IT’S THE HOLIDAY SEASON: TREE CUTTING TRADITION PROMOTES NYS CHRISTMAS TREE FARMS AND KICKS OFF THE FESTIVE SEASON

New York State Ranks #4 in U.S. in Acres Dedicated to Growing Christmas Trees

New Yorkers Encouraged to Buy Farm-Fresh NYS Grown & Certified Trees and Shop for Local Food, Beverages, and Specialty Gift Items this Holiday Season

New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball led the Department’s annual tree-cutting tradition today at New York State Grown & Certified Stokoe Farms in Scottsville, cutting down a 9-foot-tall Fraser Fir that will be proudly displayed at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. The annual event highlights New York’s Christmas tree industry and encourages New Yorkers to shop local at farms— as they pick out trees this season— and at local agricultural businesses—as they check items off of gift lists for loved ones and set their tables for the holidays. 

Commissioner Ball said, “New York’s agricultural industry plays such an important role in holiday traditions in ways that many New Yorkers may be surprised to discover. From the trees we gather around and wreaths we decorate with, to the food we eat and specialty items we purchase as thoughtful gifts, our local farms and agricultural businesses contribute to this festive season in incredible ways. We hope New Yorkers remember local farmers and businesses during this season of giving, and all year long.”

Gene Knudsen, President of the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, said, “Thank you to Commissioner Richard Ball for continuing this tradition. We look forward to it every year, as it unofficially kicks off the busiest and most magical time of year for Christmas tree farmers. We hope those who celebrate Christmas will bring their families to a local farm, enjoy an outdoor outing, and pick a fresh centerpiece for their traditions.”

According to the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York, New York State is home to 875 tree farms. With tree farms sprawling across almost 19,000 acres, the state ranks #4 in the country in acres dedicated to growing Christmas trees. By selecting a tree from any one of these local farms, New Yorkers and their families can support this important agricultural sector, which has an $13.8 million economic impact. Dozens of Christmas tree farms are also members of the NYS Grown & Certified Program, which means they adhere to environmental sustainability standards in growing their trees.

Suzanne Stokoe, 6^th generation owner of Stokoe Farms, said: “It’s an honor to host this special tradition and welcome Commissioner Ball and the Department of Agriculture and Markets to our family farm today. We are blessed to be part of the New York State Christmas tree community. We encourage all New Yorkers to ‘Keep it real’ and get a REAL New York State Christmas tree.”

Stokoe Farms, located in Scottsville in Monroe County, offers a premium selection of Fraser Fir, Douglas Fir and Concolor Fir trees. Stokoe also offers several “special touches” to enhance the tree-cutting experience. There are wagons that take customers out to the fields to find the perfect tree, and staff assists with the baling process. There are also pre-cut trees available in all sizes and shapes, ranging from the “Charlie Brown” size to 10-feet tall. With an array of family-friendly activities, the farm offers an old-fashioned Christmas feel with wonderful traditions and opportunities to maximize memories made with loved ones. To learn more about Stokoe Farms and see their events and activities, visit their website.

To find the New York-grown Christmas tree vendor closest to you, visit the NYS Grown & Certified website and the Christmas Tree Farmers Association of New York website.

Read the full article HERE.

Photo: USDA Ag and Markets; From left to right: Suzanne Stokoe, 6^th generation owner of Stokoe Farms, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball, and Brenda Avedisian, Monroe County Farm Bureau Vice President

Farm to School Program Looking for Farms to Supply Local Foods to Schools

CCE Harvest NY's Regional Farm to School Coordinator Program is working with NYS Department of Education to support schools participating in the USDA Agriculture and Marketing Services Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program. Local Foods for Schools is a USDA funded program intended to help schools deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. The program is designed to strengthen the food system for schools by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors. Schools must use funds received through this program to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers for use in the school meals programs. In NY State the program is administered by NYS Department of Education. Cornell Cooperative Extension - Harvest NY is the technical assistance provider.

If you would like your farm or food business information shared with schools, please complete the survey. The survey asks about your business, the products you grow, raise, produce, or distribute, and what part(s) of the state your products are available, and should take about 5 minutes to complete.

Complete the Survey HERE.

Questions about the program can be directed to Cheryl Bilinski at cbt32@cornell.edu.

Economic Feasibility Case Study of Co-Digestion of Manure and Food Waste on a Northern New York

Dairy Farm

Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY will host this webinar on

December 1, 2022 from 12pm - 1pm.

cals.cornell.edu/co-digestion-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.

Scenario 1: addition of food waste (20% by volume) to an existing manure anaerobic digester to electricity system.

