Current Projects
2022 Economics of Growing Hemp for Cannabidiol (CBD) in NYS
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Economics of Growing Hemp for Cannabidiol (CBD) in NYS: Expected Costs, Revenues and Returns for Three Hemp CBD Production Systems, 2022
by: Hanchar, J., S. Shelnutt, D. Vergara, L. Pashow, Cornell University/CALS & CCE
2021 Working Paper by John Hanchar and Aaron Ristow
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Working Paper
Achieving Improved Soil Health Outcomes While Maintaining or Improving Economic Viability: Case Study of a Dairy Farm Business in the Genesee River Watershed, New York
John Hanchar, Cornell University/College of Agric. & Life Sciences/CCE/Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program
Aaron Ristow, American Farmland Trust
Summary
- The owners and primary operators of the Mulligan Farm, a dairy farm business in the Genesee River Watershed of New York, like many farm business owners today, seek to achieve improved soil health and related outcomes while maintaining or improving economic performance.
- The Mulligan Farm has successfully planned and implemented numerous cropping system changes designed to achieve improved soil health and related results.
- Economic analysis suggests that successful implementation of soil health improving practices coincided with improved economic performance.
Economics of Producing Industrial Hemp, Costs of Production, NYS, 2017
John Hanchar, Farm Business Management Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops
Costs of Production Analysis, Industrial Hemp, NYS, 2017
- Variable costs of production estimates for 2017 are $282, $268, and $269 per acre for industrial hemp for fiber only, fiber and seed, and seed only, respectively
- Fixed costs of production estimates for 2017 are $145, $183, and $160 per acre for industrial hemp for fiber only, fiber and seed, and seed only, respectively
- Total costs of production estimates for 2017 are $427, $451, and $429 per acre for industrial hemp for fiber only, fiber and seed, and seed only, respectively
Know a Better Pasture
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Pasture is a great way to feed your livestock during the growing season.
Meet the Specialist, Nancy Glazier

Meet Small Farms Specialist Nancy Glazier as she works with Peter Lehning and John Lehning, new beef producers.
Improved Meat Marketing for Small Scale Farms in the Northeast

Part 1. Understand the customer and their needs: Developing marketing strategy.
New Video: "Determining the Market Readiness of Beef Cattle"

Knowing when an animal is ready for 'finish' or 'slaughter' is extremely important for getting a premium price and satisfying the unique needs of your customers. The Cornell Small Farms Program and the Baskets to Pallets project are pleased to announce a new educational video for livestock producers titled, "Determining the Market Readiness of Beef Cattle". Mike Baker, Cornell Beef Cattle Extension Specialist, takes the viewer on a visual tour of features to assess of both finished and unfinished steers and heifers, including beef breeds and dairy crosses. The video will be an excellent resource for livestock farmers and educators alike. Special thanks to Mike Baker and Lynn Bliven of Allegany County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Can value be added to Holstein bull calves?

With favorable market conditions, it can be profitable raising dairy beef.
Feeder Calf Pool Sale Set, December 16
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Two groups of producers, one in central NY and another in northern NY have come together to market their cattle cooperatively in hopes of building a reputation which over time will increase price of their feeder cattle.
Cornell Bull Test Sign-up is Underway
Nancy Glazier, Small Farms & Livestock Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Cornell All Forage Fed Bull Test is looking for a few good bulls. This will be the fourth year of the stored feed test; a new addition is an optional 84-day pasture component.
Crop Cam
Mike Stanyard, Team Leader and Field Crops & IPM Specialist
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Tune in as the NWNY Teams' Extension agronomists put on their GoPro cameras and head to the field.
Varying Corn & Soybean Populations, Varieties, & Down Force
Bill Verbeten, Field Crops
Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops

Considering varying your corn or soybean populations? Curious about multiple hybrid planters and planting two corn or soybean varieties in the same field? Maybe you're trying to decide between a planter with hydraulic or air bag down force pressure? If so check out this AgFocus Newsletter article from April of 2015.
Upcoming Events
Pasture Walk at C&H Farms of WNY, LLC
August 26, 2025
Akron, NY
C&H Farms is new to grazing beef cows. Come out to view, discuss, and learn what is working and what needs some adjusting.
Dairy Bovine Reproduction and Artificial Insemination Training Course en Espanol
October 14 - October 15, 2025
Join us for a two-day workshop with hands-on training that will be offered in Spanish in cooperation with Javier Cheang, Genex. Space is limited, register today!
Inaugural New York State Agritourism Conference
November 10 - November 11, 2025
Saratoga Springs, NY
SAVE THE DATE! Inaugural NEW YORK STATE AGRITOURISM CONFERENCE presented by Cornell Cooperative Extension Agritourism Program Work Team
Announcements
We're Hiring: Area Dairy Management Specialist
To apply:Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30185).
Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references.
Applications must be submitted by July 31, 2025.
For more information, please contact Peter Landre at ptl2@cornell.edu. Additional information about the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team can be found at https://nwnyteam.cce.cornell.edu/.