Crossleys’ conservation efforts are highlights of Berks tour
By Laurel Schaeffer
LEESPORT Construction of a
sod waterway and diversion
terrace were highlighted during
the annual Berks County Con
servation tour bust week. The tour
whichstarted at the Berks County
Agricultural Center, progressed to
the Gruber Wagon Works, followed
by the Energy Fest and Wood
burners Expo being held at the
Kutztown Fairgrounds, before
winding up at Crossley Brothers,
Barto, where the sod waterway
was being constructed.
At the Crossley Brothers farm,
located in the Perklomen water
shed, John Crossley • showed
visitors the construction which was
underway for a sod waterway. The
site being drained by the waterway
was previously an old orchard
which has been turned into field.
crop production.
A combination of terraces and
watejrways were being built on the
ground encompassing ap
. proxfmately 150 acres, to slow
water runoff and divert it away
from a roadway to the back of the
property where a natural water
way exists.
Prior to the conservation work, a
driveway leading up to the fields
was impossible to maintain do to
washing, explained Crossley.
The conservation work, which
includes countour strips, will slow
the loss of soil due to die runoff and
will help retain the water. Crossley
stated he remembers an
agronomist telling, a group of
which provides added strength while retaining the
smooth surface desirable for bin' sweeps and
cleaning devices flound perforations cover the
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against overheating 'Equipped with cord and male
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farmers not to let water leave the
fannwheneverpossible. ( ,
The Crossleys began cod
serv&Son fanning with recom
mendations from die Soil Con
servation Service in 1950 the
fifth farm in the county to have
signed up in the conservation
program. 'All of their farms,
consisting of 400 acres' are in
conservation practices, including
three miles of terraces and three
miles of tiled waterways.
“We were always picking rocks
and .stones,” John Crossley ex
plained, “when we first thought of
joining the conservation program.
After joining, the soil loss was
much less, as was their fertilizer
and machinery repair bills/
“The water was washing all the
soil away, leaving more rocks
exposed, each year, Crossley
explained. He also noted the
.conservation practices in
corporated into his farming
operations bave cut down fuel
consumption. The: terraces have
leveled his steepest land, reducing
the danger of tip overs.
The Crossleys raise 200 acres of
alfalfa and put the rest of their
farmland into com and small grain
production. They also bave 40
acres of buckwheat planted as a
double crop. The farm is run by
John Crossley and tus brother
Harry with the help of four em
ployees.
The Crossleys milk 170 grade
Holsteins using a double-six
herringbone milking parlor in-
Plan for a little Farm addition
g with GSI teasing Today!
Grain Systems, Inc
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GRAIN HANDLERS
stalled seventeen years ago with a
gravity flow pipeline. Manure is
stored in tanks and hauled out four
times per year.
They bave also built a four-acre
pond and stocked it with fish. The
pond was primarily built to help
During last week's Berks Conservation tour, waterway with dairyman John Crossley, right,
SCS technical Roy Shyrock, left, and ASCS and equipment operator Phil Gregor,
director Henry Bohn look over plans for a sod
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your grain drying needs. on* piece galvamred for loop lif* Inner door, with mum traetkm maN waathar situations Makes for forming a sturdy base J Bolt adjustment for easier
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Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September IS, 1982—A23
the local fire company, Crossley urgeu any farmer interested in
prpiaintvT doing conservation work on a farm
Henry Bohn, director of the to contact his office as soon as
Berks County ASCS office told the possible. Explaining that the next
tour participants that cost shares county committee meeting for cost
were still available from his office share approval will be held Sep
for conservation practices. He tember24tb.
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GSI NATURAL
AIRSTREAM
AIR DRYING
USED GRAIN DRYERS
FOR SALE
WE STOCK ALL TYPES OF
GRAIN EQUIPMENT
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Hoof V«m provide* a Urge unobstructed opening
to increese sir movement through gram and
eliminate excessive condensation deposits on the
inside of the roof Eliminates climbing on root in
bad weather conditions to open peak nng cap In
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feature of G S I bina This manway provtdas an
opening for easy access Top hmgec completely out
the way when open Rounded edges provide safe
entrance and exit through manway
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GSt Acceee Equipment consists of Ladders
Cages and Bin five Ptartorms All are galvanized
requiring no field drilling or cutting Cages provide
safe access to bm Platform which has slip resistant
floor and galvanized handrails
Feed Bins
2.7 Ton to 58
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