Breaking News

Agriculture

Penn State Extension to offer farm financing webinar series

UNIVERSITY PARK — “Farm Sense,” a four-session webinar series aimed at helping agricultural businesses learn to manage finances, will be offered by Penn State Extension from July 25 through Aug. 15. Organizers note that agricultural businesses are different from other types of businesses, and producers need to develop and maintain accurate, consistent financial and production records. In addition to serving anyone interested in developing financial statements, the course is designed to assist U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency loan recipients who need to ...

USDA to survey county grains acreage

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey producers in 32 states, including Maine, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, for its 2023 County Agricultural Production Survey (CAPS) for small grains. The survey will collect information on total acres planted and harvested as well as yield and production of small grains crops down to the county level. CAPS will provide the data needed to estimate acreage and production of selected crops such as barley, oats, and wheat in the United States. “The data provided will ...

Strawberries, weather and weed control after harvest

Leah Fronk Horticulture Educator Penn State Extension Juniata County — Reading the most recent weather outlook from the Penn State Climate Office, long range guidance suggests seasonal temperatures and precipitation above normal for the remainder of July. The precipitation is a welcome change for most parts of the state that were in a deficit, or continue to be in a deficit, during the months of May and June. While disease pressure is lower during dry weather, no precipitation for weeks gives pause for concern. Another issue that pops up during dry weather is weed control. ...

Plant seeds of success with ‘Starting and Improving Farms’ conference

UNIVERSITY PARK — Interested in starting a farm, diversifying an existing farm or beginning an agritourism business? To help participants explore new business and production practices, Penn State Extension will hold the “Starting and Improving Farms” conference Sept. 19-20 at Toftrees Golf Resort, 1 Country Club Ln. in State College. The event is designed for anyone who is considering starting a farm, those who began farming within the past five years, existing farms considering diversification, team members on existing farms, women farmers, providers who support farmers, and ...

USDA to conduct annual potato processing survey

HARRISBURG — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is encouraging potato producers and agribusinesses to respond to the Annual Potato Processing survey. Potato processors make up a significant share of the United States economy. In recent years, the majority of potatoes grown within the U.S. were utilized for processing, and most potato exports consisted of processed potatoes. The results of this survey will be used to establish final USDA statistics about the 2022 potato crop processing for official processing states. Data collected ...

USDA continues partner engagement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues efforts on many fronts to mitigate the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the United States. This pervasive virus is carried in wild, migratory birds and typically peaks in the spring and summer months in the United States. As part of USDA’s commitment to leave no stone unturned in this fight, on April 13, 2023, the department held a stakeholder roundtable with poultry industry leaders and state government officials to discuss the current and future HPAI strategy and ...