Forages

ForagesHigh yields of high-quality forage are vital to the dairy and livestock industries. Feed-costs are often half of a farm's business expenses each year. This page contains resources and information to help farmers better manage silage, hay, and pastures. 

FORAGES CATEGORIES




2023 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - wk of May 30

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 1, 2023

2023 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - wk of May 22

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 23, 2023

2023 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - wk of May 15

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 18, 2023

2023 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - wk of May 8

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2023

2023 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa-Grass Progress Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 4, 2023

Hay and Pasture School 2023

Last Modified: March 31, 2023

USDA AG Census

Last Modified: March 20, 2023

Fall Burndown Weed Control Options

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 1, 2022

Harvesting and Pricing Variable Maturity Corn Silage in 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 1, 2022

NC Weather Summary April - July 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 1, 2022

Ear to Ground - July 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 18, 2022

A New NYS Farm Directory Launches June 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 1, 2022

Late postemergence herbicide applications in field corn: How tall is too tall?

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 1, 2022

2022 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Progress Report - June 1 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 1, 2022

2022 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa-Grass Report - May 25 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 25, 2022

Burndown herbicide options in no till soybeans

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 24, 2022

New York State's Ambitious Plans to Address Climate Change - The Climate Leaders

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 24, 2022

2022 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Progress Report - May 18 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 18, 2022

2022 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Progress Report - May 11 2022

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 11, 2022

2022 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Progress Report - May 4 2022 Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 4, 2022

Last Minute Prep for 2022 Spring Crops

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 1, 2022

Spring planting season is fast approaching, but there's time for some last-minute preparations. While we always prioritize efficient use of fertilizers, seed and other inputs, 2022 pricing and availability puts and extra importance on this strategy. How many items can you cross off this to-do list?


Planting Enlist E3 soybeans in 2022?

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 1, 2022

Are you planting Enlist E3 soybeans in 2022?  If so, one of the tools in the weed control toolbox will be the option to use one of the two registered 2,4-D choline herbicides for use on Enlist E3 soybeans.  In January 2022, the EPA approved a seven-year registration of Enlist One and Enlist Duo herbicides.  Enlist One and Enlist Duo are the only 2,4-D choline herbicides registered for over-the-top use in 2,4-D tolerant soybeans.  Enlist E3 soybeans are also tolerant to the over-the-top application of both glyphosate (Roundup) and glufosinate (Liberty) herbicides.


Spring 2022 Weather Outlook

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 1, 2022

We begin the 2022 growing season in NNY with no drought classifications, for a welcome change. Our snow has mostly melted and soil frost is on the decline. The North Country is a tiny bit behind normal soil moisture as of this date in late March, but the deficit is small. March temperatures have been just a bit warmer than average so far.


Nitrogen Credit for a Winter Rye Cover Crop - Every Little Bit Helps

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: March 1, 2022

With fertilizer prices continuing to rise to unprecedented highs, we've spent a lot of time and pencil lead working out strategies to stretch that budget line as much as possible this spring.


When does it make sense for a livestock farm to grow annual forages?

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 8, 2022

CCE PMEP's Outreach Arm Launches a New Name and Website

Last Modified: November 8, 2021

Fertilizer Prices Trend Upward in Late 2021 …and Into 2022?

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: November 8, 2021

Seed Corn Maggot, Stand Losses and the Need for Insecticide Seed Treatments

Last Modified: November 8, 2021

2021 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring June 1, 2021

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 2, 2021

2021 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa & Grass Quality Monitor May 24, 2021

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 25, 2021

2021 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa‐Grass Quality Monitor-May 17, 2021

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 18, 2021

2021 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa-Grass Quality Monitor May 10, 2021

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 11, 2021

Improve Pastures and Hay Fields by Overseeding Perennial Forage Grasses and Legu

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2021

Short on Hay This Spring?

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2021

2021 North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa‐Grass Quality Monitor

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 7, 2021

Managing Corn Rootworm in NY to delay Bt resistance (& save seed costs)

Last Modified: February 2, 2021

Don't Ignore Marestail this Fall

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 1, 2020

Weed Control in Grass Hayfields

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 1, 2020

Hay or Ney

Casey Havekes, Dairy Management
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 14, 2020

Emergency Forage Options for NNY 2020

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 23, 2020

NNY Receives Official "Abnormally Dry" Classification, May 19, 2020

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 29, 2020

Dicamba tolerant soybeans without dicamba

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 5, 2020

2020 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 2 June Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 3, 2020

2020 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 26 May Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 28, 2020

2020 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 18 May Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 20, 2020

2020 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 11 May Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 13, 2020

