Newsletters
Ag Focus is a monthly publication of the NWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team. It provides readers with information on upcoming meetings, pesticide updates, pest management strategies, cultural practices, marketing ideas and research results from Cornell and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Ag Focus is produced monthly January - December.
To simplify information, brand names of products may be used in this publication. No endorsement is intended, nor is criticism implied of similar products not named.
Every effort has been made to provide correct, complete and up-to-date pesticide recommendations. Changes occur constantly and human errors are still possible. These recommendations are not a substitute for pesticide labeling. Please read the label before applying pesticides.
By law and purpose, Cornell Cooperative Extension is dedicated to serving the people on a non-discriminatory basis.
All NWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Program enrollees receive 12 issues of Ag Focus via email included with their enrollment. For more information, contact Linda Risewick, lr532@cornell.edu or 585.343.3040 ext. 138.
If you are enrolled in the NWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Team, log in (black panel at top of screen) to view current issues of Ag Focus newsletter.
If you are not enrolled in our program, you must enroll to view current issues.
Archived Ag Focus Newsletters
2018 Ag Focus Newsletters
2017 Ag Focus Newsletters
2016 Ag Focus Newsletters
2015 Ag Focus Newsletters
2014 Ag Focus Newsletters
2013 Ag Focus Newsletters
2012 Ag Focus Newsletters
2011 Ag Focus Newsletters
Archived Crop Alerts
2019 Crop Alerts
2018 Crop Alerts
2017 Crop Alerts
2016 Crop Alerts
2015 Crop Alerts
2014 Crop Alerts
2013 Crop Alerts
Dairy
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Grazing
Forages
Grains
Upcoming Events
AGROTOURISM - FREE FARMER TRAINING! ENROLL and GROW YOUR BUSINESS
May 9 - March 1, 2020
Rochester, NY
Expand your farm operations by starting Agritourism, either as your primary or as an add-on activity on your farm. Increasing your farm visibility, connecting with the community, educating the public, creating new local markets, sharing your knowledge and pride - these are just a few attributes that come with Agritourism. We are inviting all farmers in the Genesee Valley Region (Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates) to enroll in this FREE Agritourism Farmer Training program.
The class size is limited. We are looking for a group of 10-12 farmers to teach them how to successfully develop and execute Agritourism events in their farm and grow their business.
The training is funded by the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority in support of local farmers, agriculture and food industry.
The training is funded by the Genesee Valley Regional Market Authority in support of local farmers, agriculture and food industry.
Calling all 9th-12th graders! 4th Annual Precision Agriculture Day at Genesee Community College
May 21, 2019
9:00 am - 1:30 pm Register by Friday May 10th! $15/per person includes lunch
Batavia, NY
Calling all 9th-12th graders! We have an exciting new program for students interested in technology, science, engineering, and agriculture!Would you like to:
- Learn about how Drones collect information
- Check out some potential career opportunities that have new and ever-changing technology
- Learn how these technologies can be used in our own backyards in WNY
- Discover potential and exciting career opportunities
Human Resource Management on the Farm - 2 sessions! Register by Friday 5/17!!
May 21 - May 22, 2019
12:00 - 2:00 pm (2 sessions! Day 1 CCE- Ontario, or Day 2 CCE - Wyoming)
Are you looking for motivation and resources to implement new Human Resource Management practices on your farm?Join us for one of two sessions in WNY this spring. At each session, we'll discuss:
- What Human Resource Management is, and why it's important on your farm
- Examples of different Human Resource Management practices and how to implement them
- Complete a self-assessment to determine the areas of highest priority for your farm
- Hear from several local dairy farmers who have recently implemented new HRM practices on their farms.
- Go home with a plan of action and resources to help you accomplish your HRM goals
Announcements
USDA Announces New Decision Tool for New Dairy Margin Coverage Program
WASHINGTON, April 30, 2019 ? Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of a new web-based tool - developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin - to help dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program.The 2018 Farm Bill authorized DMC, a voluntary risk management program that offers financial protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. It replaces the program previously known as the Margin Protection Program for Dairy. Sign up for this USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) program opens on June 17.
"With sign-up for the DMC program just weeks away, we encourage producers to use this new support tool to help make decisions on participation in the program," Secretary Perdue said. "Dairy producers have faced tough challenges over the years, but the DMC program should help producers better weather the ups and downs in the industry."
The University of Wisconsin launched the decision support tool in cooperation with FSA and funded through a cooperative agreement with the USDA Office of the Chief Economist. The tool was designed to help producers determine the level of coverage under a variety of conditions that will provide them with the strongest financial safety net. It allows farmers to simplify their coverage level selection by combining operation data and other key variables to calculate coverage needs based on price projections.
The decision tool assists producers with calculating total premiums costs and administrative fees associated with participation in DMC. It also forecasts payments that will be made during the coverage year.
"The new Dairy Margin Coverage program offers very appealing options for all dairy farmers to reduce their net income risk due to volatility in milk or feed prices," said Dr. Mark Stephenson, Director of Dairy Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin, Madison. "Higher coverage levels, monthly payments, and more flexible production coverage options are especially helpful for the sizable majority of farms who can cover much of their milk production with the new five million pound maximum for Tier 1 premiums. This program deserves the careful consideration of all dairy farmers."
For more information, access the tool at fsa.usda.gov/dmc-tool. For DMC sign up, eligibility and related program information, visit fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center. To locate your local FSA office, visit farmers.gov/service-locator.
New Guidance for Mortality Disposal Issued
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.https://nwnyteam.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=761&crumb=dairy|1