SUNY Morrisville Fall Yearling Sale Sept. 16

From SUNY Morrisville:

SUNY Morrisville presents its annual Fall Yearling Sale at noon Sunday, Sept. 16 at the college’s Nancy Sears Stowell Arena on Swamp Road in the town of Smithfield, Madison County. 

Yearlings are available for inspection after 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15.  

The sale is free and open to the public. It usually draws a crowd of potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast.

A total of 72 yearlings, including 13 offered by the college, are catalogued for the sale. All of the 55 trotters and 17 pacers in the sale are New York eligible.

The sale is represented by 16 of the top sires in the industry, including yearlings by the first crop site Bolt The Duer, and the first New York crop of Third Straight.

The annual event, which features year-old Standardbred horses sold on consignment by the college, is organized and run by SUNY Morrisville Equine Department faculty, staff and students.

Equine students participate in every aspect of the sale, from administrative duties to horse handling and showing horses in the sales ring.

Last year, the sale grossed $970,000, with an average of $13,440. 

Profits from the sale go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college’s equine programs. 

For more information about the event, visit  www.morrisvillesale.com The site utilizes TrackIT Pedigree for each yearling.

New York State Fair Is Open For Business

The Great New York State Fair opened for its 2018 run at 7 a.m. Aug. 22.

For the next 13 days, people from throughout New York and elsewhere can see all that is great about New York State, from its technological innovations to the animals to agriculture to crafts and culinary specialties to entertainment to to the midway to law enforcement to, of course, FOOD.

And please, while having fun at the fair, don't forget the hard-working farmers who raise animals and crops to feed and clothe each and every one of us 365 days a year. 

Be sure to stop in an animal barn or the horticulture building or the Agriculture Museum (which is celebrating its 90th birthday) and talk to a farmer or an apple grower or a beekeeper or a maple producer or Christmas tree grower.

Have fun at the fair, but remember to celebrate agriculture.

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.

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.

New Agriculture Exhibits Planned for State Fair

From Empire Farm & Dairy magazine:

By DEBRA J. GROOM
dgroom@wdt.net
 

While the New York State Fair is jam-packed with fun and food, its primary emphasis always has been on agriculture, the biggest industry in New York state.
 
In fact, the New York State Fair is run by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.
 
So, while running around the fairgrounds this summer checking out musical acts and the sand sculpture, exploring the midway, and scarfing down fried dough and sausage sandwiches, remember to check out the agricultural exhibits.
 

Vegetables that competed at last year's State Fair

Visit the animals in the barns. See the beautiful flowers, hearty vegetables, sweet honey and maple syrup and crunchy apples in the Horticulture Buildings. Look at the ever-popular butter sculpture and try some New York yogurt and ice cream in the Dairy Products Buildings.
 
And, as always, see how the entire dairy industry begins in the Dairy Cow Birthing Center.
 
Here are some new ag exhibits to check out at the 2017 New York State Fair:
 
** STEAM Exhibit. This is one of the most anticipated new items at this year’s fair and is located in the Science and Engineering Building.
 
The exhibit will highlight a number of technical careers and trades that are extremely popular today. Many qualified workers are going to be needed to fill these STEAM jobs in the future. Federal government statistics indicate employment in the science, technology, engineering and math fields will grow by 9 million by 2022.
 

Butter sculpture from a previous State Fair

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. The exhibit will feature hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations aimed at stimulating creativity in young fairgoers and encouraging them to consider careers in related fields. 
 
“The technical fields and the arts provide wonderful opportunities for our young people and for our economy while encouraging innovation and creativity,” said Troy Waffner, acting director of the New York State Fair. 

“This is an exciting new exhibit and I encourage everyone to stop by and see the amazing work being done in these industries now and the opportunities for the future.”
 
Examples of projects and fields to be displayed include drones, medical projects, advanced manufacturing, virtual reality, robotics, citizen science, wearable technology, soldering, 3D-printed prosthetics, architecture, stop-motion animation and more. 

There also will be a special Ag Career Day on Students Day Sept. 1. 
The exhibit will feature an area in which people with enthusiasm for particular topics will create projects as fairgoers watch.
 
