Despite a positive report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Virginia winter wheat farmers have been perplexed by an erratic growing season and less-than-anticipated yields.

The Sept. 30 NASS report estimated Virginia farmers harvested 7.8 million bushels of winter wheat in 2020, a 20% increase from 6.51 million in 2019. Wheat harvested for grain totaled 130,000 acres, up from last year’s record low of 105,000.

Despite those numbers, the output is significantly less than what was forecast in June, when NASS reported Virginia farmers were expected to harvest 11 million bushels this year. Additionally, the average yield per acre dropped to 60 bushels in 2020, down from last year’s average 62 bushels.

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Welcome to the first installment of our new video series “Friend of the Farm Chats,” where we get to know the legislators who serve on the Senate and House agriculture committees. First up is Chairman of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources Committee Del. Kenneth R. Plum. Watch below to learn why this Northern Virginia delegate is a true country boy at heart.

By Nicole Zema, VFBF Communications

Andrew Smith is part of a nationwide family with origins in Virginia. This family’s heirs preserve tangible memories of a storied organization serving youth since 1925.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation’s associate director of governmental relations will be officially recognized as a recipient of the Honorary American FFA Degree at the upcoming 93^rd National FFA Convention & Expo. Each year, FFA honors exceptional individuals and companies for outstanding contributions to the organization.

Smith grew up on a dairy farm in Hanover County. He joined FFA, previously known as Future Farmers of America, in eighth grade at age 13. He still has the iconic blue corduroy jacket from Liberty Junior High School, among other memorabilia.

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Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute!

Virginia Farm Bureau producer members may recall completing a survey this spring related to black bear management. This was part of a study conducted for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (previously known as the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries) to obtain input from Virginia residents, bear hunters, and agricultural producers regarding the management of black bears in the Commonwealth.

According to the final report, “the surveys covered a range of black bear management topics to assist the Department in the development of its 2021-2030 Black Bear Management Plan. Topics covered in the survey include participation in wildlife viewing or hunting involving bears, feelings about bears, encounters, and experiences with bears, and opinions on black bear population sizes and management priorities.”

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Governor Ralph Northam has announced that Virginia is allocating $30 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to improve broadband access in underserved localities.

Localities must apply for the funding, and eligible projects are those able to be completed within the time constraints on spending federal dollars, which means more Virginians could get connected to high-speed, broadband internet by the end of the year.

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Expiration dates for all authorization letters for prospective applicators to take the exam(s) to become certified issued on or after December 20, 2019, have been extended to January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater.  Prospective applicators that do not take the exam(s) by January 31, 2021 or the current date of expiration, whichever is greater, will be required to submit a new application with appropriate fees to take the exam(s).    

The most current information regarding testing at DMV is available at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/general/#appointments.asp .  According to their website, four months of appointment slots are available at any time on the calendar. Each day, a new day of appointments is added to the end of the available period and new appointment slots are posted multiple times every hour. Cancellations can also create earlier availability in the calendar.  Individuals wanting to take a certification exam(s) at DMV should check the site frequently for availability and should also check outside their area. Should an applicator need additional information regarding DMV reopening or services available, please instruct them to contact DMV directly. 

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Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension want to quantify the impacts of COVID-19 on farms and agribusinesses in the state.

A COVID-19 impacts survey is open to operators and manager of farms and agribusinesses with a primary location in Virginia. Respondents must be 18 or older.

Survey results will be summarized in fact sheets, articles and other publications, which will be made available to the public. The information also may be shared with state and federal agencies to secure financial relief for agriculture communities. The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 11. To participate, visit bit.ly/3n6Ru1S.

Check out this week’s Merchandiser Minute.