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Agriculture

Ag Department warns poultry owners about avian influenza

HARRISBURG — The Department of Agriculture reminds all poultry owners – backyard flocks and commercial producers – to keep their guard up to protect their birds from highly pathogenic avian influenza. After a lull in detections for several months, Pennsylvania has detected a new case of avian influenza in a game bird flock in Lower Mahanoy Township, Northumberland County. Samples from this detection are being forwarded to the USDA National Veterinary Services lab for confirmatory testing. However, the Department has worked with the premises operator to respond immediately ...

Fill a Glass with Hope sends fresh milk flowing in state

HARRISBURG — On Friday at the PA Farm Show, 2024 Fill a Glass with Hope® (FGWH) charitable milk distribution program got a big boost with $135,500 in donations thanks to its annual Feeding Pennsylvania fundraising campaign launch. Joining Feeding Pennsylvania to announce the kickoff were program supporters: Two-time Pittsburgh Steelers and Super Bowl Champion and Former NFL quarterback Charlie Batch; Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding; Feeding PA CEO Julie Bancroft; PA Dairymen’s Association Executive Director Dave Smith; Lolly Lesher, Pennsylvania Dairy ...

Public invited to taste Pa.’s best at PA Preferred Reception kicking off 2024 Farm Show

HARRISBURG — Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to taste the finest Pennsylvania-produced food and drinks while connecting with the producers at the 108th PA Farm Show’s PA Preferred® Reception. The Friday, Jan. 5 reception will be the official kickoff for the 2024 Farm Show, the Pennsylvania State Fair™. “Our 2024 Farm Show theme is ‘Connecting Our Communities,’” Secretary Redding said. “The PA Preferred reception is where communities of those who produce Pennsylvania’s best come to show off their products and connect with those in the ...

USDA to survey cattle operations

HARRISBURG — In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. “This information helps producers make timely, informed business decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction. It also helps packers and government leaders evaluate expected slaughter volume for future months and determine potential supplies for export,” said King Whetstone, director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. “Obtaining the current count of ...

USDA to measure northeastern milk production

HARRISBURG — Thousands of milk producers across the country will receive surveys from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) as the agency collects information for the 2024 Milk Production reports. “The dairy industry is an important component of the Northeast’s agriculture, and it is crucial for us to have accurate data about this key sector,” said King Whetstone, director of the NASS Northeastern Regional Field Office. NASS conducts the Milk Production survey in the region every January, April, July and October. The survey asks ...

Fetter named director of Center for Ag Conservation Assistance Training

UNIVERSITY PARK — Jennifer Fetter, Penn State Extension water resources program leader, has been named director of the Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training. Fetter has served as the center’s interim director since it was launched earlier this year. As part of an ongoing effort to promote soil and water conservation on farms, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences established the center in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Conservation Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. Coordinated by ...