NEAFA Executive Pen: Your Vote Matters!

By Bonnie Bargstedt, NEAFA Vice President

We are just days away from the election. Please go vote! Like Charlie said last month, we have many seats that can change the landscape of both the State and Congressional Houses. Many of those will have leadership implications on key committees that influence Agriculture, particularly the Chair of the NYS Assembly Agriculture Committee with the retirement of Assemblymember Donna Lupardo.

On November 20 we will meet with Hinman & Straub to begin a plan for the coming year. We will need to reach out to incumbents to solidify the NEAFA goals and priorities. The big task is introducing ourselves to newly elected representatives and educating them about NEAFA - who we are, what we do and how our mission benefits every constituent, regardless of party affiliation.

I would encourage each of you to know where your representative fits into this puzzle. Please make time to join us for our Lobby Day in Albany scheduled for Wednesday, February 10, 2027. Setting appointments is always easier when a constituent is in the group – especially with these new leaders. We never have enough NEAFA members to meet with those we should see.

Favorable weather has helped farmers finally finish corn silage across most of the region. Many are reporting strong yields with starch and digestibility looking good. With weather permitting, attention now turns to completing soybean and grain corn harvest.

As the pressure to finish harvest continues, please prioritize safety. I’d like to remind you to stay safe. Grab that cup of coffee, let a truck go ahead so you can pull over and grab a quick nap, double check safety protocols. Be mindful of all the big equipment on the roads, in surrounding fields, at the farm bunks and feed mills. If you’re a visitor make sure you are visible – the drivers likely aren’t expecting you.

Last week over 500 dairy nutritionists, consultants, and industry professionals from around the world gathered for the 88th Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference. Participants gained insight into the latest research and developments in animal nutrition, leaving with actionable practices to help their farmer clients feed the world. The conference has been coordinated and presented by the Cornell Animal Science Department since 1938.

Leading researchers and industry experts shared recent advances in dairy cattle, nutrition, health and sustainability. This year’s sessions examined dairy nutrition, rumen health, microbiome science, feeding and management practices and emerging technologies that are reshaping dairy production. From microbiome-focused discoveries to hands-on management approaches, CNC 2026 highlighted solutions to support cow health, farm productivity, and long-term industry sustainability. The funding that NEAFA advocates for is what funds this research.

One more time - PLEASE VOTE – Yours counts. Early voting is now open.

Agricultural Workforce Development Council Celebrates 10 Years

Guest Article Provided by AWDC

More than a decade ago, a group of forward-thinking agricultural leaders recognized that agriculture’s long-term success depended on attracting and retaining skilled employees. They took action to develop solutions to workforce challenges by equipping employers with the tools to build positive, productive workplaces.  

These collaborative efforts of farmers, agricultural organizations, dairy cooperatives, and Cornell University led to the formation of the Agricultural Workforce Development Council (AWDC). We are now celebrating ten years of collaboration, education, and leadership dedicated to strengthening New York’s agricultural workforce!

One of AWDC’s earliest priorities was expanding access to practical workforce education and resources for agricultural employers. In November 2016, the Council launched the first Labor Roadshow, bringing agricultural professionals together to learn about labor regulations, employment practices, and workforce management.

The Labor Roadshow continues to provide valuable resources to employers and industry professionals. Labor Roadshow X is taking place in December. It will feature five in-person events across New York State and two unique webinars, offering timely information and practical strategies for navigating today’s agricultural workforce challenges. Topics include:

·         H-2A: Overview for Employers Considering the Program, Housing Requirements, Legislative Updates, and Practical Participation Tips from H-2A Agents and Employers

·         Compliance Updates from New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL)

·         Unionization

·         Employee Engagement and Improving Culture

·         NYSDOL Enforcement Tips

·         Employee Handbooks

Visit the Labor Roadshow website to learn more about this year’s speakers and locations and to register. Sponsorship opportunities are available through November 6. Contact Allyson Jones-Brimmer at allyson@nedpa.org if you are interested in sponsorship.

Another of AWDC’s achievements was to bring dedicated agricultural workforce expertise to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. AWDC helped establish the labor specialist position, which has grown into today’s Cornell Agricultural Workforce Development Program. The program received significant additional state funding in 2024 and has expanded into a comprehensive resource for New York agriculture (and beyond) with a team of 11 dedicated professionals and consultants offering support in both English and Spanish.

Throughout its first decade, AWDC has championed collaboration among employers, employees, agricultural organizations, and educational partners. Its work reflects the belief that employee safety, professional development, effective management, and positive workplace culture are essential to the success of individual farms and the broader agricultural industry.

Looking toward its next decade, AWDC will continue building on its foundation of collaboration while placing greater emphasis on engaging directly with agricultural employees to better understand their needs and develop resources that support both employees and their employers. As New York agriculture continues to evolve, AWDC remains committed to cultivating a vibrant agricultural community.

New York State Division of Budget Releases Call Letter to State Agencies

Kicking off the start of the New York State budget process, the Director of the NYS Division of the Budget (DOB) has sent state agency leaders the official request to submit their proposed spending plans for the upcoming year. This request, known as the “Budget Call Letter,” establishes the parameters for those submissions and sets the tone for the Executive Budget process. The official letter can be found here.

The tone of this year’s letter isn’t much different from last year – reflecting federal uncertainty in Washington D.C., specifically around health and human services. The letter specifically warns agencies that Agency budget requests for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2028 should not exceed the total SFY 2027 Enacted Budget agency funding levels, excluding one-time investments.

Agency budget requests and targeted regulatory reductions are due no later than October 28, 2026.

NEAFA Scholarship Highlight: Mason Hill

Photo Provided

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

NEAFA continues to highlight the wonderful and industrious winners of our 2026 NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturists, created in conjunction with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation. Applications are due in January of each year, with the winner being announced in February. October’s highlight is Mason Hill from Candor, NY, and a member of Owego FFA. Hill is a part owner of Highland Hills Family Farm, which started operations in 2022. “It’s a Lowline Angus operation that maxes out around 30 head and 40 acres of pasture,” said Hill. “The family farm is how I first developed my interest in agriculture. That continued during high school with participating in FFA, and through the Animal Science program at the Broome-Tioga County BOCES. I spent my junior and senior years working 2 hours every day with a fully functional multi-use farm. They have angus cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens.”

