Statement From Farmers Market Federation on Coronavirus

The Farmers Market Federation of New York posted the following update on how coronavirus or Covid-19 could affect farmers markets in the state.

Go to https://mailchi.mp/acc3c7be6238/market-matters-march-2020?fbclid=IwAR1USSP8XUeg9D91_N5tlCQqBu953-2Lg1aeFNbvoUSScTklxysfsC-dkoo to read the information.

Other coronavirus info:

The New York State Fair also has canceled all events at the fairgrounds in Geddes through the end of the month.

Here is the fair's statement:

"Today, Gov. Cuomo announced that all events in New York state of more than 500 people will be canceled as part of the effort to suppress the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, we are canceling all public events on the New York State Fairgrounds through the end of March. 

"We are working with event promoters to secure alternate dates for their events when possible and are providing full refunds of deposits. Our first and most important priority is to safeguard the health of everyone who visits the Fairgrounds and we will continue to take all necessary actions in order to achieve that goal."

Also, the WNY EquiFest, a large equine event that attracts more than 6,000 people to the Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, NY, also has been canceled. Here is the statement from the event's Facebook page:

"In an effort to slow down the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a ban today on all public gatherings of more than 500 people. As a result of the governor’s declaration, WNY EquiFest has been canceled for 2020.

The health and safety of our employees, exhibitors, patrons and volunteers is our utmost priority and we truly apologize to all impacted by this announcement."

The event was set for March 21-22.

Historic Goshen Race Track Burns

This is sad.

Go to http://westchester.news12.com/story/36204404/fire-scorches-historic-goshen-horse-racing-track#.WZ5jGxgcBz0.facebook to see the story.

Learn About Ag With Tours, Text Messages at New York State Fair

Don't forget.

As you head to the New York State Fair, there are some more ways this year to learn about the state's biggest industry -- agriculture.

The New York State Fair is offering fairgoers a new and exciting way to learn more through free, guided. The tours will be led by MooU, a private tour company, and will take visitors through the fair’s various animal barns, offering insight about the animals and their place in agriculture.  

Tours will begin at the MooU tent, which will be located behind the Agriculture Museum. They will depart every hour starting at 10 a.m. daily with the last tour departing at 5 p.m. 

Tour #1, beginning at 10 a.m. and running every two hours, will include stops at the Dairy Cattle Barn, Beef Barn, Poultry Barn and the Dairy Cow Birthing Center. Tour #2 will begin at 11 a.m, and run every two hours, stopping at the Goat, Sheep and Swine Barns as well as the World of Horses tent.

Fairgoers also have the chance to text an ag question to an expert on the fairgrounds. Agricultural experts will monitor a text channel during the fair, answering questions texted to them.

Signs in each of the barns will provide the phone number where text messages can be sent.

 

The New York State Fair, operated by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, runs now through Sept. 4.

Morrisville State College at the New York State Fair

Morrisville State College will have a strong presence again this year at the Great New York State Fair, featuring a handcrafted scale-model canoe, a student-built hot rod, horses and renewable energy and hemp displays.

The fair runs Aug. 23-Sept. 4.

Fairgoers can learn about renewable energy, horses and horsepower inside the Morrisville State College Bartlett Barn near Gate 4 by the Coliseum. Horses from various equine programs will be housed in the building throughout the fair.

The college also will showcase its Mustang car. Students in the college's automotive programs transformed the 1988 Mustang into a 550 horsepower dragster that accelerates to 130 mph in 10 seconds.

New this year in the Morrisville State College building is a handcrafted canoe, a scale model of those being constructed in a new Introduction to Boat Building course at the college.

Visitors to the building also can obtain an array of information about the college and can speak to faculty and staff about the college's program offerings. Morrisville State alumni are encouraged to stop by and access materials to find fellow classmates, enjoy history about the college and catch up on the college's growth and progress.

Morrisville State College Alumni Day at the fair is Aug. 30.

Visitors also can learn more about the hemp industry at the college's display in the SUNY section of the Horticulture Building. Morrisville is leading research in the experimentation of growing hemp as a commercial crop.

The college also will have informational materials in the World of Horses tent, which features a center ring where fairgoers can see horses up close and talk with their owners and handlers.

Nelson Farms, run by the auxiliary corporation of the college, will once again head the Taste NY Marketplace, a retail store offering food products grown and produced in New York state. The marketplace's new location is in the Horticulture Building.

