A34—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 17,1912
Md . couple wins use of tractor
(Continued from Page Al)
For the moment Grossnickle
says, “I want to concentrate on
held crops and get into a better
rotation.” His com is all no-till to
cut soil erosion and save labor, and
he wants to include soybeans
double cropped with barley.
Asked about herd problems,
Gary says they work closely with a
veterinarian, and have
“straightened out” some breeding
problems. They use all AI, looking
for proven bulls with plus 1000 PF
and plus in type and fat. An ad
vantage of the stanchion barn is
early heat detection.
About a year and a half ago they
were plagued with mastitis, but
with careful management have
brought it under control. They dry
treat cows, use teat dip and in
dividual towels. “We feel it’s worth
it,” Gary says.
They have also updated their
milking system twice in the last
five years. “We updated it. That
helped,” Gary states.
His goals for the cows is to keep
the calving interval down (it’s
currently at 12%-13 months) and
production up. He says if labor
were available he would consider
increasing his herd to 200 cows in
the future, and perhaps have a
milking parlor, but there are no
immediate plans for that change.
He praises his two hired helpers,
saying, “We have two real good
guys.”
They raise all their own herd
replacements and for nearly a
year have used calf hutches with
great success. “We hope to build
Gary and Cindy pose with their family beside Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and
their new Allis-Chalmers tractor which they Rancher award programs. With them are Amy.
can use free for one year as winners of the 1* Joshua, 5, and Carrie, 3.
The Grossnickles relax in the living room of is holding Amy while Gary holds Carrie and
their Frederick County, Maryland home. Cindy Joshua is in the center.
more by fall, since most of our
cows freshen in the fall and win
ter,” Gary relates.
They use whole milk to feed their
calves. Gary explains, “I’ve tried
a dozen different milk replacers,
but with the surplus we feel whole
milk is best.”
Involved in Frederick County
Young Farmers and Ranchers for
about 10 years, Grossnickle was
near the contest age limit of 30. His
birthday is in May.
Cindy is involved in the farm,
and takes care of all the books for
the operation. She can be found in
the fields during hay season, but
presently keeps busy caring for
their three children, Joshua, 5
Carrie, 3 and Amy, 1.
Cindy is active on the women’s
committee of Farm Bureau, and
Gary served as county chairman
from 1977 to 1979. He says, “I feel
very strongly that Farm Bureau
does more for me legislative-wise
than any organization I belong to.
If we have any particular
problems on the local level, we
relay that to the lobbyist. We can
get in touch with him easily.”
The Grossnickles acknowledge
that they write to their elected
officials, and add, “We get in
formation from them too.”
Sold on the benefits of farming,
Gary says, “I haven’t seen any
place better to raise children. I just
hope I can farm long enough to
give the children the same op
portunity I have.”
Gary is thoughful about
dairying’s future. “The next few
years will be tough in general
farming.” He feels we are now
experiencing a downswing, and in
a few years the cycle will go up. “If
we get production back m control
and keep demand up, we’ll come
out alright”, he says.
The Grossmckles ship to Capitol
Milk Producers which markets
through the High Dairy Stores.
Grossnickle was a Young
Cooperator with them, serving as
vice-chairman in 1977 and
chairman in 1978. In March he was
elected to serve on the board of
directors.
About this position, he says, “It’s
impressive. We represent 160
farmers and you must make some
important decisions.”
Grossnickle believes in being
involved, but adds, “I think young
farmers should get involved but
not to the point that they neglect
their fanning operation or their
families. We became involved in
things that are worthwhile. We feel
if we’re going to be members, we
want to be active members. You
have to spend tune with your
family too.”
Members of the Lewistown
Methodist Church, Cindy is a
Sunday School teacher there.
Grossmckle is chairman of the
Frederick Southern States
Petroleum Board and serves on the
Fredenck-Montgomery unit of
Sire Power.
They hope to encourage more
young farmers in Maryland to
enter the award program next
year and win the opportunity to
travel and participate in the
national program.
fir.,** i -u-C** * -4
*„ y* '*s' O$M 15? «<• 'z li. ,** -..
A view of the Grossnickle homestead in Frederick County,
Maryland, near Walkersville. The Grossnickles farm 450
acres on this farm and two others and milk 170 cows.
The Grossnickles are pleased
with the recognition they have
gained and were overwhelmed
with the expressions of best wishes
they received from other farmers.
But the award will not change
then- basic outlook toward their
fanning operation, about which
Gary stands beside the barnyard on his dairy farm near
Walkersville, Maryland. He has 170 head of milk cows and
125 replacements.
Pruss earns PASC post
HONESDALE - Ed Pruss has
been appointed Wayne County
representative for the Penn
sylvania Agricultural Safety
Council. Pruss of RD#l, Lake Ariel
will help coordinate an effort to
expand farm safety education in
Wayne County.
Among all industrial occupations
in the United States agriculture
has the distinction of being the
most dangerous. According' to
statistics kept by the National
Safety Council and the Penn
sylvania Agricultural Safety
Council over the last few years, the
farm accident rate has surpassed
the mining industry as the most
hazardous occupation.
Most of these accidents could
be prevented by observing some
simple safety practices. Pruss’
duties will include scheduling
speakers for safety meetings,
giving safety talks to interested
groups, providing material for new
PASC members, and arranging for
literature and displays.
The Pennsylvania Agricultural
Safety Council is a non-profit
agency that promotes rural and
farm safety practices in Penn
sylvania. Organized in 1978, PASC
is the only statewide organization
dedicated solely to the prevention
of rural-farm accidents.
PASC coordinates and develops
safety programs and promotions
through various media. For
example, with PASC support, 60
Future Farmers of America
chapters have conducted hundreds
Gary noted on the application
form, “There is always room for
improvement and our farm is no
exception.”
To them farming is a way of life
offering many rewards to the
family that works and relaxes
together.
of farm visits and distributed
thousands of safety warning
stickers to put on machinery. The
FFA chapters also have
distributed hundreds of safety
brochures.
In Pennsylvania, farm work
accidents claim more than 50 lives
annually while hundreds of people
are seriously injured. Through
newspaper clippings and medical
reports, PASC monitors the causes
of farm accidents.
Each year, PASC recognizes
individuals, organizations and
businesses that make significant
contributions to promoting rural
safety in Pennsylvania. In
dividuals are honored for then:
efforts in conducting safety
campaigns. Recipients have
promoted public awareness
through direct mail, safety
demonstrations and farm visits.
Businesses and organizations
have been recognized for their
educational programs that help
volunteer firemen and
homeowners cope with fires and
accidents. Such programs include
training in rescue techniques from
silo fires, manue pits and
machinery.
These are just a few of the rural
and farm safety programs con
ducted by the Pennsylvania
Agricultural Safety Council. For
more information contact Ed
Pruss, Wayne County Extension
Service, Court House, Honesdale,
Pa. 18431, Telephone 717-253-5970
ext. 114.