A new report has found dozens of cases of illness, death and reproductive issues in cows, horses, goats, llamas, chickens, dogs, cats, fish and other wildlife, and humans. It says these conditions could be the result of exposure to gas drilling operations.

Hydraulic fracturing, popularly called hydrofracking, is a process for extracting natural gas from shale using chemicals and water.

The paper's authors, Robert Oswald, a professor of molecular medicine at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine, and veterinarian Michelle Bamberger, interviewed animal owners in six states -- Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas -- and cited 24 cases where animals were potentially affected by gas drilling.

According to the study, recently published online and appearing soon in print, in New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health Policy, making a direct link between death and illness is not possible due to incomplete testing, proprietary secrecy from gas drilling companies regarding the chemicals used in hydrofracking, and non-disclosure agreements that seal testimony and evidence when lawsuits are settled.

"We have a number of case studies -- they don't tell us about the prevalence of problems associated with hydraulic fracturing, but they do tell us how things can happen," said Oswald.

Register by tomorrow, March 12th, to attend this program on March 22nd at the CCE Saratoga County office in Ballston Spa.

Through funding from the NE-SARE, this workshop has been designed to train participants throughout the Northeast in the identification, assessment and management of soilborne pathogens and to provide resources that can be used on-farm and in various outreach activities.

The day-long program will provide workshops by Beth Gugino, Penn State; George Abawi, Cornell University; and Jim LaMondia, University of Connecticut Experiment Station.

Download details below.

The pigs and poultry in Professor Xingen Lei's lab have been consuming feed one wouldn't expect in Ithaca: marine algae.

The Cornell animal science professor is testing the unlikely material as a new protein-rich source of feed to supplement and replace some of the corn and soybean meal mix traditionally given to food-producing animals. 

By doing so, he could transform a biofuel byproduct into a valuable commodity, potentially freeing thousands of acres of cropland.

"Current animal feed directly competes against human food sources and, thus, is unsustainable," Lei said. "We must develop alternatives to soybean and corn for animal feeds."

Algae produces 50 times more oil per acre than corn, with a much smaller carbon footprint; uses nutrients more efficiently than land plants, with no runoff; and places no demand on high-quality agricultural land or freshwater supplies.

There are an estimated 1 billion swine, 1 billion cattle, 2 billion sheep and goats and 40 billion poultry worldwide. The average pig consumes about 660 pounds of feed by the time it goes to market, Lei said, so replacing just 10 percent of that feed with algae would save a whopping 33 million tons.

Lei's preliminary research found that dried defatted algae derived from biofuel production can replace up to one-third of soybean meal in diets for pigs and chickens. It is an attractive source because it is high in protein -- 20-70 percent, compared with about 10 percent in corn and 40 percent in soy. 

The Milk Quality Improvement Program and Department of Food Science at Cornell University have launched a new bi-monthly newsletter called Artisan Cheese Wedge.  Use the link below to open/download the publication.

Registration Open for the 2012 Small Farms Summit

The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2012 statewide Small Farms Summit to be held Wednesday, February 29th, from 9:30am – 3:30pm. The Summit is an interactive meeting with an opportunity for all participants to take part in lively discussion and provide important feedback, both locally, and across the state.

At the 2012 Summit, participants will be asked to reflect on recent successes and identify new concerns and challenges affecting the growth of the small farm sector.  We’ll be issuing a preliminary e-survey in early February to capture feedback from voices that cannot attend the Summit.  In the morning session, we’ll discuss issues that emerged in the survey and generate additional ideas from participants.  In the afternoon session, participants will work within their regional sites to prioritize areas of importance over the next 5 years. 

The Summit is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Farmer participation is especially encouraged, but educators, agricultural service providers, policy makers, non-profit organizations, students and community members are all welcome.

Location: Albany County, Cornell Cooperative Extension office
Address:  24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186
To register: Gale Kohler at gek4@cornell.edu 

Click this link to the USDA site announcing a new program called “Start2Farm.gov” to assist beginning farmers and ranchers.

The US Forest Service released the 2011 edition of Federal Income Tax on Timber: A Key to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions, a quick-reference guide to timber tax laws impacting woodland owners. Complete with the new tax law updates, this publication provides a timely tax reporting information for the 2011 return filing season.

Access the publication here. 

The New York State Thruway Authority is seeking farmers and growers to participate in “Tailgate Farmers Markets” at selected travel plazas along the Thruway system.

The markets operate from mid-May through Nov. 1, depending on the availability of product.

Participation is limited to New York State farmers/growers of locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, edible herbs, cider and horticultural products. Only produce grown or produced in New York State may be sold at the farmers markets.

For more information, call the Thruway Authority at (518) 436-2831. For a list of the 27 travel plazas, see the weblink.

The Tailgate Farmers Markets are intended to offer fresh farm produce to Thruway travelers, to provide farmers and growers another outlet for their products and to promote New York’s agricultural industry.

As part of the new Water Resources Law signed on August 15, 2011 and coming into effect on February 15, 2012, all NYS existing agricultural users having the pump capacity to withdraw 100,000 gallons per day  or more of water from surface or ground supplies, MUST report their estimated usage by February 15, 2012.  If you do not report, then you will be forced to apply for permits which may be difficult and expensive both in terms of time and money.

Please take a few minutes to report your water withdrawal by going to this form.

Despite what the form says, it is actually due by February 15, so please disregard the February 1 date listed on the form.  If your only withdrawal of water is for agricultural purposes, then the $50 reporting fee is waived.

You can complete the form out on-line, or print it and mail it or FAX it to:

If you have questions, contact Rich Kruzansky at the NYS DEC (518-402-8182). 

February 14th, 10:00 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Otesaga Resort Hotel, 60 Lake Street, Cooperstown

Download registration info. Due by noon tomorrow - no exceptions.