** A number of the animal barns will have special signs this year providing a phone number. Fairgoers will be able to send a text to that number from their cell phones asking questions about anything they are curious about in the animal barns. 

They will immediately get a text back from the barn superintendent or perhaps even the state Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets with an answer to their questions.
 
“We want the fairgoer to have the right information,” said Mary Ellen Chesbro, New York State Fair coordinator and agricultural manager. “Sometimes they will ask a question out loud and someone standing near them will answer. But that might not always be the right information. With this, they won’t have to hunt down someone to ask — they will be able to get an answer and get it fast.”
 
So far, the text questions project will be up and running in the goats, sheep, swine and beef barns. Chesbro said she also is trying to get it set up in the dairy barn.
 
** If you want to know what’s going on during the horse shows in the Coliseum, check out the free headphones. Chesbro said there are 75 headsets available (simply look for the signs inside the Coliseum entrances). There will be an explanation of what is going on during the particular show going on at that time and fairgoers can text questions to the narrator of the horse show.
 
“We want them to leave not only wondering why, but knowing why,” Chesbro said.
 

A Holstein at a previous State Fair.

** Mark your calendars. Dairy Day is moving this year.
 
Usually the first Monday of the fair, the annual salute to everything dairy this year will be Thursday, Aug. 31. 

Chesbro said Dairy Day had to be mooooved because of the extra day at the beginning of the fair (the fair opens Wednesday, Aug. 23, not on a Thursday). This extra day means the dairy cattle would be changing places beginning Monday, Aug. 28, with some moving out and others moving in. This means there would be no dairy cattle in the barn on Aug. 28.
 
“You can’t have Dairy Day without dairy cattle,” Chesbro said.
 
All of the popular Dairy Day events will take place, including the parade, celebrity milkshake-making contest, cheese auction and visits throughout the fairgrounds by county dairy princesses and the New York State Dairy Princess. 

One new feature on Dairy Day is guests can enter a drawing to win Taste NY dairy gift baskets by answering trivia questions when they visit three popular dairy attractions on Dairy Day.
 
To participate, guests can pick up a copy of the questions at any of the fair’s six Guest Relations locations. 

A treat at the Yo2GO Yogurt Bar

They can find the answers by visiting the Milk Bar, Cheese Booth and Yo2GO Yogurt Bar. When a guest has completed the questions, they can drop off their answers at the Dairy Cow Birthing Center where they will be entered to win. Three winners will be selected at the conclusion of Dairy Day.
 
** There will be a Hot Beef Sundae competition on the dairy building stage at noon Aug. 24. Contestants are being lined up via social media.
 
** On Beef Day, Tuesday, Aug. 29, people will be able to participate in the Pound Out Hunger event. By paying $2, they will be given three strikes at an old car with a sledgehammer. The money raised through this event goes to a food pantry to buy hamburger for the needy.
 
** There are some new additions at the Witter Agricultural Museum. There is a beautiful back porch and handicapped ramp for visitors. There also are arbors complete with displays of growing hops and grapes.

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.

June is Dairy Month -- Milk Comes from More Than Just Cows

As Dairy Month is winding down, here is an oldie but goodie post from Empire State Farming from three years ago.

While 90 percent of all milk consumed by humans comes from cows, there are other animals that provide milk to us.

Here is a list from the Dairy Farmers of Washington website. Some might be a little surprising, I think:

Goats:  This is probably a no-brainer for most people. Who hasn't heard of that great creamy cheese made from goat's milk? Some people also drink goat's milk because they find it easier to digest because fat globules in the milk are smaller than those in cow's milk.

Sheep: Not as popular as goat's milk, but still something that can be found in the United States. Sheep's milk has twice the fat of cow's milk. It is used to make French Roquefort and chevre cheeses. 

Horse: Not popular in the United States. The Washington website said Mongolian warriors back 700 years ago used horse milk to produce a concentrated paste. Later, during their long marches, they would add water to the paste and make a liquid to drink. Also, in southeastern Russia, people use horse milk to make an alcoholic drink.

