Product development
(Continued from Page D 24)
drawn from the fields of
academia, environment and
government, to review the EPA’s
work and conclusions. That would
eliminate the misuse of con
fidential data, and would also
eliminate the very problematic
misinterpretation of data which
can occur when taken out of
context by non-scientific people.”
Yet another area of concern
voiced by Voepel was that of
existing patent legislation.
"When this nation’s patent laws
were first enacted many decades
ago, they provided for a company
to have 17 years of patent
protection after the product had
been introduced.
Loss of years
"In our industry today, however,
because of the very long process
required to develop and test new
chemical or drug products before
the federal regulatory authorities
will grant commercial usage, the
manufacturer loses an average of 7
years ot patent protection before it
can begin marketing the product,
product.
"There is currently proposed
legislation now before the House
which would grant a 7-year ex
tension for a patent to offset that
time lost from delays caused by
federal regulations. Hearings on
this proposed legislation are now
being scheduled, and we as an
industry ask that all agricultural
organizations voice their support
for this important revision in
Federal law.”
Finally, Voepel pointed to the
complex issue of public image as
one which agriculture, and the
agrichemical industry, must
resolve together.
He stated, “Despite the fact that
our industry is under the closest
possible scrutiny by Federal
authorities, and despite the fact
that agriculture is today doing a
remarkably good job of using
pesticide products safely and ef
ficiently, we continue to see a
steady deterioration of the public
opinion toward scientific
agriculture and advanced food
technology.
“Organizations like the National
Agricultural Chemicals
Association continue to work to
better educate the public about the
roles and proper use of
agricultural chemicals. But we
must do more. Some of the en
vironmental organizations which
oppose the use of pesticides have
budgets far in excess of our own
association resources, and are
using those budgets and their
voices to measurably affect
legislative actions. Consider, for
example, that environmentalist
support has helped to elect 34 of the
48 congresstional candidates those
groups have recently supported.”
Examine politics
Voepel suggested that all
elements of agriculture must step
up educational efforts to inform
the public about the proper role of
pesticides in U.S. agriculture. But,
he added, it is equally important to
also examine the situation from
the political side, and learn how to
positively influence the political
process.
“We cannot achieve these goals
alone, but must stand united as an
industry,” he stated. “As an
example of what can be ac
complished, consider the alliance
of 34 industry, farm, user and
MHEY Hog Systems
Hot Dip Galvanized
LANCASTER The ridge-till
system for growing row crops is
finding a home on more farms
each year. Farmers are finding it
to be a workable and satisfactory
system with significant economic
benefits. Each year of research
and experience eliminates more of
agribusiness groups which
recently stood together during the
FIFRA hearings, and were jointly
successful in helping to defeat the
Harkin bill.”
Voepel added that the NACA has
now developed a position paper on
alliances which will be presented
to its board early in 1984. That
paper will seek to further joint
action by various elements of
agriculture and agribusiness at the
legislative level.
“The outlook for agriculture is
optimistic, to be sure,” Voepel
concluded. “And with the con
tinued development of new
technology to support increased
agricultural productivity, this
nation’s agricultural industry will
rise to meet the growing world
demand for food and fiber.
“But we must stand and work
together. To master the tasks
ahead of us we must depend on
mutual cooperation.”
'The
Systems Approach
of
Hershey Equipment
lets you
put It all together
TUT
HERSHEY EQUIPMENT
["1 I COMPANY, INC.
c_J> CJ>
Designers of Qualify System hr Poultry, Swine ond Groin
Ridge-till
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 14,1984-025
system gains acceptance
the theorized pitfalls or disad
vantages.
One of the first theorized
disadvantages of ridge-till was loss
of yield. Recent statistics from the
University of Minnesota show
conventional tillage, chisel
reduced tillage and ridge-till all
produced about the same yield
level of com and soybeans on a
multiple year average. These tests
were run with a good annual fer
tility program.
Another theorized disadvantage
was poor weed control. Many
“ridge tillers,” as these farmers
liked to be called, indicate this is
not true. In fact, most feel it is
easier to control weeds with ridges
than with conventional tillage.
Most “ridgers” in the upper
midwest can control weeds with
less herbicide by band application
at planting, plus cultivation. With
ridge-till, the undisturbed soil
between rows along with previous
crop residue left on the soil sur
face, proves to be a poor en
vironment for weed growth.
A third theorized disadvantage
was that insects would flock to the
less tilled fields. University of
Illinois studies indicate that no-till
fields had no more, and in some
cases less, com rootworm damage
than conventional tillage
programs. The comparison proved
Todays profit minded poultry, swine, and grain
producers must think in terms of an automatic
system.
“System thinking" can help you p(an away problems
before you begin, or it can help you automate away
problems you now have.
Hershey Equipment Co. is geared to provide all
components of the system Including equipment,
plumbing, electrical and building. This win assure that
the pieces will fit together to form a profitable system.
SYCAMORE I NO. PARK
255 PLANE TREE DRIVE
UNCASTER. PA 17603
(717)393-5807
the same where insecticides were
used and not used.
A fourth theorized disadvantage
said cold soil temperature would
be associated with crop residue
and no tillage prior to planting. A
good ridge constructed last
summer corrects this potential
disadvantage. The residue works
its way off the ridge through the
fall and winter, allowing the sun to
warm the ridge surface. Soil
temperature of the ridge is about
equal to and sometimes higher
than with conventional tillage.
Ridge-till, like every other
tillage method, does not eliminate
all production problems. The very
wet conditions last spring
presented a problem. Many
emergency methods were tried by
farmers. One simple but very
effective method used by some
ridge tillers was the use of a rotary
hoe to punch holes and dry the soil
so planting could be done.
In summary, it seems that ridge
till is proving to be what some of
the earlier proponents such as
Ernie Behn claimed. It is a soil and
moisture conservation tillage
program which produces good
yields with lower input costs of
time, fuel and machinery. There
will be many more people swit
ching to the ridge-till tillage
method in the next five years.
• Farrowing Systems
• Nursery Systems
• Gestation Systems
• Finishing Systems
Route 30 West at the
Centerville Exit