Abstract

We aim to facilitate New York State economic development by increasing the profitability and competitiveness of its dairy industry.

Issue

The dairy industry is the largest agricultural industry in New York State, consisting of approximately $2.0 billion in farm gate receipts. Increasing the profitability of the dairy industry will enhance economic development throughout rural New York State.

Response

The Cornell educational programs, PRO-DAIRY, helps farm families and other agricultural professionals realize their values and strive to achieve their professional and personal goals. From dairy industry input, educational programs are being developed and delivered that will: 1) allow the New York dairy industry to remain economically viable and sustainable in the future; and 2) provide greater technical specialization with management education orientation.

Impact

PRO-DAIRY program highlights include: 355 educational meetings with 15,750 attendees; PRO-DAIRY websites with over 36,000 visitors; the Northeast Dairy Business magazine with a bimonthly circulation of 12,600; work with over 40 industry organizations along with Cornell Cooperative Extension, with an estimated 90 percent of dairy producers in the State impacted; PRO-DAIRY staff leadership for many programs at state, regional and national levels. As a result, over 95 percent of dairy farms with more than 300 animal units are in compliance with whole-farm nutrient management plans; more than 75 percent of agri-service professionals are using bio-security practices on farms; and over 50+ percent of dairy producers are using business plans for managing their individual businesses. Over 90 percent of Cornell Cooperative Extension educators participate in professional and technical training programs offered by PRO-DAIRY and about the same number of educators utilize PRO-DAIRY programs. New York is ranked third in the country for total number of dairy cows which is a strong indicator of the economic value of the dairy industry in the State.

Funding Sources

• Private (e.g., commodity groups, foundations, companies)
• Federal Formula Funds - Extension (e.g., Smith Lever, RREA)
• State or Municipal (e.g., NYSDAM)
• Academic Programs Instructional Support (e.g., Institutional Challenge, Multicultural Scholars, Nat'l Needs, Hispanic Ed)

Collaborators

• Departments -- BEE, AEM, CSS
• College -- CALS, Vet
• CCE
• State Ag & Markets
• NYS dairy industry
• Northeast Dairy Professional Assn.
• NYS Farm Bureau

Key Personnel

• Tom Overton, Cornell University