 21, 2023. The webinars are available at no cost, thanks to the generous support of our industry sponsors. Preregistration is required. Register once for access to all webinars. More information is available at cals.cornell.edu/dairy-technology-Tuesdays.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Dairy Technology Tuesdays
January 10, 2023
January 17, 2023
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
February 21, 2023
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Zoom
This seven-part webinar series offers cutting edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. If you are thinking about incorporating new technology or have already implemented innovative technology, this series is for you.
Getting the Most of of Your Pastures
January 11 - January 12, 2023January 17 - January 18, 2023January 25 - January 26, 2023February 5, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14 - February 15, 2023February 21, 2023
February 28, 2023
March 14 - March 15, 2023March 21, 2023
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Locations vary
Graziers of all types of livestock are invited to these discussion-based meetings. We will share a pot of soup while watching a presentation on how the grazing animal's rumen works. Discussions will follow on member's grazing operations; their strengths and weaknesses. This will help set up topics for future meetings. These meetings are free to attend. Donations of cash or soup ingredients would be appreciated.
Grazing livestock can be a low-cost way to make use of perennial grasses to produce food and fiber for the family or to sell. What many have found is that to be profitable, productive, and fun the grazier needs to understand the interactions of: nutrition, plant growth, nutrient cycling, soil health, record keeping, as well as other pieces that success is made up of.
Farm Accounting with QuickBooks Online
January 11, 2023
January 18, 2023
January 25, 2023
February 1, 2023
February 8, 2023
12pm - 1:30pm
Zoom
By combining the theory and practice of farm business accounting into a single course, this training program will empower you to set up and maintain a record keeping system that is accurate, efficient, and useful.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Assessing Trends and Advancing Research for Smart Solar
January 11, 2023
11:30am - 12:30pm
Zoom
Please join us on Wednesday January 11th between 11:30 and 12:30 to learn how American Farmland Trust is advancing Smart Solar principles in New York. The session will include highlighting cutting edge research led by Cornell University and its Sustainable Solar initiative. We will invite questions and discussion for an interactive session intended to inform farmers, farm advisors and others interested in the future of New York farmland. Please register for the event here: https://forms.office.com/r/meZcV1Yaph
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Farm Accounting with QuickBooks (Online Course)
January 11, 2023
January 18, 2023
January 25, 2023
February 1, 2023
February 8, 2023
12pm - 1:30pm EST
Online Course
The CCE South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Team is pleased to offer Farm Accounting with QuickBooks Online in 2023. By combining the theory and practice of farm business accounting into a single class, this class empowers students to set up and maintain a record keeping system that is accurate, efficient, and useful. The course is delivered in an online format, providing self-paced learning from the comfort of home.
NCRAT Listed Event
Dairy Day 2023
January 17 - January 18, 2023
10am - 3pm
January 17th - Watertown Elks January 18th - CCE of Lewis County
Join us for the main dairy program offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension this winter in Jefferson and Lewis Counties. This 1-day seminar will provide the latest information on dairy production and management including talks on milk quality, labor and workforce development, milk prices and markets, and local research updates.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Genesee Valley Winter Ag Producer Meeting: Field Crops and Livestock
January 18, 2023
9:45am - 12:05pm
Centerville Town Meeting Space
Centerville, NY
Genesee Valley Winter Ag Producer Meetings are open to all local farmers, growers, and ag industry folks. DEC credits available: 0.5 in 1a & 21 (commercial app. ag plant & field crops, private) 0.5 in 1b & 31 (ag animal commercial & ag animal private). To register, call Lynn Bliven at 716-244-0290.
NCRAT Listed Event
Dairy Reproduction and A.I. Training Course
January 18 - January 19, 2023
9:30am - 3:00pm
CCE St. Lawrence Co (2043B NY 68, Canton, NY) LT Smith & Sons Farm (2181 CR 14, Canton, 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.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Agricultural Supervisory Leadership Series- Transitioning to Supervisor
January 20, 2023 : Transitioning to Supervisor
Zoom sessions Thursdays @ 3 - 4 pm EST
Virtual
The course runs January 20th - February 23rd. Topics covered in Transitioning to Supervisor include:
- Developing essential communication skills and manage conflict.
- Leading a multi-cultural team.
