Farm Strategic Planning

Farm Strategic PlanningThe dairy foods industry in New York continues to experience tremendous expansion and growth in the areas of production of yogurt and related products, artisan cheese production, as well as production of dairy powders, which have considerable opportunities for export. The growth in dairy foods processing capacity represents an opportunity for expanded farm-level production. This growth will take place both in the form of increased cow numbers and increased production per cow where appropriate, with emphasis on economically and environmentally sustainable growth strategies to ensure long-term continued supply of milk to meet the processing demands.

The Farm Strategic Planning Specialist on the Harvest NY team provides producers assistance with farmstead development, facility layout, and environmental planning to optimize production on dairy, crop and livestock farms.




Robotic Milking Systems - What We've Learned So Far (Part 2)

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: July 6, 2018
Robotic Milking Systems - What We've Learned So Far (Part 2)

Below are more tidbits on robotic milking.


Robotic Milking Systems - What We've Learned So Far (Part 1)

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: June 4, 2018
Robotic Milking Systems - What We've Learned So Far (Part 1)

I was recently invited to participate in a robotic farming discussion group. The evening began with a few presentations by a robot manufacturer which, surprisingly, were less about sales and more about start-up and management of the systems and the cows. These proved to be good fodder for a fruitful discussion among the technical service people, dairymen and women, and other industry people in attendance, like yours truly. 


20 Attributes to Highly Successful Managers: Insights from Danny Klinefelter

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: January 24, 2017
20 Attributes to Highly Successful Managers: Insights from Danny Klinefelter

On January 5, 2017 the NY State Agricultural Society held its 185th Annual Meeting and Agricultural Forum in Liverpool, NY. Dr. Danny Klinefelter, Professor and Extension Economist from Texas A&M University gave the keynote address: Attributes of Highly Successful Farmers and Collaborative Arrangements. Provided is a synopsis of that address with some embellishments.

These attributes are not size, or even industry, dependent. They apply just as easily to the CEO of a large multi-national corporation as they will to the brew master of a start-up microbrewery. See how many you can check off as, "Yes, I do that."

PRO-DAIRY

Last Modified: January 29, 2016
PRO-DAIRY

For nearly 30 years, PRO-DAIRY has been positively impacting New York's dairy industry. Through its research, discussion groups, educational programs, financial analysis, websites, publications and personal contacts, the Cornell University based program reaches thousands of dairy professionals annually.

Rules of Good Farmstead Layout

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: December 11, 2015
Rules of Good Farmstead Layout

General guidelines on how a farmstead should be laid out so that you can plan your next expansion.

To Rehab or Not to Rehab Older Farm Buildings

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: December 9, 2015
To Rehab or Not to Rehab Older Farm Buildings

With many new facilities being constructed, and production animals being moved out of the old facilities, the question that remains is: What do we do with the old buildings? Do we raze it or remodel it? Has the structure outlived its useful life or with a little tweaking can it be part of another facet of the enterprise or even an entirely different enterprise? In order to answer these questions you will need to honestly evaluate the current status of the structure. Sentimentality aside, Humstone (1988) presents a 10-point preliminary checklist to begin evaluation of the feasibility of remodeling and/or restoring an existing barn. 

10 Commandments of Manure Application

Timothy Terry, Farm Strategic Planning Specialist
Harvest New York

Last Modified: March 11, 2015
10 Commandments of Manure Application

With the advent of spring weather, and most of us suffering varying degrees of cabin fever, the rush will soon be on to empty those manure storages. With that in mind, we offer you the 10 Commandments of Manure Application reminders.

Cow Comfort in Tie Stall Barns

Last Modified: June 19, 2014
Cow Comfort in Tie Stall Barns

An article on cow comfort in tie stall barns by David Balbian, Dairy Specialist, CNYDFC in the PRO-DAIRY section of the August 2013 edition of Dairy Business East.

Dairy Acceleration Program

Last Modified: June 19, 2014
Dairy Acceleration Program

The Dairy Acceleration Program is an initiative of Governor Cuomo in partnership with the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation designed to enhance profitability of New York dairy farms while maintaining a commitment to environmentally responsible growth.

Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis (DFBS)

Last Modified: June 19, 2014
Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis (DFBS)

A tool to analyze the profitability and productivity of New York State dairy farms, comparing their business to other farms in their area, state and country. This allows them to make sound financial decisions and set future goals that will keep them competitive in the market.



Upcoming Events

Log Inoculation Party

April 28, 2024
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
New York, NY

Join us for a log inoculation party and Community Mushroom Educator (CME) reunion at the Randall's Island Urban Farm with past and prospective CMEs. We will be inoculating local tree species with shiitake and oyster spawn as part of a larger research project with the Randall's Island Park Alliance Urban Farm and Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

Announcements

Field Guide: Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables

Arthropod Pests of NYC Vegetables aims to help urban farmers and gardeners find, identify, and understand the most common and important insects and other arthropod pests found in New York City farms and gardens. Some of these pests are rarely mentioned in other guides but are common in NYC. The guide emphasizes scouting tips, including how to identify pests by the damage they leave behind, even when you can't find the insect itself.

This guide was created as a collaboration between Cornell Cooperative Extension's Harvest New York team and the New York State Integrated Pest Management Program.