Dairy

DairyDairy is the leading agricultural industry in New York State, and the state ranks third in the country for milk production. Our seven counties in central New York form a vibrant dairy region, with 915 dairy farms of many different sizes and production systems. The value of product sold annually is over 244 million dollars.





Relevant Event

Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex Workshop

April 30, 2025
Morrisville, NY

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Dung Beetles of New York State

Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist/Team Leader
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: March 3, 2025

Information on Dung Beetles that are found in New York beef and dairy farms.


Cornell Cow Convos Podcast Series

Nicole Tommell, Area Ag Business Management Specialist/Team Leader
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: December 1, 2023

New podcast series offered by PRO-DAIRY and Cornell Cooperative Extension that is released on the last Thursday of the month.


David Balbian's Retirement Statement

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: March 16, 2023


Transition Cow Tuesday Recordings

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: December 14, 2021

A list of YouTube videos of the Transition Cow Tuesday sessions.


2021 Dairy Day Presentations

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: March 19, 2021

The slides from the virtual 2021 Dairy Day are available now!


VIDEO: Early Corn Silage Harvest 2020

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: August 25, 2020


Dialing into your best dairy

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: June 29, 2020

A Podcast Series 

Hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Regional Dairy Specialists and Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY


An Extra Pound of Feed

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: April 15, 2019

If the average cow in your dairy herd were to consume an extra pound of feed per day what would happen? 


Hoards Dairyman Article: They Bulked up Component Production

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: July 18, 2018

Although the NYFVI Grant using precision feed management to improve profitability on dairy farms is complete, an article about success on two participating farms appeared in the April 10, 2018 issue of Hoard's Dairyman.


Brainstorming Ideas to Keep Cows Milking with This Year's Wet Weather

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: June 16, 2017

Rain that never seems to stop has caused lots of frustration. Attached are some ideas to consider to overcome the effects of late harvested 1st cutting on milk production. 

Do's and Don'ts When Facing Financial Difficulty

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: August 1, 2016

The following, prepared by Wayne A. Knoblauch, Professor in the Department of Applied Economics and Management Cornell University in 2009, is applicable today.  

Article was reprinted in the August 2016 issue of the Central New York Dairy News

Ten Key Herd Management Opportunities on Dairy Farms

David Balbian, Area Dairy Specialist
Central New York Dairy and Field Crops

Last Modified: August 1, 2016

Article from the August 2016 edition of the Central New York Dairy News

Written by: Tom Overton, Larry Chase, Jason Karszes, Mike Van Amburgh, and David Galton, Department of Animal Science and PRO-DAIRY, Cornell University 2009, but still applicable today. 





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Dairy

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Upcoming Events

Creating and Pricing Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meat with MeatSuite

April 23, 2025

Cover Crop & Soil Health Field Day

April 24, 2025
Freeville, NY

Spring Beef Cattle Weighing

April 29, 2025 : Spring Beef Cattle Weighing - April 29

April 30, 2025 : Spring Beef Cattle Weighing - April 30

May 1, 2025 : Spring Beef Cattle Weighing - May 1

May 2, 2025 : Spring Beef Cattle Weighing - May 2

May 5, 2025 : Spring Beef Cattle Weighing - May 5

Announcements

Sign Up for Our Weekly E-Newsletter

We send out a bi-weekly e-newsletter that has announcements, upcoming programs, and opportunities for you!  Registration is quick, easy, and free.  Click here to sign up today!

Document and Share Storm Damage

Mother nature has really been difficult over the last few days. Significant damage has been seen throughout NYS. Please let us know what types of damage your farm may have sustained during this time. This could be in the form of property damage, lost power, milk dump due to lost power, loss of livestock, loss of stored feed or growing crops.

Farms are encouraged to DOCUMENT AND SHARE any impacts the weather may have had on their home or business. This could include structure damage, crop loss, inventory loss due to power outages, damage to equipment or fencing, and more.

If your farm experienced any sort of damage, please reach out to any of the folks listed below (or all of them). The more impact information that is collected, the greater the likelihood of a disaster declaration which can bring vital emergency support and awareness. The CNYDLFC Team will continue to collect detail and submit to NYSDAM and the EDEN network.

