NCRAT Weekly Update: 11-16-20

Crops:

Field work is winding down. Corn grain is still being harvested and is yielding and drying down well considering our all-summer dry weather. This long, dry fall has meant good cover crop establishment and but also lots of fall tillage.

The 2020 drought continues, with almost all of the North Country currently considered at least D0 Abnormally Dry with portions of 5 counties categorized as D1 Moderate Drought and portions of Lewis still considered in D2 Severe Drought.

Current projects include providing some guidance for several farms on corn planter upgrades to permit no-till planting as part of a grant secured by Peter Hagar in Clinton County SWCD.

Winter programming is underway and being planned.

Dairy:

• Lindsay is on maternity leave now through to the New Year - please reach out to Casey for all dairy related topics
• Reaching out to local ag businesses for sponsorships for winter programming (so far we have had good luck - please let us know if you have any local business suggestions)
• Working on multiple research projects (calf diarrhea and cow comfort) and DAP calf discussion group (farm visits for calf weights and blood samples, forage variability feed project feed out sampling will start in the next week or so)
• Submitted two NNYADP project proposals for next year
• Working on a few podcast and webinar series with Statewide Dairy Group (stay tuned for Troubleshooting Herd Health Podcast! This will be released at the start of December!)
• Running the Digital Dairy Prospects Program
• Working with producers and local CCE staff on the Workforce Protection Grant
• details are finalized for our "Critical Calf Care: Decision Making for Urgent Calf Health" program

Farm Business Management:

• REMINDER: NY Farm Bureau (I confirmed this with the President) is offering ALL OF ITS COVID-19 related information to ALL FARMERS on their website. They want everyone to be aware and involved. Feel free to direct farmers there - they can all access it here is the link:https://www.nyfb.org/news/covid-19-news

• Register here for the 2 session FREE program for Farm Women on stress management inspired by Annie's Project (Dec 9 & Dec 15)
• " Virtual: Livestock & Whole Farm Risk Management Awareness" Webinar Nov 17 Register here
• Cornell Ag Workforce Development Council is offering the Labor Roadshow series, Nov 18, 19, 20, 23, 24. Register here.
• Questions about NY sick leave requirements? Click here to learn more.
• USDA FSA Updates:
• Enrollment begins for agriculture risk coverage and price loss coverage programs for 2021. Click herefor more info.
• Sign up for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) opened Oct 13, and runs until Dec 11, 2020. Click here to use the decision tool and determine the best coverage level for your farm

Stress Management:

• NY Farm Net is Open- 1-800-547-3276 and www.nyfarmnet.org
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 (TALK), www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Crisis Text Line Text “GOT 5” to 741-741, www.crisistextline.org