by Jeff Ishee Livestock production makes up about 63% of all farm cash receipts in Virginia, with poultry, beef cattle, and dairy serving as the state’s largest animal‑ag sectors. HARRISONBURG, VA — Virginia agriculture officials marked a major upgrade to the state’s animal disease‑testing network in early September, breaking ground on expansion projects at three regional laboratories that support food safety, livestock producers, and public health. L-R: Hobey Bauhan, VA Poultry Federation;...

Source" American Farm Bureau Federation By Faith Parum, Ph.D. and Daniel Munch, Economists, American Farm Bureau Federation Key Takeaways USDA raised its 2026 net farm income forecast by $5 billion from February to $158.4 billion, and its estimate of 2025 income even more. As a result, net farm income is now expected to fall 2.6% in nominal terms and 5.5% after inflation in 2026. Image credit - Farm Bureau The expense outlook has deteriorated significantly. USDA raised its 2026 production...

Source: Penn State Author: Katie Bohn UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Different cover crops may affect how plants can defend themselves against pests — including attracting more insects that eat harmful caterpillars, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. The findings offer practical solutions for growers using techniques they’re already familiar with, according to the researchers. Image credit - Jeff Ishee The research, published in the journal...