Comparing New York Dairy Farm Characteristics, Costs, and Performance Across Four Quartiles of Profitability in 2022

Mary Kate MacKenzie and Jason Karszes 

In 2022, the milk price paid to farms reached a 30-year high, according to data from New York dairy farms participating in the DFBS. These data also show that 2022 was the third most profitable year in the past thirty, after 2014 and 2007. The average rate of return on all assets without appreciation for the same 130 New York dairy farms rose from 4.2 percent in 2021 to 11.6 percent in 2022.2 Despite this increase in average earnings, variation across individual farms was high, and not all farms were profitable in 2022. DFBS data from 2022 provides insight into key measures of productivity, efficiency, and financial performance for New York dairy farms during a year of strong earnings.

Access the full fact sheet authored by PRO-DAIRY business management specialists Mary Kate MacKenzie and Jason Karszes HERE.

PRO-DAIRY is a nationally recognized extension and applied research leader serving dairy farms for more than 30 years.

The Dairy Farm Business Summary & Analysis Project (DFBS) is one of the longest applied research efforts within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University that interacts directly with rural stakeholders of the land grant mission. The DFBS started as a project in 1956 and works with dairy farm families to analyze financial and business performance over time, with the objective to improve business and financial management within the dairy industry using modern analysis techniques and historical farm data. 

New York Employers Must Post Pay Rates in Job Ads

As of September 17, 2023, New York employers with 4 or more employees must post pay information and a brief job description in any advertising about a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity for a job to be performed in the state. The law also applies to job performed out of New York that reports back to a supervisor in New York. In most cases, employers must post a good faith range of pay that describes the upper and lower bounds that an employer is willing to pay for a given job. For example, if a farm is advertising for an equipment operator with some experience, it might advertise a range of $15 to $22 per hour; assuming that an operator with some experience will be above minimum wage but the farm is not willing to pay more that $22 per hour for this position. Employers can also state a simple pay rate such as $16 per hour or $55,000 per year in salary.  Proposed regulations (which are open for comment until November 13 by emailing regulations@labor.ny.gov) for this law indicate that the stated pay rates cannot include any value of benefits such as: tips, insurance, time off, retirement, meals, housing, etc.

Read More Here.

Keep yourself and your crew safe during fall manure handling!

Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that can be released from the breakdown of manure in pits, tanks, and storages. It is heavier than air and can settle into low spots and accumulate in confined spaces. High concentrations can also be released during manure agitation and pumping.

While hydrogen sulfide has a characteristic “rotten egg” smell at trace levels, at dangerous and fatal levels it has destroyed the sense of smell. Thus, odor cannot be used to warn of its presence! The following table, adapted from OSHA, shows health effects associated with hydrogen sulfide concentration.

Ways To Stay Safe

• Review safety with your crew before, and maintain frequent communication during, each job.
• Use personal hydrogen sulfide gas monitors that detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide and alert the wearer of dangerous concentrations. They can be easily purchased for less than $100.
• Set up and stay up wind of a manure storage during agitation and pump-out.
• Never climb inside a pit, tank, or enter a confined space containing manure without the proper training and safety equipment.
• Do not try to rescue someone who has collapsed without self-contained breathed apparatus (SCBA) training and equipment. Sadly, many fatalities associated with hydrogen sulfide include those who were attempting a rescue without SCBA equipment. Instead, try to use blowers or fans to provide fresh air and exhaust the toxic vapors if you can, and call 911.

Original publication: Jason Oliver, CALS Pro-Dairy

Native ‘superfruits’ present opportunities for NY growers, consumers

By Krisy Gashler

Resilient “superfruits” could benefit New York growers by diversifying their crops with native berries and appeal to consumers by offering nutritious new fruit choices.

Four such delectable berries – honeyberry, juneberry, aronia and elderberry – are being studied at Willsboro Research Farm, which is marking the 10-year anniversary of its specialty fruit trials.

These native berries were essential food sources for Native Americans and early European colonists, ripening at different times throughout the growing season. They are vitamin-rich and high in fiber and antioxidants, but somewhere along the way, these fruits were deemed less commercially viable, and the berries found in today’s supermarkets, like strawberry, blueberry and raspberry, became dominant. Now, with climate change and invasive pests threatening those crops, and increased consumer interest in local and unique foods, a handful of entrepreneurial growers and researchers are trying to resurrect these superfruits in New York. 

“If you go to farmers markets, they’re so deficient in fruit, and if you have fruit, you can’t keep it on your table,” said Mike Davis, Willsboro farm manager and principal investigator of the specialty fruit trials. “These superfruits just seem like a beautiful option for growers, from a marketing standpoint, and for consumers, from a nutrition standpoint.”

Read the full article here.

