—Lancaster Farming, Saturday. Jan. 15. 1977 12 Now is the time [Continued from Page 10| during the winter months and producers should not be prohibited from cleaning their feedlots and barns. However, we would call attention to the need of ex treme care in where the waste is scattered; to put heavy applications on slopes close to streams on top of snow is not advisable; this land should be held to later in the spring and apply the material just before plowing down. Good common sense in applying livestock waste on snow is suggested, and every effort should be made not to arouse the complaints of the community. XXX Winter-time management of beef and dairy cattle herds is just as important as when they are out on pasture, or in outside exercise lots. Many beef cattle and young stock are confined too closely; we urge them to be allowed outside daily exercise. Also, it is very important to have free access to both salt and minerals along with fresh water. Some producers may limit the amount of salt or minerals by mixing it into the grain ration; this may be sufficient for some animals, but not for all of them. Loose salt is strongly suggested over block salt, because most animals will consume more of the loose salt and thereby, drink more water. Both the salt and minerals should be kept under cover to prevent them from getting wet and caking. Also, during the winter months many herds are infested with cattle lice; these blood-sucking insects reduce the health of the animals and increase production costs; we urge feeders to spray or dust their animals to cleanout the lice; if spraying during cold weather, be sure to use cold water and not warm or hot water; this is safer from the standpoint of chilling the animals and catching colds. Good management will help increase gains and milk production. Many local swine and sheep producers need supplemental heat in their bams during the winter and early spring for the arrival of the young pigs and lambs. If heat lamps are to be used, we urge extreme not presenting a fire hazard; the lamp should be hung with strong wire or cable and out of the reach of livestock; many fires have been started when the lamp fell into the bedding. Also, it has been experienced that the cows or ewe may chew the wires ana get electrocuted. Heat is needed in cold weather to get the new-born animals warm and able to nurse. If they are chilled the first hour, they are more susceptible to infections and colds. XXX The price of alfalfa hay keeps getting higher each year. We notice some prices reaching into the $90.00 per ton rate This means that every effort should be made to produce maximum yields next summer, whether the forage is to be fed or sold. Winter-time weeds may take their toll when uncontrolled. We urge growers to pay attention to the weed growth, and make spray applications as weather permits. Ac tually, it is a bit late to get the best control, since this is experienced during late fall and early winter The materials that can be used vary with the age of the stand and the grass mixture with the alfalfa. The Agronomy Guide should be of help in selecting the right herbicide; also, custom spray applicators have the information relating to materials. The important thing is to keep the weeds from maturing and smothering out the alfalfa plants. Poor control has been experienced by waiting until February or March. XXX The year 1977 will no doubt bring many changes in agriculture in this country; Since we have new Secretaries of Agricutlure both at the state and national level, it is difficult to predict what will happen. However, we are certain that agriculture will still remain very important in the country and food products will continue to be a vital contribution. We hope that our new agricultural leadership will keep the importance of the American Fanner in mind and not make so many production restrictions that he cannot survive. We continue to urge farmers to participate in local government and in community committees so that agriculture will have some say in the regulations. If farmers do not become active, then someone else will make the important decisions. Farmers, homeowners and commercial pesticide users are reminded that Pennsylvania residents will need to become certified in the application of restricted materials to be used in pest control after October, 1977. The Secretary of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, announced in mid-December that the Department is planning to initiate the classification of pesticides for general and restricted use. General use pesticides will be those available for ap plication by the general public while restricted pesticides include those which can only be used by certified applicators. At this time, the Depart ment proposal means that in October 1977, all currently EPA registered pesticides that bear a skull and crossbones symbol on their label, with the words “Danger-Poison” will be classified and considered restricted pesticides in the Commonwealth. Private applicators of pseticides, such as farmers, can easily become certified by self-study and taking the exam in their own home. Commercial applicators can complete certification by self-study plus taking an exam which is proctered by a representative of the PA Department of Agirculture. Requirements include completing the basic test plus one or more catergories relating directly to their work. There will be three op portunities to take the commercial exams in Lancaster at the Farni and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, it has been announced by Arnold G Lueck, County Agricultural Agent The dates are January 20, February 10 and March 9 No fees are in volved to take the tests However, instruction materials must be ordered Farm Calendar {Continued from Page 10| Certification, Farm and Home Center, 9 a m. to 4 p m. Inter-State District nmiing Quarryville .il the Methodist Church, 11:45. Elizabethtown Young Farmers hold meeting on animal nutrition, 7:30 p,m at the High School Maryland 1i ut clloms Eradication Program meeting, Walkersville Fire House York County Com Clinic, 4-H Center at Bair, 9:30 a.m. Dairy records clinic, New Jersey dairymen, 1-3 p.m. at home of Mr. and Mrs. William Emmons, Sergeantsville, N.J. Friday, Jan. 21 Pennsylvania Egg Marketing Association meets at the Sheraton Conestoga, Lancaster, 7 p.m. Old fashioned bam dance at the Hoffman Community Building, Solanco Fair Grounds, Quarryville, 8- 11 p.m. Benefit to the building fund. Saturday, Jan. 22 Paradise rotary Club holds Travel and Adventure program at Conestoga Valley High School, 7:30 p.m. “Viva Mexico” is program. and studied in advance of taking the written exams. Further information concerning certification of private and commerical applicators is available from the Cooperative Extension Service, 394-6851. Myth Carrots apples and leafy greens should be fed regularl} to rabbits besides a ration Truth A complete ration such as Master Mix Rabbit Pe!lels™con tains all the known nutritional needs of growing and mature rabbits with the exception of water The above items can be fed as special treats but no more than twice a week Myth Feeding medicated feeds is expensive Truth it costs about 3 1 2c more per grown rabbit to teed them Master Mix Rabbit Pellets But real savings occur in greater resistance!© highh susceptible respiratory and enteritis out breaks and lower mortality > Myth Rabbits must be fed tw ice dail> Truth feeding trials wit U thousands of rabbits in Master Mix Re search indicate that feeding once a da\ is the most satis factorv piogram ParlicularK when theralion is m pellet form such is Master Mi\ Rabbit Pcllc's which assures cadi rtbhil of a balanced nutritional di» I I earn more iboul Master Mi\ Ktst nch cftortsin bctterleeds lor profit oriented rabbit rustrs stopm now jAI Master Mix More to gain See List Of Master Mix Dealers, Page 81. While some folks travelling to the stuck in the snow, this fellow had a Farm Show had difficulties getting more or less similar problem. t!HSb aoDiroofflairD© yfr ®« mmm mim The key to the HART system is a combination of the patented Hart-link conveyor chain and the unique trough design that results in a balanced ration being delivered without powdering or grinding. The Hart-link enables feed to be moved up and over aisles and also at faster speeds than other type feeders. The HART concept is that all the feed moves all the time v * n» t rfm i f* -f/ FEATURING SEMI-ENCLOSED TROUGHS AND LINER The patented troughs and feature a semi-closed partment where the birds a pick the feed as it moves, feed flows into the trough by gravity where the birds eat the fully balanced ration. Another big feature is that the chain cannot lift, which is a common problem with other feeders. Existing troughs can be con verted to automatic feeding with a special Model A-130 Trough liner or for new installations easy to install 1-piece troughs are available for installation on the outside or between the cages. Full Line Parts Dept. LEASING AVAILABLE WE SELL, SERVICE and INSTALL B E. M. HERR EQUIPMENT, INC. R.D.I, Wl LOW STREET, PA UNCASTER CO. „ N,, Lancaster Farming photo by Dieter Krieg ■*6