Agricultural experts bring research, best practices, and recent trends to Delhi

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, in partnership with the Watershed Agricultural Council, will be hosting the 20th annual Catskill Regional Agriculture Conference on Thursday, January 12, 2023, beginning at 9:30 AM in Farrell Hall at the SUNY Delhi campus.  After two years of holding the conference virtually, we will back in person; but offering the conference virtually at the same time.  Come and join farmers from around the region for this premier agricultural event.   Our top-notch speakers will be presenting timely information about dairy, livestock, vegetable, cut flower production as well as grazing management.

As in previous years, the conference will feature a local foods luncheon and keynote speaker.   This year’s featured speaker is Zach Spangler, Cornell Agriculture Climate Resiliency Specialist with Cornell’s Harvest New York team who will be speaking on Climate Policies and What they Mean for Us.    His work supports farmers efforts to contribute to climate change mitigation, improve their ability to respond to stresses, and to adapt to changing climate patterns while maintaining or improving farm viability.

Conference registration begins at 9:30 AM followed by two early bird sessions at 10:00 AM which include; Creating an Efficient Broiler Enterprise, and Stand Out at Farm Stands!  A panel discussion with local farmers. 

Attendees may choose to follow a single track or mix and match sessions that are of interest.  Core sessions of the conference take place at 11:00 AM, 1:40 PM, 2:40 PM and include the following topics:

DAIRY and FIELD CROPS: How is Your Milk Price Determined & Understanding that PPD; Lowering Bulk Tank Somatic Cell and Keeping it Low; Innovative Approaches to Terminating Winter Rye Cover Crops.

LIVESTOCK: Stocker Cattle – How it can Work, Status of Dung Beetles in New York State; Basics of Making Breeding Selections for your Livestock  

GRAZING: Planning and Designing your Fence Project, Management Tools for Grazing Success; So You have a Hayfield you Want to Graze… 

VEGETABLES: Weed ID and Management Options, Introduction to Soils & Soil Health; Expand your Offerings with Uncommon Fruits

FLOWERS:  Calculating Cut Flower Profitability; Considering a U-Pick Cut Flower Operation, Wedding Opportunities for the Farmer Florist

An all-day tradeshow of local Agri-service providers offers networking opportunities between the sessions.

For more information about the sessions, speakers, or the conference itself as well as to register for the event, please visit ccedelaware.org.  Questions can be directed to Kim Holden at 607-865-7090, ext. 241 or kmh19@cornell.edu. Pre-registration, including the luncheon, is $35 per person is required by Friday January 6th

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The Watershed Agriculture Council is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer and is funded by the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Forest Service, U.S.D.A., and other sources.