Pesticide Ban Bills Popular in Montpelier

By Margaret Laggis, NEAFA Legislative Representative

Social media and the press in general are fueling anti-pesticide sentiments all over the world and Vermont is certainly not immune to these pressures. The good news for Vermont is that the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets has done the research necessary to prove that even if there might be issues elsewhere, there are not any environmental or human health issues in Vermont.

The pesticides in the crosshairs are Atrazine, Glyphosate, Chlorpyrifos and Neonicotinoids. All of these products are facing potential bans by legislators who are not aware of the history of pesticide creation and adaptation over the years.

As they are often told when someone in the know gets a chance to testify, industry has been changing as research teaches us new and better ways to accomplish the goals of healthier soils and plants with fewer and fewer impacts on humans and the environment.

Pesticide use in Vermont has fallen by about half over the last 5 years. This is due in part to the use of treated seeds using up to 10x less pesticide by volume per acre while delivering the same benefits. This is great news but the legislature focuses on the increase in usage of a few individual products. What they don’t give credit to is the constant effort made by Vermont farmers to meet their cropping needs with fewer inputs. Glyphosate use is on the rise in Vermont because farmers are attempting to meet the new stricter water quality requirements by cover cropping and using no-till practices. These agronomic methods require the use of Glyphosate to get rid of the cover crop in order to allow the new summer crop to get established. Cover cropping and no-till farming has increased organic matter in the soil allowing for significant increases in water retention lessening runoff and the additional benefit of increased carbon sequestration. Sadly, all the legislature can focus on is the increase in Glyphosate use.

Chlorpyrifos was not re-registered in Vermont two years ago due to a lack of usage (less than 60lbs/year) and the environmental concerns that politicians were seeing on social media and in the press. The Agency decided to use their authority to not re-register the product instead of getting into the political wrangling around its use. This year there is a bill to ban the product. If a product is not registered for use, it can not be bought, sold or used. The ban does absolutely nothing other than give a politician credit for doing something that was already done through the regulatory channels.

Politicians have been bombarded with anti-neonicotinoid information making them believe that bees are at risk of elimination because of the use of neonics in seed treatment formulations. When Vermont spent a year looking at bee health in Vermont what they heard was that pesticides ranked about 5th in the list of threats that they faced. But the easiest target is always pesticides so they have continuously attempted to ban them and did so for homeowner use last year. Only indoor homeowner uses are now allowed (think tick control for animals and indoor pests) without using a certified applicator. This year they are back, looking to ban the use of neonics in seed treatment. Research shows that the pests most targeted by neonics are on the rise in Vermont and the elimination of them in seed treatments will likely lead to an almost ten fold increase in the use of the pesticide if it has to be used at planting as opposed to being a part of the seed treatment.

Looking for logic in the political process is tough, but the Agency of Agriculture has done a great job doing the research necessary to prove that these products are not a problem in Vermont, and in both the case of neonics and Glyphosate, do more good than harm. Without this information these products would have been banned.

2020 NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists Recipients

Four high school seniors with bright futures in agriculture have been selected by the Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance and NYS FFA Foundation to receive the 2020 NEAFA Scholarship for Future Agriculturalists. The recipients are: Erin Armitage, Greenwich; Chelsie Fuller, Newark Valley; Hannah Laine Koval, Schuylerville; and Rachel Van Buren, Lowville.

Over the years, NEAFA‘s Good Works Program has awarded more than $100,000 to worthy causes that promote the advancement of the animal agriculture industry throughout the northeastern United States. Funded each year by proceeds from the Golf for Good Works Tournament, held in late June, the program has provided many opportunities to support worthy causes, particularly those that connect youth to agriculture.

This is the second year of awarding scholarships to worthy high school seniors who are entering the field of agriculture related to NEAFA’s core membership, said John Clark, president of the Alliance. Each recipient is awarded a $500 scholarship.

About the 2020 scholarship recipients:

Erin Armitage’s goal is to study agribusiness. She has applied to Virginia Tech, Cornell, Ohio State and SUNY Morrisville.

“Whether I am showing dairy cattle, advocating to lawmakers or informing the public, I truly enjoy every aspect that agriculture has to offer,” Erin said. “I strongly believe that agriculture will play an even stronger role in the future.”

Chelsie Fuller has chosen to pursue a degree in agriculture education because she enjoys teaching and advocating for agriculture. She has applied to attend SUNY Dehli and SUNY Cobleskill.

“My experience in Junior Dairy Leaders, FFA and Dairy Promotion have only served to strengthen my commitment to ‘agvocating,’” Chelsie said.

Hannah Laine Koval grew up on a dairy farm in Saratoga County and has always loved being a part of the agricultural industry. She plans to study ag business management and has applied to Cornell, Pennsylvania State, SUNY Morrisville and SUNY Cobleskill.

“Whether it was showing cows at the fair, helping my parents at the barn or being a part of my local 4-H and FFA programs, since I was little, my life truly has revolved around being a part of agriculture,” Hannah said.

Rachel Van Buren considers herself fortunate to have grown up on a beef and dairy farm. She plans to study animal science and has applied to Cornell and SUNY Cobleskill.

“My family’s farm has played an essential role in developing my interest in animal science,” Rachel said. “At a young age, I found a passion for dairy cattle, especially registered Holsteins.”

The Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is a network of feed, seed, fertilizer, financial services, transportation, veterinary, nutritional services, and professional advisors committed to a thriving northeast agricultural community. NEAFA provides professional support to agribusiness through advocacy, collaboration and educational services.

For more information, please call NEAFA at 518-783-1322.

Rick’s Reflections: Peer-reviewed Science: Essential for our Future

By Rick Zimmerman, Executive Director

As a community that works with farmers throughout the Northeast, we should be concerned about legislative attempts to ban pesticides. The political process that drives legislative debates ignores the fundamental principles of scientific analysis and peer review. The anti-pesticide lobby has done a good job demonizing glyphosate, neonicotinoids and others. But this kind of fearmongering is unwarranted and poses a dangerous threat to our society and our world.

Here's why.

Peer reviewed science has been the bedrock upon which we have advanced technology to serve the health and nutritional needs of our society. In agriculture, science-driven technologies allow farmers to produce healthier foods in a safe, environmentally conscious manner, and we must continue to build on that science-driven track record to meet the nutritional needs of a growing population worldwide.

