The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced that the October Crop Production report that was released today from the National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) shows a continued large increases in projected yields for cotton and peanuts from 2016.

“Virginia farmers were able to harvest their crops ahead of the normal pace during the month of September,” said Herman Ellison, Virginia state statistician, NASS. “The weather conditions were hot and dry with the exception of some moisture from Hurricane Irma in the southeast area.”

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October is National Farm-to-School Month, and Virginia is celebrating with Virginia Farm to School Week, from October 2-6, 2017. This designation is intended to create awareness of the Virginia Farm to School Program and promote opportunities for both farmers and schools to become involved. Farm to School’s overarching mission is to increase the volume of locally- grown foods served in schools, which is a win-win for both school systems and the agriculture industry! This primarily takes the form of three components: procurement, education, and school gardens.

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American Farm Bureau is expressing support for the Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017. The bill would create an H-2C visa program that will allow American farmers and, packers and processors access to a legal and stable supply of workers. AFBF President Zippy Duvall stated the following:

“Every year, farmers and ranchers face greater challenges in finding enough workers to keep their businesses running. The labor shortage on America’s farms and ranches is growing, and the lack of a stable, legal supply of workers places the health of too many farms at risk. We cannot afford to see any more of our nation’s food supply lost in the fields.

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The number of turkeys raised in Virginia in 2017 is expected to total 17.0 million, down slightly compared to 17.2 million in 2016, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). These results were based on a September 1 survey conducted in major Turkey Producing States.

Turkeys raised in the United States during 2017 is forecasted at 245 million, up slightly from the number raised during 2016. A combination of six states account for nearly two-thirds of the turkeys produced in the United States during 2017. The largest turkey producing state is Minnesota, at 42.5 million turkeys, down 4 percent from the previous year. North Carolina is up 1 percent from last year, producing 34.0 million turkeys. Arkansas produced 26.5 million turkeys, which is up 2 percent from the previous year. Indiana is up 2 percent from a year ago to 19.8 million turkeys. Missouri is up 1 percent from last year, producing 19.3 million turkeys.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail census forms to farmers in about eight weeks. Conducted once every five years, the Census of Agriculture is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches and those who operate them. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive and impartial agriculture data for every state and county in the country.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released its 2016 Certified Organic Production Report today from the survey conducted earlier this year. The survey queried all known USDA-certified organic farms across Virginia.

“Production of organic crops and livestock continues to grow in Virginia,” said Herman Ellison, Virginia state statistician. “The number of certified organic farms increased 19 percent, with 26 more farms than in 2015. Virginia now ranks 22^nd in the U.S. in total value of sales of certified organically produced commodities, moving up from 24^th in 2015.”

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The goal of the Virginia Agricultural Labor Forum is to give attendees the opportunity to hear from experts in agricultural labor who can provide guidance on the often confusing laws and regulations of farm labor programs. The event is sponsored by Farm Bureau, the Virginia Agribusiness Council, and Labor Services International.  Continue reading →

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) September Crop Production report shows large increases in projected yields for cotton and peanuts.

“Scattered rains in August provided enough moisture to improve yield prospects,” said Herman Ellison, Virginia state statistician with NASS. “Cotton, peanut and soybean yield forecasts all increased from last month.” Continue reading →

U.S. farm profits are expected to increase in 2017 following three years of decline, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. If projections hold true, Virginia farmers stand to benefit.

Net cash farm income for 2017 is forecast at $100 billion, up 12.6 percent from 2016. Net farm income is forecast at $63 billion, a 3 percent increase from last year, according to USDA numbers released Aug. 30.

Rising production and higher livestock prices are driving the expected increases. Forecasts for both livestock and crop cash receipts are favorable.

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In the market for a new car or truck?

Farm Bureau members in Virginia are eligible for the following offers through Jan. 2, 2018:

• $500 in Bonus Cash toward purchase or lease of an eligible new 2017 or 2018 Ford vehicle; or
• $750 in Bonus Cash toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new 2017 or 2018 Lincoln vehicle.

Both offers are available to current members who have maintained a Farm Bureau membership for at least 30 consecutive days. The offers may not be used in conjunction with most other Ford Motor Co. or Lincoln Motor Co. private incentives or AXZD-Plans. Some customer eligibility restrictions apply.

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