Camel: In the desert, camel milk will keep for seven days at temperatures above 80 degrees. If refrigerated, it can stay good for nearly three months.

Water buffalo: Half of all the milk that people drink in India comes from water buffaloes.

Yak: In Tibet, yak butter tea is made from yak milk.

Reindeer: The only source of milk for Laplanders in Northern Scandinavia is reindeer milk. The fat content of this milk is 22 percent, six times as much as cow's milk.




Photos from National Public Radio, University of Wyoming

Series of 7 On-Farm Field Days Scheduled Throughout NY

From EMPIRE FARM & DAIRY MAGAZINE:

Seven varied organic on-farm field days are being presented by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY).
 
They will be held in July and hosted by farms in six New York state counties.
 
Topics include women farmers, horsepower, soil health, organic transition and edible forest gardens. Another field day will feature a farm open house.
 
These are invaluable opportunities for farmers to learn about new methods, see what farms are doing, and network with others around the state.
 
The event schedule is as follows:

Women in Agriculture: Lady Farmers of Long Island
July 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
 
Amanda and Katie from Amber Waves Farm in Amagansett, Suffolk County, host this event in which they share how they founded a CSA, pioneered the Amagansett Wheat Project, and continue to provide outstanding education, bread shares, and a 
Food-to-Pantry project.
 
Registration fees are $15/person or $25 for two or more people/farm.

Developing a Diversified Horse-Powered Farm
July 9, 1-4 p.m.
 
Participants will join Matt Volz from Greyrock Farm, Madison County, for a tour of his horse-powered farm, which features a raw milk dairy, and meat and vegetable production. 

Discussion topics are how to grow a farm with multiple complementary enterprises, including how to handle the management, production and business challenges on a diversified farm.
 
Registration fees are $15/person or $25 for two or more people/farm.

Long-Term High Tunnel Soil Health and Nutrient Management for Tomato Production
July 14, 6-8 p.m.
 
Host Obercreek Farm, Dutchess County, shares its success in managing tomato production in a high tunnel by maintaining and improving soil health and fertility, controlling pests and disease, and ensuring profitable yield and excellent quality.
Registration fees are $15/person or $25 for two or more people/farm.

Moving into Wholesale Markets for Small and Mid-Sized Farms
July 20, 4-6 p.m.
 
Mainstreet Farms in Cortland County brings healthy, local food to the community, utilizing education and community partners to create a strong local food system. Cornell’s Crystal Stewart will demonstrate the fundamentals for crossing over into wholesale markets, from record keeping to timing crops.

Organic Transition—Certification and Growing Practices: It’s More than Input Substitution
July 20, 4-7 p.m.
 
Fishkill Farms of Dutchess County produces eggs and grows crops that include tree fruit, berries, vegetables.
 
Josh Morgenthau will share the challenges in transitioning to organic, including changes in growing practices, creation of buffer zones, and management.
 
Caitlyn Reilly of NOFA-NY Certified Organic LLC will discuss the nuts and bolts of organic certification and be available to answer any questions. Risk management and crop/whole farm insurance programs also will be discussed.

Kingbird Open House
July 24, 1-4 p.m.
 
Kingbird Farm in Tioga County this year is celebrating 20 years of success.
 
Michael, Karma and Rosemary Glos will share their story of how they organically manage pork, chicken, eggs, culinary herbs, and produce while utilizing horses for field work.
 
The farm will be open for exploration, shopping, and enjoyment, with a guided farm tour at 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Creating an Edible Forest Garden
July 30, 12:45-4 p.m.
 
Dani Baker, co-owner of Cross Island Farms in Jefferson County, has developed one acre of her certified organic farm as a multi-functional edible forest garden, incorporating numerous permaculture principles and practices.
 
She will take participants for a walk-through and introduction to 300+ perennial cultivars of fruits, nuts, berries, and other edibles. 

Attendees will taste fruits, flowers, greens, and herbs in season, and go home with a potted plant to add to their own edible garden.
 
Registration fees are $20/person or $30 for two or more attendees from the same farm/family. Private farm tours are available that morning; email organic@crossislandfarms.com or call 315-482-3663.
 