The college's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources will have an exhibit in the FFA Building.

Morrisville State students also will be competing throughout the fair. They will participate in Forestry Day competitions Sept. 2 in the New York Experience Area. They also will show lambs in the beef Cattle Barn on Sept. 2 and will compete in various equine competitions.

Morrisville State College is the only college in North America to compete with a six-horse hitch, which will also be part of the fair parade on opening day, Aug. 23.

Empire Farm Days 2017 Kicks Off Aug. 8 in Seneca Falls

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine

EMPIRE FARM DAYS
 
SENECA FALLS — Lift the hood. Kick the tires. Sit in the cab. Test drive tractors, trucks, applicators, UTVs and construction equipment.
 
“Come See for Yourself!” is the theme of this summer’s Empire Farm Days event Aug. 8 to10 at Rodman Lott and Son Farms, 2973 State Route 414, in Seneca Falls.
 
This show is the largest outdoor agricultural trade event in the northeastern U.S.
 
Here’s a quick look at what’s new at the 2017 show:
 
Expanded, irrigation-fed field demonstrations include:
 
** Hard hose reel system irrigation-fed crops
 
** More pieces of equipment to see and test drive
 
** Renewed focus on ‘big iron’ operating in real-time field conditions.
 
** Field demos starting at 10:30 a.m., with support from Morrisville State College and 15 equipment manufacturers: CNY Farm Supply/ROC, Cummings & Bricker/McHale, Dion-Ag Inc., H & S Manufacturing, John Deere, Marloo Equipment/SIP, Meyer Manufacturing, New Holland, Norwood/KwikTill, Oxbo International, Pequea Machine Inc., Poettinger US Inc, Rangeline Group/K-Line, Tigerco Distributing/Reese, and Unverferth Manufacturing.
 
** 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily: Test drive large applicators with Java Farm Supply/Ag Chem Rogator, John Deere, Monroe Tractor/Case IH, Chandler, Miller and Vector
 
** 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily: Ride and drive Ford Trucks, Honda, Milton Cat, RAM Trucks, and Yanmar tractors and UTVs.
 
** 10:30 a.m. daily: Cover Crops Field Demonstration Tour with King’s AgriSeeds and Seedway: Cool and warm season cover crop species/mixes; best seeding methods, timing, and purposes discussions.
 
Soil Health Center Seminars
 
** USDA NRCS Northeast Regional Soil Health Specialist Jim Hoorman from Findlay, Ohio, opens the Tuesday programs on fertilizer, manure and nutrient management in cover cropping and reduced tillage systems.
 
** Hoorman leads Wednesday’s schedule addressing prevention, reduction and mitigation strategies for compaction problems.
 
** Thursday programs focus on utilizing soil health practices in vegetable cropping systems beginning at 9:30 am with Cornell University Horticulture Professor Dr. Thomas Bjorkman.
 
** Wednesday, 2 p.m.: “The Living Soil” Keynote Presentation/Demonstration with Conservation Biologist Carmen Greenwood of SUNY Cobleskill. Learn how live soil-dwelling invertebrates, such as soil mites, serve in vital ecosystem roles, provide conservation benefits and act as indicators of soil health.
 
** Daily: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service intro to Conservation Client Gateway (1:30 p.m. presentation; one-on-one all day), Web Soil Survey, cell phone Soil Web App.
 
Dairy Profit Seminars
 
The daily 10:30 a.m. Dairy Profit Seminars are made possible by a collaboration by Cornell’s PRO-DAIRY Program, the Northeast Dairy Producers Association, and Dairy Business and Holstein World magazine.
 
** The Tuesday, Aug. 8 presentation is on Robotics and Maximizing Milk Per Box: Grouping and Feeding Strategies with Douglas F. Waterman, Director of Technology Application: Dairy for Trouw Nutrition Agresearch.
 
** The Wednesday, Aug. 9 presentation is on Transitioning to Automatic Milking Systems with farmer panelists, Bruce Dehm of Dehm Associates, LLC, and Cornell Senior Extension Associate Jason Karszes.
 
** The Thursday, Aug. 10 presentation is called, “Is Your Farm a Member of the 7 Pound Club?” Leading dairy producers delve into the next frontier of maximizing pounds of components produced while maintaining profitability with representatives of Albano Farms, Thornapple Farm, and Hanehan Family Dairy; Bruce Dehm of Dehm Associates; and Dr. Cargill Feed and Nutrition Senior Dairy Specialist Jay Giesy.
 
