Farmer Training
At the Watershed Agricultural Council, we believe education is vital to the success of new and established farm operations. We collaborate with Cornell Cooperative Extensions and other agencies to deliver learning opportunities for farmers of all ages, experience levels and farming expertise.
Our workshops and trainings run the gamut of topics, such as
- Farming for the first time, business planning and market analysis;
- Learning to raise healthy heifers through NYS Calf Health Assessment Program;
- Taking a pasture walk to better understand a rotational grazing strategy;
- Discovering the importance of proper record keeping in receiving Nutrient Management Credit payments;
- Transitioning from dairy to beef;
- Operations and maintenance of your Whole Farm Plan BMPs; or
- Supplementing a farm’s bottom line with a value-added dairy product like cheese, learning how to make it and then marketing the final product.
Speakers are often experts in their fields like veterinarian, precision feed managers, no-till operators and Extension agents. Or you might hear and learn something from your neighbor farmer.
Producer Groups
We also coordinate Producer Groups focused on dairy, beef and sheep/goat issues. These farmer-to-farmer gatherings meet periodically to discuss livestock topics of interest or to find solutions to on-farm hurdles. If you are interested in joining a Producer Group, contact:
Beef: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Grazing: Dale Dewing, CCE-WAP Team Leader (607) 865-7090, ext. 246
Calf health: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Sheep, goat, small ruminant livestock: Rich Toebe, CCE Dairy-Livestock Coordinator (607) 865-7090, ext. 208
Below are upcoming events for farmers:
Past Events › Agriculture
February 2024
This event is being hosted by the Cornell Livestock Program Work Team. Most old dairy barns can be renovated for your current livestock situation. There are many considerations to ensure that the new livestock environment will function efficiently and be a healthy environment for the sheep or goats. This presentation will discuss: How to identify the deficiencies from foundation to roof Is renovation worth the cost? Or is a new building less expensive? Ventilation – Critical for animal health. What’s…
Find out more »March 2024
The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »The Nutrient Management Team is holding three Nutrient Management Credit Workshops for farms in the Nutrient Management Credit Program. The workshops will provide updates on nutrient management planning and the new credit rate structure. Everyone involved in managing and handling manure on the farm is encouraged to attend. Credit Agreement Forms will be distributed for your signature. Attendance at one of these meetings is mandatory to maintain eligibility for the NM Credit Program. NM Credit Workshops are offered only once every three…
Find out more »Join us for an evening of conversation. We’ll be exploring how to manage our cattle in typical March weather, taking a look at both historical and forward trends in beef here in NY, and getting a head start on preventing and managing pink eye before spring fully arrives. Pinkeye – Causes, Prevention, Vaccination, and Treatment Summary of 2022 Ag Census & Beef Market Outlook Cow Comfort in March – Fluctuating temperatures, wind, and mud Please register March 8 by calling…
Find out more »
Sheep and goat production is increasing in New York State. Join us for a discussion of controlling costs associated with lambing & kidding. Low Input Lambing & Kidding (You’ll receive a free 72-page booklet) Nutritional Management Leading up to lambing & kidding Ways/Strategies to reduce costs associated with lambing & kidding Facilities or pasture preparations Review of basics and skills used at birth & bonding tips 2022 Ag Census and 2024 Northeast USDA Sheep Report Summary Please register March 19…
Find out more »April 2024
This is a course offering instruction of a variety of crop production, nutrient management, weed control and cover crop management topics. Topics include: All Things Sorghum Species: What’s out there how to grow them; Delaware County farmer experiences with Sudangrass and Sorghum-sudangrass in 2023; Is soil microbial health connected to yield and nitrogen needs? Understanding biological amendments and the Results of on-farm trials assessing the true fertilizer value of manure; Nozzle selection and adjuvants and for effective herbicide applications; Terminating…
Find out more »Whether you are selling your animals as meat cuts directly, or to an alternative customer or auction, understanding what your customer wants and when they want it can make your business more profitable. Come join us and meet the new Cornell Small Ruminant Specialist Jess Waltemyer. Matching your Breed or Genetics to your Market Characteristics of the live animal that results in a more valuable carcass What is the ideal degree of finish for your market? Religious Holidays – What…
Find out more »A cow with dystocia is a serious situation needing immediate attention. Rob Lynch of Cornell Pro-Dairy will be discussing both prevention and how to handle those difficult positions using a life size model. Each attendee will have the opportunity to use the model to deliver a mal-presented calf. Causes of dystocia and prevention Normal labor sequence and presentation Proper and safe use of calving assistance tools Please register by April 15, 2024 by calling Kim Holden at 607-865-7090 or email…
Find out more »Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County and SUNY Delhi are collaborating to provide a certification on using the FAMACHA technique to estimate Barberpole Worm burdens in small ruminant animals. We will start with a comprehensive discussion on parasite biology and current parasite control strategies. Participants will learn how to prepare and fecal sample for analysis using the microscope. Bring your own sheep or goat fecal sample. Register by April 24, 2024 by Calling or Emailing Kim Holden 607-865-7090, [email protected]
Find out more »