Organic
New York Organic Dairy Initiative: Adding diversity to NY's Dairy IndustryThe Organic Dairy Initiative was created to provide research and extension to New York's Organic Dairy Industry. Organic Dairy Production began in New York State in the 1990's. It was the result of a growing number of consumers who were interested in dairy products produced without synthetic substances such as hormones, antibiotics, and pesticides. The number of certified New York dairy farms has grown to meet the yearly increase in demand for organic milk.
ORGANIC CATEGORIES
Application To Participate in Organic Dairy Replacement Study
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: March 22, 2022
We are taking applications to participate in Organic Dairy Replacement Study. The goal of the project will be to review the treatments, techniques, and costs associated with raising heifers on these farms. We will then share averages and treatments with other organic dairies in the Northeast. The information will also help with establishing the unfair advantage allowed by the USDA by not enforcing the intent of the "Origin of Livestock" rule described in the NOP.
Milking time at family dairy farms
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: June 21, 2016
Watch these videos below for a peek inside the milking routine at local family dairy farms.
Custom Machinery Rates
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: June 1, 2016
Trying to figure out how much to pay or charge for custom machinery operations? Check out the 2016 custom rate summaries from Pennsylvania.
NYSERDA Agriculture Energy Audit Program - Fact Sheet
Janice Degni, Team Leader, Field Crop Specialist
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: May 26, 2016
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.
Two Paths to Organic Transition
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: April 22, 2016
Map of New York Organic Dairy Farms
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: May 19, 2014
There are over 400 organic dairy farms in the state, representing about 6% of the total number of dairy farms across New York. The requirements for being certified organic are suited to smaller dairies, so the average organic dairy in NY has less than 50 cows, and market demand for their milk is on the rise.
Webinar Series On Organic Weed Management
Janice Degni, Team Leader, Field Crop Specialist
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: May 19, 2014
Organic farmers and specialists from across the U.S. led a free webinar series on organic weed management. The webinars discuss several approaches and practices for managing weeds including crop rotations, cover crops, and soil management. Each session was recorded. They can be viewed here.
Variable Rate Fertility Management
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: April 24, 2014
An expanded version of the February 2014 Ag Focus Article, Variable Rate Fertility Management.
Cover Crop InterSeeder
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: February 17, 2014
Want to plant a cover crop into standing corn or soybeans, apply a herbicide, and sidedress nitrogen all in one pass? Check out the cover crop InterSeeder developed at Penn State in this PDF. For additional information go to InterSeeder website.
PEDv: What does it mean for NY's Swine Producers?
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: February 17, 2014
Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv) has arrived in New York with a vengeance.
Soil Sampling for Field Crops
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: February 13, 2014
Not sure how to sample your soil? Download this Cornell Agronomy Fact Sheet. More Agronomy Fact Sheets are available at the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program website.
Alfalfa Management Guide
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: February 7, 2014
Have a question about growing alfalfa? You will probably find the answer in "The Alfalfa Management Guide". This is a must have reference for anyone working with "the queen of forages".
Dairy
Livestock
Grazing
Forages
Grains
Upcoming Events
March CCE Shop Meeting
March 11, 2026 : Understanding the Benefit and Logistics of Dairy and Crop
Union Springs ,
CCE Cayuga Cayuga, PRODairy, and the SCNY Regional Team, will be hosting their March shop meeting "Understanding the Benefit and Logistics of Dairy and Crop Farmers Sharing Manure." The event is designed to connect dairy and crop farmers interested in exploring manure-sharing arrangements as a practical strategy for reducing input costs and improving nutrient management on both sides of the equation. No registration is required — doors open at 12:30 PM.
Dairy Support Services Company Spring Safety Meeting
March 13, 2026 : Dairy Support Services Company Spring Safety Meeting
Cortland, NY
This meeting is targeted at both experienced and new farm workers and ag service contractors who are operating trucks and ag equipment while applying manure and harvesting crops. There will be CAFO training credits available for farms that need them.
From Dry to Fresh -- Setting Up Cows for Success
March 18, 2026 : From Dry to Fresh -- Setting Up Cows for Success
Scipio Center, NY
Topics:
- How to Do Dry Cows Correctly -- precision dry cow management
- Dystocia model -- demonstrate and discussion on calving interventions
- Health Checks on Fresh Cows
- Facility Considerations and Pen Management
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
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
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