Hill is currently a freshman at Cornell University, where he is studying Animal Science. “I enjoy it,” said Hill. “The classes are challenging but interesting, I look forward to my classes. The course material is applicable for when I get home. My domestic biology class for example, I’m learning about the entire anatomy of cattle. You learn to look at the animals in a different way, where you notice things that you didn’t before. Even being at college for only a month and a half, I’ve already learned quite a bit. I’m focused on production agriculture currently, and I’d like to learn more specifics on beef cattle, because that’s where my passion began. I’d also like to participate in more clubs, like the Cornell University Dairy Science club. It’s a very well-established program. While I’m not dairy focused, there are great connections to be made there. A few of us are starting an Agribusiness club right now too. If it gets going in the spring, I’ll be the treasurer for that club. We have twenty members signed up so far.”

Hill learned of the scholarship through his participation with Owego FFA. “I was the chapter officer for FFA at my high school for three years,” said Hill. “It was through FFA that I found the scholarship, one of my ag teachers thought that it would be right up my alley. I’ve gotten to meet some great people through the scholarship process, from NEAFA’s John Clarke to Cornell Professor Tom Overton. It’s more than just a scholarship, you get a chance to meet cool people amd make connections in the industry, which is great.”

NEAFA would like to congratulate all four of the 2026 scholarship winners: Lily Marshman, Mason Hill, Logan Mills, and Clare Titus. Since 2019, NEAFA has partnered with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation to provide four $1000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors planning to pursue a field of study that will lead to a career in agriculture, with a specific emphasis on animal science, agronomy, agriculture education or agribusiness. The future of agriculture is dependent on our youth, as they will be tasked with some of the most difficult and most challenging issues facing the agriculture community. This scholarship compliments the mission of NEAFA's Good Works Program to support initiatives that enhance opportunities for youth in agriculture.

NEAFA Scholarship Winner Highlight: Logan Mills

NEAFA would like to take a moment and continue to highlight the wonderful and industrious winners of our 2026 NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturists, created in conjunction with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation. Applications are due in January of each year, with the winner being announced in February. This month’s highlight is of Logan Mills, of Canastoa, NY. Mills is currently a freshman studying plant science at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech. “During our third week of school, we jumped right into soil science, which I enjoy,” said Mills. “I’m taking botany, and I have a couple of general education classes as well. The ag classes that I have right now are really great. I love Cobleskill. Everyone knows each other, I already have a big group of friends. I feel like I get more learning here than elsewhere because of how hands on it is; there are lab classes every day, I get to go outside to look for plants for botany, it’s all just really amazing.”

Many in NEAFA are familiar with Mill’s family, given his mother, Jenny Mills, and her previous role of President of NEAFA. “I come from a family owned small to mid-size dairy in Central New York,” said Logan Mills. “I also own 40 head of sheep (Suffolk), which I bring to a couple of shows. This year we went to the All American Sheep Show and the NYS Fair. While I’ve worked with animals my whole life, I fell in love with plants four years ago. I started working for a friend’s vegetable farm during the summers. In fact, he’s now my dorm mate. I liked helping out picking, and then I started doing jobs in greenhouses. I’m hoping to get into agronomy after I finish school. I want to go to different farms, see what’s wrong, and know how to fix it. There’s a weed identification class that I’m psyched about too. I’m definitely looking forward to bring some of the education back home. I don’t know if I want to go back to the farm right away, after graduation. I want to explore what’s out there for a while, I would love to work for an agronomy company and see what that’s like. But I really do want to bring a lot of it home too.”

Mills learned about the scholarship through his mother. “My mom, Jenny mills, works closely with NEAFA,” said Logan Mills. “I’ve known about it with 4h and being in the ag world too. I know that they get together to lobby to help with the future of agriculture, and that’s so important. Ag education is really important too, I’m looking into minoring in ag ed next semester. It’s not just the farm kids that should know how vital agriculture is. I think helping inner city children know where their food is produced, and how much work goes into it is important too.”

NEAFA would like to congratulate all four of the 2026 scholarship winners: Lily Marshman, Mason Hill, Logan Mills, and Clare Titus. Since 2019, NEAFA has partnered with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation to provide four $1000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors planning to pursue a field of study that will lead to a career in agriculture, with a specific emphasis on animal science, agronomy, agriculture education or agribusiness. The future of agriculture is dependent on our youth, as they will be tasked with some of the most difficult and most challenging issues facing the agriculture community. This scholarship compliments the mission of NEAFA's Good Works Program to support initiatives that enhance opportunities for youth in agriculture.

2026 Election Year Forecasts Shifts in Policy and Politics

By Hinman Straub, Special to NEAFA

New York’s 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be especially consequential. With the governor’s race at the top of the ticket and significant turnover expected in the State Legislature, the coming year will be an important opportunity to educate candidates, strengthen relationships, and ensure farm and food-system priorities are understood before the 2027–28 legislative term begins.

Governor Kathy Hochul is up for re-election in 2026, bringing heightened attention to statewide policy debates. At the same time, the Legislature that returns to Albany in 2027 will include many new members. This makes outreach and relationship-building essential in 2027.

A factor contributing to this turnover is the new limit on outside income for state legislators. Combined with retirements, primary losses, and other political factors, this change is accelerating a transition that will reshape overall leadership, committee leadership, regional representation, and the institutional memory in Albany.

In the Assembly, at least 30 new members are expected in 2027, including replacements for 25 members who did not seek re-election and five incumbents who lost their primary elections. In the Senate, at least seven new members are expected, including five members who did not seek re-election and two incumbents who lost their primaries.

New members are not the only change anticipated. Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris are not running for re-election, leaving the number two leadership position open in each house. These vacancies will further intensify the reshuffling of committee chairmanships, memberships, and leadership roles. Longtime Assembly Agriculture Committee Chair Donna Lupardo is also among the retirees, ensuring there will be a new chair. In addition, longtime Republican ranking member Chris Tague is running for State Senate. Although he is favored to win, there is no guarantee he will be assigned to the Agriculture Committee, much less serve as a member of that committee.

