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>> THE VIRGINIA HORSE INDUSTRY BOARD, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION, AND THE VIRGINIA CHRISTMAS TREE
GROWERS ASSOCIATION ARE PROUD SPONSORS OF "VIRGINIA FARMING."
>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU.
LARGE OR SMALL, VIRGINIA FARMERS WORK YEAR-ROUND TO HELP
PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE. FARM BUREAU WORKS YEAR-ROUND TO
HELP FARMERS AND ALL VIRGINIANS. FARMING, IT'S ALL GOOD.
TO LEARN MORE, GO TO VAFARMBUREAU.ORG.
POLARIS, LED BY THE RUGGED, ATV POWERFUL SPORT --
WANT. >> BROUGHT TO YOU BY FARM
FAMILY. LIFE, ALSO, BUSINESS, FAR.
FARMER-SON OF A BUSINESS OWNER, INSURANCE AGENT.
ANOTHER PERSONAL STORY ON THE WEBSITE.
FROM -- FARM FAMILY, THE PEOPLE YOU KNOW.
>> HELLO. WELCOME TO "VIRGINIA FARMING."
I AM AMY ROSCHER. >> WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT ABOUT
ALPACAS TODAY. THEN WE WILL TALK ABOUT
PREVENTING ICE AND SNOW DAMAGE IN THE GARDEN.
AG CALENDAR WE WILL HAVE AND MINUTE IN FIELD VIDEO.
ALL THIS ON THIS EDITION OF "VIRGINIA FARMING."
¶
>> THE USDA CHIEF ECONOMIST SAYS U.S. CROP PRODUCTION SHOULD
INCREASE IN 2013 AND THAT COULD LEAD TO LOWER PRICES FOR
FARMERS. BOB ELLISON OF THE USDA HAS
MORE. >> THE CHIEF ECONOMIST OF THE
ANNUAL AGRICULTURAL OUTLOOK FORUM HELD NEAR WASHINGTON,
D.C., THAT RECORD PRODUCTION FOR SOME CROPS IS A POSSIBILITY THIS
YEAR. >> WE'RE EXPECTING RECORD CROPS
FOR CORN AND SOYBEANS THIS YEAR, A DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENT
PARTICULARLY FOR CORN. LAST YEAR, BETWEEN MAY
PROJECTIONS THAT WAY -- AND WHAT WE ENDED UP WITH, WE LOST FOUR
BILLION BUSHELS. WE ARE EXPECTING TO REBOUND ON
THAT, UP ABOUT THAT AMOUNT THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE SEEN THE EASTERN CORN BELT LOOK A LOT BETTER THAN WE
SAW FOUR OR FIVE MONTHS AGO. AS A% OF TOTAL AREA IN DROUGHT,
WE HAVE SEEN SOME IMPROVEMENT, 5% TO 10% IMPROVEMENT.
>> HE SAYS WITH RECORD PRODUCTION, THERE COULD BE A
SIGNIFICANT FALL IN MANY COMMODITY PRICES.
>> WE ARE PROJECTING SEASON AVERAGE PRICE IS BELOW $5.
THIS IS A DROP FROM WHERE WE ARE.
WHEAT PRICES WILL COME DOWN A BIT AS WELL.
SOYBEANS DOWN. SOME IMPROVEMENT FOR RICE AND
COTTON, LARGELY DUE TO DOMESTIC BALANCE SHEETS THAT SHOULD
TIGHTEN UP. >> HE BROUGHT UP THE LINGERING
DROUGHT. HIS OFFICE WILL BE WATCHING
CAREFULLY FOR ITS EFFECT ON YIELDS.
>> HOWEVER, EMPIRICAL DATA SUGGESTS A RETURN TO MORE NORMAL
YIELDS AS WE MOVE INTO SPRING. WITH BETTER RAIN AND THE RETURN
OF NORMAL WEATHER, WE WILL HOPEFULLY GET HIGH YIELDS.
>> IN WASHINGTON, D.C., FOR THE USDA, I AM BOB ELLISON.
>> THANK YOU. KUMBAYA THE LOOKS OF THE DROP
MONITOR, IF CROP PRODUCTION GOES UP THIS YEAR, A LOT OF IT WILL
HAVE TO BE IN THE EASTERN REGION OF THE U.S.
THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER SHOWS A DROUGHT PERSISTED SEE
THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE U.S. AND WESTERN REGIONS WITH SOME OF
PERMIT AROUND THE GREAT LAKES MOVING INTERNET BREAST APPEARED
AS FOR VIRGINIA, WE'RE LOOKING PRETTY GOOD.
THE ABNORMALLY DRY AREA SHOWN HERE WITH DATA COLLECTED ON
MARCH 5, AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT A LARGE ABOUT THE
PRESENTATION WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK WILL CHANGE A BACK TO
NORMAL IN THE NEXT DROUGHT REPORT.
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SERVICE SENT OUT A SURVEY TO TENS OF
THOUSANDS OF COURSE ABOUT THE 2013 PLANTING INTENTIONS.
THE RESULTS WILL HELP ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR DETERMINE WHAT TO EXPECT THIS GROWING
SEASON AFTER A DRAMA HAMPERED THE 2012 SEASON.
THERE WILL ALSO SURVEY THOUSANDS OF PORK PRODUCERS ABOUT THEIR
HOG AND PIG INVENTORIES. AS WITH ALL OF THEIR SERVICE,
THEY KEEP ALL INDIVIDUAL RESPONSES CONFIDENTIAL.
THE PUBLISHED REPORTS WILL INCLUDE ONLY NATIONAL AND STATE
AGGREGATE DATA, ENSURING THAT NO INDIVIDUAL OPERATIONS CAN BE
IDENTIFIED. IT SEEMS THAT THE ENVIRONMENT
PROTECTION AGENCY DID NOT KEEP SOME OF ITS FARM DATA
CONFIDENTIAL. THE NATIONAL PORK PRODUCERS
COUNCIL IS TROUBLED BY THE FEBRUARY RELEASE FROM THE EPA TO
SEVERAL ACTIVIST GROUPS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ON U.S. HOG
FARMERS AND OTHER LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY FARMERS AND POSSIBLY
BUSINESS CONFIDENTIAL DATA ON THEIR FARM.
THE NATIONAL PORL PRODUCER COUNCIL IS REVIEWING THE FILES
THE EPA RELEASED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE AND CONTENT
OF THE DATA. SAID WHAT IS IRONIC
IS THAT IN THE NAME OF TRANSPARENCY, THE EPA RELEASED
INFORMATION IN ITS SECRET IN VIOLATED THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF
FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WELL, SHARING INFORMATION IN THE
CATTLE BUSINESS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT OR MORE
REWARDINGC. INDY REPORTS ON WHAT INFORMATION
EACH SEGMENT OF THE BEEF BUSINESS WANTS PASSED ALONG TO
THEM. >> EVERYONE LOVES A GOOD STORY,
ESPECIALLY IF IT IS WON WITH A HAPPY ENDING.
>> ALL SECTORS OF THE INDUSTRY, A FEEDER CATTLE OR BEEF, THEY
WANT MORE INFORMATION IS ATTACHED TO THE PRODUCT THAT
WILL ALLOW THEM TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS REGARDING THEIR
PURCHASES. >> THE KIND OF STORY BUYERS
WANT DEPENDS ON THE MARKET SECTOR.
AND IT GROWS AS A PRODUCT MOVES FROM A FARM TO FORT.
>> FEEDERS WANT TO KNOW, WHAT WAS THE HEALTH MANAGEMENT
BACKGROUND OF THESE COWS? BUT RETAILERS WANT TO KNOW, OK,
WHERE WERE THEY PRODUCED? WERE THEY PRODUCED WITH GOOD
ANIMAL WELL-BEING? SO THEY WANT INFORMATION
ATTACHED TO THEM, AND YOU CAN SEE THAT AS YOU MOVE ALONG THE
PRODUCTION CHAIN, THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT NEEDS TO BE
ATTACHED TO THEM INCREASES. >> THIS CATTLE FEEDER EXPECTS
CATTLE TO ARRIVE AT HIS YARD WITH THE DOCUMENTATION HE CAN
PASS ON TO THE NEXT BUYER. >> AND OUR GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN
TO GET AS CLOSE TO THE END USER AS POSSIBLE WITH A PRODUCT THAT
IS EITHER GRANTED OR CERTAINLY WHERE THEY KNOW WHERE THEIR
MEETING IS COMING FROM -- OR IS BRANDED.
