Grass-Based Agriculture
Projects
Grass as a Biofuel
Grass pellet biofuel is a very promising sustainable, economically-viable,
and environmentally-friendly alternative energy source. It has great
potential for near-term implementation and positive impact on rural New
York communities. More Info:
Grass Biofuel Summary - Sept. 2005 or visit
www.GrassBioenergy.org
Project Contact: Dr. Jerry Cherney, 607-255-0945, jhc5@cornell.edu
Manure Management on Grasses:
Compare six methods for applying commercial nitrogen fertilizer and/or
dairy manure to three species of forage grasses: tall fescue, reed canarygrass
and orchardgrass that were managed with an intensive, three-cut system.
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Jerome Cherney; Willsboro Research Farm: Michael Davis, 518-963-7492
Grass/Alfalfa Spring Quality Prediction Across NNY
The goal of this project is to develop a simple method for accurately
estimating alfalfa NDF in mixed stands and to develop estimates of grass
NDF based on the current alfalfa NDF content and possibly also on grass
height.
Project Contacts Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Jerome Cherney, 607-255-0945; Cornell Animal Science: Debbie Cherney, 607-255-2882; Willsboro Research Farm: Michael Davis, 518-963-7492; Jefferson County CCE: Mike Hunter, 315-788-8450; St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192
Fescue Variety Trials
New varieties of fescue were evaluated for their suitability to NNY soils
and climate. Tall fescue often ranks highest for yield among cool-season
grass species in NY, and feeding trials demonstrate that feeding tall
fescue silage can produce as much milk per cow as alfalfa silage when
rations are balanced. Researchers evaluated varieties for yield and quality
as influenced by NNY conditions.
Project Contacts: Cornell Crop and Soil Science: Jerome Cherney, 607-255-0945;
St. Lawrence County CCE: Peter Barney, 315-379-9192; Willsboro Research
Farm: Michael Davis, 518-963-7492
Grass-Fed Beef Production:
How can North Country dairy farmers turn 60,000 bull calves a year into
profit? This research looks at how to raise and sell grass-fed Holstein
beef. A tasting panel will evaluate steaks in fall 2005.
Project Contacts: Cornell Animal Science: Mike Baker, 607-255-5923; St. Lawrence County CCE: Brent Buchanan, Peter Barney and Bill VanLoo, 315-379-9192
Press Release: September 13, 2004
NNY Ag Research Looks at Raising Grass-Fed
Holstein Beef