New Products
 
Among the new products in 2017: forage mergers, disc blades, manure spreaders, an on-farm mastitis detection system, a patented metal roofing system, a PTO-driven firewood processor from Finland, an expanded reach skidsteer; mower combination, cover crop seeder, rock picker, mineral feeder, bale grapples, apple grinder, and precision fertilizer application monitoring system.
 
Expanded Beef Programs
 
** Designing cattle handling systems with Runnings.
 
** Animal ID and pre-conditioning practices.
 
** Tuesday/Wednesday programs on feeder calf grading and evaluating with NY livestock graders and market news reporter, and how to use blood sampling to check for pregnancy as early as 28 days.
 
** One-Day-Only Programs with NY Beef Council: Wednesday: Livestock Animal Well Being; Thursday: Beef Quality Assurance Training and Recertification: must pre-register: (315) 339-6922.
 
** 11a.m. daily: Live Cattle Handling with Cornell Beef Extension Specialist Dr. Mike Baker and representatives of Hi Hog, Priefert and Powder River cattle systems.
 
Ag Education
 
** Try virtual reality welders aboard American Welding Society Careers in Welding trailer from Miami, Fla.
 
** NYS FFA students compete in NYS welding and tractor driving safety contests on Thursday.
 
** 2017 Cornell PRO-DAIRY Junior DAIRY LEADERS class graduates Wednesday, 1:30 p.m.
 
** Colleges highlighting agricultural degree programs at Empire Farm Days include Alfred State College, Cornell University, Morrisville State College, SUNY Canton and SUNY Cobleskill.
 
** Information on national Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program and info on grass-fed milk emerging markets. in Cornell Marketplace Building.
 
New Craft Beverage Center
 
** New center to meet needs of emerging micro beverage industry in New York State. According to the state Department of Agriculture, the state has seen an increase from 10 farm distilleries in 2010 to 114 today, along with 163 farm breweries and 34 farm cideries.
 
** See bottling equipment, hammermills for grain processing, a new apple grinder that converts to milling malted grains, and high-tech filtration, separation and purification systems; talk with manufacturers.
 
** Tuesday, 9 a.m to 1 p.m., all day Wednesday: Try wine and cider “sniff test” with Cornell University Viticulture and Enology Extension specialists to identify issues and how to avoid them. Learn about Cornell Wine Lab testing and analysis services to help all types of beverage makers.
 
** Tuesday 1 to 5 p.m., all day Thursday: Talk with Brewmaster Jon Paul Partee and co-owner Craig Partee of Fleur De Lis Brew Works and Hop Yards of Seneca Falls, about hops production and their French style of artisan beer making. Their beer garden has been part of the Partee family farming legacy for three generations.
 
Farm Safety
 
** Grain Bin Simulator from National Education Center for Agricultural Safety, Peosta, Iowa, will offer demos and educate show visitors about the four most common ways to become entrapped in a grain bin, the equipment every grain bin operator should have on site, and how to protect yourself form grain dust and mold.
 
** Special Tuesday evening hands-on safety training session will be available by registration for firefighters. Contact is Jim Carrabba at New York Center for Agriculture Medicine and Health, (800) 343-7572, ext. 2216, jcarrabba@nycamh.com
 
** The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health tent will be offering blood pressure, hearing, vision and skin cancer screenings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
** The winner of the new Fastest PTO Shield Installation contest at the NYCAMH booth will receive a free Bare-Co PTO Shield.
 
For the Horse Crowd
 
The rugged horses of the American West and the refinement of dressage riding will be featured in the Equine Round Pen showcases at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily.
 
** America’s Mustangs: From Wild to Mild will be featured on Tuesday Aug. 9 and Wednesday Aug. 10 with celebrated horse trainers and 2017 Extreme Mustang Makeover regional winners Jack and Emma Minteer of Rose Hill Ranch, Naples.
 
** On Thursday. Aug. 10, Lucretia Galbraith, raised in a family of Standardbred racing royalty and a lifelong horsewoman, will demonstrate the skills that make her a five-time Western NY Dressage Association Professional Rider of the Year and a United States Dressage Association Bronze Medalist.
 
Farm Family Fun and Learning
 
** “Why I Farm,” pumpkin production, and the Chicken Chat large board game are all new attractions at the NY Farm Bureau Family Education Center.
 