Glyphosate and neonicotinoids are significantly less hazardous to our environment than their predecessors. In fact, these products were approved by the Environmental Protection Agency because their peer reviewed studies demonstrated effective control while reducing human and environmental impacts. Scientific advisory panels, commissioned by the EPA, provide their analysis of peer reviewed studies designed to answer the environmental and human health questions that must be addressed before a pesticide product is approved. Unfortunately, the anti-pesticide lobby has had a field day spreading misleading information which has prompted law makers in many states to introduce legislation to ban their use. Legislative action undermines the thoughtful risk-based analysis employed by the EPA.

Glyphosate and neonicotinoids are only part of a much larger crop management system called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Farmers and their certified crop consultants make timely decisions for the right pest control options that may include non-chemical choices such as beneficial insects, mechanical control methods and high-tech tools like UV light. But pesticides must remain in the IPM toolbox because sometimes there are no other effective control options.

Science has enabled us to live in the most comfortable, advanced society in the world. In fact, our country has become so affluent that we now have the luxury of debating the banning of science-driven technologies because we don’t have to worry about sufficient food supplies or diseases devasting our crops. However, our policy decisions have life or death impacts to those throughout the world. We may have the luxury to buy organic food or ban pesticides, but other regions of the world face starvation from pests and disease. Our decisions to ban pesticides due to political winds driven by the well fed anti-pesticide lobby will stifle the agribusiness community to serve a less lucrative third world market. All governments should consider sound peer reviewed science before making policy decisions and, when it comes to pesticide risk analysis, the experts should be left in charge.

King Brothers Dairy Receives Business of the Year Award at New York Agricultural Society Annual Meeting

Bottom row L to R: Danielle Penney Stroop – NE Agribusiness & Feed Alliance/award sponsor, Rebecca King, Carolyn King, Edgar King, Pandora Davis, Rick Zimmerman – NE Agribusiness & Feed Alliance/award sponsor. Top row L to R: Jeff King, Jan King.

NEAFA would like to congratulate King Brothers Dairy on receiving the Business of the Year Award at the 2020 New York Agricultural Society Annual Forum on January 9th in Syracuse, NY. The award, which is co-sponsored this year by NEAFA and Gold Star Feed and Grain, recognizes both a producer and an agribusiness for the quality, leadership and innovation they demonstrate that enhances the integrity of the agricultural industry. “I think both my brother Jeff and I would echo similar things about this award,” said Jan King of King Brothers Dairy. “The New York Agricultural Society brings all different types of agriculture together in one spot in the state, and to be recognized by your peers is humbling. We all work really hard every day in this industry. We certainly know that receiving this award wouldn’t have happened without the great people that work with us. From those on the farm, in the creamery, the office, our delivery drivers, and the retail store - everyone plays an important role. It’s a really great honor to be recognized, we feel really blessed.”

King Brothers Dairy is run by brothers Jeff and Jan King, the fourth generation to take the helm of the 120-year-old Kings-Ransom Farm located in Schuylerville, NY. “We farm here on both sides of the Hudson river, and milk about 1,000 registered Holsteins,” said Jan King. “In 2010 Jeff and I restarted the creamery after it took a 50-year vacation,” laughed King. “Our grandfather and uncles bottled milk at the farm starting in the early 1900’s to the 1960’s. The farm continued after that on a commercial level, but the idea of bottling milk again was always kind of a nostalgic thing. There were old glass milk bottles in wooden crates in the back of one the barns, and every time we saw them, we’d think wouldn’t it be great to do that again. So, we started selling in the Saratoga region with home delivery, and within four to five years it grew into restaurants, convenience stores and other outlets. By 2016 we had completed a new creamery on the farm where we can bottle milk in plastic & glass. It felt right to bring everything back in house.”

King has found that restarting the creamery has created a close connection to his customers. “The people that are purchasing your product, they enjoy the connection of knowing where it comes from and is produced,” said King. “There’s a lot of work that goes into producing milk, and we’re able to take a high quality product that we produce here on the farm, put it into a glass bottle or jug and get it into the hands of local people. Enjoying that quality and getting to see the connection with a neighbor, I think it’s a reason why people keep coming back time and time again.”

The most recent addition to King Brothers Dairy is their retail space. “About a year ago we opened a 3,000 square foot retail space on the farm,” said King. “We feature our milk and cream products and started making 35 flavors of hard ice cream. We have a really neat shopping experience for our customers - they can come into the store, visit the ice cream counter and check out our coolers filled with milk products and local products. We also have a place to sit down if you’re so inclined. People are even able to look through viewing windows into the creamery. It’s a pretty cool farm experience, especially for those removed from agriculture. They can gain a connection to our great tasting dairy products and the farm where they come from. Getting to see where these products are processed and have a little bit better understanding of how that works is something a lot of people value.”

While the business has grown recently, it’s still very much a family run farm. “We are a family business, not a big corporation, from top to bottom,” said King. “The business is run by Jeff and me, along with a lot of help from our wives. Jeff’s wife Becky oversees retail, marketing and social media. My wife, Pandora, is on the farm. She’s a large animal veterinarian that specializes in food animals. She helps with a lot of the animal care and veterinarian responsibilities. For the day to day operations, Jeff is responsible for the cows and we are a 100% registered Holstein herd. We’re very involved in that area of the business. We have an extensive breeding and genetic marketing program throughout the US and the world. I’m responsible for the crops, creamery and the sales from there, and we share all the other parts. We have herd managers and crop workers that take care of a lot of those responsibilities as well. There’s a lot of crossover that happens of course. Jeff and Becky do a lot of the financial portions of the book work as well. As we keep growing, we keep looking for people to be a bit more specialized in marketing and communications, and we have a lot of talented folks. If we can’t produce a higher quality product that tastes better, we don’t want to do it. Last summer we exceeded our expectation with selling ice cream at our new store. But we still need to make sure that our feet are under us for whatever comes at us.”

NEAFA to Lobby in Albany for Ag Priorities

A team of Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance representatives will converge on the State Capitol in Albany on February 4th to advocate for agricultural budget priorities and lobby against pesticide ban bills.  This annual activity is part of a greater advocacy effort, undertaken by numerous agricultural organizations, to deliver a consistent message that New York’s family farms are part of the agricultural economic engine driving the upstate economy. The legislature has a responsibility to help nurture and sustain this sector of our economy if we are to continue to produce our food in close proximity to the millions of consumers throughout the Northeast. 

