Senior Extension Associate, Precision Dairy Nutrition

Senior Extension Associate, Precision Dairy Nutrition

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns:
1) next-generation scientific breakthroughs require an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems,
2) access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right, and
3) ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

Provide statewide leadership for planning, development and implementation of PRO-DAIRY precision dairy nutrition program. This person will serve as an independent dairy nutrition expert and knowledge generator and conduit between government officials, dairy farmers, nutritionists and university extensionists and researchers. Possess in-depth knowledge of practical feeding and nutrition opportunities at the dairy farm level and ability to solve problems at a practical and scientific level.

The successful candidate will be central to providing training and troubleshooting for the implementation of the Cornell nutrition model, CNCPS v 7.0, by working closely with dairy nutritionists and farmers. This person will also be part of the CNCPS development team at Cornell and will lead continuous improvement efforts and deployment of the model and results as the model evolves.

Using an understanding of practical dairy farm management as well as leading dairy nutrition science, identify, research and solve the next limiting nutritional to production barriers at the farm level. These efforts will serve dual goals of the funding entity (NYSDEC) implementing low N and P diets, reducing GHG intensity by increasing feed efficiency, milk and milk component production levels to meet market demand and reduce the environmental impact of dairy.

The successful candidate will develop extension materials, PowerPoint presentations, popular press and journal articles.

This is a full-time position (1.0 FTE), 1-year renewable term appointment, contingent upon work, available funding, and successful performance. The position can be performed remotely from within New York State and requires extensive travel (approximately 40% of time), including overnight stays throughout New York State. The travel will include regional and farm-based meetings with nutritionists and dairy farmers to train, troubleshoot and successfully apply the updated model to improve productive efficiency of milk production.

There will also need to be continuous training and support of allied industry representatives to ensure the industry has the knowledge to move forward with the new concepts and implementation.

• Program Leadership and Development – Lead the planning, development and implementation of Precision Dairy Nutrition, teach nutritionists and dairy farmers to develop and implement high-efficiency dairy cattle diets to increase energy corrected milk production per cow while minimizing N and P in manure. Develop, lead and implement additional precision dairy nutrition programs as opportunities arise. Individually and collaboratively explore and pursue funding sources to develop new knowledge and enhance and extend program opportunities.
  
  Prepare quarterly and annual reports on program progress and results. (60%)
• Applied research, Communication and Knowledge Transfer – Work with Cornell University Ruminant Center/Farm of the Future team and Cornell dairy nutrition team to conduct, inform, interpret, and extend applied research information to continue improving dairy production productivity and sustainability. (35%)
• Professional Development – Participate in professional development opportunities, conferences and workshops appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement. Participate in related regional, statewide, and national professional organizations. (5%)

• PhD in dairy nutrition or related study and two or more years of related work experience in dairy production, dairy management or dairy nutrition.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in dairy cattle nutrition and the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System Model.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to communicate successfully with dairy farmers, team members, dairy nutritionists and industry representatives.
• Excellent public speaker and experience with farm and technical audiences.
• Record will reflect a strong desire to translate science into practice.
• Ability to maintain valid and unrestricted NYS Driver’s license and registered.