** The Dancing Digger will perform ‘hydraulic handstands’ to music daily.
 
** The New York State Grange has added quilting presentations to programming at 11:05 a.m. and 2:05 p.m. Dalmatian Sparks and handler Tibbie Dell lead off at 9:30 a.m. with You CAN Teach an Old Dog New Tricks.
 
** Did you know that in addition to making tractors International Harvester made refrigerators? See tractors, implements and other farm and household items made by agricultural manufacturers at the Old Iron exhibits.
 
Get in the Farm Pond
 
Those 10 and older can try a standup paddleboard or kayak with Morgan Marine in the farm pond. Participants must attend a preceding water safety program by New York Sea Grant, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and New York State Parks Marine Services Bureau.

Empire Farm Days show hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday. Admission is $10 per vehicle. 

For daily schedules and more information, visit www.empirefarmdays.com, check out Empire Farm Days on Facebook, or call 877-697-7837.

Congress Passes Tax Bill with Horse Benefits

Go to http://www.horsecouncil.org/press-release/congress-passes-tax-bill-with-horse-benefits-president-will-sign-it/ to see the story.

Lake Placid Equine Program Helps First Responders, Veterans Find Peace and Balance

Go to http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/curr/lake-placid-equine-program-helps-first-responders-veterans-find-peace-and-balance-20161104 to see the story.

Morrisville State College Hosts Successful Yearling Sale

Morrisville State College annual yearling sale held Sept. 17 was a huge success.
 
The sale, held at the college’s Nancy Sears Stowell Arena on Swamp Road, drew a crowd of potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast. 

Morrisville’s sale is the only one of its kind in New York state held on a college campus.
 
A total of 81 yearlings grossed $1,106,136 for an average of $13,656. The highest-priced yearling was Thunderman, topping out at $55,000, consigned by Lakeview Equine, followed by My Lady Winner at $50,000, consigned by Preferred Equine.
 
The yearling sale, which features year-old Standardbred horses sold on consignment by the college, is organized and run by Morrisville State Equine Department faculty, staff and students. Equine students participated in every aspect of the sale from administrative duties to horse handling and showing horses in the sales ring.
 
Profits from the sale go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college’s equine programs.  For complete sale results visit www.morrisvillesale.com.

Horse Injury Sidelines Beezie Madden

Go to http://www.localsyr.com/news/horse-injury-sidelines-beezie-madden-in-rio to see the story.

Beezie Madden, Team USA Make Final Round of Equestrian Jumping

Go to this link to see the story http://www.localsyr.com/news/local-news/beezie-madden-and-team-usa-qualify-for-final-rounds-in-rio

Holy Burning Poop, Batman!!

Go to http://cnycentral.com/news/offbeat/heat-wave-causing-horse-poop-to-burst-into-flames to see the story.

It's National I Love Horses Day!!

Horses and riders compete at the Syracuse International Horse Show

Today is the day to celebrate all that is equine.

According to the National Day Calendar, it's National I Love Horses Day. 

Wikipedia states "Horse and equestrian lovers across the nation celebrate each year on July 15 as National I Love Horses Day is one of their favorite holidays. This day pays tribute to, and honors, the horse. According to an Animal Plant poll, the horse is the world’s fourth favorite animal."

The National Day Calendar website states: "playing an important role in history, horses have been an essential part of our countries development as, from the beginning, they helped in exploring new territory, provided transportation, helped in the fields, helped in war as well as companionship.

"This day is a great opportunity to learn more about horses.  While you are doing research at your local library or on the ‘net’, learn more about the Colt, Filly, Foal, Gelding, Mare, Stallion and Yearling."

So, go out and pet a horse or ride a horse or feed a horse.

Beezie Madden Makes Olympic Team for Rio Games

Beezie Madden of Cazenovia, Madison County, again makes the U.S. Olympic team. Also making the team for jumping is McLain Ward, from Brewster, Putnam County.

Go to https://www.facebook.com/USequestrian/ to find out more.

Beezie Madden on Memories, Medals and Mapping it Out for Rio

Great story about Central New York horsewoman Beezie Madden.

Check it out at http://www.worldofshowjumping.com/WoSJ-Exclusive-interviews/Beezie-Madden-On-memories-medals-mapping-it-out-for-Rio-and-maintaining-the-privilege-factor.html this link.

Equine, Dairy Camp June 3 and 4 in Morrisville

From Morrisville State College:

Area youth interested in equine and dairy will converge on the Morrisville State College campus June 3 and 4, for a two-day 4–H Equine and Dairy 101 Camp.

