West Virginia Department of Agriculture Gus R

Annual Report 2007 West Virginia Department of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass, Commissioner Table of Contents Executive Division............................................................1 Administrative Services Division .....................................4 Animal Health Division ....................................................7 Communications Division .............................................10 Information Technology Division ..................................12 Marketing & Development Division ..............................14 Meat & Poultry Inspection Division ..............................20 Plant Industries Division ...............................................22 Regulatory & Environmental Affairs Division ...............26 W. Va. Conservation Agency ...........................................32 W. Va. Agricultural Statistics Service .............................36 West Virginia Department of Agriculture ANNUAL REPORT GUS R. DOU G LASS , COMMISSIONE R WEST VI rg INIA DEPA R TMENT OF Agr I C ULTU R E 304-558-2201 www.wvagriculture.org Senior Staff Directory Gus Douglass Janet L. Fisher Steve Hannah Commissioner of Agriculture Deputy Commissioner Deputy Commissioner [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (304) 558-3200 Phone: (304) 558-3200 Phone: (304) 558-3200 Steve Miller Buddy Davidson Sandy Gillispie Dr. Joe Starcher, DVM Chris S. Kelley-Dye Executive Division Executive Division Administrative Services Animal Health Communications Executive Director Communications Officer Division Director Division Director Division Director Eastern Operations [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Phone: (304) 558-3708 Phone: (304) 558-2221 Phone: (304) 558-2214 Phone: (304) 558-3708 Phone: (304) 538-2397 Darius Walker Jean Smith Dr. Robert Pitts, DVM Gary W. Gibson Herma Johnson Information Technology Marketing & Meat & Poultry Plant Industries Regulatory and Division Director Development Inspection Acting Director Division Director Environmental Affairs [email protected] Division Director [email protected] [email protected] Division Director Phone: (304) 558-3200 [email protected] Phone: (304) 558-2206 Phone: (304) 558-2212 [email protected] Phone: (304) 558-2210 Phone: (304) 558-2208 EX E CUTIV E DIVISION The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is the state agency charged with protecting plant, animal and human health throughout the Mountain State. Every day, WVDA’s staff of 300 knowledgeable and dedicated employees carry out a wide variety of missions – often behind the scenes – to ensure a healthy and bounteous food supply for the citizens of West Virginia, and to promote the great food products made in this state. The Executive Division provides strategic, administrative and financial oversight of the WVDA’s eight Divisions, and directs emergency response activities related to public health and Homeland Security. oday our food supply faces more threats than ever. The in- nation operations. Within one week, the birds had been humanely Tcreased pace and volume of international trade means ani- killed and prepared for on-farm composting. mal diseases can circle the globe in a fraction of the time it took in As a result of ongoing emergency response training conduct- the past. And many of those diseases can be transmitted directly ed by the WVDA, the incident was rapidly detected and quickly to humans. Our plants face similar threats from invasive diseases contained. However, the incident revealed that the mechanisms and pests. At the same time, our farmers face increasing input for purchasing response materials – such as the 20 tractor-trailer costs, as well as competition from foreign markets that, in some loads of mulch needed to compost a million pounds of turkey car- circumstances, do not follow the same food safety and environ- casses – were too slow for a rapidly evolving situation. As a result, mental protection practices of U.S. producers. Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass requested that the Although the challenges are great, the opportunities for West West Virginia Legislature create a $1 million “Agricultural Rainy Virginia agriculture are great. We lead the nation in the percent- Day Fund” during the 2008 Session that could be drawn upon im- age of family-owned farms and have a growing agribusiness in- mediately during an agricultural emergency, and then later reim- dustry that is recognized worldwide for its high-quality products. bursed by appropriate sources. Traditional agricultural pursuits, such as beef cattle farming and Agricultural Diversity in West Virginia fruit and vegetable production, remain stable components of the Broilers – 360 million pounds produced, 