By Krisy Gashler

Ultraviolet light, which has been used successfully to suppress fungal powdery mildew in grapes, strawberries and cucumbers, can also destroy the bacteria that causes devastating fire blight in apples, according to new research from Cornell plant scientists.

In laboratory and orchard field tests conducted over two years at Cornell AgriTech, two nighttime applications of UV light to apple trees in bloom achieved the same effect as the strongest available biopesticides and antibiotics. The UV light even killed strains of antibiotic-resistant Erwinia amylovora, the bacteria that causes fire blight. The results were published Aug. 22 in the journal Phytopathology.

Read the full original article HERE.

Corn Ear Rots and Mycotoxins

By Adrianna Murillo-Williams and Alyssa Collins, Ph.D; Penn State Extension

With corn harvest approaching, the combinations of different weather patterns impacting corn production raise concerns about ear rots, sprouting, and the risk of mycotoxin contamination.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungal pathogens of maize (and other grain crops) that cause ear rots and decrease grain quality and silage. Contamination with mycotoxins occurs in the field when environmental conditions are favorable for disease development. At harvest, grain drying is critical to stop fungal growth and further mycotoxin contamination; however, since mycotoxins are highly stable, drying will not reduce the already existing mycotoxin levels in grain.

It is important to note that not all pathogens that cause ear rots produce mycotoxins. Before managing grain affected by ear rots and mycotoxins, you should correctly identify the type of ear rot(s) impacting your crop. There are many fungal species associated with ear rots. However, there are distinctive characteristics and scouting tips that you can use to identify the causal agent and to know if there is a risk for mycotoxin contamination.



Read More on Southwest Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops website.

Farm Asset Protection Strategies: Safeguarding Agricultural Legacies for Future Generations

Dates: November 14, 2023, November 17, 2023, November 20 - November 21, 2023, November 29 - December 1, 2023

Time: 10am - 2:30pm

Host: CCE CAAHP and CNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Join us for a workshop on farm asset protection to help you preserve long-standing agricultural legacies. In these uncertain times, safeguarding valuable farm assets has become paramount to ensure our farming communities' continued success and sustainability. Each participant will receive written materials and a flash drive containing various resources. Morning refreshments and lunch are included.

CCE Essex County:

https://essex.cce.cornell.edu/events/2023/11/14/farm-asset-protection-strategiessafeguardingagricultural-legacies-for-future-generations 

CCE Orange County:

https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E190538&id=787

CCE Schoharie County:

https://cnydfc.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2244

CCE Saratoga County:

https://caahp.ccext.net/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=180

CCE Oneida County:

https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/FarmAssetProtection_230

CCE Genesee County:

https://nwnyteam.cce.cornell.edu/event.php?id=2248

CCE Broome County:

https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/farmassetprotectionstrategies_203

Questions? Contact the workshop presenters:

Nicole Tommell, Farm Management Specialist with the CNY Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Team

Nt375@cornell.edu or 315-867-6001

Steve Hadcock, Beginning Farmer Specialist with CAAHP

Seh11@cornell.edu or 518-380-1497

2022 National Beef Quality Audit Results

Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist

Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

2022 National Beef Quality Audit Results

By Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist, SWNYDLFC

Prior to the implementation of the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program, there were a high level of condemnations of beef carcasses at processing facilities. This data were quantified in 1991, with $11.99 billion lost in economic opportunities, with inefficiencies costing producers and processors $458/head. Consumers were unhappy with the inconsistencies of the beef on the shelves, while processors were frustrated with deep bruises and tissue lesions from injections. The results of these audits were the basis for the development of the Beef Quality Assurance Program.

The National Beef Quality Audit takes place every 5 years and serves as a check on the industry to ensure that beef quality is continually improving. The data points for this most recent analysis were collected in 2022, and results analyzed in 2023. Two groups of data were collected: One was from large industry buyers (abattoirs to retailers). The second was data on the cattle themselves. The whole country is represented in this analysis, with 30,000 animals evaluated and 130 buyers represented.



Buyers were asked questions about perceptions and progress made in the industry. In 2022, buyers noted that the biggest threat to the industry is environmental concerns and animal activism. This can be addressed by farms taking part in climate conscious rearing including precision feeding and waste management. Animal activism can™t be prevented, but farms can make sure they are doing the best for their animals while always being on the lookout for suspicious people and limit outsiders™ ability to access their livestock. Over 50% of companies interviewed for this audit believe that animal handling encompasses the majority of animal well-being.

Quality of the nation™s fed cattle is the best it™s ever been. When looking at carcass traits, the average yield grade is now 3.3 vs 3.1 a year ago, where the increase means that animals are fattier than they were, but are more lightly muscled. This may be caused by finishing operations chasing the prime market. There was an increase in the number of prime and choice animals and corresponding marbling scores in 2022 vs 2016. Whole animals are now larger, as evidenced by hot carcass weights and bigger ribeye areas.

