Dairy

DairyDairy is the leading agricultural industry in New York State, and the state ranks third in the country for milk production. Our five counties in southwestern New York form an especially vibrant dairy region, with over 680 dairy farms of many different sizes and production systems. 

The SWNY Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program assists dairy farmers by providing business management, forage production, and dairy management support. Our Dairy Management Specialist offers assistance with calf and heifer management, reproductive management, dairy records analysis, herd health, nutrition, and facilities. 





Third Party Manure Applicator Reports

Last Modified: February 10, 2026

Custom manure applicators who have registered as Third Party CAFO Land Appliers under 6 NYCRR Part 361-2.3(c) with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) are required to submit an annual report each year no later than March 1. 


Feed Quality Doesn't Stop at the Chopper

Katelyn Miller, Field Crops and Forage Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: January 26, 2026
Feed Quality Doesn't Stop at the Chopper

Feed costs represent approximately 50% of operating expenses on dairy farms, with large investments in home-grown forages. It cannot be denied that there are many factors that impact our ability to harvest quality forages, both within and outside of our control, but the job isn't done once it runs through the chopper. The same prioritization of management and resources should also be allocated to maintaining quality as it enters storage.  


What You Need to Know about the USDA's Farmer Bridge Assistance Program

Kate McDonald Polakiewicz, Farm Business Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: January 20, 2026

The US Department of Agriculture's Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program announced $12 billion in aid for US farmers this past December. Here's what you need to know.


It's Time to "Shoe" Up for Your Cows in the New Year

Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: January 12, 2026
It's Time to

Our goal is to ensure cows are able to put their best hoof forward as we begin the new year. Since cows cannot tell us when they are in pain, it is up to the farm teams to recognize the early signs of lameness and take action to protect mobility, comfort, and productivity.


Baby, It's Cold Outside: Winter Management for Dairy Calves

Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: December 8, 2025
Baby, It's Cold Outside: Winter Management for Dairy Calves

Small adjustments to your winter calf management could make a big impact on your farm. Check out this article for ideas to help your calves thrive through the winter. 


Mooving through Calving: Recognizing Labor Signs and When to Help

Katie Callero, Dairy Management Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: December 8, 2025

Great calving management has always been important for herd health, productivity, and profitability. It has become especially important in today's economic landscape with the high prices of beefXdairy calves and replacement heifers. To protect these high-value animals and prevent costly vet visits or complications, producers should be able to identify and respond appropriately to each stage of calving covered in this article.


Expansion of (Asian) Longhorned Tick in New York

Last Modified: November 3, 2025
Expansion of (Asian) Longhorned Tick in New York

The Longhorned tick, formerly known as the Asian Longhorned tick, is establishing populations as it moves north and west across the state. This tick has the potential to be lethal to livestock. This articles reviews the newest sightings and what to do if you happen to identify one.


Governor Hochul Announces Two Grant Opportunities

Last Modified: October 13, 2025

Governor Hochul has announced two grant opportunities to help address the impacts of climate change and protect water quality. Funding is available in four tracks: Livestock Management (alternative waste and precision feeding management), Adaptation and Resiliency, Healthy Soils, and Agricultural Forestry Management. Contact your local Soil & Water Conservation office for more information. 


Grants & Incentives for New York Agriculture

Last Modified: September 22, 2025

By Farm Credit East

There are a number of grants and incentives available for Northeast agriculture businesses, but learning about their availability and navigating the application process can be a challenge. To help with this, Farm Credit East has released an update to its report identifying federal, regional and state grants, loan guarantees, and other incentives available to assist Northeast producers of all types and sizes.

This post is an excerpt from the document, focusing on funding opportunities available in New York. Find a full list of opportunities, including sector-specific opportunities for states including, but not limited to New York, see here.


Budgeting and proposing operational changes to or with senior management

Last Modified: September 9, 2025

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

Last Modified: September 8, 2025
Udder Trouble in the Fall

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 Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Last Modified: September 2, 2025
Sharing PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Market Watch resource

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.






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Upcoming Events

NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course

Event Offers DEC Credits

March 3, 2026 : NYSDEC How to Get Certified Course
Ellicottville, NY

NYSDEC training course in preparation to take the pesticide applicator exam.

From Data to Dollars: Making Data-driven Decisions to Increase Farmers Market Success

March 3, 2026

The Cornell Agricultural Marketing Research Program and Penn State University are excited to present this new, 6-week course as part of Cornell's Farmers Market Research Project. The course is for farmers with experience selling at farmers markets who wish to increase their earnings through management and marketing practices.

Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference

March 6, 2026
Waterloo, NY

Farmers, researchers, educators, and agricultural service providers from across the Northeast are invited to the 2026 Cornell Organic Field Crops & Dairy Conference, held Friday, March 6, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lux Hotel & Conference Center in Waterloo, N.Y.

Co-hosted by New York Soil Health and Cornell CALS, the annual conference brings together leaders in organic grain, dairy, and livestock systems to share practical tools, new research, and farmer-tested strategies to support resilient and profitable organic production.

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