The success of Pennsylvania's largest industry, the food system, is highly dependent upon the continued efficient and cost effective production of animal and plant products by agricultural producers. In the past, the only demand on producers was to efficiently produce a low cost and high quality food supply. High quality ornamental and green-industry products are in increasing demand along with the services associated with their care. Presently, society is questioning whether our agricultural production system is sustainable in its present form. Sustainable agricultural production practices and technology must be profitable, environmentally sound and consistent with society interests.
Product quality needs to be maintained or improved by production practices.
Within animal agriculture, waste management, nuisances at the urban rural interface, animal product wholesomeness, and production practices related to animal welfare are important issues. The Food Quality Protection Act substantially changes the way food safety is determined and pesticides are regulated such as through powerful incentives for IPM research, extension and adoption. Present and future legislative programs will dictate how producers manage these components. Many agricultural industries are going through a structural change, by making new integrated alliances, or positioning themselves to compete efficiently in a national and global marketplace. There will be a rapid increase in technological advances in production practices and management concepts that producers will need to consider adopting to remain competitive.