Lancaster Co. weathers a difficult ’B3 gracefully BY JACK HURLEY LANCASTER Though avian influenza and a severe drought were two of the biggest newsmakers in 1983, their com bined effects weren’t sufficient to unseat Lancaster County as the number-one nonirrigated agricultural county in the nation, according to Lancaster County extension director Jay Irwin who released the county’s 1983 production figures. Among the state’s 67 counties, Lancaster led the way in dairy, pork, beef, broiler, egg and all other poultry production. And of all livestock and poultry production, dairy products ranked at the top with a total value of $213.8 million. One inconsistency in the statistics was an increase of 1300 dairy cows over 1982, despite a troublesome surplus of dairy products. Ironically, the govern ment’s 50 cent per hundredweight assessment on milk actually contributed to an increase in both cow numbers and production, Irwin said, by causing farmers to increase herd size in an effort to offset lost profits. Lancaster County ended the year with 112,300 cows. Though Lancaster County was located in the eye of an avian flu storm that was responsible for the deaths of over 16 million Penn sylvania birds, the county main tained its lead in poultry production, accounting for 42.2 percent of the state’s layers and 42.8 percent of its broilers. The value of the county’s poultry products came to $174.5 million, exceeding 1982 figures by $16.5 million. A decrease in layer numbers from 7.9 to 7.6 million was more than offset by an increase in Central Michigan Tractor & Parts 2713 N. 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With heavy avian flu losses not incurred until November of last year, Irwin expects that 1984 statistics will more accurately reflect the epidemic’s impact. Though the county maintained its top statewide beef producer rating, total numbers of cattle and calves decreased by 2,100 animals to 270,400, for a total value of $159.5 million compared to $175.7 million in 1982. With hog numbers going from 285,000 in 1982, to 340,000 the following year, county swine producers discovered that they picked the wrong year to increase production. Despite the increase in numbers of animals, the total value of the county’s pork products declined from $21.9 million to $21.2 million. Lancaster County’s sheep production increased by 500 animals over a 1982 total of 5,700. The total value of county livestock and poultry products was about $570 million, representing an increase of $1.7 million over 1982. Lancaster County’s sheep production increased by 500 animals over a 1982 total of 5,700. Turning to crop production, Irwin pointed out that com was still king, covering two-thirds of the county’s tillable acres. Last year’s devastating dry weather was reflected in an average yield of only 63 bushels per acre, com pared to 120 bushels a year earlier. Irwin noted that last year’s scarcity of .feed grain was com pounded by the fact that more acreage was required to fill silos. Though only one-third of 1982’s Large Quantities Of Sawdust FOR BEEF & DAIRY LSA-100 is a liquid silage additive designed to be added to corn silage at ensiling time to increase it’s protein level, & balance minerals LSA-100 contains 100% protein equivalent and high levels of essential minerals When applied as directed, LSA-100 will convert your corn silage to a balanced complete feed the liquid leader 9 193,000 acres ot com was needed for the silo, that figure rose to 40 percent last year when silage yields dropped to 13.5 tons per acre from a 1982 figure of 20 tons per acre. Irwin added that this year’s robust corn crop should more than adequately meet feed grain requirements. In sharp contrast to corn, wheat yields increased from 40 to 45 bushels per acre. This increased yield helped to offset a 5,400-acre decrease in the amount of wheat planted from 1982 to 1983. Since most wheat harvests were com pleted before the dry weather, yields were not affected by the drought. Suffering from the lack moisture, potato yields dropped' from 26,500 pounds to 20,000 pounds per acre, but hay yields were largely unaffected, with the first cutting completed before dry weather. Irwin said that tobacco recovered very well from the drought, yielding 1,831 pounds, or only 164 pounds per acre less than last year. The number of acres planted in vegetables rose again this year, with crop value increasing slightly, as well. Fruit harvests were victimized by the desert-like conditions, however, with the value of last year’s harvest decreasing nearly 30 percent to $1.9 million. The total value of Lancaster County crops was $122 million, down $7 million from the previous year. _ Available 10 cents per cubic foot loaded on your truck. Kondor Lumber Co. York, PA 717-755-684 DISTRICT MANAGER Larry Weaver Lititz, PA 717-626-7909 Authorized Dealers All in all, said Irwin, the statistics added up to , “a very positive report,” considering the hurdles faced by county farmers last year. “I’m well pleased to see how the Grange to help Mandata growers HARRISBURG - The Penn sylvania State Grange has agreed to provide legal counsel to poultry growers for the bankrupt Mandate Poultry firm which is seeking to regain money they paid to growers 90 days prior to their bankruptcy. According to John Robinson, Esq., attorney for the Grange, payments made by bankrupt companies up to 90 days before the bankruptcy petition is filed are considered “preferential tran sfers” and can under some cir cumstances be voided by the bankrupt firm and equally distributed to all creditors. There are, however, several exceptions to this rule. About 80 growers have been notified by mandate that they must return money paid to them up to 90 days before the processor’s bankruptcy on April 9, 1983. They were asked to appear at a court hearing on August 29 to voice these “preferential transfers ” We At Extend Our Gratitude Toward All Of Our Friends & Customers Who Have Shared In The Loss Of Our Loved Employer... JIGGS LONGACRE Our Service And Business Continue Under The Direction Of His Two Sons And Experienced Work Force. SPECIAL - SPECIAL - SPECIAL PERMA BUILDINGS Call Perma Building Systems to discuss your needs Delivery anytime before Fall Guaranteed that the value will never be better in buildings such as these we've got it ateel buildings poultry industry is recovering from avian flu,” he concluded, adding that the true strength of the mdustry can be seen in the fact that two-thirds of the farmers who lost their flocks have already repopulated. The Grange has offered to represent the growers for a modest fee, much the same as they did for dairymen involved in the Scheps Cheese bankruptcy, regardless of Grange membership. Charles Wismer, State Grange Master, said “the Grange is a fraternal organization founded on brotherhood. Traditionally Grange members have helped one another in hard times. An appeal made to Grange members to help the dairy farmers in the Scheps Cheese bankruptcy drew donations of more than $3,000 towards the dairy farmers legal expenses. A number of the dairymen we represent are not grange members.” Any poultry farmer who has been asked to return checks he received from Mandata can request assistance from the grange or get further information by calling its office toll free at 1- 800-242-9661. 215-845-2261 602 MAIN STREET BALLY. PA 19503 Perma Web Straight Wall Designed to provide more storage space wall to wall and floor to ceiling. 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