icaster Farming, Saturday, September 29,1984 Environment to become greater ag issue NEWAHK, DEL. - Fanning and the environment depend on each other. But making wise use of land and water isn’t always easy for farmers, who must cope with weather, pests, disease, price risk (Continued from Page A 26) * Light Heavyweight 1 TimEngJe 2 LisaSadler 3 Deb Martin 1 LisaSadier 2 Barry Martin 3 Scott Myim Champion Market Lamb Lisa Sadler Reserve Champion Market Lamb Tim Engle BREEDING SHEEP Dorset Ewe Lamb 1 Jeff Martin 2 Barry Martin Champion Dorset Ewe Jeff Martin Reserve Champion Dorset Ewe Berry Martin Hampshire Ram Lamb 1 Scott Mylin Champion Hampshire Ram Scott Mylm Ewe. I*2 Years 1 Michelle Mylm Ewe Lamb 1 Michelle Mylm 2 Scott Mylm 3 Monica Esh Champion Hampshire Ewe Michelle Mylm Reserve Champion Hampshire Ewe Scott Mylm Two Ewe Lambs Michelle Mylm Shropshire Ram Lamb 1 Leonard Brown Champion Shropshire Ram Leonard Brown and cash flow problems. Looking ahead to the year 2000, the big question is, can Delmarva farmers sustain a high level of output while also protecting the quantity and quality of the natural Lampeter sheep Ewe 1 2 Veers 1 Leonard Brown 2 Leonard Brown 1 Leonard Brown Champion Shropshire Ewe Leonard Brown Reserve Champion Shropshire Ewe Leonard Brown Suffolk Ram. 1-2 Years 1 Tim Engle 2 J Doug Martin Ram Lamb 1 Barry Martin Champion Suffolk Ram Tim Engle Reserve Champion Suffolk Ram J Doug Martin Ewe I*2 Years 1 Tim Engle 2 Barry Martin 3 Jeff Martin Ewe Lamb 1 Barry Martin 2 Curt Engle 3 Jeff Martin Champion Suffolk Ewe Tim Engle Reserve Champion Suffolk Ewe Barry Martin Two Ewe Lambs Barry Martin Breeders Young Flock Barry Martin Flock Barry Martin Senior Fitting 4 Showmanship 1 Lisa Sadler 2 Monica Esh 3 Tim Engle Junior Fitting 4 Showmanship 1 Bill Blank 2 Anita Martin 3 Doug Martin Blocking 4 Fitting 1 Leonard Brown 2 Tim Engle 3 Scott Mylm Ewe Lamb resource base on which farming depends? Probably not, unless land and water issues get more attention, says University of Delaware extension resource economist Gerald F. Vaughn. “There’s constant economic pressure to convert some of Delmarva’s food-producing land to nonfarm uses,” Vaughn says. “But we should question the wisdom of any agricultural policy which fails to provide assurances that good farming areas will stay in farming, at least for a reasonably long time.” Up to a point, he says, it’s possible to compensate for the loss of good farmland and still main tain productivity by using lower quality acreage-bringing pasture, farm woodland or abandoned cropland into cultivation to replace lost cropland. A better way to increase production, in terms of farmland preservation, is to protect existing cropland and farm it more intensively, provided this is done with proper nutrient management, soil and water conservation, and provision for wildlife food and cover. This requires making good use of available water supplies. "Irrigation has the greatest Sollenberger Silos Corp Box N. Chambersburg, PA 17201 Name Address I I City.. | Phone I _ Sta.te _ Zip Best Time To Call potential of any technology to increase Delmarva’s farm out put,” the specialist says. “So farmers have a big stake in protecting both the quantity and quality of water." Irrigation has its problems, of course. It requires substantial capital investment, increases production costs, and calls for new technology and management skills. Farmers must consider these factors when deciding whether or not to irrigate. Some prefer to find other ways to in crease their land’s productivity. "In humid climates like ours,” says Vaughn, “irrigation must be managed differently than in drier regions. We need to use methods which minimize nitrogen leaching into groundwater while making sure crops get enough nitrogen and water. This is especially important on Delmarva’s sandy soils.” On sloping lands throughout the peninsula, care must also be taken not to mcrease erosion when irrigating. Because of the climate, erosion can be severe when unexpected rainfall follows irrigation. Plant disease, insect and weed control are other problems associated with irrigation in humid regions. Historically, the East has en joyed abundant water. But while demand for water grows, supply fluctuates or diminishes. “In the future,” predicts the economist, "we can expect major adjustments in water allocation policies and practices of eastern states, in cluding Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Farmers often compete for irrigation water against more established users. The agricultural industry must be sure that policy makers fully consider the im portant water needs of farming.” Irrigation on Delmarva hasn't consumed excessive amounts of water and. with few exceptions, Vaughn says it’s not likely to do so in the future. The cost of irrigating encourages efficiency. However, as more cropland comes under irrigation and other water demands increase, there could be conflict among users. “With this in mind, perhaps it’s time to investigate opportunities for reclaiming municipal and other wastewater for reuse on far mland,” Vaughn says. “Land treatment of effluent provides water and nutrients for crops, recharges groundwater supplies, and at the same time offers Please send information on H I Upright Bunker Silos n 2 Manure Pits □ 1 Feed Bunk (Turn to Page A 39) n 4 Cattleguards f~~] 5 Monolithic Concrete Silos
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