The State Budget is annually debated and includes funding for key programs such as PRO-DAIRY, Integrated Pest Management and agricultural environmental management.  These programs play a critical role towards keeping New York dairy farmers economically competitive with other regions of the country and the world.  Legislative bans on pesticide products, like those introduced in the NYS Legislature, threaten the agriculture industry’s ability to stave off pests without substantially increasing production costs. As stated in the preceding article,  the anti-pesticide lobby is having a field day scaring consumers and policy makers due to the general ignorance of peer reviewed science on the topic, and the role that sound science must play in our society.  New York is a perfect breeding ground for policies that build off fear rather than sound science.

NEAFA members may join their peers Tuesday morning, February 4th, for a few hours of legislative meetings. All the relevant details, including meeting appointments, transportation, necessary materials and an issues briefing will be taken care of by NEAFA for attendees. All you have to do is show up at the Albany Marriott at 9:00 am, Tuesday February 4th, and be prepared to join our team! Reservations to be part of the legislative meetings can be made while registering for the NEAFA Annual Meeting. Details can be found on the Alliance’s website by clicking here.

NEAFA Congratulates Senate for Passage of USMCA

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) applauds the U.S. Senate for approving the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). “The northeastern agricultural industry, particularly the dairy industry, will benefit from a more balanced trading relationship with Canada and Mexico,” Stated John Clark, NEAFA President.

The agreement will advance United States’ agricultural interests in two of the most important markets for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. USMCA builds upon our existing markets to expand US food and agricultural exports and support food processing and rural jobs. “The agreement includes updates for the dairy industry, a vital requirement for many of NEAFA’s members,” stated Clark. “According to the USDA, America’s dairy farmers will have expanded market opportunities in Canada for a wide variety of dairy products. Specifically, Canada agreed to eliminate the unfair Class 6 and 7 milk pricing programs that allowed their farmers to undersell U.S. producers.”

Welcoming new faculty in dairy economics at Cornell, saying farewell to a friend and partner

Wolf to Present February 5th at NEAFA Annual Forum

By Julie Suarez, Associate Dean for government and Community Relations, College of Agriculture a Life Sciences, Cornell University

Upon joining the faculty of the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University this Fall, Christopher Wolf becomes the fourth Cornell professor to specialize in dairy sector economics since Leland Spencer became the first professor to claim that specialization at a US university in 1923. Dr. Wolf succeeds Dr. Andrew Novakovic and will be named the second E.V. Baker Professor of Agricultural Economics in January 2020.

Dr. Christopher Wolf

Born and raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm, Chris attended the University of Wisconsin and received the PhD degree from the University of California at Davis. He was hired by Michigan State University, where he served on the agricultural economics faculty for the last 21 years. While at Michigan State, Chris earned distinctions for his research, teaching and extension primarily related to dairy farm management, production economics and the impacts of US policy and markets on the dairy sector.

Chris has also long been a collaborator with Cornell. He has been a key contributor to the National Program on Dairy Markets and Policy, which was established at Cornell by Dr. Novakovic in 1989 and which today is also co-directed by Dr. Mark Stephenson, another former Cornellian who is now on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin. In addition to his applied research and extension, he will be teaching the course in Dairy Markets and Policy and rotating in other courses in farm business management, agribusiness, and agricultural finance.

Dr. Andrew Novakovic

Dean Lynn Wooten shares her colleagues' enthusiasm for Chris' appointment to the Dyson faculty: "Chris is a wonderful addition to the Dyson family. We have every confidence he will continue the 100-year tradition of excellence in the area of dairy markets and policy."

But along with the welcome it’s time to say farewell and wish Dr. Andy Novakovic best wishes in his retirement plans. Dairy farmers throughout New York, as well as long-term stakeholders in the dairy food and farm community have long relied on Andy’s wisdom, sage economics advice, and oftentimes complex explanations of dairy pricing and policies and how the latest market trends will influence dairy.

Dr. Novakovic began his career at Cornell in 1976, with an appointment as Assistant Professor. While his career accomplishments are too numerous to detail, Andy’s career at Cornell included a stint as Department Chair, an appointment as a Senior Economist to the USDA, and he is wrapping up his career of commitment to service to New York as the Director of Land Grant Programs for the Dyson School. Andy has analyzed everything from the 1980’s Dairy Buy-Out program, a plethora of federal order changes, various public and private sector dairy insurance programs, as well as trade conditions and economic conditions for New York dairy farmers. He’s taught generations of future farmers, aspiring economists, and business management students the basics of navigating complex dairy finances.

Kathryn J. Boor, the Ronald Lynch Dean of the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences said “Andy’s leadership and vision in helping to steer NY dairy stakeholders through all sorts of perambulations in milk pricing is nothing short of legendary.  I’m proud that Andy has provided such excellent service to the dairy industry in New York for almost four decades, and his accomplishments and contributions to teaching the next generation of dairy and farm business management minded students will be sorely missed.”

A New Phosphorus Index for New York

Part 1. What farmers need to know.

Karl Czymmek, Senior Extension Associate, ProDairy, Cornell University and Dr. Quirine Ketterings, Professor of Crop & Soil Science, Cornell University

In the past 20 years, more than 600 dairy and livestock farms in NY have come under regulations and invested millions in best management practices. Annual fertilizer phosphorus purchases have been cut substantially and many dairies have made large reductions in phosphorus (P) fed to cows which reduces P in manure. Many other farms have made environmental improvements through state programs and their own initiative as well. Combined, these changes have resulted in millions of pounds less P applied to land annually and as a result, soil test P across NY is no longer increasing. Yet, in spite of the improvements, we have seen an increase in occurrences of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in NY, a trend that is also being experienced across the US and around the world. No one is certain exactly what is going on. It is likely there are multiple causes. What we do know is that in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, phosphorus tended to accumulate in the environment resulting in “legacy phosphorus” in fields, stream banks and beds, and in lakes. We also know that annual rainfall is increasing, and storms have been getting more intense. More rain means more runoff and more runoff means more nutrient loss. It appears that some aspects of water quality have gotten worse, though many farmers have made significant improvements over the past decades. This tells us we have more work to do. The NY P Index (NY-PI) sits at the heart of this issue and is designed to help farmers implement practices related to manure and fertilizer phosphorus management that reduce the risk of phosphorus loss from fields and farms.

The first NY-PI was released in 2001 and like many things 18 years old, was in need of change. The updated version (NY-PI 2.0) incorporates new science and does a better job of addressing phosphorus loss risk while still giving farm managers options for recycling manure nutrients on crop fields. The process of updating the NY-PI was a broad partnership among faculty and staff in the Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP), PRO-DAIRY, and the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, along with NY Departments of Agriculture (NYSDAM) and Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Feedback from certified nutrient management planners and farmers was sought multiple times along the way.

