Event Details

Date

July 9, 2019

Time

11:30am - 2pm

Location

Virgil Farms
8335 Virgil Rd
Fabius, NY 13063

Cost

This event is free.

Host

Central New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Pre-Registration Deadline: July 9, 2019

EVENT HAS PASSED

Pasture Walk: Custom Grazing Dairy Heifers

July 9, 2019

Pasture Walk: Custom Grazing Dairy Heifers

Heifers are the foundation of a dairy enterprise, and raising replacements in confinement represents a significant investment. Grazing replacement heifers has potential to reduce the cost of replacements while improving health and productivity outcomes.

Join owner/operator Tim Virgil and CCE grazing educator Fay Benson for a pasture walk at a 40-heifer custom grazing operation. The program will cover all aspects of grazing dairy heifers, including:
  • Understanding what dairy operators need
  • Sourcing heifers
  • Transitioning heifers onto pasture
  • Grazing infrastructure and management
  • Forage and mineral supplementation
  • Economics of custom grazing
  • Developing a good contract
This program is designed for dairy producers who want to learn more about management intensive grazing. It is also intended for custom grazers and other landowners interested in setting up a heifer grazing enterprise. Participants will:
  • Learn about the production and economics of grazing dairy heifers.
  • Consider whether this enterprise would be a good fit for them.
  • Discuss proven management techniques with peers who have implemented grazing systems.
This is a free event. Please register in advance so we know how many people to expect. For questions, contact Mary Kate Wheeler by email at mkw87@cornell.edu


July 9 Pasture Walk Flyer (PDF; 708KB)


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Dairy

Dairy

Livestock

Livestock

Forages

Forages

Grains

Grains

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Upcoming Events

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December 13, 2024
December 17 - December 18, 2024 : Labor Roadshow VIII

Two in-person locations to choose from, along with a virtual option.  Join them in navigating agricultural labor issues, connecting on common challenges, and exploring possible solutions.

2025 Dairy Day

January 7, 2025 : Dairy Day - Hamilton
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New Location!  Lunch Included!


January 8, 2025 : Dairy Day - Ballston Spa
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Lunch Included!

Corn & Soybean Day

Event Offers DEC Credits

January 14, 2025 : Corn & Soybean Day - Hamilton
Hamilton, NY

New Location!  Lunch included!


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January 15, 2025 : Corn & Soybean Day - Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa, NY

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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.