In an effort to retain its title as the country’s number one yogurt producer, New York State recently relieved dairy farmers of certain state permitting obligations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation increased the number of cows which constitute a Concentrated Animal Feed Operation under state regulation from 199 cows to 299 cows. The regulations, which can be found online become effective May 8, 2013.
Relatedly, the DEC and the Department of Agriculture announced over $16 million in funding opportunities statewide. In tangent with Cornell University’s PRO-DAIRY Program, the DEC and Department of Agriculture funds seek to help farmers implement best management practices to improve water quality and top soil conditions.