Scenario 2: new construction anaerobic digester to renewable natural gas (RNG) system taking in food waste (up to 50% by volume) with manure.

Food waste sources and tipping fees, biogas generation and utilization for energy, and digested effluent storage and nutrient management planning are described.

A question-and-answer session is included.

Speakers include:

Lauren Ray, Agricultural Sustainability & Energy Engineer, Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY

Peter Wright, Agricultural Engineer, Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY

Grant funding for the project was provided by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

Click REGISTER to participate in this webinar. Contact Lauren Ray for more information, email Lauren Ray.

2022 Empire State Barley and Malt Summit

December 14, 2022

1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

The Empire State Barley and Malt Summit will return to an in-person format in 2022 on December 14th from 1-9 pm at the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park, NY with the theme Celebrating Success and Planning for the Future! The Summit will bring together leaders in the New York State malting barley supply chain to provide:



• Research-based technical updates
• Best practices for success
• Supply-chain networking opportunities

Details and the full program are to come! Visit the website for information on the available room block.

Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY

Register

SAVE THE DATE -

2023 Educational Schools for Garden Centers, Greenhouses & Growers

January 18, 2023

8:30 – 12:30

Steuben County CCE is participating in the Virtual morning program series for the 2023 Educational Schools for Garden Centers, Greenhouses, and Growers. Zoom links will be provided upon registration.  

Registration for the morning series is $50.00 per registrant. The deadline for registration is January 15, 2023. Please register by clicking HERE.

** Multiple presentation in 2023 Educational School offer 0.75 CEC, each. If you will be applying for NYSDEC Pesticide Recertification Credits from these classes, please provide your applicator license number.  

Read the full schedule and learn more about each presenter HERE.

Broome County CCE will be hosting in-person session in the afternoon that day. These sessions will also offer CECs. Registration will be listed on their website soon, check back for more information.

Photo: Pexels, Julia Filirovska

Thinking About a Solar Lease? Here Are 5 Things You Should Consider.

Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Business Management Specialist and Team Leader

Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Rural landowners across the Southwest New York Region, and New York State in general, have been receiving invitations from solar companies to lease their land for utility scale solar arrays. While this has been around for several years, the general trend of increasing renewable energy sources has spurred lots of conversations about the potential benefits, pitfalls, and logistics of hosting solar arrays on your property.

One thing to note is that solar leases are rarely something landowners should feel pressured to rush right into. Careful consideration, consultation with legal counsel, and an evaluation of the role such a lease would play into a farm business plan are all important steps before signing on the dotted line. Here are 5 things to consider as you think about leasing your land for solar. 



1. The Benefits of Solar Leases: Solar energy is an important part of reducing carbon emissions and meeting statewide, national, and global efforts of increasing renewable energy sources. As a landowner, a solar lease can also provide a steady income stream, ranging from $250 - $2500/acre/year. While this isn't as profitable on a per acre basis as other production options, for unused or marginal land, solar leases can help diversify farm revenues. There are several companies in our area recruiting land parcels for solar development, which could work to your advantage! Research and contact developers in your area for the best lease rates and agreements.
2. Solar Leases and Your Farm Business Plan: Having a farm business plan in place is so much more than a dusty binder sitting on a shelf in the farm office. A business plan tells you where you're going, why you're doing what you're doing, and what other types of opportunities you'd like to explore. Depending on your farm's business plan, stage in the business life cycle, and succession planning goals, solar may help spur new growth or hinder new investment opportunities. A solar lease can affect how you might use that land in the future, which could include mortgages, property sale, production diversification, expansion, or generational use.
3. You'll Need Legal Counsel: Lease agreements are living documents that can be adapted to meet your needs. This could range from including provisions that protect actively farming around the solar arrays (apiaries, small ruminant grazing and market garden production), hunting, right of ways, insurance and liability concerns, and more. Leases can range in length from 20 to 40+ years, and it's important to have a sound and fair lease in place from the beginning. There's very little chance of changing the lease terms once it's in place.
4. Effect on Property Taxes: If you're currently receiving an Agricultural Assessment, or other property tax reduction, taking the land out of production agriculture and into a solar array may require paying some of those reductions back and conversion penalties (you can typically negotiate that the solar company pays these costs). A solar array can sometimes increase the value of your property and your tax obligations. Once the land is in a lease, the solar developer should also be responsible for any real property taxes, PILOT payments, etc. There is a renewable energy tax exemption that will protect increases for a 15-year period, but this often expires before the lease does - and many towns in our region have opted out of this program. Be sure to research potential tax implications prior to negotiating the lease agreement.
5. "THE UGLY": You may have heard some horror stories related to array construction, maintenance, and disassembly. Much of this can be negotiated with sound legal counsel who is familiar with solar arrays into your lease agreement. However, things do (and probably will) happen and you should be prepared to handle these issues on your property. Some areas of concern include:

