5 stories farmers read this week: Dec. 19

Here are the top 5 stories farmers read this week:

1. Ohio lifts ban on poultry shows and auctions

The Ohio Department of Agriculture lifted its ban on poultry shows, gatherings and auctions, effective Dec. 17. The ban, put in place earlier this year because of the avian influenza outbreak, was initially intended to run until April 2016.

Now that the ban has been lifted, 4-H and FFA members to register for next year’s poultry projects.

2. Farm and Dairy wins news awards

Farm and Dairy Editor Susan Crowell, Reporter Chris Kick, Digital Systems Manager Jordan Roberts and Online Content Producer Katie Woods received several awards from the National Newspaper Association and the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists.

Kick took first and third place awards, and Crowell took two second place awards. The newspaper received a second place award from the NNA for the “Our Farm Roots” series, which featured various bicentennial farms across Ohio and Pennsylvania.

3. Pork Board CEO Chris Hodges leaving after less than a year

Chris Hodges, CEO of the National Pork Board, will leave his position effective Dec. 31. He began serving in the office Feb. 16, 2015.

The pork board did not comment further.

4. Pennsylvania lawmakers want state milk premium shown to producers

The Pennsylvania House passed a bill Dec. 7 that would require more transparency in how premiums for milk sold in the state are reported.

Currently, Pennsylvania dairy producers are given an “over-order premium,” which is a state-based incentive for milk produced and sold in the state. This gives producers an additional $1.85 per hundred pounds of milk. However, it isn’t clear how much the producers are actually receiving because cooperatives aren’t held to the same standards as milk producers, so some of the milk may actually be sold out of state.

5. Get an early start on the spring garden

It’s never too early to think about spring, right? Online columnist Ivory Harlow suggests planning your spring garden now.

Cool weather crops like broccoli, cauliflower and leafy greens can be planted while the weather is still cool in early spring. Starting seeds indoors for transplanting later is another way to get the garden going sooner. Finally, she explains succession planting and gives a resource for helping your plan your planting dates.