New York Farm Show Set for Feb. 23-25 at NYS Fairgrounds

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

The 2017 New York Farm Show is the place to visit this winter for information on new innovative farm and woodlot products and equipment.
 
The 32nd edition of the show runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23, 24 and 25 at the New York State Fairgrounds in Geddes, west of Syracuse.
 
The annual show hosts more than 400 exhibitors in six heated buildings, including the Arts and Home Center, Center of Progress, Dairy, Horticulture, and Science Buildings, and International Pavilion.
 
“It’s a spring planning show,” New York Farm Show manager Scott Grigor said. “It gets people out of the house. The economy is off a little, and it helps people enjoy life a little bit.”
 
The show had 406 confirmed exhibitors as of Jan. 11 with more expected, Grigor said.  There are 13 new exhibitors this year, including Yanmar Tractor of Georgia

Exhibit area covers more than 222,000 square feet of space.

Topics covered by seminars includes: beef, forestry, and health and safety. There also will be the popular FFA toy auction and 4-H members will again be selling hitch pins as a county fundraiser. They are offering Tisco 6-by-¾-inch hitch pins at $5 each or five for $20. They will be located at the main entrance doors of the Center of Progress, Dairy and Horticulture buildings.

The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health will offer information on ROPS (rollover protective structures), safe skid steer operation, blood pressure screenings and youth safety activities.
 
The center also will again have its farm hazards display board set up to help people identify hazardous situations on the farm. It will supply information on PPE (personal protective equipment) selection and catalogs and applications for the John May Farm Safety Fund, and roadway safety tips in conjunction with the state troopers.



BEEF SEMINARS

Here are some of the beef seminars from the New York Beef Council to be held in the beef area of the Toyota Building:

Daily presentations beginning at 10 a.m. will feature:
 
10 a.m.: ABCs of EPDs - Phil Trowbridge, Trowbridge Angus
 
11 a.m.: Trace Minerals - Its role on the Cattle Immune System, Dr. Bob Gentry, Multimin
 
Noon: Quality - The Consumer Expectations, Jean O’Toole/ Katherine Bronson, NYBC - Thursday
 
Noon: Beef Up Your Marketing, Jean O’Toole/ Katherine Bronson, NYBC - Friday
 
1 p.m.: Johne’s - What it is and Programs Available, Dr. Melanie Hemenway, NYSCHAP
 
2 p.m.: Unraveling Official Identification, Dr Jane Lewis, USDA Ag. And Markets
 
3 p.m.: Beef showmanship clinic,  Robert Groom/ Jeanne White-  Thursday
 
3 p.m.: Fitting clinic, Robert Groom - Friday
Saturday will be dedicated to youth doing the presentations on different related beef topics. Grab a seat on the bleachers as these young individuals demonstrate their experiences and knowledge of the beef industry. Jean O’Toole, the new executive director of the New York Beef Council, and Katherine Bronson will open the presentations.
 
10 a.m.: How to Master “Agvocacy,” Jean O’Toole/ Katherine Bronson, NYBC
 
11 a.m.: Our National Livestock Judging Experience in Louisville, KY- By Melissa Keller, NY Junior Beef Producer
 
11 a.m.: Three Ways to get Involved with the Beef Industry, Megan Cranwell, NY Junior Beef Producer
 
Noon: What I Learned about NYBC (NY Beef Council) through C2C (Cattlemen to Consumers) Program, Jala Murphy, NY Junior Beef Producer
 
12:30 p.m.: What Telling our Story Means and Why We Should, By Sam and Sarah Birdsall, NY Junior Beef Producers
 
1 p.m.: Small Steps to Becoming Socially Savvy in our Beef Industry, By Anna King, NY Junior Beef Producer
 
1:30 p.m.: Important Factors When Doing a Project Beef Animal for Sales at County Fairs - Feed, Nutrition, Record-keeping, Animal Care, Marketing, etc., By Daisy Trowbridge and Jordin Radley, NY Junior Beef Producers
 
2 p.m.: Primal and Retail Beef Cuts, By Loretta and Suzie Lippert, NY Junior Beef Producers
 
As you attend the presentations enjoy a hot beef sundae served up daily by the New York Beef Producers, starting at 11:00 a.m.
 
The New York Beef Council will have a face-to-face presence at this year’s NY Farm Show! Stop by to “Beef Together” with the NYBC’s innovative marketing initiatives to promote YOU, our farmers, and the quality beef you produce.
 
A live beef cattle display representing numerous beef breeds will enhance our Beef Area, including breed information to take home.
 