• Construction debris during the installation phase, traffic, and potential interruptions to your farming practices.
• Dismantling the solar equipment at the end of the lease and the oversight of that process, which should be laid out in very specific terms in the lease. Be sure to include specifications of the quality of the property (returning it back to production).
• Security, assurances, and/or bonds in place to cover the termination of the lease and equipment in the case of developer bankruptcy or missed payments.
• Company transitions with the nature of the renewable energy industry, your lease will likely change hands several times and you will need to navigate those ownership changes.
• Local zoning approvals may be a breeze or a community uproar depending on your area and could delay a potential project.

Solar leases and their potential impact on our agricultural industry can be both an exciting and an intimidating topic of conversation. While the situation will vary from farm to farm, developer to developer, and community to community - the most important thing will be reaching out to sound legal counsel to negotiate a fair agreement and reflecting on your farm's business goals.

For more information, visit any of these great resources below:

• Leasing Your Farmland For Wind and Solar Energy Development from New York Farm Bureau.
• Utility Scale Solar - What You Should Know by Timothy X. Terry from Cornell PRO-DAIRY
• Landowner Considerations for Solar Land Leases from NYSERDA
• Solar Installations in Agricultural Districts from NYSERDA
• Solar Leasing Workshop Materials from CCE Herkimer County

Written by Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program. For more information, contact 716-640-0522, kaw249@cornell.edu, https://swnydlfc.cce.cornell.edu/. SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. 

Solar Land Leasing

Guillermo Metz, Energy Team Leader CCE Tompkins

The state of New York currently has a high demand for sites to install large-scale solar electric systems. Solar developers are contacting farmers and landowners to secure long-term land leases; the amount of land desirable for a lease typically ranges from 10 to 30 acres. Visit this link to learn more about specific considerations, and the potential impacts of solar land leases. Mike Nuckols, Local Foods and Horticulture Program Manager with CCE Jefferson County, created a very useful resource on "Considerations When Leasing Agricultural Lands to Solar Developers."

For the SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) guide for solar land leasing, including some questions for you to ask the solar developer that you are working with, click here.

Learn how solar land leasing might affect your agricultural assessment.

One of the most important considerations for whether your land is a viable option for hosting a solar farm is whether there is adequate capacity on the electrical utility lines nearby. Every utility in NY State is required to submit maps of their interconnection capacity, called capacity hosting maps. While they may not be super accurate, they do give a good starting point to see whether the lines adjacent to the property you are considering leasing can absorb more electricity. The Public Service Commission has a list of each utility's Utility Hosting Capacity Map; just click on your utility, then, ideally, look for 3-phase lines that still have some hosting capacity on them. The lines adjacent to your property are not likely to meet both those criteria, but the closer you can get the better. 

The next step is to reach out to potential developers. A good place to start is with the list of solar developers already working in your area, which can be found on NYSERDA's list of solar farm developers in NY State. 

Photo: Windwärts Energie GmbH, Mark Mühlhaus, Creative Commons

For more information contact Guillermo Metz the Energy Team Leader with CCE Tompkins County, gm52@cornell.edu, 607-272-2292 ext. 185.

Agritourism Webinar:

Offering Niche Farm Stays

Low-cost and Low-maintenance Overnight Farm Stays

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

12:00-1:00 pm EST

Would you like to offer farm stays but don't have the infrastructure? Are you interested in offering tent and RV camping on your property? The webinar, “Offering Niche Farm Stays” will introduce you to the many available options.

Join the panel of speakers who will share their experiences and introduce you to some of the available platforms. Jenn Colby is the co-owner of Howling Wolf Farm in Vermont and offers Tentrr and Airbnb (yurt) farm stays. Cassandra Prenn-Vasilakis is the Government and Community Relations Manager at Hipcamp. Sash Hickey is the Partnership & PR Coordinator at Harvest Hosts.

This webinar is free, but registration is required. Register HERE.

Brought to you by University of Vermont Extension and PennState Extension

Photo: Howling Wolf Farm, Vermont

Milk Prices Remain Strong, Feed Prices Drop into 2023

American Agriculturist, Fran O'Leary, November 21, 2022

Dairy Outlook: Grain and dairy analyst says strong milk prices will continue, while feed prices are expected to be lower next year.

