Cornell Cooperative Extension aids Guilford farmer and encourages outreach
Last week, a team of three Cornell Educators visited a Guilford farmer to assist in converting a greenhouse bedded pack system to freestalls; which will help with cow cleanliness and comfort. Cornell is currently in the initial planning stage, taking measurements and designing the barn. When finished, they will send blueprints, plans, and suggestions to the farmer. (Submitted photo)
GUILFORD — Recently, a dairy farmer realized he should rebuild his stanchion barn to a free-stall barn and concluded he would need some guidance. He called the Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) of Chenango County and asked for help.
“I received the call from the dairy farmer who happened to be the Amish farmer I helped about ten years ago, when he and his family members were looking to move here. I helped their four families locate farms,” said Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator Rich Taber.
“It was during our conversation, I found out he wanted to turn his hoop barn, otherwise known as a stanchion barn, into a freestall barn,” said Taber.
He said he knows the guy quite well and has been to his Guilford farm about a dozen times, helping and educating him.
Taber said when the farmer called requesting help for the new barn, he reached out to a few Cornell experts, including Farm Strategic Planning Specialist PRO-DAIRY Tim Terry and Central New York Dairy Specialist Daniella Gonzalez Carransa.
“It took a couple months of rescheduling the appointment, due to unexpected life events, but finally the three Cornell staff paid a visit to the farm.” he said.
“The farm owner is looking to build a freestall barn because he has a couple of young boys coming along to help and wants it to be more efficient,” said Taber. “He is also looking to add about 12 more cows, for a total of 60.”
He said, “The farmer wants cleaner cows and lower bacteria count; which the freestall barn will provide.”
“There are many hoops to jump through to build a barn for dairy cows,” said Taber. “There will be inspections, drainage issues, and manure is a big thing; and how to facilitate that.”
Taber said they are currently in the initial planning stage with Terry taking measurements and designing the barn and then they will send blueprints, plans, and suggestions to the farmer.
“Once the inspections are complete, the farm owner might have a barn raising to get it built this summer.” he said.
Taber explained the next build should be a more efficient milking parlor. He said milking in a hoop barn or stanchion barn is hard on people's bodies and over the years, repetitive stress injuries can occur.
He said there's still quite a few stanchion or tie stalls, but over the years, many farmers have gone to freestall which are easier on the farmer and the cows, giving more space and better ventilation.
Taber has years of agricultural experience and has taught a little bit of everything. He is a retired high school ag teacher and continues to educate people on grazing management; pasture management. He said he also has a background in forestry and land owner issues.
“I'm a jack of all trades and if I know something, I will share it. If I don't have an answer, I'll find someone that does,” he added.
Taber said the Cornell Extension does a tremendous job in offering agriculture assistance, education, and information for everyone in the county.
He also added the 4-H program has four educators now; providing an excellent youth program and they have a great Snap-Ed program.
Taber encourages phone calls and emails and said he enjoys educating others with their agricultural needs.
Contact Rich Taber at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-334-5841, ext. 1121 or email rep44@cornell.edu
To view their website, go to cce.cornell.edu/chenango.
Visit their Facebook page at Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County and the Chenango County 4-H Youth Development Facebook page for daily ag postings.
“I received the call from the dairy farmer who happened to be the Amish farmer I helped about ten years ago, when he and his family members were looking to move here. I helped their four families locate farms,” said Cornell Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resource Educator Rich Taber.
“It was during our conversation, I found out he wanted to turn his hoop barn, otherwise known as a stanchion barn, into a freestall barn,” said Taber.
He said he knows the guy quite well and has been to his Guilford farm about a dozen times, helping and educating him.
Taber said when the farmer called requesting help for the new barn, he reached out to a few Cornell experts, including Farm Strategic Planning Specialist PRO-DAIRY Tim Terry and Central New York Dairy Specialist Daniella Gonzalez Carransa.
“It took a couple months of rescheduling the appointment, due to unexpected life events, but finally the three Cornell staff paid a visit to the farm.” he said.
“The farm owner is looking to build a freestall barn because he has a couple of young boys coming along to help and wants it to be more efficient,” said Taber. “He is also looking to add about 12 more cows, for a total of 60.”
He said, “The farmer wants cleaner cows and lower bacteria count; which the freestall barn will provide.”
“There are many hoops to jump through to build a barn for dairy cows,” said Taber. “There will be inspections, drainage issues, and manure is a big thing; and how to facilitate that.”
Taber said they are currently in the initial planning stage with Terry taking measurements and designing the barn and then they will send blueprints, plans, and suggestions to the farmer.
“Once the inspections are complete, the farm owner might have a barn raising to get it built this summer.” he said.
Taber explained the next build should be a more efficient milking parlor. He said milking in a hoop barn or stanchion barn is hard on people's bodies and over the years, repetitive stress injuries can occur.
He said there's still quite a few stanchion or tie stalls, but over the years, many farmers have gone to freestall which are easier on the farmer and the cows, giving more space and better ventilation.
Taber has years of agricultural experience and has taught a little bit of everything. He is a retired high school ag teacher and continues to educate people on grazing management; pasture management. He said he also has a background in forestry and land owner issues.
“I'm a jack of all trades and if I know something, I will share it. If I don't have an answer, I'll find someone that does,” he added.
Taber said the Cornell Extension does a tremendous job in offering agriculture assistance, education, and information for everyone in the county.
He also added the 4-H program has four educators now; providing an excellent youth program and they have a great Snap-Ed program.
Taber encourages phone calls and emails and said he enjoys educating others with their agricultural needs.
Contact Rich Taber at the Cornell Cooperative Extension at 607-334-5841, ext. 1121 or email rep44@cornell.edu
To view their website, go to cce.cornell.edu/chenango.
Visit their Facebook page at Cornell Cooperative Extension Chenango County and the Chenango County 4-H Youth Development Facebook page for daily ag postings.
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