- Building an effective workplace culture.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
The Northeast Grazing and Livestock Conference
January 20 - January 21, 2023
Virtual
New this year, Northeast grazing-focused organizations, including Maine Grass Farmers Network, Granite State Grazers, The Livestock Institute, Vermont Grass Farmers Association and the Cornell Cooperative Extension Capital Agriculture & Horticulture Program (hosts of Winter Greenup NY), are hosting a region-wide grazing conference.
The 2023 Northeast Grazing and Livestock Conference is the largest of its kind in New England, gathering over 300 participants from the northeast for two days of networking and educational workshops. Dr. Allen Williams will keynote the conference with a two-hour discussion on adaptive grazing. Additional programming will feature peer to peer farmer networking and practical implementation of managed grazing practices.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
2023 Agriculture and Food Business Outlook Conference
January 20, 2023
9am-3pm
Cornell University (Stocking Hall)
New York agricultural leaders learn about the short-and long-term outlook for agriculture and agricultural products. Breakout sessions concentrate on dairy, grains and feed, and horticultural products.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
NYBPA Winter Conference, Annual Meeting and Awards
January 20 - January 21, 2023
DoubleTree by Hilton
East Syracuse, NY
FEATURES:
Buffet Dinner with Keynote Speaker TEMPLE GRANDIN
Breakfast Hour
Trade Show
Conference:
Financial Sustainability & Technology's Role in It
Rising Input Costs - Time to Pinch Your Pennies
You take care of the cows; who takes care of you?
Roundtable Discussion with American Angus, Hereford, Simmental & Red Angus Associations
Building Resiliency Through the Limbs of Sustainability - Why Beef is Critical
DC Updates & Discussion - What's on the Radar for NY
and more.....
REGISTER
CNYDFC Listed Event
Introductory QuickBooks Training for New and Beginning Farmers - Fonda
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
6pm - 7:30pm
Montgomery County Old County Court House
Fonda, NY
4 Week Hands on Introductory Course to QuickBooks.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Setting Your Financial Goals Early On! With CCE Cattaraugus County 4-H Youth Development Program
January 25, 2023
6:30pm - 7:30pm
CCE-Cattaraugus Auditorium
Ellicottville, NY
Isn't it such an exciting day when your Livestock Auction check arrives in the mail? Join Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Cornell Cooperative Extension's Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program Team Leader and Farm Business Management Specialist, to learn more about financial management (but in a fun way). Topics will include setting up a production budget, planning for project expenses and incomes, and setting financial goals. Participants will have the chance to explore setting up a financial record-keeping system, determine if their project is making a profit, and leave with their 2023 Farm Financial Resolutions.
Winter Crop Meeting 2023 - Auburn Event
January 26, 2023 : Winter Crop Meeting 2023 - Auburn Event
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Auburn Holiday Inn
Auburn, NY
Attend this year's Winter Crop Meeting 2023 at the Auburn Holiday Inn featuring a Trade Show
Speakers will be covering the following topics:
Registration fee includes lunch. 2.0 DEC recertification credits approved.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Introductory QuickBooks Training for New and Beginning Farmers - Morrisville
January 27, 2023
February 3, 2023
February 10, 2023
February 17, 2023
1pm - 2:30pm
CCE Madison County
Morrisville, NY
Save the Dates! 4 Week Hands On QuickBooks Training
Winter Crop Meeting 2023 - Dryden Event
January 27, 2023 : Winter Crop Meeting 2023 - Dryden Event
9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Dryden VFW
Dryden, NY
Attend this year's Winter Crop Meeting 2023 at the Dryden VFW (no Trade Show)
Speakers will be covering the following topics:
Registration fee includes lunch. 2.0 DEC recertification credits approved.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
FarmOps: Setting Your Farm Financial Resolutions - A FREE, 2-Part, Live Seminar for Veterans
January 31, 2023 : FarmOps: Setting Your Farm Financial Resolutions - A FREE, 2-Part, Live Seminar for Veterans
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Online via Zoom
FarmOps: Setting Your Farm Financial Resolutions - A FREE, 2-Part, Live Seminar for Veterans
CNYDFC Listed Event
Operations Manager Conference
January 31 - February 1, 2023
T 7:30am - 6:15pm, W 6:30am - Noon
Doubletree by Hilton
East Syracuse, NY
Managing for Consistency While Leading Through Change
February 2023
CNYDFC Listed Event
Operations Manager Conference
January 31 - February 1, 2023
T 7:30am - 6:15pm, W 6:30am - Noon
Doubletree by Hilton
East Syracuse, NY
Managing for Consistency While Leading Through Change
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Farm Accounting with QuickBooks (Online Course)
January 11, 2023
January 18, 2023
January 25, 2023
February 1, 2023
February 8, 2023
12pm - 1:30pm EST
Online Course
The CCE South Central NY Dairy and Field Crops Team is pleased to offer Farm Accounting with QuickBooks Online in 2023. By combining the theory and practice of farm business accounting into a single class, this class empowers students to set up and maintain a record keeping system that is accurate, efficient, and useful. The course is delivered in an online format, providing self-paced learning from the comfort of home.