Reporting Weather Related Impacts (For your home or farm business)

  • First, ensure that all the people and animals on your farm are safe, and that there aren't any unsafe working conditions created because of the weather (check your structures!). If there's an emergency, call 911 - don't try to manage it all on your own.
  • Second, document all negative weather impacts for your farm and their estimated financial cost. Take photos, make estimates, and put it all in a safe place.
  • Reach out to your insurance providers - farm, vehicle, crop, etc. to initiate the claim process as needed.
  • Then, share your farm's damage with any (or all) of the ag support agencies listed below. We all work together to collect storm damage information and funnel it up to Ag and Markets which can initiate a natural disaster declaration.
Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Office.
  • Chenango: 607-334-5841
  • Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-2135
  • Herkimer: 315-866-7920
  • Madison: 315-684-3001
  • Otsego: 607-547-2536
  • Schoharie: 518-234-4303
  • Saratoga: 518-885-8995
Any of our CNYDLFC Team members (calls/emails/texts/site visit requests all ok)
  • Erik Smith: 315-219-7786
  • Daniela Gonzalez: 315-749-3486
  • Ashley McFarland- 315-604-2156

Your county USDA/FSA service center.
  • Chenango: 607-334-3231
  • Fulton/Montgomery: 518-853-4015
  • Herkimer: 315-866-2520
  • Madison:315-824-9076
  • Otsego: 607-547-8131
  • Schoharie: 518-295-8600
  • Saratoga: 518-692-9940

Your county farm bureau manager

  • Region 3: Bailey Coon: 518-937-0566
  • Region 5: John Wagner: 315-761-9770
  • Region 6: Natally Batiston: 518-937-0269
  • Region 7: Todd Heyn: 518-431-9338

Please let us know how we can help you.


Cash Rent and Custom Harvest Survey

To date, there is limited information available about rental rates and fees for crop harvesting.  Farms can use this valuable information for their farm business planning to help improve decision making and profitability. 

The data that is collected, and the subsequent reports/findings/resources will be helpful for all of us to answer that call of "What's the average rental rate in my area?" and "How much do people charge to combine oats?"



Farmers Can Join MeatSuite For Free!

MeatSuite.com is a free resource provided by Cornell University where NY meat farmers can create a farm profile and list their bulk (wholes, halves, quarters) and bundled (i.e. Grilling Bundle) meat products.

Why should farmers join?

1. It's free and easy!
2. Connect with more local customers. In the past year the MeatSuite.com farm directory had 8,300 visits from New York consumers. Farm profiles get as many as 25 views per month from potential local customers. We also spotlight MeatSuite farms on social media and bring attention and purchases to farms through highlights and giveaways.

How do I join?

Farmers can visit https://www.meatsuite.com/farmers/ to create a free farm profile. You must list at least one product for your farm's profile to go live. You'll also have access to Cornell's free Meat Price Calculator, a helpful tool for pricing your meat to make a profit.

While you're on MeatSuite, check out the "Creating Consumer-Friendly Bulk Meats" publication on the log-in page. It has tips on how to create bulk meat products that are easier for first-time buyers to say "yes" to.

If you have any questions as you create your farm profile or products, we're here to help! Please email Matt LeRoux at mnl28@cornell.edu.


Spotted Lanternfly

Lycorma delicatula, or Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), is an invasive plant hopper from Asia and is an agricultural pest. In the United States, it was first found in Pennsylvania in 2014. Spotted Lanternfly has been found in New York State on Staten Island, all New York City boroughs, Long Island, Port Jervis, Sloatsburg, Orangeburg, Ithaca, Binghamton, Middletown, Newburgh, Highland, and the Buffalo area. SLF threatens the agriculture and forestry industries, and is also a nuisance pest. The nymphs and adults feed on over 70 different plants, but is especially detrimental to grapes, a black walnut, hops, maple trees and apples. New York State Ag and Markets supported CCE efforts to help bring awareness to communities and we developed this Public Service Announcement and would appreciate you sharing it with your member lists. 



CCE Livestock Program Work Team

See the Livestock Program Work Team website for news, upcoming programs, and NYS Slaughterhouse Map.