Northeast
Pasture Research and Extension Consortium
March
2005
Agribusiness Addressing Consortium Pasture Priorities
Presented by Nate Leonard, Consortium Co-chair and General Manager, FiL Agritech
With one notable industry exception agribusinesses do not directly address the 6 Consortium priorities. The exception is with the seed industry with several companies aggressively evaluating new grass species and varieties. Other agribusiness are contributing significantly to the overall goal of the Northeast Pasture Consortium of strengthening pasture-based farming in the Northeast.
The goal of most agribusinesses with products appropriate for pasture-based farming is to improve the economics, productivity or convenience of the farm operation. Frequently agribusiness and new products are viewed by producers with significant skepticism. There is reason for this, many new products have historically proven to not be beneficial. Companies with interest in pasture-based farming appear to have a relatively high commitment to proving their products in the market.
§ Emphasis by some companies to offer improved varieties compared with commons
§ Pasture forage trials: university and hundreds of private plots (King’s Agriseeds, Agriculver)
§ Economic comparisons of grazing farms with conventional (King’s Agriseeds)
§ Availability of improved organic seed varieties
§ Efforts to develop non-bloating alfalfa via GMO breeding (WL Research)
§ Particularly active seed companies in the Northeast grazing market
- National/International: Ampac, Barenbrug, DLF International, Pennington, Wrightson
- Regional: Agriculver, King’s Agriseeds, P.L. Rohrer
§ Fencing and cattle weighing systems (Gallagher and TruTest reporting; multiple regionals)
§ Livestock handling equipment (Behlen, Powder River, Priefert, others)
§ Animal health vaccines and treatments (multiple companies)
§ Feed and nutrition services (many companies -- no active research identified)
§ Specialized pasture related planting & harvest equipment companies (multiple)
§ Livestock pasture genetics: various livestock improvement companies.
Mercersburg, PA
§ Goal of AFT to keep at risk farmland in agricultural production
§ Cove Mountain Farm has run with lease holders as an example (profitable) grass-based dairy
§ New Zealand Agritech has joined partnership with AFT and David Fleig, the lease holder
§ Agricultural branch of New Zealand Trade Development
§ Businesses have products or services to offer grass-based farms
§ Demonstrate improved farm performance with use of New Zealand products adapted to US climate, soils, and farming systems.
§ The farm pays for the majority of the expenses and consulting.
§ Agricom Seeds
§ Agritour – agricultural tours
§ Dairy Projects International - consulting
§ FiL Heat Detection Tailpaint and other products
§ Hansen Products water fittings
§ Jobe Water Valves
§ McInnes Milkbar calf group calf rearing
§ Pemberton & Associates consulting
§ Reese Agriproducts – mowers, bale wrappers, rakes, Aitchison drills
§ Rotowiper pasture weed control equipment
§ Taupo Engineering round bale feeding equipment
§ TruTest fencing
§ Wrightson Seed (Ampac)
§ Significant investment by all involved to demonstrate improved results
§ Some investment in experimentation with forage species may show good and “bad” results
§ Opportunities to collaborate exist with hopes of involving USDA and Universities
§ Sharing of results
(including financial) through press, field days and other methods