16th in country, state’s economy. Pilgrim’s Pride leading employer in four counties. Huge In Fiscal Year 2007, West Virginia farmers faced a series of multiplier effect. severe issues that greatly affected their operations, including dis- Turkey – 93 million pounds, 14th in country. ease and natural disaster. Hay is state’s leading crop – 1 million tons produced. In early April, 2007 WVDA laboratories detected avian influ- Apples – 90 million pounds, 10th in country. enza in a flock of full-grown turkeys at a Pendleton County farm. Peaches – 10.5 million pounds, 16th in country. Within 24 hours of receiving confirmation from the National Vet- Bees and honey – unique, flavorful varieties of honey, West erinary Services Laboratory, an emergency response team was Virginia bees frequently used to pollinate crops in other on-site and commencing depopulation, disposal and decontami- states. Visit the WVDA website at www.wvagriculture.org 1 Weather conditions were a major factor for WVDA and the state’s Positive Developments in West Virginia Agriculture farmers during the past fiscal year. Drought conditions in late-2006 threatened the state’s growing beekeeping industry. Dry weather Number of farms up to 21,200 – Jan. 1, 2007. greatly reduced food source for bee colonies as winter approached. 75th Fairs and Festivals Convention – mid-January 2007. Notice by the WVDA, coupled with ongoing bee management edu- Capitol Market 10th Anniversary – late January 2007. cation, minimized losses, but a late-spring freeze again took a toll WVDA mobile laboratory ready for service – February 1, on natural nectar supplies in parts of the state. 2007. Honeybee deaths over the winter were about double the av- erage, but the apiary found no sign of Colony Collapse Disorder Record-setting FFA Ham, Bacon and Egg Show and Sale – March 12, 2007. (CCD) – the puzzling disappearance and presumable death of mil- lions of bees in about two dozen states. State beekeepers said all WVSU Biodiesel Project – mid-March 2007. the deaths they observed could be attributed to weather and food condition. spontaneous abortions and birth defects. Drought became a major issue again in late-Spring 2007. A near- Emerald ash borer (EAB), a highly destructive, non-native beetle absence of rainfall, particularly in the southwestern portion of the that attacks ash trees – for some time suspected to be in West Vir- state, parched livestock pastures, ruined hay crops and threatened ginia - was confirmed in Fayette County in late-2007. Larvae were water supplies. discovered in a “trap tree” that had been prepared to survey for the Governor Joe Manchin, III, announced a drought emergency in beetle, which has been found previously in sur- 42 West Virginia counties (later expanded rounding states. to include all counties), joining a growing Food security was a major issue for the list of southeast states affected by historic WVDA during the past fiscal year. Numerous drought. national recalls taxed the ability of field staff to Many counties in the western part of check that products had been removed from re- the state had only about an inch of rain in tailers’ shelves. Starting in September 2006 with May and June, rather than the normal 4-5 a recall of spinach, there were approximately a inches. The first cutting of hay was short half-dozen recalls that affected West Virginia 20-50 percent, while the second cutting consumers. was a total loss in many areas of the state. Some of the recalls revolved around unsafe Most hay grown in West Virginia is used as products imported to the U.S. with little inspec- winter feed for livestock, putting livestock tion oversight; others were the result of often un- producers in the undesirable position of explained contamination turning up in domestic buying winter feed or reducing herds. The produce. WVDA advised livestock farmers to try to Americans rightly expect a wholesome and maintain their base herds by culling less- unadulterated food supply and it is important desirable cattle and harvesting the bottom to point out that America has the safest, most 25 percent. Farmers were also urged to start A press conference was held in late June 2007 after a dry Spring and Summer which plentiful food supply in human history. However, looking ahead for fall feed sources. turned into a severe drought. Governor continued scrutiny at the state and federal levels The disaster declaration opened the door Manchin announced a drought emergency will be required to ensure continued consumer for federal aid for West Virginia’s farmers, in 42 counties (later expanded to include all confidence in the food supply. Although seem- but with the current Farm Bill delayed in counties) while farmers suffered extreme hay

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