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NEW YORK STATE WEATHER

NYCO farmers unite - dairy and crop insights

NYCO farmers unite - dairy and crop insights


By Blake Jackson

Join the New York Certified Organic (NYCO) for two insightful meetings focused on maximizing your organic dairy and field crop operations. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or just starting out, these sessions offer valuable knowledge and practical tips to navigate the challenges and opportunities of organic agriculture. 

Dairy Focus: Tight Margins, Smart Strategies (January 9) 

  • Expert insights: Mary Kate MacKenzie from Cornell PRO-DAIRY delves into optimizing feed conversion and income for different organic systems. 
  • Farmer wisdom: Hear real-world strategies from successful dairy farmers like Nathan Weaver, Eric Ziehm, Tim Christiansen, and Melanie & Patrick Harrison. They'll share their approaches to managing tight margins and thriving in the organic landscape. 
  • Open discussion: Network with fellow farmers and share your own experiences during the afternoon session. 

Field Crop Focus: Tillage, Cover Crops & More (February 13) 

  • Tillage reduction strategies: Learn about cutting back on tillage in your organic rotations through research updates and on-farm experiences from Oechsner Farms and Martens Farms. 
  • Cover crop interseeding: Discover the benefits and challenges of interseeding cover crops with Chris Pelzer as your guide and a panel of experienced farmers sharing their insights. 
  • Potluck and discussion: Enjoy a delicious potluck lunch and engage in open dialogue with your peers about the latest advancements in organic field crop production. 
  • Both meetings are free to attend and open to all farmers. 

Meet the Featured Dairy Farmers: 

  • Nathan Weaver: A pioneer in rotational grazing and soil health management, Nathan shares his innovative approach to organic dairy success. 
  • Melanie & Patrick Harrison: From conventional dairy to thriving organic enterprise, learn their secrets for managing a large organic dairy with efficiency and creativity. 
  • Tim Christiansen: This fourth-generation farmer balances technology and tradition to improve his dairy's efficiency and genetic progress. 
  • Eric Ziehm: Discover his journey from conventional dairy to establishing a successful organic farm focused on pasture quality and soil health. 

These events are free to attend and open to all farmers. Optional pre-registration to receive updates on possible weather-related changes can be made at https://tinyurl.com/NYCO2024 or by leaving a message at 315-787-2432. Subscribe to the NYCO listserv by emailing NYCO-group-L-request@cornell.edu with “join” as the subject and no text in the body of the email. Co-sponsored by the Sustainable Cropping Systems Lab, NY State IPM, and PRO-DAIRY. 

 

Photo Credit: istock-fotosipsak

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