Farm Accounting with QuickBooks Online
January 11, 2023
January 18, 2023
January 25, 2023
February 1, 2023
February 8, 2023
12pm - 1:30pm
Zoom
By combining the theory and practice of farm business accounting into a single course, this training program will empower you to set up and maintain a record keeping system that is accurate, efficient, and useful.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Introductory QuickBooks Training for New and Beginning Farmers - Morrisville
January 27, 2023
February 3, 2023
February 10, 2023
February 17, 2023
1pm - 2:30pm
CCE Madison County
Morrisville, NY
Save the Dates! 4 Week Hands On QuickBooks Training
Getting the Most of of Your Pastures
January 11 - January 12, 2023January 17 - January 18, 2023January 25 - January 26, 2023February 5, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14 - February 15, 2023February 21, 2023
February 28, 2023
March 14 - March 15, 2023March 21, 2023
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Locations vary
Graziers of all types of livestock are invited to these discussion-based meetings. We will share a pot of soup while watching a presentation on how the grazing animal's rumen works. Discussions will follow on member's grazing operations; their strengths and weaknesses. This will help set up topics for future meetings. These meetings are free to attend. Donations of cash or soup ingredients would be appreciated.
Grazing livestock can be a low-cost way to make use of perennial grasses to produce food and fiber for the family or to sell. What many have found is that to be profitable, productive, and fun the grazier needs to understand the interactions of: nutrition, plant growth, nutrient cycling, soil health, record keeping, as well as other pieces that success is made up of.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Dairy Technology Tuesdays
January 10, 2023
January 17, 2023
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
February 21, 2023
12:30pm - 1:30pm
Zoom
This seven-part webinar series offers cutting edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. If you are thinking about incorporating new technology or have already implemented innovative technology, this series is for you.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Introductory QuickBooks Training for New and Beginning Farmers - Fonda
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
6pm - 7:30pm
Montgomery County Old County Court House
Fonda, NY
4 Week Hands on Introductory Course to QuickBooks.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Dairy Technology Tuesdays
January 10, 2023
January 17, 2023
January 24, 2023
January 31, 2023
February 7, 2023
February 14, 2023
February 21, 2023
12:30pm - 1:30pm EST
Webinar
Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY and Cornell Cooperative Extensions are offering a seven-part webinar series with cutting-edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. If you are thinking about incorporating new technology or have already implemented innovative technology this series is for you.
The webinars will be held from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM EST, Tuesdays, from January 10 to February 21, 2023. The webinars are available at no cost, thanks to the generous support of our industry sponsors. Preregistration is required. Register once for access to all webinars. More information is available at cals.cornell.edu/dairy-technology-Tuesdays.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Mental Health First Aid Training
February 8, 2023
April 21, 2023
8am - 5pm
Herkimer County Community College & CCE Madison County
Free event with lunch included. Two locations to choose from in the region, and more on the FarmNet website.
CNYDFC Listed Event
Central NY Corn Day 2023
February 14, 2023
9:30am - 3:30pm
Otesaga Resort Hotel
Cooperstown , NY
DEC & CCA credits. Back in person! Weed management, Insect Pest Management, Disease updates, Soil and Fertility management. Trade Show!
Organic Farmer-to-Farmer Meetings
February 14, 2023
March 14, 2023
9am - 1pm
Cornell AgriTech Campus
Geneva, NY
The New York Certified Organic (NYCO) dairy and field crops farmer-to-farmer meetings will finally return to the Jordan Hall auditorium on the Cornell AgriTech campus in Geneva. The meetings had been held in this location for many years, but COVID-19 forced the group to try alternate formats the past few years.
