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Regional agribusinesses are the latest beneficiaries of the nearly 30 years of research dedicated by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program to finding a solution to alfalfa snout beetle, an invasive insect that threatens alfalfa crops highly valued by dairy and livestock producers.

Through the scientific discovery process, Cornell University entomologist Elson Shields and research support specialist Antonio Testa discovered native New York nematodes as a naturally occurring biological control for alfalfa snout beetle, ASB, and pioneered the use of the insect-attacking, microscopic worms to reduce beetle populations to manageable levels.

The two scientists also developed a farmer-friendly, low-labor nematode rearing and application methods for farm-built and commercial sprayer units.

With training from Shields and Testa, regional crop service agribusinesses are filling an economic gap by offering custom rearing and application of the nematodes between planting and harvesting seasons. One spray service in the northern NY is developing its own nematode rearing facility for use in 2016.

Click here to learn more with comments from:
Dr. Elson Shields, Cornell University
Aaron Miller, Miller’s Spray Service, Lowville
Mary DeBeer, DeBeer Seeds and Spraying, Moira
Floyd Morter, Bourdeau Bros, Champlain
Brent Phillips, Bourdeau Bros, Canton

Farmers:
Cody Reynolds, Windsong Farm, Adams Center
Doug Moser, Moserdale Farm, Copenhagen
Lynn Murray, Murcrest Farm, Copenhagen

Cornell Cooperative Extension Field Crops Specialists
Kitty O’Neil: Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence counties
Mike Hunter: Jefferson, Lewis counties.

Northern New York. To assess the current state of the NNY beef industry, the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program funded a regional survey of cow-calf farmers in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. The results of the survey that will help guide regional beef industry educational programming and NNYADP-funded research projects for the next five years are now posted in the Livestock section at www.nnyagdev.org.

A snapshot of survey results shows:
. . . 96 percent of the NNY beef producers surveyed plan to expand or maintain their current size

. . . The predominant breed of beef cattle raised in Northern New York is Angus

. . . 52 percent of those surveyed sell direct to consumers by freezer trade

. . . 48 percent of those surveyed sell direct to a cattle buyer

. . . 8 percent of those surveyed sell breeding stock

. . . Increasing numbers of beef farmers are developing relationships with a veterinarian to help maintain herd health and quality beef production.

Cow-calf farmers in NNY maintain the permanent breeding herds that are the foundation of the beef industry. Cow-calf operations supply 500 lb. to 800 lb. calves to feedlots that grow them out for beef processors, sell breeding stock to other producers, and package beef for direct sale to local consumers and food buyers.

Beef producers in Northern New York are increasingly interested in research and educational opportunities to help them improve herd management, farm efficiency, and profitability. Agricultural educators locally and at Cornell University are using the survey input to guide their extension and outreach efforts, says NNY Regional Livestock Team Leader Betsy Hodge, a livestock specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Funding from the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has provided regional farmers with access to the expertise of Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Mike Baker. His recent efforts have helped NNY producers develop better consistency in the cattle they raise and secured USDA funding to help regional beef producers pool cattle to better meet buyer demand for supply and quality.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is a farmer-driven research and technical assistance program serving Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Senate and administered through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

NNY CCE Field Crops Specialist Mike Hunter alerts growers to be on the watch for alfalfa snout beetle. Both Jefferson and Lewis County have a lengthy and well-known history of alfalfa snout beetle (ASB). The presence of ASB is more widespread in Jefferson County than it is in Lewis County. Every year we discover new infestations of alfalfa snout beetles on farms. The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has funded many alfalfa snout beetle research projects aimed at finding management strategies to control this pest.

In 2015, the NNYADP funded a project that surveys alfalfa fields for the presence of alfalfa snout beetle. We are updating the map that identifies known infestations of alfalfa snout beetles on farms in NNY.

The ultimate goal of this project is to increase persistence and stand of alfalfa fields all across the North Country by reducing ASB populations through expanded nematode applications and more intentional crop rotations.

In many cases the ASB was present on the farm for several years before it was discovered. We find that the decline in the alfalfa stands on these farms is blamed on winterkill, aggressive cutting schedules, and the alfalfa variety. Most alfalfa seedings in NNY do contain some perennial grasses and as the alfalfa dies out the grasses fill in the voids. Growers many not notice a decline in yield but will begin to notice that the alfalfa is thinner each year.

If your neighbor has alfalfa snout beetle on their farm and you also grow alfalfa, there is a high likelihood that ASB is present on your farm as well.

If you are not sure if you have alfalfa snout beetle infestations on your farm and have alfalfa fields that just don’t last as long as they used to, please contact CCE to schedule a field visit in Jefferson or Lewis County with Mike at 315-788-8450, meh27@cornell.edu, or in Clinton, Essex, Franklin or St. Lawrence County with NNY Field Crops and Soils Specialist Kitty O’Neil, 315-379-9192, kao32@cornell.edu.

Kitty notes that the last survey and map of the NNY areas affected by ASB is now 8 years old and there have been some new outbreaks, so she and Mike be covering the NNY countryside looking for ASB during the fall which is peak ASB hunting season.

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NNYADP Project:  Precision Orchard Management Supports Success of NNY Apple Industry

Photo: Cornell University Horticulture Professor Terence Robinson, 2nd from right, conducts a precision management tour in a NNY apple orchard. Photo: Kevin A. Iungerman

Northern New York; September 15, 2015.   Excellent is how Cornell University Horticulture Professor Terence Robinson describes the results of precision orchard management trials at four Northern New York apple orchards. The trials funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development were designed to help regional apple growers increase orchard efficiency and profitability.

The NNY regional apple industry harvests $16 million worth of farm gate net revenue from approximately 5,000 acres of orchards. Growers are increasingly adopting practices that research data shows increase the percentage of crop harvested in the highest price categories based on fruit size, color and quality.

Over the past 10 years, Robinson has developed a precision thinning protocol that provides apple growers with real-time data for the best timing and rates for growth inhibitor spraying applications that reduce bud count. Reducing the number of early season buds encourages the growth of a precisely targeted optimal number of apples.

Success with the precise management practice known as orchard thinning saves growers labor, time, and expense.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Fruit Specialist Anna Wallis assisted Robinson with field trials in Honeycrisp plantings at four orchards in Chazy and Peru, NY. The growers counted flower buds, calculated the target number of fruits per tree to achieve a desired high yield, and measured fruit diameter. The Cornell research team analyzed the data and within 24 hours provided each grower an exact assessment of orchard cropload with recommendations for the next thinning application to maintain harvest goals.

Two of the northern NY apple growers also hosted precision harvest research trials to learn if measuring a set of factors prior to harvest could be used to predict fruit quality to assist growers in separating fruit for short-term or longer storage opportunities.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has granted new funding for precision apple orchard management trials in 2015. More details and the Precision Orchard Management Strategies for NNY Apple Growers to Increase Profitability research report are online at www.nnyagdev.org.

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

 

 

 

Can cucumbers, basil, ginger, green beans and zucchini be more profitable crops for farmers than tomatoes, the king of high tunnel produce?

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program has released the results of a project evaluating the economic potential of the non-traditional tunnel crops.

Click here to read more

Advancing Season Extension with Non-Traditional High Tunnel Crops 2014 Project Report