90—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 13,1979 Ry|pi..i.-—' i* - I • * „ f • f 1 hey went from catching chickens awn multi-million dollar farming enterprise WASHINGTON BORO - Fifteen years ago, two Lan caster County brothers were Cafcning cmcKen m the even ing for a local broker to earn extra spending money while fanning during the day. Today the two, Abram G. Barley, of Washington Boro Rl, and John E. Barley, of Conestoga R 2, operate a multi-million dollar faming enterprise consisting of 1115 acreswith 402 Holsteiircows^ 600 young cattle, 800 acres of com, and 165 acres of alfalfa-grass hay. And for their expertise in managing one of the most ef ficient farm operations in the state, they have been named to receive the coveted Master Farmer Award sponsored by the Pennsylvania Farmer Magazine and the Cooperative Extension Ser vice of The Pennsylvania State University. Their meteoric rise to ownership of the large farm ing operation with eight full time workers has caught its share of attention. Their suc cessful deliberations to save 58 acres condemned by the Lancaster Area Refuse Authority made statewide headlines. The Barleys won Penn field’s Outstanding Dairy Award three times and they were recognized by the Pen nsylvania Dairymens Association for high butter fat average. Television commercials featuring the Barleys have been viewed by large regional audiences. And, John has made news by being named Outstanding Young Cooperator in 1975 by Inter-State Milk Producers Cooperative and won the Pennsylvania Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1978. Although the brothers Signapawand Buyer" season and you’ll save $250 on the No. 1 giant round baler in the field. Three models to fit your specific hay harvesting needs With the new "instant start” open throat design Built by the folks who invented the one-man hay system Backed by experienced factory-trained farm dealer representatives Hurry l Supply is limited Vermeer TRIPLE H FARM Clift Holloway Rtl Peach Bottom, PA 17563 ■* X. ~ have different mailing ad dresses, their farms adjoin. John 33, serves as herdsman and Abram, 38, specializes in machinery and crops. Abram’s wife, Pattye, helps take care of the calves; and John’s wife, Jane, keeps farm financial accounts. “We would never have made it without borrowing money,” John Barley says “In fact, we financed our -first—tobacco - crop. ” —That was in 1983 when the brothers rented a 70-acre farm near Millersville. With one year as farm operators under their belt, they next rented the home farm. In 1966 they borrowed more money and purchased the farm. However, a tur ning point occurred between 1968 and 1971. By taking care of 46 cows, 40 acres of tobacco, and 150 steers, they didn’t feel they were making money. Tobacco took too much labor and beef prices were not high enough to support two young families. “We went back to the bank for money to finance a 200-cow free-stall bam and then went on a buying spree for registered Holstein heifer calves,” Abram Barley notes “Again in 1975 Gycloae EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS FOR TAKE A LOOK AT THIS QUALITY FARROWING UNIT Designed and constructed specifically to meet the needs of the sow, this Cyclone unit has been shown to signifi cantly reduce mortality rates... particularly when used with electric heat mats in the floor and properly placed slat ted floor. It incorporates; draft panels to shield pigs from drafts, embossed for maximum rigidity and reinforced on the edges to assure stability... adjustable bottom rail... maximum handling ease through doors which can be opened from either direction.. .welded steel bars, by eliminating nut and bolts, make cleaning easier... 16 gauge square steel tubing with smooth edges to protect hogs from injury... adaptable to either dry or liquid feeding (feed front also serves as a d00r)... adjustable backup bar to prevent injury of pigs at birth... epoxy coated for easy cleaning and long life. Abram and John Barley, left to right, two in the state. Their multi-million di \r farming Lancaster County brothers have been chosen to enterprise consists of 1115 acres with 402 receive the Master Farmers’ Award. The Barleys Holstein cows. 600 young cattle, 800 acres of corn operate one of the most efficient farm operations and 165 acres of alfalfa grass hay. we financed a 106-stall ex pansion* to the bam and modernized the milking parlor. It meant we could handle 150* more cows with the same labor force.” CONFINEMENT HOG PRODUCTION Master Farmer The Barleys took no chances when they set up the complex partnership agreement. To make sure the survivor can keep the farm in case of the death of a EY EQUIPMENT OMPANY, INC. to their partner, they set up a buy sell agreement and pur chased a life insurance policy on each other. They each have wills drawn and established trust SYCAMORE INDUSTRIAL PARK AUTHORIZED 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE _ - UNCASTER.PA 17603 I /) (717)393-5807 LIU 1 Vts DISTRIBUTOR Route 30 West At The Centerville Exit agreements to protect their wives and children. The new Mdster Farmers plan to add more cows, making a total of 500. In the (Turn to Page 91) A
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