According to Ben Buckner, chief grain and dairy analyst at AgResource Co., dairy producers will see lower feed prices in 2023 and continued strong milk prices. He credits high domestic consumption of dairy products, strong dairy exports and no increase in the U.S. dairy herd size.



“The next eight to 12 months will be bullish for dairy prices, while the feed markets will be neutral to bearish,” he said during a recent Professional Dairy Producers Dairy Signal webinar.

Buckner said U.S. dairy demand is very good.

“It is likely to stay intact as competing dairy export markets are very expensive,” he noted. “Weather in Australia stays challenging, and milk production in the European Union and Southern Hemisphere will not rebound fully until the second half of 2023.” Read the full article HERE.

Photo: Daiga Ellaby, Unsplash

Save the Date:

2023 Virtual NOFA-NY Winter Conference

Online February 2 – 5, 2023

Register Today!

NOFA-NY is excited to partner with the Northeast Community Seed Conference & Celebration in hosting our 41st Annual Winter Conference which will offer 70+ workshops and events.

Suggested registration for non-members- $125

Suggested registration for NOFA-NY members- $100

Reduced Registration Rate for anyone who needs it- $50

We continue to host the conference online because we are able to offer lower ticket prices than we could in person, and the virtual platform broadens access by eliminating hotel and travel costs, offering on-demand workshop recordings, more dynamic interpretation services, closed captioning, and more.

All of that said, we understand that communities need to meet in person, and we miss seeing you too.

We do plan to host at least four regional events in the spring and summer of 2023 so if you aren’t able to join us for the Virtual Winter Conference, we hope to see you then!

New York Soil Health Summit

December 13, 2022

 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Join us (virtually) on Tuesday December 13th, from 9 am-12 pm, with an additional breakout session from 1-2 pm.

Policymakers, researchers, agricultural nonprofits, extension educators, and farmers will join together to share current soil health activities and discuss future opportunities in New York State.



More details and registration are coming soon! Check back HERE for the registration closer to the date.

Finger Lakes Farm Country has a new app! 

Visit Finger Lakes Farm Country to download it today!

Clean Energy Training:

Battery Energy Storage for First Responders 

December 5, 2022

5:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Virtual event via Zoom (link to be sent one week prior to the class date). 

The final virtual energy trainings offered by NYSERDA for municipal officials will take place Monday, December 5, 2022 from 5 -7 pm.

Battery Energy Storage for First Responders will introduce key safety considerations for battery energy storage systems for codes and building officials. The topics covered will include fire prevention considerations and compliance with the 2020 NYS Uniform Code. Code enforcement and building officials are encouraged to attend. (Approved for 2-hours of In-Service training credit).

Cost: Free. 

Credits: NYS Dept of State Division of Building Standards & Codes offers in-service credits to Building Safety Inspectors and code enforcement officials. Attendees to other sessions may be eligible for continuing education credit subject to approval by their county.

Tips for Successful Frost Seeding

Amy Barkley, Livestock & Beginning Farm Specialist, Cornell Cooperative Extension

Frost seeding is a low input and low disturbance method of improving pastures and hayfields. If potential pitfalls are addressed prior to seed getting on the ground, it can result in a more productive stand. Below are some tips to help you have the best success with frost seeding.

Which pastures and hayfields are the best candidates for frost seeding?

The best pastures and hayfields are those which have an appropriate pH for the seed you're planting in addition to reduced vegetative matter cover. The year prior to frost seeding, the resident forage should have been grazed or mowed lower to allow for reduced resident forage vigor in the spring, thereby reducing competition with the new seedlings once they germinate.

Pastures or hayfields with bare spots are also great candidates. Bare areas have limited innate competition and seeding them will increase that field's overall yield.

What kind of seed should I use?

Legumes (clovers, birdsfoot trefoil) are the best for frost seeding because they can survive low temperatures and naturally work their way through cracks in the snow, ice, and soil profile because of their round shape and relatively higher density. The larger, flatter, lighter seed of grasses doesn't work as well because it will be more prone to stay on the soil surface… that is, if it doesn't blow away! That said, some producers find that they can successfully frost seed timothy, orchard grass, and tall fescue.

Seeding rates are different when frost seeding

You'll want to aim for a higher rate than what's listed on the seed bag because not all of the seed is being applied directly to the soil and incorporated. There is loss associated with this type of seeding. According to numbers published by Penn State University, Pasture renovation frost seeding rates for red clover are 4-8 pounds/acre, yellow clover is 5-10 pounds/acre, white and ladino clover is 2-3 pounds/acre, and trefoil is applied at a rate of 4-6 pounds per acre.

