Ag Facts Friday

Some thoughts to ponder this weekend…. Let’s be proactive about Pennsylvania Agriculture since it is the largest industry in the state. 

Pennsylvania has 63,000 farms with more than 7 million acres in farmland. The average size of a farm in Pennsylvania is 124 acres with the average age of the operator being 55 years of age. Pennsylvania ranks 4^th in the United States for milk and dairy products, layers, and nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture.  The state also ranks 5^th in cut Christmas trees and corn silage. 

Food and fiber industry encompasses three segments; the farmer, farm supply and processing and distribution. One in six jobs is related to agriculture. Every farmer has at least 10 businesses that are affected by their farm. Banks, insurance agencies, veterinarians, animal health stores, feed stores, agriculture builders and so many more are affected by the farm.

Pennsylvania is so fortunate to have ideal climate for agriculture, fertile soil, adequate rainfall, and dedicated farm families. Pennsylvania farmers also have unique marketing opportunities available to them. The southeastern region of Pennsylvania is only two to three hours driving distance from some of the largest cities in the Northeastern portion of the United States including Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Pittsburgh. Farmers have the opportunity to sell their commodities to the restaurants and businesses in these large cities. What an opportunity!

Mandatory Indentification of Sheep and Goats in Pennsylvania

Scrapie is a fatal disease of the central nervous system of sheep and goats. It is characterized by the formation of holes in the cells of the brain. Scrapie causes the loss of nervous system functions. Symptoms include weight loss, biting at legs or body, tremors, star gazing, uncoordinated hind leg movement, falling, stumbling, wool pulling, and death.

Since 2000, sixteen flocks have been in infected and seventy five flocks were exposed to scrapie in Pennsylvania. Each year, the presence of scrapie costs US producers between $20-$25 million dollars. Scrapie tags are necessary to trace scrapie positive animals back to their original flock to help prevent this fatal disease from spreading. Since January 1, 2009, scrapie identification of all sheep and goats is mandatory. It is now illegal to transport sheep and goats without official scrapie identification. This includes lambs born in Pennsylvania as well as imported animals.

People transporting sheep and goats without official scrapie identification may be subject to criminal and/or civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. You may obtain your FREE USDA issued ear tags and ear tag applicator by calling the United States Department of Agriculture- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 1-866-873-2824.