TRAIL ON THEPAPER SOURCE, AGE, AND VACCINATIONS,
THAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE CONSUMER.
IF IT IS IMPORTANT TO THE CONSUMER, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR
US. >> FOR CATTLEMEN, THE REWARD
COMES FROM SUPPLYING THE DETAILS, SO BUYERS WILL PAY AN
INFORMATION PREMIUM. HE SAYS THE NEXT CHAPTER SHOULD
INCLUDE MORE THAN THE BASICS. >> YOU START ADDING TO THAT
THINGS LIKE HOW THE CATTLE WERE TREATED, WHEN THEY RETREATED,
AND IF THEY MET WITH DRAWL TIMES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS,
THAT WILL CONTINUE TO ADD VOLUME.
THOSE ANSWERS THAT CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SYSTEMS TO ALLOW
THEM TO HAVE THAT KIND OF INFORMATION TO THE IDENTITY OF
THEIR CATTLE WILL REAP THE BENEFIT OF THEM BEING ABLE TO
TELL THE STORY OF THEIR BEEF. >> THAT THIS A TALE RANGES,
FEEDLOT MANAGERS, PACKERS, AND CONSUMERS ALL ENJOY.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A STORY ABOUT ALPACAS.
THE NUMBER OF ALPACAS IN VIRGINIA IS GROWING.
WE WILL VISIT AUGUSTA ALPACAS TO LEARN MORE.
THAT IS STRAIGHT AHEAD ON AG INSIGHTS.
ALPACA FARMING IS A GROWING TREND OF VIRGINIA, AND WE'RE
HERE TO FIND OUT WHY. I ENJOYED BY PADDY WITH AGUSTA
ALPACAS. WELCOME TO VIRGINIA FARMING.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR
ALPACA FARM. WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO START
AND ALPACA FAR? >> WELL, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF
LAND, NOT MUCH. SO WE STARTED RESEARCHING WHAT
WE COULD DO THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, HELP US THE MOST.
AND WITH SMALLER KIDS, THEY LOVE ANIMALS.
ONCE WE STARTED RESEARCHING, IT WAS SOMETHING WE FELT WE COULD
HAVE AN INCOME WITH AND SOME TAX ADVANTAGES AND NOT HAVE
SOMETHING WE WOULD HAVE TO SLAUGHTER AS AN END PRODUCT.
WE HAVE 15 RIGHT NOW. >> DID YOU START WITH A SMALLER
NUMBER? >> YES, WE STARTED WITH THREE
BRED FEMALES AND TWO MALES. THE NEXT YEAR, THEY HAD MORE AND
WE ADDED ON. WE HAVE SOLD SOME, BUT WE WANTED
TO KEEP SOME AND SELL SOME. >> THE FIBERS THAT YOU DID, IS
THAT THE MAIN INCOME? >> THERE IS MORE INCOME FROM
SELLING THE ANIMALS TO OTHER BREEDERS ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO
EXPAND THE HERDS OR GET IT -- A DIFFERENT GENETICS.
BUT FIBER IS DEFINITELY THE FUTURE OF THE ALPACA INDUSTRY.
>> ON THE MONEY END, CAN YOU MAKE ENOUGH MONEY WITH THE
FIBER TO PAY FOR KEEPING THE ANIMALS?
>> YOU CAN ALMOST. IF YOU DO IT AGGRESSIVELY, YOU
ALMOST CAN. WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT.
WE'RE TRYING TO GET INVENTORY. BUT I HAVE KNOWN FORMS THAT DO
THAT, AND THAT PRETTY MUCH TAKES CARE OF THE EXPENSES FOR THE
YEAR. THEN THERE ANIMAL CELLS AT ON
TOP OF THAT. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF VIEWERS
LOOKING TO START AND ALPACA FARM.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THEM? >> DEFINITELY DO YOUR RESEARCH.
IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SITUATION. THEY DEFINITELY HAVE ADVANTAGES,
THE SAME ADVANTAGES FOR US. YOU DO NOT NEED A LOT OF LAND.
YOU CAN HAVE, DEPENDING ON THE PAST YEAR, SIX TO 10 ALPACAS PER
ACRE. AND THEY DO NOT -- THEY EAT LESS
THAN MY DOGS DO. SO THEIR CARE IS VERY EASY.
IT IS EASY FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT HAD LIVESTOCK BEFORE.
BUT THE STATE OF VIRGINIA STILL CONSIDERS THEM AS A LIVESTOCK,
SO YOU GET TAX ADVANTAGES AS FAR AS EXPENSES.
BUT YOU DEFINITELY HAVE TO RESEARCH AND SEE IF IT IS A FIT
FOR YOU. IF YOU WANT AND THAT IS REALLY
EASY TO HANDLE, DID YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SLAUGHTER, IT WAS JUST A
REALLY GOOD FIT FOR US. EVEN THEN, THE TAX ADVANTAGES,
YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT.
YOU NEED TO RESEARCH THAT WITH A TAX PERSON.
>> GOING BACK TO WHAT THEY EAT, WHAT DID THEY EAT AND HOW MUCH
DO THEY EAT? >> RIGHT, THEY EAT DAILY
PROBABLY ABOUT 1% TO 2% OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT.
ADULTS WEIGH 150. UNDER THAT.
SO WE CAN FEED AND ALPACA FOR A ROUND, YOU KNOW, LIKE, $13 A
MONTH PROBABLY. THAT IS LIKE ORCHARD GRASS HAY.
FREE CHOICE MINERALS. THERE IS A PELLET THAT WE GIVE
THEM. 14% PROTEIN.
DURING THE SUMMER, SOME PEOPLE, IF THEY TEST THEIR PASTURE AND
THEIR HAY, THEY MIGHT NOT GIVE THE PALATES.
THEY'RE GETTING THE NUTRIENTS THEY NEED.
THERE'S A SMALL, IT IS EASIER FOR US.
I FEED THEM LESS IN THE SUMMER, BUT THAT WAY AND THEY'RE GETTING
WHAT THEY NEED. >> GENERAL INFORMATION.
GESTATION TIMES, WHEN YOU BREATHE.
WHAT IS THEIR LIFE SPAN? -- WHEN NEW BREED.
>> WE LIKE TO SPRING BREED. ABOUT 340 DAYS, A LOT LIKE A
HORSE, ABOUT 11 1/2 MONTHS. A LOT OF PEOPLE BREED A FEMALE.
YOU'LL PAY MORE, BUT YOU'RE GETTING A HEAD START THAT WAY.
SOME PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO KEEP A LOT OF MALES, BUT IF YOU WANT
TO MAKE A NAME TO HAVE ANIMALS TO SELL, YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO
THE SHOW CIRCUIT, WHICH WE HAVE NEVER DONE.
WE VIEW THAT GOING IN WITH OUR KIDS AND ACTIVITIES, BUT BOTH
WORKING FULL-TIME, THIS WAS SOMETHING EXTRA.
BUT YOU GET MORE INTO YOUR HIGH DOLLAR ANIMALS AND PEOPLE ARE
LOOKING FOR CERTAIN GENETICS. BUT JUST RESEARCH.
NOW IS REALLY A GOOD TIME TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY.
JUST WITH THE ECONOMY, WITH EVERYTHING, IT IT IS A GOOD TIME
FOR FARMS THAT ALREADY HAVE ALPACAS TO GET DIFFERENT
GENETICS AND MAKE THEIR HOOD BETTER.
OR IT IS A GOOD TIME TO START BECAUSE PRICES ARE GOING DOWN.
I DO NOT SEE THEM GOING DOWN A WHOLE LOT MORE.
I SEE THEM, ONCE EVERYTHING SETTLES OUT INTO THE ECONOMY
GETTING BETTER, I THINK THE FIBER IS GETTING MORE AND MORE
POPULAR. IT WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP ITS
VALUE. FIBER HAS NOT GONE DOWN IN
VALUE. THE ANIMALS HAVE.
