24
—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dec. 4, 1976
The slat dam on Bob Kauffman’s farm is con
structed of treated 2 by 6’s designed to allow
liquids to flow through while holding solids back.
The entire area for solids is concreted, as is a 30-
foot path connecting the solids area with the pond
(shown in the background). The concrete ramp,
with a 6:1 slope, is also used to get into the pond
when it becomes necessary to pump some of the
liquids out. The pond is approximately eight feet
lower than the solids storage area, and is 12 feet in
depth at its deepest point. The structures were
designed and constructed with the help of the
Penn State Extension and Soil Conservation
Services. It also meets DER standards. Kauffman
reports having had a number of visitors before the
facility was even completed, and many farmers
have expressed interest in constructing similar
systems. Each of the two areas has earthen banks
along all four sides. The pond measures 34 feet by
54 feet, while the solids area is 110 feet long and
63 feet wide. Capacity is rated at seven months for
125 cows. z '*
Cost was one big reason Bob Kauffman chose to
store manure and liquids in two large excavations
near his barn, “it’s cheaper,” says the southern
Lancaster County dairyman. Other advantages he
cited while comparing his'system to conventional
methods, are that manure is saved, fertilizer costs
are cut, and he doesn't have to worry where to
spread manure during the Summer or when it
rains. .
They were impressed
[Continued from Page 21] system for liquid manure on
engineering consultants and. the Don Trimble Farm,
DER who are working on Peach Bottom, and an
comprehensive water earthen-bank system with
quality management plans spray irrigation distribution
for their areas,” said Kelso, on the Dave Young farm,
“This offered them a more also of Peach Bottom. AH of
realistic view of what these manure management
agriculture is doing to systems allow the farmer to
prevent possible pollution of store the manure in an en
streams,” he continued, vironmentally safe manner
“That was the main purpose and apply it to his fields
and that was accomplished, when weather conditions are
The consultants were im- favorable. Farmers without
pressed, particularly at how manure management
applicable the various systems must haul manure
manure management to the fields daily even
systems are. Also im- during rain storms or
pressive were the wide range freezing temperature. The
of alternatives farmers had potential for degrading
at their disposable to stream and ground water
promote conservation,” with storm water runoff
Kelso added. from manure is the greatest
The tour included an
above-ground liquid manure
corage system on the Jay
Garber farm, Lancaster R 6,
a slotted dam system on the
Bob Kauffman farm, Peach
Bottom, a conventional
earthen-bank storage
RETURN FOR YOUR MONEY?
*3,000-'fi,ooo INVESTMENT
NO MARGIN CALLS
SUGAR-COFFEE-COCOA-SILVER-COPPER-RUBBER
COMMODITY AUCTIONS
CALL 808 OR DON - (Collect) 212-344-3686 or 212-344-4845
or write: COMMODITIES «™ e^ V y E o rk »*»
during these adverse
weather conditions. Soil
conservation practices were
also viewed on a number of
the farms.
The tour will be useful to
the COWAMP consultant in
developing recom-
LOOKING fOR A POSSIBLE
50%
TO 75%
i- ■ ’■ - *
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mendations on managing
and controlling agricultural
sources of water pollution.
COWAMP, in addition to
agricultural sources of water
pollution, is studying all
major sources of stream and
ground water degradation
and will result in a workable
set of coordinated policies,
procedures, programs,
projects and possible
regulations to achieve
desired water quality.
Anyone interested in ob
taining information on
COWAMP or participating in
a public committee that is
assisting in formulation of
the plan should write to
COWAMP, Box 2063,
Harrisburg, Pa. 17120.
The Lancaster County
Cooperative Extension
Service arranged and
conducted the tour in
cooperation with the County
Conservation District and
Planning Commission.
Cleaner com
at harvest.
It begins with effective weed control in the spring. A lasso
plus atrazine tank mix controls many grasses and broadleaves.
Lasso* Herbicide
Lasso is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company
Always read and follow label directions
AAtrex
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