��̽̽ - Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Fence-Building Workshop Offered for Farmers

saa — Fri, 24 May 2024 12:41:15 +0000

Randolph Center—A full-day workshop for farmers on electric and high tensile fencing systems for livestock will be held June 25 in Randolph Center.

The workshop will take place on the Vermont State University campus. Participants should meet at the Red School House, 46 East Randolph Commons, at 10 a.m. for the classroom session, which will be followed by lunch and a hands-on fence-building session that runs until 4 p.m.

Registration is $15 per person, which covers the program and lunch. To register, go to https://go.uvm.edu/livestockfencing.

Farmers will hear from Heather Gooden, the Northeast Territory Manager for Gallagher, a leading supplier of electric fence products, about various fencing options to determine which is best for their operation. She also will discuss fencing components such as energizer selection, wire selection for electrified and non-electrified systems and proper grounding. By the end of the workshop, participants will understand the difference between “hot” and “hot ground” systems and have working knowledge of power fence system resistance and conductivity, how to troubleshoot and common issues to avoid, among other related topics.

The workshop is co-sponsored by ��̽̽ Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Vermont State University, the Northeast Grass-fed Beef Initiative and Gallagher. For more information, contact Jascha Pick at (802) 380-4275. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, please call by June 4.

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��̽̽ Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

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Free Workshop Addresses Grain Production for Dairy Farms

saa — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 18:32:53 +0000

Middlebury—To reduce purchased feed costs, many Vermont dairy farmers are considering growing their own corn and soybeans for grain. But for some, the decision to produce their own forages may also raise questions about what varieties to grow and how to optimize resources for best results.

On March 21, University of Vermont Extension (��̽̽) and the Champlain Valley Farmer Coalition will co-host a free workshop from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Middlebury Extension Office to provide them with practical information on growing, harvesting and storing grains as well as the impact on water quality and soil health.

This workshop is a collaboration among the ��̽̽ Extension Agricultural Business, Northwest Crops and Soils and Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture teams. It is the second in an ongoing series related to grain production for dairy farms.

Farmers have until March 19 to register at https://go.uvm.edu/grainworkshop. Lunch will be provided. In the event of inclement weather, this workshop will be rescheduled to March 28 at the same location and time.

Extension Agronomist Heather Darby and her members of her Northwest Crops and Soils team will discuss varieties of corn and soybeans optimal for growing in the Northeast. Abby Augarten and Joshua Faulkner from the Champlain Valley Crop, Soil and Pasture team will present preliminary data on nutrient balances and the water quality impacts of growing soybeans.

The workshop will conclude with a farmer panel of Vermont dairy producers who have integrated grain production into their operation. They will share their experiences, including their successes and challenges.

If questions, contact Whitney Hull at (802) 279-7517 or whitney.hull@uvm.edu. To request a disability-related accommodation, contact her by March 1.

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��̽̽ Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

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Cornell Vet to Present at Milk Quality Workshop

saa — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 17:22:16 +0000

South Burlington—A Cornell University veterinarian will be the featured presenter at the Milk Quality Workshop, August 8, at ��̽̽ (��̽̽) Paul R. Miller Research and Educational Center.

Dr. Paul Virkler, who is with Cornell’s Quality Milk Production Services Program, will share his expertise on troubleshooting milk quality issues on farms with dairy producers and agricultural service providers. The free workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Participants also will learn about milk quality best practices and related topics, including environment and housing, milking protocols in the parlor, culturing and milk diagnostics and records analysis and economic impact.

The workshop is sponsored by ��̽̽ Extension and the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. Registration is required at https://go.uvm.edu/milk.

To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Whitney Hull at (802) 279-7517 or whitney.hull@uvm.edu by July 18.

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��̽̽ Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

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Free Dairy Health Workshop Offered July 13 in Hartland

saa — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 12:59:05 +0000

Vermont commercial dairy farmers who want to enhance their clinical skills and understanding of herd health management are invited to participate in a free, hands-on workshop on July 13.

Dr. Dayna Locitzer, DVM, will lead the workshop, which will take place at Cedar Mountain Farm in Hartland from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is included and will be prepared by members of the Hartland Cattle Club, the farm’s 4-H club.

Registrations will be accepted through July 11 at https://go.uvm.edu/cedarmountain. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Kelsie Meehan, University of Vermont (��̽̽) Extension dairy specialist, at (802) 656-4829 or kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu by June 22.