Meetings: February 14 will be focused on dairy and March 14 will be focused on field crops. Both meetings will run from 9am to 1pm and participants are encouraged to bring a dish to pass for lunch. The meetings are free to attend and all farmers are welcome.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" Webinar Series
February 14, 2023
February 21, 2023
: Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" Webinar Series
12:30pm-1:30pm
virtual
Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" Webinar Series
January 10 to February 21, 2023
12:30pm to 1:30pm EST
Registration free, but required: https://cornell.zoom.us/webina...
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2023 Soybean & Small Grains Congress - Batavia, NY
February 15, 2023
8:30am - 3:30pm
Quality Inn & Suites
Batavia, NY
Registration is now open for the 2023 Soybean & Small Grains Congress, February 15 & 16, 2023.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
2023 Soybean & Small Grains Congress - Waterloo, NY
February 16, 2023
8:30am - 3:30pm
Quality Inn
Waterloo, NY
Registration is now open for the 2023 Soybean & Small Grains Congress February 15 & 16, 2023.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
New York Pork Producers Annual Meeting 2023 A Focus on Small Scale Swine Production
February 18, 2023
9am
Quality Inn - Waterloo
Waterloo, NY
This year's meeting will focus on swine production for small-scale producers and will feature lectures on profitable meat marketing, pig pasture management, the National Pork Producers, and an update on African Swine Fever in NY. The New York Pork Producers Annual Meeting will follow. All pork producers and all interested in pork production are invited and encouraged to attend.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Agritourism Workshops Monthly!
February 20, 2023
March 20, 2023
April 17, 2023
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!
The sessions will focus on specific topic to help aspiring agritourism entrepreneurs grow their knowledge and profit through this exciting on-farm business.
NCRAT Listed Event
2023 Crop Congress - Lowville
February 21, 2023
10:30am - 3pm
CCE of Lewis County
Lowville,
The 27th Annual North Country Crop Congress will be February 21st, it will begin promptly at 10:30am to 3:00pm Agricultural experts will discuss the latest crop production technologies and agronomic research that will affect many farms in the region.
NCRAT Listed Event
Program Sponsorship for Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" Webinar Series
January 10, 2023
February 21, 2023
Tuesday's 12:30pm-1:30pm
Via Zoom
Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cornell PRO-DAIRY are excited to offer a sponsorship opportunity for our upcoming Dairy "Technology Tuesdays" webinar series. This seven-part webinar series offers cutting edge information about dairy technology from industry experts. There will be excellent information those who are thinking about incorporating technology and those that already have implemented new technology.
NCRAT Listed Event
2023 Crop Congress - Miner Institute
February 22, 2023
10am - 3pm
Miner Institute
The 27th Annual North Country Crop Congress will be February 22nd, it will begin promptly at 10:30am to 3:00pm Agricultural experts will discuss the latest crop production technologies and agronomic research that will affect many farms in the region.
Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency with Peak Fertilizer Prices: A Weekly Webinar Series 2023
February 23, 2023
March 2, 2023
March 9, 2023
March 16, 2023
March 23, 2023
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Online Webinar
Join us for a 5-week Webinar Series on Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency with Peak Fertilizer Prices
Five consecutive Thursdays: February 23 - March30 from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
NCRAT Listed Event
Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency with Peak Fertilizer Prices: A Weekly Webinar Series 2023
February 23, 2023
March 2, 2023
March 9, 2023
March 16, 2023
March 23, 2023
March 30, 2023
Thursday's 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Via Zoom
As we begin 2023, we are not expecting fertilizer and nutrient shortages to disrupt crop planning as they did last year, but fertilizer prices continue to be very high. This series of webinars is designed to help farms and producers to accurately assess fertilizer needs and to manage for optimal nutrient efficiency to minimize fertilizer purchases.
NWNYTeam Listed Event
Forage and Pasture Management Workshop
February 25, 2023
9:30am-3:30pm
Pioneer High School
Yorkshire, NY
Please join CCE Allegany, CCE Chautauqua, and CCE Livingston Counties; along with the NWNY & SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Teams on Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9:30am - 3:30pm at the Pioneer High School in Yorkshire, NY for the Forage and Pasture Management Workshop.
SWNYDLFC Listed Event
Forage and Pasture Management Workshop
February 25, 2023
9:30am - 3:30pm
Pioneer High School
Yorkshire, NY
Registration is now open for this in-person workshop, which features classes on a variety of topics centered around stored forage and pasture management.
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