Burndown herbicide options in no till soybeans and corn

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 8, 2020

Interim Guidance for Horticulture

Last Modified: May 8, 2020

NNYADP: New Way to Apply Biocontrol Nematodes

Last Modified: May 8, 2020

Potential Pitfalls of Growing Soybean after Soybean

Last Modified: May 8, 2020

Young Farm Entrepreneur Applying NNYADP Biocontrol Research Results

Last Modified: May 8, 2020

2020North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 4 May Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 6, 2020

Guidance for the Horticulture Industry

Kelsey O'Shea, Agriculture Business Development
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 28, 2020
Guidance for the Horticulture Industry

Report Seedcorn Maggot and Wireworm Damage: WE NEED YOUR INPUT

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 28, 2020
Report Seedcorn Maggot and Wireworm Damage:  WE NEED YOUR INPUT

How to Manange COVID-19 Risks on Dairy Farms

Last Modified: March 19, 2020

Hemp Update 2020

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: March 5, 2020

Dairy Farming Abroad!

Kelsey O'Shea, Agriculture Business Development
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: March 4, 2020

Soybean Cyst Nematode Now Confirmed in Six Additional Counties in New York

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 5, 2020

Growing Hemp in NYS

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 4, 2020

Marketing and Processing Hemp in NYS

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 4, 2020

Ear to Ground November 20,2019

Last Modified: December 9, 2019

Winter Grain Crop Insurance Deadline

Kelsey O'Shea, Agriculture Business Development
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: December 9, 2019

Beginning Producer Benefits for Crop Insurance

Last Modified: October 2, 2019

Marestail in the fall

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 2, 2019

PRODAIRY e-Alert Bunker and Silo Safety

Lindsay Ferlito, Dairy Management
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 2, 2019
PRODAIRY e-Alert Bunker and Silo Safety

Silage Rule Change

Kelsey O'Shea, Agriculture Business Development
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 9, 2019

Apps in Ag

Last Modified: June 24, 2019

Late Summer Seedings

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 24, 2019

Wet Spring Can Impact Forage Quality for Entire Year

Last Modified: June 24, 2019

Chemical Free Weed Control in Pasture and Hay

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 19, 2019

Pasture Improvements

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 19, 2019

Sneaky PAsture Weeds

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 19, 2019

2019 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 3 June 2019 Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 5, 2019

2019 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 28 May 2019 Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 30, 2019

2019 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 21 May 2019 Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 22, 2019

2019 North Country 1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring - 14 May 2019 Report

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 16, 2019

Assess Alfalfa, Winter Cereal and Grass Stands for Spring Reseeding Decisions

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2019

North Country 1st Cutting Alfalfa‐Grass Quality Monitor

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2019

Biological Control of Alfalfa Snout Beetle: An Update after a Decade of Nematode

Last Modified: April 16, 2019

Paraquat Certified Applicator Training to Prevent Poisonings Now Available

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 16, 2019

Rye Cover Crop Termination 2019

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 16, 2019

Exploring Industrial Hemp Production in New York

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 9, 2019

What are Mycorrhizae and Should They Factor into Your Crop Management Plans?

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 5, 2019

You can Never be too prepared for an Emergency

Lindsay Ferlito, Dairy Management
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 5, 2019

Get to Know Herbicide Sites of Action

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: December 4, 2018

New Online Crop Maturity Planning Tool

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: December 4, 2018

2018 Feed Dealer Seminars

Tatum Langworthy, Sr. Administrative Assistant
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 17, 2018

Northern Corn Leaf Blight in Northern New York

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 6, 2018

2018: Bunker Silo Safety Reminder from OSHA

Kim Morrill, Dairy Management
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: August 24, 2018

Alfalfa Weevils: The Early Alfalfa Pest

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 11, 2018

1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring, June 4, 2018

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 7, 2018

1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring, May 29, 2018

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 31, 2018

1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring, May 21, 2018

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 22, 2018

1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring, May 14, 2018

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 17, 2018

1st Cut Alfalfa Height Monitoring, May 7, 2018

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 9, 2018

Alfalfa Seeding Rates Revisted

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 2, 2018
Alfalfa Seeding Rates Revisted

Key Oportunities to Optimize 2018 Crop Production Efficiency

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 2, 2018
Key Oportunities to Optimize 2018 Crop Production Efficiency

Residential Agricultural Discount Application

Lindsay Ferlito, Dairy Management
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 2, 2018

When Planting Goes Wrong....

Kelsey O'Shea, Agriculture Business Development
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: April 2, 2018
When Planting Goes Wrong....

