February 5, 2007

Contact: Ev Thomas, Miner Institute, 518-846-7121 x115
NNYADP Co-Chair Joe Giroux, 518-563-7523

Feb 28 Corn Congress Covers Cost Savings, N on Corn, Manure on Alfalfa, Alfalfa Snout Beetle and Ethanol

Chazy, NY -- Interested in cutting your forage costs? Need to know how much nitrogen to put on your corn and how much manure to apply to your alfalfa crop in 2007? Wondering if the alfalfa snout beetle is coming soon to your fields and what the ethanol craze means to you as a dairy farmer? Then join the discussion on February 28 at the 2007 Corn Congress at W.H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute in Chazy.

The day’s program include two presentations by Cornell University crop and soil sciences researcher Dr. Quirine M.Ketterings: Tools for Nitrogen Management for Corn: How much do we need and how do we know, and Applying Manure to Alfalfa: Dos and Don’ts. The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program, a research, education and outreach program led by North Country farmers, has provided funding for the project evaluating corn nitrogen needs over a rotation following sod plow-down and for testing a number of nitrogen management tools for identifying sites that will not need extra nitrogen. Knowing when the extra fertilization is not needed can save farmers a minimum of $30-40 per acre.

The February 28 Corn Congress also includes Miner Institute President Richard J. Grant speaking about Ethanol, Corn Price and Distiller’s Grain: What does it all mean for the dairy farmer and Miner Institute Vice President Everett D. Thomas presenting Five Things You Can Do to Decrease Your Cost Per Ton of Forage.

Miner Institute Director of Research Catherine S. Ballard will provide an Alfalfa Snout Beetle Survey Update. The alfalfa snout beetle is an invasive insect that can destroy an entire alfalfa crop in one growing season with losses as high as 30 percent in net profits to farmers with highly infested fields. A survey and research funded by the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is tracking the concentrations of the pest in all six NNY counties and developing control methods that show promise for controlling the alfalfa snout beetle.

Thomas says, “Miner Institute and farms across the region provide the opportunity to apply science-based production practices in working agricultural environments. This kind of research produces practical results that farmers can use to cut costs, increase production and improve the health of their land, animals and businesses.”

The farm that William H. Miner established in 1903 is a leading agricultural research institute focused on investigating and teaching scientific and environmentally sound agricultural practices to regional farmers, particularly those in the dairy and equine industries. The Institute provides land for crop trials funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program and managed by staff from the Cornell University Baker Research Farm of Willsboro.

There is no admission fee for the February 28 10 am to 3 pm program. There will be many dealer displays, free refreshments, door prizes and lunch available for $5.00. For more information on Miner Institute, go online to www.whminer.com. # # #