John Conway - Sr. Extension Associate
Email: jfc6@cornell.edu
PRO-DAIRY's Dairy Production Management Systems Program
There has never been a dull moment in the 20+ years PRO-DAIRY has been charged with moving the NYS Dairy Industry forward through management education. Staff changes, in-state industry demographic changes, continuous resetting of best management practices and benchmark measures and shifts in how much and where the US milk supply is produced have contributed to “what’s of critical benefit to our industry” at any point in time.
In the past 5 years I have been fortunate to have been able to team up with Cornell Faculty, PRO-DAIRY staff, Cornell Cooperative Extension field staff, agri-service and dairy producers to plan and deliver the Winter Dairy Management program and the revitalized and reintroduced Managing for Success program. Likewise, a team effort and New York Farm Viability Institute (LINK) grant allowed us to study management factors affecting dry matter density and economics of horizontal silos, utilizing many avenues of Producer outreach. Being part of a Precision Feeding Management Steering Group has facilitated getting this critical production economics and environment protecting concept and supporting tools out to dairy farm businesses through workshops and Producer Discussion Groups.