JUO—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 13,1981 Why should almost $2 million in taxpayers’ hard earned money be spent to clean up “nonpoint source" pollution in the headwaters of the Conestoga River when a private firm is plotting to dump hazardous waste in an old clay mine in the water shed? That's a question we posed to a local federal conservation official whose reply was “That's a good question." But that’s exactly the situation that lurks at the source of the City of Lan caster’s and several other smaller communties’ supply of water, on which 175,000 people rely. Let’s face the facts. The federal government has earmarked a considerable sum under the Rural Clean Water Program to help far mers in Lancaster County to clean up their act. Specifically, the program is designed to stop manure runoff and water coming off cropland fields that may be carrying fertilizer, insecticides, and pesticides from polluting this stream and its tributaries. And yet, a private business is in the process of creating an environment that could potentially destroy the efforts of hundreds of farmers in NOW IS THE TIME TO REMOVE BROKEN LIMBS IN PASTURES The high winds that accompany summer storms can create problems in pasture fields. Broken limbs lying around may be hazardous to your livestock. If you have any wild cherry or choke cherry branches lying in your pasture fields, be sure to remove them before allowing any livestock in the fields. When leaves are damaged by broken limbs, they wilt down and a poisonous substance is formed within the leaves. Just a handful of these wilted leaves can kill a cow or several sheep if they are eaten Death occurs very quickly because the poison interferes with the oxygen carrying ability of the blood. Treatment is possible, but the animals are usually found dead in the field. The only way to eliminate the danger of wild cherry poisoning is to eliminate the trees. Fields with wild cherry should be checked for fallen limbs after a storm; it’s a simple precaution and could save a cow or a whole herd. Off the Somdmg By Sheila Miller, Editor Calling the question trying to preserve the Conestoga's water quality. Although it's known that the' firm plans to be getting rid of some industrial type of “hazardous waste" in this old mine site, it is still a mystery just what will be dumped. Fortunately, the progress of the land sale transaction has been stymied, at least for a while, by local opposition from the citizens of three townships in which the 450 acre tract is located. This is not the first time such a plan has clashed with concerned citizens. A similar plan in nearby York County also learned how strongly the residents opposed their neighborhood from becoming the home for hazardous waste. Just having TMI in our backyards keeps everyone edgy and alert to any other potential pollutant slipping m unannounced. Admittedly, there is room for improvement on quite a few farms, not only in Lan caster County but in others as well, when it comes to runoff and erosion control. We’re not shirking responsibility for trying to curb the rate in which precious topsoil inches its way into the streams and rivers that flow through our productive agricultural areas. And, with the exorbitant bills By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent Phone 717-394-6851 TO KEEP PESTICIDE RECORDS Today’s battle with insects, fungus, rodents and weeds require the use of many different chemicals. It is important to keep an accurate record of any chemical used. This would include the date, name of material, ap plication rate, field number and even the direction the wind is blowing. This might save a lot of trouble and loss of income in case there is some question. Many food items are being checked by Food and Drug representatives for pesticide residue. It is possible to find residue even where the producer followed regulations and every -recommended practice. Your record would be very important in these cases. TO OBTAIN A NEW DAIRY REFERENCE MANUAL Dairymen who survive the 1980’s will be those who can manage cows and a large amount of money They will be well informed, and they will be effective in using the services and supplie.s available to them/through ag industnc- r <' Board we pay for chemical fertilizer, herbicides, and insecticides, who can afford to watch it run off with every little ram. There's no question that we advertise in an attempt to find the can use the close to $2 million owners or heirs, hut large sums, I to install manure holding " am‘old, shU go unclaimed. . . . 