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PRO-DAIRY News
Join the PRO-DAIRY team as a Dairy Environmental Specialist
MARCH 2022
Work in the PRO-DAIRY Dairy Environmental Systems Program to assist and collaborate with team members and possibly select other Animal Science Faculty on a series of applied research and extension projects including: monitor and report cow barn environments, heat stress mitigation techniques and their success, anaerobic digestion, manure treatments, lab work on manure characteristics and/or soil and water conservation practices design and implementation.
Draft CAFO Permit and Fact Sheet Released
JANUARY 2022
The Draft State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) General Permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) is now available for public comment through February 18, 2022.
2021 New York and Vermont corn silage hybrid evaluation final report
NOVEMBER 2021
Hybrid evaluation at multiple environments helps in decision making and expands the reach of this type of data to more farmers. Cornell, UVM, and seed companies collaborate to provide this robust evaluation. Hybrids were either entered into the 80-95 day relative maturity (RM) group (Early-Mid) and were tested at two locations in NY (n = 27; Lamb Farms in Oakfield and the Willsboro Research Farm in Willsboro) and one location in VT (n = 27; Borderview Farm in Alburgh) or were entered into the 96-110 day relative maturity group (Mid-Late) and were tested at two locations in NY (n = 33; Greenwood Farms in Madrid and the Musgrave Research Farm in Aurora) and one location in VT (n = 33; Borderview Farm in Alburgh). Weather data, growing degree days (GDD; 86-50°F system) and precipitation, both for the current year and long-term averages, can be found in Tables 1a and 1b for trial locations.
Patrick Hooker receives PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Award
AUGUST 26, 2021
Patrick Hooker is the 2021 recipient of the PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Award presented by Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY Director Tom Overton during the virtual Dairy Day Recognition and Awards ceremony at the Great New York State Fair. This award is given in appreciation and recognition of outstanding contributions to NYS agriculture through support of PRO-DAIRY.
PRO-DAIRY receives three grants to evaluate use of digesters on farms
DECEMBER 15, 2020
Net zero carbon can be achieved through a number of efforts and PRO-DAIRY has recently obtained three grants to leverage our efforts to help farms move towards sustainability.
Thinking about topdressing alfalfa? Some things you should know: 2020 may be a good year to economize
MAY 29, 2020
With hay now being harvested, farmers are turning to topdress decisions. Looking back at research conducted at the Cornell Musgrave Research Farm, alfalfa growing on silt loam soils with regular manure application during corn years prior to alfalfa seeding did not respond to topdress potassium.
Child Care Funding Available for Children of Essential Workers
APR 24, 2020
NYS will utilize $30M of federal CARES act assistance to help with child care expenses for essential workers. Farm employees and food processors are considered essential workers.
Fertilizer Value of Milk
APR 16, 2020
Significant quantities of surplus milk from NY’s dairy industry may have to be land applied in the coming weeks due to unprecedented market disruptions created by the COVID-19 emergency. Milk has fertilizer value and crop farms may be able to take advantage of surplus milk for a portion of crop fertilization needs, especially if located near one or more dairies.
Using Surplus Milk as Fertilizer
APR 10, 2020
Guidance from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
Progress of the Dairy Farm Report #3: Selected Financial and Production Factors
APR 7, 2020
By Jason Karszes, Lauren Hill and Wayne Knoblauch, Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summary & Analysis Program
This is the third Progress Report summarizing Selected Financial and Production Factors with data from 135 NY farms who participated in the 2019 Dairy Farm Business Summary. The report presents averages from all farms, and from four different sub-groups based on herd size: less than 450 cows, 450 to 899 cows, 900 to 1,399 cows, and greater than 400 cows.
Adding milk to manure storage
MAR 31, 2020
While we hope that milk demand remains strong, should the situation change resulting in a surplus, farmers and handlers should make sure surplus milk is managed appropriately.
NYSDEC – Division of Water has not provided any general relief from SPDES permit and regulatory requirements
MAR 26, 2020
Permittees need to continue to strive for permit and regulatory compliance.
Interim Guidance for Animal Care Operations
MAR 23, 2020
Interim Guidance for Animal Care Operations release from New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on March 22, 2020.
COVID-19 and Your Dairy webinar: Steps that dairy managers should consider to protect their workforce, their business and their markets
MAR 18, 2020
This webinar was led by Richard Stup, PhD, Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development, and Rob Lynch, DVM, Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY. It covered: why prevention of the coronavirus/COVID-19 is important, steps that employers should take to protect employees, animal health considerations, what to do if service providers are not available, disaster contingency plans, cross-training of employees who can fill other roles, business resources for employers, and pending federal and state legislation related to coronavirus and employees.
Novel Coronavirus Prevention & Control for Farms
MAR 13, 2020
Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development has tips for employers regarding novel coronavirus prevention and control on farms.
Northeast Dairy Management Conference POSTPONED
MAR 6, 2020
We regret to inform you that the Northeast Dairy Management Conference has been postponed. As you are aware, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) continue to monitor an outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Cornell University officials have been proactively working local and state public health organizations to monitor the concern and to protect the health and safety of our campus community and beyond. Effective, Monday, March 9, Cornell University is postponing or cancelling large gatherings and events. As a result of this policy, we must postpone next week’s Northeast Dairy Management Conference on March 11 -12, 2020 at the Holiday Inn in Liverpool, NY.
Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation
DEC 4, 2019
The 2019 Corn Silage Hybrid Evaluation Program Report is now available.
2019 Corn Silage Harvest: An exercise in patience.
SEP 27, 2019
Harvest will happen. It does every year and there is no reason to rush it.
Guidance and Clarity on Waste Tires
SEP 24, 2019
DEC has extended the use of enforcement discretion for waste tires used to cover feed bunks. We will continue to work with DEC to develop workable tire recycling or disposal solutions. This extension is good until May 3, 2021 unless new rules are issued before then.
Expanded Funding for the Dairy Advancement Program
SEP 11, 2019
Increased funding provides the opportunity for more small to mid-size farms to plan for the future of their dairies and offers new program initiatives to foster business success.
2019: Fall Field Work and Bunker Silo Safety and Community
SEP 4, 2019
Reminder from the OSHA Work Group (NYCAMH, NEDPA, NYFB and Cornell PRO-DAIRY)
PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Awards
AUG 29, 2019
NYS Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball and Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY Director Tom Overton presented the PRO-DAIRY Agriservice Awards to Ted O’Hara, Auburn; Todd Ward, Delevan; and David Wood, West Charlton during the Dairy Day Recognition and Awards breakfast on August 29 at the NYS Fair.
Forage Seeding Timing
JUL 12, 2019
PRO-DAIRY Dairy Forage Systems Specialists addresses number of questions in an alert about timing of establishing a forage seeding.
CALS youth development program supports NYS dairy industry
JUN 6, 2019
June is National Dairy Month, and Cornell PRO-DAIRY's Junior DAIRY LEADER program has built enthusiasm for the industry for 20 years through personal and professional leadership development.