SAM & DUNS registrations are free and needed to apply for federal grant opportunities. While it takes minutes to apply, it may take weeks to receive your number. Registering your farm or business now means that you'll be prepared for grant opportunities that may come your way.

At our Corn Silage Pre-Harvest Meetings in Springville and Arkport this week, speaker Joe Lawrence talked about the importance of monitoring your corn crop's dry matter for optimal harvest and storage. One way to measure dry matter of growing/harvested crops, and even at feed out or a whole TMR, is with the latest trendy kitchen appliance - an air fryer.

Some cover crops are going in the ground in WNY, but others are waiting on the removal of crops that are still in the fields. Will your crop removals correspond with the establishment success of your cover crop? This article explores how plating date, species, and method of planting impact the crop's success.

Cornell Cooperative Extension's Farmer Tax School: An educational series from Cornell Cooperative Extension Farm Business Management Specialists offering courses designed to inform and empower farm managers to better understand their tax obligations, management strategies, and improve farm profitability. This consists of four courses offered October 2021 - January 2022. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/ccetaxschool. 

The New York State DEC has adopted changes to the state pesticide registration regulations prohibiting chlorpyrifos in New York State effective July 31, 2021. The NYS DEC has issued an enforcement discretion to allow for the possession, transport, storage, or handling through February 1, 2022. Additional supporting documents for the regulation change can be found at the DEC's website.

SYRACUSE, New York, July 16, 2021 — Recent extreme weather conditions have impacted farmers and ranchers in New York. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Farm Service Agency (FSA), has disaster assistance programs available to help agricultural producers recover after natural disasters, including floods. 

From Mike Stanyard on the Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Team: Gypsy moth larvae are serious pests of deciduous trees and even conifers.

Managing forage inventories can be a difficult task, especially in years when weather challenges cut into harvest yields. Learn more about some management options when forages are short in the spring.

The March 2021 issue of "The Manager" published by Progressive Dairy focuses on managing inputs: a fresh look. The Manager is published by Progressive Dairy, an award-winning magazine that provides compelling features, helpful articles, insightful news analysis, and entertaining commentary about the people, practices and topics related to a dairy lifestyle.

Over the past few weeks, we have received calls in the SWNY region pertaining to weed control options in grass hay and pastures. Spring weed control timing is critical and there are several options to consider. Remember, once weeds are in the "seed setting" stage, a herbicide application is no longer effective. Full article can be found here.

Small grains can be alternatives to corn in beef rations. These grain sources can be added into crop rotations and distribute cropping and pricing risks, bearing in mind an equivalent or advantageous exchange price without sacrificing feed value. 

As of this week, we have our first moth captures in SWNY. Two black cutworm moths were captured in Steuben County and no moths were collected from Cattaraugus County. As temperatures increase and the spring progresses, be on the lookout for these yield robbing pests.