NNY Ag Development Program

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Search Results for: extension

April 22, 2020 By karalynn

Texas A&M Video Features NNYADP/Cornell Biocontrol Success

  Lowville, N.Y.; April 22, 2020.  Texas A&M Agri-Life Extension has posted a video highlighting how the science of biocontrol nematode use developed in Northern New York is now helping corn growers in Texas and New Mexico. The video is posted at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/nny-farm-videos.

The 20-minute video includes Elson Shields, Ph.D., the Cornell University entomologist who applied long-term support from the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to pioneer the science for using a combination of naturally-occurring NY-adapted nematodes as a biocontrol for crop pest management.

The video begins by acknowledging that biocontrol nematodes have been successfully applied to protect more than 25,000 crop acres in New York. That application has been made to manage alfalfa snout beetle, the first crop pest impacted by the biocontrol nematode protocol developed, refined and proven by Shields and Cornell research technician Antonio Testa. Their subsequent success at similarly reducing corn rootworm populations in NY field trials caught the attention of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension entomologists Patrick Porter, Ph.D. and Ed Bynum, Ph.D.

Cornell Entomologist Elson Shields, right, with cups of biocontrol nematodes from New York State awaiting application on Frost’s farm in Dalhart, TX. Photo courtesy of Patrick Porter/Texas A&M

With Shields’ help, biocontrol nematodes were applied to corn fields on Gary Frost’s working farm in Dalhart, TX, in 2017-2019 with excellent establishment and significantly improved corn plant root protection.

The Texas A&M “Results of Entomopathogenic Nematode Studies for Control of Corn Rootworm 2017-2019” video, produced by Porter, Bynum, Shields, and Katelyn Kesheimer of Auburn University, Alabama, can be viewed at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/nny-farm-videos.

Based on the success in Texas, private consultants in New Mexico requested a trial there. In May and June of 2019, biocontrol nematodes were applied to 900 long-term corn acres impacted by major rootworm problems on a dairy farm near Roswell, NM. That trial also tested the effectiveness of using a center pivot system for applying the biocontrol nematodes. Six hundred core samples taken in November 2019 showed excellent biocontrol nematode establishment.

Meanwhile, back in New York State in 2018-2019, Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crops Specialist Michael E. Hunter worked with Shields to evaluate application of the U/V-sensitive biocontrol nematodes via liquid manure application. The success of that research is reported on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program website at https://www.nnyagdev.org/index.php/2019-nnyadp-projects/.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Filed Under: News & Press Releases

April 15, 2020 By karalynn

NNYADP: New Way to Apply Biocontrol Nematodes

CCE Field Crops Specialist Mike Hunter loads biocontrol nematodes into liquid manure application field trial. Photo: CCE

Northern New York; April 15, 2020. Farmers now have a new way to apply biocontrol nematodes to protect crops critical to dairy and livestock agriculture, thanks to research funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

“Dairy farmers and crop growers have been interested in biocontrol nematodes since we proved their effectiveness at reducing populations of the alfalfa snout beetle, the most destructive pest of alfalfa, and now see potential to do likewise with corn rootworm, a significant threat to field corn production,” said Elson Shields, Ph.D., Cornell University.

Shields pioneered the use of a combination of two native NY-adapted nematodes for pest management in field crops, berries and other crops. The application of biocontrol nematodes is now being tested in multiple crops across the U.S.

In 2018 and 2019, Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crops Specialist Michael E. Hunter developed a project to test application of the biocontrol nematodes via liquid manure. The current protocol applies the biocontrol nematodes in a water solution in the evening hours due to the nematodes’ sensitivity to U/V rays.

Hunter conducted field trials on six farms in Northern New York. He explained the hypothesis behind his trials.

“If biocontrol nematodes could be successfully established through liquid manure application that would accomplish significant benefits: combining two field operations into one to save time and labor, protecting the nematodes from damaging U/V light so application can be made at any time of day versus only evening hours, protecting crops using a biological means, and providing farmers with an additional method for application to encourage use of this biocontrol,” Hunter explained.

Soil sampling in 2018 confirmed establishment of the biocontrol nematodes applied in liquid manure in all trial fields on the six participating farms. In 2019, Hunter achieved successful establishment at a lower rate of nematodes per acre.

“The 2019 field data shows the lower rate of application is just as effective for establishing the biocontrol nematodes and lowers the cost to encourage farmers to adopt the use of this biocontrol,” Hunter said.

The complete “Evaluation of Alternative Application Methods of Biocontrol Nematodes in Alfalfa and Corn” report is posted at www.nnyagdev.org.

