update on the transition of CNAL soil testing activities to Agro-One (Dairy One)
NOTE: As part of this transition process, there will be a two hour meeting with CCE educators at the November in-service meeting (Tuesday November 10; 8 to 10 AM). The focus of the meeting will be to provide information, gather CCE feedback and address any remaining concerns that have been raised over the past several months.
To Cornell Cooperative Extension Staff and Association Executive Directors
The purpose of this message is to provide you with an update on the transition of CNAL soil testing activities to Agro-One (Dairy One). Processing of routine soil test samples was transferred to Agro-One onAugust 18, 2009, and we have been functioning in the new collaborative model for the past two months.
The current soil fertility recommendations are being sent out based on Agro-One’s analytical procedures and incorporate the use of conversion equations. Also, we have converted to a newly-coded recommendation engine and Web-based database system. This is a significant improvement to the previous system that will pay off in the long run. CNAL and Agro-One personnel have been working very closely to insure a smooth transition, although there have been some minor hurdles that are logical consequences of a complex transition. We appreciate the feedback that has been provided by the field staff, as well as your patience and understanding.
There are still a few issues that are being considered at this time. More comparison samples have been processed and analyzed to validate the conversion equations and make refinements as appropriate. This will be completed in the next months, and all remaining transition issues are expected to be resolved by the end of the year. Tissue testing is still being performed at CNAL, but will be transferred to Agro-One July 1, 2010. The Transition Committee has effectively supported this process and Agro-One has been very accommodating in addressing challenges at multiple levels. We are attaching a plan from CNAL Director Renuka Rao Mathur that details the remaining process to complete the transition. Also, you are invited to an open discussion session about the transition on Tuesday, November 10, from 8 to 10 AM during Ag&Food In-Service week.
Agro-One has effectively handled the sample processing needs and the ancillary reporting issues since the August 18 transition. We are pleased with this partnership, which is a model for university-private sector collaboration. It will also allow CNAL to better focus on research issues and innovation in soil analyses. There are additional benefits such as Agro-One’s competitive cost structure and free sample transportation from pickup locations around the Northeast.
At this time, it is important that stakeholders are fully informed about the transition and that we build confidence with them in the partnership. We therefore request that you effectively communicate these developments with your stakeholders through the regular channels so they have a full understanding of the changes. The transition details have been worked out in such a way that the impact on stakeholders is minimal and flexibility is built in the transition process. Still, there will undoubtedly be questions from the stakeholders, and we request your cooperation in responding to them. The Dairy One web site (www.dairyone.com) and the menu items to Agro-One Services provide further details. We are committed to a successful transition.
Again, we appreciate your patience and commitment during this transition. There have been challenges, but in the end we will have strong soil and tissue testing services for our stakeholders.
Sincerely,
Jan P. Nyrop
Senior Associate Dean, CALS
Helene R. Dillard
Associate Dean, CALS
Director, CCE
0 comments Lori Bushway | Professional Develop., Your input needed