By Blake Jackson
On a late July evening, Hidden Canyon Farms in Lyons, New York, hosted 35 beef producers who gathered to watch Cornell’s new beef cattle extension specialist, Adam Murray, demonstrate how to evaluate livestock.
Wearing his cowboy hat and speaking with the Southern accent of his Virginia roots, Murray assessed eight heifers while explaining DNA test results and other data, showing how farmers can use a variety of tools to strengthen their herds.
For Sue Olson, who co-owns Hidden Canyon Farms with her husband, Steve, the hands-on style of teaching was essential. “You could actually see things instead of looking at a PowerPoint,” she said.
“That transferred knowledge of what’s coming in the industry, what’s working and doesn’t work, is vital to us as U.S. beef producers, and I know how important universities are in that knowledge transfer.”
The event was part of Cornell’s new PRO-LIVESTOCK program, created earlier this year by the Department of Animal Science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
Backed by funding from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, the program is modeled after Cornell’s successful PRO-DAIRY initiative. It supports beef, sheep, and goat producers through on-farm visits, educational forums, and applied research.
“Supporting New York agriculture as a whole is supporting our food sources, our food systems, our food security,” said small ruminant extension specialist Jessica Waltemyer.
“And there’s a high demand for local- and state-grown products. I think New York sees that as an opportunity to bring more economic sustainability to the state and to make sure the next generation of farmers can be profitable and sustain the lifestyle.”
Annual beef production contributes nearly $500 million to New York’s economy, with revenues more than doubling between 2017 and 2022. Demand for sheep and goat products, from milk and wool to solar grazing, is also rising. However, a 2018 Cornell survey found 85% of livestock producers wanted more science-based support.
“There’s such a need for more science-based resources from New York,” said Nancy Glazier of Cornell Cooperative Extension. “We need people who producers can go to if they have a specific question about beef cattle - somebody to really help us get producers to that next level. And then the same thing with sheep and goats.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: New York, Livestock, Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Goats & Sheep