The workshop will combine classroom learning with time on pasture and in the barn. Topics to be covered include the basic principles of herd health, a cow's daily time budget, physical exam of the cow and calving and when to intervene. Locitzer also will demonstrate clinical skills including knot tying and how to administer injections.

The dairy herd health workshop is sponsored by ��̽̽ Extension's Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. For questions about the program or for additional information, call (802) 656-4829.

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��̽̽ Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

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Crops and Soils Field Day Planned for July 28 in Alburgh

saa — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 19:55:54 +0000

Alburgh--��̽̽ (��̽̽) Extension Northwest Crops and Soils Program's on-farm Annual Field Day, featuring a farm tour, exhibitor tent and presentations by ��̽̽ researchers, will be held on July 28 in Alburgh.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Borderview Research Farm located at 487 Line Rd. The cost is $20 per person and includes lunch. Certified Crop Adviser and water quality training education credits are available.

Advance online registration and payment is required by July 27 at noon. Register at https://go.uvm.edu/annualfieldday. For help with registration, call the ��̽̽ Non-CreditRegistration Office at (802) 656-8407. To request a disability-related accommodation, contact ��̽̽ Student Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu or (802) 656-7753.

Check-in opens at 9:30 a.m. with the field day starting promptly at 10 a.m. with a guided tour of the farm, including its many research plots and experiments involving perennial grasses, corn, soybeans, small grains, hemp, hops and more. Farmers also will have the opportunity to check out the equipment used on the farm as well as discuss crop management techniques, receive updates and engage in conversations with ��̽̽ researchers about ongoing and innovative crop and soil research trials.

Borderview Research Farm has more than 3,000 research plots where university researchers study cereal grain and soybean varieties; hemp, hops, milkweed and other new crops; reduced tillage in silage corn; and soil health for forages and various field crops. The farm is owned by Roger Rainville, who assists with the research projects including site preparation and seeding and harvesting of the plots, among other tasks.

Questions? Please contact Susan Brouillette (ext. 432) or Heather Darby (ext. 437) at (802) 524-6501.

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Free Workshop Focuses on Calf and Heifer Management

saa — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 14:33:51 +0000

East Hardwick--Farmers are invited to join Dr. Pete Erickson, University of New Hampshire (UNH) dairy production state specialist, for a walk and talk farm tour on July 27.

The tour will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at the Laggis Brothers Farm in East Hardwick. Erickson will discuss calf and heifer management practices and how farmers can apply these to their own operations. He also will talk about dry cow management for healthier calves, calf feeding, calf and heifer housing and pasture management for heifers.

There is no charge to attend, but advance registration is required by July 25 at https://go.uvm.edu/moo. Lunch is included. To request a disability-related accommodation, contact Whitney Hull at whitney.hull@uvm.edu or (802) 279-7517 by July 6.

University of Vermont Extension is hosting this workshop in collaboration with UNH and the University of Maine. It is part of the 2022 Summer Dairy Series, which includes a number of informational tours, workshops and events for farmers. To learn more, go to https://go.uvm.edu/summer-dairy.

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��̽̽ Extension Cultivating Healthy Communities

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Free Workshops Focus on Dairy Herd Management

saa — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:22:12 +0000

Burlington--Free dairy herd management workshops will be offered this summer on three Vermont farms.

Dr. Dayna Locitzer, a large animal veterinarian at the Green Mountain Bovine Clinic in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, will lead these on-farm sessions. She has worked with pasture-based dairies in the Northeast for more than 10 years as well as worked on organic dairy farms in New York prior to enrolling in veterinary school.

Farmers may sign up for one or more workshops at https://go.uvm.edu/herdhealth. Registration is required as space is limited. If requiring a disability-related accommodation to attend, please contact Kelsie Meehan at (518) 810-6431 or kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu at least two weeks' prior to the date of the workshop.