 

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Click here for more on the NNYADP biocontrol nematode research success story

 

 

Filed Under: News & Press Releases

March 10, 2020 By karalynn

NNYADP Dairy-Beef Research Results: How to Add Value to Your Dairy Business

NNYADP-funded dairy-beef crossbreeding research by Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Mike Baker, left, provides insight on how to add value to a dairy business. Photo: Brian P. Whattam

Northern New York. Dairy farmers may have an opportunity to add income through enhancing their breeding bull selection. Research funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) provides information to help dairy farmers decide if adding a crossbreeding enterprise for beef production would be a good addition for their dairy business.

Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Michael Baker notes that according to the USDA Market News, in New York, Holstein-beef crossbred bull calves can bring up to a $100 per head premium compared to purebred Holstein bull calves, however, the majority of these calves born in New York are raised outside of New York.

“Given the abundant supply of high-quality forage in Northern New York, producers have the potential to raise calves to feeder weights of 300 to 800 lbs. or to finish them using feed refusals from their dairy enterprise,” Baker says. “This can provide an additional income stream for dairies as well as a supply of calves for the burgeoning beef stocker industry.”

Baker notes that market competition will increase when the type of calves arriving at auction are segregated. The result?

“Calves with a vetted sire selection and raised with birth, health, and nutrition protocols are bringing the highest premiums according to one semen supplier and livestock auction owner. Those with no sire selection are bringing smaller premiums,” Baker explains.

The NNYADP research describes how using Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) data points can help dairy farmers make a good-fit beef breed bull selection for their milk cows.

“Holstein cows should be bred to beef sires whose traits complement the cows’ genetic makeup, are economically-competitive to feed, and meet consumer demands for beef quality,” Baker summarizes.

He adds that other considerations for bull selection, based on studying EPD data points, are traits that indicate the opportunity for good average daily weight gain and ribeye quality.

Four farms in Northern NY assisted this NNYADP project; data was collected on 125 calves born to Holstein cows bred to an Angus beef breed bull. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets provided additional funding to support USDA grading of 100 calves to develop economic value data.

On Saturday, March 28, 2020, Baker will be among the speakers at the “How to Get a Better Price for Your Beef or Dairy Animal in the Ring at the Auction Barn” 11 am open house-luncheon at the N.N.Y. Farmers Marketing Co-op, 8204 NY Route 26, Lowville, N.Y. The event is co-sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County. For more information, call the Co-op at 315-376-7441.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. For more information, see www.nnyagdev.org.

Click here to read the NNYADP 2019 Final Report for Where’s the Beef in Value-Added Dairy-Beef Crosses Research Project

Filed Under: News & Press Releases

NNY Farm Videos

Ground Cherry Harvesting Frame Video: 
See how efficiently this harvesting frame made by Willsboro Research Farm Manager Michael H. Davis, Ph.D., works to collect the ground cherry fruit that falls from the plants when ripe (click on the headline link above). This work was completed as part of a 2019 NNYADP horticultural research project that also evaluated the opportunity to grow goldenberry under NNY conditions. To read the results of both trials, click here.

 

 

Photo: USDA/Peggy Greb

Apple Bloom Thinning with Pollen Tube Growth Model Webinar
Precision apple orchard research funded by the NNYADP was highlighted in the spring of 2020 with this (March 31, 2020) webinar focused on applying computer modeling-based graphs to more precisely guide thinning applications. This webinar features Cornell University Assistant Professor of Horticulture Dr. Gregory Peck on how the Pollen Tube Growth Model was developed and a tutorial by Dan Olmstead, director of the Network for Environment and Weather Applications computer modeling system at Cornell. Click on title to video webinar.

 Juneberry nursery, Willsboro Research Farm.


NNYADP Juneberry “Superfruit” Research Featured on Mountain Lake Journal PBS
Click here for the August 2020 report by Mountain Lake Journal PBS Producer Thom Hallock
with Willsboro Research Farm Manager Michael H. Davis, Ph.D., talking about how well the NNYADP-funded “New Fruits for NNY” trials with aronia berry and honeyberry are progressing.
Click here for the August 2018 report by Mountain Lake Journal PBS Producer Thom Hallock on the NNYADP-funded “superfruits” research trials (click on the June 24, 2018 date in the story posting) at the Willsboro Research Farm.  Hallock talks with NNYADP “New Fruits for NNY” project leaders Willsboro Research Farm Manager Michael H. Davis, Ph.D., and botanist Michael B. Burgess, Ph.D., of SUNY Plattsburgh.

Applying Persistent Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Corn Rootworm Control
April 7, 2020: This video features the biocontrol nematode protocol for crop pest management developed with long-term funding support from the NNYADP. This 21-minute video, produced by Patrick Porter and Ed Bynum, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, with Elson Shields, Cornell University, and Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University, illustrates the nationwide value of the NNY-grown research as shown by 2017-2019 field trials in Texas and New Mexico.  Click to see the video.