A final factor to consider heading into the general election is the likely ideological makeup of the Legislature in January. Current projections suggest there could be 16 Democratic Socialists of America-endorsed members in the New York State Legislature for the 2027 session. Following decisive victories in the June 2026 primaries, the DSA voting bloc is positioned to grow from its current nine-seat presence.

The projected 2027 breakdown includes:

·         New York State Senate: 4 members, up from 3.

·         New York State Assembly: 12 members, up from 6.

This shift is not limited to New York City. Democratic Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli, who has held office since the late 1990s, narrowly lost his primary to a DSA candidate.

Because many of these candidates are running on the Democratic ballot line in heavily Democratic districts, their primary wins give them strong paths to victory in November. Taken together, the turnover in membership, leadership, committee assignments, and ideological balance points to a Legislature that could approach familiar policy issues in new ways.

NEAFA Member Highlight: Ezra Swope, Huvepharma

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

This month’s member profile features Ezra Swope, a Strategic Account Manager for Huvepharma. “I build relationships with key accounts, large feed mills, and nutritionists groups and as well as veterinarians,” said Swope. “Huvepharma is a fermentation and feed additive company. We focus on anything from enzymes to coccidiostats. We’re one of the largest fermenters worldwide, however the US is the largest portion of our business. Our US affiliate is based out of Peachtree City, Georgia. We just celebrated 20 years in the US last year. Recently, we have expanded into the vaccine market as well with a vaccine production facility in Lincoln Nebraska. Soon we will be launching more new and unique vaccines for the cattle industry.”

Swope was no stranger to Ag before getting into the industry as an adult. “I grew up as the ninth generation raising beef cattle in a registered angus operation,” said Swope. “Growing up in Bedford County PA, you grow up in dairy as well. I attended Penn State, and right out of college I started working for Agralabs, which was bought by Huvepharma. I’ve been at the same organization for the past 10 years. The nice thing about Huvepharma is that they’re a privately held company. The culture is very independed and flexible. It’s a large company with a small company feel, and we focus solely on the food animal industry, no pets. Just swine, poultry, and bovine.”

Swope joined NEAFA after talking with clients. “My customers said that I needed to look into supporting NEAFA,” said Swope. “NEAFA has a broad reach across the Northeast. They are a major contributor to protecting and defending our way of life in agriculture through their lobbying, and that’s very important. Obviously, it’s also a great way to build connections with partners and other members. I’m a social being, so I enjoy building connections, and NEAFA events allow you to build on your relationships in a different way than at work. Looking forward, change is the only constant. we’ve learned as a company to be more adaptive to the markets; don’t be in one mold or model. There’s a lot of growth in the dairy industry right now, lots of opportunities for companies that can make decisions and move forward quickly. It’s always fun and exciting working with dairyman and cattleman. They adapt tech as they need to, and are very innovative.”

For more information on Huvepharma, visit their US website at the following link: https://www.huvepharma.us/

President's Pen: One Season Ends, Another Begins

By Charlie Elrod, Ph.D., President NEAFA

As we come to the close of a challenging cropping year, we are quickly approaching the elections in November and another legislative year across the Northeast. 

Anyone producing crops this year saw fuel costs soar from last year’s average of ~$3.75 per gallon to over $6.25 this year after closure of the Strait of Hormuz.  Similarly, and for the same reasons, nitrogen-based fertilizers were approximately 30% more expensive across the cropping season.  Despite regionally erratic weather conditions this summer, crop yields seem poised to be on a par with 2025.  The changes in input costs will undoubtedly put strains on farm profitability in the Northeast and the nation.

Politically, the elections in November will witness 1971 races for seats in state legislatures across the Northeast.  Also on ballots this fall will be 76 seats in the US House of Representatives and 5 US Senate seats in the Northeast.  Many of the legislative maps have been gerrymandered to stack the deck in favor of the re-election of incumbents, but with that many races on the line, we are sure to see a lot of new faces in our legislatures.  This provides us with some challenges and opportunities in our advocacy efforts. 

As we have worked to ramp up our lobbying efforts across the region in recent years, we have gotten to know many key legislative leaders who would meet with us and hopefully take to heart our positions on issues we prioritize.  Some of these familiar faces are retiring and some won’t be re-elected.  There will be several new committee chairs, as in the NYS Assembly Agriculture Committee with the retirement of Assemblymember Donna Lupardo.  We will have our work cut out for us getting acquainted and building relationships with new members and chairs. 

We will continue our close coordination with other groups such as the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance, and New York Farm Bureau as we promote funding for extension education, university research, CDL driver training, and other programs.  We will continue to advocate for insurance reform which is driving up costs for all our businesses.  We are exploring the issue of limited electric grid capacity and the impact this is having on availability of 3-phase grid connections for expanding dairy farms and other ag businesses.  Of course, we are also registering our opposition to several legislative initiatives which would restrict the use of important tools, think neonics, or increase costs from additional regulations.

We will be meeting in early November with our partners at Hinman Straub to plan our lobbying efforts for the coming year.  If you have an issue which is impacting your or your customers’ business, please get in touch and let us know.  Or, if you would like to participate on the Government Relations committee and get involved in our lobbying efforts, please reach out to Eric Reid, Bonnie Bargstedt or myself.  I think it is safe to say that our advocacy efforts are the most important function of NEAFA.  Making sure we know the issues you face and have your voice represented in our lobbying are vitally important. 

Unpaid Accounts Don't Have to Mean Lost Customers or Lost Revenue

By Zack Metzger, NY State Agricultural Mediation Program

Agricultural businesses run on relationships. The feed supplier, the nutritionist, the fertilizer dealer all know their customers, understand the seasonal pressures, and often extend more grace on unpaid accounts than other industries do.

But past-due accounts have a limit. And when a customer falls too far behind, the path forward feels narrow because court is expensive and harms the relationship; collections do the same; and writing it off means absorbing a loss that adds up fast across a tight-margin business.

What most agribusinesses do not know is that there is another option.

