VOL. 4. No. 7 1958 Lancaster Farming Year-End Report Striking a clear note to round out 1958 Lancaster Far ming, we have asked a number of county farm leaders, technical advisors and outstanding farmers to summarize in their own words the results of 1958 and what they look for in 1959. One of the first things the reader will note in the fol lowing statements is the constant brevity of 1958 summar ies and the concentration on the future It as though to say, “The past is over and done with, let’s look to next year and what it may bring and What we may offer it.” Here then is our year’s-end analysis of Lancaster Fanning. Henry Hackman If the farmer had steers in 1958, he was on the right side of the fence 1959 will not bring much improvement. Agriculture might hold its own but in many areas it may drop. Amos H. Funk Conservation District Chrm. "The watershed meetings with their attendance and the interest of farmers in organizing them mark a point when other folks start to help our Soil Conservation Turn to pages 8 and 9 to see how a good farm shop pays. Ranck Herd Tops County The Red Rose D.H.I.A. September testing results we re reported today by the as sociation. The two highest 305 day lactations were com pleted by Registered Holste ins, both owned by Parke H. Ranck, Ronks R D 1 First was “Maggie” with the record of 18,521 lbs. of milk and 819 lbs. of butter fat. Second was “Joyce 2”, with the record of 19,894 lbs. of milk and 809 lbs. of butter fat. Two herds tied for first place among the monthly herd averages. They were the Masonic Farm Herd Completes 32nd Test The purebred dairy herd of Masonic Homes Farms, Elizabethtown, Penn, has re cently completed its 32nd year of Ayshire Herd Testing with 105 cows making an average of 9,592 pounds of milk and 412 pounds of but terfat on twice-a-day milk ing, actual production. Masonic Homes Mary Bell District directors in getting the job of conservation done. The watershed system helps to concentrate conservation efforts in one small region rather than covering the en tire county all at one time. We hope the growing inter est among our Amish farm ers will continue and we cer tainly welcome all farmers in the county as cooperators. The Conestoga Valley As sociation has aided in pro moting interest of non-farm ers in conservation. With a possibility of a future water shortage in the country, in dustry and service clubs are getting more interested. In 1959, as a result of our work this year, more water shed meetings may be ex pected to result in the high est number of district coop ;erators ever. Conestoga Val- herd of Elvin Hess Jr., Stras burg RDI, with an average of 1072 lbs. of milk and 46 lbs of butterfat and the herd of Paul S. Wyble, New Hol land RD #2, with an average of 1295 lbs. of milk and 46 lbs of butterfat. Two herds also tied for second place. They were the herds of J. Lester Charles, Landisville, with an average of 1246 lbs. milk and 45 lbs. of butterfat and the herd of Willis M. Groff, New Provi dence RDI, with an average of 861 lbs. of milk and 45 lbs of butterfat. was high milk producer in the herd with 14,540 pounds of milk and 538 pounds of butterfat. The announcement was made by the National Ayr shire Breeders’ Association. The Ayrshire breed holds the record for having the highest percentage of its cows en rolled in HIR testing. Lancaster. Pa.. Saturday. December 27. 1958 ley Association may be ex pected to have its highest membership. fflEspecially -important, the various service clubs could lend a great deal of assist ance. Max Smith The big news was the con trast in ’57 and ’5B growing seasons. I would say this year had an ideal growing season. March snow gave us ground water needed to car ry our crops. For ’59 I don’t expect any great change for county far ming. I’d like to see more at tention to building up more soil organic matter. We could benefit by more pas ture fertilization, using more nitrogen on straight grasses and complete fertilizer on grass-legume mixtures. Willis Esbenshade The Lancaster County farmer enjoyed one of the best years ever in 1958. But he must still increase effi ciency and he must adjust to the narrow margin for what he gets for what it costs to produce it. For 1959, I look for the price of dairy feed to be higher than the past year. Farm Calendar Jan. 5—7:30 p.m. Southern Lancaster County 4-H Trac tor club, 1959 organization meeting. Conestoga Farm Supply, Quarryville. Jan. 6 or 7—County Tobacco Show, full details later. Jan. 7—7-30 pm, 4-H Elec tric Club meeting, PP&L Building, Lancaster, first of eight regular meetings. Jan. B—7-30 pm , Northern Lancaster County 4-H Trac tor club, 1959 organization meeting. Landis Bros. Farm Equipment store, Manheim pike. Jan. 21 —Vegetable Growers Field Day, Guernsey Pavi lion. Jan. 31—Producers * Live stock Cooperative annual meeting. Feb 6—4-H Baby Beef Club Annual Banquet. Feb. 12—County Extension Assoc. Annual Banquet, Hostctter's, Mt Joy. Feb 18—Farm Bureau An nual Banquet. Feb 19—SPABC Annual Me eting, 7 30 pm. Feb 21—Annual Bred gilt sale. March 3—Market Hog Show March 11—Dairy Day. March 19—Swine Producers Assoc annual banquet. library with milk prices about the same. The dairyman must use DHIA tests and cull his herd. Poultry feed likewise will be up and egg and broiler prices down. Broilers much lower. Adoption of new methodsi is a must Some to consider are: Spraying of tobacco for suckers, to reduce labor costs. Taking advantage of early order discounts m buying supplies and machinery. Testing soil to make sure what fertilizer buy is right. Wayne B. Renfschler The farmer who planned and managed his program, continued to get ahead. For 1959, we should stress even better management for great er economy. 4-H Crop Meet Tuesday The Lancaster County 4-H tobacco and corn roundup will be Tuesday afternoon at the Bayuk Cigar company warehouse, 850 N. Water Street, Lancaster, Winthrop Mer riam, assistant county agent reports. State Crop Round-Up Stocks of potatoes in the hands of state growers and local dealers on Dec. 1, were estimated at 5,300,000 cwt. or 36 per cent above last year. Stocks on hand were for all purposes 68 per cent of production, slightly below the average. In the U S total storage stocks on Dec 1 were 128 3 million cwt, lai'gest since the 129 3 million cwt in stor age on Dec 1, 1950 This year’s holdings were 18 per cent above the 108.4 million cwt held last year and 19 per cent above the 49 - 57 av erage of 108.1. Indicated placement of pul let chicks for U. S. broiler (Tuin to page 5) $2 Per Y& Martin W. Muth I was very well pleased with the increased interest in conservation, especially in water conservation. This watershed approach will probably be developed more in the coming year. As a government service we feel this is a real approach. John E. Melhora For me as an egg produc er, 1958 brought the start of a large-scale, state-wide egg marketing cooperative feder ation by the live major state marketing co-ops. This offers more sure and profitable out lets, state-wide quality con trol and uniform prices, and promotion of a trade-mark (Turn to page 12) All exhibits must be in position by 1 p. m. on the ex hibit day. Com exhibits will consist of 10 ears of the hy brid club members selected for 1958 projects. Yields will be reported in pounds and exhibits will be accompanied by completed records of the project, Merriam said. For tobacco club members to qualify for ribbons and prizes, they must turn in completed records and ex hibit two hands of tobacco— a hand being 15 leaves tied with another leaf. One hand is to be Wrapped B’s and the other Filler B’s. Tobacco exhibits will be retained following the coun ty show for entry m the Farm Show. Merriam added that record books for all ex hibit projects must be in the county agents office not later than today (Saturday)
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