A 36—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, inly 18,1981 U.S. Chamber ag director to address Lancaster Ag Council LANCASTER - E. Clinton “Smokey” Stokes, Director ot the Food and Agriculture department of the U.S. Chamber ot Commerce will address the Lancaster County Agriculture Council at 7; 30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, at the Lancaster Chamber office WASHINGTON, D. C. - Gram dust—difficult, dangerous and expensive to handle—may be put to use in the future. Small gram particles wear off of corn, wheat, sorghum, soybeans, and other grams'- as they move through facilities and equipment from farms to final destinations. Researchers see it as a possible source of fuel, feed, or fertilizer, with its use as a feed ingredient apparently having the most potential in terms of cost and nutrition. Although little information is available, some feeders are already feeding their cattle, swine, and poultry rations that contain gram dust. Some sources contend gram dust has 80 percent of the nutritional value of its original source. Estimates show the dust to have a value of $72 per ton when corn is $2.52 a bushel. Although a cost analysis was not made tor han [kIUS MATS mmd MUCH End O’Rat Go. Rd 1 Box 668 New Holland, PA 17557 717-354-2340 ROHRER'S QUALITY SEEDS vpR MBUSTSEEIHNe • Vangard Alfalfa • Redland Alfalfa • Baylor Brome Grass • Napier Orchard Grass • Hawk Hybrid Orchard Grass • Toro Timothy • Certified Climax Timothy • Timothy • Annual Rye Grass • Highland Pasture Mix • Winter Vetch Holland Extra Baler Twine Holland Extra Binder Twine SMOKETOWN, PA PH: 717-299-2571 The Lancaster County Agriculture Council was organized by The Lancaster Chamber ot Commerce and Industry to identity and represent key agricultui al and business issue's impacting ot Lancaster County agricultural procedures. The chan man Grain dust emerges as fuel, tiling, gram dust likely has more value as a teed than as a fertilizer or fuel in most situations. Gram dust has been compared to gunpowder because ot its explosive characteristics when combmed with oxygen. It can be burned under controlled conditions though for heat. A public utility it ex ploring this possibility. A drawback is the possibility ot silica, particularly m soybean dust. Glass created when silica is incinerated causes problems m incineration equipment. Gram dust as a fuel could be combined with or substituted tor coal, but coal, with over 1.7 tunes the energy per pound as corn dust, is superior as an energy source. Coal is also superior on a cost basis. So, with processmg and transportation costs considered, a subsidy ot $13.71 per ton would be needed to make gram dust com petitive with coal at $38.92 per ton. Gram dust could also be used to produce tuel alcohol because ol Us starch content, but again the cost comparison with other feedstocks would be the determining factor. Spreading dust on cropland Where's The Water? In Our 200-Gallon Stock Tank! Rk 1 Our Farm Products Include: The SMITH CATTLEGUARD® • No. 1 In The Country • One-Piece Construction The Freeze-Proof Waterer • NO ENERGY NEEDED • Easy Installation and Maintenance Feed Bunks • Centerline and Fenceline • Smooth Sides Less Waste is- Licensed by EASI-SET* Industries president ot each agriculture related association located in Lancaster County serves on the Council to represent the issues and pi ograrts ot interest to their members. This umbrella organization meets on a ouarterly basis and provides a torum -.tor the agricultural community ot Lan caster County to receive in formation on a particular subject or to come together on an issue and motivate their own memberships in support ot, or m opposition to, as needed. feed poses weed and insect problems, but because of its high organic content it is ideal as a compost tor greenhouses and gardens. Costs would have a negative effect here also. Composted products which sold at $4 per hundredweight in the Midwest last year suggest that processed gram dust retail prices would have been $BO a ton. Most ot the retail'value is ac counted for by wholesaler and retailer margins, transportation, and processmg, leavmg a small proportion, if any, of the value allocated to the raw product. Featuring: • Steel-Reinforced Precast Concrete • Simple Installation • Easy Maintenance • Approved by Soil Conservation Service - Please send me information on: □ cattleguards □ waterers □ feed bunks name address ! city ; phone CONCRETE safety SYSTEMS, ! Route 1095 Stokes’s presentation will focus on the key provisions and current status of the farm bill which is currently being considered in Congress. This bill, which includes provisions on agricultural research, exports, .conservation and agricultural commodity - support programs, will determine the direction ot federal farm programs tor the next tour years.- Stokes will also briefly overview other pending legislative issues in agriculture, both domestic and international. Stokes has been a staff specialist on issues related to agriculture, rural and regional development since 1954. His work at the U.S. Chamber brings him m frequent association with members ot Congress, officials ot the (J.S. Department ot Agricutture and other executive agencies, with tanners and agri-business leaders and with national trade associations in agriculture and allied industries. , vt' . - state zip Bethel, Pa. 19507 1717) 933-4107 af*