P22—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, Juna 16,1984
Study shows soil erosion
worst on rented land
LEBANON Muddy water in a
stream is not Just a loss of far
mland soil, but of fertilizer,
manure, pesticides and in
secticides, as well, reports Donald
Bollinger, Chairman of the
Lebanon County Conservation
District.
“This is money lost to the far
mer”, adds Bollinger. “It also
creates problems for all down
stream water users.”
The soil erosion problem is more
severe on rented land than on
owner-operated land. A Dauphin
County study found that 40 percent
of the farmland in the county was
rented. Soil loss on owner-operated
farmland was 6.9 tons per acre per
year and on rented land was 9.8
tons per acre.
“Conditions are similar in this
county,” said Bollinger. Directors
of the Lebanon Conservation
District are making a special ef
fort to inform renters and rentees
of this soil loss.
“Most farmland rentals are on a
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cash basis,” Bollinger added. “The
renter may feel he is making
money mi his land rental. In
reality, when the soil erosion losses
are subtracted from the rental, the
owner may be losing money on his
investment. An approximate ten
tons-per-acre annual soil loss will
quickly wear out the soil,
decreasing the total value of the
land.”
The Conservation District
directors are concerned over these
soil erosion and water quality
problems. “All of us can benefit
from this effort to make land
renters more aware of soil and
nutrient losses,” notes Bollinger.
Mr. Bollinger urges the owners
of rented farm land to contact the
Conservation District Office.
Technical and financial help is
available through cooperating U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Agencies. The District Office is
located in Suite 5,201 Cumberland
Street, Lebanon or call 272-3377.
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Paying attention to detail
(Continued from Page D2l)
and Bill are also concerned with
these risks. But, in order to feed a
herd of cattle, risks must be taken.
As all fanners are aware, the
raising of crops involves many
risks. The Ja-Jo Farm consists of a
total of 200 acres in which 70 acres
of alfalfa are planted, 80 acres of
com, and the rest consists of small
grains. Jim and Bill buy the
majority of their straw, which is
their major bedding material.
These crops harvest enough feed
for the 100 head of cattle that are
raised here.
Many of today’s farmers expand
so they are able to compete in the
market place. The Comptons have
taken a different strategy.
Maintaining a quality herd of
cattle has brought them where
they are today and will take them
to where they plan to go in the
future. The persistence and hard
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