The camp gives 4-H youths, ages 13-19 from across the state, the opportunity to learn more about the equine and dairy industries, career options in the field, educational opportunities offered at the college, and to see the college’s state-of-the-art facilities.

During the camp/college experience, students interested in dairy can learn about calf, heifer and cow management, along with reproduction. Equine participants will have a chance to learn more about Western, English, racing and draft/driving.  

Youth will also participate in sessions on breeding and nutrition as well as team-building activities and an ice cream social. 

The camp, offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension, will also include a trip to Oneida County's Farm Fest, as well as a presentation on therapeutic horsemanship by Andrea Colella, executive director at From the Ground Up Therapeutic Horsemanship Inc., in New Woodstock.

Sessions will be taught by college faculty and staff and other industry professionals.

SUNY Cobleskill Beginning Program in Therapeutic Horsemanship

From SUNY Cobleskill:

SUNY Cobleskill announces the launch of a four-year bachelor of technology degree program in Therapeutic Horsemanship to commence in the fall of 2016. 

The college will be the first in New York, and one of less than a dozen institutions of higher education across the country, to offer certification by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International as part of the degree program.

Therapeutic Horsemanship uses interaction with horses to help people with special needs overcome physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. 

Students in the program will study a broad range of subjects — from equine science to education and psychology — while working with other students, volunteers, clients, parents, teachers and therapists through partnerships with community organizations. 

The depth of study will prepare students to pursue certification with PATH, enter the field of therapeutic horsemanship, or continue with graduate studies.

“Equine-assisted therapy is a novel approach that weds a passion for equine studies with a drive to help others. We’re proud to bring our expertise in horsemanship together with the humanities to offer this valuable new program in New York State,” said SUNY Cobleskill President Dr. Marion A. Terenzio.

The practice of Therapeutic Horsemanship uses the horse as a motivational tool for people with special needs, from young children to at-risk youth and veterans. With professional guidance, interaction with the animals helps improve listening skills, focus, sequencing, and coordination, as well as develop greater self-confidence, patience, and control.

The Therapeutic Horsemanship program is based at the SUNY Cobleskill Equine Center, which has stabling for 60 horses, a 100 x 200 indoor arena, and two 100 x 200 outdoor riding rings. 

Students enrolled in Therapeutic Horsemanship have the opportunity to enhance their riding and horsemanship skills through a variety of riding and training courses and through participation in the Varsity Hunt Seat and Western IHSA Riding Teams.

The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship is an international nonprofit organization that promotes safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted therapy for people with special needs. 

SUNY Cobleskill faculty will guide and assist students in obtaining “Instructor in Training” status through PATH, completion of PATH-required mentoring hours on campus, and will accompany students to off-site PATH Certification Examinations.

Will the State Horse Slaughter Bill Make it Out of Committee This Year?

By DEBRA J. GROOM
Empire Farm & Dairy
 
In May 2013, about 30 horses on the  way to a slaughterhouse in Quebec died in a horrific blaze when the transport truck they were in caught fire on Interstate 81 north of Binghamton.
 
A bill to prevent this from happening again has been introduced in the New York state legislature for a number of consecutive sessions and will be introduced again this spring, said a spokesman with Senate bill sponsor Sen. Kathleen Marchione , R-Saratoga County.
 

Bos at his new home in Homer. Photo from Mary Minkoff

The bill has been sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, D-Manhattan.

The bill calls for prohibiting the slaughter of horses for human consumption and the transport of horses for slaughter for human consumption in New York state.
 
Right now, horses are not slaughtered for human consumption in New York, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Markets. But there are such slaughterhouses in Quebec, so trailers filled with animals do travel through New York state north on Interstate 81 and the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) from points in the United States.
 
The bill was sponsored last session by Glick and Marchione. It was sent to the agriculture committees in both the state Assembly and the state Senate but did not move from there.
 
In fact, the bill has been around since 2007, but never makes it out of the agriculture committees in the Assembly or Senate. To become law, it would have to be approved in committee, go to a vote by the full Legislature and then be signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
 
“Assemblywoman Glick is very committed to this bill,” said Charles LeDuc, Glick’s legislative analyst. He said the problem deals with wording in the bill.
 
“She cares deeply about this issue and will continue to work with the chair of the committee,” LeDuc said. “It all comes down to the wording in the bill.”
 
