PennAg Industries Association

10/21/2020

The PennAg Poultry Council is moving forward with plans to host an in-person Meat and Egg Meeting on December 8th at Shady Maple Smorgasbord in East Earl. REGISTER NOW for a full day’s schedule including an update on the NFWF grant, a workshop on agribusiness succession planning, a presentation from One Wish Foundation PLUS the 21st Annual Big Buck Contest!

🥚 Cost >>> $25 per person includes meeting, sessions and the famous Shady Maple buffet.
🥚 Register >>> bit.ly/2020MeatEggRegistration
🥚 Print the flyer >>> bit.ly/2020MeatEggFlyer
🥚 Sponsorship opportunities available

10/20/2020

Registration is OPEN for the 2020 PennAg APC/Seed Winter Meeting. Taking place VIRTUALLY on Thursday, November 12th, various Zoom sessions will be offered throughout the day, including:

🌱 Dicamba relevance discussion with Kimberly O’Brien of Bayer Crop Science >>> PA Pesticide credits available!
🌱 2,4-D Task Force update
🌱 Tariffs and their effects on commodities
🌱 Regulatory updates from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and American Seed Trade Association
🌱 Annual business meetings of both the PennAg Agronomic Products and Seed Councils

To register for this FREE event and view the full agenda:
http://bit.ly/2020APC-SeedWinterMeeting

10/14/2020

Pennsylvania's pig farmers are giving one lucky winner an entire year's worth of FREE PORK! Be sure to click the picture or head over to their page, PA Pork, to give the post a like and take your best shot at stocking up. 🥓🥓🥓

👍 LIKE THIS POST to enter for a chance to 🥓 WIN A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF FREE PENNSYLVANIA PORK!

In honor of #NationalPorkMonth, Pennsylvania’s pig farmers are going whole hog and loading up one lucky winner with a year’s worth of nutritious and delicious Pennsylvania pork, FOR FREE! The winner will enjoy a variety of pork – from pork loin, ham and chops to bacon and sausage – totaling up to 80 pounds (delivered as one lump shipment or as 20 pounds per quarter), plus a pork cookbook and some pork swag to go with it.

👉 Be sure to SHARE this post with your friends – maybe they’ll return the favor (and flavor), if they win!

This sweepstakes is open to legal Pennsylvania residents over 18 years of age. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59PM EST on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Winner will be selected randomly from all eligible entries. This sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook or Instagram. For complete sweepstakes rules, visit: http://www.whypapork.com/sweepstakes.html

10/12/2020

Please note, our office is closed today - Monday, October 12th - in observance of Columbus Day.

10/12/2020

Today we tip our hats to those that work in acres, not hours, to deliver a safe and abundant food supply to our friends and neighbors across Pennsylvania. Thank you farmers! #nationalfarmersday #wearepennsylvaniaagriculture #keepingyoufedandfueled

10/08/2020

Yesterday, State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding previewed details about what the virtual 2021 Pennsylvania Farm Show will look like in January.

"While a virtual show will be very different from what we all know and love about the Pennsylvania Farm Show, we've been given an opportunity to think outside the box," said Redding. "We're looking forward to celebrating the industry that has kept us fed through a global pandemic and will continue to feed us tomorrow."

Some of the highlighted activities include:
🧈 the return of the butter sculpture
🐝 live bee and duckling cams
👩‍🍳 PA Preferred cooking demos
📖 evening bedtime stories for young, aspiring agriculturalists

For more details on the lineup of programs, check out the official release: bit.ly/2021VirtualPAFarmShow

10/07/2020

On behalf of our members, PennAg has signed onto a letter addressed to Vice President Pence thanking The White House Coronavirus Task Force for their continued work to combat coronavirus and promote the well being of our nation. The correspondence also requests help as the agriculture community works to promote the health and safety of our farm employees and rural communities.

