The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru’s agricultural diversity and the challenges farmers face was revealed to the county legislators who participated in last Friday’s Legislative Agricultural Tour conducted by Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County. Legislators Sam Dyer, Jim Langley, Peter Keenan, Jonathan Beach, Colin Read, Harry McManus and County Administrator Michael Zurlo visited Everett Orchards, Maple Grand Dairy, Northern Orchards and Adirondack Farms. (Click here to view these & more photos) 

The first stop was Everett Orchards, a 6^th generation family farm operated by William and Thomas Everett. In 2002 the Everetts entered the retail side of agriculture when they opened a farm market and cidery at 1945 Military Turnpike in Plattsburgh. In 2006 they began producing hard cider.

Tom Everett, with his son Kyle at his side, told the legislators about the orchard’s many apple varieties including several new European varieties used in cider production. Everett explained that this year’s warm nights have been a challenge for apple growers. September nighttime temperatures in the mid-40s play a critical role in bringing out the bright red color preferred by consumers. Ideally, apple trees should produce 500 or more bushels per acre annually.  Establishing additional orchard acreage is expensive costing about $18,000 an acre. The typical apple tree is productive for about 20 years.

Brothers Melvin, Bob and Jim Irwin milk about 80 registered Holsteins on the 1,200-acre Maple Grand Farm at 139 Jarvis Road. A relatively small farm in today’s world, milking cows is not the Irwin’s only business. They also sell hay, straw, oats and corn; operate a small orchard; lease cropland to a larger farm and own wood lots. Asked what the farm’s biggest challenge is, Bob Irwin eyed his large tractor and said, “The price of equipment.” Then he added, “health care and insurance.” Current milk prices are also challenging. A year ago milk prices increased to $25 per cwt. Today they are closer to $14. Cost of milk production ranges from $18 to $25 per cwt. depending on the size and efficiency of the farm.

Jim Irwin believes that the decline in the number of dairy farms will continue. He said, “Today eight farms control 80% of the milk production in Clinton County.”  The cost and availability of tillable land is a factor. Large farms compete for tillable land driving up values. Land that not so long ago sold for $200 an acre now sells for $5,000 to $6,000 an acre. In spite of these challenges Bob Irwin said the brothers can cover for each other and they are able to take off to travel and get away for a few days. He emphasized, “I look forward to coming to work every day.” Bob hopes that his son Kyle, who was standing a few feet away, will help maintain the Irwin family farm tradition.

Not far from the Irwin Farm, Cynthia and Albert Mulbury and their son Jesse operate Northern Orchards at 537 Union Road. The 500-acres farm has been operating since 1944.  During apple harvest, Northern Orchards has 185 employees who harvest, pack and ship its more than 50 varieties of apples.

Jesse Mulbury, a recent Cornell University graduate, greeted the legislators at Northern Orchard’s Farm Stand at 470 Union Road. He immediately guided everyone to a high tunnel greenhouse where he pointed to what seemed like an almost endless variety of tomatoes. Jesse said, “We’ve almost doubled production in these greenhouses.” He explained that the greenhouses have enabled farmers to grow plant varieties never previously grown in this part of the country and to extend the growing season. Mulburys are selling to new markets including farmers markets and restaurants.  A shopper at the Plattsburgh and Lake Placid Farmers Markets will find Northern Orchard’s extremely wide variety of fruits and vegetables.

Northern Orchards is also seeking to grow its farm stand business. Operational since 1992, the farm stand has a new look this year and more change is anticipated. Jesse’s sister Jennifer Mulbury will graduate from Cornell next spring. She plans to use her skills to develop the farm stand into a more significant part of Northern Orchard’s operations.

Adirondack Farms at 193 Brown Road is the largest dairy operation in this region and one of the 25 largest in New York State. Partner Jon Rulf greeted the legislators at the 4,800 cow/calf, 50-plus employee dairy farm. Adirondack’s 2,600 milking cows produce approximately 210,000 pounds of milk daily. The Agrimart Coop. dedicates three and sometimes four huge tankers to transport milk from the farm to its Chateaugay plant.

Manure management is a continuous challenge for all farmers, especially large farmers. Adirondack’s 5,000 acres of hay and corn are spread over several townships and border many residential neighborhoods. Rulf has to satisfy volumes of Department of Conservation (DEC) environmental regulations and the people who reside in homes bordering his crops. Although a final decision hasn’t been made, Rulf hopes that by the end of 2016 he will have a manure digester in operation. A $4 million investment, the digester will significantly reduce manure odor, greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient runoff. The methane gas associated with the process will power generators to produce electricity.

Perhaps Rulf’s greatest challenge is weaning his milking cows off bovine Somatotropin (rBST). Consumer pressure is forcing northeastern producers to eliminate its use. As of January 1, 2016, the Agrimart Coop will no longer accept milk from farmers utilizing rBST. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the mid-1990s, the hormone significantly increases milk production. Rulf said, “We think it’s a tragedy. It’s a shame we’re losing this technology. I believe the consumer has been mislead.” Rulf said farmers will be forced to milk more cows to make up for the decreased income.