The team tested the new NY-PI with field information from more than 300 NY farms across 40 counties, representing more than 33,000 fields. Some important facts: 90 percent of the fields had a Cornell Morgan soil test P (STP) below 40 pounds per acre, where additional P is recommended for crop growth. Fields with extremely high STP levels, represented by only a small fraction of the fields in the database, are a result of many years, in many cases, decades ago, where phosphorus loads to fields exceeded crop phosphorus removal. In a separate assessment of 18 dairy farms for which whole farm data were available, analysis showed that almost all fields on these farms were able to receive manure, though many fields needed some combination of risk reduction practices. Next month, we will explore how the P index works.

Part 2: How the P index works.

Karl Czymmek, Senior Extension Associate, ProDairy, Cornell University and Dr. Quirine Ketterings, Professor of Crop & Soil Science, Cornell University

In the December eLeader Newsletter, we introduced the new NY Phosphorus Index (NY-PI) and provided some background. Farms that are regulated as concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) will need to start using the new NY-PI 2.0 when the CAFO Permit is updated (current permits are due to be renewed in 2022). Farms that are in state or federal cost share programs will need to use the tool based on NRCS determination. Agency discussions are in progress to make sure the roll-out is as smooth as possible.

Here is how it works: a farm field is rated based on an assessment of its runoff risk-related transport features, including those observed directly during a field visit and others from normal soil survey information (most of these factors are the same as those used in the old NY-PI). For example, being close to a stream or watercourse, poorly drained soil, or higher levels of soil erosion are some of the risk factors that can lead to a high transport score. For fields with a high transport score, manure and phosphorus fertilizer application practices can be selected to reduce the risk of phosphorus loss. These best/beneficial field management practices (BMPs) cover a combination of changes in application timing (close to planting) and method (placing phosphorus below the soil surface), and more vegetation on the soil surface when phosphorus is applied. Thus, implementation of BMPs will reduce the final NY-PI score. Field practices include manure and fertilizer spreading setbacks, ground cover (sod or cover crops), and placing manure below the soil surface (injection or incorporation). Combined with information about soil test phosphorus levels, the final NY-PI score results in a management implication: if risk is classified as low or medium, manure may be used at N-based rates; if classified as high, manure rate is limited to expected phosphorus uptake by the crop, and if very high, in most cases, no manure or phosphorus fertilizer may be applied. This transport × BMP approach is shown in Figure 1.

Coefficients were set for the new NY-PI using a database of more than 33,000 New York farm fields supplied by certified nutrient management planners and a second dataset that included data for PI assessment and whole farm nutrient mass balance assessments for 18 New York AFO and CAFO farms. While some farm fields had to have manure diverted, in almost all situations, the NY-PI 2.0 provided a pathway for farms with an adequate land base to both reduce risk and apply the manure generated from their herd. Stay tuned for documentation and software tools to help with implementation of the new NY-PI.

Feed and Grain Operations: EPCRA II Requires Combustible Dust Reporting

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2017 changed the Tier II reporting requirements and format under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA, Sections 311 and 312). Below are frequently asked questions on how these requirements, including changes on combustible dust reporting, may impact your facilities.

Why were the EPCRA reporting requirements changed?

The agency changed the EPCRA reporting systems and its associated Tier II form to make it consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) changes to the Hazard Communication Standard in 2012 (HCS 2012). Overall, the changes in the HCS 2012 and for EPCRA reporting were intended to:

• ensure safer management of hazardous materials at a large universe of U.S. facilities; and

• improve emergency response information available to local and state emergency planning authorities and first responders.

What does the Tier II reporting system do?

The EPCRA Tier I and Tier II reporting system assists Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) with developing and managing local emergency response plans. As many are aware, companies complete Tier II reports to achieve several objectives, including providing:

• general information on hazardous chemicals; and

• specific information on each hazardous chemical onsite at their facility.

This information is used by local emergency planning committees for developing or modifying their response plans in case of a fire, explosion, natural disaster or other emergency.

What did the Tier II changes require?

As part of a Tier II inventory report, a facility must designate the (1) physical and (2) health hazards associated with each hazardous chemical.

For the new reporting form, facilities for the first time were required to choose from among 13 possible physical hazards and 11 possible health hazards.

Concerns over the reporting of combustible dust

One of the new physical hazards required for Tier II reporting in 2017 was combustible dust. While feed and grain operations had no general concerns in responding to most or all of the other revisions associated with the new Tier II format, there was widespread confusion about how to properly complete the form to report combustible dust.

EPA has acknowledged industry concerns and has provided feedback to assist feed and grain operations in proper reporting

The industry associations worked with the EPA in 2018 in order to gain greater clarity and ensure proper industry compliance with the revised Tier II form reporting requirements.

These discussions covered a wide range of issues and questions. Not only has the EPA recognized there are legitimate questions about how feed and grain facilities are to report combustible dust, the agency has provided the associations significant feedback to help resolve the issue.

EPA agrees with industry that there is no accepted or uniform method for Tier II reporting of combustible dust

While grain and feed operations are already subject to the OSHA grain handling standard to ensure the control and elimination of combustible dust hazards, there is currently no accepted industry method to appropriately estimate or measure potential volumes of combustible dust at a facility. It is present in highly variable amounts as a byproduct of physical processes and its volume is based on a range of other factors. It is not “manufactured” in any traditional sense under EPCRA.

The EPA recognizes that the use of estimation methodologies for calculating combustible dust in facilities can produce unreliable and potentially arbitrary numerical results. For example, previous guidance from the EPA, and more recent guidance from a very small number of local jurisdictions, imply that a facility should assume that one-tenth of one percent of grain onsite contains combustible dusts.

The agency acknowledges the industry’s views and the leadership of the emergency planning community that an arbitrary calculation method that both conflicts with EPA EPCRA guidance on mixtures and has no technical or factual basis does not provide a meaningful estimate. For this reason, the vast majority of local and state jurisdictions do not use an estimation methodology. The agency has also acknowledged that for the purposes of Tier II reporting, it is not necessary to calculate the potential combustible dust in unprocessed stored ingredients.

EPA and industry agree on the following approach for combustible dust reporting

The EPA agrees that there are two simple, reasonable options to complete the Tier II form for combustible dust, which ensures emergency planners have the relevant information they need about potential combustible concerns at a feed or grain operation.

