The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued three primary Secretarial natural disaster designations for Virginia localities for extreme weather-related agricultural losses during the 2016 crop year. In addition, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Continue reading
Regulatory Reform Underway at EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just released information on Regulatory Reform. The release follows EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s launch of his “Back to Basics” agenda to refocus the agency’s core mission that also includes returning power to the states and an environment where jobs can grow. He emphasizes the importance of engaging with state, local and tribal partners to create sensible regulations that enhance economic growth. See press release below:
Results of Agricultural Labor Survey Could Affect State’s Farmers
Virginia farmers are being urged to complete the Agricultural Labor Survey that the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service mailed this month.
The survey, which is sent biannually in April and October, will collect information from more than 250 Virginia farm operators. It contains questions about hired farm labor, including total number of farm workers, average hours worked and wages paid for a specific time period.
Farm Bureau ‘Our Food Link’ Grant Applications Accepted Through May 15
The American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee is offering up to five $550 competitive grants to county or state Farm Bureaus to assist in “Our Food Link” projects. The deadline for applications is May 15. OFL is a year-round program that county and state Farm Bureaus can use to innovatively reach consumers of all ages and backgrounds with information on food production. Continue reading
Virginia Dairy Producers Discuss Improvements to Farm Bill Safety Net
The American Farm Bureau Federation is working to ensure a better safety net for farmers, and asked Virginia dairy producers for their input.
Dr. John Newton, AFBF director of market intelligence, met with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation Dairy Advisory Committee March 29 to discuss AFBF’s plans and to seek input on improving the 2018 Farm Bill.
Although dairy accounts for only 1 percent of total farm bill spending, improving the dairy Margin Protection Program is one of AFBF’s priorities. “The dairy safety net is broken, but we’re going to work to make MPP better,” Newton promised.
State Vet: It Makes Sense to Vaccinate Most Horses Now
~ State Veterinarian’s Office encourages horse owners to check with their veterinarians now regarding vaccination schedule ~
Mosquito season will begin soon in Virginia. That means it’s time to start thinking about vaccinating your horses against mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) encourages all horse owners to check with their veterinarians for vaccination recommendations for their animals. In 2016, Virginia had seven confirmed cases of EEE in horses.
Farm Bureau Launches Market Intel Reports
The American Farm Bureau Federation announces the launch of Market Intel, a new series of market intelligence reports available at fb.org/marketintel and on Twitter (@FBMarketIntel). Market Intel will provide timely market intelligence on the agricultural economy for farmers, ranchers, lawmakers and consumers, according to AFBF.
“Soybeans Trumping Corn in 18 States” by AFBF’s Dr. John Newton, is the first Market Intel report in the new series. It features insights on the implications of the Agriculture Department’s just-released Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports.
Online Course for Virginia Forest Landowners Begins May 15
Virginia forest landowners looking to gain an understanding of how to keep their woods healthy and productive can do so in the comfort of their own home.
Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program in Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources and Environment are offering an online course to help private landowners become better stewards of their land.
The 12-week Online Woodland Options for Landowners course, which runs from May 15 to Aug. 4, teaches basic management principles and techniques for both novice and veteran private forest landowners. Materials provided include four reference books and access to an online a tree identification tutorial.
Make Comments on Proposed Hunting Regulations
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is asking for comments on changes to hunting, trapping, or other wildlife regulations that you would like to see for the 2017–2018 seasons. They are interested in understanding the values and concerns behind your recommended changes to our hunting, trapping, and wildlife laws. This information will help the Department determine the best course of action to address potential regulation changes. Comments will be accepted online until May 10, 2017.
Click here to make comments: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/regulations/2017-terrestrial-wildlife-regulation-proposals/?utm_source=dgif_homepage&utm_campaign=terrestrial_regs_comment_period&utm_medium=slider
Once the page loads, click on “Provide Your Information to Comment”.
Comments also may be: made in person at the May 24, 2017 meeting of the Board, 9:00 AM at 7870 Villa Park Drive, Suite 400, Henrico, Virginia 23228; postal-mailed to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Attn: Policy Analyst and Regulatory Coordinator, P.O. Box 90778, Henrico, Virginia 23228; or emailed to regcomments@dgif.virginia.gov. Comments must be in writing and accompanied by the name, address and telephone number of the party offering them. Comments submitted other than at the May 24, 2017 Board meeting must be received no later than May 10, 2017.
After hearing public comment on the proposed amendments at the May 24 Board meeting, the Board anticipates adopting final regulation amendments that will be effective for the 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 hunting and trapping seasons.
AFBF Econ Team Delivers March 2017 Crop Market Update
In his latest crop market report—Cropland Area and Production Projected Lower, Prices Higher in 2017—AFBF economist John Newton says USDA experts late last month indicated total cropland area for the eight principal crops was projected at 249.8 million acres, down 1.4 percent from 2016.
If realized this would be the lowest planted area since 2011 when 249 million acres were planted to the eight crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, sorghum, oats, rice and cotton.
USDA believes that in addition to fewer acres being planted, projected crop yields will also decline from last year—a combo that compelled USDA to reduce its production expectations for many crops in 2017.
In the report, Newton also addresses the spring price discovery and its implications for crop insurance policies and projections for acreage changes in corn and soybeans for the upcoming year.
Download the full March 2017 Crop Market Update below.
Plows and Politics 