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Agriculture

Learn your shepherding ABCs at May 3 workshop

UNIVERSITY PARK — An upcoming Penn State Extension workshop is aimed at equipping sheep producers with skills in animal evaluation, biosecurity and culling. “The ABCs of Shepherding: Assessment, Biosecurity and Culling” workshop will be May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center, 532 Orchard Rd., State College. This hands-on workshop is aimed at sheep producers, goat producers, livestock veterinarians and veterinary technicians. Through expert-led sessions and live demonstrations, participants will explore the ABCs of shepherding — assessment, ...

USDA expediting $10 billion in assistance to ag producers

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) for the 2024 crop year. Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Producers are facing higher costs and market uncertainty, and the Trump Administration is ensuring they get the support they need without delay,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “With clear ...

USDA update on combatting avian flu

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins hosted a stakeholder update recently to provide the first progress report on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) five-pronged strategy to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and lower egg prices. Less than a month after the plan’s rollout, USDA reports significant advancements across all five areas. “Egg prices are falling, farmers are getting the relief they need, and we are seeing meaningful progress in the fight against avian flu,” said Secretary Rollins. “USDA is making targeted investments ...

Southwest Beef Cattle meetings slated for April, May

UNIVERSITY PARK — In April and May, Penn State Extension will host three Southwest Beef Cattle Meetings, aimed at beef cattle producers, packers and industry professionals. The workshops, which are free to attend, will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. April 22 and May 6 and 13, at the Washington County Fairgrounds, 2151 N. Main St., Washington. Each event includes dinner and will cover a different topic: • April 22: “Mineral Nutrition for Beef Cattle.” Tara Felix, beef cattle extension specialist and associate professor of animal science in Penn State’s College of ...

Small-group cattle producer gatherings planned

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension will host small-group gatherings at two locations in April for cattle producers to network and discuss industry needs. These informal, educational meetings will focus on local cattle production and future programming. One meeting will be April 8 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Mercer County office of Penn State Extension, 463 N. Perry Hwy., Mercer. The second meeting will be April 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Adams County Agricultural Center, 670 Old Harrisburg Rd., Suite 201, Gettysburg. The meetings are aimed at cattle producers, ...

USDA set to measure quarterly bee colony loss

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be collecting information about colony loss in the honey industry throughout the United States. The next Quarterly Colony Loss survey will be conducted during April of 2025. This survey collects information about colony inventory and loss from more than 400 producers with honeybee colonies in the Northeastern Region of the United States. “The information from these surveys directly impacts our region’s beekeepers and honey producers,” said David Knopf, regional director of ...