Virginia Tech Tree Fruit Extension and Outreach

Tree fruit growers in the Old Dominion were devastated by a late spring freeze event. Now we are getting some firm numbers from the USDA on the resulting impact.

We are also seeing some surprises in the numbers for corn and soybeans in Virginia.

A new report (August 12) from the National Agricultural Statistics Service shows the following stats for Virginia:

* Total apple production is expected to be down from 149 million lbs. in 2025 to only 77 million pounds this year

* Wheat yield is expected to be down from 66 bpa in 2025 to 48 bpa this year.

* Alfalfa hay yield is expected to be down from 3.2 tons per acre in 2025 to 2.8 tons per acre this year

* All other hay is expected to be down from 2.3 tons per acre in 2025 to 2.0 tons per acre this year

* Corn yield is expected to INCREASE from 168 bpa in 2025 to 169 bpa this year

* Soybean yield is expected to INCREASE from 38 bpa in 2025 to 42 bpa this year

* Peanut yield is expected to decrease from 4,400 lbs. per acre in 2025 to 4,300 lbs. this year

* Cotton yield is expected to decrease from 1,127 lbs. per acre in 2025 to 1,103 lbs. per acre this year

* To***co yield is expected to decrease from 2,150 lbs. per acre in 2025 to 1,900 lbs. per acre this year

NOTE: Peach and grape production for Virginia were not included in the new report.

Source: National Agricultural Statistics Service report on August 12, which can be found here>https://esmis.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/release-files/796015/crop0826.pdf

Image credit - Jeff Ishee

Experimental enzyme shows promise against fire blight disease The study marks the first major research milestone in a national effort to develop new tools that help growers combat one of the most damaging diseases of apples and pears.

Henry was a legend in the Virginia fruit industry. Our thoughts are with the Chiles family and the whole team at Crown Orchard. 😢

Henry Montague Chiles - Crozet Gazette Henry Montague Chiles, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Batesville on July 18, 2026. A true force of nature, Henry was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, on November 20, 1935, to the late Henry and Virginia Montague Chiles. Raised in Crozet, he learned the value of hard work at an early age...

Big issues are shaping the future of agriculture! Are you ready to be part of the conversation? Join us at the 2026 Agricultural and Natural Resources Law Summit to explore timely topics including:

🌱 Data centers and agriculture
🚜 Agritourism
🌾 Right to Farm
💼 Farm financial stress… and much more!

Whether you're a farmer, attorney, educator, policymaker, or simply interested in agricultural and natural resources law, this summit offers insights and opportunities to connect with experts and colleagues.

September 22–23, 2026
National Conservation Training Center
698 Conservation Way
Shepherdstown, WV 25443

Register now and secure your spot! Early bird rate ends Aug. 13th!
https://extension.wvu.edu/conferences/agricultural-and-resource-law-conference

Orchardists and Nursery Tree Growers: As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, the 15% normal mortality rate has been removed from the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) and the reimbursement rate increased from 50% to 65% for the cost of pruning, removal, and other costs to salvage existing trees, bushes or vines or to prepare the land for replanting.

Producers also now have 24 months to complete TAP practices after the application is approved.

https://www.fsa.usda.gov/news-events/news/07-08-2026/usda-celebrates-one-year-anniversary-working-families-tax-cuts-act

Got unwanted pesticides? Dispose of them safely and for free at these VDACS August pesticide collection events:
📍 8/25 - Warsaw 📍 8/26 - Hartfield 📍 8/27 - Aylett
Find full location details and times here: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/pesticide-collection.shtml

❄️ Spring frost and freeze losses? Help may be available.

Virginia producers in eligible counties may qualify for USDA disaster assistance, including Emergency Loans and other recovery support.

🔗 Find your local FSA office: farmers.gov/service-center-locator
🔗 Contact VA FAIRS with any questions: www.vafairs.com

🧊⛈️Hail Predicted and Reported in Several Counties Hit by Storm, Apply Streptomycin in Affected Apple and Pear Orchards

Hail Predicted and Reported in Several Counties Hit by Storm, Apply Streptomycin in Affected Apple and Pear Orchards - Aćimović Lab TO ALL LOCATIONS WITH THE POME FRUIT IN VIRGINIA: There is a warning issued around 2 PM today for isolated severe thunderstorms predicted for Virginia locations listed below that have a chance for pea to large size hail and wind gusts that can trigger trauma blight. Trauma blight are fire blight inf...

Governor Spanberger Secures Federal Secretarial Disaster Declaration for Virginia Farmers Impacted by Frost and Freeze

June 26, 2026 RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger today announced that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins has officially issued a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for 43 primary natural disaster area counties and an additional 61 contiguous counties in the Commonwealth of Virginia in response to the late spring frost and freeze events. The designation follows a formal request submitted by Governor Spanberger on May 27, 2026, to respond to the catastrophic damage sustained by Virginia’s agriculture and forestry industries.

“Virginia agriculture is the cornerstone of our economy — supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, securing our food supply, and protecting the Commonwealth’s natural beauty for future generations,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “The unprecedented frost and freeze event this spring devastated farmers across Virginia, many of whom will not be able to harvest a crop until the 2027 growing season. This federal disaster declaration provides vital resources to help hardworking family farmers navigate a difficult year and prepare for their next crop. I am grateful to Secretary Rollins and our federal partners for listening to the concerns of our farmers and producers, and I look forward to remaining in close contact in the months ahead. I also appreciate the efforts of our congressional delegation, the Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Virginia Farm Bureau, and agricultural organizations across the Commonwealth for their support of this critical USDA designation.”

June Releases Abigail D. Spanberger, Commonwealth, Governor of Virginia, governor, virginia, VA