2 It is hard for us to imagine— ponds, diversions, and particularly in these times of cropland terraces which are economic uncertainty—money designed to help keep our deposits going unclaimed by. streams clear. The boost these legitimate owners. Yet, it seems to funds will provide over the he a operative in life that . . __ ... . _ we are often unaware of the next ten years will make an resources around us that could otherwise practically in- meet the needs of mind, body and surmountable problem of spirit. Frequently we are simply tackling nonpoint pollution blind to what is so close...at hand problems a much easier chore, and, even it we are aware, we sHU Not only the farming com- JW*ul to claim ttewwyltagw. munity will benefit from this Take Possession! taxpayer investment, but so will our city neighbors who depend on the Conestoga for their water needs. We’ve all experienced the devastating effects drought can create last year’s long hot dry summer has sketched its mark indelibly on our minds. We realize more than ever how critical our water supply is to everyone, and how keeping it clean and clear of pollutants ’ and hazardous .waste is important. Stopping nonpoint source pollution from the flowing into the Conestoga River is something v the farming community can deal with but an unknown hazardous waste is another question make wise management decisions, dairymen will need many facts, such as those found in Penn State's new “Dairy Reference Manual". This new publication is a major revision of the previous, successful manual. It is a catalog of facts for dairymen and for ag industry personnel. A variety of topics are included, such as: feeding, diseases, parasites, breeding, selection, farm management data, milking equipment, milk quality, product technology, etc. TTie, manual can be obtained by writing to Dairy Manual, Box 6000, University Park, PA 16802. Send a check in the amount of $7.50 payable to The Pennsylvania State University. TO CONTROL PARASITES IN LIVESTOCK The blood-sucking parasites of sheep, horses, and cattle thrive and multiply in large numbers during hot weather. Each female worm produces up to 10,000 eggs daily during.warm weather. These eggs hatch, very quickly (Tumto Page Al 2) UNCLAIMED PROMISES June 14,1981 Background Scripture: Deuteronomy 1 Devotional Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:5-13/ Every year millions of dollars lie unclaimed in bank accounts, ap parently forgotten by those who have legitimate claims upon them. Banks are required by law to We see this same tendency reflected in the story of the first chapter of Deuteronomy. After wandering years in the wilderness, the Hebrew people under Moses, finally came to die hill country of Amorites which God had promised them. “Behold,” says Moses to the people, “the Lord your God has set the land before you; go up, take' possession, as the Lord...has told you" n 21, OUR READERS WRITE For shame, dairymen We as dairy farmers have plenty non-dairy farm folk to use to gripe about and I laud the Dairy delicious dairy products when Princesses and “Milky” who are many dairy fanners use imitation 'doing such a splendid job. dairy products themselves 7 Those of us having large Maybe we need the “Real Seal” as financial obligations can hardly much as the rest of the buying consider reducing our herd size, public. And we complain that consumption A case on page C 6 in the Home on is down. " the Range section saluting June I agree with the Pennsylvania, Dairy Princess, Cindy Neely, “it’s not overproduction, it’s under consumption," caused in part by under-promotion. How can we urge HAV HAWS USOA You skipped our pay raise in April. I he not going to forget us again on October 1. It was suggested that they first send out some scouts or spies, for the Hebrews were hesitant to do what they were commanded. Back came the spies’ report: “It is a good land which the Lord our God gives us.” God has commanded them and the report of their spies was favorable, but the fear of the people was greater than their faith and they refused to obey. It is easy for us to condemn the fearfulness of the Hebrews, but it is no longer important that the Hebrews refused to claim God’s promises, but that we do not. It seems that there is always a danger of expecting too much from God, of treateing him as a divine Santa Claus. But at the same time I think we are also in danger of expecting too little. In'fact, if we err on either side today, I would -suggest that our problem today is one of failing to take seriously God’s promise and claiming what he wants to give us. Do Not Be Afraid! No matter how often Moses reminded them of God’s promises, no matter how favorable was the reconnaisance report, the people were too fearful to claim the promises. Rumors had reached them, saying: “The people (Amontes) are greater and taller than we; the cities are great and fortified up to heaven..” (1:28). Nothing so keeps us from realizing and receiving the gifts of God than our fears. What is the source of that in capacitating fear? I believe it is a fear that God will not keep his promise and we would rather not try risk being disappointed and disillusioned. But life cannot be lived in fear; far better to take the chance of failure for the sake of claiming the promises and giving God the opportunity to give us his good gifts. Dairy Month, I am mystified that you would print recipes in such a section using none dairy products, (Torn to Page Al 2) ipe you’re
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