Engage with the “Face of Our Farmers.” Beef Farmers have filled out questioners to help you get to know them better. Engage in a conversation with beef producers, see their likes, dislikes and ask them beef related questions. 

Pick up a Scavenger Hunt paper at the Beef Gazebo and then read our “Face of our Farmers” posters to get your answers and win a prize.
 
Beef recipes and beef related information also will be available in the beef area for attendees to take home and enjoy.

FOREST SEMINARS

Free programs to help landowners get more benefits from their woodlots will be presented by the New York Forest Owners Association each day of the New York Farm Show.

Visitors to the show can meet with a forester from the State Department of Environmental Conservation or speak with a Cornell trained volunteer.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their questions and pause at the booth area before or after attending a seminar program. The DEC foresters and trained volunteers are there to help with resource materials, displays and expert advice.
 
 “Learn More, Earn More” seminars are free and open to all. Topics include federal cost sharing for woodlot improvements, working with foresters, improving bird habitat, heating with wood, and forest farming. Programs start on the hour and allow time for questions and discussion.
 
The booth is on the main corridor of the Arts and Home Center, and the seminars are held in the Somerset Room just steps away on the lower level of the building.

These programs are presented by the New York Forest Owners Association in cooperation with the NY Department of Environmental Conservation, Cornell Cooperative Extension, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and with special thanks to each of the expert speakers.
 

Seminar topics and speakers for each day include:
Thursday, Feb. 23
 
11 a.m.: DEC Can Help Family Forest Owners, by Matt Swayze, state Department of Environmental Conservation
1 p.m.: Assessing Impacts from Deer, by Kristie Sullivan, Dept. of Natural Resources, Cornell University
2 p.m.: Legacy Planning for Your Property, by Shorna Allred, Dept. of Natural Resources, Cornell University
3 p.m.: Getting Federal Aid for Woodlot Improvements, by Michael Fournier, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service
 
Friday, Feb. 24
 
10 a.m.: Unwanted Vegetation in Your Woods, by Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester, Cornell University
11 a.m.: Woodlot Inventory: How Many Trees Do You Have?, by Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester, Cornell University
1 p.m.: Insects and Diseases that Threaten Your Woods, by Mark Whitmore, Dept. of Natural Resources, Cornell University
2 p.m.: The Law: Rights and Responsibilities of Woodlot Owners, by Timothy Fratesch Esq. Fratesch Law Firm, Syracuse
3 p.m.: Getting Federal Aid for Woodlot Improvements, by Michael Fournier, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Natural Resource Conservation Service
 
Saturday, Feb. 25
 
10 a.m.: Heat with Wood While Growing Timber, Michael Kelleher, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
11 a.m.: Improve Bird Habitat with Smart Timber Management, by Suzanne Treyger, Forest Program Manager, Audubon New York
1 p.m.: Working with Consulting Foresters, by Rene Germain, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
2 p.m.: Wilhelm Farm: A Case Study in Agroforestry, by Ann Wilhelm & Bill Bentley, woodlot owners
3 p.m.: Woodlots and Income Taxes, by Hugh Canham, Emeritus Professor, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
 

Visit the New York Forest Owners Association website (www.nyfoa.org for more information.

Beef Tours Begin Today

From the New York Beef Industry Council:

The New York Beef Industry Council “Farm to Fork” tours begin today in the state.

The tours are an opportunity to connect producers to consumers as part of Beef Month, held each May in New York state. 

Dozens of representatives from the retail food and restaurant industries, as well as culinary instructors and dieticians, have signed up for a Farm-to-Fork tour this week, which will provide an educational opportunity for consumers to learn more about the growing beef industry in New York state and encourage consumers to know more about where their food is coming from.

“There has been increased demand for locally grown beef over the last few years. These tours will give consumers a window into cattle farm operations across Upstate New York and the dedicated farmers behind them," said state Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball. 

"Consumers want to know where there food is coming from and these tours will help restaurant owners and retail establishments learn more about the products they’re selling and better understand the importance of the local beef industry to New York state’s agricultural economy as a whole,” he said.

The tours will take place in the Hudson Valley, Capital Region, Central New York and the Finger Lakes Region. All events will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

•        Tuesday, May 19 – Millbrook, NY/ Walbridge Farms (Hudson Valley)

•        Wednesday, May 20 – Westerlo, NY/ Golden Acres (Capital Region)

•        Thursday, May 21 – Earlville, NY/ Drover Hill Farm (Central NY)

•        Friday, May 22 – Medina, NY / SK Hereford (Finger Lakes)

In New York state, there are more than 13,559 cattle farms with 1.45 million cattle supplying nutritious, wholesome beef to consumers. These farms contribute to New York State’s economy by generating more than $294 million in sales. 