The Task Force was asked to implement the following measures:

✔️ Allow the use of alternate housing structures, such as FEMA trailers or RV’s, to facilitate greater social distancing

✔️ Ensure COVID-19 testing resources are accessible to agricultural employers and employees and that test results are available promptly

✔️ Help farmers offset the costs of COVID-19 mitigation expenses, while maintaining existing farm programs, by increasing Commodity Credit Corporation funds.

✔️ Prioritize PPE and future vaccine distribution for the food and fiber supply chain

✔️ Leverage networks, in cooperation with states, counties, associations and community-based non-profits, to address the areas of community exposure risks to our workforce that are outside the occupational setting and ensure care is available and accessible to those who become ill, even in rural communities

Read the letter sent to the Task Force: bit.ly/WHTaskForceLetter

10/06/2020

Get to know local fish, fish farmers, and all about AQUACULTURE during the Great Lakes Aquaculture Day on October 10th.

The #GreatLakesSeaGrantNetwork is hosting this free virtual, interactive conference for new and active aquaculture farmers, educators and students, and anyone interested in aquaculture. A full day of speakers will be featured including Great Lakes fish farmers, aquaculture experts, Sea Grant extension educators, and top regional chefs.

Registration is FREE but required in advance: https://greatlakesseagrant.com/aquaculture/events

Get all the event details: bit.ly/GLAquacultureDay

10/05/2020

Attention Certified Crop Advisers:
2020 Keystone Crops and Soils Conference CANCELED

Still need CEU's? Check out the following online resources to meet your continuing education requirements:

✅ American Society of Agronomy now offers an Online Classroom Subscription service offering access to 200+ courses for one full year:
https://www.agronomy.org/education/classroom/subscribe

✅ Periodic live webinars are also offered by ASA for FREE with advance registration: https://www.certifiedcropadviser.org/education-ceus/online-courses

✅ Self-report up to 20 CEUs each cycle for meetings, trainings, plot tours, etc. that you've attended during the 2 year cycle that did not have sign in sheets or board approved credits. Just log into certifiedcropadviser.org and go to "My Account" > "Certifications" > "Self Report CEUs".

✅ Check out other free options:
www.agceuonline.com
https://ceu.cropprotectionnetwork.org/
www.mosaic-online-learning.com
www.conservationwebinars.net

Stay tuned for 2021 Keystone Crops & Soils Conference dates next Spring!

10/02/2020

“Farmers: your biosecurity and continuity of operations plans are the first line of defense,” stated Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Providing a sustainable, safe, and secure food supply for our commonwealth and beyond starts with you.”

Secretary Redding was joined yesterday by State Veterinarian Dr. Kevin Brightbill and various industry experts, including Chris Herr and Jennifer Reed-Harry, on-site with PennAg member Country View Family Farms, to stress the importance of written biosecurity and continuity of operations plans, and following them strictly, to the overall health and well being of both business operations and the nation's food security.

Read the full press release: bit.ly/BiosecurityImportance

Producers with questions about biosecurity planning are encouraged to contact Pennsylvania's Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence - administered by PennAg - at 717.651.5920.

10/02/2020

*️⃣ NOW HIRING *️⃣
Are you seeking an opportunity that expands your familiarity with Pennsylvania agriculture, offers networking with key industry leaders and provides hands-on experience that gives you an edge on your professional career? Apply today for PennAg's 2021 Summer Internship Program.

PennAg is currently accepting applications for our summer internship experience through October 22nd. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors are eligible and encouraged to apply for this paid, 12-week program based in our Harrisburg area office.

For all the details: http://bit.ly/2021PennAgInternship

📧 Know a student that may be interested? Tag them below in the comments!

09/30/2020

CME Group plans to launch Pork Cutout futures & options in November, providing the pork industry with new tools for managing price risk that reflect the price of hogs further down the supply chain. National Pork Producers Council President welcomes the new risk management tools, saying they will help “enhance market visibility.”

Read more: http://bit.ly/CMEPorkCutoutFuturesLaunchNov9

09/29/2020

🛑 EFFECTIVE TODAY! Revised hours of service (HOS) rules from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration go into effect to provide greater flexibility to drivers without risking safety.