The New York State Agricultural Mediation Program (NYSAMP), as the only USDA-certified agricultural mediation program in New York State, offers free, confidential conciliation and mediation services to help agricultural businesses resolve unpaid accounts and credit disputes without going to court or through collections. Services are available statewide.

For businesses dealing with unpaid accounts, NYSAMP's conciliation service is often the right fit. NYSAMP speaks separately with each party to work toward an agreement. The business decides what terms it can accept: full payment, partial payment, or a payment plan. NYSAMP then works to see if the debtor can meet them. There is no direct confrontation. Just a conversation with NYSAMP, a neutral party working on your behalf.

For situations that involve more than the debt itself (a longstanding relationship, a complicated history, circumstances worth talking through), mediation brings both parties together with a trained neutral mediator to reach an agreed-upon plan to move forward.

Credit disputes are just one type of issue NYSAMP handles for the agricultural community. The program mediates a wide range of agricultural issues including USDA determinations, farm leases, family farm transitions, right-to-farm issues, family and divorce issues, and more. If it affects a farm or agricultural business in New York State, NYSAMP can likely help.

"With more than 25 years of experience working alongside farmers and agricultural businesses across New York, we at NYSAMP know this need is real and know these services work," said Amber Russell, Statewide Director. "We just want folks to know that we are here, happy to help and all it takes is a quick phone call to get started."

To learn more visit nysamp.org, call 1-866-669-7267, or email questions@nysamp.org. Reaching out does not commit you to anything.

Vermont's 2026 Campaign Landscape Comes Into Focus

By Heather F. Shouldice on behalf of the Vermont Dairy Producers Alliance  September 2026  

Vermont voters are not just choosing candidates this year. They are helping determine who will shape the policy agenda when lawmakers return to Montpelier in January. 

With Governor Phil Scott seeking his sixth term and both the Speaker of the House and  President Pro Tempore posts opening simultaneously, the 2026 election is shaping up  to be one of the most consequential in recent memory. House Speaker and Senate  President Pro Tempore are stepping down, creating a rare transition that could reshape  priorities at the State House. 

The timing is significant. Lawmakers will return in 2027 facing unfinished work on education reform, property taxes, housing, healthcare, affordability, and climate policy. At the same time, roughly 30 House members and several senators are expected to  leave the Legislature, resulting in a substantial loss of institutional knowledge. 

Open Seats, New Leaders 

All 150 House seats are on the ballot, and approximately one-fifth of the chamber could turn over. The Speaker's gavel will be open for the first time since 2021, while the  Senate will also select a new President Pro Tempore when lawmakers organize in  January. 

Because Vermont's legislative leaders are elected by lawmakers rather than voters, the leadership contests effectively happen twice: first in November, when voters decide the  makeup of the Legislature, and again in January, when legislators choose who will lead  them. 

That distinction matters. Leadership turnover affects itself far more than titles. The Speaker and Pro Tempore influence committee assignments, committee chairs, legislative priorities, budget negotiations, and the movement of bills through the process. Even if partisan control remains unchanged, new leaders can significantly alter the direction and pace of policymaking. 

Governor Scott's Role and the Executive Contest 

Governor Phil Scott is seeking his sixth term, which would extend his tenure as Vermont's longest-serving continuously elected governor. Following the August primaries, Governor Scott faces economist Amanda Janoo, who secured the Democratic nomination. 

His focus remains affordability. Education spending, property taxes, housing costs,

healthcare, energy policy, public safety, and a commitment to farm sustainability are  increasingly being debated through the broader question of whether Vermont remains  affordable for residents and businesses. 

The Legislative Balance Shift 

The backdrop of this election is heavily influenced by the 2024 cycle, where Democrats lost their legislative supermajorities. That shift ended the Legislature's unilateral ability to override gubernatorial vetoes, elevating the stakes for fiscal negotiations, committee control, and cross-party compromise heading into 2027. 

What It Means for Vermont Agriculture 

Agriculture may not dominate campaign headlines, but the election could have  meaningful implications for Vermont's farm economy. 

The House Agriculture Committee is a particular wildcard. Because leadership influences committee assignments and chairmanships, the next Speaker will help determine how agricultural issues move through the Legislature in 2027. 

A number of issues are expected to return, including farmland preservation, municipal authority over farms, land access, dairy economics, permitting, farmworker support, solar siting on agricultural land, regulation of on-farm structures, ongoing Act 250 modernization, and water quality mandates. 

Organizations representing agriculture and working lands have spent recent years  building broader coalitions around affordability, rural economic development, and local control. Rural Vermont Rising has emerged as an important grassroots voice in that effort, helping connect agriculture, working lands, housing, and affordability issues to broader concerns facing rural communities. In Vermont's relationship-driven  political environment, grassroots engagement often determines which issues gain  traction with lawmakers. As new legislative leaders and committee chairs establish  priorities in 2027, Vermont Rising and similar coalitions can play an important role in  ensuring that farm viability, local control, and rural economic concerns remain part of  the policy conversation. 

For agriculture, the key question may not be who wins any single race. It may be who controls the committees, who holds the gavels, and who sets the legislative agenda. 

Looking Ahead 

By January 2027, Vermont will have a new House Speaker, a new Senate President  Pro Tempore, new committee leadership, and one of the least experienced legislative bodies the State House has seen in years.

The November election will determine who comes to Montpelier. The decisions lawmakers make afterward will determine who holds power. In a year defined by open leadership posts, significant turnover, and major unfinished policy debates, both  outcomes may prove equally important.

2026 Golf for Good Works Tournament Results

NEAFA’s Charles Elrod and Jenny Mills join the GFGW winning team, Diamond V.

By Sue VanAmburgh, NEAFA Executive Administrator

The 19th Annual Golf for Goodworks Tournament returned to the Turning Stone Resort’s Shenendoah Golf Course for 2026.  Shenendoah offers 18 holes of PGA-level golf in a picturesque nature setting.  The course complies with stringent Audubon International standards for environmental protection and preservation.  Designed, constructed and maintained to TOUR standards at more than 7,000 yards, the course offers conditions normally reserved for Tour professionals.

