Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP)

We aid in the on-farm implementation of crop management strategies through research and extension, supporting the profitability, competitiveness, and sustainability farms in New York state.?Based in Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. For information about our program's mission, check out our?flyer below. If you'd like to receive updates about our team and research projects, make sure you sign up for our newsletter?The Spear. https://lnkd.in/emmYbEHE

Announcement:?Join the Power of Manure project, NY #farmers!??? Have you ever wondered… ?? - How much nitrogen (N) can my soil supply? - How does past #manure, #crop, and #soil management impact soil N supply? - Can soil microbial biomass predict soil N supply on my farm? ? These are the questions our?New York On-Farm Research Partnership?is looking to investigate through the new Power of Manure project.? ? The best way to support efficient use of inorganic nitrogen (N) is to have a clear understanding of your soil’s N supply, and that’s what the Power of Manure project is aiming to determine. ?? Recent studies showed that in fields with?longer?manure history, soils can provide a large share of the N that the crop needs. We are looking to quantify soil N supply and evaluate the impact of manure?and agronomic?management?(rotation, cover crops, #tillage, etc.)?on the soil’s ability to supply N, recycle nutrients and support crop growth. ?? The Power of Manure project will be happening on commercial farms across New York in 2025. We are looking to test fields throughout the state. ?? We are seeking for participants for the 2025 growing season! ?? Interested in joining? Contact?Juan Carlos Ramos ([email protected]) or Quirine Ketterings ([email protected]). ?? Read our protocol:?https://lnkd.in/eMqy6TRM

This month, Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP)'s newsletter thanks Bernardo Trejos for his support of our Zamorano-NMSP internship program. Thanks Dr. Trejos! Join the NMSP newsletter, The Spear>>>: https://lnkd.in/eE4cR7HW

???????? New York Dairies Show the Way to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions A recent study assessed greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 36 medium to large dairy farms (>300 cows) across New York State using The Cool Farm Tool (Cool Farm Alliance). These farms, representing ~12% of New York’s total milk production in 2022, demonstrated impressive sustainability metrics. ?? Key Findings: ? Lower emissions: Farms averaged 0.86 lb CO2eq per lb of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) – lower than other published U.S. averages (~1 lb CO2eq per lb FPCM). ? Methane as the main contributor: Methane accounted for 60% of total emissions, with enteric methane as the largest source (45%). ? Lower GHG emissions were linked to: ? Advanced manure management (solid-liquid separation with cover & flare, anaerobic digesters) ? High-quality, homegrown feed (64% of total feed) ? Efficient herd management (lower heifer/cow ratios, precision feed management) ?? Why This Matters: Farms that optimize homegrown feed production and manure management not only reduce emissions but also improve whole-farm nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency and farm economics. By recognizing the value of manure to offset reliance on synthetic fertilizers and external feed, farms can enhance long-term sustainability. ?? Looking Ahead – Join the Research! This study lays the groundwork for understanding GHG emissions in NY dairy farms, but more data are needed – especially from farms with under 300 cows to fully represent New York’s diverse dairy industry. Interested in participating? Contact the Cornell Nutrient Management Spear Program (NMSP). ?? Full study: Godber et al. (2025), Journal of Dairy Science: https://lnkd.in/eYx3dwi3 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Authors: Olivia Florence Godber, Karl Czymmek, Mike Van Amburgh, Quirine Ketterings ?? A big thank you to the farmers, advisors, and co-ops who contributed to this work! Together, we can drive sustainable dairy forward. ???? #SustainableDairy #GHGEmissions #DairyFarming #ClimateSmartAg #CornellAgriculture

Erick Ariel Amaya Aguilar worked with NMSP as an intern on the Value of Manure project, and later as a #research technician on the Dairy Soil & Water Regeneration project. During his time with NMSP, his passion for #sustainable #soils grew as he helped with greenhouse gas sampling, soil incubation studies and more. Last month he started a new position as a master’s candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. We sat down with him as he reflected on his experience with NMSP and shared his long-term goals. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dcEgxeSR

Recruiting precision ag interns now! [Position 2/2] Are you an undergraduate interested in coding and ag? Want to contribute to innovative precision ag research alongside a postdoctoral associate and precision ag team? Join the NMSP as a precision ag & crop yield modeling intern! In this position, you’ll have the opportunity to process and analyze satellite imagery, work on developing and implementing AI-based models for crop yield estimation and more. Read about the details of the position: https://lnkd.in/dbefN_ZY

New! Fact Sheet 128: Our latest fact sheet (128) helps farmers and farm advisors interpret NMB reports by themselves. It includes information about “green box figures” and opportunity tables. Read on to see how farmers can use these results to pinpoint opportunities for improvement: https://lnkd.in/ekZbNWJN

Updated fact sheet 85: Farms that conduct the whole farm nutrient mass balance or NMB assessment can compare their results to peers and the “optimum operational zone” or “green box.” Want to know more about the green box and what different NMB reports look like for #NY #farms?: https://lnkd.in/ezBMvv4Y

Updated Fact Sheet 25: Our NMB #software lets #farmers track their nutrient imports and exports. They can use the results to identify how to enhance management practices. Read our updated fact sheet to learn more about NMBs and how to use the software:? https://lnkd.in/e7EeAJYk

Zamorano University senior Greivin Fernández Benavides is currently interning with us, working closely with master’s candidate Carlos Irias on the rainfall simulation project. With a passion for #sustainable #agriculture and healthy #soils, Greivin started on his journey with the NMSP team in January.? ? Read our recent article to learn more about what he is hoping to accomplish during his time with us:?https://lnkd.in/e5gmT6Ar