West Virginia is looking for big trees!

Do you want to see some of the state’s biggest trees?  There is no better time than now, while the weather is nice and before the leaves start falling off this autumn.  To make your expedition to the largest trees in the state of West Virginia easier, the state department of forestry has made a list of big trees that grow on public areas.  You can find that list here.

Or, maybe you think you have a big tree that others need to check out. If so, you can even enter your own into the register here.  Just be ready to submit the measurements of the tree’s circumference, total height, crown spread, and the location with your nomination.  Then, someone from the department of forestry will come to verify the tree before it is submitted to the registry.

Forestry is a significant part of our agriculture industry and should be recognized by all.  What do you think – would you visit the big trees or do you have one to submit? Comment and let us know!

Just Released: West Virginia’s Crop Acreage Reports

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture has released acreage reports based on the results of their recently completed agriculture survey.  The results show that:

• Winter wheat – In 2011, 10,000 acres were planted and 6,000 acres were harvested. In 2012, 8,000 acres were planted and the projected harvest is 4,000 acres.
• Corn – In 2011, 48,000 acres were planted and 31,000 acres were harvested.  In 2012, an estimated 52,000 acres were planted and the projected harvest is 37,000 acres.
• Soybeans – The acreage planted and projected to harvest is the same for 2012 as in 2011 at 20,000 acres planted and 19,000 acres harvested.
• Hay – Overall, it is expected that farmer’s will harvest 645,000 acres in 2012, compared to 640,000 in 2011.

Are you a grower in West Virginia?  How do these acreage projections compare to your farm? Tell us!

Lions, Tigers and Bears…Oh, Go Wash Your Hands!

We can’t speak for everyone, but one of our favorite things to do at the local fairs is visit the petting zoo.  Yes, most of us have seen a cow or piglet before, but we get overly excited for the exotic pets like monkeys and giraffes.  And yes, you are correct, “we” as in grown adults here at Farm Credit, but don’t worry, our children like petting zoos, too.

If you are like us and swarm to the big, smelly tent, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly when you leave.  The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is issuing an urgent warning regarding hand washing after touching animals at petting zoos.

By touching animals, fences, or equipment it is possible to contract a dangerous form of E.coli or other infections.  Children are especially at risk because their immune systems are not fully developed.

Now, this isn’t to say that petting zoos are lurking grounds for E.coli (really anywhere could be…), but just a friendly reminder to practice responsible parenting by making sure you and your children wash your hands after touching animals at your local fairs and festivals this summer.

Frequently Asked Questions to a Lender

What's your rate? How much are closing costs? You got questions. We got answers! At Farm Credit, our loan officers meet with hundreds of customers a year who ask those exact questions. So, what's the answer to those questions you ask?

Q: What are your interest rates? A: It depends. This isn’t the answer most people want to hear, but it’s the most honest one. Before a loan officer can quote rates, they need to gather as much information as possible – amount of loan, loan type, desired terms, etc. There is a wide range of rate products that are available depending on your needs. It’s also important to remember that rates change daily (even several times a day for mortgages).

Q: How much are closing costs? A: It depends. Most closing cost fees are tied to the loan amount, and a purchase has more costs than a refinance. Some of the things that are included in the closing costs are: transfer tax, recording costs (we are exempt in MD), title work, initial escrow (to pay taxes and insurance), appraisal, daily interest (interest from settlement to the first payment) and origination fee.

Q: How much down payment is needed? A: It depends. There are many different products available that have a wide variety of down payment requirements. For farm loans, the general down payment is 20%. For residential mortgages, it can vary from 0% (depending on program qualifications) up to 20% (in order to avoid mortgage insurance). In general, the more down payment you have, the more likely for both approval and a great rate.

As you can see, the answer to many of these questions is often “it depends.” We look at every loan request as unique and individual. If you have other questions you'd like answered, leave a comment or email info@mafc.com. In the meantime, look for our next blog listing the 26 factors that go into quoting a rate.

West Virginia farmers seek transfer of deer farming to agriculture department

West Virginia farmers are optimistic about the prospects of a bill that will permit deer farming to join the industry, which is possible by transferring the industry from the Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Agriculture, according to WBOY.

