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Source: West Virginia Department of Agriculture Charleston, WV / January 14, 2026 - The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Greenbrier County. This is only the fourth detection of HPAI in domestic birds in West Virginia since the global outbreak began in early 2022. The diagnosis was confirmed following a field investigation, sample collection, and testing at WVDA’s Anima

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released their annual report on crop production in mid-Janaury. That report indicated that ten states set new all‑time record corn yields in 2025. These records were driven by unusually favorable summer weather and a strong kernel set across much of the Corn Belt. As farmers might say, "Right weather at the right time." Soybean yield also set a new record at 53 bpa. States setting a new all-time high for corn yield include: Georgia Indiana L

Source: American Farm Bureau Federation For specialty crop farmers, 2025 has offered little relief from mounting financial pressures. Markets that once delivered stable margins are now marked by volatility, while production expenses continue to rise faster than prices. Trade uncertainty further threatens already-thin farm-gate revenues. Despite generating more than $75 billion in annual farm-gate value – over one-third of all U.S. crop sales – specialty crop producers operate

Source: USDA news release Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. published a joint opinion piece in Fox News highlighting the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030, which call for Americans to eat real foods, including more protein, dairy, and vegetables, and reduce highly processed foods. Unprocessed, farm-fresh foods offer numerous nutritional benefits. Image credit - Je

by Jeff Ishee January 8, 2026 - Farmers in the Commonwealth of Virginia have seen a dry winter so far - very dry in some areas. As of January 6, 2026, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that 42.29% of Virginia was in severe drought, while 29.48% was in moderate drought. This represents a significant increase in drought conditions since the previous week of December 30. The report that week indicated that only 16% of Virginia was in severe drought. One week comparison in Virgi

Source: N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services RALEIGH, NC – A backyard flock in Franklin County, North Carolina has tested positive for High Path Avian Influenza (HPAI). The positive sample was identified by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Diagnostic Lab in Raleigh. Avian influenza (AI), often called bird flu, is a viral infection that affects domestic poultry—especially chickens, turkeys, and gamebirds. It is carried natura

Source: USDA Washington, DC -- From 2017 to March 2020, 79 percent of U.S. adults aged 18 and older reported they regularly used the Nutrition Facts label when deciding to buy a packaged food product, according to the nationally representative Flexible Consumer Behavior Survey (FCBS) module of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Regular use is defined as using the label "sometimes," "most of the time," or "always" in food purchasing decisions. Cons

by Jeff Ishee January 3, 2026 - The most recent forecast (December 31) from the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center indicates several states along the East Coast may see drought conditions develop or persist between now and the end of March. Regions that may see a winter drought develop include the Tidewater area of Virginia, a portion of central Florida, eastern North Carolina, and much of eastern and central South Carolina. Regions that may see drought condit

Source: Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund FRANKFORT, KY - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board approved $583,688 for agricultural diversification and rural development projects across the Commonwealth Friday at its monthly board meeting. Special projects approved include regenerative egg production. Victoria and Patrick Samuels started Sunnyside Egg Company after leaving the military and purchasing a small, nine-acre farm in Western Kentucky. They began the oper

Source: VA Farm Bureau BRIDGEWATER, VA — The Virginia State Dairymen’s Association has received a $115,000 grant to expand the use of bulk milk dispensers in school cafeterias across the commonwealth. The grant was made possible by the Van der Lely Foundation, an independent initiative contributing to a better world through entrepreneurship and innovation. Switching to milk dispensers eliminates cartons, which lowers packaging waste. Image credit - VA Farm Bureau This investm