Author: VFB Governmental Relations

Public Input Sought for Virginia’s 2025-2026 Wildlife Regulations

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The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has launched its biennial regulation review process, offering citizens an opportunity to shape the Commonwealth’s wildlife management policies for 2025-2026. The department is specifically seeking public input on potential modifications to hunting, trapping and broader wildlife regulations.

This comprehensive review process follows a structured timeline: After collecting public suggestions, DWR staff will carefully evaluate all submissions and develop evidence-based recommendations. These recommendations will be presented to the DWR Board in Spring 2025, followed by an additional public comment period before final adoption.

Of particular interest, the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s Governmental Relations team will submit formal comments addressing wildlife depredation and governance issues, aligned with currently adopted organizational policies.

Stakeholders interested in submitting comments that support Virginia Farm Bureau Federation positions on wildlife management have until December 6 to participate in this important regulatory process.

Click to Submit Comments

Regenerate Virginia Healthy Soils Grant Program Now Open

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American Farmland Trust and the Virginia Soil Health Coalition are collaborating to offer the Healthy Soils Grant Program. The program encourages producers and partners to pilot impactful ideas that innovatively fill gaps and address barriers to the adoption of soil health-building systems. This program aims to incentivize the adoption of practices and transformation of systems that go above and beyond current standards, supporting farmers, ideas, and expenses that are ineligible for other programs. Awards up to $30,000 for a single producer or $50,000 for a group of producers will be considered.

Applications for the 2024-2025 grant cycle are now open and will be accepted through November 15, 2024.

Learn more and see the application.

Cattle Traceability Rule Becomes Effective in November

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A new USDA- APHIS rule for animal disease traceability begins November 5 regarding what type of identification is used for transporting certain classes of cattle across state lines. This new rule covers the same classes of cattle that have been required to have some type of visual identification since 2013. Those classes of cattle are breeding cattle that are sexually intact over 18 months of age, all female dairy cattle of any age, male dairy cattle born after March 11, 2013; and all cattle used for rodeo, recreational events, showing or exhibitions.

The former “official identification” included metal ear tags, RFID tags, tattoos and, in some cases, brands. The new 2024 rule requires that the “official identification” be both visually and electronically readable. The only approved electronic identification will be an 840-RFID tag. Cattlemen can currently order the 840-RFID tags at no cost by contacting the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) Office of Veterinary Services- Richard Odom at 804-692-0600 or richard.odom@vdacs.virginia.gov.

This rule does not apply to feeder cattle, cattle of any age going directly to slaughter or cattle being transported within the state and not crossing state lines. For example, if you sold bred heifers into another state or purchased bred heifers from another state, those heifers would have required some type of visual permanent identification. The change this year will require that the identification be visually and electronically readable, which will be the 840-RFID tag.

More detailed information and frequently asked questions can be found here:

V5 FAQs for ProducersDownload

2024 Presidential and Congressional Candidates Sound Off on Ag Issues

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Both American Farm Bureau and Virginia Farm Bureau have published responses to their respective candidate questionnaires on agriculture issues.

Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

For more than 40 years, American Farm Bureau has asked every presidential candidate to provide responses to issues likely to impact and affect farmers and ranchers and rural communities in the next four years. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump have provided their answers. We are sharing their unedited responses so you can read directly from the candidates on their policy positions and direction for our country. Click the button to view their positions.

Presidential Candidate Questionnaire

Congressional Candidate Questionnaire

While Virginia Farm Bureau Federation AgPAC issues endorsements in state races, it does not endorse congressional candidates during federal election years. Instead, Virginia Farm Bureau sends a questionnaire to all candidates with questions regarding federal agriculture issues. Click the button to view their responses.

Congressional Candidate Questionnaire

Important Election Information

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Here are some important dates:

First day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office: Friday, September 20, 2024.

Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration: October 15, 2024 (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot).

Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you: October 25, 2024. Your request must be received by your local voter registration office by 5:00 p.m.

Voter registration offices open for early voting: Saturday, October 26, 2024.

The last day of in-person early voting at your local voter registration office:  Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

See who is on your ballot by viewing the candidate lists.

Register to vote or apply for an absentee ballot online using the Citizen Portal.

For more information, visit https://www.elections.virginia.gov/