PRO-DAIRY: Educational program for the New York dairy industry

2007 Impact statement
  • Galton, David Malcolm

abstract

The PRO-DAIRY mission is to increase the profitability and competitiveness of New York`s dairy businesses through industry-applied research and educational programs that enhance farm profitability while advancing dairy professionals` knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for dairying.

submitted by

issue being addressed

The dairy industry is the largest agricultural industry in New York, consisting of approximately $2.0 billion in farmgate receipts and representing approximately 6,000 dairy farm families. The New York dairy industry ranks third in the U.S. Increasing the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry enhances economic development throughout rural New York state.

response

PRO-DAIRY provides expertise on a multitude of dairy production issues: environmental programs and issues from effective crop fertilization and manure handling to control of odors and other emissions; dairy herd management practices that pertain to cattle well-being, health and nutrition; business management program that offers a new benchmark program along with farm business summaries and curricula to assist producers and advisors to make more sound business decisions; and a youth program that introduces young people to the scope of opportunities available in the dairy industry and strengthen their knowledge and skills. Highlights of the program are: program works with over 110 industry collaborators in providing over 250 educational programs; PRO-DARIY websites hosts over 75,000 visitors; the Northeast Dairy Business magazine has a bimonthly circulation of 15,300; and at least 90% of the dairy producers are impacted by the program either directly or through collaborators and written materials.

impact assessment

Examples of impacts of the PRO-DAIRY Program are: over 1,000 crop planners, producers and state agency staff are trained and updated on crop and nutrient management to sustain the environement, lower fertilizer costs and improve crop productivity ( i.e., PRO-DARIY provided evidence that phosphorus application could be reduced on corn crops which could result in $1.9 million savings per year and result in fewer nutrients in the environment); provides leadership and research into nutrient managment plans for producers to make better decisions in crop and manure management; provides programs to help farmers and neighbors resolve conflicts related to farming practices; 100% of the agricultural engineers attend PRO-DAIRY meetings that relate to their expertise; development of decison-making spreadsheets to aid dairy producers in determining the best use of money for return on investment (i.e., a dairy producer invested $30,000 on barn renovation and realized a 16.2% return on investment); provides leadership in innovative ventilation systems of dairy facilities; herd growth rates of 8 to 12% per year are being achieved by producers who attended a PRO-DARIY conference on herd growth; use of Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summaries for on-farm decision making; development of a farm business benchmark program to provide better decision-making tools for dairy producers; and a youth program that inspires youth to continue careers in agriculture.

academic priority area

topic description

Educational program for the New York dairy industry

has geographic focus

more links 32 more

funding source description

  • Unrestricted funds
  • Hatch
  • New York Farm Viability Institute
  • New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets
  • Smith-Lever 3(b) & (c)

key personnel

  • Tom Overton
  • John Conway
  • Karl Cyzmmek
  • Curt Gooch
  • Jason Karszes
  • Lee Telega
  • Debbie Grusenmeyer
  • Kyle Getty

department, unit, division

mission focus

From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008