Ag dept to mark first log exports from Va to China

SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) - Agriculture officials are celebrating the first log exports from Virginia to China under a new pilot program.

Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture are set to mark the inaugural shipments under the program at the Royal Fumigation facility in Suffolk on Wednesday.

China banned exports of un-milled soft- and hardwood logs from Virginia and South Carolina in April 2011, citing pests found on U.S. exports. Chinese officials have now agreed to the six-month pilot project to reopen its borders to those Virginia wood products.

The window comes with conditions, including designated ports and enhanced pest treatment and testing.

State officials estimate Virginia's log exports have a value of nearly $57 million.

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US agriculture secretary to highlight lending to certain types of farmers

AP: RICHMOND, Va. — U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to visit Virginia to highlight efforts to expand lending to help certain farmers and ranchers during their start-up years.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in a release that Vilsack will visit the Virginia Farm Bureau in suburban Richmond on Wednesday. He plans to highlight USDA's gains in growing credit opportunities to help minority, socially disadvantaged, young and beginning farmers and ranchers.

Vilsack also plans to announce a new program to help small-scale and family-run operations grow, increase equity and eventually gain commercial credit.

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