PRESS RELEASE: November 28, 2006
Contact: NNYADP Co-Chairs Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231, and Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523
NNYADP Project Coordinator R. David Smith, Cornell University, 607-255-7286

Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Announces Farm Research Projects for 2007

Projects for enhancing the production of dairy, maple, grapes, and field crops; evaluating options for producing biofuel crops, increasing agricultural environmental stewardship and winning the battle against the alfalfa snout beetle are all receiving funding from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program for 2007.

NNYADP Co-Chair Jon Greenwood, Canton, says, �The range of projects receiving funding show the diversity of agriculture in the North Country and the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program�s interest in strengthening our traditional sectors of dairy, crops and maple production as well as our interest in enhancing opportunities for new enterprises associated with producing fruit and biofuel crops.�

NNYADP Co-Chair Joe Giroux, Plattsburgh, says, �The agricultural industry must constantly be developing new ways to reduce costs, improve profits and gain a competitive edge. The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program provides the funding and resources necessary to test new ideas under our unique climate, soils and conditions on local farms and at our regional agricultural research stations. The projects result in practical information that can be applied by farmers throughout the North Country.�

The Northern New York Development Program supports agricultural research, demonstrations and outreach in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties with the goal of enhancing agricultural productivity and profitability while protecting the region�s soil, water and other environmental resources. The Program�s 32-farmer advisory committee reviews grant request proposals and selects projects for funding. The projects join the resources, expertise and experience of Cornell University faculty, Cornell Cooperative Extension educators and regional farmers to solve problems and maximize opportunities for New York�s North Country�s agricultural industry.

Projects receiving funding for work in 2007 include:

Dairy Herd Management
- How Dairy Cow Footbath Treatments Affect Manure Storage Ecology
  and Crops
- What are the Factors Affecting Milk Component Production and
   Profits in NNY Dairy Herds
- Identifying the Transmission and Control Points for Klebsiella Mastitis
   in Dairy Cows

Integrated Pest Management: Alfalfa Snout Beetle (ASB)
- Biological Control with Nematodes
- Breeding ASB-Resistant Alfalfa Varieties

Agricultural Environmental Management
- Whole Farm Nutrient Balance for NNY Dairy Farms
- Precise Nitrogen Management for Corn
- Nitrogen Needs For Corn After Grass-Legume Sod
- Phosphorus Losses from Tile Drains
- Expanding Soil Health Assessment in NNY

Biofuels/Grass-Based Agriculture
- Evaluating Warm Season Grasses for Biofuel Production in NNY

Field Crop Production and Improvement
- Corn Silage Hybrid Trials in Northern New York
- Corn Grain Hybrid Testing Program for Northern NY
- Cereal Variety Trials for Grain and Straw
- New Cropping Options for Organic Grain in NNY
- NNY Variety Trials for Forage and Food-Grade Soybeans

Maple Production: Improving the Growth of Sugar Maples in NNY

Fruit Production: Cold Hardy Wine Grape Cultivar Trial

For more information on the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, go online to www.nnyagdev.org; or contact NNYADP Co-Chairs Jon Greenwood, 315-386-3231 and Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523; or Program Coordinator R. David Smith, Cornell University, 607-255-7286. # # #

Photo/jpg options � request your choice from karalynn@gisco.net, 315-465-7578
Dairy Herd Management: MinerCowFootbath.jpg � Research at Miner Institute in Chazy, NY, into how dairy cow footbath treatments affect crop yields, soil and water resources is one of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program projects that jointly addresses farm production and environmental stewardship.

Integrated Pest Management for Alfalfa Snout Beetle: ASBeetle.jpg: Northern New York farmers and NNYADP researchers are beginning to see success in the battle against the alfalfa snout beetle.

Crop Production and Agricultural Environmental Management
PNMCornMHunter.jpg � Field Crops Educator Mike Hunter of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County collects soil samples on Mike Kiechle�s farm to assess precision nitrogen management results.

Maple Production: UihleinClass2.jpg � School children who tour the Uihlein Maple Research Station near Lake Placid each year learn about the latest NNYADP-supported research for improving the North Country�s maple industry  # # #