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| Attendees watch a demo at Empire Farm Days |
The Northeast's biggest farm show -- complete with more than 600 exhibitors -- begins Tuesday, Aug. 6.
The 80th anniversary of the Empire Farm Days is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 6 and 7 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 8. The event is at its regular spot, the Rodman Lott and Son Farms, 2973 State Route 414, Seneca Falls.
Admission is free and parking is $10.
Check out numerous displays of farm equipment, learn how to increase your dairy profits, learn how to keep safe on the farm, find out how wind energy can help the farm and sample New York cheeses.
Here's what else to expect:
** The 2013 Dairy Profit Seminars are focused on the next generation of young dairy operators, robotic milking technology, and how to measure, monitor and improve cow comfort. The free seminars start at 10:30 a.m. and are open to the public at the Empire Farm Days Dairy Seminar Center. The seminars are free and open to the public. Industry updates from the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council and the Beef Checkoff program, and a picnic lunch follow immediately.
** On Aug. 7, the 2013 class of Junior Dairy Leaders graduate with presentations of their experiences with the hands-on program for 16-to-19-year-old youth interested in learning about career opportunities in the dairy industry.
** Dairy operators interested in learning more about how to comply with farm worker housing requirements can take advantage of the new mini-seminars on farm labor offered by the state Department of Labor daily at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. State Agriculture Labor Specialists Parker Filer and Laura Tramontana also will discuss how to use forms developed specifically to assist agricultural employers in complying with New York’s Wage Theft Prevention Act.
** New product exhibits will feature everything from one-piece group hutches for calves and a natural fine-texture agricultural lime for balancing soil pH to cover crop seeders, large capacity mixing wagons, LED lighting, and the latest in smart remote control technology.
** Those interested in farm and home-size wind energy opportunities can see turbines on display and attend daily information presentations at the Wind Center.
** Cattle handlers will want to stop by the 11:30 a.m. daily demonstrations by Cornell University Beef Extension Specialist Mike Baker, who will be working with the latest equipment and demonstrating the farmer-developed Bud Box method for directing cattle into chutes and pens. The NY Beef Industry Center is also adding clipping demonstrations this year.
** The new Alpacas: From Start to Finish exhibit will have live animals, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and finished products made with the luxurious fiber.
** The three exciting Equine Center round pen presenters for 2013 are wild Mustang trainers Emma and Jack Minteer, draft breed horseman Dave Ayers, and natural horsemanship instructor Stasia Newell.
** McCadam Cheese in Chateaugay, Clinton County, will be available for tasting at the Agri-Mark booth as will samples of Cabot Cheese with its new brand logo recognizing its New York farm family owners.
** The Beikirch’s Outdoor Sporting Center is more than doubling in size with the latest sporting equipment and safety information for boating, fishing, and hunting enthusiasts.
** Popular returning exhibits at the 2013 Empire Farm Days include therapy dog Sparks demonstrating fire safety in the NYS Grange Family Center each morning, ag plastics recycling and goat care demonstrations, the FFA student tractor driving safety and welding contests, and the daily Old Iron tractor parade.
** New York Sea Grant and US Coast Guard Auxiliary will be in the farm pond demonstrating life jacket and canoe/kayak safety measures.
** The annual Ag Leadership luncheon Aug. 7 will recognize New York’s Agricultural Environmental Management Award and Empire State Potato Growers Scholarship winners, and provide a New York Farm Viability Institute update on cutting edge research taking place on New York farms.
For more information, go to www.empirefarmdays.com or contact Empire Farm Days Manager Melanie Wickham at (877) 697-7837 or mwickham@empirefarmdays.com.
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