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".
Getting the Most Out of Your Manure Presentation
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: January 23, 2014
There are many practical, cost-effective manure management practices can be adopted on farms of all sizes.
Abnormal Corn Ears Poster
Last Modified: January 21, 2014
“Check out this poster describing the cause of abnormal corn ears.”
Malting Barley Nutrient Management
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: January 21, 2014
Would a National Checkoff fit Organic?
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: January 6, 2014
The New York Organic Dairy Task Force heard from two sides on this topic at its December 6th 2013 meeting at the Dairylea Offices in Syracuse. As an outcome of that meeting the 23-member Task Force decided that more education on the topic should be directed towards those that would be affected by a checkoff.
Apps for Ag
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: December 20, 2013
List of some apps for smartphone users.
Annual Farm Business Summary and Analysis Season Is Right Around The Corner
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Last Modified: December 2, 2013
- Sound financial planning and control are keys to successfully managing agricultural risks.
- The next few months present good opportunities to evaluate your business' financial management practices.
- The NWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program has the capacity to work with a variety producers as they seek to improve their business' financial management practices.
Managing Weeds with Knowledge and Metal
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: October 10, 2013
This video provides information about equipment that can be useful for organic weed management and control.
Cleaning and Sanitizing for the Small Dairy Processor
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: August 2, 2013
This video is a resource for small dairy producers and processors, to help them learn appropriate cleaning and sanitizing procedures in their facilities.
Barley Fodder Feeding for Organic Dairies Webinar
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: July 22, 2013
An eOrganic Webinar presented by John Stoltzfus, Be-A-Blessing Organic Dairy and Fay Benson, Cornell University. Fay Benson is the project manager of New York's Organic Dairy Initiative and small dairy support specialist with Cornell University's Small Farm Team. Fay has been working with grazing and organic dairy farmers for 10 years and also operated his own dairy farm for more than 20 years.John Stoltzfus and his wife, Tammy, operate their certified organic dairy farm in Whitesville, NY. Since he began feeding sprouted barley, John has eliminated the grain ration from his 40-head herd's diet.
Is Double Cropping BMR Sorghum followed by a Winter Grain a Viable System?
Janice Degni, Team Leader, Field Crop Specialist
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: July 22, 2013
Alternative crops that yield well at a reasonable cost of production are needed for expanding cropping options on less than optimal ground. We propose to trial sorghum, as an alternative to corn silage, followed by a winter grain on 4 cooperator farms. Sorghum appears to be a reasonable substitute for corn silage offering similar yields and nutrition at a lower cost. Sorghum has not been widely grown in the NE and we want to understand the necessary management for its successful production. We want to quantify the benefit from a double crop system with a fall grain harvested as early spring forage. We will evaluate whether this cropping combination is cost effective with consistent performance, adequate yield and feed quality.
Sprouted Barley Fodder
A. Fay Benson, Small Dairy Extension Educator
South Central New York Dairy & Field Crops
Last Modified: July 17, 2013
This Facebook group serves as a forum for dairy farmers who want to know more about using sprouted barley fodder as feedstock. Connect to the community of barley fodder producers and dairy farmers by posting questions and pictures and engaging with the group's resources, including a webinar with John Stultzfus of Be-A-Blessing Organic Dairy, and Fay Benson from Cornell University.
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Upcoming Events
Colostrum and Calf Technologies
March 19, 2025
Ithaca, NY
Join us for a lunch meeting with Penn State University's renowned calf specialist, Dr. Melissa Cantor. Dr. Cantor will show us new research into extended colostrum feeding both as a preventative therapy and an intervention strategy for sick calves. She will also delve into new uses of calf-hood technologies such as activity monitors, auto-feeders and the role that AI can play.
Sprayer Clinic
March 20, 2025
Dryden, NY
A Review of Practice for Optimizing Results with Crop Protectant Applications!!
2.0 DEC credits in categories 1A and 21-25 will be earned
NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION TO THE DRYDEN VFW from VAN PELT FARMS.
Cortland County Agriculture Celebration Banquet (9th Annual)
March 20, 2025 : National Ag Week Celebration Banquet
McGraw, NY
Bringing together agricultural producers and supporters, community and business to celebrate our agricultural heritage and accomplishments!
Announcements
USDA Contract Freezes and Terminations: Legal Action Steps for Farmers
For Farmers with Signed EQIP and CSP ContractsThis resource is written for farmers and ranchers nationwide who have a signed contract with USDA NRCS under the EQIP or CSP program for environmental improvements but have concerns that their contract is frozen, under review, or terminated, and who are uncertain of their rights to receive reimbursement as well as their ongoing obligations under the signed contract.
Version: 1.0
Issue date: Feb 28, 2025
A downloadable factsheet is available at our BUSINESS tab on the top of our webpage.
Additional Information: www.farmcommons.org
USDA Contract Freezes: Filing an NAD Appeal or Demand Letter
This resource is written for farmers and ranchers nationwide who have a signed contract with USDA NRCS under the EQIP or CSP program for environmental improvements and want more information on the mechanics of filing a National Appeals Division (NAD) appeal. This resource includes sample letters.
USDA NAD Appeal https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-hearings-and-appeals/national-appeals-division/nad-appeals
A downloadable factsheet is available at our BUSINESS heading at the top of our webpage.
ON FARM RESEARCH TRIALS 2025: Value of Manure & Power of Manure
Manure has all seventeen essential plant nutrients and can increase yield beyond what can be obtained with fertilizer only. In this project, Value of Manure, we evaluate the nitrogen fertilizer replacement value (how much N can we credit to manure?) and yield differences as a result of manure application.Complete Project Details: https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_1125.pdf
Manure history and field management (cover crops, crop rotation, etc.) impact soil nitrogen (N)- supplying capacity. In the project, Power of Manure, we evaluate the N supply, soil microbial biomass, and crop N uptake efficiency as a result of different manure histories, field agronomic management, and soil types.
Complete Project Details: https://nydairyadmin.cce.cornell.edu/uploads/doc_1126.pdf
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