Opportunity for Silage Corn Growers: On-Farm Biodiversity Experiment
Overview
Cornell graduate student researcher is seeking New York partner farms to test how planting native flowers near silage corn fields affects biodiversity on the farm. We are also interested in how flower planting date affects biodiversity. This single-year experiment will run from May to September 2023. Participating farms will each receive $500 and if desired, publicity.
Eligibility
Silage corn fields may be managed using either organic or non-organic methods. However, no synthetic insecticides may be sprayed within 660 ft of the experimental plots.
Experiment
The experiment will require four small plots of land (16 by 32 ft), which may be arranged around one or more corn fields. The plots may be located along field edges, as shown below, or field corners may be used for this purpose rather than corn production. The grower and researcher (Sophie Westbrook, Cornell graduate student) will choose plot locations together. The grower will plow two of the plots as soon as field access is possible in the spring, and the other two plots four weeks later. After this initial plowing, no further management is needed. The researcher will hand-seed flowers in two plots and collect data over the summer.
The experiment will involve four plots, placed at least 660 ft apart. CE: control plot (no flowers), earlier plowing. CL: control plot, later plowing. FE: flower plot, earlier plowing. FL: flower plot, later plowing.Contact
For more information or to enroll, contact Sophie Westbrook, (716) 597-7344; asw265@cornell.edu.
Field Crops
Dairy
Business
Livestock
Grains
Upcoming Events
Crops, Cows & Critters - Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock & Field Crops Newsletter Sponsorship
December 19, 2025
Our two forms of publications feature research-based and timely information from our four specialists, listed to the right, along with local event notifications and Cornell University outreach. This information is provided to participants who range from dairy, livestock, and field crops producers to agricultural suppliers and consultants.
Weekly Email Update: Shared with 625+ households who have signed up with our program.
Monthly Paper Mailer: To reach our stakeholders and farmers who lack internet access, we send out a monthly mailer where your company's logo and contact information would be featured with a mailing list of 330+ households.
If you sponsor our weekly and monthly publications you reach approximately 955 households.
Visit our website to view our newsletters!
2025 Cornell Food Beverage & Animal Feed Manufacturer Survey
December 19, 2025
Industry and Educational Advocates for New York State's Food, Beverage, and Animal Feed Manufacturing industries:
As you know, NYS has a diverse food and beverage manufacturing industry, in both the types of industries that exist and the wide distribution of firms by scale. Many manufacturing firms have strong backward linkages to agricultural production sectors in the state that support both farm-level and downstream food industry firms and consumers. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, a team from Cornell University's Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management has recently rolled out the 2025 New York State Food, Beverage, and Animal Feed Manufacturer Survey. The industry will benefit from an updated assessment of the industry that informs private and public investments and opportunities to support firm growth and improved profitability.
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.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.