Timing

As the name suggests, frost seeding is best done in late winter or early spring when the frost is leaving the soil. While frost seeding with snow on the ground is attractive because you can see where you've gone over the field, keep in mind that we're trying to plant a very small seed that has to make it all the way down to the soil without cold damage, being consumed by wildlife, or being blown away by wind. If you do choose to frost seed when there is snow on the ground, make sure that you can see the ground poking through the bed of snow to give the seed it's best chance.

How does soil type impact frost seeding success?

The good news for farmers in most of WNY is that our soils are prime for frost seeding. Heavier clay and silt-loam soils hold more water by nature, and therefore have a much more dramatic freeze-thaw cycle. This opens cracks in the soil to get the seed in good contact with soil. These soils are more successfully frost seeded when compared to soils that are sandier in texture.

Does soil fertility matter when frost seeding?

Fertility for legumes that are frost seeded follow the same rules of legumes that are planted any other time of the year. Clovers do best in a pH of 6 - 7, while trefoil does well in soils down to a pH of 5.5. Soils that has a pH outside of these ranges are going to result in reduced seedling vigor and quicker stand depletion.

New York Equine Hay Survey

Attention horse owners and hay producers! The Equine Subgroup of the statewide CCE Livestock Program Work Team wants your assistance in understanding hay sales and purchases within the state for horses.

This research study, a partnership with Cornell and Penn State Equine Extension, covers the following objectives:



• Characterize hay buying & feeding practices of New York horse owners and preferences impacting these practices.

• Determine current hay prices and explore how different factors affect them.

• Characterize hay producer preferences and practices regarding marketing and selling hay to horse customers.

• Compare forage testing knowledge and attitudes among horse owners and hay producers.

• Determine need and desire for extension hay education for horse owners and horse hay producers.

The survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Please give us your input as we seek to collect data on the NY Equine Hay Industry. Your anonymous responses will help us understand the needs of both horse hay buyers and producers and develop appropriate educational products. Exclusively for New York residents, use the QR Code, which can be accessed HERE, or access the survey HERE.

If you have any questions, contact Lynn Bliven at lao3@cornell.edu.

Controlling and Eradicating Foot Rot in Sheep and Goats 

Dr. Tatiana Luisa Stanton, Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, Cornell University

           There are several contagious diseases that affect sheep flocks and goat herds in the NE United States. Herd productivity is difficult to improve without first eradicating these diseases from a herd. In a perfect world, goat and sheep owners purchase breeding stock that is free of these diseases or practice quarantine measures that identify infected newly purchased animals before they are exposed to the main herd. In reality, farmers are often faced with controlling a disease once it is established in their herd. This fact sheet addresses eradication programs for one of the most common infectious diseases, foot rot. Access the full article HERE.

Fall Cutting: When is it too Late to Take the Last Cutting?

Katelyn Miller, Southwest Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program, Field Crop and Forage Specialist

Drought conditions this summer have left some farmers struggling to capture more feed for their bunks creating the question: When is it too late to take your last hay cutting?

Historically, the date October 15th has been used as a cutoff point for harvesting forages with the idea that if a killing frost has not occurred yet, it probably will soon. Although some farms continue to utilize this date for planning their last cutting, accounting for time before the anticipated first frost and Growing Degree Day (GDD on Base 41 F) accumulation also serve as valuable resources for determining harvest timing.

A common rule of thumb utilized for grass or alfalfa is to harvest 4-6 weeks before the first killing frost. This timeline is utilized to provide ample time for carbohydrates to be produced and stored in the crown, while also promoting enough growth for snow cover.

If you harvest at this time, the plant should accumulate approximately 500 GDD’s. If you harvest after a killing frost, you do not want the plants to accumulate more than 200 GDD’s. Beyond this amount of growth, alfalfa root reserves are again depleted and leave plants susceptible to severe winter temps and winterkill. When you cut at this time, you also want to increase cutting height to a minimum of 6 inches to reduce the amount of bare soil present and provide snow cover since limited growth will occur with cooler fall temperatures.

To calculate how many GDD’s have occurred since you took, or are planning to take, your last cutting, utilize this resource from Climate Smart Farming. Climate Smart Farming CSF Growing Degree Day Calculator. If you’d like assistance due to a lack of internet connectivity, contact Katelyn Miller.

When considering taking a late cutting, here are some considerations:

Are the varieties you planted winter-hardy?

• Planting winter-hardy varieties can allow the crop to withstand a later cutting. It’s important to note that plant stress in season also plays a role in winterkill, regardless of variety.

How old is the stand?

• Typically, older stands are more prone to winterkill.

• Reducing the frequency of late fall cuttings can help improve the overall field longevity and plant vigor.

