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Agriculture

Pennsylvania youth shine in 4-H Animal Judging Day

UNIVERSITY PARK. — Youth from across Pennsylvania’s 4-H program recently participated in the annual 4-H Animal Judging Day, held on Penn State’s University Park campus. The event hosted 154 youth aged 10-18 who showcased their skills in various animal judging events. These included dairy, horse, poultry and livestock, which featured swine, sheep and beef cattle. “Youth in judging contests learn about animal conformation and breed standards,” Kirsten Dubbs, Penn State Extension 4-H animal science specialist, said. “They evaluate animals against one another and decide how to ...

HARRISBURG — Northeast Extension Risk Management Education has announced the recipients of the new Risk Management Education for Meat and Poultry Processing grant. Across the country, 13 recipients were awarded a total of $1,740,980 to enhance capacity across the food supply chain by supporting meat and poultry research, education and training at the local level. PA Farm Link was one of the recipients and has been awarded $90,432 to fund training opportunities on MeatSuite’s Cornell MeatPricing Calculator for Pennsylvania farmers. Charlotte Smith, 3 Cow Marketing LLC, will coach ...

Penn State researchers study beech leaf disease in Pa. forests

UNIVERSITY PARK — In the woods of the northeastern U.S., a strange disease is creeping through the canopies. Spreading quickly, it causes leaves and branches to wither and, in many cases, the tree to eventually die. The arboreal ailment — beech leaf disease — currently has no known treatment or cure, putting large swaths of trees or even entire forests in jeopardy. But researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences are on the case, spearheading ongoing efforts to learn more about the disease and how to combat it. “This is a big problem for our forests, as well ...

PSU empowers winemakers with different innovative techniques

UNIVERSITY PARK — Pennsylvania winemakers are uncorking new possibilities with the help of Penn State Extension and the College of Agricultural Sciences. Their expertise serves as a vital ingredient in elevating wine quality and diversity, while fueling the growth of the state’s $1.4 billion wine industry. A notable area of focus is the exploration of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, which can unlock new flavors and aromas. “When I first learned about non-Saccharomyces yeasts, it caught my attention,” Molly Kelly, enology extension educator with nearly 20 years of experience in ...

Farm Bureau survey shows decline in Independence Day cookout cost in 2023

CAMP HILL – Celebrating the 4th of July with a cookout will cost significantly more than two years ago, although prices have fallen slightly from record highs in 2022. Nationally, families will pay an average of $67.73 to host an Independence Day cookout with 10 family members or friends, ...

USDA to strengthen substantiation of animal-raising claims

WASHINGTON, D.C — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced it is implementing a multi-step effort aimed at strengthening the substantiation of animal-raising claims. This action builds on the significant work USDA has already undertaken to protect consumers from false and misleading labels. “Consumers should be able to trust that the label claims they see on products bearing the USDA mark of inspection are truthful and accurate,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, said. “USDA is taking action today to ensure the integrity of animal-raising claims and level the ...