Prevented Planting & Replant Provisions in Crop Insurance

NNY Western Bean Cutworm Count 2017

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 6, 2018

NNY Western Bean Cutworm Moth Trap Summary

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: February 6, 2018

2017 NYS & VT Corn Silage Trial Data Tables

Last Modified: November 27, 2017

We received the rest of the data back from Cumberland Valley Analytical Services today and I am attaching a preliminary report containing the data tables and basic information on the trials. We will be working on analyzing the data from predicted milk yields with the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS) model in the coming weeks and will provide a full report with that information once complete.

Alfalfa Snout Beetle - Hunting Season is Now Open

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 24, 2017

Don't Ignore Marestail!

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: October 24, 2017

Don't Ignore Marestail...

2017 NY Farmer Heavy Rainfall Survey

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: September 6, 2017

Potato Leafhopper

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: July 17, 2017

Planting BMR Brachytic Dwarf Sorghum in NNY

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 9, 2017

Final Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - June 6, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 7, 2017
Final Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - June 6, 2017

NYS Regist. Insecticides for Armyworm/Cereal Leaf Beetle on Multiple Field Crops

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 7, 2017

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 30, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 31, 2017
Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 30, 2017

2016 North Country Drought in the Rearview?

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 30, 2017

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 23, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 24, 2017
Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 23, 2017

The May 23 Alfalfa Height Report shows that some alfalfa-grass fields are ready for mowing now. About half of the fields with 50% grass or more were at or beyond ideal NDF according to the graph above (above the line). They should be mowed ASAP for best quality. Again, once fields are past their prime send them to the bottom of the mowing order and prioritize fields where quality is still high. Go back to the declining fields later, as time permits.

The forecast for the next week most of the North Country is not good for attempting to make dry hay. It may well be too wet for haylage and balage too, in many areas.

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 16, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 17, 2017
Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 16, 2017

Weather is beginning to warm but alfalfa and grass continued to grow slowly this past week, due to cool temps and cloudy skies. On average, alfalfa heights are still ahead of this week in 2016 (15.4" vs 14.3" in 2016). Some orchardgrass fields at lower elevations in Lewis and Jefferson were headed this week, while others to the north had heads still down near the soil surface. Once fields are past their prime (grasses first) send them to the bottom of the mowing order. Prioritize fields where quality is still high, then go back to the rest.

With this wet weather delay, consider skipping new hay seedings this spring to move directly on to corn planting. Hay fields can still be seeded in late summer, but corn has to be planted ASAP.
Monitor grass fields and winter cereals closely as we are at or near optimal cutting time - they could be ready now or may head quickly with the warmer, drier weather. Be sure to mow at a height of no less than 4" above soil surface and below grass heads.

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 9, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 10, 2017
Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 9, 2017

The May 9th Alfalfa Height Report is attached. Alfalfa and grass have both grown slowly this week, due to cool temps and cloudy skies. Alfalfa heights are still ahead of where they were this week in 2016, however. Many fields again had standing water this week from heavy rains from May 2 to 9. Once fields are past their prime (grasses first) send them to the bottom of the mowing order. Prioritize fields where quality is still high, then go back to the rest. Consider storing lower quality 1st cut separately, to optimize its use with non-lactating animals.
With this wet weather delay, consider skipping new hay seedings this spring to move directly on to corn planting. Hay fields can still be seeded in late summer, but corn has to be planted ASAP.
Monitor winter cereals closely - they may head quickly when we get some warmer, drier weather, making optimal harvest even more difficult.

Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 2, 2017

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 5, 2017
Alfalfa Height Monitoring Report - May 2, 2017

We are seeing differences among monitored fields. Check your fields! It is important to get out and measure alfalfa heights in your own fields to help judge rate of growth and maturity for best timing of 1st cutting.

Alfalfa and grass have both grown quickly over the past couple of weeks, but growth is likely to slow down during the coming week due to low forecasted temperatures. 

2017 Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management Now Available

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: December 28, 2016
2017 Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management Now Available

The 2017 edition of the Cornell Guide for Integrated Field Crop Management is now available. This annual publication provides up-to-date field crop production information for New York State. It is designed as a practical guide for field crop producers, crop consultants, ag chemical dealers, and others who advise field crop producers.

2016 Cornell Corn Silage Variety Trial Results

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: December 16, 2016

In 2016, Cornell's Corn Silage Hybrid Testing Program returned to New York State after a 2-year hiatus. Cornell Cooperative Extension, the Pro-Dairy Program and Cornell's Plant Breeding and Genetics Department collaborated to organize and implement the 2016 trials. The objective of these variety comparisons is to provide independent, unbiased evaluation of commercial corn silage hybrids available in New York State. The variety trial provides farmers, seed corn companies and university personnel with information on the relative performance of corn hybrids grown under NY climate and soil types.

