April 26, 2011 - (Source: Dairy Herd Network - www.dairyherd.com) The use of antibiotics and analgesics (pain medication) in the dairy industry is coming under increased scrutiny by regulators. Although other commodities have primarily been have been targeted in the past, a 2008 USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service study on meat residues found that dairy market (cull) cows and bob veal calves were responsible for a majority of the problems detected at slaughter. This has resulted in various groups wondering aloud if it would not be easier just to exclude the bob veal and market dairy cow from the food chain! If the dairy industry wants to continue to have the opportunity to sell animals for beef, members of the meat industry and regulatory officials will expect (and perhaps soon demand!) that dairy producers reduce the number of animals with residues, blemishes, and defects entering slaughter plants. READ MORE...

____________________________________________________________________________________

April 13, 2011 – On April 13, 2011, the Senate Agriculture & Rural Affairs Committee, chaired by Senator Elder Vogel, Jr., unanimously recommended Senate confirmation of George Greig as Secretary of Agriculture.

The Crawford County dairy farmer brings a depth of experience and knowledge to the position of Agriculture Secretary.  In addition to running a successful dairy farm, Acting Secretary Greig has served as township supervisor in Conneaut Township and the USDA Farm Service Agency PA State Committee. Mr. Greig has held many positions at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, most recently serving as State Board Director for the past six years.

“Agriculture directly impacts the everyday lives of all Pennsylvanians. Because agriculture is so important to the economy and welfare of the Commonwealth, it is important that the Secretary understands the vital role that agriculture plays in Pennsylvania,” Vogel said. “I feel confident that Acting Secretary Greig’s experience in both the public and private sector will help him carry out the Department’s mission,” Vogel added.

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is responsible for promoting agriculture and related industries throughout the state as well as playing an integral role in consumer protecting.

_________________________________________________________________________

April 13, 2011 – State Senator Judy Schwank will serve as Democratic Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Democratic Leaders announced today. Schwank, who was sworn in last week to complete the term of the late Senator Michael O'Pake, said the committee is an opportunity to continue to boost Pennsylvania's largest industry.

"I am pleased to chair this very important committee," Schwank said. "Agriculture is so very critical to Pennsylvania's economy with approximately $6.1 billion in annual revenue. I will continue to foster initiatives that invest in agriculture and boost economic development and stability in Pennsylvania's rural communitites."

Senator Schwank has a long history of agriculture experience. She received her B.S. and M.Ed. in agricultural education from Penn State University. Schwank then worked as a Berks County horticultural agent with the Penn State Cooperative Extension for 19 years, during which time she established the Master Gardener Program. In 1991, she became the first female director of the Berks County Cooperative Extension Program, a position she held until 1999. In January 2010, she was appointed Dean of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Delaware Valley College.

Schwank will also serve on the Senate Aging & Youth, Public Health & Welfare, Local Government and Intergovernmental Affairs committees.