Abstract

The project goals are to improve the energy efficiency, profitability, and environmental performance of New York State dairy farms by communicating information to farmer on innovative manure management systems.

Issue

The data collected, and the presentation of the results, will help guide producers, operators, designers, and advisors as they select and implement the appropriate technology for manure management on dairy farms.

Response

The project team has collected and analyzed data from on-farm manure treatment and handling systems. The results has been used to develop a variety of informational materials, including fact sheets, case studies, posters, trade magazine articles, and topical resource guides. Many of these materials are posted on the project website, http//:www.manuremanagement.cornell.edu. The team has prepared resource lists of services available to farmers interested in NYSERDA manure project technologies. Workshops have been held in each of the major regions of the state using the Cornell Cooperative Extension system. A major regional conference will be held in March 2005, with the planning facilitated by the Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service.

Impact

Through the development of informational materials, including fact sheets, case studies, posters, trade magazine articles, topical resource guides and via regional workshops many of the major New York State dairy producers have been affected by the work of this project. Specifically, the number of producers who have begun the design and construction of anaerobic digesters (AD) has grown from the five existing AD systems to approximately 27 farmers who are in various stages of contemplation, design and construction. Also, the number of producers who have implemented composting facilities in their operations has grown significantly.

Funding Sources

• State or Municipal (e.g., NYSDAM)
• Other USDA (e.g., Water Quality, Special Grants, NRI)
• NYSERDA

Collaborators

• A Project Advisory Group (PAG) was formed to guide the project, help set priorities, review work plans, and provide feedback as the project progresses.
• Public sector members of the PAG include:
• NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets,
• NY Farm Bureau,
• NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation,
• NYS Soil & Water Conservation Committee,
• NYS Agriculture and Technical Colleges,
• Empire State Development,
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service,
• USDA Rural Development, and
• Northeast Regional Biomass Program.
• Private sector members of the PAG include:
• Northeast Dairy Producers Association,
• Northeast Dairy Business magazine,
• Environmental Defense,
• First Pioneer Farm Credit, Agricultural Consulting Services, and Rochester Gas & Electric/NYSEG.

Key Personnel

• Peter Wright (prior to departure from Cornell)
• Curt Gooch (PRO-DAIRY)
• Brian Aldrich
• Jean Bonhotal