SWNY Virtual Field Crops Congress Brings Research-based Recommendations to SWNY Cornell Cooperative Extension offers an eight part program for farmers ahead of the 2022 growing season

SOUTHWEST, NEW YORK (February 22nd, 2022) – Producing field crops in Southwest New York is an important sector of our agriculture industry. With 4,508 farms that operate on 641,205 acres, having up-to-date information to make informed decisions is important for our local farmers. Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program is pleased to bring a series of educational presentations to address these needs over eight sessions throughout March and early April. Producers of all shapes, sizes, and locations are encourage to register or reach out to SWNYDLFC for more information by calling 716-640-0522.

COST: $40/farm for access to any and all of the virtual sessions listed below. Scholarships are available for those who are in need who would like to attend for $20 or for free. At registration, select the “scholarship” option.

REGISTRATION: Complete the form available online by visiting tinyurl.com/22FieldCrops or call Kelly Bourne, administrative support, at 585-268-7644 or email klb288@cornell.edu.

PLEASE NOTE: These sessions will not be recorded. Every effort will be made to connect those who are unable to attend live with the session resources and slides.

IN-PERSON VIEWING OPTIONS available at one of the local CCE offices upon request. Participating offices are located in East Aurora, Jamestown, Ellicottville, Belmont, and Bath.

DEC AND CCA CREDITS AVAILABLE: During registration, indicate that you need credits and be prepared to share your Certification Number. Approved for 11.5 CEUs (1 Nutrient Management, 8 Integrated Pest Management, 1.5 Crop Management, 1 Professional Development). DEC Credits pending in categories 1a, 21, and 23.

TECH REQUIREMENTS: You will need access to Zoom (phone, tablet, or computer). If you need credits, you'll also need video capabilities.

SPONSORSHIP: We are currently seeking agribusiness support for this series. Contact Katelyn at 716-640-0522 for more information.

IS THIS FOR ME? This series has options for agricultural producers of all shapes, sizes, and time in business. Choose the options that best suit your interests and needs.

FOR ACCOMMODATIONS and accessibility concerns, please contact Katelyn Walley-Stoll by calling 716-640-0522.

Thursday, March 10th, 2022

12:30pm to 1:30pm

Navigating, Valuing, and Negotiating Land Leases

As farm profitability margins tighten, and input prices continue to rise, now’s the time to evaluate the role that leased and rented land plays in your crop production – and the effect on your bottom line. Join Farm Business Management Specialist, Katelyn Walley-Stoll, to learn more about the considerations and resources that are available for evaluating and executing your land lease options. Topics of discussion include written lease agreements, “fair” rental rates, and tools for analyzing enterprise opportunities.

Friday, March 11th, 2022

12:30pm to 1:30pm

Getting the Best Bang for Your Fertilizer Buck

Dr. Quirine Ketterings, Cornell Professor and leader of the Nutrient Management Spear Program, and Kirsten Workman of Cornell PRO-DAIRY, will discuss management and evaluation strategies to help optimize fertility without breaking the bank with your fertilizer budget.

Thursday, March 17th, 2022

12noon to 1pm (DEC Credits Pending)

Keeping Hay Fields Productive

Dan Steward of WNY Crop Management Association, will address the challenge of keeping long term pastures and hay fields. Discussion of how to deal with established weeds, while keeping pastures and hayfields viable in this regard will be covered. He will show how to better manage via rotation, fertility and harvest management to help control and eliminate weed growth. Problem weeds typically found in pastures and long-term fields will be identified and covered along with what types of herbicides should be used and timing for best possible effectiveness and animal safety.

Friday, March 18th, 2022

12noon to 2pm (DEC Credits Pending)

Corn Nematode Survey Results: Management Implications?

Mike Stanyard will discuss the results of the corn nematode sampling study from the NWNY region in 2021. We will look at what plant parasitic nematode species were found and at what levels. Some fields were over threshold and therefore possible nematicide management options will be discussed for 2022. Mike is the Field Crops Specialist and Team Leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program.

Weed Management in Hay and Pasture

This session will provide a review of cultural and chemical weed control practices for alfalfa or grass, mixed stands, and pasture. It will include practices that give the hay species a competitive edge over weeds and herbicide options for different weed scenarios. Common difficult to control weeds in pasture will be covered as well as improvement of older hay stands with weed invasions. Janice Degni is the Field Crops Specialist and Team Leader with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s South Central New York Dairy and Field Crops Program.