What’s it rooted in?

• Fields that are well-drained with adequate soil pH levels and high fertility may be better candidates for a late cutting.

How much spring yield are you willing to lose?

• You may experience reduced first-cutting yields for the following season when taking a fall cutting. Fields cut late in the fall generally break dormancy later in the spring. The gain you experience in fall yield will be about equal to yield loss in the spring. Deciding to take a late fall cutting is dependent on the needs of your operation. Be sure to weigh out all the possible benefits and consequences.

Below are some additional resources to help you decide if a late cutting will fit your operation:



•How late is too late to harvest alfalfa? | Farm Progress

• When should you make that last cutting of hay? | Farm Progress

• How Late is Too Late for the Last Alfalfa Cutting? (sdstate.edu)

• Late-fall alfalfa cuttings rarely pay | Hay and Forage Magazine

If you would like printed copies of any of the resources above or for assistance with the Growing Degree Day Calculator from Climate Smart Farming, contact Katelyn Miller by calling 716-640-2047.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CSIRO Land and Water

Fitness for Transport for FARM v4.0

The FARM v4.0 Program has an effective written protocol for fitness to transport that includes the definition of animals that are eligible to be marketed and outlines adherence to milk and meat withdrawal times. 

Dairy animals are an important source of beef in the United States. Approximately 20 percent of the nation's total beef production on an annual basis comes from the dairy sector, including fed dairy cattle and marketed cows and bulls. This chapter specifically focuses on considerations for the marketing of dairy animals for beef production. For information on animal care for beef animals (including dairy steers) please follow the guidelines of the Beef Quality Assurance Program. 

More complete information on Fitness for Transport and the FARM v4.0 Program can be accessed HERE.

WEBINAR

Dairy Foods Virtual Office Hours

Join us for the last session of Dairy Foods Virtual Office Hours in 2022! We will talk about new and emerging technologies that are sparking the interest of the dairy industry. The session will begin with a short presentation, “From a good idea to an objective decision: How to go about making a decision on a new technology,” followed by a moderated Q&A with a panel of experts from Cornell University’s Food Science Department.

To learn more about new dairy processing technologies, visit the Cornell Food Safety Laboratory and Milk Quality Improvement Program’s website. Dairy Foods Virtual Office Hours are hosted in collaboration with the Cornell Dairy Foods Extension program, the New York Integrated Food Safety Center of Excellence, and the IFS@CU.

• Intended Audience: Open to anyone in the food industry from farm to fork

• Cost: Free



• Registration is Required. Access the registration HERE. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information to join the session.

Food Industry Virtual Office Hours is supported in part by USDA NIFA AFRI Grant NO: 2020-68006-32875/ Accession no. 1024254 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in these office hours are those of the participant(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Barn Snow Load Guidance & Resources

Winter is just around the corner, and with winter comes snow. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Disaster Education Network has multiple resources for dealing with snow loads on agricultural buildings:

• Dos and Don’ts of Barn Snow Removal (access the PDF)​ by Curt Gooch and Sam Steinberg, Cornell University

• Farmstead Recovery Checklist: Snow Load & Barn Collapse (access the PDF)​ by NYS EDEN

• Heavy Snow Loads (access the PDF) by Curt A. Gooch, Cornell University

Don't Become a Statistic: Grain Bin Safety Tips

Kristina TeBockhorst: Iowa State Extension

Many across the US have set aside February 20-26 as Grain Bin Safety Week in order to grow awareness of the hazards associated with grain storage. Many of the ways to increase safety when working and living around grain storage involve basic safety practices, but more education and enforcement is needed on the farm.

Over two-thirds of US grain is stored on the farm without OSHA standards for safety protocols. It is up to you to keep yourself, your employees, your spouse, kids, and grandkids safe from grain bin hazards.

Flowing grain can trap someone standing on the grain in just 4 to 5 seconds and that person will be completely covered in grain in about 22 seconds, according to the Grain Handling Safety Coalition.

There were over 35 reported entrapment incidents in the US in 2020 and 20 of them were fatal, based on a report by Purdue University. Also based on Purdue's report, the average age of grain entrapment victims is 58, however, youth under the age 21 have accounted for 20% of annual cases in the past. Parents and employers should take responsibility for keeping youth safe from grain bin incidents by educating them on grain bin hazards and by assigning safe and appropriate tasks.



The most dangerous scenarios around stored grain involve flowing grain, bridged grain, and vertical grain walls.

