Search Results for: extension

  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.

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.

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

 

 

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

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.