See the two reporting options below, depending on the nature or size of your feed or grain operation:

Reporting Option #1 – If combustible dust is likely present at any level below the 10,000-pound threshold

If a facility has a reasonable basis to conclude that it has some volume of combustible dust, but it is below the 10,000-pound threshold, then a facility should:

• check the “combustible dust” box in the “physical hazards” column; and

• check the “below reporting thresholds” box in the last column (the “additional reporting information” column) of the Tier II form.

Reporting option #1 is likely most appropriate for most facilities. EPA has concluded that there is no obligation for a facility to provide any further information if the “below reporting thresholds” is checked.

Reporting Option #2 – If combustible dust is likely above the 10,000-pound threshold

If a facility has a reasonable basis to estimate that it may have combustible dust above the 10,000-pound threshold, then it should:

• check the box in the “physical hazards” column; and

• complete the “inventory” column using an estimation method or calculations based on the facility’s best professional judgment.

This option may be more applicable for those facilities that collect and store combustible dust in a bin or container.

Reminder: Certain local or state jurisdictions may require additional reporting

While the EPA agrees with industry on the two options for reporting above, facilities may be subject to additional local or state Tier II reporting requirements for combustible dust.

You may need to check your county or state requirements to determine whether this may be the case and complete your Tier II report accordingly.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Gary Huddleston, AFIA’s director of feed manufacturing and regulatory affairs.

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. If you would like to photocopy, otherwise reproduce, or publish any of the foregoing material, please contact AFIA's Sarah Novak or Victoria Broehm for permission.

John's Jottings

As I write this article, Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukah, and other holidays are all “in play.” As we contemplate the end of a year and the end of a decade, we also have to consider what will the new year, and decade bring? It’s popular to make new year’s resolutions to accomplish the dreams that we have for the future. What tools do you need to make those dreams and goals happen? It is in that spirit of forethought that you should consider attending the upcoming NEAFA Annual Meeting on February 4th and 5th in Albany, NY. Taking a break from your normal day to day schedule, meeting new and old industry acquaintances and friends as well as hearing from our great group of speakers can help prepare you for success in the upcoming year.

Recently, members of NEAFA’s Board of Directors were asked why they attended. There were many excellent responses, so I wanted to take the time to share a few highlights. My dear friend and past NEAFA President, Andy Dugan of Gold Star Feed and Grain says, “I attend to see folks and to be seen. Meeting vendors is important, and I enjoy hearing what my competitors are doing. In short, I attend the Annual Meeting for lots of reasons.” Current NEAFA board member Janet Beken Smith of Stamford Farmer’s Cooperative says that the time spent at the annual meeting is important for her. “I like speaking with legislators, but I don’t find the time on my own. I think direct contact with them is important. NEAFA has some stellar keynote speakers, and I like networking. It is easy to do with everyone in one place.” And finally, NEAFA Board Secretary Lon Stephens feels similar with a few twists, “…networking and learning can help us be more competitive.”

I would also like to thank our sponsors for the great response they have given us already. We have many regulars as well as some new ones, most notably Howlett Farms and Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience and Syngenta. Sponsorships help assure a successful annual meeting and are critical for funding our operations for the balance of the year.

The annual meeting is broken down into three half days. The first half day will be our usual trip to the Capitol so that we can meet with legislators. Led by NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman, there may be folks from other groups that we actively collaborate with joining us, LEAD NY & NYS FFA among them. Meeting with legislators is critically important. “Life is controlled by those who show up,” is an adage that that I truly believe in and sharing our intimate knowledge of the agricultural industry can help shape how our representatives vote.

The second half day will be feature opening remarks and with them, the introduction of Delaney Howell, a professional MC and keynote speaker. She will do an excellent job for us. Throughout the meeting there will be breakout sessions and industry updates. This day will finish with our usual special reception, with other industry groups joining us. The third half day will be jam packed, starting with the NEAFA’s Annual Business Meeting and the ever popular NYS FFA Officers with their Opening Ceremony and followed by a great line up of speakers. Peior to lunch, Howell will give her keynote, focused on a wrap up of the annual meeting coupled with her thoughts.

While some of the above may resonate , your reasons for attending are personal. To flip that around, what are the reasons that make it difficult to attend? Perhaps it’s because you won’t make an advance registration, or will forget to mark your calendar, or your daily grind is all consuming. That’s your choice and it is understandable. I would respectfully suggest that you make a conscious decision to attend the Annual Meeting. I encourage you to be proactive towards your 2020 goals and join us in Albany. Learn new things, be enthused, contribute to the discussion and enjoy yourself in February. We’re here to help.

As I close, best wishes for your families and businesses throughout the holiday season and into the new year. I’ll See you in 2020.

John’s Jottings over for 2019!

Van Amburgh to Address Animal Ag’s Carbon Footprint at 2020 Annual Meeting

Taking place February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY, the 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting’s theme is managing for our future. From legislative meetings to advocate for agricultural needs to a wide array of seminars and speakers, there are topics and discussions that will benefit all of our members. An annual meeting highlight will be Professor of Animal Science Mike Van Amburgh, the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellow and Atkinson Sustainability Fellow at Cornell University. Van Amburgh will be tackling animal agriculture’s carbon footprint along with Chris Noble, the vice president of Noblehurst Farms and Linwood Agriculture.

“I got pretty frustrated when the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) report came out that said cows were killing the planet, because their math was flawed,” said Van Amburgh. While he plans on going into the reasons why in greater detail at the seminar, one major flaw is how people think about cattle in the larger scale of things. “The people that advocate against cattle do not understand the food system and what cattle consume in the process of making milk. At least 30% of the diet of dairy cattle are byproducts of the human food system (soybean meal, canola meal, cottonseed, beet pulp, etc), thus without the cow consuming that our total food costs would be higher, and the environmental impact would be greater.” 

Van Amburgh currently leads the development of the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System (CNCPS). “It’s an old but unique model because we’ve been working off the same framework for 40 years now. I can just about guarantee that NEAFA members use this model or at the very least research derived from it. It’s used to feed 65% of cows in North America. I was in Italy last week for a training session with 83 people from all over the world, including Taiwan and Vietnam. Worldwide, CNCPS is being used to regulate feed by approximately 30% of all cows.”

Looking at the northeast, Van Amburgh sees a lot that agribusiness leaders should be proud of. “We do a really good job in the northeast managing emissions. We have a good industry and of course there’s always room for improvement which we’re doing, but people don’t always realize how sustainable it already is. The hard part is getting that message of environmental responsibility out to the public in an appropriate way. I’m looking forward to the annual meeting and having a chance to get in front of a group of people that work in the field of agriculture and nutrition, so that we can carry on a conversation about all the positive things that we do and the opportunities that we have to improve.”