5 Northern New York dairy farm profiles produced by and posted with permission from the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition (NYACC). Each of the profiled farms has participated with NNYADP research projects. This northern NY series of NYAAC videos made its debut at the 2019 New York State Fair. Click on farm name to view the video. The NYAAC enhances public understanding of and appreciation for animal agriculture by engaging the public in conversations about animal agriculture and empowering farmers to tell their story firsthand. We thank them for sharing these profiles of NNY farm families with the NNYADP for posting.

  • Murcrest Farm, Copenhagen, NY: young farmer Mark Murray shares his joy of returning to and now raising his children on the family farm started by his  grandfather
  • Sheland Dairy Farm, Belleville, NY, with co-owner Doug Shelmidine talking about farming as a rewarding life’s work and now farming with his brother and his two sons
  • Milk Street Dairy, Tylerville, NY: retired veterinarian John Ferry talks about  keeping cows healthy and comfortable on his own dairy farm
  • North Harbor Dairy, Sackets Harbor, NY: Nancy Robbins shares her story of  marrying into a farm family and starting an agritourism business as part of the family dairy and crop farm.
  • Wood Farms, Clayton, NY: Lyle Wood talks about the joy of working with family, how the farm honors his son Henry who loved the farm and died at age 10 of leukemia, and how Lyle stays optimistic and positive.

Spring in the Field on Northern New York Farms, May 2019

This short (5 minute) slide show/video by Joe Lawrence, Dairy Forage Systems Specialist with the Cornell University PRO-DAIRY Program, provides an overview of some of the activity that takes place on farms in northern New York in the springtime:
• Learn about how growing degree days (GDDs) affect the start of grass, alfalfa and corn crops.
• Learn when to measure alfalfa height to help identify an optimal date for a first cutting of an alfalfa-grass mixed crop in fields in the Towns of Martinsburg, Turin, and West Turin.
• See alfalfa snout beetle collection on a farm in the Town of Denmark to support the science pioneered with NNYADP-funded research to control this destructive crop pest known to impact at least 9 counties in New York State and areas of southeastern Ontario, Canada.
• Joe’s son Ben provides some narration and joins “Dad” and siblings Colin and Caroline to demonstrate how to check the performance of a corn planter in the Town of Croghan.

 All COVID-19 restrictions were observed during the filming.


The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven, high-priority agricultural research program. Projects focus on  water quality, climate adaptability, whole farm nutrient balancing, and season extension research. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

 

January 15, 2020 By karalynn

1/28, 2/5, 2/11: NNYADP Johne’s Disease Survey Results for Sheep/Small Ruminant Producers

Lambs grazing at the CCE St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm in Canton, NY. Photo: Betsy Hodge

Note: Johne’s is pronounced yo-knees

Plattsburgh, Canton, and Watertown, N.Y.; January 15, 2020.   The results of a project funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to survey and test regional sheep flocks and provide information on how to reduce the risk of Johne’s disease will soon be presented at meetings in Plattsburgh, Canton, and Watertown. The regional data is also being shared in support of a Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab project evaluating different testing methods and protocols for identifying Johne’s disease.

Dr. Jessica Scillieri Smith, DVM, with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge will present the project results at meetings as follow:

Tuesday, January 28, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6064 State Route 22, Plattsburgh, N.Y.; register at 518-561-7450 or lsw89@cornell.edu

Wednesday, February 5, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm Classroom, 2043 State Highway 68, Canton, N.Y.; register at 315-379-9192 x227 or bmf9@cornell.edu;

Tuesday, February 11, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 203 N. Hamilton Street, Watertown, N.Y.; register with 315-379-9192 x227 or bmf9@cornell.edu.

Those interested in participating at any of the three sites can also register online at http://stlawrence.cce.cornell.edu/. Registration will assure notification of any date change due to winter weather.

Johne’s disease is a wasting disease of sheep and other ruminant animals. It is contagious, chronic, and usually fatal. The program at each site will include a discussion of the Northern New York survey results, clinical signs, testing and diagnosis, and how to reduce the risk of infection of Johne’s disease. Symptoms of the infection can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases and frequently exist in animals that appear healthy.

“Many producers are unaware of Johne’s disease, but we know it exists in flocks and herds in New York state. Local veterinarians cooperated with this survey by helping with sampling and participating in the New York State Sheep and Goat Health Assurance Program with producers,” said Hodge.


Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more at www.nnyagdev.org.

Click here to read the Surveillance of Johne’s Disease in High Risk Sheep Flocks in NNY, 2019 report.

Filed Under: News & Press Releases

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