Four specific HOS areas are changing:
1️⃣ Short-haul exception
2️⃣ Adverse driving conditions exception
3️⃣ 30-minute break requirement
4️⃣ Sleeper berth provision

Get all the facts: http://bit.ly/Sept2020HOSRulesFactSheets

09/28/2020

🌎 New Penn Vet Webinar Series Invites Farmers, Industry to Participate in Sustainable Agriculture Discussions

Join Penn Vet this fall for an immersive virtual series set to deliver practical, applicable insights from a cross-section of experts and thought leaders.

Working together with the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design, these grassroots conversations will explore the advantages, challenges and opportunities surrounding animal agriculture and food production systems within Pennsylvania, the surrounding region and across the United States.

The #FarmOfTheFuture Series is free to attend and open to the public.

🔎 Learn more and register: http://bit.ly/PennVetFarmoftheFutureSymposium

09/26/2020

Calling 🐮 All 🐑 Youth 🐷 Livestock 🐐 Exhibitors!

Good biosecurity keeps animals healthy - before, during and after the show. Penn State Extension Livestock Team and the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence are challenging kids across Pennsylvania to participate in the [BIOSECURITY CHALLENGE].

This educational challenge offers tips to be Biosecure W.I.S.E, and then put newly gained wisdom and skills into practice. Various lessons explain how diseases spread and how to reduce spread of infection before, during and after the show using clean/dirty lines, quarantines and working with animals.

Participate in all 🖐 topics to be entered to win a biosecurity themed prize. And ✌️ lucky participants will get the chance to win a pair of Twisted X Bombers®! The game will available to play through the end of October.

⤵️ Follow this link to get started, with your parents' approval: https://flipgrid.com/biosecuritychallenge

09/25/2020

🍁 If fall decorating is in the forecast for your weekend, here are some timely tips to prolong the life of your uncarved pumpkins:

🔸 GIVE PUMPKINS A BATH! Mix 3 teaspoons bleach to 3 gallons water and soak your uncarved pumpkin for 20 minutes to kill mold/bacteria. Wipe away extra water and allow to dry.

🔸 PROTECT YOUR PUMPKINS! Spray the surface with WD-40 and wipe away excess to help prevent freeze and repel water while keeping insects at bay. Or, use a damp rag to apply a light coat of acrylic floor wax for similar benefits.

🔸 KEEP PUMPKINS HYDRATED! Pumpkins dry out and shrivel as they lose water content. Simply submerge in a bathtub or bucket of water for a few hours, or overnight if possible, to revive. Be sure to wipe off excess water to further prevent molding.

Happy Fall Y'all!

09/24/2020

Through a new pilot training program, Penn Vet researchers are harnessing the powerful scent detection capabilities of dogs to locate elusive #spottedlanternfly egg masses.

Following a 4-5 month study, Penn Vet says canines are able to detect the insects' eggs. As the #BadBug enters the prime egg laying phase of its life cycle, early egg-mass detection through canine surveillance offers more effective control over the spread of the destructive pest in Pennsylvania.

With a successful training protocol set, Penn Vet’s experts are looking to the next group of trainees, which includes Lucky - the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's first Spotted Lanternfly scent detection dog, who will eventually join a team of skilled inspectors - to keep the bug from spreading.

Read more: http://bit.ly/PennVetDogSLFDetection

In the meantime, learn if your county falls into the SLF quarantine zone and be sure to squash these bad bugs anytime you see them: http://bit.ly/PA_SLF_QuarantineMap

09/23/2020

📣 ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - Interested in a Career in the PA Dairy Industry?

You're invited to join the Dairy Excellence Foundation for a 🆓 virtual farm tour on Friday, October 9th. Designed specifically for high school students, the tour will take participants to two dairy farms in Somerset County and explore the wide range of careers available in the dairy industry—from engineering and food science to veterinary care, dairy genetics, and accounting. The first segment kicks off at 8:30AM on Oct. 9th. Students will also have the chance to submit questions and chat live with speakers and farmers.