Legislative Meetings Part of 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting

Join the Lobbying Team to Advocate for Agriculture!
By Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

NEAFA representatives gathered in February 2019 in the NYS Capitol to advocate for support of programs critical to the viability of NYS animal agriculture. 

The 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting will include the opportunity to meet with New York State legislators and advocate for agricultural programs essential at keeping the northeastern dairy industry viable and competitive. Programs such as PRO-DAIRY, Integrated Pest Management, Agriculture Environmental Management, and the Farm Viability Institute all require annual state budget approvals for their continuation. It is essential that the agricultural community show up and share their views with legislative leaders.

All NEAFA members are encouraged to participate the morning of Tuesday February 4th. All the relevant details, including meeting appointments, transportation, necessary materials and issues briefing will be taken care of by NEAFA. All you have to do is show up at the Albany Marriott at 9:00 am, Tuesday February 4th, and be prepared to join the team! Reservations to be part of the legislative meetings can be made while registering for the Annual Meeting. Details can be found on the Alliance’s website by clicking here (https://www.northeastalliance.com/upcoming-neafa-events/2020-annual-meeting)

Annual Meeting Speaker Highlight: Kate Downes, NY FarmNet

The 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting is right around the corner! Taking place February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY, this year’s theme is managing for our future. With talks taking place with legislators and a wide array of seminars and speakers, there are topics and discussions that will benefit all of our members. The topic “Managing Stress on and off the Farm” will be delivered by Kate Downes, the outreach director at NY FarmNet.

NY FarmNet is based at Cornell University and provides free and confidential counseling for both business and personal needs of farmers and agribusinesses. “We’re best known for our crisis work with farms in financial trouble or farmers dealing with depression, but we do a lot of proactive work as well for farms that are entering a period of transition,” said Downes. “We send both financial and social help teams to farms, because quite often there’s underlying family tension as well when a business is having financial issues. They’re intricately connected, and people don’t always realize that. So, we give people the resources that they need. When we send a team to a farm, they’ll get a numbers person that is familiar with farm business management, and a people person that can work through problems there. It’s why we’re successful in helping farms survive and thrive.”

Downes has worked with NY FarmNet for 3 years now, coordinating the training for NY FarmNet’s consultants as well as giving presentations and tabling at trade shows and events throughout the state. “I was working at Cornell for another program, and I needed a change,” said Downes. “I had lost my uncle to suicide, and looking at what NY FarmNet does, I was like oh my gosh this is so important. Joining this team ended up being a really good fit for me.” At the upcoming annual meeting, Downes is going to focus on stress management and what that means. “I want to talk about stress on the farm, what the signs of stress look like and how to talk about stress with people. My goal is to just give people the language that they may not have so that they can talk about stress and how to ask for help. It’s important to know how to approach that conversation and how to manage stress through different techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness. Farm stress is not an easy thing to talk about, and we need to talk about suicide to destigmatize it. One reason people don’t ask for help is that they’re embarrassed, and I want to let them know they don’t have to be.”

This seminar is the first time that Downes has worked with NEAFA. “I’m really looking forward to connecting with the NEAFA folks because they’re a group that I haven’t personally connected with before,” said Downes. “I want to make sure they know that we’re a reference and a great resource that is free for farmers. NY FarmNet is available 24/7, 365 days a year. And if you call you will always get a real person on the other end - you don’t have to navigate a menu or anything to talk with someone. We all need to work together and support each other. For those that don’t like to call, we also have a contact form on our website that alerts our office.”

The holidays can be a hard and stressful time for many. If you’re struggling, it’s ok and there are people that can help. You can reach NY FarmNet at 1 800-547-3276, or fill out the contact form at www.nyfarmnet.org. The National Suicide Prevention hotline is 1 800-273-8255, and the crisis text line is 741741, just text HOME. For those under 18 in need of help, they can also call the Kids Help Phone at 1 800-668-6868.

NEAFA Congratulates Congress for Passage of USMCA

The Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) applauds Congress and the President of the United States for finalizing an agreement for the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). “The northeastern agricultural industry, particularly the dairy industry, will benefit from a more balanced trading relationship with Canada and Mexico”, Stated John Clark, NEAFA President. “We are optimistic that this important step will usher more successful trade deals with other important trading partners.” 

The agreement will advance United States’ agricultural interests in two of the most important markets for American farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. USMCA builds upon our existing markets to expand US food and agricultural exports and support food processing and rural jobs. “The agreement includes updates for the dairy industry, a vital requirement for many of NEAFA’s members”, stated Clark. “According to the USDA, America’s dairy farmers will have expanded market opportunities in Canada for a wide variety of dairy products. Specifically, Canada agreed to eliminate the unfair Class 6 and 7 milk pricing programs that allowed their farmers to undersell U.S. producers.”

Moving forward, NEAFA calls for the Senate to quickly pass USMCA. “Every day that Congress fails to pass this important piece of legislation is another day that US agriculture will fall further behind worldwide competition,” said Clark. “We are thankful that this important update to US trade agreements with Canada and Mexico has been reached and look forward to its final passage in the Senate.”

Register Today for AFIA-KSU 500: Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing

The American Feed Industry Association has opened registration for its winter online feed manufacturing course, conducted in partnership with Kansas State University, Feb. 11 – March 17.

The five-week, "AFIA 500: Fundamentals of Feed Manufacturing" distance education program provides an in-depth understanding of the feed manufacturing process, while allowing participants to work at their own pace and engage in online discussions with other students and university instructors.

The course covers a variety of topics, including: the process flow from particle size reduction, to batching and mixing, conditioning and pelleting, boilers, post-pellet systems, packaging and loadout, and maintenance.

To date, roughly 500 individuals have earned a certificate for completing this course. Program fees are $499 for members and $685 for nonmembers. The deadline to register is Monday, Jan. 27.

KSU is currently the only U.S. university to offer a bachelor of science degree in feed manufacturing and is home to the IGP Institute. For more than 35 years, the IGP Institute has established a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence for international programs related to flour milling and grain processing, feed manufacturing and grain quality management, and grain marketing and risk management focused on corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and wheat. The courses are taught by a diverse blend of individuals from KSU and within the feed and allied industries and provide in-depth training on all aspects related to feed manufacturing.

Visit the course website for more information and to register. Course size is limited, so be sure to register early!

Delaney Howell to Highlight NEAFA 2020 Annual Meeting

Delaney Howell will be leading the 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting, February 4-5th in Albany, NY.

