FROM NEW YORK TO TEXAS is a subheading in an article in Progressive Farmer about how trials of biocontrol nematodes for managing corn rootworm in Texas got their start as a way to manage alfalfa snout beetle in northern New York.

In the story titled “Invasion of the Rootworm Snatchers. . . Can they save Bt corn?,” DTN Staff Reporter Emily Unglesbee interviews Cornell entomologist Elson Shields who, with a year-to-year, long-term funding commitment by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP), pioneered the science that has become a protocol for the use of entomopathogenic nematodes for pest management in field crops (and some berry crops as NNYADP research projects have proven).

Click here to read the Progressive Farmer article

Click here for NNYADP alfalfa and biocontrol nematodes research reports

 

Note: Johne’s is pronounced yo-knees

Plattsburgh, Canton, and Watertown, N.Y.; January 15, 2020.   The results of a project funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to survey and test regional sheep flocks and provide information on how to reduce the risk of Johne’s disease will soon be presented at meetings in Plattsburgh, Canton, and Watertown. The regional data is also being shared in support of a Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Lab project evaluating different testing methods and protocols for identifying Johne’s disease.

Dr. Jessica Scillieri Smith, DVM, with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and Cornell Cooperative Extension Livestock Educator Betsy Hodge will present the project results at meetings as follow:

Tuesday, January 28, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 6064 State Route 22, Plattsburgh, N.Y.; register at 518-561-7450 or lsw89@cornell.edu

Wednesday, February 5, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm Classroom, 2043 State Highway 68, Canton, N.Y.; register at 315-379-9192 x227 or bmf9@cornell.edu;

Tuesday, February 11, 7:00-8:30 pm, Cornell Cooperative Extension, 203 N. Hamilton Street, Watertown, N.Y.; register with 315-379-9192 x227 or bmf9@cornell.edu.

Those interested in participating at any of the three sites can also register online at http://stlawrence.cce.cornell.edu/. Registration will assure notification of any date change due to winter weather.

Johne’s disease is a wasting disease of sheep and other ruminant animals. It is contagious, chronic, and usually fatal. The program at each site will include a discussion of the Northern New York survey results, clinical signs, testing and diagnosis, and how to reduce the risk of infection of Johne’s disease. Symptoms of the infection can be difficult to differentiate from other diseases and frequently exist in animals that appear healthy.

“Many producers are unaware of Johne’s disease, but we know it exists in flocks and herds in New York state. Local veterinarians cooperated with this survey by helping with sampling and participating in the New York State Sheep and Goat Health Assurance Program with producers,” said Hodge.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Learn more at www.nnyagdev.org.

Click here to read the Surveillance of Johne’s Disease in High Risk Sheep Flocks in NNY, 2019 report.

Wellesley Island, N.Y.: December 23, 2019.  Enchanted Edible Forest Garden grower Dani Baker of Cross Island Farms, Wellesley Island, N.Y., will be among the presenters at the 2020 Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) conferences in Massachusetts and New York in January. Baker is a Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) Committee Member-Farmer.

Baker’s presentations at the two NOFA conferences will focus on the edible forest garden she began developing in 2012. NNYADP research-related plantings in the certified organic, multi-purpose, perennial garden include the “super fruits” Juneberry, honeyberry, and aronia. The garden’s fruits, nuts, berries, herbs, and other edibles are grown for u-pick and for sale at the farms and to restaurants.

Data from Baker’s garden is adding to the NNYADP project evaluating high-antioxidant fruits for production in New York and the Northeast. The project established and supports New York State’s only genomic research nursery of wild-collected and commercial cultivars of Juneberry.

NNYADP Juneberry project leaders Michael Burgess, Ph.D., a State University of New York botanist at Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and Michael Davis, Ph.D., Willsboro Research Farm Manager, Willsboro, N.Y., currently also have honeyberry, and aronia trials underway with Baker and other growers.

Participating in and attending workshops on NNYADP research results has also influenced the way Baker grows cherry tomatoes in her hoop house and her use of cover crops for weed suppression. Her latest NNYADP-related trial involves the application of biocontrol nematodes for pest management.