Pre-registration is available online at www.nofany.org/events/field-days or by calling Jill at the NOFA-NY office (585- 271-1979, ext. 512). 

Source: NOFA-NY

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.

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.

It's National Farm Animals Day

Each year on April 10, we celebrate all those animals on the farm.

Sheep

It's National Farm Animals Day. Annually observed April 10, National Farm Animals Day was created as a day to raise awareness about farm animals and to find home for the abandoned and abused farm animals.

Beef cattle

For more information regarding National Farm Animals Day, see: http://www.farmanimalsday.com/

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.

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.

It's National Horse Protection Day!

A lucky horse owned by a local farm.

If you've ever wanted to adopt a horse, today's your day.

According to the National Day Calendar website, today is National Horse Protection Day, which the website states was created to bring light to the plight of horses in America and beyond and help the thousands of unwanted horses in this country to find forever homes.

"The horse has a legendary mystic on the American culture. It helped to forge a nation and yet despite that many go unwanted, abused or neglected," states the website. "National Horse Protection Day is about addressing those issues."

There are a number of places you can visit to adopt a horse. One is right in Central Square -- Sunshine Horses on County Route 12. Check out its website at sunshinehorses.org or go to its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SunshineHorses/?fref=ts

For more information about National Horse Protection Day, see: http://www.horseprotectionday.com/index.htm

Army Horses Looking for New Homes

Need a horse?

How about one that's been in the Army.

Check out the story http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article61705172.html at this link.

Man Charged In Horse-Killing Case

Man arrested in agriculture case.

Go to http://cnycentral.com/news/local/kirkland-police-charge-man-for-pulling-over-shooting-horse-dead to see the story.

Morrisville State College's Standardbred Yearling Sale Brings in Nearly $1M

A yearling gets groomed prior to Morrisville State College’s Annual Standardbred Yearling Sale. Photo by Franci Valenzano of Morrisville State College

From Morrisville State College:

Morrisville State College took in close to $1 million at its 26th annual Standardbred yearling sale Sept. 20. 

The event drew a record crowd of potential buyers, sellers, trainers and owners from across the Northeast. The college's sale is the only one of its kind in New York state held on a college campus. 

A total of 62 yearlings, including 18 owned by the college, were sold at an average of $15,540, up 43 percent from last year’s average bid of $10,715. The sale topper was Royal Pinot, who sold for $55,000. 

Adding to the allure of the sleek and immaculately groomed horses up for sale was the professionalism, enthusiasm and teamwork of MSC faculty, staff and students.  All of the college’s nearly 250 equine students had their hand in some aspect of the sale and played an integral role in its success.

Alexis Cook, an equine science western major from Martville, Cayuga County, was among them. Clad in a professional black suit, she and four others led the yearlings into the sale ring.

In another barn, Amber Pruchnik, an equine breeding student from Connecticut, was showing horses to potential buyers and answering their questions.

Students also prepped the horses before they headed to the show ring, bedded stalls, groomed, helped set up the business office, braided manes and put a coat of shiny black polish on yearlings’ hooves.

Throughout the sale, potential buyers scanned their sale catalogs intently as bid spotters kept track of those who raised their hands and shouted out amounts. 

The sale is an all-around great experience for students, allowing them to learn in a real-life business setting. 

It’s also a momentous time for students as they have played a large role in the MSC-owned yearlings’ lives — many who have helped foal and raise them.  They even have a hand in naming them.  

The college’s Standardbred sale is a major industry-based entrepreneurial activity for its equine programs and a vehicle to showcase the campus and its array of equine programs, which are known throughout the industry in addition to the college’s top-notch equine facilities. Profits go toward general maintenance and enrichment of the college’s equine programs.

Morrisville State offers a bachelor of technology degree in equine science and two associate degrees in equine racing management and equine science and management. Students have many options as the college’s diverse equine offerings include specializations in breeding, western, hunt seat, draft/driving, Thoroughbred racing, Standardbred racing, business, and equine rehabilitation therapy.

For more information visit www.morrisville.edu.