Dairy Discussion Group 

 Strategic & Tactical Planning for Your Farm

 What do you want your farm business to be in 5 years?

 What improvements are you pursuing?

  Wednesday, April 9th, noon to 2 pm

 At the AgroForestry Center, 6055 Route 23, Acra

 Pizza for lunch ($5),  please RSVP for a head count

 Sandy (518-380-1498) or Aaron (518-380-1496)

  You will find all the ProDairy “Managing for Success” resources at http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/mfs/mfspage1.html.   No matter where you are at in your business: the beginning, the end, or somewhere in between, planning will benefit you.

HACCP Training for SUNY Students

SUNY Cobleskill alumnus, Robert W. Powitz, PhD, MRH, RS, DLAAS:  Forensic Sanitarian, will be offering a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) training program on Wednesday, April 9^th in Curtis-Mott Hall. This all day training will culminate with an accreditation exam. Dr. Powitz is a local health director in rural Connecticut and has a private practice which provides public health, environmental health and safety; contamination control and advisory and forensic services to law firms, insurance companies, industry and governmental agencies.

Dr. Powitz primary focus will be on the guidelines and principals associated with the systematic approaches to food safety through the seven principles of HAACP; a product safety management system that allows food processors to take a proactive approach to prevent food borne diseases.    The main goal of this training is for individuals to understand, identify and apply the principles of critical control points (CCPs) in production and addressing potential dangers before they happen.  Upon successful completion of the class and exam, participants will be able to use this credential to their advantage in the food manufacturing industry on the management level.  HACCP certification is recognized globally and is required by many food producers, handlers and distributors.

To enroll, please contact Linda Serdy in PACE (Knapp Hall 144) at 518-255-5528.   Deadline for registration is March 10, 2014.

A $25.00 registration fee (non-refundable) is required upon registering.

Cost: $165.00 (Includes training, workbook and exam.)

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Contact Information

Call The Office of Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), (518) 255-5528, today for more information and to reserve your space.  Seats are limited.

“Pasture Plan Refresher”

 Please join us for a grazing planning workshop on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the East Greenbush Community Library on 10 Community Way in East Greenbush from 9:30am-12:30pm.  At this meeting you will be able to work with Troy Bishopp (the “Grass Whisperer”) from the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District.   While learning about pasture planning, you will have the opportunity to listen to Troy’s grazing experiences, ask questions, learn from last year’s grazing charts, and network with other local graziers.  Class will be driven by the interest of the participants, so bring your charts and questions!  If you don’t have a chart or are not using one, purchase one at the meeting for $5 and get ready for this year’s growing season.  This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best in the industry.  Whether you are new to livestock and pasture planning or are a veteran grazier, you will be sure to take something away from this meeting. 

Registration is $5.00, please contact Marcie Vohnoutka at 518-272-4210 or mmp74@cornell.edu to RSVP or with any questions. This class was brought to you by CCE of Rensselaer County, the Hudson Mohawk RC&D Council , and the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education Program.   

PRICES FOR NEW YORK FEEDER CATTLE – PRODUCERS MUST DO THEIR PART

 Michael J. Baker

Beef Extension Specialist

Cornell University

 Research is being conducted on the factors that affect the price of feeder cattle in New York. The purpose of the research is to identify where we are and to areas where New York beef producers need to focus to improve the price received for their cattle. The data is being collected at Finger Lakes Livestock Exchange in Canandaigua, which based on the 14,000 feeder calves marked in 2013 represents the value that buyers and sellers alike place on the their expertise in marketing feeder cattle. A recent article was published with data that while correct, was not placed in its full context and did not paint a favorable picture. The purpose of this article is to better explain why prices vary and what producers can do to increase the value of their calves.

The analysis of this data has provided results similar to studies conducted in Arkansas, Kansas and Missouri.  There are discounts for bulls, horned, small framed and light muscled cattle. Additionally black hided cattle bring a premium to all other colors. However two results have been reported and without the context in which they occur seem troubling. Compared to Cattle Fax data the prices received in New York are in direct relation.  That is our prices follow the national trend. Yet, the average difference in price is $0.28/lb. There are sound reasons for much of this difference.  First is freight. Many of these cattle go to the major feeding areas in the Midwest. At $0.04/loaded mile and 1500 miles to Kansas, the cost would be $6000.  With 50,000 lbs on the truck this equals $0.12/lb. The differential is now down to $0.16/lb. The second factor is that the prices reported in Cattle Fax often represent the higher end of their sales, which accounts for another $0.06 - $0.08/lb. Therefore the true difference is around $0.08 - $0.10/lb. 

2014 Central New York Dairy Day Looks to the Future

 Tuesday, March 11

 Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown

Dairy farmers and their advisors are welcome and encouraged to attend the upcoming 7^th Annual 2014 Central New York Dairy Day program on Tuesday, March 11^th at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown. To attend you MUST preregister by Noon on Friday March 7^th. The cost of $30 to attend includes the best buffet lunch you will ever eat! For more information and to receive registration information please call (315) 866-7920 or email: herkimer@cornell.edu    

A trade show opens the day’s program at 10:00 a.m. The lineup of speakers for the day is impressive. Jason Karszes, a well-known and respected financial analyst from Cornell’s ProDairy program, will speak about how profitable dairy farms consistently make money. Jason is very well known for his work in dairy farm financial analysis and dairy farm business management.

