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On December 23, 2017

The Preventive Controls for Human Foods Certification Workshop provides the credentials to meet FDA requirements for development and implementation of HACCP based systems as part of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations.  This 2 1/2 day course was developed by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance, a broad-based public private alliance created by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Institute for Food Safety and Health (IFSH) in cooperation with the Association of Food and Drug Officials.  This course is presented by certified instructors from Penn State.

The Preventive Controls Rule requires that each facility have Qualified Preventive Control individuals for the development and implementation of Hazard Analysis and Risk-based Preventive Controls for Human Foods. The course provides training and a certificate in order to meet those requirements. The curriculum is designed for food industry professionals with responsibility for a company’s Food Safety Plan in terms of  development, implementation or maintenance of food safety activities.  It is suitable for those working in any area of the facility where preventive controls will be used (quality, sanitation, operations, logistics, maintenance, etc), or where knowledge of the rule will be helpful (sales, marketing, upper management).

The two and a half day course provides instruction into the development of a Food Safety Plan as required by FDA as part of Food Safety Modernization Act.  Participants will learn the key elements of a food safety plan, how to conduct a hazard analysis for biological, chemical and physical hazards, how to develop and implement risk based preventive controls (process, sanitation, allergen, and supplier) along with the appropriate verification and validation procedures, and understand the requirements of a recall plan.

This training was developed by FSPCA (Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance) and is delivered by Penn State instructors.  The will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 – Friday, January 5, 2018. This will be held at Penn State Food Science Outreach Room, 252 Rodney A Erickson Food Science Bldg, University Park Campus, University Park, PA 16802. For more information and to  register go to: http://www.cvent.com/events/preventive-controls-for-human-foods-certification-workshop/event-summary-53472d3061464352935617cc5df33311.aspx

 

To Complete Tax Planning For The Year

Let’s complete this year’s business before we celebrate the New Year! The calendar gets very full with church, family and fun celebrations at this time so business tasks tend to end up on the back burner. But prudent farm managers will take steps to save taxes, know if they have accounted for finances accurately, and collect the information needed to accurately measure this year’s business performance.

Essential tasks for the year-end “To-do List” includes paying all bills that are due.

This is a good business practice, and it simplifies the task of preparing the list of accounts payable if there are none! Each dollar spent could save you 50 cents or more in taxes.

Another task is to count your blessings and take care of year-end giving. At this season give generously to your church and charities. Not only will you share your blessings, but contributions give you the same tax break as advance purchases of feed or supplies.

It is important to complete farm records for the year. Next year starts a new record period for most farmers. Confusion reigns when two sets of books are used simultaneously, so it is important to get all available transactions recorded promptly. However, it may not be possible to finally close the books until some statements are available. These include bank statements giving you the amount of interest and principal to record.

Another important step is to take inventory. The end-of-year inventory is essential for analysis. For accuracy it should be completed before you retire New Year’s Eve, but having to use a flashlight can be cumbersome! If it is done carefully every year balance sheet changes can be calculated for necessary accrual adjustments.

Feed and livestock inventories should be valued at a conservative farm-gate value. That means market price less commission, less the cost of getting them to the selling point. If the auction sells a single ton of hay for $150, buyers might only offer $110 for each of your1,000 tons of hay equivalent at your farm.

As a rule of thumb consider each Dry Matter Ton of haylage to be worth no more than a ton of hay made from the same cut. To convert high-moisture shelled corn to its dry bushel equivalent use the formula: Pounds wet * D.M (as decimal) / 47.36. Example: (50 tons at 70% D.M.) is 100,000 pounds * 0.7 / 47.36 = 1,478 bushels. For ear corn use the factor 59.2 in the formula. With heifers it may be appropriate to change values to reflect the market swings, but keep them conservative.

If you have not already done so, it is important to evaluate whether making year end purchases of supplies or equipment will result in tax savings.  You still have a few days left in 2017 to make the expenditure. If you have taxable income this year and are on a cash accounting system then yearend purchases are a good idea.  However it is not a good idea simply to buy things to reduce your taxable income if you really don’t need the items.  For example buying equipment that is nice to have but not necessary to run your business is not a good idea.  You would be better off keeping your money and paying the percentage that is due on that income.

 

To Welcome Justin Brackenrich To The Penn State Extension Agronomy Team

Justin Brackenrich recently join the Extension team and is serving as the Agronomy Educator with Penn State Extension helping provide coverage to Western Pennsylvania. Justin grew up in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, where he was involved in beef, sheep, and poultry production. Justin’s draw to agriculture came from his parents’ work with USDA NRCS in West Virginia and his involvement in his local FFA.

After graduating high school, he attended Potomac State College of West Virginia University where he studied Animal and Nutritional Sciences and Agribusiness Management. He received his Bachelors of Science in Agriculture at West Virginia University in Animal and Nutritional Sciences. He then continued to receive a Master’s of Science in Plant and Soil Science with a focus in phosphorous management.

Justin worked at West Virginia University for three years as a graduate student and researcher.  In his prior work, Justin was a member of a teaching group instructing proper use of nutrient management planning software and related strategies to members of West Virginia State and Federal agencies.

The Penn State Extension Agronomy Team welcomes Justin’s expertise in working with the animal-crop interface. Justin is excited to be working for Extension in Butler County. He looks forward to meeting and assisting as many producers as possible.

 

To Celebrate Christmas With Your Family

It is hard to believe but 2017 is drawing to a close. As is often the case this year has had both good and bad with this year’s economic challenges being an especially difficult for some. In every case however we all can find some blessings for which we can be thankful. Regardless of our circumstances there is always an opportunity to assist those in greater need than us. By helping those in need as a part of our Christmas celebration, we can pass on to our children the values of thankfulness and generosity. These ideals will be of great value throughout their lives.

Quote Of The Week: “For it is in giving that we receive.” — Francis of Assisi