Livestock
All livestock need food and water, and some require shelter.
Resource List for Food Scraps Generators and Users
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Food Scraps Post-Workshop Resources - Learn more about the Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Act.
What Do I need for a Cattle Handling System?
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Handling cattle safely is a must for any livestock farm. Here are two resources to help design a handling system, plus one on the principles of low stress handling.
Farm Financial Management Practices for Unfavorable Economic Conditions
Sound financial planning and control improve owner's abilities to manage their businesses during unfavorable economic conditions. Consider the current environment affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lack of rain in many areas. Budgeting is a valuable farm financial management practice for these situations. Visit (Brandie, please insert link here) to learn more about budgeting and its value in managing your farm business.
Dung Beetles in Pastures
Considerations for Slowing Feedlot Cattle Growth due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
Markets are still unsteady for fed cattle. Questions have come in regarding how to slow growth. Here is the link to some guidance from University of Wisconsin/Iowa State Extension.
Reducing the Risk of Compaction When Grazing Cover Crops
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
The benefits of cover crops have been known for many
years; one is remediating compaction.
Pricing Corn Silage -- Fall 2019
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
- Analysis suggests corn silage price depends on corn silage quantities, alfalfa hay price, the price received by farmers for milk, and corn grain price.
- Analysis for NY suggests that estimated corn silage price is most sensitive to corn silage quantities, alfalfa hay price and corn grain price.
- Price estimates combined with understanding of relevant supply and demand factors from an individual farm business owner's perspective can aid decision making regarding corn silage price. Given recently available alfalfa hay and corn grain prices (May through July, 2019, and August 27, 2019, respectively), price analysis for NY suggests an estimated corn silage price of about $45 per ton. The Fall 2018 estimate was about $41 per ton.
Resources for Making a Decision on the Dairy Margin Coverage Program
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Decision making for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program benefits from the availability of two recent webinars.
Winter Feeding Beef Cows
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Winter is a challenging time to feed the beef herd. Mud, cold and snow or rain can stress your cows and increase their nutritional needs. How do you know if you are meeting the needs of your herd?
Deer Farming
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Cervid production is a $3 billion industry in the US. There are many opportunities for farms to raise deer, but proper care and health management is critical.
Financial Balancing Act Means Managing Risk is Essential
Joan Sinclair Petzen, Farm Business Management
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
The present long-term downturn in commodity prices brings with it increased financial pressure on farm operations. Alternatives for managing risk are continually evolving. For many in agriculture, and particularly dairy, self-insurance has been the go-to method of risk management. Two new tools, the USDA Market Facilitation Program (MFP) and Dairy Revenue Protection Insurance (DRP) are coming on line and a third, Rainfall Index - Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage (RI-PRF) merits serious consideration.
New Guidance for Mortality Disposal Issued
Libby Eiholzer, Bilingual Dairy
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
NYS Department of Ag and Markets has posted guidelines on disposal of livestock carcasses, in response to reports that some rendering companies have halted pickups from farms.
Upcoming Events
Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County
October 10, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County (English)
Lockport, NY
To assist or not to assist? That is (one of) the questions dairy farm personnel have while working in the maternity area on a farm.
This workshop will teach best calving management practices to minimize stillbirth rates and improve calf and cow health during and directly after the calving process.
October 10, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Niagara County (Spanish)
Lockport, NY
Larger Herd, Low-Overhead Dairy Grazing Field Day
October 10, 2024
Dansville, NY
Join us at the farm of Holly Burley Moore for a discussion on how she keeps her overhead costs low on her 550 head grazing dairy.
Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County
October 16, 2024 : Hands-On Calving Training - Ontario County (English)
Canandaigua, NY
To assist or not to assist? That is (one of) the questions dairy farm personnel have while working in the maternity area on a farm.
This workshop will teach best calving management practices to minimize stillbirth rates and improve calf and cow health during and directly after the calving process.