Dr. David Kammel, Ag. Engineer from the University of Wisconsin, will address two topics that should be of great interest to many local dairy producers. He has many years of experience with low cost milking parlors and will talk about the options available and how this type of project can successfully be carried out. He will also address how producers can economically budget for the transition from a tie stall barn to a free stall barn with a low cost milking parlor.

Kathy Barrett, with the ProDairy program, has worked with a discussion group comprised of dairy farms that have robotic milkers. She will share what she has learned from this group, talk about economics, and discuss thoughts about where this technology is headed.

The Central New York Dairy Day program is hosted by the Central New York Dairy & Field Crops Team of Cornell Cooperative Extension, which covers Chenango, Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Otsego, Saratoga, and Schoharie Counties.  However, anyone can attend the event regardless of your county residence.

Small Grains Meeting

February 18, 2014, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Tally Ho Restaurant

State Hwy 20, Richfield Springs, NY

#Central NY Dairy & Field Crops Team

Attached is a flyer for the Small Grains Meeting to be held at the Tally Ho Restaurant in Richfield Springs on February 18.  Dr. Gary Bergstrom, Cornell Field Crop Plant Pathologist, joins us to talk about small grain diseases which were certainly plentiful in 2013.  We also will have a round table discussion on malting barley and which might be a chance to learn if this is a crop you should consider for your farm.

Registration including lunch will be $15 per person to pay at the door.  To register please call 315-866-7920 or email herkimer@cornell.edu.  Registration allows us to communicate any cancellations or changes in arrangements.  There are no pesticide credits for this meeting.

See Flier below for more information.

Come Join Us for the 2014 Eastern NY Commercial

 Vegetable Growers’ Schools!

 The Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture Program is happy to announce the dates, locations and agenda’s for 3 Winter Vegetable Schools!

 2014 Lower Hudson Valley Commercial Vegetable School

 Monday, February 24, 2014

 The Falcon, 1348 Route 9W, Marlboro, NY 12542

 ENYCHP Lower Hudson Valley Commercial Vegetable Growers School

 2.75 DEC Recertification credits have been awarded in Categories 1A, 23, and 10.

  2014 Northern Commercial Vegetable Growers’ School

 February 25, 2014

 Community Room, Plattsburgh City Recreation Department

 52 US Oval, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

 ENYCHP Northern Commercial Vegetable Growers School

 3.75 DEC Recertification credits have been awarded for Categories  1A and 10:  1.50 for Categories 21 and 22 and 3.25 credits for Category 23.

 2014 Capital District Commercial Vegetable Growers’ School

 February 26, 2014

 Best Western Albany Airport Inn, 200 Wolf Road, Albany, NY 12205

 ENYCHP Capital District Commercial Vegetable Growers School

 4.0 DEC Recertification credits have been awarded in Categories 1A, 23, 10 and 2.0 credits for Category 22.

When:              Thursday, February 20, 2014

                           10:30 am – 3:30 pm

 Where:             The Holiday Inn Southside, 5206 State Highway 23, Oneonta

 Cost:                  $20 per person (includes lunch)

 Registration is $20 per person (includes lunch): Pre-registration is required!

 Please fill out the registration form below and return it along with payment to:

 Cornell Cooperative Extension of Herkimer County, 5657 State Route 5, Herkimer, NY 13350.

 Make checks payable to: Cornell Cooperative Extension

 Please call 315.866.7920 if you have any questions.

 Registration must be received in the office by noon on Friday, February 14, 2014

 Registration allows us to communicate any cancellations or changes in arrangements.

Capital Area Ag & Hort e-Newsletter from Cornell Cooperative Extension

January 22, 2014

Please note the “Hot Zone”. All new items will be listed in the full body but also highlighted at the front of the message.

The CAAHP e-Newsletter identifies new additions to the calendar by highlighting in RED.

The use of this newsletter is for business use. To assist members, all material must go to List Administrators Sandy sab22@cornell.edu & Aaron adg12@cornell.edu for posting to control in-box SPAM. Our apologies for any inconvenience.

Cornell Cooperative Extension to Host Adirondack Grazers Cooperative Meeting for Local Producers

Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties is collaborating with the Adirondack (ADK) Grazers Cooperative to introduce the ADK Grazers program to regional beef producers to help meet the growing demand from Saratoga, Albany, and New York City restaurants, butchers, and markets.

An informational meeting will be held this Friday evening, January 10 at 6:00 p.m. at the Education Center, 123 Lake Street in Cooperstown.  Space is limited; registration is required by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties at 607-547-2536. Interested producers may access further information about the ADK Grazers at www.adkgrazers.com. A link to its protocols is included along with testimonials and further background. 

The Adirondack Grazers Cooperative is comprised of beef producers from small to mid-scale family farms in New York and Vermont that naturally raise and finish beef.  The Cooperative is seeking contracts with producers who are able to meet production specifications.  At the meeting will be Board President/beef producer, Dan Stone, and Coordinator/producer, Lisa Randles, who will present the Cooperative’s history, sustainable practices, protocols, purchasing, and distribution strategies. 

Learn also about the Cooperative’s ability to obtain high value pricing for producers as well as the importance of transparency and how its extensive network of truckers and butchers among others has made the ADK Grazers Cooperative a successful enterprise.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie and Otsego Counties provides equal program and employment opportunities.  Accommodations for persons with special needs may be requested by contacting the Education Center at 607-547-2536 prior to the meeting.