All stored manure can produce gas levels of concern in some conditions. Some gases (like hydrogen sulfide [H2S]) are toxic and heavier than air and therefore are prone to sink to low areas like storage pits, sumps, or other depressions. These areas are the most dangerous. When mixed before spreading, manure pits and storages that hold manure from barns where gypsum is used for cow bedding may be at increased risk to release H2S gas at levels that are hazardous and could even be life threatening. As wind currents mix H2S with air, the hazard is quickly reduced so the main concern is the area right around manure storage, especially during agitation.

For more information about gypsum bedding and manure storage pits read the full length article below.

Farm Energy Field Days Features Solar as Renewable Energy Solution to On-farm Energy Demands

Sourcing Solar: On-Farm Production to Retail – from 10 a.m. to noon, at Schoharie Valley Farms, 5605 State Route 30, Schoharie, NY 12157. Field day is free and open to the public; refreshments will be provided.  Pre-registration is preferred by emailing Ryan Maher at ryan.maher@cornell.edu at the Cornell Small Farms Program.  Walk-ins are welcome.

This farmer-led tour will give a first-hand look at what it takes to integrate renewable energy technologies into farms and/or homesteads.  Find out how farmers are innovating to turn their farm into an energy producer!  Learn how to assess your own energy use, explore your renewable energy options, seek financing and grants, and work with technical experts.  Get “How to” information, view customized equipment, and network with other energy enthusiasts.

Join proprietor/producer Richard Ball for a tour of one of the premier diversified vegetable farms and retail outlets in the region.  Located off a high volume state highway (SR 30) a short distance from I-88, Schoharie Valley Farms draws consistently heavy customer traffic seeking locally sourced farm products.  Learn how the energy derived from a large solar array installation benefits farm production, processing, cold storage, food service, and retail.  Treat yourself to a marvelous lunch and/or baked goods following the tour.

Farm Energy Field Days are sponsored by the Northeast SARE and the Cornell Small Farms Program in collaboration with Cornell Cooperative Extension. To learn more about funding opportunities from NE SARE, visit www.nesare.org.  Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Visit http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/ resources/farm-energy/ for more information about farm energy and Farm Energy Field Days 2013 .

FROM RECIPE TO MARKET"
Wednesday Oct 23^rd, 9am-4pm
at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County, 840 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY

A one-day workshop for new food entrepreneurs presented in collaboration with the New York State Food Venture Center.  Is your recipe ready to go to market? If your goal is to launch a specialty food business, then this program is for you. This one-day seminar will provide future food entrepreneurs with a grounding in food business basics, and knowledge of the critical issues to consider before starting a food processing business.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACT

 “EXCHANGE NOTICE” REQUIREMENT

The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most farm employers to inform employees about their ability to purchase health insurance coverage through state or federally-administered insurance exchanges. By October 1, 2013, most farm employers must provide each employee with an “Exchange Notice”. This Fact Sheet is intended to provide guidance to farm employers on how to comply with this new and ongoing requirement.*

 What is an Exchange Notice?

 · An Exchange Notice is a written notice informing your employees of their ability to purchase health insurance coverage through a state or federally-administered exchange. The Exchange Notice also explains some of the benefits and consequences to your employees if they choose to purchase health coverage through an exchange, particularly if they elect not to participate in a health insurance plan you offer as their employer.

 Who is required to provide the Exchange Notice?

• · Any farm employer subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must provide an Exchange Notice to employees. You must provide an Exchange Notice even if you do not offer an employer-sponsored health plan to your employees.
• · U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) guidance relating to the applicability of the FLSA can be found at http://www.dol.gov/elaws/esa/flsa/scope/screen24.asp. It is recommended that you confirm with counsel or your consultant before determining that you are not subject to the FLSA and therefore are not required to provide your employees with an Exchange Notice.

 To whom must the Exchange Notice be provided?