BUT WE STILL NEED A LOT MORE ANIMALS IN THE COUNTRY TO MAKE
THE FIBER FOR THE FUTURE. THERE IS STILL BREEDING
OPPORTUNITIES. >> IS THERE A GREAT DEMAND FOR
THE FIBER? >> THERE IS MORE AND MORE.
THEY'RE MORE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE ORGANIZING BETTER.
NOW THAT THE ANIMAL NUMBERS ARE UP, THEY DID NOT START COMING
INTO THE COUNTRY UNTIL THE 1980'S, SO NOW THAT THERE'S MORE
AND MORE QUANTITY OF ANIMALS IN THE U.S., THE ACTUALLY HAVE MORE
FIBER THAT THEY CAN MAKE A VIABLE PRODUCT ON THE MARKET.
IT IS GETTING THERE, BUT WE STILL NEED MORE ANIMALS OUT
THERE. >> WITH THE FIBER, YOU SHEAR
ONCE A YEAR. >> YES.
>> WHEN YOU SHEAR, WHAT IS THE PROCESS?
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FIBER? >> WE HAVE A COUPLE DIFFERENT
OPTIONS. I DO A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.
THERE IS DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE ANIMAL G AND THERADES OF THE
FIBER -- DIFFERENT GRADES OF THE FIBER.
THE BAIT -- BLANKET OR BARREL OF THE ANIMAL IS THE BEST FIBER,
USED FOR BLANKETS. THEIR LEGS AND NECKS ARE NOT AS
GOOD, BUT YOU CAN USE THAT, TOO. THERE IS A CO-OP IN NEW ENGLAND
THAT WE WORK WITH A LOT IN WHICH I WILL SKIRT THE FIBER, H, HAY
AND THEN THATER, GOES DIRECTLY TO THEM.
WE DO NOT WASH IT OR ANYTHING. THEY GIVE US THE CREDIT TOWARDS
THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY MAKE WITH THAT FIBER.
WE HAVE THOSE PRODUCTS FOR OPEN HOUSES.
WE ARE TRYING TO GO OF DREAD MORE AGGRESSIVELY THIS YEAR.
WE WILL BE ON ETSY AND WILL HAVE A WEBSITE TO SELL OUR PRODUCTS.
THERE IS A NATIONAL FOUNDATION THAT HAS A CO-OP THAT WE WILL
SEND SOME FIBER TO APPEAR DEPENDING ON THEIR PROFIT FOR
THAT YEAR, THEN YOU GET CREDIT BACK.
THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE THAT JUST WANT THE FIBER SO THEY CAN WASH
IT IN HAND SPIN IT THEMSELVES. A GOOD COTTAGE INDUSTRY FOR THAT
IN OUR AREA. LOTS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS WITH
THE FIBER. WE DO NOT SPIN ANY OURSELVES.
WE DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THAT. SUNDAY, WHEN I RETIRE.
SO THERE ARE SEVERAL VETERAN OPTIONS.
YOU CAN SELL IT, HAVE BEEN MADE INTO YARD, VARIOUS THINGS YOU
CAN DO WITH IT. >> THERE ARE A COUPLE DIFFERENT
BASKETS HERE AND A TABLE FULL OF PRODUCTS.
>> THIS IS RIGHT OFF OF THE ANIMAL.
THIS IS THE BLANKET OR THE PRIME FLEECE, THE SOFTEST OR THE
FINEST. ONCE YOU SKIRT THIS HANDWASHING,
THAT CAN BE MADE INTO THIS. THIS IS READY TO SPIN.
>> SO THAT KIDS SPUN INTO THE YARD, WHICH CAN BE USED TO MAKE
VIRTUALLY ANYTHING. THEN WE HAVE A WHOLE TABLE FOR
ALL OF PRODUCTS. SOCKS, YARN, SCARVES.
THE SOFTER THINGS ARE MADE FROM THE --
CREDIBLY GET, WHAT IS SURROUNDING THE BACK AND THE
BELLY. THAT IS THE SOFTEST FIBER.
