Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee Chair Senator Elder Vogel, Jr. visited Old English Acres, home of champion Limousin beef cattle in Enon Valley, Lawrence County, to see how the farm's business investments would be more secure with the $5 million veterinary lab system expansion Governor Josh Shapiro proposed in his 2024-25 budget.
"Old English Acres owner Ed Clark has invested his life and livelihood in raising some of the finest, most valuable beef cattle available," Secretary Redding said. "Delivering a livestock test sample out of state or to State College to the closest veterinary lab in our state system can mean a costly delay and a risk to his investment. The Shapiro Administration has made it a top priority to invest in robust, thriving economy fed by a strong agriculture industry all across Pennsylvania. This investment would expand the services offered by our world class Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory System, lowering costs, and feeding the growth counties like Lawrence are seeing."
According to recently released U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Agriculture figuresOpens In A New Window, in the past five years Lawrence County has seen a 100% increase in the value of products grown and raised on its 585 farms, most of which are family-owned. Farm income has increased 120% and net cash income has increased 122%. At the same time, production costs have increased 94%, narrowing their profit margin. Business risks have also increased due to severe weather, market volatility, and labor shortages. Costs increase further when farmers must travel greater distances to obtain the services they need.
"Animal health and welfare is a top priority for our farmers as they take pride in the animals they raise and the products they provide to the public," said Sen. Vogel. "Many farmers here in western Pennsylvania, like Ed Clark and myself, have been burdened in needing to travel great distances to take test samples to veterinary labs because our region lacked a local state veterinary lab. Through the proposed $5 million investment, a new state veterinary animal diagnostic lab would be established and alleviate our regional farmers from costly travels and delayed testing results."
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Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, Livestock, Beef Cattle