Energy savings possible by poultry and egg firms WASHINGTON, Pa. - In 1974, the poultry industry used more than 146 trillion Btu’s, costing almost $550 million, according to a report released recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service. Although energy -for producing and marketing poultry products is being used a little more efficiently than during the midsixties, the report finds that the potential for further savings is substantial with wider use of existing energy conserving practices. Energy used in poultry and egg production cost nearly $126 million in 1974. Brooding required about 70 per cent of this amount, waste handling and operating feeders nearly 20 per cent, and lighting and ventilating over 10 per cent. Individual producers may be able to lower their con sumption 20 to 50 per cent with such practices as using partial house brooding, installing winterized side curtains, reducing light intensity and lighting schedules, using in termittent feeding and \ lighting, improving main tenance practices, and using more energy-efficient equipment. Marketers may also be able to reduce energy use through improved equip ment and management practices. About $421 million was spent on energy -used in marketing poultry products in 1974. Processing and packing accounted for the largest share of the cost, and retailing, long-distance transportation, wholesaling, assembly, and further processing and delivery accounted for the balance. The USDA report notes that use of alternative forms of energy, modification of present practices, and research in areas such as rail and combined-mode transportation, simplified packaging, irradiation preservation, decentralized distribution, onsite power generation, and energy parks offer potential for reducing energy use in the future. A copy of “Energy Use and Conservation in the Poultry and Egg Industry,” AER -354, is available free on postcard request (please include your zipcode) from Publications Services, Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 0054- South Building, Washington, D.C. 20250, or by telephone request (202-447-7255). Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Oct. 30,197& Grading fees raised NEW YORK, N.Y. - The U. S. Department of Agriculture announced a new schedule of fees for the voluntary Federal meat grading service based on current cost of performing the work. The Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 requires collection of fees approximately equal to the cost of the service rendered. Therefore, effective Oct. 24, the fee will be $l7 per hour for work performed between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; $2O per hour for work on Saturday and Sunday and between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday; and $34 per hour for work on national holidays. The current fees, respec tively, are $16,20 per hour,, $19.20 per hour, and $32.40 per hour. According to USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Only 6.5 per cent of farmers are certified UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - In spite of the concentrated efforts to alert farmers and commercial operators who will need a State Certificate for use of restricted pesticides during the winter of there is a severe lag in interest, training and testing, according to the Extension Service. In Lehigh County, for example, 104 have passed the private certificate exam and 55 have passed the commercial exam. In Northampton County 53 have passed the private certification exam and 3?, NOW! PREPARE FOR FALL SEEDING CALL US FOR PROMPT SERVICE ON: LIMESTONE - FERTILIZER Premium Grades. Containing Magnesium and Sulphur for small grain. Available in bags, bulk. Trailer spreaders or custom truck spreading. Remember - Topdress alfalfa this fall & spray for weeds. Fall apply Ammonia for next years corn. ORGANIC 9 plant J [ ANHYDROUS AMMOMIA J |?QQQ 2313 Norman Rd. t Lancaster, PA Ph. (717) 397-5152 Service (AMS), which ad ministers the grading ser vice, the changes are necessary to reflect salary increases effective Oct. 10 and significant increases in associated costs of providing and administering the program. Also effective Oct. 24, per diem charges to meat grading applicants will be increased from $33 per day to $35 per day and mileage charges increased from 13 cents per mile to 14 cents per mile. These changes are needed to offset increased per diem and mileage rates paid to Federal employees effective Oct. 3, under Public Law 94-22. Regulations governing the meat grading service are being amended to provide for the new hourly fees. The amendment was published in the Federal Register Oct. 14. passed the commercial exam. On a state-wide basis, only 4,736 have passed the private certification and 2,295 the commercial exam. In the State Crop and Livestock Report, the estimated total farms listed are 73,000. Only 6.5 per cent of the farms presently have certification. Farmers can enroll, use the lesson material and take the exams in the privacy of their homes. Application forms are available from the Cooperative Extension Office. 27
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