➡️ Sign up today and receive event notifications: https://bit.ly/3bLM5Z2

➡️ Learn more about this event, sponsored by Hydrite Chemical Co. and Zoetis: www.dairyleadersoftomorrow.com/farm-tour

➡️ Check out a printable flyer: http://bit.ly/DairyLeadersofTomorrowFarmTour

09/22/2020

🍂 #goodbyesummer, #hellofall on this first day of autumn!

09/22/2020

🆓 U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS Announces Availability of No-Cost RFID Ear Tags for Use in Young Replacement Breeding Cattle

USDA APHIS has awarded contracts for the production of up to 8 million low-frequency RFID tags to Allflex Livestock Intelligence North America, Datamars Livestock North America and Y-Tex. Of these 8 million RFID tags, roughly 2.1% have been allocated to Pennsylvania.

These tags are specified for use in replacement breeding cattle and are available at no cost to producers and food animal veterinarians. Quantity eligibility will be calculated using USDA's estimates for annual herd replacement rate with dairy at 30% and beef herds at 15%; tags will be dispensed in minimums of 100.

RFID tags will be available throughPennsylvania Department of Agriculturelture.

🟢 Submit your ear tag request: http://www.pda.pa.gov/PremisesRegistration/RfID

❗️A federal premises ID number is required to receive official tags. To obtain a premises ID, or if you do not know your number, go online to: http://www.pda.pa.gov/PremisesRegistration/

Get full program details: http://bit.ly/FreeRFIDTagsDetails

❓ Questions about ordering RFID tags and/or premises ID numbers -
Contact Allie Steck at 717-836-3235 or [email protected]

09/21/2020

🌱 PA4R Alliance (PA4R Nutrient Stewardship) Set to Host Fall Nutrient Management Webinar Series

The webinar series, scheduled for the following Wednesdays: September 30, October 7 and October 14, will offer topics related to applying the Right Nutrient Sources at the Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place. Geared toward conservation as well as industry professionals, insights about how to incorporate these topics into conversations with the farmers you serve will be offered. Act 38 Nutrient Management & Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) CEC’s will be awarded. Program includes:

1️⃣ Wednesday, September 30 from 11 AM-12 PM
- Low Disturbance Injection - Harnessing the Power of your Manure - Eric Rosenbaum, PA4R Executive Director & Rosetree Consulting
Low Disturbance Injection (LDI) of liquid manures has been increasing in popularity in southeastern PA over the past few years. The farmer-driven practice places manure at the Right Place to significantly reduce nitrogen loss from volatilization and surface runoff, leading to a direct reduction in commercial fertilizer applications. LDI also reduces phosphorus index scores by 20-30%, reduces odor, and can reduce the time between application and planting.

2️⃣ Wednesday, October 7 from 11 AM -12 PM
- Managing Nitrogen with Cover Crops
- Dr. Charlie White, Penn State Extension
This presentation will discuss how different species of cover crops and cover crop mixtures affect nitrogen cycling processes, such as wintertime nitrate leaching and nitrogen mineralization during the following growing season. The presentation will also introduce new tools and methods that are being tested to adjust nitrogen fertilizer rates for corn grown after a cover crop given site specific cover crop and soil measurements.

3️⃣ Wednesday, October 14 from 11 AM -12 PM
- Up Your Fertilizer Game -Advancing Fertilizer Management w/4Rs - Eric Rosenbaum, PA4R Executive Director & Rosetree Consulting
Nationwide, fertilizer use efficiency is around 50%. This means 50% of the applied fertilizers are not reaching their intended target! Positioning the Right fertilizer Source at the Right Place and at the Right Time for maximum uptake can be a challenge for the farms we work with. Enhanced Efficiency fertilizer products are a useful 4R tool that our farmers can use, in conjunction with other fertilizer BMPs, to increase plant uptake of fertilizer resources and reduce losses to the environment.

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR EACH OF THE THREE SESSIONS!
📌 Click to register: https://pa4ralliance45.wildapricot.org/events
❓ Contact Katie Turner at [email protected] with questions