Maryland SCS releases inventory data COLLEGE PARK, Md. - losing soil, almost twice as according to a recent survey Service (SCS). Maryland’s cropland is fast as nature can replace it by the U.S. Soil Conservation Sheet and rill erosion-the CASE The ■fr JJj ft NEW* SHOW* OF POWER See and Drive the 90 Series Tractor HERRVALE FARMS RD 1, KIRKWOOD, PA. WHETHER YOU'RE A CASE MAN OR NOT, WE WELCOME YOU TO SEE WHAT CASE HAS TO OFFER W:TTIA.L. HERR & BRO. bdbrflAd QUARRYVILLE, PA. (717)786-3521 iii |*fv • Triple “A” Line uses vertical space to house birds and re duce building and maintenance costs • Plastic manure deflectors, no chute scrapers • Contour Cages, 20” deep 12” width 4 birds (240 birds/10’ section) 15” width 5 birds (240 birds/10’ section) 24” width 9 birds (270 birds/10’ section) • Doors on top for bottom tier on front for middle and top tier • Egg belts plastic or woven fabric • For concrete or deep pit houses FOUR AUTOMATED FEEDING SYSTEMS AVAILABLE See Us About Converting Your Existing House,: With A Diamond Cage System - "if FjJLL LINE PARTS DEPARTMENT ★ WE SELL, SERVICE AND INSTALL w jjumriiowpMiiiT, R wi,io s w B sTr« t ß p°A d C/rintKK inc. 'uT # FIELD DAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9 THE SYSTEMS PEOPLE / / - B Tractor Specialist presents • at our 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. (Rain Date Oct. 11) Directions: Take Route 472 to Kirkwood. Turn East on Maple Shade Road. Go approximately 2 miles and follow signs. «« DIAMOND CAGE SYSTEMS J-' 5 ' “Egg Maker Series” 3- and 4-high reverse cage layer system Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 6,1979 least noticeable type of soil loss-is occurring at an average annual rate of 7 tons per acre on cultivated land in the state. Nationwide, cultivated cropland loses about 5.4 tons per acre per year, ranging from an average of 1 ton in some states to 49 tons in the Caribbean. The three-part study, called the National Resources Inventory, began m 1977 in response to inquiries by Congress and others as to the status of the nation’s soil and water resources. Over 200,000 statistically selected points were sampled nationwide by conservation technicians; 587 m Maryland. Gerald R. Calhoun, head of SCS m Maryland, said his agency as well as local soil con servation districts will use the date to set priorities for the state’s voluntary soil and water conservation program. ,!i i'j' In addition to sheet and nil erosion, the first phase of the study measured land use, soil capability, small water areas, prune farmland, and conservation needs. The second phase, due out in early 1980, measures gully, streambank, roadbank and construction site erosion. The third and final phase will compute sediment delivery for major nver basins and is expected to be completed in late 1980. “Erosion poses a triple threat,” says Calhoun. “Not only does it rob the land of its productivity, it causes sedimentaion and water pollution problems.” Calhoun cautions against relying too heavily on average erosion figures. “You must remember that the figures on the computer printout don’t tell you about the nearly level parts of the state where erosion is negligible or about the steep, intensely farmed areas where erosion runs up to 40 tons per acre per year and more. We’ll have a better grasp on the total erosion picture after Phase 2 is complete.” In addition to erosion control, the study identified areas needing treatment such as drainage, irrigation, and improvement of pasture and forest land to increase productivity. Significant, Calhoun says, is the fact that soil and water conservation treatment is needed on about 1.3 million acres of crop and pastureland; 1.4 million acres of forest land; and on over 102,000 acres of other land including urban and developing areas in Maryland. The study also showed that almost half of the state’s 1.7 million acres of cropland is considered prime, that is, the soils are highly productive with a minimum of input. There are about 557,000 acres m the state not presently cultivated that have potential for being converted to cropland. Another approximately 2.6 million acres have already been built-up or are other wise unsuitable for con version to cropland. The study also shows there are about 216,000 acres of wetlands in the state; 41,000 acres of irrigated land; 45,000 acres of strip mines, pits and quarries; 43,000 acres of floodprone cropland; 505,000 acres of floodprone rural land; and about 50,000 acres of streams and small water bodies. 17
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