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Local and Regional Farm News for the Shenandoah Valley

    

New weather forecast published for July through September 2009

Click here for details>>
 

"Local Woods" directory available

The Shenandoah Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council’s Forestry Committee recently announced a new “Local Woods” web-based directory that features locally-produced wood products, public parks and forests in the Shenandoah Valley, and sources of local forestry assistance for private woodland owners . It is being launched in an effort to promote awareness of and support for Valley-based forests, wood products and services.

It may be found on the Shenandoah RC&D Council’s website at: www.shenandoahrcd.org/CommForestryLocalWoodProducts.htm

The Shenandoah Valley includes more than a million acres of public and privately-owned forests and woodlands. Trees are a renewable resource that help protect water and air quality, mediate temperature, provide wildlife habitat, recreation, natural beauty, and a wide variety of products used in our daily lives. The Valley’s forests and forest products are important contributors to our local economies, as well. There are many untapped opportunities to increase “value-added’’ local wood products that could help ensure the continuation of privately-owned woodlands.

The new website was developed in partnership with local representatives from the Virginia Department of Forestry and Cooperative Extension Service and other volunteers who serve on the Shenandoah RC&D Council’s Forestry Committee. The website features links to a wide variety of sources for wood-related categories, ranging from technical assistance in woodlot management, furniture makers and flooring vendors to state and national parks and forests and wood art vendors. It is intended to provide a readily accessible directory for Valley residents. The website will be updated at least annually.

 

 

 

National Turkey Federation Honors Virginia Poultry Federation with Grassroots Advocacy Award

HARRISONBURG, VA – Virginia Poultry Federation received the National Turkey Federation’s 2008 Grassroots Champion Award, which honors the work of individuals and state turkey associations in achieving industry legislative priorities. Steve Willardsen of Cargill Meat Solutions received the award on behalf of VPF during the Turkey Federation’s Annual Convention in Orlando.

The award recognizes outstanding efforts to actively participate in the federal policymaking process, communicating with Members of Congress to educate them on the local impact of legislation, and engaging other stakeholders to affect positive outcomes for the turkey industry. NTF selected VPF because of the Virginia turkey industry’s efforts to educate national and state officials about the adverse economic impacts of federal ethanol mandates and subsidies that divert corn to fuel and artificially increase the cost of feeding livestock and poultry.

NTF president Joel Brandenberger stated, “I would like to extend a special thank you to the Virginia Poultry Federation, the Virginia Poultry Growers Cooperative and Cargill Meat Solutions for their outstanding leadership and continued efforts on this issue.”

VPF president Hobey Bauhan commented, “We are honored to receive this national recognition. The credit goes to VPF members that engaged governmental officials on this issue. That is was grassroots advocacy is all about.”

 

 

Virginia Cooperative Extension helps with farm transitioning

BLACKSBURG—The latest U.S. Census of Agriculture revealed that Virginia farmers are aging, which increases the need for education and planning for farm transitioning from generation to generation.

According to the census, the average age of a Virginia farm operator was 58.2 years in 2007, a jump from 56.7 years in 2002 and 55.8 years in 1997. The number of Virginia farm operators younger than 35 also has fallen to fewer than 2,000 for the first time.

"High input costs with farming make it very difficult for young operators to enter into production agriculture," said Jonah Bowles, agricultural risk management coordinator for Virginia Farm Bureau.

"This creates a problem for the farmer who wants to transition out of production, because the result is few younger farmers and more older farmers," Bowles said.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is continuing to offer Shenandoah Valley producers a comprehensive look at the farm transition process.

Extension agents in the Shenandoah Valley have developed multi-session workshops to help local farmers in the farm transition process. The workshops cover retirement, health care, estate planning, business structure, personal and family goals and more.
 

 

2009 Land Rental Guide published for the Shenandoah Valley

Interested in local farmland rental rates? Virginia Cooperative Extension recently published the new Land Rental Guide available here (PDF file).

 

 

Virginia farmers offered help with resident Canada Goose problem

Richmond - The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and the Wildlife Services Program of the USDA are working together to offer Virginia farmers an additional tool to manage problems caused by resident Canada geese. The new "Agricultural Depredation Order" is being offered for the first time in Virginia in 2009. The program authorizes landowners, operators, and tenants actively engaged in commercial agriculture to use certain lethal methods to control resident Canada geese on lands that they personally control where geese are damaging agricultural crops.

"We have been working to address damage by resident Canada geese for years and feel this new program will speed up the process in order to be more responsive to farmers," said VDGIF Executive Director Bob Duncan.