“I learned about the potential for using biocontrol nematodes at a Northern New York Agricultural Development Program meeting where Cornell University Entomologist Elson Shields spoke about the successful transfer of the biocontrol nematodes for alfalfa snout beetle management to pest management in berry crops. I am excited to see if the nematodes will help manage plum curculio in my garden long-term. This past year I did not have any issues; so-far, so-good,” Baker said.

While the one-acre permaculture garden draws researchers, growers, chefs, home gardeners and food enthusiasts to the NNY farm, Baker credits the NNY food hub feasibility survey funded by the NNYADP and conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension with analysis by Cornell University with creating a foundation for marketing her products to other areas of New York State.

“The Northern New York food hub project was a boon for our farm, opening up market opportunities for our livestock, fruits, herbs, vegetables and niche products in the Syracuse and Utica markets,” said Baker, who co-owns Cross Island Farms in New York State’s 1000 Islands region with David Belding.

Baker will speak at the NOFA Massachusetts Winter Conference on January 11, 2020, at Worcester State University, Worcester, MA. She will be among the presenters at the NOFA NY Winter Conference on January 17-19 at the Oncenter in Syracuse, N.Y.

The results of the NNYADP berry and other horticultural and local foods projects are posted at www.nnyagdev.org.

Funding for the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Moira, Lowville, and Watertown, N.Y.  An update on a project funded in 2019 by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) to determine the level of Salmonella Dublin and its potential economic impact on regional dairy farms is on the agenda for three January 2020 Dairy Day events organized by the Cornell University Cooperative Extension North Country Regional Ag Team.

The Extension Dairy Day events will take place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on January 4 at the Brushton-Moira Legion in Moira, Franklin County; January 22 at the Lowville Elks Lodge in Lowville, Lewis County; and January 24 at the Watertown Elks Lodge, Watertown, Jefferson County.

Lindsay Ferlito, a Regional Dairy Specialist with the Cornell University Cooperative Extension North Country Regional Ag Team, will present an update on her project collaboration with Cornell Quality Milk Production Services and the sampling of bulk tanks on NNY dairy farms to assess the presence of Salmonella Dublin. These bacteria can cause pneumonia and illness in calves and negatively impact dairy cow reproductive health. Concern has developed about drug-resistant strains. Ferlito will provide information on herd management for prevention.

The Extension Dairy Days programs will also include a keynote presentation by Dr. Chris Wolf of the Cornell Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management focusing on milk prices and market updates, and presentations by Eileen Jensen of the New York Animal Agriculture Coalition and local Extension agriculture educators.

To register for any of the Extension Dairy Day events, contact Tatum Langworthy, tlm92@cornell.edu, 315-788-8450. The cost including lunch is $10 by paid pre-registration, $20 at the door.

The results of NNYADP-funded research projects are posted on this website (www.nnyagdev.org). Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Lowville, N.Y.; December 9, 2019.  The results of vegetable crops production and season extension research funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) will be presented at the January 3, 2020, What’s Bugging Your Vegetables Workshop at the Lewis County Educational Center, 7395 East Road, Lowville, N.Y. Registration for the 3 pm to 5 pm program is requested by January 2 to Mellissa Spence at 315-376-5270, mms427@cornell.edu. Snow date is January 6. Cost is $5.00

Cornell University Vegetable Extension Specialists Judson Reid and Elizabeth Hodgdon will discuss various vegetable pests and diseases common in the northern region of New York State. Topics include NNYADP season extension and high tunnel research updates; integrated pest management; how to identify and treat tomato diseases; management of potato beetle, cucumber beetle, cole crop caterpillars and other pests; and invasive species to watch for in 2020.

Judson Reid is a vegetable specialist with the Cornell Vegetable Program and Harvest New York. His focus areas include high tunnel production and season extension, soil fertility, and small farms.

Elizabeth Hodgdon is a vegetable specialist with the Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture Program that includes the northeastern NY area. She is based in Plattsburgh and assists diversified vegetable and fruit growers with crop production issues including pest management, season extension, high tunnel production, and food safety.

The results of NNYADP high tunnel, season extension and other horticultural crops research projects are posted on this website (www.nnyagdev.org).

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.