The Northeast Agribusiness & Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is featuring Delaney Howell, co-host of Iowa Public Radio’s Market to Market, at their 2020 NEAFA Annual Meeting and Forum at the Albany Marriott Hotel from February 4-5, 2020. The event is a fantastic way to network and hear from excellent speakers on the forum theme: Managing for our Future. 

This year's forum will take on many prevailing issues affecting modern day agriculture. “Managing for our future is essential  for our industry as we continue to experience tremendous internal and external challenges,” stated Conventions Committee Chair, Mark Anderson. “Industry consolidation, trade wars, low commodity prices, and climate change are a few of the issues that will be addressed by an outstanding lineup of speakers.  Our Annual Forum is open to all who are interested in being part of the discussions.”

The event will be lead by ag radio host Delaney Howell and will include a variety of different speakers. Howell is well known for her roles on Market to Market, This Week in Agribusiness and Agri-Pulse. She grew up on a family feedlot farm in Southeast Iowa, and has been involved in agriculture from a very young age. Howell holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Agricultural Sciences and minors in Broadcasting and International Studies from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master's in Agricultural Communications through Texas Tech University.

Other notables at the upcoming annual meeting include Richard A. Ball, the New York commissioner of agriculture will be addressing the current state of agriculture and markets. Joining the commissioner will be Christopher Wolf, Professor of Agriculture Economics at Cornell University as well as Mike VanAmburgh, Professor of Animal Science at Cornell University. Chris Noble, the Vice President of Linwood Agriculture and Noblehurst Farms. Several industry topical seminars will be offered Tuesday afternoon, February 4th. 

Registration and sponsorship information can be found through the NEAFA website at northeastalliance.com or by clicking here.

NEAFA Meets with New England Ag Commissioners; Neonics a Common Topic

by Rick Zimmerman, NEAFA Executive Director

New Hampshire agriculture commissioner When Jasper, center, meets with NEAFA representatives Andy Dugan, Art Whitman and Rick Zimmerman. AFIA's Louise Calderwood joined the delegation that also travelled to Massachusetts and Maine.

Working with state government leaders throughout the northeast is a priority for the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA). NEAFA put this objective into action earlier this month when a NEAFA leadership team road tripped from Boston, MA, to Concord, NH, and finally to Augusta, ME, to meet with state commissioners of agriculture. This annual event fortifies working relationships and demonstrates our collaboration with state agricultural organizations. This year’s trip allowed us to meet two relatively new agriculture commissioners: Shawn Jasper of New Hampshire, Amanda Beal of Maine, and Massachusetts’ John Lebeaux, who is entering his fifth year in office. All three commissioners were very interested in what we had to say.

Andy Dugan, Chair of the NEAFA Government Relations Committee, travelled with Past Chair Art Whitman, Louise Calderwood of the American Feed Industry Association, and NEAFA Executive Director Rick Zimmerman for two days of meetings, miles and meals. They were joined by state-based national agribusiness company representatives in Boston and Concord, who complimented the discussions. Together, NEAFA and these industry leaders talked about the importance of the agribusiness industries in each respective state and invited the commissioners to tour our facilities. While the conversations were wide ranging, inevitably discussions focused on neonicotinoid pesticides.

Nine U.S. state legislatures, including four in the northeast, have either enacted or are considering bills to address the complex issue of pollinator health, including the presumed impact of neonicotinoid pesticides. Neonicotinoids became commercially available in the late 1990s, and by 2014 virtually all corn and about a third of the U.S. soybean acreage was planted with neonicotinoid-treated seeds due to their perceived safety and efficacy. Recent studies have implicated this class of pesticides as a contributing cause to the decline in pollinators nationwide.

Several northeastern states are considering a wide variety of approaches to limit the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. The New York Senate Environmental Conservation Committee for example, is considering a bill that proposes to prohibit all use of atrazine, metalaxyl and neonicotinoids. Legislation currently in the Massachusetts Committee on Ways and Means proposes neonicotinoids to be registered as restricted use pesticides.

Some states have already enacted legislation to increase regulatory oversight of neonicotinoid use. In 2017, Connecticut passed legislation requiring development of best practices to minimize the airborne release of neonicotinoid insecticide dust from treated seeds. The following year, Vermont pass legislation into law that requires some forms of neonicotinoids to be registered as restricted use pesticides. Unlike Massachusetts, agricultural uses in Vermont are exempt from oversight by the new law.

NEAFA supports effective science-based pest control methods that pose minimal risk to pollinator communities. Integrated pest management programs are essential to assist farmers as they adopt best practices to protect their crops and minimize the impact of pesticides on pollinators.  

Bees are exposed to many different stresses, not just pesticides, and therefore it is important to consider all the relevant threats when considering public policies attempting to address pollinator decline. In addition, it is important to take into consideration the impacts of alternative pesticides, many that are more environmentally hazardous, that farmers may be forced to use if neonicotinoids become unavailable. This is the message that we delivered to Commissioners Lebeaux, Jasper, and Beal, and it is timely guidance given the status of the debate in their respective states.

Advocate, Collaborate, Educate: NEAFA’s primary objectives in action in New England this month.

NEAFA Member Highlight: Tom Wheeler, Carolina Eastern-Crocker

Tom Wheeler (L) and Bill Crocker (R) of Carolina Eastern Crocker have been serving western New York agriculture community together since 1999.

Tom Wheeler has been at the helm of Carolina Eastern-Crocker (CEC) in western New York as its general manager since it was established in 1999 as a joint effort between Bill Crocker and Carolina Eastern, based out of Charleston, South Carolina. “We run all of the operations in Western NY, and Carolina Eastern supplies us our fertilizer inputs. Both companies have been family owned for three generations as well.”

Wheeler worked with Crocker for three years before CEC came to be. “CEC has three locations currently,” said Wheeler. “Our LeRoy location was originally founded by the Crocker family in 1930 to service the local agricultural community, which is where I started at in 1996. In 2003 we expanded to Stafford, NY, which is where our central offices are now, and in 2017 we opened another facility in Pavilion, NY. We currently cover all of Western New York from the border with Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania.” CEC serves on NEAFA’s Agronomy Committee, through employee and certified commercial applicator Joe Augello.

The company provides numerous products and services to the region. “We have dry and liquid fertilizers, organic fertilizers from our Pavilion location, crop protection products, agricultural lime, gypsum, and seeds,” said Wheeler. “We also provide custom application and spraying of fertilizers, including variable rate application, and we sell fine ground corn meal among the numerous other services and products that we offer.”