Ham, turkey, chicken and beef are part of the farming industry thus venison from deer ought to be as well, according to president Steve Toth with the West Virginia Deer Farmers Association. He argues that Pennsylvania last year capitalized on deer meat to the tune of $15 million in revenue so West Virginia ought to be able to do so as well.

"We're controlled by the DNR right now and most other states are controlled by the Department of Agriculture and we consider our deer as livestock," Toth told the news source. "There is a difference between a domestic turkey and a wild turkey so why can't there be the same thing for a deer?"

The West Virginia Extension Service indicated deer farming last year contributed 66 jobs and $1.44 million in sales.

The ability to host a deer farm will serve additional purposes like allowing visitors such as children to pet and feed the deer.

West Virginia recognizes top agritourism outfits

The Agriculture Department of West Virginia recognized in-state agritourism firms for helping to shine a light on the state's attributes, according to a press release.

The state conducted a February 29 Agritourism Workshop in Morgantown, where it distributed annual prizes and awards that celebrate exceptional advertising, promotion and publicity of destinations and attractions offered by the state. Betty Carver, state tourism commissioner recognized winners who were in attendance at the workshop late last month.

"Agritourism has become an important niche in the tourism industry. West Virginia farms and rural communities are experiencing an increased interest in the products they produce and the lifestyle they showcase," said Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass.

The top award for the best brochure for an attraction of event went to Heritage Farm, which was followed by Smoke Hole Outfitters and then Brookedale Farm. The best rack card was awarded to Mountain State Art & Craft Fair, followed by WV Strawberry Festival and New River Trail Rides.

Cello/Bloomery Plantation Distillery got the nod for best website, followed by West Virginia Strawberry Festival and then Mountain State Art & Craft Fair.

West Virginia farm captures second place for corn production per acre

A farm in Northeast West Virginia captured second place in a countrywide contest for measuring the production of corn, according to a press release.

Miltenberger Farm in Keyser, the seat of Mineral County, achieved 279.6187 bushels of corn per acre in the non-irrigated category of the National Corn Yield Contest. Sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, the contest saw a Virginia field capture first place with 288.4817 bushels per acre.

"That is quite a yield and quite an honor for West Virginia and the Miltenbergers," commissioner of agriculture for West Virginia Gus R. Douglass said. "I can remember when you were considered a good grower when you could manage 50 bushels an acre. The yields farmers are getting these days are simply amazing and a credit to the advanced seeds and technology being used."

The MIltenbergers' farm grew Pioineer P1615HR seed while the Virginia farm, which is owned by Justice Family Farms of West Virginia, cultivated Pioneer P2023HR seed corn.

Partaking in the contest has driven yields by as many as 60 bushels per acre throughout the farm, according to Chris Miltenberger.

West Virginia sees meat-processing programs spread

Programs that prepare high school students for the workforce with meat processing skills are developing in West Virginia, according to a press release.

The state agriculture department said 35 schools statewide have programs in operation that qualify or push beyond requirements for meat-cutting businesses. Two counties - Pleasants and Marshal - are building new facilities. Doddridge County recently opened a new facility.

"The Department has been working for a number of years on getting schools to upgrade their facilities mainly to support the FFA ham and bacon auctions that occur throughout the state," commissioner Gus R. Douglass said. "But the student interest in this profession and the directions these programs are moving has exceeded my expectations. Perhaps the only problem we're seeing is that student demand is outgrowing some of the facilities."

Many schools also offer various levels of classes for meat sciences.

One responsibility for the West Virginia Department of Agriculture is inspecting the programs for sanitation issues and procedures of production while helping ensure products prepared at the facilities are labeled prior to being sold.

West Virginia senate to wrestle with who should oversee deer farming

The full senate of West Virginia is preparing to debate whether the state Department of Agriculture should oversee operations at deer farms, according to West Virginia Metro News.

The state senate finance committee earlier this week passed the bill, which proposes pulling the responsibility away from the Department of Natural Resources.

