July 28, 2008
Contact: Michele Ledoux, 315-376-5270

Northern NY Beef Week Brings Cornell Specialist to Workshops, Farms

In response to the increasing interest in producing beef locally, the Cornell Cooperative Extension Associations of Northern New York hosted Cornell University Beef Specialist Mike Baker for a week of free cow/calf nutrition and vaccination workshops in late July. Baker also visited beef farms in the area.

The Northern New York Beef Week program was prompted by a poll of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Livestock Committee and those attending previous beef workshops in the region, says Michele Ledoux, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County.

Northern New York Agricultural Development Program Livestock Committeeman Ralph Chase says, �I suspect the numbers of farms and the number of beef cows has increased significantly since the 2002 Census of Agriculture reported there were 821 farms with more than 10,000 head of beef cattle in the six northernmost counties of New York State. Livestock operations contribute significantly to the region�s agricultural economy and activities such as Northern New York Beef Week support the growth of those businesses.�

�These week-long workshops provided a great opportuniy to learn key information about feeding beef animals as inexpensively as possible while maximizing animal growth potential,� says Ronald A. Kuck, dairy and livestock educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

Baker also worked with farmers on how to utilize a herd health plan and properly administer vaccinations.

Bernadette Logozar, a rural development specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County says, �With the high price of hay, grain and fuel, maximizing nutrition and minimizing costs is important in today�s beef management. The Cooperative Extension is pleased to respond to beef farmers on the types of programs they want and need.�

For the 2002 Census of Agriculture, farmers in the six Northern New York counties of New York State, i.e., Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence, reported having 821 farms with 10,489 beef cows. St. Lawrence County reported 321 farms with 3,827 beef cows. Jefferson County reported 195 farms with 3,427 beef cows. Clinton County reported 96 farms with 480 beef cows. Franklin County reported 95 farms with 1,151 beef cows. Lewis County reported 71 farms with 584 beef cows. Essex County reported 43 farms with 480 beef cows. # # #