Farmer Education
Farmers can make intelligent decisions about how to effectively manage their watershed farms if their knowledge base includes the latest science. The Farmer Education Program offers a full calendar of “off-the-farm” workshops and conferences offered through a partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Besides the technical material offered at these sessions, farmers have the opportunity to exchange ideas with their neighbors about which practices and techniques work best for their operation. This effort complements the “bricks and mortar” best management practices built on farms through the Watershed Agricultural Program by providing information in three main subject areas: Nutrient Management, Feed and Forage Systems Management, and Youngstock Pathogen Management. In addition, WAC’s quarterly newsletter includes seasonal articles on operation and maintenance tasks and the Whole Farm Planning team visits farms yearly to review practices, address operational problems and answer the farmer’s questions and concerns.
Past Events › Agriculture
March 2024
The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »Join us for an evening of conversation. We’ll be exploring how to manage our cattle in typical March weather, taking a look at both historical and forward trends in beef here in NY, and getting a head start on preventing and managing pink eye before spring fully arrives. Pinkeye – Causes, Prevention, Vaccination, and Treatment Summary of 2022 Ag Census & Beef Market Outlook Cow Comfort in March – Fluctuating temperatures, wind, and mud Please register March 8 by calling…
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Sheep and goat production is increasing in New York State. Join us for a discussion of controlling costs associated with lambing & kidding. Low Input Lambing & Kidding (You’ll receive a free 72-page booklet) Nutritional Management Leading up to lambing & kidding Ways/Strategies to reduce costs associated with lambing & kidding Facilities or pasture preparations Review of basics and skills used at birth & bonding tips 2022 Ag Census and 2024 Northeast USDA Sheep Report Summary Please register March 19…
Find out more »April 2024
This is a course offering instruction of a variety of crop production, nutrient management, weed control and cover crop management topics. Topics include: All Things Sorghum Species: What’s out there how to grow them; Delaware County farmer experiences with Sudangrass and Sorghum-sudangrass in 2023; Is soil microbial health connected to yield and nitrogen needs? Understanding biological amendments and the Results of on-farm trials assessing the true fertilizer value of manure; Nozzle selection and adjuvants and for effective herbicide applications; Terminating…
Find out more »Whether you are selling your animals as meat cuts directly, or to an alternative customer or auction, understanding what your customer wants and when they want it can make your business more profitable. Come join us and meet the new Cornell Small Ruminant Specialist Jess Waltemyer. Matching your Breed or Genetics to your Market Characteristics of the live animal that results in a more valuable carcass What is the ideal degree of finish for your market? Religious Holidays – What…
Find out more »A cow with dystocia is a serious situation needing immediate attention. Rob Lynch of Cornell Pro-Dairy will be discussing both prevention and how to handle those difficult positions using a life size model. Each attendee will have the opportunity to use the model to deliver a mal-presented calf. Causes of dystocia and prevention Normal labor sequence and presentation Proper and safe use of calving assistance tools Please register by April 15, 2024 by calling Kim Holden at 607-865-7090 or email…
Find out more »Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County and SUNY Delhi are collaborating to provide a certification on using the FAMACHA technique to estimate Barberpole Worm burdens in small ruminant animals. We will start with a comprehensive discussion on parasite biology and current parasite control strategies. Participants will learn how to prepare and fecal sample for analysis using the microscope. Bring your own sheep or goat fecal sample. Register by April 24, 2024 by Calling or Emailing Kim Holden 607-865-7090, kmh19@cornell.edu
Find out more »September 2024
Harvesting corn at the correct moisture content is important for preserving this high value crop. The Watershed Ag Program Team, with help from Dairy One Forage Lab, will be testing corn to help farms predict optimum harvest dates. Farms should bring 5 stalks of corn from each field for testing. Dairy One will use NiR rapid testing to determine the dry matter content and the results will be available on site the same day. September 5th: Franklin Town Barn, Corner…
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