West Virginia’s agricultural community provides a significant boost to the state’s economy – nearly $1 billion. To help further enhance profitability and improve cattle production in the state, West Virginia University experts and partners are collaborating to offer education and outreach for West Virginia farmers.
According to the USDA 2022 Census of Agriculture, of the $947.7 million generated by West Virginia agriculture, more than $715 million comes from livestock, poultry and related products, including $20 million in revenue from dairy production. More than $232 million in total revenue is generated through crop production, including grains, fruits, horticulture and other crops.
WVU Extension and the WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources continue to work throughout the state to help crop and livestock production, as well as revenue generation for local farmers. Earlier this year, they partnered with Extension experts from Virginia Tech, University of Maryland and Iowa State to offer the Mid-Atlantic Dairy workshops covering a host of critical topics, including financial efficiency in dairy operations and feeding strategies that exceed maintenance requirements and comparative insights on milking systems, including low-cost parlors and robotic options.
These workshops, hosted at three sites in West Virginia – Reedsville, Parkersburg and Union, also provided opportunities for attendees to participate in sessions focused on broader strategic management to help dairy producers enhance profitability.
Nearly 80 participants, including farmers, agricultural leaders, students and others were able to gain knowledge and new strategies to improve their overall operations. Educational sessions included enhanced beef production and feeding practices, as well as financial efficiency to improve overall profitability.
Presenters from The Ohio State University also showcased technology that can be tools to improve operations, including robotic feed pushers, measurement of pH levels in cattle and applications that send direct information back to the producer.
“Our farmers, producers and agricultural businesses greatly contribute to West Virginia’s economy, to the tune of nearly a billion dollars,” Brian Wickline, WVU Extension agent, Monroe County. “WVU Davis College, WVU Extension and other partners are committed to providing expertise, knowledge and outreach to ensure that our agricultural community can thrive. These educational workshops not only provide an educational component for participants, it also is helping us build a broader strategy for these types of opportunities in the future and helping to enhance profitability for our agricultural community.”
Christopher Ashwell, director, WVU Davis College School of Agriculture and Food Systems, said part of that strategy will be to identify opportunities to support the state’s dairy industry.
“The Mid-Atlantic Dairy workshops provided valuable insights for us to explore, including opportunities to collaborate with strategic partners to offer more dairy-focused workshops regionally, as well address some of the barriers dairy farmers face, like transportation of their products,” Ashwell said. “By working with our peer institutions, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture and other partners, we are able to capitalize on unique perspectives and expertise.”
Ashwell also noted that feedback from participants will help drive future programming on topics such as robotic technologies, dairy-focused grazing practices and case studies that are beneficial to local producers and agribusiness owners. Additionally, part of the overall strategy will look at future opportunities to engage youth through 4-H and FFA programs to promote academic pathways in agriculture and dairy science.
One participant noted in survey feedback the importance of believing in our local farming operations, including those in the dairy industry. Experts from the Davis College, WVU Extension and others will continue to collaborate and identify strategic partnerships that provide farmers with education and resources that build a sustainable future for West Virginia’s agriculture industry.
WVU Extension regularly hosts educational opportunities throughout the state to provide farmers with tools, training and resources they need to be successful. Experts and specialists offer programs like the West Virginia Small Farms Conference, Beef expos, agritourism partnerships, food production safety training, pest and weed management, quality assurance training and certifications, at low- to no cost for producers and business owners. Through collaborations with Ohio State, Penn State, the University of Maryland and others, WVU Extension plans to continue to offer these regional workshops in the future.
“Farmers face a number of challenges, and our role is to work together to bring research, expertise and guidance to help them reduce barriers, improve their overall operations, enhance profitability and provide West Virginians with education and resources,” Wickline added. “There is value in programs and partnerships, and these programs are a positive step in bringing everyone to the table to strengthen our agricultural community.”
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CONTACT:
Tara Curtis
Director, Communications, Marketing and Technology
WVU Division for Land-Grant Engagement
WVU Extension | WVU Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | WVU Center for Community Engagement
304-293-7996; tara.curtis@mail.wvu.edu