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Agriculture

USDA seeks feedback from producers

HARRISBURG — Over the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will contact more than 5,000 producers across the northeast to determine crop acreage and stock levels as of June 1, 2024. “The June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey are two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS conducts,” said Charles Butler, Acting Director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Office. “When producers respond to these surveys, they ...

USDA to conduct quarterly pigs survey

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting producers for the June Hogs and Pigs survey. This survey is a comprehensive gathering of quarterly data on market hog and breeding stock inventories as well as pig crop and farrowing intentions in every state. “Pennsylvania inventory of all hogs and pigs on March 1, 2024, was 1.46 million head. This was up 10.6% from March 1, 2023, and down 1.35% from Dec. 1, 2023,” said Charles Butler, acting director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. “The June survey ...

USDA, USAID deploy $1B for food assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Agency for International Development will deploy $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funding to purchase U.S.-grown commodities to provide emergency food assistance to people in need throughout the world, according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and USAID Administrator Samantha Power. “America’s farmers are the most productive and efficient in the world, and we rely on them to supply safe and nutritious food not only to our nation, but to the global community,” Secretary Vilsack said. “With many ...

Juniata Co. Dairy Princess Pageant was held on May 5

MEXICO, Pa. — Juniata County’s 48th annual Dairy Princess Pageant was held May 5 at Walker Grange in Mexico. Nine young people were recognized as dairy ambassadors, dairy maids and dairy misses. Chairperson Karen Shearer presented Steve Beers a check for $4,000 for the Juniata County Food Pantry from the Fill-A-Glass With Hope campaign the promotion court worked on during the past year. Dairy Ambassador Blaine Imes presented a speech explaining PA Preferred milk products. Dairy Maids Caylee Imes and Ella Zimmerman presented a skit explaining the importance of including milk in ...

DCNR hosts state park ‘Remake Learning Days’

HARRISBURG — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will host more than 30 educational programs in 24 state parks now through May 22 to support Remake Learning Days. Remake Learning Days is a global learning festival that brings children, families, community cultural centers, and educators together to share the benefits of collaborative, hands-on learning. Founded in 2016 by Remake Learning, this celebration highlights transformative experiences and opportunities for youth to develop their sense of creativity, perseverance, curiosity, and fun alongside ...

USDA acts to protect livestock from H5N1 avian influenza risk

Federal Order to assist with developing a baseline of critical information and limiting the spread of H5N1 in dairy cattle WASHINGTON — To further protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat posed by highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, USDA is sharing a number of actions being taken with federal partners to help get ahead of the disease and limit its spread. Recently, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced a Federal Order requiring the following measures: Mandatory testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle • Prior to ...