I’ve always enjoyed farm tours, especially when other farmers are on them. It’s not the big picture of the farm itself that’s all that interesting…wood, metal and concrete. It’s often not the farm manager that is that interesting either, although we’ve met some memorable ones. When on other’s farms, most farmers I’ve traveled with are looking at the little things …clever fixits that save a few minutes each day… that they hadn’t thought of…and could adapt to their farm. A diff

For many years, fat supplementation in dairy diets was viewed primarily as a way to increase the energy density of the ration. This concept remains true, particularly for high-producing cows with substantial energy demands, but recent research has shown that the response to fat supplementation depends not only on the amount of fat supplied but also on the specific fatty acids being fed. In other words, nutritionists are shifting their attention from "feeding more fat" to "fee

Last month I wrote about the critical weed-free period in corn. This month I’ll continue the theme by discussing why you may still be seeing weeds growing in your fields weeks after the corn was sprayed. While herbicides are very effective at controlling weeds when everything goes well, the reality is that many dairy operations end up with more weed material in their corn bunk than they would like to admit.

In last month’s Farm Report I introduced and discussed the hydrology of an edge-of-field monitoring project that was designed to assess the impacts of no-till corn silage production on field hydrology and nutrient losses. In this article we’ll discuss the impacts the no-till treatment had on nitrogen (N) transport from the field.

With the arrival of July comes lots of activity around the farm! Our four Summer Experience in Farm Management students are settling in and currently alternating between milking, feeding, crops, calf care, and herd health rotations, each a week long.

It is well known that the largest contributors to morbidity and mortality in preweaning calves are digestive issues and pneumonia (Urie et al., 2018; NAHMS, 2014). High levels of disease have substantial economic consequences in dairy heifer rearing systems, as the cost of raising a dairy replacement heifer to the close-up period is approximately $2,619 in 2026 USD.

We’re hearing reports of heavy first cuts of alfalfa and alfalfa-grass. This combined with some cool, wet weather in late May resulted in some hay crops being ensiled before they were dry enough for proper fermentation. At 30% DM or lower there’s an increased chance of butyric acid produced by Clostridial bacteria.

Protein supplements represent one of the largest feed costs on most dairy farms, making ingredient selection critical for both animal performance and profitability. Soybean meal has long been considered the benchmark protein supplement because of its high crude protein (CP) content and excellent digestibility. However, canola meal has become increasingly available throughout the Northeast and often provides a more economical source of metabolizable protein. To better understa

Hello everyone! My name is Abby Allen, and I am a new graduate student joining Miner Institute. I grew up in southern New Hampshire and recently graduated from the University of Findlay (UF) in Ohio with Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science, Equine Business Management, Western Equestrian Studies, and a minor in Chemistry. Looking back on my childhood, the farming community has always played an integral role in my life. My love for cattle grew (particularly the Holste

William Miner was known as a great philanthropist. In addition to his huge Heart’s Delight Farm, he funded the building of the Chazy Rural Central School and the Physician’s Hospital in Plattsburgh, NY. He also built a series of hydroelectric dams, including one in 1911 that cost $1 million, equivalent to about $33 million today.

Maybe surprising to some of you, heat stress does actually occur here in northern New York. As I write this, it is 80°F at 8 am, and it is expected to reach 96°F later today with a heat index of 106. Unlike the southern US, which experiences chronic heat stress, we experience it intermittently during the summer.

Heat stress is commonly associated with reduced milk production, lower reproductive performance and changes in cow behavior, but many of its negative effects originate at the rumen level. As environmental temperature and humidity increase, cows undergo a series of physiological and behavioral adaptations aimed at dissipating heat, altering rumen fermentation dynamics, nutrient utilization, and milk component production.

Happy National Dairy Month! The cows and dairy employees have been enjoying the late spring weather. There are currently 632 cows milking through the parlor, and despite the fluctuating weather the herd continues to average 100 pounds of milk per cow per day.

Morbidity and mortality rates in U.S. dairy calves is high, and a large proportion is due to digestive issues. Calves with at least one morbidity incidence were reported at 33.8% and mortality at 5%. Digestive issues account for 50.9% of the reported morbidity rate and 32% of the mortality rate (USDA, 2021). There are four major infectious causes of diarrhea in calves, Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Cryptosporidium parvum, rotavirus and coronavirus.

The critical weed-free period is the time during a crop’s development when weeds must be controlled in order to preserve yield potential. For corn, this stage is generally considered to run from about V2 through canopy closure (V6-8). During this time period the crop is setting itself up for future yield by expanding its root system and leaf area, sensing how abundant resources are, and determining how many other plants are growing around it (e.g. weeds). This means that the

Feed is one of the largest expenses on most dairy farms, so even small improvements in feed efficiency can have a significant impact on profitability. The quality of feed also has a direct influence on overall herd performance, including milk production, cow health, and reproduction. This makes feeding a consistent diet while minimizing feed waste an important priority on farms.

Miner Institute has conducted several studies over the years evaluating the impact of heat stress on dairy cattle in Northern NY on farms with different types of heat abatement systems. This research was supported through funding from the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

Heat stress changes more than respiration rate and milk production. As environmental temperature and humidity increase, cows also change how they compete for essential resources such as feed and water. While producers often focus on fans and sprinklers as the primary solutions, behavioral changes associated with heat stress can quietly reduce access to feed and water for certain animals in the pen. Understanding these behavioral shifts is important because the cows most affec

In 2018, with funding through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) of the USDA-NRCS, we began a 6-year edge-of-field drainage water monitoring study on two of Miner Institute’s fields. The project was designed to investigate the impacts of no-till corn production on field hydrology and nutrient transport dynamics.

Heat stress remains a management challenge for farmers, with lasting impacts on milk production, fertility, and overall herd health. Anticipating heat stress early and responding proactively can prevent costly losses. Over the last month or so, our Miner team has focused on fan and soaker maintenance to ensure our facilities are ready for the summer heat.