While growth in the broiler industry has increased incomes for farmers in these counties and contributed to the State economy, there are growing concerns that the production and processing of such a large number of birds in a small region of the State is contributing to water pollution problems in the Potomac Watershed. The slight decrease represents a fall in market prices, since animal numbers actually increased from 198,000 to 203,000. Hogs and pigs sold fell by half, from 51,000 in 1992 to 25,000 in 1997. The sheep and lamb inventory fell by a lesser amount, going from 57,000 in 1992 to 41,000 in 1997. Hay, even though it represents 80 percent of the cropland harvested, brought in only 20 percent of the crop receipts.
Most hay is fed to livestock on the farm where it is produced.
West Virginia's 10.7 million acres of forests are a maturing, renewable resource, producing high volumes of quality wood products and social benefits. The 1995 forest inventory estimated 70 billion board feet of standing sawtimber-sized trees. Annual forest product yield doubled between 1989 and 1995. About 10 percent of West Virginia's land base is managed for recreation and tourism, contributing in a major way to the economic well-being of the State. Efficient use of the Appalachian forest resource is a critical component in satisfying the demands on U.S. timberlands over the next five decades.