Facilitate New York State economic development by increasing the profitability and competitiveness of its dairy industry.

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

The Cornell educational programs, PRO-DAIRY helps farm families and other agricultural professionals to realize their values and to 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.

PRO-DAIRY program highlights include 215 educational meetings with over 18,000 attendees, mainly producers and agri-professionals in the State; PRO-DAIRY web-sites of over 56,000 visitors; Northeast Dairy Business magazine of bimonthly circulation of 12,600; work with 75 industry organizations along with Cornell Cooperative Extension -- estimated that at least 90% of dairy producers in the State are impacted; and staff provides leadership for many programs at state, regional and national levels. As a result, 95+% of dairy farms with more than 300 animal units are in compliance with whole farm nutrient management plans; 75+% of agriservice professionals are using biosecurity practices on farms; and over 50+% of dairy producers are using business plans for managing their individual businesses. At least 90+% of Cornell Cooperative Extension educators participate in professional and technical training programs offered by PRO-DAIRY and 90+% of the 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.

Dairy Industry

• Griffin Moag (PRO-DAIRY)
• Tom Overton (PRO-DAIRY)
• John Conway (PRO-DAIRY)
• Karl Czymmek (PRO-DAIRY)
• Curt Gooch (PRO-DAIRY)
• Kasey Osborn (PRO-DAIRY)
• Jason Karszes (PRO-DAIRY)
• Debbie Grusenmeyer (PRO-DAIRY)
• Bill Stone (PRO-DAIRY)
• Lee Telega (PRO-DAIRY)