September 10, 2009

Use before Sept. 22 registration date
Contacts: See list at end of release

Training Needed Now: Dates Set for NNY Dairy Institute’s 1st Course in Malone, Watertown, Lowville, Chazy, and Canton

Northern New York - Dairy educators in New York’s six northern counties are saying now is the time for dairy owners and employees to refresh, improve or learn new dairy herdsmanship skills. The new Northern NY Dairy Institute – coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension associations of Northern New York and WH Miner Institute with funding from the NY Center for Dairy Excellence, Cornell University’s PRO-Dairy Program and support from Morrisville and Alfred State Colleges, agribusinesses and the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program – is set to offer dairy skills training courses for dairy owners and employees starting in early October.

Why now?

“Given the current economic climate, dairy operators may be asking, ‘Why I should give up time from the farm for improving my dairy skills?’ The answer is because, even in this most difficult time, it makes sense to invest in your farm by pursuing training or upgrading the basic dairy herdsmanship skills that will empower every dairy farm to operate at its very best,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County Dairy and Livestock Educator Ron Kuck.

Institute participants can earn a certificate or college credits from Morrisville or Alfred state colleges. Kuck adds that the courses also qualify for FSA borrower credits.

“The newly established Northern NY Dairy Institute has come along at the right time to help dairy operators address the most important aspects of their business,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County Executive Director Carl Tillinghast. “Even the most skilled farmers can benefit from reviewing the essentials and learning the latest techniques.”

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County Executive Director Anita Deming says, “During times of crisis, people may not feel they have time to do anything extra or to consider how new approaches might help their situation. This is the time when this type of training can be most valuable.”

“We are pleasantly surprised here in Clinton County at the number of farmers already expressing interest in the Northern NY Dairy Institute training opportunity,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County Executive Director Amy Ivy.

“The farmers who have taken this type of training in Lewis County in the past report cost savings, improved crop quality and milk production, and profits,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County Dairy Educator Frans Vokey. “This training is excellent for both dairy owners and their employees.”

“The Northern NY Dairy Institute Dairy Skills Training program will be accessible to farmers across Northern New York withclassroom plus hands-on learning opportunities taught by Extension educators and dairy industry professionals,” says Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Ag Program Leader Brent Buchanan.

The first course of the Northern NY Dairy Institute will focus on dairy cow reproduction management. The course is scheduled to begin in five locations:
• October 5: Malone, Franklin County Emergency Services Building, 55 Barehill Road – course will run 1-4pm every Monday thereafter for six weeks total
• October 6: Watertown, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County, 203 N. Hamilton Street – course will run 12-3pm every Tuesday thereafter for six weeks total
• October 7: Lowville, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, 5274 Outer Stowe Street – course will run 12-3pm every Wednesday thereafter for six weeks total
• October 7 in Chazy: WH Miner Institute Dairy Barn Classroom, 1034 Miner Farm Road – course will run 1-4pm every Wednesday thereafter for six weeks total
• October 7 in Canton: Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Learning Farm, 2043 State Highway 68 – course will run 7-10pm every Wednesday for six weeks total.

Registration deadline is September 22, 2009. Contact local Cornell Cooperative Extension offices for more details. Future courses will focus on the biology and management of producing quality milk; calf management; dairy financial management; feeds and feeding practices; herdsmanship, herd health and lameness; transition cows; manure management; and utilizing Dairy Comp 305 to efficiently manage cows and maximize profits. # # #

Contacts:
Northern NY Dairy Institute Co-coordinators:
• Ron Kuck, CCE Jefferson County, 315-788-8450
• Wanda Emerich, WH Miner Institute, 518-846-7121 x117
Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Contacts for Northern NY Dairy Institute:
• Clinton County: Amy Ivy, 518-561-7450
• Essex County: Anita Deming, 518-962-4810 x409
• Franklin County: Carl Tillinghast, 518-483-7403
• Jefferson County: Ron Kuck, 315-788-8450
• Lewis County: Frans Vokey, 315-376-5270
• St. Lawrence County: Brent Buchanan, 315-379-9192
NY Center for Dairy Excellence: www.nycde.org
Cornell University PRO-Dairy: http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/prodairy/ 
Northern New York Agricultural Development Program: nnyagdev.org