All workshops will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. Dates, topics and locations are:

July 14 — Physical Exam of the Herd and Individual Cow; Richardson Family Farm, 18 Richardson Farm Rd., Hartland. Participants will learn how to assess whole herd and individual cow health and practice performing a physical exam on a cow to better understand how to identify sick cows, target treatment and assess severity of the illness. Locitzer will talk about the cow's daily "time budget," a method farmers can use to observe their cows on pasture to manage their herd's needs more effectively.
August 25 — Raising Healthy Heifers; Taconic End Farm, 1395 Leicester-Whiting Rd., Leicester. This session will focus on preventative care and treatment of common diseases. It will include a farm tour to observe how the owners raise their calves. Participants will hear about best practices for raising replacements, colostrum management, milk feeding, housing, scours and calfhood pneumonia. Vermont grazing consultant and co-presenter Sarah Flack will discuss pasture management for heifers.
September 8 — Understanding Mastitis to Produce Quality Milk; Rebop Farm, 1320 Sunset Lake Rd., Brattleboro. Farmers will explore the steps to take to improve milk quality, the importance of udder health and the causes, types and prevention of mastitis. Farm owners Ashlyn Bristle and Abraham McClurg will describe what they do to maintain low somatic cell counts and achieve exceptional milk quality on their pasture-based dairy operation.

Additional dairy herd management workshops will be offered virtually this fall via Zoom. Topics will include vaccines (October 6); calving and when to intervene (October 20) and fluid therapy to treat sick cows (November 3). Details and registration information is available at https://go.uvm.edu/herdhealth.

Both the summer and fall workshops are sponsored by University of Vermont Extension and the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center. For more information, email Kelsie Meehan at kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu or call (518) 810-6431.

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Course Covers Management of Parasites in Goats and Sheep

saa — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 12:34:12 +0000

Burlington--Understanding how to manage internal parasites of goats and sheep will help prevent health issues, including those of the animal's gastrointestinal tract.

University of Vermont Extension is teaming up with the Cornell Sheep and Goat Program and Cornell Cooperative Extension to offer a free integrated parasite management and FAMACHA© training course in May to help producers best understand how to manage parasites. The course is open to goat and sheep producers (dairy, meat and fiber) in Vermont and neighboring states.

The training includes Zoom webinars on May 9 (Part 1) and May 16 (Part 2) from 7-8:30 p.m. and a three-hour hands-on sessions on May 23 at a farm in Whiting, either from 9 a.m.-noon or 1-4 p.m. While producers are welcome to attend the webinars just for the information, to receive the FAMACHA© Anemia Card and certification, they must participate in both webinars and one hands-on session.

Space is limited for the on-farm sessions, so early registration is recommended at https://go.uvm.edu/sheepandgoat. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Kelsie Meehan at (518) 810-6431 or kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu by April 29.

The course will cover the basics of parasite control and the current status of new innovations in parasite management. Participants also will learn how to develop an integrated parasite management plan for their farm, which includes evasive grazing practices and selective deworming and/or alternative treatments.

The on-farm session will include hands-on training on how to use the FAMACHA© card as part of a five-point check to determine which animals in the herd or flock most likely require deworming. Producers may bring a refrigerated fecal sample from one sheep or goat at their farm to analyze as part of the training on fecal egg identification and analysis.

Presenters include Betsy Hodge, Cornell University livestock educator; Dr. Niko Kochendoerfer, Cornell University Department of Animal Science postdoctoral research associate; Janice Liotta, Cornell University's parasitology laboratory; and Dr. tatiana Stanton, Cornell University Extension sheep and goat state specialist.

For more information or questions about the course, contact Kelsie Meehan at kelsie.meehan@uvm.edu.

��̽̽ - Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Fence-Building Workshop Offered for Farmers

so-many-cows.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshop Addresses Grain Production for Dairy Farms

grainworkshop.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Cornell Vet to Present at Milk Quality Workshop

cows-in-a-line.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Dairy Health Workshop Offered July 13 in Hartland

cow-hello-there.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Crops and Soils Field Day Planned for July 28 in Alburgh

cornfield.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshop Focuses on Calf and Heifer Management

calves.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshops Focus on Dairy Herd Management

two-cows.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Course Covers Management of Parasites in Goats and Sheep

sheep-looking-at-you.jpg

Groups audience

Social Media

Winter Pea Project

Dairy Net Zero Project

����̽̽ - Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Fence-Building Workshop Offered for Farmers

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshop Addresses Grain Production for Dairy Farms

Groups audience

Social Media

Cornell Vet to Present at Milk Quality Workshop

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Dairy Health Workshop Offered July 13 in Hartland

Groups audience

Social Media

Crops and Soils Field Day Planned for July 28 in Alburgh

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshop Focuses on Calf and Heifer Management

Groups audience

Social Media

Free Workshops Focus on Dairy Herd Management

Groups audience

Social Media

Course Covers Management of Parasites in Goats and Sheep

Groups audience

Social Media

Winter Pea Project

Dairy Net Zero Project

��̽̽ - Center for Sustainable Agriculture