1. Flowing grain accounts for the majority of the grain engulfment incidents and has become more dangerous as newer grain unloading equipment unloads at faster rates. When grain is unloaded from below, such as in grain bins, grain piles, trucks, and even grain wagons, anyone standing on the grain can be pulled down toward the outlet and are often stuck faster than they can react.
2. Bridged grain occurs when a crust or clumps of spoiled grain forms on top of the grain and grain is removed, leaving a void space below the crust. The crust can collapse under a person's weight, potentially burying them in the shifting grain.
3. Vertical grain walls form when spoiled grain clumps stick to the wall and become dangerous when grain is dislodged and falls like an avalanche.

Continue reading Iowa State Extension's Article HERE. Find more grain storage tips in a recent article and find other grain storage resources here.

Ag Energy NY – A CCE Program for Farm Energy Efficiency

Would you like to save on your farm energy bills? There are many opportunities to reduce energy use through efficiency improvements that save money, labor, and maintenance costs. Energy efficiency also has co-benefits, buffering farms from high costs in energy market fluctuations and making it easier to transition to electric power and renewable energy.

Ag Energy NY is a program by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County, offering a smartphone-friendly website and factsheets describing farm energy efficiency technologies, techniques, and incentives. Ag Energy NY focuses on the following farm sectors: crops and vegetables, beef, swine, poultry, grain drying, maple, orchards, berries, and vineyards. Ag Energy NY is part of a broader NYSERDA program, Energy Best Practices in Agriculture, which also provides support for dairies and greenhouses.

After reviewing energy efficiency measures online, you can reach out to the Ag Energy NY team with questions and to connect with a NYSERDA FlexTech Consultant for farm-specific advising. NYSERDA offers no-cost, no-commitment energy assessments to help farmers prioritize areas for improvements and identify incentives to help with implementation. For more information, visit www.agenergyny.org.

Interested in finding out more? Click HERE to fill out the survey.

USDA Accepting Applications for the 2023 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program 

Monday, October 17, 2022 - December 9, 2022

This sign-up period enables producers to get coverage through this important safety-net program for another year as well as get additional assistance through the Supplemental DMC. See News Release for more information. 

The Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program, an important program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps producers manage changes in milk and feed prices. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.

Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. Cornell Small offers in-person trainings, workshops, and online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers.

Check out some of the upcoming opportunities for January - March HERE.

GAPs Training - Understanding Food Safety on the Farm

December 9, 2022

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join the Cornell Vegetable Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension for a workshop that will provide you with the why's behind food safety recommendations along with practical, farm-based ideas to improve food safety on your farm. 

We'll cover manure management, packing house cleaning and sanitizing, water testing, and other topics which have big impacts on produce quality and safety. 

Going through a GAPs Audit? This class will provide you with a food safety training course!

Cost: $5 (a pizza lunch is included). 



Registration: Contact CCE Yates at 315-536-5123.

Location: CCE Yates County, Yates County Office Building, 417 Liberty Street Penn Yan, NY 14527.

For more information about the topics of the meeting, contact Robert Hadad with CCE Yates County and Cornell Vegetable Program, 585-739-4065.

Homeowner Update On Emerald Ash Borer Management

December 2, 2022

12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

Join Juli Gould, Entomologist with USDA APHIS PPQ S&T Laboratory for NYS Integrated Pest Management's final

"What's Bugging You? First Friday" events for 2022. The presentation will close with Betsy Lamb, Ornamentals IPM Coordinator, NYS IPM providing an IPM Minute: Creepy Crawly Christmas - What to do if you find insects in your Christmas tree.

Register for the upcoming "What's Bugging You?" Event

DEC's Intent to Restrict Certain Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products

DEC announced plans to reclassify certain neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticide products as "Restricted Use" effective January 1, 2023.

Every pesticide product used, distributed, sold, or offered for sale in New York must be registered by DEC. Mainly, pesticides are classified as either general or restricted use pesticides. Restricted use pesticides can only be used by a private or commercial certified applicator possessing NYS issued certification.

What are Neonicotinoid Pesticides or "Neonics"?

• Neurotoxic insecticides. Neonics affect the nerve cells of insects often causing paralysis and death of the insect.
• Systemic insecticides. Neonics are transported by water and absorbed throughout all parts of the plant including roots, foliage and flowers.

Why are Neonics harmful to pollinators?

• Honeybees, butterflies, beetles, birds, and other pollinators are attracted to fruit and flowers. Pollen and nectar are major sources of food for these creatures. Plants and seeds treated with neonicotinoid pesticides have the ability to transport the insecticide to the fruiting and flowering parts of the plant. Insect species come in contact with neonics during foraging and feeding activities.

New York is committed to protecting pollinator populations.

