—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 26,1978 54 Forage research (Continued from Page 52) seeding technology. Other areas which need more research include forage and legume production, feed value of forages, biological efficiencies, loss reductions, genetically superior crops, and harvesting, storing, and feeding techniques for maximum efficiencies. In addressing his audience, which numbered about 80, the forage researcher attempted to predict the future of pasture and range research. Admitting that it would take uncommon wisdom and a crystal ball to accurately predict the future, Templeton is basing his judgement on happenings of the past. “As we are people vitally con cerned with agriculture, it behooves us to be aware of continuing developments and to strive to direct them for the good of both producers and consumers,” he began. One of the first things that needs to be done, according to Templeton, is finding a true value of forages. “There are very few hard data or statistics which help us to determine very accurately the value of forage crops,” he revealed. One study cited by Templeton claims that the value of forages which enter into the production of milk, beef, lamb, and wool is approximately 48 per cent of the value of animals and animal products sold. Templeton is also emphatic about the need to take land use into consideration, and ties such developments directly to forage research. He notes that while 2.8 million acres of farmland went out of production from 1967 to 1975, and another 2.7 million acres are being held for urban use, pasture and rangeland use actually increased during those years. He also points out that much of the land coming into use in the Northeast for pasture is unsuitable for conversion to cropland. Accordingly, he stresses a need for forage, pasture and range research. Funding for such work has been slow in coming, however, and he doesn’t anticipate much improvement. He urges fanners and industrymen to combine them efforts in a united, solid front to convince legislators and educators that the need for pasture and forage research is real. On land use, the laboratory director revealed that Pennsylvania lost 6.4 million acres of farmland since 1940. The number of farms in Pennsylvania now is just 31 per cent of what it was during World War n years. The researcher also noted that beef cattle numbers have increased six-fold since 1940, and an estimated one third of the farmers in the state work at other jobs 200 or more days per year. These happenings are indicative of the increase in pasture and range use, Templeton explained. Also, some 15 to 18 million acres of additional land in the Northeast could be used for producing forages if economic con ditions favor such use. In light of what has happened in the past, Templeton believes the trend may continue. According to available research findings, it should be possible to develop the technology for producing ap proximately 900 pounds of gain from beef cattle, sheep, and goats, or 9000 pounds of milk per acre per year, WHY? SHOULD I CONSIDER A FARM DRAINAGE INVESTMENT FROM COCALICO EQUIPMENT CO. BECAUSE THEY ARE LAND IMPROVEMENT SPECIALISTS USING ALL S.C.S. APPROVED MATERIALS ASK ABOUT THE.R LASER BEAM GRADE CONTROL DRAINAGE MACHINE Drainage Pays High Returns investment Land Drainage. Farm Buildings Farmland . Stocks Bonds Even with the conservative figures shown above, it’s ob vious that land drainage should top farmers’ lists of invest 2 merit priorities. COCALICO EQUIPMENT CO. LIC A COMPARE DRAINAGE & EXCAVATING RD #3, DENVER, PA. 17517 (215)267-3808 Typical Annual Return 21-46% (d) 3-23% (d) 11% (e) . . .74% (0 . 6 1% (i) Templeton told his listeners. To emphasize his point, he noted that Dr. W.K. Griffith of the Potash and Phosphate Institute, and currently president of the American Forage and Grassland Council, has concluded the technology is available today to double forage production in the Nor theast without appreciably changing the acreage for cash crops. Griffith reporetedly stresses the need for farmers in the Northeast to rely more on high quality hpme produced forages, and less on purchased grain and con centrated feedstuffs. Templeton admits that any significant changes in forage production and use will depend on complex economic, technological and social developments. “Much additional research will be neded to fully exploit livestock production with forages,” he said. “Research requires time. A lead time of at least 10 to 20 years is likely to be needed to obtain answers for solving such complex problems as the utilization of Class HI or poorer land,’,’ he explained. He emphasizes that to make progress with poorer land is “no small undertaking,” and that it is not known whether politicians will support the needed research programs. Templeton, among others, sees a continued heavy grain export program for the United States and says this should favor the use of forages in livestock production programs. “But concerted, strong efforts are apt to be required to greatly increase forage research in the Northeast and the country as a whole during the next few years,” he declared. Tisting no fewer than 48 separate forage research areas of high, very high, or top priority, Templeton Says the program is at the mercy of public funding. Of his own facilities and staff at Penn State, he says: “I am con vinced we do not have a critical mass of scientists to do the job required of a regional reserarch facility serving 12 states. We have 11 researchers at present and have in dicated to our administrators the need for eight additional professionals.” He notes also that if he were to get the eight additional scientists he will also need more space and equipment at the laboratory. “I am convinced that the national welfare will be served INVENTORY REDUCTION! WE ARE OFFERING THE BIGGEST DISCOUNT ON ALL UNITS IN STOCK LIQUID MANURE HANDLING EQUIPMENT ► BY BETTER-BILT ◄ -zm --'ptANMING LAYOUTS • SALES • INSTALLATION • SERVICE SHENK'S FARM SERVICE 501 E. WOODS DRIVE LITiTZ. PA 17543 PHONE: 717-626-1151 Home Phone. Clyde Lutz - 717-738-1718 Home Phone Curtis Cassady-717-626-1065 Our Service Trucks Are Radio Dispatched 24 Hr. Service Offered by well-planned, productive -research pointed toward needs of the next generation. As we and others in the region try to improve our forage-research productivity, we solicit your comments, criticism and support,” he concluded. Are You Using A Tank Full of Oil A Month? 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers