Dairy

Budgeting and proposing operational changes to or with senior management
By Jason Karszes
On more and more dairy farms every year, employees play integral roles in day-to-day operations, decision making, and problem solving. In these roles, ideas for changes to operations and for capital investments are generated. While these ideas might be quite important to the middle manager for their area, across the farm other opportunities in support of the overall priorities and mission of the farm also need to be considered.
Proposing change to the leadership of the farm, or as part of the leadership team, is typically an essential step to improve farm operations. Developing proposals in support of the change can help with identifying all the potential risks and returns and decision-making by the senior management team. Several key areas to address in the proposal are laid out below.
Udder Trouble in the Fall
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Fall weather can bring daily temperature fluctuations that can affect your cow's udder health. Check out this article to learn more so your farm doesn't fall into "udder trouble".
Sharing PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Market Watch resource
Kate McDonald Polakiewicz, Farm Business Management
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

In case you aren't aware of this resource, PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Market Watch provides monthly information and analysis of Northeast dairy market trends. Just released are the July 2025 data.
Welcoming Kate, our Farm Business Management Specialist
Kate McDonald Polakiewicz, Farm Business Management
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Kate McDonald Polakiewicz has joined our team as Farm Business Management Specialist and will be offering programming in financial management, production economics, business planning, and market analysis.
Guidance for Manure Applications on Prevented Planting Acres
Many acres across New York were unable to be planted to corn, soybeans or new perennial forages due to extended wet conditions during this spring's planting season, resulting in several crop insurance claims. Check out this guidance for manure applications on prevented planting acreage for farms under CAFO permit and/or following a CNMP.
What's Moo with Cornell Research: Colostrum
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Check out what's 'moo' from the Cornell Vet School dairy research team! This article summarizes their two recently published articles on colostrum in the Journal of Dairy Science Communications.
Pricing Corn Silage - Preliminary Fall 2025 Estimates

You might think it's too early to talk about corn silage harvest, but this season's challenges have many re-evaluating plans. Preliminary estimates from John Hanchar, NWNYDLFC, put the corn silage price at approximately $63 per ton. These early estimates can support informed decision-making as cropping and forage strategies shift.
Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Lab - A Resource for NYS Livestock Farmers
Amy Barkley, Team Leader & Livestock Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

As part of its mission, Cornell's Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) offers valuable diagnostic services to New York State livestock producers. They can evaluate freshly dead animals, blood, and tissue samples to determine the cause of illness or death in your herd or flock.
Reflections from the 2025 American Dairy Science Association Conference
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Take a moment to read my reflections from the 2025 ADSA conference, where I explored research on calf health, robotic milking, and farmer-led education—and how these ideas and more could benefit dairy farms in Southwest NY.
Meet John, our Team's Summer Field Technician

We're excited to have John on our team for this summer as we work around the region! If you see him out and about, don't hesitate to say hello!
2025 American Dairy Science Association Poster Presentation
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Toe-tally Essential: Regular Hoof Trimming for your Dairy Cows
Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Ever think about how uncomfortable a blister can make walking? Now imagine standing for 14 hours a day with sore feet—this is the daily reality for cows with poor hoof care. Learn why regular hoof trimming isn't just essential for cow comfort and health, but also a smart investment in your farm's productivity.
Upcoming Events
Organic Cover Crop & Soil Health Field Day
September 11, 2025
Fillmore, NY
Please join us for a morning of hands-on learning with expert insights from local farmers, industry representatives, and extension. We will have some demonstration plots in action along with discussion about how cover crops influence soils and demonstration showing impacts on farm resiliency. Free lunch provided following field walk.
Organic Cover Crop & Soil Health Field Day
September 11, 2025
Fillmore, NY
Please join us for a morning of hands-on learning with expert insights from local farmers, industry representatives, and extension. We will have some demonstration plots in action along with discussion about how cover crops influence soils and demonstration showing impacts on farm resiliency. Free lunch provided following field walk.
Driving Efficiency in Dairy & Exploring the Irish Experience
September 29, 2025
Rock Stream, NY
This workshop series will feature in-depth presentation and discussion led by Dr. Padraig French who is the Head of Livestock Systems and the Dairy Enterprise Leader at Teagasc (the Irish version of USDA). Dr. French will focus on the critical success factors for Irish dairy, which include pasture utilization, labor efficiency and managing for seasonal calving. The discussion will focus on ways that U.S. dairy farmers can use some of the Irish dairy techniques to become more profitable with grass farming.
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