"The biggest thing we're trying to accomplish is the slaughter and sale of our animals for venison product on the open market," deer farm owner Jack Oliver in Marion County told the publication. "Last year alone I sold $12,000 worth of semen out of my bucks. We sell breeding stock. We sell antlers. We sell semen out of our animals, we sell urine out of our animals. There are endless amounts of ways to make money."

But the rules do not permit the sale of meat to restaurants as venison.

The Register Herald reports Frank Jezioro, director of the Department of Natural Resources, said earlier this month that the department he leads should oversee deer farms.

He said one of the biggest threats to the industry is disease, which would cause significant damage to the wild deer industry, which is valued at $250 million.

WV Agriculture Department opens search for seasonal employees

The Agriculture Department of the state of West Virginia has begun searching for seasonal employees for Summer 2012, according to a press release.

The Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey Program is seeking assistance with its season for pest surveying and the position is open from the middle of May through August 31. This position requires laboratory work with field work outside the office, which is at the Gus R. Douglass Agricultural Center in Guthrie.

The Cooperative Forest Health Protection Program is looking candidates who can perform insect and survey work while also fulfilling laboratory work from the middle of May through the end of August.

The department of agriculture also is seeking assistance with its Gypsy Moth trapping program, which runs from April through late August. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Gypsy Moth Slow the Spread Program is associated with West Virginia's effort, which will be based in counties in the state's central and southern regions.

The hourly payscale for the seasonal opportunities with the West Virginia Department of Agriculture range from $11 to $13.60. Some travel is required, for which employees will need their own vehicles. The department will reimburse travel expenses.

West Virginia set to host ag events

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is preparing for two agricultural and farming events in the coming weeks, according to a press release.

The Agritourism Workshop is scheduled for February 29 and the West Virginia University's Extension Service's Small Farms Conference is slated for March 1 through 3. Both events are slated to be at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown and require separate registrations.

"Agritourism is a growing niche market that can help farm owners add another income stream to their farm operations," said Gus R. Douglass, commissioner of agriculture. "Besides being an income opportunity, agritourism helps connect the public with the source of their food, which creates a greater awareness of the good work done by farmers everywhere."

The Agritourism Workshop features two speakers, Hugh McPherson of Maize Quest and Donna Alt of Brookdale Farms. McPherson has franchised Maize Quest to more than 70 farms in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada. Brookdale Farms features a corn maze, interaction with animals and a farm in operation.

Douglass and Tourism Commissioner Betty Carver are scheduled to present 2012 West Virginia Agritourism Awards after lunch at the Agritourism Workshop.

West Virginia to help farmers with nutrient management planning

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture recently announced that it would be offering nutrient management planning services to farmers in the state free of charge.

According to a release from the department, proper nutrient management plans will not only help farmers reduce the environmental impact of nutrient runoff but will help them maximize their profitability as well.

West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass said in a release that such planning is important and that it was the job of the government to help farmers put these plans in place.

"Nutrient management planning is a vital conservation practice because it provides the framework for many other conservation activities," he said. "I have always believed that farm conservation should be a cooperative venture with government and not an enforcement action by government."

According to West Virginia University's Extension Service, there are four necessary steps that all nutrient management plans must touch on. They are: proper manure storage, correct land application of manure, site management for each particular field and record keeping regarding land practices.

The WVDA says that nutrient management plans stop excess nutrients from making their way into waterways.

West Virginia aims to develop economy, jobs through agriculture

A north central West Virginia county is working with the state to develop the economy and boost the state's economy, according to the State Journal.

A study detailing how to generate enough common agriculture products to supply the state's demand is due for release early next year. The study is commissioned by the Food & Farm Coalition of the Community Development Hub.

"They are determining demand for individual products," program manager Savanna Lyons with the Food & Farm Coalition told the publication. "One of the exciting things is going to be estimates of job creation. If we expanded those sectors so we could meet the demand, how many jobs could be created? There is potential for the economy to grow if we focus on meeting food demand."

A cattle-farming initiative in Doddridge County is involved with the effort and the director of the county's economic development authority said he is impressed with the amount of cattle in the region.

Science is an important part of West Virginia's efforts to preserve human, animal and plant health, according to the Agriculture Department.