Thousands of people — from cattle producers and feed manufacturers to equipment dealers and food marketers — play a role in bringing beef from pasture to plate. 

"Our goal is to educate influencers about the beef industry in New York state and we hope in turn they will spread the message about beef production in the state,” said Jean O’Toole, director of public relations for the New York Beef Industry Council. 

“We want them to have a better understanding about all the segments of our industry and the types and brands of beef that our offered to their consumers. New York state beef producers are proud to be able to offer a variety of beef choices and proud to raise the safest beef in the world,” she said. 

For more information about May Beef Month tours, please visit: http://www.nybeef.org/meatyourbeefmaytours2015.aspx

Gear Up for Beef Month

From NY Ag and Markets and the Beef Industry Council:

Dozens of representatives from the retail food and restaurant industries, as well as culinary instructors and dieticians, have signed up for four tours this week as part of May Beef Month activities for the New York Beef Industry Council.  

The tours will take place in the Hudson Valley, Central New York, the Capital Region and the Western NY/Finger Lakes Region. Local media are encouraged to attend these events to learn more about the beef industry here in New York state. 

“I had a great meeting recently with our friends at the New York Beef Industry Council and see tremendous opportunities for our Department to work with this important agricultural industry in the future,” said Ag and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball.  

“Beef is a staple at our world class steakhouses, restaurants and retail establishments here in New York.  It’s available year-round and part of a healthy diet," he said. These tours are just one more way that New York agriculture is connecting the dots between producers and consumers.  I plan to personally be at the event in Westerlo on Thursday.”     

All four Beef Month events will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following locations:

• May 20 – Millbrook, NY/Walbridge Farms (Hudson Valley)
• May 21 – Truxton, NY/New Penn Farm (Central NY)
• May 22 – Westerlo, NY/Golden Acres (Capital Region)
• May 23 - Medina, NY/SK Hereford (Western/Finger Lakes Region)

In New York state, there are over 13,559 cattle farms with 1.45 million cattle that supply nutritious, wholesome beef to consumers.  These farms contribute to New York State’s economy by generating more than $294 million from the sale of cows and calves.

Jean O’Toole, director of public relations for the New York Beef Industry Council, said, “This is a great opportunity for influencers in retail, nutrition and food service to be able to convey to their customers where their food is coming from.  We look forward to a great week of beef tours across the various regions of New York State.”

Homesteading Fair Sept. 7 in Lowville

This news comes from Kara Dunn on behalf of the New York Beef Industry Council:

Looking for ways to spice up your beef for dinner?

Jean O’Toole of the New York Beef Industry Council will have tips and recipes to share at the Sept. 7 Homesteading Fair in Lowville, Lewis County.

For example, the Mama Mia beef rub developed by the Council contains no salt; the Cutting Edge rub is suggested for making tasty tacos, fajitas and Mexican meatloaf.

The day-long fair at the Lewis County Fairgrounds offers 45-minute workshops on food and gardening, backyard poultry, small livestock, maple/forestry, live horsepower, and sustainable energy.

For advance tickets and more info, see http://blogs.cornell.edu/ccelewis or call Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County at 376-5270.

New York State Fair 'One Thing' Series -- Today's Feature, Beef Cattle

Two Hereford beef cattle from Wayne County chow down at the NYS Fair

Today is Beef Day at the New York State Fair.

Be sure to check out the beef cattle in the beef cattle building at the back of the fair, not far from the FFA and 4-H sites.

You'll be able to see all types of beef cattle, including many of the most popular breeds such as Angus, Hereford, Limousin, Charolais, Simmental, Shorthorns and Red Angus.

I went out to the beef cattle building and found Lori Wheeler, of Newark, Wayne County, who was unloading her Herefords for the fair. I asked her what 'One Thing' she would like the public to know about beef cattle and beef farming:

"Beef is a growing industry but with the economy, it is getting harder and harder to raise beef cattle," she said. She also said when people go to the grocery store to buy beef, they should look at the grading system -- prime cuts are tops, followed by select and then choice.

There were 90,000 beef cattle in New York state as of Jan. 1. But beef replacement heifers were up 8 percent from 2012 at 41,000 head.    

Have a great Beef Day at the fair. And also be sure to stop into the New York Beef Industry Council exhibit in the Dairy Products Building to see demonstrations on how to prepare beef and veal and pick up handy brochures about beef cuts and what to do with them.

Ladies of the NY Beef Industry Council Will Be Out in Force at New York State Fair

Check out this great story http://www.syracusewomanmag.com/swm/?p=1256 about the New York Beef Industry Council.