Read more here.

Evaluating Feeding Management to Boost Cow Productivity

By Camila Lage, Dairy Management Specialist

Have you ever heard the saying, "You can't manage what you can't measure"? Well, I had, and not too long ago, I had a firsthand experience that reinforced it. Last March, I sought guidance from my dietitian, Carla, to help me refine my eating habits. She prescribed me a diet plan, and I was excited to implement it. However, as weeks passed, I noticed clothes fitting more snugly, and I felt heavier. I couldn't understand it. I had diligently followed the diet plan, consisting of all the right foods. I scheduled a new consultation and shared my weight gain concerns with Carla. She did not seem concerned and asked me to do something seemingly simple - use a kitchen scale and a food app to track everything I consumed. Over the next few weeks, I logged every meal, snack, and drink. Not surprisingly, I had followed the plan, but my portion sizes were WAY OFF. I had been underestimating the quantity of what I was eating. "Eyeballing" my portion sizes tricked me. This experience was a humbling reminder that even someone studying animal nutrition and feeding management for so long can overlook the importance of accurate measurements.

But what does this have to do with cows?

Similarly, in my experience, even the more experienced feeders can be deceived by gradual shifts in forage composition, equipment wear, and other factors. We often say that there are three diets on a farm:

1) The formulated: Formulated by the nutritionist with available ingredients to meet cows' requirements.

2) The mixed and delivered diet: Subjected to daily variation due to human error, equipment problems, daily forage variations, weather, and other issues. If following best practices in feeding management, it should be as similar as possible to the one formulated.

3) The Diet Consumed by Cows: Like humans, cows also have preferences when it comes to eating. If the TMR is not well mixed or cows can sort it out, the composition of the diet consumed by each cow will vary. In addition to not being sortable, for cows to eat the formulated diet, they also need good access to the feed bunk, fresh feed, and feed they can reach available for at least 22 hours/day.

Our goal is to minimize the variation between those three diets, and the best way to evaluate it is to perform a systematic assessment of the feeding process. This can be done periodically (perhaps annually or as necessary) when you are training a new feeder or whenever you think there is a problem with the feeding management. This is often called a feeding assessment, which encompasses having an outside person observe and evaluate various aspects of feeding management and cow productivity, including infrastructure, equipment, feeding ingredients, feed bunk, and cow behavior.

Read More Here.

Are you thinking about starting a small farm? Do you already have a farm that you're looking to expand? Invest in your professional development and you'll see the returns in your business. Cornell Small Farms Program offers in-person trainings, workshops, and online courses for aspiring, new and experienced farmers.

Some options are listed below, and you can read more and enroll HERE.

BF 120: Vegetable Production I

From Planning to Planting

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Eastern) from November 6 – December 11.

BF 122: Berry Production

Getting Started with Growing and Marketing Berries

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Tuesdays from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Eastern) from November 7 – December 12. 

BF 130: Poultry Production

Profiting from Layers, Broilers, Turkeys, and Ducks

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Tuesdays from 6:00 – 7:30 PM (Eastern) from October 31 – December 5. 

BF 138: Getting Started with Pastured Pigs

Developing a Successful Farm Business with Pigs

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (Eastern) from September 20 – October 25.

BF 150: Farm Woodlot Management

Assessing the Economic Potential of a Managed Forest

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from October 30 – December 4.

BF 151: Outdoor Mushroom Cultivation

Growing Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps, and Woodchips

• Offered live for 6-weeks on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from November 1 – December 6.

BF 152: Intro to Maple Syrup Production

Sugaring for Profit

• In 2023, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Thursdays from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Eastern) from November 2 – December 14 (with November 23 off for Thanksgiving). 

BF 157: Cut Flower Production

Introduction to the Business of Flower Farming

• In 2023, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from October 30 – December 4. 

CCE Steuben partners with Finger Lakes PRISM to monitor Spotted Lantern Fly (SLF) Early Detection Traps throughout our region. Temperatures have finally dropped low enough to wrap up the trapping season. SLF are still active until the first hard frost!

Up through mid-October no positive SLF detections occurred across throughout the Finger Lakes PRISM network. Our network consists of over 200 traps! Check out the map of our coverage above. Unfortunately, for the first time in November, a breeding population of SLF was confirmed in Monroe County. Read more about this finding and how the USDA is tackling it here.

Be on the lookout for SLF egg masses. They will lay them on any solid surfaces such as cars, trees, lawn furniture, and playsets. You can scrape and destroy the egg masses directly by smashing or burning or by placing them in doubled sealable bags or in alcohol. The fewer eggs masses that overwinter, the fewer SLF entering into the population next year!