NEAFA would like to congratulate Diamond V’s team of Mark Anderson, Zach Anderson, John Myers, and Brad Saunders on their first-place win (-11).  Second Place went to Co-Operative Feed Dealers team of Eric Reid, Jeff Matuszczak, Josh Lincoln, and Marc Latini (-10), while third place went to Julie Bowman, Tim Mays, Ronald Bowman, and RJ Bowman Myers (-10). Zach Smithler was the closest to the pin at 5’, 2”, and RJ Bowman held the longest drive. The highest score (aka the Most Honest Team) went to Global Agri-Trade Corp.’s Barry Baetz, Dave Brown, Mike Liddle, and Stanley Szumigala (+11). Thank you to all who participated this year.  Click here to view pictures from the day!

We also thank our sponsors for their continued support of this tournament, as well as Nutra Blend and Zinpro for running the hole in one challenge to benefit the Northeast Dairy Challenge, Zinpro for donating golf balls for every golfer, and RP Nutrients for donating golf towels for every golfer.  We could not do what we do without you. 

Proceeds from this event goes to support agricultural education and outreach programs. Previously NEAFA has supported the Northeast Regional Intercollegiate Dairy Challenge, Future Farmers of America Foundation, NYS 4-H Foundation's Junior Dairy Leader Program, the New York State Fair Dairy Cow Birthing Center, LEAD New York, Dairy Judging Teams in New York and New England, New York Farm Bureau’s Food & Farm Experience, Maine 4-H Foundation's Dairy Quiz Bowl, and the Growing Through Showing Program.

NEAFA Scholarship Highlight – Lily Marshman

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

As summer winds down and the school year begins for many across the country, NEAFA would like to take a moment to highlight the wonderful and industrious winners of our 2026 NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturists, created in conjunction with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation. Applications are due in January of each year, with the winners being announced in February. This month, NEAFA spoke with Lily Marshman, of Oxford, NY, on her plans this upcoming freshman year at Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “I visited a lot of schools,” said Marshman. “But as soon as I visited Cornell, it was the only school that felt right from the diversity of programs and the differences in ideas and viewpoints that are available. I am looking forward to learning from the different professors and peers on campus.”

Like many in the agricultural industry, Marshman has a lifelong association with agriculture. “I’ve lived on a dairy farm my entire life,” said Marshman. “It’s been the core of my values, morals, passions, and interests. Like every farm kid, I wake up every day, and chores need to be done. I see firsthand how hard my family works to keep it going. Everyone I’ve met in the industry is so kind and hardworking, and that’s very inspiring.”

Looking towards the future, Marshman would like to work on the policy side of agriculture. “My main focus in school is learning how ag policy affects farming, and being an advocate for farming through policy,” said Marshman. “Growing up, I got involved with FFA, 4H, and had leadership positions. With FFA during my sophomore and junior years, I loved the prepared public speaking contest. I worked on supporting the Dairy Pride Act to stop plant-based products from being called milk. I created a petition, met with my local representatives, and even went to Washington D.C., where I met with my federal representatives and national advocacy groups. It was very cool to see how my actions can affect the ag industry at large.”

NEAFA would like to congratulate all four of the 2026 scholarship winners: Lily Marshman, Mason Hill, Logan Mills, and Clare Titus. Since 2019, NEAFA has partnered with New York FFA Leadership Training Foundation to provide four $1000 scholarships to eligible high school seniors planning to pursue a field of study that will lead to a career in agriculture, with a specific emphasis on animal science, agronomy, agriculture education or agribusiness. The future of agriculture is dependent on our youth, as they will be tasked with some of the most difficult and most challenging issues facing the agriculture community. This scholarship compliments the mission of NEAFA's Good Works Program to support initiatives that enhance opportunities for youth in agriculture.

CNY Feeds Expands to Avon, NY

Karl Bitz, CNY Feeds President. Photo provided.

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

NEAFA would like to congratulate CNY Feeds on breaking ground on their new facility in Avon, NY – the first major expansion for the company, and the largest capital investment to date. “We started in Jordan, NY in 1990 with my father Mark Bitz, making turkey feed for our five-generation family farm – Plainville Turkey Farm,” said Karl Bitz, current President of CNY Feeds. “We sold Plainville Turkey in 2007, and we now solely focus on dairy feed.”

Bitz graduated from Cornell in 2009. “I worked general labor at the feed mill for a year after graduating,” said Bitz. “I then worked for a Silicon Valley tech company in DC for eight years, where I got married and we had two children. I decided that I wanted to do something different, to be closer to home. In 2018 our wonderful General Manager, Chip Hyde, was retiring. I came back to fill that role at CNY Feeds, and I’ve been here ever since. It’s honestly been great to be back in the family business. We’ve grown a lot since then; nearly double the production volume of when I first rejoined the company. Roughly, we feed around 125,000 cows across 90 farms in our service area.”

With that growth in production, their current location has some constraints. “Our facility was originally designed to make turkey feed,” said Bitz. “That’s a much simpler operation than dairy feed. Turkey mix might have 10 ingredients for example. An average dairy ration might have as many as 30 ingredients, and we carry 100 different ingredients for making different mixes as farms or nutritionists might require. We’ve added on and grown over time, but we’ve reached the constraints of the original design. The original mill’s maximum capacity was 30,000 tons of feed, and we did 250,000 tons last year. There’s still some room to grow, but limited. This major project allows us to expand with the industry. Dairy is growing across the state; this new facility, with its easy access to both rail and trucking, allows us to grow and unlock access to a new market of customers in Western New York. I wouldn’t be building if the industry wasn’t growing. It’s in such a different place than it was in 2018 when I came back to the company. Processing is growing, the dairy industry’s outlook is optimistic, and I’m confident that we can be successful in that kind of environment. It’s not without risk; we have good competition that we’re up against in the market. But we’re very technology forward from my software background, and we also have an old-fashioned mentality where customers can call me directly on the phone, and have us visit their farms. We compete on quality of service.”

