Milk price fluctuations dramatically affect dairy farm business planning, and diversification could be a solution. Here, Katelyn Walley-Stoll outlines five diversification options, including value-added dairy, alternative livestock, alternative crops, agritourism, and renewable energy. The importance of risk assessment and financial planning in pursuing these opportunities is emphasized.

Soil testing is the building block of any fertilizer management program, allowing you to evaluate your pH, organic matter, and various macronutrient and micronutrient levels in your soil. Fall is a popular time of year to take soil samples, so let's discuss how to get your soil from the field and into the lab for analysis.

As corn silage begins to enter bunks for the year, safety should be a top priority. Here are some tips to keep you and your employees safe in your bunk silo this season. 

One of the most common weed management questions we often get relates to perennial weed control in grass hay and pasture.  Many people want to know when the most optimal time is to control perennial weeds and what herbicides are the most effective. The short answer - late summer and fall with systemic herbicides but there is more to the story.

Breaking down a whole processed chicken into its individual parts can be a way to increase the revenue from your chicken and offer customers more choices. This fact sheet takes your step-by-step through the process of taking a whole chicken into whole wings, boneless skinless breast, thighs, and drums. For a PDF or print copy of this fact sheet, reach out to Amy Barkley at amb544@cornell or 716-640-0844.

Affected custom applicators have until January 18^th, 2024 to register with DEC on their website and then submit annual report activities. Learn more from CALS PRO-DAIRY here. 

The 2023 season has been a roller coaster for producing dairy quality hay crops across NYS. While yields varied for both first and second cutting, for many the combined total yield is lower than desired and presents concerns about adequate inventories. With potential challenges to inventories, it is worth thinking about strategies for the remainder of the season. 

Are you interested in learning more about the diversity of your weed seedbank? The Weed Seedbank Project is looking to recruit 50 farms throughout the state to analyze their weed seedbanks and provide tailored management recommendations. To get involved, leave a message at 315-787-2432 or email bjb342@cornell.edu. The deadline to apply is July 1st, so don't hesitate - apply today! For more information, click here. 

Herbicide-resistant weeds are not new, with the first resistance in the Northeast found in 1977. The list of resistant weeds grows, making the control and management of them an important aspect of farming operations. 

As the recent wet weather has caused us to halt field activities, it's a good time to think about the risks involved with utilizing anhydrous ammonia in our fertilizer programs, and how to protect ourselves from them. 

As planting season approaches, it's a great time to review how adjuvants can improve pesticide efficacy. Read on to learn more about various types of adjuvants and important considerations for selecting one to use in your farms pesticide program. 

85% of the alfalfa acreage in the Northeast is planted as a mix with grass. Learn some considerations of utilizing these mixes on your farm and grass species selection.