 · The Exchange Notice must be provided to all current and new full-time and part-time employees, including:

1. H2A workers, and

2. Seasonal employees.

Overcoming Hurdles to Eradicate Tuberculosis in Cattle

Although the prevalence of bovine Tuberculosis (TB) in the United States is low, the bacterial disease can still infect cattle, wildlife, and humans.  Completely eradicating TB is not likely due to a certain bacterium that exists in wildlife and that can be transmitted to cattle.  In addition, there is not an available test that can accurately detect all TB-positive cattle that are imported from Mexico.  Scientists at ARS (Agriculture Research Service) are collaborating with international partners, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, industry and private companies to develop enw methods to prevent and control TB in cattle and wild white-tailed deer in the United States

Other countries with wildlife reservoirs of TB have been unable to eradicate the disease from cattle.  Research to help control the disease targets wild boars in Spain, brushtail possums in New Zealand, and badgers in Ireland and the UK.

Strategies for both U.S. and international scientists include developing and improving TB tests and finding effective methods like vaccination to stop the spread of the disease.

Corn silage is the primary forage fed on many  NY Dairy and Livestock farms. There are continual questions and debates about methods that can be used to price corn silage. Dr. L.E. Chase from Cornell University goes into detail about corn silage pricing in his article "What Tools are Available to Price Coren Silage?".

According to Dr. Chase two main methods have been used to price corn silage. One is based on the quantity of corn grain (bushels/acre) in the crop. The second is based on the economic value of corn silage based on nutritional content. To see the entire article and learn more about these two methods view the link below.

When: Saturday, October 5, 2013, beginning at 9:30 am

Where:           Harmony Hill
                      Philip DiBenedetto and Susan Warn
                      392 CR 125
                      Bleecker, NY 12078 (Fulton County)

 (call 518-766-1532 for directions if after Thursday night or 732-513-1695 if before then. )

 Agenda:     9:30     Coffee and goodies  
                 10:00   Woodswalk
                 12:30   Annual Picnic

Please bring a dish to share and folding chairs. SAC will provide burgers, drinks, and all plates, utensils, etc.  Raffle to support chapter mailings

***Please RSVP to Donna Welch so we know how much food to buy.  Contact Donna Welch at 518-225-0629 trautwei@nycap.rr.com.

SAC includes Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington Counties.  There are ten NYFOA chapters across the state.  Anyone is welcome to attend any chapter events.

Monthly Pasture Walk

Wednesday, September 25th , at 1pm to 2:30 pm

Jim Taylor (Sunny Acres), 433 Flatts Rd., Athens, Green County

• Fall pasture management
• Stockpiling forage for fall grazing
• Using annuals and winter annuals
• Our discussion will encompass goats, dairy & beef

 No charge, but please contact Aaron Gabriel (518-380-1496, adg12@cornell.edu) for a head count

Join Cooperative Extension educators and farmers on August 20th to learn about Corn Nitrogen Management and determining your optimum nitrogen rate for corn. This meeting will be held in Greene NY at Chenango County Road 2 and Leon Cumber Road from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.  To register contact Herkimer County at 315-866-7920, lunch and handouts will be provided.

Given the wet summer there is a good chance you are now more than ever questioning how much and when nitrogen should be applied to corn. Bob and John Hofmann of Cheshire Valley Farm have been participating in a nitrogen management project for the past three years to look at how they might optimize the amount of nitrogen they apply to corn. This year they applied 0, 50 and 100 lbs of N sidedressed per acre to a corn field and will actually measure grain yields and compare them to recommended N rates to determine what actually worked best in that field. Each nitrogen rate is applied in the field four times. This will be a great demonstration to view at the meeting. To view the entire brochure click on the link below.

Making Organic Waste Products Work for You

Cornell Waste Management Institute, Cornell Cooperative Extension and Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District are sponsoring a workshop and facility tour August 6-7, 2013. The workshop will be held at the NYS Grange Headquarters, 100 Grange Place, Cortland, NY. Some of topics to be covered: What makes a good compost?, Site setup, maintenance and permitting, and Compost quality.

See the brochure (http://cwmi.css.cornell.edu/augevent.pdf) for more information and registration. 

Online registration: https://cbs.cornell.edu/ccbilling/billing.aspx?eventid=243EC5E3-7CF0-455A-804D-574742ABA88A (deadline July 27).