Wheeler himself comes from a long agricultural background, growing up with a small registered Holstein herd and graduating from Alfred State College with a degree in Animal Science. Being there since the start of CEC in 1999, Wheeler has seen continued expansion and growth that has improved what the company has to offer its customers. “We’ve grown dramatically from our early days here at CEC,” said Wheeler. “We started as a small company that had one road tractor, one 6 wheel auger delivery truck for fertilizer, and only 2-3 trucks that first year in our original LeRoy location. Now we have 13 road tractors and 10 auger trucks, plus a number of seasonal rentals for both, over 25 trailers, delivery trucks and employ approximately forty full time and thirty seasonal staff members. We’ve grown dramatically in all aspects, from our fertilizer options and corn meal, they’ve all grown dramatically. CEC is now one of the largest Pioneer Seed dealers in the northeast.

Through it all, Wheeler has found the camaraderie of the industry to be something that he enjoys. “The people that you meet is a great part of working here,” said Wheeler. “You develop relationships and friendships with your customers while working with farmers to make their businesses better, and it’s nice to see them do well because of our help.”

NEAFA 2020 Annual Meeting: Managing for our Future

K-State’s Chad Paulk to Address Feed Mill Biosecurity

As the winter season continues its march on the Northeast, the Northeast Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) is busy preparing for the 2020 annual meeting on February 4th and 5th at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, NY. This year, the annual meeting’s theme is managing for our future. With legislative appointments and a wide array of seminars and speakers, there’s something that will benefit all of our members. This month, learn more about the first seminar of the annual meeting, delivered by Chad Paulk, an assistant professor at Kansas State University’s Grain Science Department and their Feed Science Group. Paulk’s discussion will focus on feed mill biosecurity and ingredient traceability.

With an area of expertise that focuses on animal food safety, Paulk will focus on biosecurity issues within feed mills. “We’ve learned a lot about disease survivability in feed ingredients at feed mills,” said Paulk. “My goal is to share my experiences, and how animal food safety has played a role in the dairy industry. I hope to provide an insight into how it could influence the industry in the future.”

Paulk has taught at Kansas State for three years, and previously taught at Texas A&M’s Department of Animal Science for 2.5 years. “I’ve always had an interest in improving food production, and during my studies I learned of the importance of feed in its role for safety and the efficiency of production,” said Paulk. “I’ve focused since then on collecting data that can be used by those in agriculture so that they can improve their decision making. We target the biggest questions that producers may have and help them solve those problems.”

This is the first time that Paulk has worked with NEAFA and its membership, and Paulk is looking forward to expanding discussions on food safety to include the industries in the Northeast. “I’m interested to learn about the feed manufacturing practices in the northeast, and if biosecurity is on their radar,” said Paulk. “As well as what they’re doing to implement that at the mill level, and what some of their biggest concerns and needs are. I think this will be a great opportunity to continue our discussions to include more of the feed industry’s needs.”

Cornell Nutrition Conference: The Annual Tradition Continues to Serve the Industry

The 2019 and the 81st Annual Cornell Nutrition Conference (CNC) took place last month in Syracuse, NY, with approximately 550 people learning and networking together to serve the animal agriculture industry. The Northeastern Agribusiness and Feed Alliance (NEAFA) was happy to take part in this longtime tradition that attracts people from around the globe. “NEAFA’s longstanding relationship with the Cornell College of Animal Life Sciences (CALS), and specifically their Animal Science Department, is something that we work diligently to maintain and strengthen,” said NEAFA President John Clark. “We are fortunate to have leaders like the CNC Committee, particularly Larry Chase, Tom Overton, Mike VanAmburgh and most recently Joe McFadden and Kristan Reed that consistently work to strengthen and empower agriculture in the northeast.”

Fifteen different papers were presented at the conference, and according to Larry Chase of Cornell University, the conference typically draws attendees from the US, Canada, and five to seven foreign countries. Chase retired from Cornell in 2014 but continues to help coordinate the conference by staying on the CNC’s program committee. Chase spoke on several different topics throughout the 2.5-day program, something that he has done yearly since 1975. Chase was kind enough to provide NEAFA with some historical background about the CNC, and the topics that it has covered since its inception in 1938, itself an expansion of a program run by the Cornell Poultry Nutrition School in 1934 through 1937.

“The CNC has evolved as our feed industry, animal production industries and faculty resources have changed,” said Chase. “The early conferences had a broad range of topics including farm economics, human nutrition and talks covering a wide range of animal species including dairy, beef, sheep, swine, fish, horses, poultry and pets such as dogs and cats. These talks represented the range of responsibilities that our conference participants worked with on a daily basis in their jobs. These topics were covered by a wide range of Cornell faculty and invited outside speakers. Over time, the focus of the conference has shifted to being primarily dairy related with a few papers on other species. A primary reason for this shift is that the job responsibilities of our participants are primarily dairy nutrition and management related.”

The conference is organized by the program committee, overseen by a general chairman, and a rotating program chair each year. “A rotation system is used for a Program Chairman each year that is responsible for putting together the program topics and speakers,” Said Chase. “Another significant change has been designating one of our office professionals to assist with conference logistical details on a continuing basis. These individuals (Dee Brothers, Robin Huizinga, Heather Fredenburg, Lorissa Haines, Karen Holcomb and Heather Darrow) have made significant contributions to the success of CNC. They quickly develop a rapport with our conference participants and sponsors. The conference runs smoothly primarily due to their efforts.” 

While many important papers and topics have been discussed at CNC throughout the years, one from 2009 in particular stuck out to Chase. The paper in question? Sauropod dinosaurs and gigantism: a report of an international conference – P. J. Van Soest – 2009 CNC. “This paper was a report from an international conference held in Germany in 2008,” said Chase. “Dr. Van Soest touched on subjects including homeothermy, blood pressure, types of plants consumed by herbivorous dinosaurs, gut microorganisms and fiber retention time. Since no direct measures were available for these in dinosaurs, speculations on some of these areas were made using large contemporary herbivores (elephants and rhinos).”

For those that missed CNC, consider taking the Feed Dealer Seminars scheduled for December. “This series of programs was initiated in 1946 at the request of the New York State Feed Dealer’s Association,” said Chase. “The goal was to provide training and information to feed industry representatives at the local level that were unable to attend CNC. This series of seminars continues today at 8 locations throughout New York and Vermont.” NEAFA is co-hosting the December 11th Middlebury VT. program, and details for all the seminars can be found by clicking here. Or check out the ad for the December 11th Dairy Nutrition Conference posted in the NEAFA News monthly newsletter.