Thursday, March 24th, 2022

12noon to 1pm

Factors Influencing Forage Digestibility and Feed Quality

Advancements in measurements of forage fiber digestibility and a growing understanding of field and management factors that affect digestibility offer the opportunity to improve our management and utilization of forages in dairy rations. This talk will cover factors, from crop type to weather, that affect forage digestibility and overall quality as well as considerations for harvest, storage and feedout management to optimize the use of forages in a feeding program. Led by PRO-DAIRY’s Joe Lawrence.

Friday, March 25th, 2022

12noon to 2pm (2 DEC Credits in 1a, 21, 23)

Field Crop Disease update: corn tar spot, mycotoxins, and more…

Gary Bergstrom will provide an update on the diagnosis and management of field crop diseases in New York including two new corn diseases (tar spot and bacterial leaf streak), corn mycotoxins, soybean cyst nematode, and latest options for disease management in corn, soybean, and small grains. Presented by Gary Bergstrom, Professor, School of Integrative Plant Science Pathology and PlantMicrobe Biology Section.

Soybean cyst nematode in NY: Status update and management options

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is the most damaging pest of soybeans globally, and we are just beginning to identify its expansion into dry bean crops. In this presentation I will discuss SCN damage to crops, the latest statewide survey results, and the latest management options. Presented by Erik Smith, Area Field Crop Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Central New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops program.

Thursday, March 31st, 2022

12noon to 2pm (DEC Credits Pending)

Herbicide Resistant Weeds in Agronomic Crops, Herbicide Shortages, 

and Novel Weed Control Strategies

This presentation will focus on the evolution of herbicide resistance in agronomic crops with a focus on the current issues facing New York producers including: Palmer amaranth, waterhemp and horseweed. Results from recent studies indicate that all three species are likely resistant to glyphosate and the ALS-inhibiting herbicide chemistries. The presentation will also include information about projected herbicide shortages and their impacts on weed control success. The talk will conclude with discussions about novel technology being investigated in the US for the control of herbicide resistant weeds (electrical weeding, harvest weed seed control) as well as easily implemented strategies on growers own farms, such as combine cleanout. Presented by Lynn Sosnoskie, Assistant Professor for Weed Ecology and Management for Specialty Crops at the School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell AgriTech.

Seed Corn Maggot in NY Corn and Biological Control of Corn Rootworm

This talk will explore two topics. The first topic addresses the need for seed treatments to prevent stand losses from Seed Corn Maggot and the second topic addresses the use of persistent biocontrol nematodes (entomopathogenic) to control corn rootworm. A single application results in multi-year pest suppression. Presented by Elson Shields, Professor of Entomology at Cornell University.

Friday, April 1st, 2022

12noon to 2pm (DEC Credits Pending)

Alphabet Soup – GMO Trait Management

The options for pest management traits in genetically engineered crops can be confusing and continues to change. Understanding and managing these traits is critical to responsible and sustainable pest management. This talk will help decipher the list of traits from different companies and for various pest addressing trait stewardship to assure target use and minimize the risk of resistance development. Furthermore, how the use of traits can complement the responsible use of pesticides will be discussed. This presentation will be led by Joe Lawrence, Dairy Forage Systems Specialist with Cornell PRO-DAIRY.

Field Crop Weed Control in 2022

Limited availability of certain herbicides will likely change the herbicide programs used to control problematic weeds of field crops in NY. Putting together a sound weed management program in 2022 will be discussed. Up-to-date information about the status of herbicide resistant weeds in New York, including effective herbicide resistant weed control strategies and how to prepare for and manage resistant weeds on your farm. Presented by Mike Hunter, Field Crops Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s North Country Regional Agriculture Team.

SWNYDLFC is a partnership between Cornell University and the CCE Associations of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, and Steuben counties. Their team includes Katelyn Walley-Stoll, Farm Business Management (716-640-0522); Camila Lage, Dairy Management (607-422-6788); and Amy Barkley, Livestock Management (716-640-0844). CCE is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.

For more information about Cornell Cooperative Extension, contact your county’s Association Executive Director. Allegany County – Laura Hunsberger, lkh47@cornell.edu or 585-268-7644. Cattaraugus County – Dick Rivers, rer263@cornell.edu or 716-699-2377. Chautauqua County – Emily Reynolds, eck47@cornell.edu or 716-664-9502. Erie County – Diane Held, dbh24@cornell.edu or 716-652-5400. Steuben County – Tess McKinley, tsm223@cornell.edu, or 607-664-2301. 

Last updated February 23, 2022