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Agriculture

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 ...

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 ...