“Sen. Marchione believes that New York’s horses are majestic, beautiful animals that deserve protection from inhumane treatment and slaughter,” said Joshua Fitzpatrick, speaking for Marchione. “This bipartisan legislation continues to work its way through the legislative process.”
 
Assemblyman William Magee, D-Nelson, Madison County, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee, said he didn’t hear much from constituents concerning the bill when it was first introduced. It was amended last year to beef up the enforcement part of the bill and was reintroduced this year, and will be discussed by the committee this session.
 
Assemblyman James Tedisco, R-Glenville, Saratoga County, has been a co-sponsor of the bill each time it has been introduced and continues to back it.
 
Tedisco called the slaughter of horses animal abuse and said it is a bridge crime to more heinous actions, such as the assault or killing of people. He also called horses noble “creatures of God” that “built this nation, built the Erie Canal and worked the farms” that made the U.S. and New York grow into what they are today.
 

Bos before being rehabilitated at Sunshine Horses

Bos is one of those “noble creatures” of which Tedisco speaks, says Mary Minkoff, vice president of Sunshine Horses, a rescue organization outside of Central Square, Oswego County.
 
Minkoff found Bos — a 15-year-old Standardbred — at a kill pen in Pennsylvania in 2013. He had been a champion harness race horse, bringing in about $200,000 in winnings for his owner.
 
But when he couldn’t race anymore, he was sold to some Amish farmers. He pulled carriages.
“This is a hard life for these horses,” Minkoff said.
 
She said Bos was worked quite hard and then auctioned off again when he couldn’t pull his load.
He ended up in the kill pen, where he was rescued by Minkoff.
 
“He came to us in April 2013 and he was quite ill,” Minkoff said. “He had a respiratory illness and had to be in quarantine.”
 
Today, Bos is thriving. He was nursed back to health and lived for a while with other horses at Sunshine Horses stables, enjoying the outdoors, the camaraderie  of other equine and, life in general. He’s inquisitive and is always the first to come check out a new person at the fence.
 
“He’s a funny boy,” Minkoff said.
 
He has recently been adopted by the Laughlin family in Homer, Cortland County.
Minkoff thinks the state’s slaughter bill is a good idea, although she said “enforcing it is probably going to be a problem.” She thinks more could be done if a federal bill was passed.
 
There is a federal bill called the Safeguard American Food Exports, or SAFE, which is in committee in both the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill states it would “prevent human health threats posed by the consumption of equines raised in the United States.”
 
“We have to stop the transport of horses over borders,” Minkoff said. “People need to be educated about horse slaughter. About 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year over the border.”
 
The federal bill keys in on the health problems that can arise from eating horse meat and prohibits the “sale or transport of equines or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption.”
 
New York Assemblyman Tedisco also is concerned about horse meat from other countries (possibly those slaughtered in Canada) making it into U.S. food.
 
“It is dangerous to people’s health,” he said. “There are a lot of drugs (used in horses) that can cause harm to people or even kill a baby in a woman’s womb.”
 
Some of the drugs listed in the federal bill are phenylbutazone, acepromazine, boldenone undecylenate, omeprazole, ketoprofen, xylazine, hyaluronic acid, nitrofurazone, polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, clenbuterol, tolazoline, and ponazuril, all of which are prohibited in meat used for human consumption.
 
Jack Knowlton is operating manager at Sackatoga Stable in Saratoga Springs and was the race manager for 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide. Funny Cide was the first gelding to win the Derby in nearly 75 years and the first New York-bred horse to win the Run for the Roses.
 
Knowlton has long been an advocate against equine abuse and slaughter and even has been honored for his work by various horse groups. He agrees the state bill would be difficult to enforce. But the bill should be pressed through, he said.
 
“I think the fact is at least getting a state bill passed is important — let’s get the state of New York on record,” he said. “We should say ‘this is not lawful. We do not want this in our state.’ ”
 
There used to be horse slaughter plants in the United States, but the last one closed in 2007 in Illinois. Since then, some states have tried to open plants again, but have not been successful, Knowlton said.
 
Knowlton discussed the fire on Interstate 81 that killed the horses en route to Quebec.
 
“Without an outlet in the United States, they have to take them elsewhere,” Knowlton said. “We don’t want to be the gateway for horses going to Quebec. It would be my thought that we could get them at the border — find out where the horses in the trailers are going and why.”
 