Pollinators contribute to the sustainability of our environment and play an important role in the health of our economy in agricultural production. As such, DEC and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets have collaborated to publish the 2020 New York State Pollinator Protection Plan Update (PDF) as an educational resource base for the public.

Restricting Neonicotinoid Pesticide Products

Pesticide products containing imidacloprid, acetamiprid, and thiamethoxam that are labeled for foliar, outdoor use, and/or seed treatment will be reclassified as "restricted use" pesticides in NYS. This reclassification will ensure proper use by trained, licensed applicators and also require sales and use data of neonics to be annually reported to the DEC.

For more information on the January 2023 reclassification of neonic pesticides, visit DEC's Bureau of Pesticides Management webpage.

Check out the New York State Pesticide Administration Database (NYSPAD), an all-inclusive directory where you can search for registered pesticide businesses, pesticide applicator certification, and pesticide product information.

Risk Management for Cut Flower Growers

This is a six-week production risk management webinar series for cut flower growers of all experience levels. In each session, an extension specialist will present best practices and new innovations. After a short break, a seasoned flower farmer or industry professional will share real life experiences and advice. 

11/17/22 - Integrated Pest Management - Completed

12/01/22 - Crop Planning

12/08/22 - Soil Health, Irrigation, and Fertigation

12/15/22 - Season Extension

1/05/22 - Wholesaling Ins and Outs

Register Here 

The series is funded by a Northeast Extension Risk Management Education grant. There is no fee to participate.

To register for one or more sessions, click here.

For more information, contact Carla Crim (ceh27@cornell.edu) or Lindsey Pashow (lep67@cornell.edu).

Western New York

Maple School & Trade Show

Saturday, December 3, 2022

8:00 AM to 1:30 PM

Educational program open to all maple enthusiasts from beginners to the more experienced. Participants are welcome from counties throughout NYS and PA. Hosted by the Attica FFA and located at Attica Central School, 3338 East Main Street Attica, NY 14011.

A variety of maple classes will be offered, an option for selecting will be available while registering. Register by November 30th to guarantee a lunch ticket and an entry in the door prize; walk-ins will not be entered in the door prize and will not be guaranteed a lunch ticket. Registration cost is $15 and includes lunch.

Contact Debra Welch for more information and to register 585-786-2251, djw275@cornell.edu. Register online HERE.

Spotted Lantern Fly and the Potential Impacts of the Maple Syrup Industry

In case you missed the recent November webinar from PennState and really wanted to learn more about the Spotted Lantern Fly, get updates on population spread, population control measures, impacts on forest health, and potential implications for the Maple Industry, the webinar was recorded and can be accessed HERE.

Version 2.0 of U.S. Register of Introduced and Invasive Species

The United States Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (US-RIIS ver. 2.0, 2022) was published by USGS on November 4th. It is available for download HERE. The US-RIIS is a foundational dataset for invasive species models, risk assessment, and early detection/rapid response. It is an expert opinion-based all-taxa dataset with assertions at the species level and below, on non-native species established in the United States. Version 2.0 of the US-RIIS has 14,700 records in the master list (USRIISv2_MasterList) and 12,571 unique scientific names.

Round Goby in a North American Estuary

Round Goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has been rapidly expanding through the connected waterways of the Laurentian Great Lakes. This recent study documents the eastward and southern expansion of Round Goby into the Hudson River, an iconic coastal estuary that drains to Long Island Sound and the Atlantic seaboard. Although Round Goby have previously colonized large rivers and streams in the Great Lakes watershed, there is little information about the invasion success and ecological impacts of Round Goby in estuarine environments in North America. The distribution and biological characteristics of the Hudson River Round Goby population are discussed as well as the potential ecological implications and areas of future research and monitoring for this range expansion. Read More HERE.

SAVE THE DATE:

2023 Invasive Species Forum | Virtual via Zoom

When: February 7-9, 2023

The virtual Invasive Species Forum is an annual event that brings attention to invasive species issues, research, and advances in prevention and management occurring across Canada, and in neighboring U.S. States. The theme of the 2023 Forum is Invasive Species Action in a Changing Climate, including sessions on vectors/pathways, innovative solutions, ecosystem resilience, research developments, indigenous communities, and education, outreach, and community science. Registration is free and open to anyone interested. Register HERE.

SAVE THE DATE:

2023 RISCC Symposium | Virtual via Zoom

When: February 14-15, 2023

The Northeast Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change (RISCC) management network is hosting their 2023 symposium virtually over two days from February 14-15th. Sessions will take place from 11am to 3:30pm (Eastern) each day. Mark your calendars and check back HERE for more details and registration.