Latest news with #RichardBall
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State hands out first round of dairy modernization grants
LOWVILLE, N.Y. (WWTI) – Dairy farms are hoping to get a shot in the arm from the first round of funding from New York State to help with modernization. Governor Kathy Hochul announced on Monday nearly $21.6 million has been awarded to 103 farms across the state through the Dairy Modernization Grant Program to support New York's dairy industry. Need for milk once Chobani expands to Rome seems promising to family dairy farms The awards were announced this morning at a special event at Glory Days Farm, a 120-cow dairy farm in Lowville in Lewis County. Dignitaries such as Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, Lewis County Manager Tim Hunt and Lowville Mayor Dan Salmon were on hand for the announcement. Our aspiration is for our farm and farms like ours to remain viable for future generations. The Dairy Modernization Grant Program gives farms like ours the opportunity to progress and innovate, and continue being the lifeblood of our communities. This program encourages the adoption of efficient technology that improves food safety with more consideration to environmental impacts, securing the future of dairy in New York. The Beyer Family, owners of Glory Days Farm in Lowville Here's a breakdown of funding by region: Capital Region: nine farms were awarded a total of nearly $1.8 million. Central New York: 18 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.9 million. Finger Lakes: 20 farms were awarded a total of more than $4.3 million. Mid-Hudson: One farm was awarded more than $147,000. Mohawk Valley: 11 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.1 million. North Country: 15 farms were awarded a total of more than $3.3 million. Southern Tier: 13 farms were awarded a total of nearly $2.6 million. Western New York: 13 farms were awarded a total of more than $2.7 million. Here is the list of farms in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties that will be part of the first round of grants: CTS Dairy (Jefferson) Locust Hill Dairy LLC (Jefferson) North Harbor Dairy, LLC (Jefferson) Sheland Farms, LLC (Jefferson) Celtic Acres, LLC (Lewis) Glory Days Farm (Lewis) Irish Settlement Farm (Lewis) Moserdale Dairy (Lewis) Murrock Farms LLC (Lewis) Silvery Falls Farms LLC (Lewis) J & J FARMS (St. Lawrence) River Breeze Dairy LLC (St. Lawrence) Royal J. Acres LLC. (St. Lawrence) Stauffer Farms LLC (St. Lawrence) The grant program awarded eligible applicants for projects to expand on-farm milk storage capacity, improve the transportation and storage of milk, and strengthen the dairy industry. The program supports the needs of dairy farmers by facilitating the installation of critical technological and infrastructural improvements that will improve dairy supply chain efficiency and avoid the need for raw milk dumping during emergency events. NYS has roughly 3,000 dairy farms that produce over 16 billion pounds of milk annually, making New York the nation's fifth-largest dairy state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NYS Agriculture Department sends out alert on raw cat food
ALBANY, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) — The New York State Department of Agriculture is alerting consumers on a particular brand of raw cat food due to the threat of bird flu. Commissioner Richard Ball alerted consumers on Friday, March 28 who use Savage Cat Raw Chicken Cat Food — a company out of California — due to the possible presence of the H5N1 virus, also known as Avian Influenza or Bird Flu. Illnesses in cats who have eaten this food have been reported in other states, including New York City. Pet owners who may have Savage Cat Food Large Chicken Boxes, sold in 84-ounce cardboard boxes containing individual plastic packets, with a lot code/best by date of 11152026 andSavage Cat Food Small Chicken Boxes, sold in 21-ounce cardboard boxes containing individual plastic packets, with a lot code/best by date of 11152026, should not feed this product to their cat or other animal. The product should also not be sold or donated. — New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball, in a statement on the alert. The product in question was distributed in November 2024 at various retailers across the state. Consumers can find the lot code and best-by dates on the bottom of the cardboard box and on each packet within. The Department of Agriculture is also notifying retailers to make sure the product is pulled from store shelves. If you have fed your cat this product, watch for signs of avian influenza, including: fever, lethargy, low appetite, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from the eyes and nose, difficulty breathing, and neurological signs, such as tremors, stiff body movement, seizures, lack of coordination, or blindness. If your cat is exhibiting any of these symptoms, you are urged to contact your veterinarian. No H5N1 infections have been reported in humans in New York State. The New York State Department of Health is continuing to remind consumers that the risk to the public is low. For more information on the alert, you are asked to contact Savage Pet at their e-mail address — info@ — or by phone at 619-270-0295. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The sap is flowing: Maple season underway ahead of Maple Weekend
ONTARIO, N.Y. (WROC) – In 2024, New York State's maple production increased to 846,000 gallons, which is nearly 100,000 gallons more than the 2023 season. This season, however, has had a bit of a slow start, but as Dan Milke, owner of Shadow Hill Maple Syrup says weather conditions and timing are key. 'It's our latest start this year, more than it has ever been, just because of the cold temperatures we've had all through January and February. But we're up and running at full steam right now. We've had a real good week last week and a good week to look forward to this week,' he said. As the cold weather lingered throughout the winter, it's been a challenge for many in the farming community. But now, as temperatures rise, the promise of spring brings hope. For farmers, it's not just about waiting for the season to change—it's about being ready when it does. 'We've had colder winters, we've had snowier winters, but this one was kind of annoying, I think for everyone. We're ready for a day like today. But, you know, farmers have 4 seasons, just like everyone else. But we add one more season — in the farm community, it's called getting ready for spring. And that comes at you fast and I think a day like today is going to encourage a lot of farmers that they will be fine,' said Commissioner Richard Ball. As farmers shake off the winter chill and embrace the promise of spring, the season brings more than just warmer temperatures. It marks the beginning of new opportunities, especially for families eager to enjoy the first signs of the season. 'We've got a great season going forward. We got beautiful weather. I think it's a great time for families to come out. It's usually the first event of the season for families to get out of the house after a long winter. So, it's great to come to a sugar house, see how maple syrups are made and enjoy all the special products that we make with it,' Milke said. Maple Weekends are celebrated the last two weekends in March across NYS. And so many maple farmers, including those here at Shadow Hill Maple Syrup, are ready to celebrate with their hungry guests. Click here to learn more about Shadow Hill Maple Syrup's upcoming events. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
