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Dates Set for NNY Dairy Institute |
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Written by Contributor
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Thursday, 10 September 2009 09:41 |
Dates Set for Northern NY Dairy Institute’s 1st Course in Malone, Watertown, Lowville, Chazy & Canton
Northern New York - Dairy educators in New
York’s six northern counties are saying now is the time for dairy
owners and employees to refresh, improve or learn new dairy
herdsmanship skills. The new Northern NY Dairy Institute – coordinated
by Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of Northern New York and
WH Miner Institute with funding from the NY Center for Dairy
Excellence, Cornell University’s PRO-Dairy Program and support from
Morrisville and Alfred State Colleges, agribusinesses and the Northern
New York Agricultural Development Program – is set to offer dairy
skills training courses for dairy owners and employees starting in
early October.
Why now?
“Given the current economic climate, dairy operators may be asking,
‘Why I should give up time from the farm for improving my dairy
skills?’ The answer is because, even in this most difficult time, it
makes sense to invest in your farm by pursuing training or upgrading
the basic dairy herdsmanship skills that will empower every dairy farm
to operate at its very best,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Jefferson County Dairy and Livestock Educator Ron Kuck.
Kuck adds that the courses also qualify for FSA borrower credits.
“The newly established Northern NY Dairy Institute has come along at
the right time to help dairy operators address the most important
aspects of their business,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of
Franklin County Executive Director Carl Tillinghast. “Even the most
skilled farmers can benefit from reviewing the essentials and learning
the latest techniques.”
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County Executive Director Anita
Deming says, “During times of crisis, people may not feel they have
time to do anything extra or to consider how new approaches might help
their situation. This is the time when this type of training can be
most valuable.”
“We are pleasantly surprised here in Clinton County at the number of
farmers already expressing interest in the Northern NY Dairy Institute
training opportunity,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton
County Executive Director Amy Ivy.
“The farmers who have taken this type of training in Lewis County in
the past report cost savings, improved crop quality and milk
production, and profits,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis
County Dairy Educator Frans Vokey. “This training is excellent for both
dairy owners and their employees.”
“The Northern NY Dairy Institute Dairy Skills Training program will be
accessible to farmers across Northern New York withclassroom plus
hands-on learning opportunities taught by Extension educators and dairy
industry professionals,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of St.
Lawrence County Ag Program Leader Brent Buchanan.
Institute participants can earn a certificate or college credits from Morrisville or Alfred state colleges.
The first course of the Northern NY Dairy Institute will focus on dairy
cow reproduction management. The course is scheduled to begin in five
locations:
- October 5 in
Malone: Franklin County Emergency Services Building, 55 Barehill Road –
course will run 1-4pm every Monday thereafter for six weeks total
- October 6:
Watertown, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, 203 N.
Hamilton Street – course will run 12-3pm every Tuesday thereafter for
six weeks total
- October 7:
Lowville, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, 5274 Outer
Stowe Street – course will run 12-3pm every Wednesday thereafter for
six weeks total
- October 7 in
Chazy: WH Miner Institute Dairy Barn Classroom, 1034 Miner Farm Road –
course will run 1-4pm every Wednesday thereafter for six weeks total
- October 7 in
Canton: Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Learning
Farm, 2043 State Highway 68 – course will run 7-10pm every Wednesday
for six weeks total.
Registration deadline is September 22, 2009. Contact local Cornell Cooperative Extension offices for more details.
Future courses will focus on the biology and management of producing
quality milk; calf management; dairy financial management; feeds and
feeding practices; herdsmanship, herd health and lameness; transition
cows; manure management; and utilizing Dairy Comp 305 to efficiently
manage cows and maximize profits. # # #
Contacts:
Northern NY Dairy Institute Co-coordinators:
- Ron Kuck, CCE Jefferson County, 315-788-8450
- Wanda Emerich, WH Miner Institute, 518-846-7121 x117
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Contacts for Northern NY Dairy Institute:
- Clinton County: Amy Ivy, 518-561-7450
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Essex County: Anita Deming, 518-962-4810 x409
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Franklin County: Carl Tillinghast, 518-483-7403
- Jefferson County: Ron Kuck, 315-788-8450
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Lewis County: Frans Vokey, 315-376-5270
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St. Lawrence County: Brent Buchanan, 315-379-9192
NY Center for Dairy Excellence: www.nycde.org
Cornell University PRO-Dairy: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/
Northern New York Agricultural Development Program: nnyagdev.org
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Last Updated on Thursday, 10 September 2009 10:00 |
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