>> I SEE A BAG OVER HERE. >> IS, THAT COULD BE MADE FROM
THE NET FIBER OR THEIR LEGS. YOU CAN USE ALL OF THEIR FIBER
FOR SOMETHING. >> OK.
THE STUFFED ANIMALS, THIS LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS.
>> THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF ALPACAS.
THIS IS A SURRY, WHICH IS MUCH MORE SILKY.
THIS ONE IS MORE LIKE THE TEDDY BEAR LOOK ALPACA, WHICH ARE THE
TYPE OF ALPACAS THAT WE HAVE. THESE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES
OF FIBER. >> SOMETHING ELSE YOU MENTIONED,
IT IS VERY SIMILAR TO PROPERTIES IN WOOL IN WHICH IT TAKES
MOISTURE FROM THE SKIN. >> RIGHT, THERE IS NO LENO WENT
THOUGH. SO PEOPLE THAT MIGHT HAVE
ALLERGY PROBLEMS WITH WEARING WOOL CAN WEAR THIS WITH NO
PROBLEMS -- THERE IS NO LANOLIN. AND THIS LAST A LITTLE BIT
LAGER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING
US. >> PLEASURE.
COME BACK ANY TIME. >> THANK YOU.
WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO HELP PREVENT ICE AND SNOW
DAMAGE, FROM WHAT YOU PLAN TO WHERE YOU PLAN IT.
>> THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS WE CAN DO TO HELP ALLEVIATE ICE AND
SNOW DAMAGE. SOMETIMES WE CAN WRAP OUR PLANTS
WITH BURLAP. THAT IS NOT MY NUMBER ONE WAY.
WHAT WE CAN DO IS, FROM THE ONSET, WHEN PICKING CERTAIN
TYPES OF PLANTS, SOME PLANTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXIST -- A
GREAT EXAMPLE ARE THE NEW BRADFORD PEARS.
THEY HAVE LESS BRANCHES AND THEY ARE MUCH MORE STURDY.
THEY DO NOT BREAK AS EASY. YOU ALSO MIGHT NOT WANT TO PLANT
ALL YOUR PLANTS VERY CLOSE TOGETHER.
WHAT YOU NOTICE HERE IS WE HAVE REALLY TRIED OUT SPACING THE
PLANT AS OPPOSED TO PUTTING THEM ALL TOGETHER.
WHAT YOU NOTICE IS THE SUN, WHEN A PLANT HAS A LOT OF SUN AROUND
IT, THE BRANCHES ARE NICE AND STURDY, LIKE THIS ONE.
YOU CAN GET THOSE BIG ICE STORMS IN SOME BRANCHES WILL BEND TO
THE GROUND AND THEY MIGHT EVEN BREAK.
REMEMBER, SOME PLANTS ARE VERY BRAZILIAN PIT -- ARE VERY
RESILIENT. THEY MIGHT BE WEEPING TO THE
GROUND, BUT THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE ICE MELTS, THEY GO BACK UP.
SOME OF THOSE MIGHT BE FINE. >> EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE HAS
FAILED IN THE STILL HAVE A LOT OF ICE AND SNOW ON YOUR TREE, I
SEE PEOPLE WALKING OUT AND SHAKING THEIR EVERGREENS.
IN MY EVEN BE A BRADFORD PEAR. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AS SAFE-
CONSCIOUS AS POSSIBLE. YOU CAN GET THESE SHOES .
RIGHT OVER YOUR SHOES AND THEY HAVE SPIKES.
THEY WILL HELP YOU FROM SLIPPING ON THE ICE AROUND THE BASE OF
YOUR TREES. AS YOU SEE HERE, WE HAVE REALLY
THINNED OUT THIS TREE. IT IS QUITE LARGE.
WE DO NOT DO THIS EVERY YEAR. BUT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS
CREATE BRANCHES LIKE THIS THAT ARE REALLY -- THAT WILL NOT
REALLY PULL OUT OF THE TREE AND BREAK.
BY DOING SIMPLE PRUNING AT THIS -- METHODS LIKE REACHING IN AND
PUTTING WHOLE BRANCHES LIKE THIS, YOU ALLOW THE LIGHT TO GET
IN THE CENTER OF YOUR PLANT AND YOU ALLOW GROWTH TO OCCUR
INSIDE, WHICH HELPS STRENGTHEN THIS SHRUB FROM ICE DAMAGE.
