The November 13 commentary, “Animal agriculture struggles show need for alternative protein sources,” in the The Roanoke Times painted an inaccurate picture of the animal agriculture industry, suggesting animal proteins are expensive, environmentally irresponsible sources of human illness. In this response, Wayne Pryor, president of Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, explains how Virginia farmers are committed to being good stewards of the land and the environment, and producing a quality product.

Read Pryor’s full commentary below or here:

““Animal agriculture struggles show need for alternative protein sources” (commentary, Nov. 13) painted an inaccurate picture of the animal agriculture industry, suggesting animal proteins are expensive, environmentally irresponsible sources of human illness.

Agriculture is Virginia’s largest industry, providing the basis for more than 334,000 jobs and an annual economic impact of $70 billion. Animal agriculture is the industry’s largest component. In addition to being a huge economic driver, the animal agriculture sector is a consistent source of safe, affordable and nutritious products, and it is making recognized advances to reduce its environmental impact.

Globally, animal agriculture is responsible for 14.5% of greenhouse gas emissions. However, that does not capture the full picture of progress made in developed nations, compared to the impact of developing nations.

Advances in genetics and technology have allowed livestock producers to do more with less.

The United States transportation sector greatly exceeds agriculture in terms of GHG emissions — not the other way around. Livestock contributes only 4% of GHG emissions in the U.S., and between 1961 and 2018 the U.S. beef community reduced GHG emissions per pound of beef produced by more than 40%, while also producing 66% more beef per animal.

Livestock are able to make use of land not suitable for crop production, as well as combat food waste by consuming byproducts that are unusable to humans.

The authors of the Nov. 13 commentary referenced the 17 sustainability goals related to the Paris Agreement of 2015 but failed to mention the agriculture industry’s commitment to being part of the solution, as summarized in the 2020 “U.S. People are also reading… Agriculture’s Opportunities to Contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals” report from U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action.

Here in Virginia, livestock producers are doing their part by voluntarily implementing best management practices to reduce agriculture’s impact on water quality.

In the face of food insecurity and food accessibility challenges at home and abroad, animal protein is a smart, nutritious option, given that a 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides more than 10% of 10 essential nutrients and vitamins for less than 10% of your daily calories. In addition, animal byproducts are used to make many other consumer and industrial goods.

The U.S. has the safest and most affordable food supply in the world, and it is irresponsible to suggest otherwise. For example, salmonella presence in tested chicken is at an all-time low for both whole and ground meat, with 98.5% of tests being negative for whole chickens at large processing plants.

We are blessed to have so many food choices, and consumers have the right to make their own purchasing decisions. But it is critical that those decisions be based on reality, not misconceptions and misinformation. Virginia farmers are committed to being good stewards of the land and the environment, and producing a quality product.

After all, they are feeding their families and yours.”

Hosted by the Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry

One of the top priorities of Governor Youngkin is to help the next generation of agricultural producers find success. Access to financing is one of the most challenging barriers beginning farmers face. In order to address this issue, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matt Lohr has partnered with key lending institutions and state and federal agencies to host an educational workshop. The Farm Financing and Conservation Planning Seminar will provide resources helping producers explore their options. The seminar will also incorporate a conservation component since cost share funding is at an all-time high. 

Please join this FREE networking opportunity for beginning farmers to learn about farm financing and cost share conservation opportunities. The seminar is being held on two different dates and in two locations.

Agenda:

9:00 am-10:00 am       Registration/Visit with Sponsors and Agencies

10:00 am-11:45 am     Presenting Sessions

11:45 am-12:00 pm     Q/A & Summary with Morning Presenters 

12:00 pm-1:00 pm       Lunch/Visit with Sponsors and Agencies. Lunch will be provided by our sponsors.

1:00 pm-2:00 pm         Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service

2:00 pm-2:15 pm          Q/A and Summary with Afternoon Presenters

2:15 pm-2:30 pm          Wrap Up

Registration:

To register, email rebecca.paramore@governor.virginia.gov.

Please register by December 5 for the Doswell seminar and by December 13 for the Weyers Cave seminar.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) announces a new program to assist livestock producers who are experiencing losses of livestock due to Black Vulture predation. The program will allow these livestock producers to obtain a permit to “take” up to five Black Vultures per year. Black Vulture attacks on livestock is recognized as a potentially serious threat to Virginia’s livestock producers.

The program will be implemented through the Virginia Cooperative Wildlife Damage Management Program. This cooperative program, between VDACS and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, provides assistance to livestock producers who experience wildlife predation on their livestock. VDACS has obtained a depredation permit through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which authorizes the issuance of sub-permits to livestock producers.

Livestock producers in Virginia may apply for a sub-permit, which allows the lethal “take” of five Black Vultures per year. A sub-permit will be provided at no charge to the livestock producer. Producers wishing to take more than five Black Vultures must obtain their own individual depredation permit.

To qualify, livestock producers must have already implemented non-lethal, mitigating actions such as attempting to disperse the vultures through hazing solutions using light or sound, and best management practices to reduce attractants, such as open garbage, dead livestock, or outdoor feeding of domestic or wild animals.

Click here for additional information and instructions on how to apply .To apply for a Black Vulture depredation sub-permit or for more information on the sub-permit requirements, please contact Chad Fox with the USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services at 540.381.7387 or email at chad.j.fox@usda.gov.

Dairy producers can now enroll for 2023 coverage through the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program, an important safety net program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps producers manage changes in milk and feed prices. Last year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) took steps to improve coverage, especially for small- and mid-sized dairies, including offering a new Supplemental DMC program and updating its feed cost formula to better address retroactive, current and future feed costs. These changes continue to support producers through this year’s signup, which ends December 9, 2022.

“Dairy producers are the backbone of many agricultural communities across rural America,” FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said. “Dairy Margin Coverage provides critical assistance to our nation’s small- and mid-sized dairies, helping make sure they can manage the numerous and often unpredictable uncertainties that adversely impact market prices for milk. This year showed why enrolling in DMC makes good business sense. Early in the year, some economists predicted that DMC would not trigger any payments for the calendar year, but then fast forward to now, when we’re starting to see payments trigger and a return on investment.” 

DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. 

So far in 2022, DMC payments to more than 17,000 dairy operations have triggered for August for more than $47.9 million. According to DMC margin projections, an indemnity payment is projected for September as well. At $0.15 per hundredweight for $9.50 coverage, risk coverage through DMC is a relatively inexpensive investment.

DMC offers different levels of coverage, even an option that is free to producers, aside from a $100 administrative fee. Limited resource, beginning, socially disadvantaged or a military veteran farmers or ranchers are exempt from paying the administrative fee, if requested. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool. 

For the full FSA press release, including details on Supplemental DMC and DMC payments, click here.  

Virginia dairy producers who participate in the federal coverage program may be refunded for their Tier 1 premium payment through the state’s Dairy Producer Margin Coverage Premium Assistance Program.