Todd Haymore, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says that resident Canada geese, i.e. those that don't migrate but stay in Virginia year-round, are a big problem for farmers. "During the winter, Canada geese can cause a lot of damage for winter wheat and cover crops. In early spring when crops are beginning to appear in the field, the geese can strip a field bare by plucking the young plants out of the ground. They eat crops and grain, and where they occur in large enough numbers, they can raise the fecal bacterial levels in water supplies. We get calls all the time about resident geese from desperate farmers, and are glad to see some relief for them through this new Agricultural Depredation Order."

Activities allowed under this permit include the lethal take of Canada geese from May 1 through August 31, and the destruction of Canada goose nests and eggs between March 1 and June 30. All management actions must occur on the property controlled/managed by the applicant. Geese may not be taken using hunting methods such as decoys and calls. Permit holders must keep a log of their control activities and must submit a report by September 30 of each year detailing the number of birds taken.

The permit is free and agricultural producers can apply by calling the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, P.O. Box 130, Moseley, VA 23120 Phone: (804) 739-7739 FAX: (804) 739-7738. For additional information, see www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/waterfowl.

 

Virginia Cooperative Extension provides hay budgets

With hay and pasture becoming increasingly valuable sources of farm income, several new crop budgets are being provided by Virginia Cooperative Extension. Budgets are available for stockpiled fescue, timothy, clover, alfalfa, etc. Spreadsheet budgets allow for customized line items for fuel, fertilizer, seeding, harvesting, etc. More here>>

 

 

Book addresses rural issues

Welcome to the Country, Things You Need to Know When Moving to Rural Virginia is a charming new book written by Virginia author Frank Levering, who runs a Patrick County cherry orchard (now 100 years, still a family business) and helps his wife Wanda Urbanska produce the PBS show "Simple Living TV." Frank's new book introduces urbanites to "country culture"... sharing the unwritten rules by which rural people live and get along.

Selected chapter titles give the prospective reader an idea of what to expect in this down-to-earth book:

* The Code of the Country

* Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

* Virginia's Animal Kingdom and You

* Private Property and You

* Creating Community
 

The book was made possible the Ballyshannon Fund, with assistance from Virginia Farm Bureau and Virginia Cooperative Extension.

To order a copy, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension Distribution Center at (540) 231-1322 and ask for publication 275-200. Cost is $5.00 per copy, plus shipping and handling.

 

 

New Shenandoah Valley Buy Fresh/Buy Local Directory available now.

Click logo below for the PDF version.

Virginia Tech updates fencing budgets - The Extension Publication Virginia Farm Business Management Livestock and Fence Budgets (VCE Pub 446-048) is now available online in both PDF and Excel formats. You may also contact your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Office for a hardcopy of this publication.

Ag Calendar

July 24 - 26: Pageant of Steam; Berryville, Virginia; The 42nd Annual Steam Show will feature hundreds of antique farm tractors and farm equipment. Tractor pull will be at 6:30 PM on Friday night. The horse pull will be on Saturday at 6:00 PM. The mule pull and jump will be on Sunday at 1:00 PM. Noon tractor parades on both Saturday and Sunday. Located on Rt. 7 in Berryville, Virginia. See web site www.svsgea.com

Aug. 8 - Mid-Atlantic Meat Goat Symposium; Franklin, Virginia; Presentations on meat goat economics, fencing, predator control, etc.; Hours: 9:30 Am - 2:30 PM; Location: Paul D. Camp Community College in Franklin, VA; Call (757) 514-4330.

 

Climate Change Bill attracts attention of farmers. 

The latest hay price report is available here>>

 

USDA: Higher feed prices may lead to lower meat production

June 11 - Total U.S. meat production for 2009 and 2010 is estimated lower as higher forecast feed prices are expected to put a damper on the pork and broiler sectors. That's according to the USDA's recent World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report.

Pork

Pork production for 2009 is estimated slightly higher at 22.75 billion pounds from 22.74 billion pounds predicted last month as higher second-quarter slaughter weights boost production and more than offset a reduced second-half forecast that is lower to due to reduced imports of Canadian hogs. For 2010, pork production is lowered to 22.35 billion pounds from last month's prediction of 22.62 billion pounds. Higher feed prices and weaker forecast hog prices are expected to limit growth in animal weights and incentives to increase production.

The average price for barrows and gilts for 2009 are lowered to a range of $43 to $45 per hundredweight from a range of $45 to $46 predicted last month. For 2010, prices are lowered slightly to a range of $48 to $51 from a range of $48 to $52. These projections are based on weak demand.

Broilers

Broiler production for 2009 is reduced to 35.42 billion pounds from 35.49 billion pounds predicted in May, and also reduced for 2010 to 35.93 billion pounds from 36.08 billion pounds predicted last month due to expected higher feed prices.

The average price for broilers is raised for both 2009 and 2010 due to reduced production. For 2009, the price is raised to a range of 80 cents to 83 cents per pound from a range of 78 cents to 82 cents per pound. For 2010, the price is raised to a range of 80 cents to 87 cents per pound from a range of 78 cents to 85 cents per pound.

