Breaking News

Agriculture

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 ...

More states legalize sales of unpasteurized milk, despite the public health warnings

by Tony Leys KFF Health News LORIMOR, Iowa — Babe the goat is trendier than she looks. Babe lives a quiet life on a hillside farm in southern Iowa, where she grazes on grass with a small herd of fellow goats. Her owner, Stacy Wistock, milks her twice a day. Wistock takes precautions to keep the milk clean, but she rarely pasteurizes it. Until recently, she gave it away to family and friends. Now, she’ll make a little money off it. Iowa legislators decided this spring to join dozens of other states in allowing small producers to sell unpasteurized milk from cows, goats, and ...

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 ...