
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 20, 1994                   TAG: 9401200012
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: B-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LON WAGNER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

REGIONALLY, THE ONLY PROBLEM IS LIVESTOCK

While most of the mid-Atlantic region's economy continues to surge, harsher-than-normal weather has taken its toll on farmers.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in its most recent survey found that manufacturers' orders, shipments and exports rose in December; and tourism, retail sales and real estate continued to report gradual improvements. The survey covers Virginia, West Virginia, the Carolinas, Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Perhaps the most significant news in the report came on the negative side. Ranging livestock - beef cattle and sheep - were having difficulty dealing with the severe winter.

Mark Wahlberg, an extension animal scientist at Virginia Tech, reminded farmers that the animals can deal with cold weather as long as they get plenty of food.

"Just the cold, cold temperatures really increase stress in livestock, from the sense of having problems generating body heat," he said.

Wahlberg said the cold weather would be even more damaging if it goes on past next month, when the calving season begins. The blizzard last March killed many newborn lambs and calves, he said.

by CNB