3D Rendering of the new CNY Feeds Facility in Avon, NY. Image Provided

The new facility is located on a parcel of property that originally belonged to the Lakeville Avon Lavonia Railroad. “We bought a parcel from them that they were developing for rail customers,” said Bitz. “It’s right near a truck stop off of I-390 as well near Geneseo, so there are plenty of shipping options. Theoretically we can service anywhere, but distribution becomes prohibited at a certain distance. Our core customer base is the Finger Lakes Region currently. With new rail and trucking options, this opens up additional services to Wyoming, and Livingston counties. We do have customers in Western NY already, this just makes the economics much more viable and efficient. It’s not just about expanding capacity or the location though. This is going to be a state of the art, purpose-built facility for dairy feed. We’re already efficient, but having it built from the ground up for dairy will unlock new products and opportunities for our clients. It’s also going to generate new jobs. We currently have 26 full time employees, and we’ll be adding six or seven new people on day one, and upwards of fifteen once the facility is operating at full capacity.”

NEAFA President's Pen: August, 2026

Charlie Elrod, Ph.D. – President, NEAFA

August 12th was a really beautiful day in central NY which saw a record number of golfers show up at the Shenandoah Golf Course at Turning Stone for our annual Golf for Good Works Tournament.  I hope you’ll read Sue Van Amburgh’s article recapping the winners, sponsors and beneficiaries of this great event.  With 118 registrations, sponsorships and the return of some of the prize money, we will have $12,000 for the Good Works Committee to work with this year supporting students who are launching into their careers in agriculture.

As you read this, the NY State Fair will have just kicked off and will run until September 7.  Unfortunately, the Dairy Cow Birthing Center, long a highlight of the fair will not be at the fair this year.  However, the Mobile Dairy Experience, will be on hand to provide an immersive look into what it takes to produce nature’s most nearly perfect food.  If you haven’t had a chance to explore the mobile dairy experience, be sure to check it out at the west end of the fairgrounds this year.

This summer, the Education and Conventions committees have been working together to build a combined Annual Meeting and Herd Health and Nutrition Conference.  And yes, we are still trying to come up with a formula that best suits NEAFA’s members in their objectives to network and share camaraderie with other members, hear some thought-provoking speakers and address our obligation to hold a business meeting for the election of board members and officers.  This year, on Tuesday March 9, 2027, we will have a great afternoon session looking at the application of AI and robotics in the dairy industry, a Dairy Markets Outlook, Why Chobani is choosing to invest in the Northeastern US dairy industry and lastly a panel discussion on workforce development.  At the reception to follow we will present this year’s Distinguished Service Award to ………  😉  The following morning will kick off the Herd Health and Nutrition Conference, a joint venture of PRO-Dairy and NEAFA.  This will also prove to be a very informative day of speakers and networking with your colleagues.

Coming up, NEAFA’s board of directors will meet on  September 9th.  If you have any input for items we might address, or issues which are facing your business, don’t ever hesitate to reach out to any board member so they can bring your topics of interest to the board.  That’s why we’re here!

2025 Trends in Production and Financial Performance of NY Dairy Farms Participating in the Dairy Farm Business Summary and Analysis Program

Lainey Koval, Farm Business Management Specialist, Cornell PRO-DAIRY

In “Progress of the Dairy Farm Report 2025 (E.B. 2026-14)” authors Jason Karszes and Lainey Koval present a summary of New York dairy farm financial and business performance, marking the 70th year Cornell University has published a summary of New York dairy performance. More than 130 farms participated in the Dairy Farm Business Summary (DFBS) and Analysis Program in 2025, with this report focusing on 118 conventional dairy farms that completed the DFBS in both 2024 and 2025 and generated at least 85% of revenue from milk, dairy cattle and dairy calf income. Along with providing averages for the 118 farms, the report is also broken down into four herd size categories to provide additional comparison reports by group, along with a side-by-side comparison of group performance. Below are some highlights from the full publication.

Among the 118 farms, average herd size increased 6%, from 1,447 to 1,529 cows, while the cull rate, excluding animals sold for dairy declined to 30.6%. Milk sold per cow remained essentially unchanged at 27,293 pounds. Component production, however, continued to improve, with pounds of butterfat and protein sold per cow rising 3% from 2024. This was driven by the average percent butterfat increasing from 4.34% to 4.51%, and protein from 3.26% to 3.34%. On average, it was a poor crop year due to heavy rains in the spring followed by drought events experienced throughout much of the state. As a result, yield decreases were seen in both tons of hay dry matter and corn silage harvested per acre.

Net milk price decreased from $22.79 in 2024 to $21.00 per hundredweight (cwt.) on average in the 2025 year, an 8% decrease driven by lower prices paid for components in the second half of the year. With continued increases in cattle prices, dairy cattle receipts increased 32% from $1.97 to $2.60 per cwt. year over year. Dairy calf receipts also increased 65%, from $1.29 to $2.13 per cwt. The increased receipts for dairy cattle and calf of $1.47 per cwt. offset 82% of the decrease of $1.79 per cwt. in milk price during the year. Effects of the poor crop year were seen in the crop revenue category. With decreases in end of year inventory from the year prior, crop revenue decreased from $0.58 per cwt. in 2024 to $0.04 per cwt. in 2025.

Farm operating costs increased slightly to $22.86 per cwt., led by higher labor, fertilizer, and utility expenses. Labor costs rose 3%, fertilizer costs increased 13%, and utility costs increased 24%. Purchased grain and concentrate expense per cwt. was relatively unchanged from the year prior, up only 4 cents on average, at $7.28 per cwt. Offsetting some of these increases were lower fuel, milk marketing, crop spray, and interest expenses. Despite higher operating costs, the total cost of producing milk declined 2% to $22.62 per cwt. because non-milk revenue increased by 23%, reducing the portion of costs that needed to be covered by milk sales.

Overall profitability declined compared to 2024 due to lower milk prices and reduced crop inventories following a challenging crop year. Strong prices for beef and dairy cattle, however, provided additional revenue support during the year. Net farm income without appreciation averaged $791 per cow, down nearly $400 from 2024, while the rate of return on all capital without appreciation fell from 8.1% to 5.2%.

Trends across herd sizes can be seen on pages 10 and 11 of the full report. Moving from the smallest herd size group of less than 650 cows to the largest group of farms with over 2,000 cows, milk sold per cow and pounds of butterfat and protein per cow tended to increase. Percent components however, tended to be similar across the groups, with the second smallest herd size having the highest percent butterfat (4.54%) and highest gross milk price ($22.89 per cwt.). Labor efficiency measured in cows per worker and milk sold per worker also tended to increase as herd size increased, with the smallest and largest herd sizes averaging 44.1 and 57.0 cows per worker, respectively.