IF YOU HAVE SOME PLANTS -- OCCASIONALLY PEOPLE WILL COME
RIGHT IN WITH BURLAP AND THEY ILL TIE WONDER WILLSWATS OF
BURLAP AROUND THEIR SHIRTS TO HELP PREVENT THEM FROM BREAKING.
BRIDGES OUT SOME OF THE IS THE IDEAL AND BEST WAY.
YOU ONLY NEED TO DO IT EVERY COUPLE YEARS.
IT WILL ALLOW THE BRANCHES TO RESIST A LOT OF THE ELEMENTS OF
NATURE. THESE MAJOR SPICE STORMS DID NOT
HAPPEN EVERY YEAR. AT LEAST WE HOPE THEY DO NOT.
-- THESE MAJOR ICE STORMS DO NOT HAPPEN EVERY YEAR.
SOME OF THE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOUR PLANTS AND LARGER
TREES IS JUST GO IN AND TIP BACK THE BRANCHES.
THAT MEANS TAKING A LITTLE TIP, AND DO THIS SOMETIME IN JUNE,
AND IT WILL PREVENT THE BRANCHES FROM EXTENDING TOO FAR OUT.
YOU ALSO MIGHT CONSIDER THINNING.
A BRANCH THATS IS HAD BEEN DAMAGED.
BY THINNING OUT SOME OF THE .RANCHES, YOU THIN OUT
BECKHAM CAPTURED BY ICE OR SNOW. IT IS EXTREMELY HEAVY.
ESPECIALLY IF YOU START GETTING 0.8 INCH.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO SHAKE THESE THINGS.
YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE UNDER THE TREE.
THERE CAN BE A FORCE THAT WEIGHS HUNDREDS OF POUNDS.
IN SOME CASES, TREES CAN SPLIT INTO TWO.
ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND SAFETY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
YOU CAN GO THROUGH THE GARDEN. DO NOT PLAN TO YOUR TREES TO
CLOSE. THAT WILL ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE
ICE AND SNOW DAMAGE. I AM MARK VIET, JOIN ME NEXT
TIME IN THE GARDEN. >> LOOKING AT OUR AG CALENDAR --
THE MAPLE FESTIVAL MARCH 23 AND MARCH 24.
YOU CAN SEE MAPLE SYRUP MAKING AND SUGAR HOUSES.
FOOD, A TRADITIONAL LOCAL MUSIC, AND ALL KINDS OF FAMILY FUN.
YOU CAN VISIT THE WEB ADDRESS ON YOUR SCREEN FOR MORE
INFORMATION. THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAIL HORSE
COMPETITION WILL BE AT THE ANDERSON COLISEUM APRIL 5 AND 6.
THIS IS FOR ALL BREEDS IN FEATURES SEMINARS,
DEMONSTRATIONS, AND VARIOUS COMPETITION.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION AT AMERICAN TRAVELERS
WEBSITE. THAT IS THAT FOR OUR SHOW THIS
WEEK. HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE.
I AM AMY ROSCHER FOR "VIRGINIA FARMING."
[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY WVPT]
CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE
--WWW.NCICAP.ORG--
>> THIS PROGRAM IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE VIRGINIA FARM BUREAU.
FROM APPLES TO ZUCCHINI, VIRGINIAS FARMERS WORK HARD TO
PUT FOOD ON YOUR TABLE. AND FARM BUREAU WORKS YEAR-ROUND
TO HELP FARMERS AND ALL VIRGINIANS.
FARMING, IT'S ALL GOOD. TO LEARN MORE, GO TO
VAFARMBUREAU.ORG. POLARIS, INCLUDING THE ALL
NEW 60 HORSEPOWER RANGER XP 900. IS THE FULL-SIZE RANGER
YOU WANT. >> BROUGHT TO YOU BY FARM
FAMILY. VISIONARY, AGENT
OF CHANGE. ANOTHER PERSONAL STORY ON THE
WEBSITE. FARM FAMILIES, THE PEOPLE YOU
KNOW.
¶