Local and state representatives at the Purple Haze Standardbred Horse Adoption Program (PHSHAP) in Preston as part of the 11th annual Chenango County Agricultural Tour for Legislators. (Submitted photos)

CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board held their 11th Annual Chenango County Agricultural Tour for Legislators on Friday, July 21. The purpose of the tour is to give area representatives a first-hand look at agriculture in Chenango County. The tour allows our producers to connect and share their success stories, and struggles, with federal, state, and local representatives who could offer help and support.

The first stop on the tour was at Tiger Lily Holsteins/Marshman Farms in Oxford. Operators of the farm educated the group about dairy economics, including the operating expenses, milk pricing, and the labor market. Also discussed was the process of manure management and how revenue can be added by selling manure as compost. In addition, we also discussed how Tiger Lily competes in the Holstein breeding industry.

Next, the tour visited Purple Haze Standardbred Horse Adoption Program (PHSHAP) in Preston. PHSHAP has been formed to ensure that retired standardbred horses find a second calling and profession. Many times, owners and trainers send these horses to livestock auctions due to a lack of resources, farmland, or funds necessary to maintain the retired horses. In some circumstances, the livestock auctions sell the horses on the open market and the retired "non-productive" horses frequently end up in the slaughterhouse in exchange for payment.