Beef

Meanwhile, beef production in 2009 is forecast lower to 26.46 billion pounds from last month's prediction of 26.53 billion pounds due to the slower pace of fed-cattle slaughter so far in the second quarter and lighter average carcass weights. For 2010, beef is unchanged at 25.99 billion pounds.

The average price for Choice steers is lowered in 2009 to a range of $84 to $87 per hundredweight from a range of $85 to $88 based on weak beef demand. The range of 2010 is unchanged at $87 to $94 per hundredweight.
 

 

Virginia nursery proud to supply boxwoods to White House

WASHINGTON—It was 1962, and then-first lady Jacqueline Kennedy wanted to spruce up the White House gardens. When plans were finalized, it was a family-owned nursery in Nelson County she turned to for boxwoods.

Saunders Brothers nursery has been supplying plants to the White House ever since.

"Vardar Valley is the boxwood used widely at the White House," said Paul Saunders, who started the boxwood business at his family’s nursery. The family began growing nursery plants and operating an orchard in 1915.

Saunders and his sons, Tom, Bennett, Jim and Robert, operate the wholesale nursery, which comprises nearly 350 greenhouses and ships more than 500 varieties of plants to garden centers throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The 150-acre apple and peach orchard provides fruit for wholesale and local retail markets.

"People are getting more interested in their homes, making their homes look pretty, putting lipstick on the landscape, if you want to call it that," Saunders said. "Our flagship plant has been boxwood, and it is still our best plant that we are probably best known for."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that the production value of domestic horticultural crops will increase by more than 3 percent annually over the next decade. In Virginia, greenhouse and nursery operations generated more than $248 million in cash receipts in 2007.

Tom Saunders, who handles his family nursery’s container production, said he expects consumers’ enthusiasm for gardening to broaden.

"I think more people will produce their own food products at home now, with the economy what it is," he said. "It is just more satisfying to a person to produce that crop themselves or to produce that flower starting from a young plant and finishing on out."

 

 

 

Custom-rate guide published for the Shenandoah Valley

Custom rates listed for making hay, plowing, planting and harvesting crops, shearing sheep, hauling livestock, spreading manure, applying fertilizer, building fence, and more.

click here for complete guide (pdf file) >>

 

 

 

Virginia Cooperative Extension helps aging farmers transition the family business

May 15 - With the U.S. Census of Agriculture pointing to an aging population operating Virginia's farms, the need for education and planning for the complicated issue of transitioning the farm from generation to generation could not be greater.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is continuing to offer Shenandoah Valley producers a comprehensive look at the farm transition process.

According to the census data released in February, the average age of a Virginia farm operator was 58.2 years in 2007, a jump from 56.7 years in 2002 and 55.8 years in 1997. The number of Virginia farm operators younger than 35 has also fallen to fewer than 2,000 for the first time. Gordon Groover, Extension farm management specialist, anticipates a major transition of farms, both big and small, in the next 15 to 20 years.

"We have fewer young farmers coming into the family business," said Groover, who is also an associate professor of agricultural and applied economics in Virginia Tech's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. "A good number might want to come back to farming, but the question is: Can they generate enough of a family income to sustain themselves in agriculture?"

Extension agents in the Shenandoah Valley have pioneered multisession workshops to help local farmers answer that question. These workshops deal with retirement, health care, estate planning, business structure, personal and family goals, and much more. Although many programs try to cover the breadth of these issues in only a few honors, the Shenandoah Valley program aims to give a comprehensive look at farm transition through multiple sessions.

Bill Whittle, senior agriculture and natural resources agent and unit coordinator in Page County, explained that open communication across generation lines is also a big issue.

"Farmers tend to be reserved about business matters, but during this process they need to communicate more than ever," Whittle said. "They have to be willing to talk as a family about their future goals for the farm."

Whittle encourages all participants to develop a farm transition plan that has flexibility in the event of unforeseen circumstances or changing goals. "At the end of the sessions, families have the tools to complete a transition management plan to guide them through the years," he explained. "This plan must be reasonably fluid because life changes."

To date, the Shenandoah Valley program has attracted 104 farm families accounting for more than 220 individuals. There are similar Extension-led programs in other parts of the state to help farm operators deal with this complicated issue.

 

 

Farm TV show now available globally

Virginia's Public Television, WVPT, recently announced that current and recent episodes of Virginia Farming are now available online 24 hours a day. Viewers may watch the program from anywhere in the world via computer. The award-winning program features rural and agricultural news from around Virginia and surrounding states. An archive of the four most recent episodes are available for viewing.

See the web site www.wvpt.net

 

 

 

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