Some people believe the reason the bill doesn’t go anywhere in New York is because of lobbying by New York Farm Bureau. A Farm Bureau official said the state’s largest agriculture organization opposes the horse slaughter bill.
 
“This is an issue of compassion for anyone concerned about the overpopulation of unwanted horses in New York state and across the country,” said Jeff Williams, New York Farm bureau public policy director. “It is important to have a properly regulated alternative to deal with unwanted livestock, as opposed to neglect or the animals being turned loose.”
 
Farm Bureau also believes horses are livestock and not pets and therefore should be treated differently than dogs or cats.
 
State Sens. Patricia Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, chair of the Senate agriculture committee, and Marchione, R-Halfmoon, Saratoga County, would not comment on why the bill hasn’t moved out of the Senate agriculture committee for many years.
 
Assemblyman Magee, chair of the Assembly agriculture committee, said nothing about the Farm Bureau holding the bill up and instead, mentioned the amendment made to the bill last session, adding the bill should be taken up by the committee this session.
 
Minkoff said Farm Bureau should not worry about  maintaining slaughter as an option for disposing of unwanted horses.
 
“There are many other ways to deal with the horse population than slaughter,” she said. She said Sunshine Horses is trying to seek its sanctuary certification so it can take in and care for more unwanted horses.
 
“They should be able to go to a sanctuary and live out their lives with dignity,” she said. “There is no reason why they have to go to slaughter.” 
 
Many news outlets, including ESPN and the New York Times, reported that 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand apparently died in a Japanese slaughterhouse in 2002, where his meat was used either in pet food or steaks for human consumption. His story often comes up during discussion of New York’s anti-slaughter bill.
 
There have been a number of protests outside the horse slaughter plant in Massueville, Quebec and a bill was introduced in Canada’s Parliament in 2010 to stop horse slaughter in that country. But it did not become law.
 
The New York Times in 2009 published commentaries both pro and con horse slaughtering. Those in favor of slaughter said there has to be an option for horse owners who need to rid themselves of expensive, old or infirmed horses. Those against horse slaughter believe there should be a more humane end for these beasts.
 
“These horses have been good companions and show horses for years,” said Minkoff, who called the slaughter process barbaric. “They deserve a lot better.”

Western New York EquiFest Coming To Western New York This Weekend

Here's an event coming up this weekend for all you equine enthusiasts.

Morrisville State College Adds a Former World Champion to its Stallion Roster

News from Morrisville State College:

Morrisville State College has added former World Champion Third Straight p, 3, 1:53.3s, 3, 1:50.1f ($321,662) to its stallion roster.

Third Straight, photo by John Kiskiel, Public Relations intern

 

Third Straight is in the top 10 in Leading Sires Average Earnings per foal for 2015; among two-year olds, he is sixth and three-year-olds he is 10^th.

^{As a two-year-old, Third Straight held his own against the likes of Mach Three and western Shooter, finishing second in the Breeders Crown elimination (fifth in final),  Blueras and third in Champlain and the Governor's Club elimination and final.}

^{At three, he was a PaSS winner, was second in Adios elimination and finished third in Meadowland Pace. He is a multiple stakes winner as an aged performer.}

^{He has sired Itrustyou, Dark Alley Sally and Straight Dancer. Third Straight's dam is the $296,000 winner Terrie Letsgo.}

^{The 2016 fee for Third Straight is $1,000. All foals are NYSS and Breeders Crown eligible.}

^{For more information, call Mary Taylor or Erin Shantal at morrisvillesale.com or call 684-6355.}

“Third Straight is a phenomenal horse and he is a great teaching point for our students,” said Shantal, Morrisville State College equine breeding manager.

Cortland County Horses Confirmed with Equine Infectious Anemia

This is from the New York Horse Council:

On March 4, the state Department of Agriculture and Markets Division of Animal Industry confirmed Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in five horses on a Cortland County farm. 

Ten draft and buggy horses reside on the farm. All horses have been quarantined and an investigation is ongoing. The Division of Animal Industry will continue updates as needed. 

The following key points pertain to New York’s law for equine infectious anemia.
 
** All horses must have a negative EIA test in the 12 months preceding a change in ownership. 
** All horses being imported into New York for purposes other than movement to slaughter must accompanied by a CVI and a negative EIA test in the preceding 12 months.
** All horses transported on a public road in New York must have had a negative EIA test in the current or previous calendar year.