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Answers to other common questions about NY farms can be found at: http://www.jeffersoncountydairyfarms.com/
Dairy farm operations are complex and often misunderstood by the general public. Below are some common questions about farm stewardship and NY’s CAFO program.
Stewardship of Rural New York [PDF, 4.24MB]
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regulate water quality impacts from agriculture through the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) section of the Clean Water Act. CAFO regulated farms are required to follow a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP), which guides environmentally sound management of farmstead and fields, and includes record keeping requirements and emergency action plans. The DEC oversees CAFO permitted farms through regular on-farm inspections and review of annual farm reports. CAFO permitted farms in New York are family-run businesses, which have grown from a long legacy of farming. Farmers spend many tens of thousands of dollars on environmental compliance and additional thousands on annual efforts to maintain compliance.
Trained and certified agricultural water quality planning professionals oversee all CAFO farm manure management plans. These professionals have strong backgrounds in agricultural planning and are charged with developing a specific, regularly updated manure management plan to protect water quality.
Livestock manure is a natural source of fertilizer and organic matter, which provides many benefits to the soil, including providing nutrients, increasing water holding capacity, and improving structure. Manure storages provide temporary storage for nutrients that will be spread according to a detailed Nutrient Management Plan. This plan takes into account the types of soil on the farm, the terrain of the fields, soil moisture levels, and the amount of nutrients the next crop on that field will need. Even the upcoming weather forecast can affect how much manure is applied to the land.
Manure is a natural, organic form of nutrients and organic matter, essential for healthy soils and healthy crops. Our environment contains many sources of nutrients and pathogens in the environment, including wildlife, pets, septic systems, soil microbes, livestock, and even us. Some of these sources cannot be managed, but others, such as residential septic systems and livestock manures, can. Farmers live on or near the land they farm, so they understand the importance of protecting our natural resources. Dairy farmers must abide by clean water laws that regulate application of manure on cropland. To ensure that cow manure is used properly, soil experts have identified specific amounts to apply to various crops. Following these guidelines in their Nutrient Management Plan ensures that the nutrients go into the crops, not the groundwater. Further, state agencies have rigorous processes for granting permits to new and expanding dairy farms.
Cow manure is a sought-after, natural, organic fertilizer that enriches the soil naturally and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Farmers have been entrusted by previous generations and take great pride in caring for the land, producing food for the world from this land, and passing down this land to future generations. In addition, New York has among the strongest water quality regulations in the U.S. In fact, a recent Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruling indicated that New York's CAFO program even exceeds the Clean Water Act requirements.
No farmer wants to use more chemicals than absolutely necessary because they are expensive! Farmers generally apply far less chemicals per acre than other land uses. For example, pesticides and fertilizers are often used much more intensively for residential lawn care than for agriculture. Pesticides are strictly regulated and only used when necessary.
Visit our calendar for a listing of farm open houses statewide.
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