As herd size increased, the total cost of producing milk as well as investment per cow tended to decrease, and with that, rate of return on all capital tended to increase. The group of farms less than 650 cows had an average rate of return on all capital of 0.7%, while the group with greater than 2,000 cows averaged 6.4%. Although profitability tended to increase along with increases in herd size, there was a range in performance within each group, with farms at both ends of the spectrum in all herd size categories. Quintile ranges may be found in the included business charts by herd size in the full report.

The DFBS benchmarks and comparisons are provided for comparison purposes only and represent the performance of those farms participating the Dairy Farm Business Summary Program in New York State. These numbers do not represent the average for all dairy farms across NY and are from farms that are generally considered above average.

The full 2025 Progress of the Dairy Farm publication and data tables may be found on the Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY website, at https://cals.cornell.edu/pro-dairy/our-expertise/business.

NEAFA Member Highlight: Katelynn Robbins, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition

By Eric Jenks, Special to NEAFA

For July, NEAFA spoke with Katelynn Robbins, the Account Manager for the East Coast at Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition for the past three and a half years. “We are a gut health and nutritional company,” said Robbins. “We focus on pro and pre-biotics. On the nutritional side, we do rations for positive and negative DCAD (Dietary Cation-Anion Difference). The Animal Division at Arm & Hammer is over 80 years old now. All of our products are made domestically, which is a good bonus given the tariff war recently. Our products are sold throughout the US, Mexico, and Canada. We do ship overseas, which can sometimes be challenging given the current economic landscape. We are a lean team for our department, with ten of us making up the Eastern and Western areas. Six of us cover east of the Mississippi, the other four cover the west. The work is extremely rewarding. When I get a call from a consultant or producer saying that the audits that we’ve done has increased milk or lessened losses, it’s wonderful. As long as our customers are financially stable and stay in the business as long as possible, we all win at the end of the day.”

Robbins grew up on a dairy in Millterton, PA, where she lives today. “I’m back on the home farm,” said Robbins. “Though we sold the dairy portion in 2011. I went to SUNY Morrisville, where I received an Associate degree in Dairy Science, and then a Bachelors in Ag Business. Having my own dairy, I didn’t realize that there were positions like my current job until I was headhunted for by another company, and I’ve now been in sales for fourteen years. I love supporting our producers. It’s always a different challenge every day, collecting data and helping clients make economic choices. Every dairy is so very different. The real icing on the cake is building all the relationships for our nutritionists with our clients, I really enjoy those connections.”

Robbins became involved with NEAFA approximately a decade ago. “A friend of mine that works in the industry, Danielle Penney-Stroop (former NEAFA President), she told me that it would be great get involved with NEAFA, and she was right,” said Robbins. “The amount of time that board members spend on the organization and its members is remarkable. The community and the brainstorming for the industry is wonderful. We’re all competitors at some point. But being able to come, sit down together, have good meetings, and build good relationships and bonds with these folks while learning and understanding state laws is so important. You can think that legislation doesn’t affect us on the day to day, but it really does. Organizations like NEAFA are important in keeping on top of it all, and making sure our voice is heard when legislation is being discussed.”

For more information on Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, you can call Robbins directly at (570) 707-8421, or visit https://ahanimalnutrition.com/

Eight Years, Countless Regulations and One Incredible Industry

Photo Provided

By Louise Calderwood, Director of Regulatory Affairs, AFIA

When I walked through the doors of the American Feed Industry Association eight years ago to begin my role as Director of Regulatory Affairs I expected to spend my days reading regulations, attending meetings and helping members navigate government requirements.

That part was true.

What I did not expect was how much I would come to respect industry partners across the country and how much I will miss them as I look forward to retirement at the end of August

Over the past eight years I have had a front row seat to one of the most innovative, resilient and collaborative industries in agriculture. I have watched feed manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, nutritionists, state officials and federal regulators tackle some incredibly complex issues with one shared goal: producing safe, affordable animal food while continuing to improve every day.

One of the greatest privileges of my career has been building relationships across the country. Through AFIA, I have worked with outstanding professionals from every corner of the feed industry. I have also been fortunate to stay connected to my roots through the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA), whose commitment to advocacy, education and collaboration has long strengthened agriculture across New England and New York. NEAFA is where I got my start in association affairs and my time there showed me that success is built one farm, one feed mill and one community at a time.

Looking back, it is remarkable how much the regulatory landscape has changed.

When I started with AFIA we were largely focused on FSMA implementation. Over the next eight years we moved on to evolving FDA ingredient review pathways, sustainability initiatives, PFAS, state by state ingredient proposals, extended producer responsibility, microplastics and enough legislative proposals to keep me on my toes.

Just when we thought we understood the rules, someone wrote new ones.

Helping members understand what applies, what is changing and what might be coming next has become increasingly complicated. Yet every time a new challenge emerged, I watched this industry respond with practical solutions rather than complaints.

That has been one of the most rewarding parts of this job.

Another has been representing AFIA members before regulators and policymakers. Whether meeting with FDA, state officials, legislators or other stakeholders, I was continually impressed by the credibility our members brought to every conversation. The animal food industry has always been willing to engage constructively, explain the science and work toward better outcomes.

What I will remember most, however, are not the regulations.

I will remember the friendships.

I will remember the committee chairs who generously volunteered their time. The members who answered my clueless questions when I was new. The regulators who were willing to have honest conversations, even when we disagreed. And the many colleagues at NEAFA whose passion for agriculture continually reminded me why this work matters.

The feed industry is often described as the foundation of animal agriculture and I believe the people are its greatest strength. They are practical, thoughtful, generous with their expertise and remarkably willing to work together for the good of the industry.

As I close this chapter, I leave with enormous gratitude. Thank you to AFIA, NEAFA and the members who welcomed me, challenged me and taught me far more than I ever expected to learn.

