News Release
Date: Nov. 9, 2007
Contact Person: Rebecca Schuelke, public relations specialist
T: (315) 453-3823 extension 103
E: rschuelke@nyfvi.org
NY Center for Dairy Excellence launches farm-level programs
The New York Center for Dairy Excellence has been gaining tremendous momentum in
the past few months as it moves toward its objective of enhancing the
profitability of New York’s dairy farmers and strengthening the dairy industry
as a whole.
Within a year’s time, the Center has evolved from a concept into an organization
that is providing funding for a variety of projects that benefit the state’s
dairy farmers.
The CDE is an initiative of the New York Farm Viability Institute, which, along
with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, provided the
initial funding for the organization in late 2006. The Center aims to create a
more unified, goal-oriented dairy industry in New York.
With an emphasis on having a substantial farm-level impact, the CDE strives to
assist in implementing strategies that improve the productivity and increase the
profitability of dairy operations.
Early in 2007, the New York Dairy Industry Task Force formed to provide
direction for the CDE. The Task Force – consisting of producers, government
officials, agribusiness professionals, educators, researchers and industry
organization representatives – is charged with identifying programs and projects
that overcome barriers for dairy farmers, as well as enhance opportunities for
success.
The Dairy Task Force committees – human resources, environmental stewardship,
business and production management, economic development, and outreach and
communications – which were determined to be the main areas of focus for the
Center.
The CDE received project funding for 2007 through legislative appropriations to
the Department of Agriculture and Markets. Through the spring and summer, the
committees of the Dairy Task Force worked on identifying a number of initiatives
for funding consideration.
Projects identified by the Dairy Task Force and advanced by the CDE:
Agri-Service Profit-Focused Discussion Groups – Coordinated by agri-service
professionals and administered by PRO-DAIRY, the program promotes broader
adoption and more effective use of business and production management tools
through discussion groups of dairy farmers.
Herdsman Skills Enhancement Modules – Supplemental funding is being
provided to the Wyoming County Dairy Institute for the further development of a
herdsman training curriculum focused on milk quality, labor efficiency, breeding
and herd health, which eventually will be made available for utilization in
other parts of the state.
Manure Management Technology – A position within PRO-DAIRY is being
jump-started with CDE funds that is responsible for identifying and initiating
investigations of new manure management technologies, as well as developing
facts sheets, articles and presentations on these projects as a resource for
dairy farmers.
Dairy Profit Team Pilot Program Expansion – The addition of a third pilot
program for the NYVFI’s Dairy Profit Team project – which creates a team of
agribusiness professionals to address operational issues and opportunities for
profitability on the farm – is underway in Western New York.
Environmental Management Articles – A series of in-depth articles will be
developed and disseminated in 2008 that profile a broad spectrum of successful
environmental practices and encourage dairy farmers to consider implementation.
Consumer Information on Dairy Farming – At the New York State Fair,
dozens of signs were displayed in the Dairy Products Building and the Dairy
Cattle Barn as the kick-off of a consumer informational campaign that informs
the public of the enormity of the New York’s dairy industry and its importance
to the state economy. A brochure containing similar information is in the works.
The progress made by the Center for Dairy Excellence is the result of a
collaborative effort by a cross-section of the state’s dairy industry.
– Mark Kenville