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ENON VALLEY, Pa. - Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee Chair Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. recently visited Old English Acres, home of champion Limousin beef cattle in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, to see how the farm’s business investments would be more secure with the $5 million veterinary lab system expansion.
According to recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture figures, in the past five years Lawrence County has seen a 100% increase in the value of products grown and raised on its 585 farms, most of which are family-owned. Farm income has increased 120% and net cash income has increased 122%.
At the same time, production costs have increased 94%, narrowing their profit margin. Business risks have also increased due to severe weather, market volatility, and labor shortages.
"Animal health and welfare is a top priority for our farmers as they take pride in the animals they raise and the products they provide to the public," said Sen. Vogel. "Many farmers here in western Pennsylvania, like Ed Clark and myself, have been burdened in needing to travel great distances to take test samples to veterinary labs because our region lacked a local state veterinary lab.
"Through the proposed $5 million investment, a new state veterinary animal diagnostic lab would be established and alleviate our regional farmers from costly travels and delayed testing results," he added.