Emergency Forage Options for NNY

Last Modified: July 31, 2016

Field Crops, Forages, and Soil Info for NNY

NNY Ear to the Ground

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: June 28, 2016

Pricing Standing Hay

Last Modified: June 7, 2016
Pricing Standing Hay

Alfalfa Height Monitoring

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 20, 2016
Alfalfa Height Monitoring

Ear to the Ground

Kitty O'Neil, Team Leader, Field Crops & Soils Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: May 20, 2016

Be on the Lookout for Horseweed...A.K.A Marestail

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: March 25, 2016
Be on the Lookout for Horseweed...A.K.A Marestail

Be on the Lookout for Horseweed...A.K.A Marestail

How will El Nino Impact our Crops in 2016?

Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist
North Country Regional Ag Team

Last Modified: March 19, 2016

What is this El Nino and how is it going to affect our crops...

Can value be added to Holstein bull calves?

Last Modified: December 9, 2015
Can value be added to Holstein bull calves?

With favorable market conditions, it can be profitable raising dairy beef. 



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Announcements

NNYADP Biocontrol Research: Protocols Now Easier for Farmers and Applicators

Press Release: May 2, 2023
Link: https://nnyagdev.org/index.php/2023/05/02/nnyadp-biocontrol-research-protocols-now-easier-for-farmers-applicator/
Photo, contacts: see below

NNYADP Biocontrol Research: Protocols Now Easier for Farmers and Applicators

Plattsburgh, New York. The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has announced the development of new protocols that make the use of New York-native persistent biocontrol nematodes for crop pest management easier for farms and custom applicators. The research developed a protocol for the mass-rearing and delivery of the persistent biocontrol nematodes and extended their shelf-life in a holding solution prior to field application.

"This research has expanded the use of persistent biocontrol nematodes as a nature-based method that helps reduce populations of alfalfa snout beetle, corn rootworm, and berry weevils that have the potential for costly economic damage, and reached significant milestones in making the application of persistent biocontrol nematodes more convenient for farmers and applicators," said NNYADP Co-Chair and dairy farmer Joseph Giroux, Plattsburgh, New York.

The new protocols developed by entomologist Elson Shields and research support specialist Tony Testa include a new liquid-based formulation that requires less water and less sawdust and achieves optimal ventilation and oxygenation with heat and humidity control for the mass-rearing of the persistent biocontrol nematodes.

The rearing technique developed earlier by Shields and Testa allows the northern New York-native persistent biocontrol nematode strains to retain their genetic ability to persist in soil for multiple years.

The researchers successfully used the new formulation to rear persistent biocontrol nematodes for application to 3,350 acres in field trials on farms in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties in the spring and fall of 2022.

Seven farms participated in the on-farm application trials. Two commercial applicators evaluated the new field delivery and application methods.

"As a result of this Northern New York Agricultural Development Program research over time, I started my own persistent biocontrol nematode rearing lab in 2016. As a result of the field trials in 2022, I have adopted the new rearing and delivery protocols, which are more convenient, less costly, and less labor-intensive," said Mary DeBeer of DeBeer Agri-Service, Moira, New York.

Ron DeBeer of DeBeer Seed and Spraying assisted the field applications for the NNYADP project in 2022.

"As part of the persistent biocontrol nematodes field research in 2022, we applied to some fields that had had period infestation by alfalfa snout beetle and are now in a corn rotation. The much-improved delivery method and extended holding capacity allowed us much more flexibility in applying around the local weather constraints," said Dean Wheeler of D&D Spray Service, Mannsville, New York.

Over time, northern New York farm fields treated with the persistent biocontrol nematodes for management of alfalfa snout beetle began to show their impact on corn rootworm populations.

Subsequent research supported by the NNYADP, other funders, and farmers themselves has extended the use or trials of the persistent biocontrol nematodes to multiple crops in states nationwide.

The "Developing a Farmer/Applicator-Friendly Persistent Biocontrol Nematodes Formulation for Field Application" is posted at www.nnyagdev.org.

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

Photo attached or available: Dean Wheeler, right, and A.J. Goblewski of D&D Spray Service, Mannsville, NY, assisted NNYADP-funded research in 2022, evaluating the ease of new protocols for the delivery and application of persistent biocontrol nematodes. Photo: NNYADP

MEDIA CONTACTS:
. NNYADP Co-Chairs Jon Greenwood: 315-386-3231; Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523;
 Jon Rulfs, 518-572-1960
. NNYADP Coordinator Michele Ledoux: 315-376-5270, mel14@cornell.edu
. NNYADP Publicist Kara Lynn Dunn: 315-465-7578, karalynn@gisco.net




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