I have every confidence that the industry's future is bright. There will undoubtedly be more regulations, more guidance documents, more state bills and more meetings about commas and definitions. Somehow, I suspect the industry will handle them just fine.

It has been an honor to be part of the journey.

Pro-Dairy: July Is National Ice Cream Month

New York dairy finds its mojo

By Karl Czymmek, Courtesy Pro-Dairy

From a state rank of 22 in the U.S. for milk production per cow in 2000, New York reached the top five in 2023.

A quiet revolution has been happening in the New York dairy industry over the last quarter century. Since a low production per cow ranking of 27 in 2004, New York dairy farmers have turned the tables and delivered many annual improvements in milk per cow, increasing at a faster rate than many other states. 

As of 2025, New York is now ranked fourth in production per cow, jumping 18 ranking places since 2000. In 2000 New York’s 686,000 milking cows made just under 12 billion pounds of milk. With increases in productivity, cow numbers decreased to as few as 610,000 cows in 2011 through 2013 before turning up slowly, with USDA data indicating New York had 642,000 milking cows in 2025, while increasing total milk production to over 16.5 billion pounds. 

The addition of billons of dollars of processing plant capacity in New York is creating a lot of excitement in the dairy industry, leading to billions more on-farm investment, and creating significant opportunity for rural economic development. As you enjoy ice cream or other dairy products this month, think of all the hard work, investment, risk and science that is behind your delicious dairy product! 

This sustained progress is anchored by excellent management from New York dairy farmers, significant advances in animal genetics, nutrition and health, and strong partnerships with allied industry, and dairy teaching, extension and research.  

Parting thoughts on the NYS Budget and Agriculture Committe

By NYS Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo

I’ll be retiring at the end of the year after serving 22 years in the State Assembly, representing the 123rd District, in the Binghamton area. For the last eight years I have been honored to Chair the Committee on Agriculture, alongside Ranking Minority Member Chris Tague. In the NYS Senate I worked closely with Sen. Michelle Hinchey, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Ranking Minority Member Sen. George Borello. Over the years we worked together across party lines to support and promote NY agriculture.

A highlight of this year’s enacted budget was the inclusion of $30M for tariff relief payments to specialty crop growers, livestock producers, and dairy farmers to help offset rising costs caused by tariffs. Under this initiative, payments will be limited to a minimum of $1,000 and maximum of $25K.

We also included a bill that I sponsored with Senator Hinchey to increase the tax credit for donations to food pantries made by farmers to 50% of the fair market value (up from 25%). It also increases the amount that can be donated from $5,000 to $10,000.

An extension of the 20% Refundable Investment Tax Credit until January 1, 2033 was also included. The credit is available for eligible farmers who earn more than two-thirds of their income from farming, and applies to investments in buildings, machines and equipment.

An additional $5M was added to the NYS Dairy Farm Modernization Grant Program for a total of $15M. The funding for Pro Dairy was also increased to $1.46M and the authority to administer dairy promotion orders was transferred back to the Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) has been under immense financial pressure following drastic federal funding cuts. As a result, many critical programs have been affected including their dairy, specialty crop, and forestry research farms. The state budget restored or increased many vital programs including the research farms which received $3.41M in additional operating aid along with $2.5M in capital funds. Additionally, $1.4M was allotted for FarmNet, a Cornell-run program that provides critical mental health support and financial counseling for farmers.

It’s important to note that the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) contained many important investments such as: $27M for Farmland Protection, $20.5M for Climate Resilient Farms to promote soil health and climate resiliency, $18.7M for agricultural non-point source pollution controls and $19M for Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

Throughout my tenure as the Agriculture Committee Chair I have been mindful of what our farmers and producers have been up against.  I’ve tried my best to assist where possible, while also blocking efforts that would have been harmful. Please know that as a result of years of education and advocacy on the part of NEAFA and other groups, my colleagues in state government have a greater appreciation for NY’s farm economy and stand ready to assist.

NEAFA President's Pen: What's in a Legacy?

By Charlie Elrod, NEAFA President

This month we are honored to include contributions to the NEAFA Newsletter from two people who are nearing the end of their careers in service to the public and our agricultural industry.  I sincerely hope that you will read the articles from NYS Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo and AFIA’s Louise Calderwood.  As I thought about having these articles in the newsletter, from two remarkable women at the ends of their regular careers, it got me thinking about legacy.

Coincidently, and while those thoughts had been bouncing around my brain, I went with my wife and siblings to see the play Hamilton about the life of one of our nation’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.  One line that caught my attention towards the end of the play was something like: A legacy is planting seeds that you will never have the opportunity to see grow.  Honestly, I couldn’t disagree more.  Sure, there are some projects you may start, or a young protégé you may mentor, that you don’t get to see through to fruition.  But every single one of us leaves a legacy, which I think we should recognize and be proud of.

Most of us won’t win Feedmill Of The Year, a Distinguished Service Award, or some other public recognition for a “Job Well Done”.  Honors like that, often bestowed toward the end of one’s career, are usually well-deserved accolades.  Each of us though deserves a Distinguished Service Award for a multitude of acts and accomplishments in our lives.  Raising hard-working, well-adjusted kids who in turn raise smart, respectful kids are a big part of many of our legacies.  Mentoring a young colleague who grows into an industry leader may be part of your legacy.  A simple act of kindness or support for a friend, colleague, family member or complete stranger is part of your legacy.  I hope that each of you will give some thought to the many ways that you have made your business, your community, your industry or even this Alliance better for your having been a part of it.

Our Alliance also has a legacy.  We have worked diligently in our advocacy, at the state and federal levels, often through our partners like Louise Calderwood at AFIA or Assemblywoman Lupardo.  We have chalked up some significant wins in these efforts and will need to keep at it in order for the agricultural industry to continue to thrive in the coming decades.  We also have a huge legacy in the form of scholarships we have funded, largely through the Golf For Good Works program.  Many dozens of students have benefited from that support which helped them take the next step in their careers in agriculture. 

And speaking of Golf For Good Works, our annual golf tournament is just around the corner on August 12th!  If you haven’t done so, please register to play, sponsor, or both!!  Only through everyone’s participation, in ways big and small, will we continue to build on our Alliance’s legacy.