Addison County Farms Among Recipients of Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant
The Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center (NE-DBIC) has announced 24 recipients of the Dairy Farm Innovation & Alternative Management Grant, including three Addison County farms:
- Allendale Farms in Vergennes will purchase and install a New Holland Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) Crop Analysis System on their existing chopper. The technology will generate real-time data regarding feed quality, yield, and moisture.
- Blue Ledge Farm in Salisbury will study and implement extended lactation milking for dairy goats.
- Richville Farms in Shoreham will complete four distinct improvement projects: 1) Purchase and install a New Holland Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR) Crop Analysis System on their existing harvest equipment. The technology will generate real-time data regarding feed quality, yield, and moisture. 2) Purchase and install Topcpn feed testing equipment to reduce feed loss and spoilage by generating real time data of dry matter content. 3) Purchase and install SCR collars on their cows to monitor rumination, reproductive health, and animal performance. 4) Purchase and utilize an ultrasound machine to support the Grantee’s embryo and in-vitro fertilization services.
With a focus on climate and community-forward production strategies, this grant offers funds for farmers to implement projects that enhance the resilience of our Northeast regional food system.
Awards ranged from $16,000 to $75,000, with a total funding of $1,076,940.
The grantees include farmers in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont. Farm innovation projects run the gamut from studying and promoting extended lactation on goat dairy farms, to creating a silvopasture grazing system, to managing herds with geofencing.
Photo above is from the Lely website of a Lely Juno automatic feed pusher. Many grantees are adding robotics to their dairy operations.