For information on the wider NYS distribution and findings, check out the Integrated Pest Management's Spotted Lanternfly Distribution Map HERE.

Senator Rachel May Presents NYS Commendation Award to Doctors Powell, Maynard

Researchers honored for groundbreaking American chestnut tree research

Two researchers from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) were honored for their decades-long work to restore the American chestnut tree by New York State Senator Rachel May. Drs. William Powell and Charles Maynard were recognized with the New York State Commendation Award in a ceremony Oct. 25, 2023.

The American Chestnut once dominated the landscape of the eastern United States until a fungus from Asia killed over 3 billion chestnut trees within a few decades. Powell and Maynard’s initial research of the American Chestnut’s “functional extinction” turned into a decades-long project to restore the majestic tree. The American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project at ESF hopes to continue restoration of the tree following completion of the regulatory process.

“We recognize Dr. Charles Maynard and Dr. William Powell today for their work to bring back the American Chestnut tree,” said May. “With their innovative and forward-looking project, they will enhance the lives of generations to come. As these trees thrive and restore our forest, they will give life and habitat to numerous species, and we will enjoy their beauty and the many other benefits they’ll bring. Congratulations on your accomplishments, and it’s an honor to present you with the New York State Commendation Award.”



“We are exceptionally proud of the work Doctors Powell and Maynard have done to restore the American chestnut tree to the landscape,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “Their work is a testament to the power of science, perseverance, and a deep commitment to preserving the natural beauty of our world. We congratulate them on being honored with the New York State Senate Commendation Award, recognizing their outstanding contributions to the restoration of a cherished part of our shared heritage.”

The American chestnut tree had various uses, serving as both a food source and traditional medicine for Native Americans, with its nuts being a significant economic resource in North America, often roasted and sold during the Christmas season. Additionally, the tree's wood was highly prized, known for its straight grain, strength, and resistance to decay, making it valuable for furniture, fences, construction, and various wood products. At the same time, tannins from its bark were used in leather tanning. Notably, "wormy" chestnut wood, featuring insect damage from blight-killed trees, became popular for its rustic character. However, the tree was not favored as a patio shade tree due to its prolific and nuisance-causing droppings, including catkins in spring, spiny nut pods in the fall, and leaves in early winter.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.

Picture: from left, NYS Senator Rachel May, Dr. Andrew Newhouse, Linda McGuigan, ESF President Joanie Mahoney. Newhouse and McGuigan accepted the award on Drs. Powell and Maynard's behalf.

Original Publication: powell_maynard_honored (esf.edu)

What's Bugging You?

Join Live, on the first Friday of every month from Noon to 12:30 EST on Zoom.

Each month, experts will share practical information and answer questions on using integrated pest management (IPM) to avoid pest problems and promote a healthy environment where you live, work, learn and play. We’ll end with an IPM Minute and cover a specific action you can take in the next few days to help you avoid pest problems.

2023 Schedule:

• November 3: Winter Garden prep | Tick check reminder
• December 1: Houseplant IPM | Firewood pests

Register for 2023 Events Here. Watch the past Event presentations Here.

Gene Discovery May Help Growers Battle Grape Downy Mildew

By Erin Rodger College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Researchers at Cornell have discovered a new grape downy mildew resistance gene – giving the wine and grape industry a powerful new tool to combat this devastating disease.

“Of the downy mildew resistance genes found in the world to date, this is one of the strongest,” said Lance Cadle-Davidson, adjunct professor in the School of Integrative Plant Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a research plant pathologist with the USDA’s Grape Genetics Research Unit in Geneva. “The discovery could help breeders develop more resistant grape varieties.”

Caused by the fungus Plasmopara viticola, grape downy mildew (GDM) is one of the most damaging grape diseases in the Eastern United States. Grape clusters are highly susceptible after the vines finish blooming, and late-season infections can defoliate vines right when the berries are trying to ripen. This damages maturation, winter hardiness and eventually crop return.

Read the full article HERE.

Cornell Small Farms

Cut Flower Production: Introduction to the Business of Flower Farming

Growing and Selling Flowers

Fields of flowers are dreamy and bursting with joyful color, but unless you have background knowledge on production techniques and a solid plan for selling them, those flowers can be more costly than profitable or enjoyable. This course will introduce you to the topics, resources and questions you'll need to answer if you intend to operate a flower farm or add flower production as one component of an established business.

Target Audience

Aspiring/Beginner - if you have 0-2 seasons of experience growing flowers for commercial sale, this course was designed for you.

Webinar Schedule

In 2023, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Mondays from 6:30 – 8:00 PM (Eastern) from October 30 – December 4. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely, and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. Join us!

Click Here for More Information & To Register!