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Agriculture

Support Pa. farmers in preferred pumpkin contest

HARRISBURG — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to carve out some time for family fun, while supporting a Pennsylvania pumpkin farmer. Purchase a PA-grown pumpkin and make it your canvas for creativity in the PA Preferred® pumpkin contest, PA Pumpkin Palooza: Where Gourds Go Glam. “Pennsylvania has a pumpkin patch around every corner and a farmer producing the best quality products on the market,” said Secretary Redding. “Take time this fall for some fun on the farm and pick a PA pumpkin to express your creative support for Pennsylvania farms. Not ...

Box tree moth discovered in Erie

HARRISBURG — The box tree moth, a highly destructive, invasive insect new to North America, was recently discovered for the first time in Pennsylvania in two cemeteries in Erie County. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine to help businesses and homeowners recognize the insect, learn how to control it, and keep it from spreading. The insect feeds on and destroys boxwoods, which are frequently used as topiaries and hedges and featured in Pennsylvania’s public gardens, parks, and conservatories, which are some of the oldest and most popular in the ...

Luke Bryan recognized during national Farm Tour

GRANTVILLE — During a Sept. 19 national Farm Tour concert at Bow Creek Farm and Cattle Company, Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding recognized singer Luke Bryan for his advocacy for farmers, and partnership with Feeding America to fight hunger in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. Redding presented Governor Josh Shapiro’s proclamation naming Sept.19 “Here’s to the Farmer Day” in recognition of Pennsylvania farmers, the work they do daily to feed our families and our economy, and their partnership with Feeding America to enrich our lives and combat hunger. ...

Webinar on nutrition for working horses Oct. 23

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State Extension is offering a free webinar, “Nutrition for the Performance Horse,” on crafting diets for working horses based on exercise type, intensity and nutrition for different disciplines. The event will occur from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 23. This webinar is designed for horse owners, trainers and enthusiasts; those interested in equine nutrition; and riders and competitors. Performance horses are not just show jumpers, eventers, reiners or endurance horses, organizers noted. From top competitors to the trusty school horse giving lessons several days a ...

Pa. hog inventory up 3%

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania inventory of all hogs and pigs on Sept. 1, 2024, was 1.48 million head. This was up 3% from Sept. 1, 2023, and up 3% from June 1, 2024, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report. Breeding inventory at 155,000 head was up 7% from last year, and up 7% the previous quarter. Market hog inventory at 1.33 million head was up 2% from last year, and up 3% from last quarter. The June to August 2024 pig crop at 605,000 head was up slightly from 2023. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 50,000 head, down 4% ...

USDA invests nearly $121M into specialty crops research

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced an investment of nearly $121 million to advance research and Extension activities that aim to solve key challenges facing specialty crop and organic agriculture producers. The investment includes $70.4 million to support specialty crop production research across the United States and $50.5 million to support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and organic products. Specialty crops are defined in the Farm Bill as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and ...