AlO-LmcMtcr Farming, Saturday, Fabraary 16,1985 NOW IS THE TIME To Be Aware of Milker’s Knee Everyone knows about tennis elbow, but who has ever heard of “milker’s knee?” Dairy producers may have this form of degenerative arthritis without being aware of it. The condition occurs from the squatting, bending and lifting that dairy farmers must do when attaching milkers to cows standing at floor level. This wearing away of cartilage in the joints is most common among dairy farmers. The first sign is usually pain in the knees. Family and friends may notice that the person is becoming bowlegged. Other signs include frequent loss of balance; swelling; locking, stiffening, or giving out of the knees; and a grinding or snapping noise when bending. A knee injury can develop into milker’s knee but people who have never had a knee injury can be affected. Some farmers simply may have inherited the problem, especially if the family has a history of arthritis. Dr. Dennis Murphy, safety specialist at Penn State, tells us that the most important preventive is to avoid squatting. Instead, kneel on one knee and wear knee pads. If you consult a physician at the first sign of trouble, you can probably keep the condition from becoming worse. To Recognize Lime For Weed Control You have never heard us recommend lime for weed control; however, indirectly lime is im portant to obtain good herbicide weed control. Both research work and farm experience has indicated that herbicides are not as effective in sour soil. So, for best control with chemicals, the soil-lime requirement must be satisfied. Many poor weed control ex periences have been reported on sour soils. A complete soil test will indicate the amount of lime needed. There are many other advantages to crop production in addition to better herbicide action To Know Sewage Sludge Content The use of sewage sludge on farm land is becoming more common. As the amount of this material increases, the farmers should be aware of the danger of excessive application. There can be a problem of too much sludge causing a build-up of heavy metals such as zinc, copper, cadmium and cobalt. When these metals become too high in the soil they are toxic to plants. Farmers that utilize sewage sludge are urged to require a test of the material in order to know the exact mineral and fer tilizer content. Disposal plants are urged to provide this test for their farmers in order to know what is being done. Both the sewage and the soil can be tested through the UNCLE or/s. By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent Phone 717-394-6851 Penn State Testing Laboratory. Don’t apply sludge without knowing the mineral build-up in the soil. 1 have heard it said that there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds - of good weather. Well, some may not agree with that but we can agree that snow cover can be very helpful. Very cold weather without snow cover is extremely hard on winter wheat and barley, on strawberries, and on many kinds of shrubbery. The OUR READERS WRITE, As one who was involved in the situation discussed in the Feb. 9th letter from John & Abe Barley, I feel compelled to clarify several of the particulars which may not have been understood. 1 am acutely aware of the fact that prices have fluctuated dramatically in the past, depen ding on programming issued by J.I.CASE and other companies. While no individual dealership is capable of dictating company wide programming, all dealer ships operate with identical programming. The point being that the second price given on the machine in question ($5,000 less) was in fact quoted under different programming. Failure of the second salesman to indicate this fact is unfortunate and in conversation with his em ployer, 1 have been informed that the salesman has been reprimanded for his lack of professionalism. Regarding the situation in volving the purchaser of the CASE machine and events which followed, let the record show: 1.1 cooperated fully in supplying the Barleys with the names of several CASE personel to whom such concerns should be ad dressed, and concur that their concern is in fact a very valid one However, the situation is not unlike any other marketing purchasing arrangement. If a farmer sells a load of cattle at auction on a given day & the following week the market is up $2.00/hwt., how much success would he have attempting to collect the increase on his cattle in retrospect'' 2.1 had no way of knowing what the programming for the up coming month was going to be (Documented proof available,) 3. The price at which the machine was purchased reflected the same small margin of profit at which machines were sold by this To Appreciate Snow AND OTHER OPINIONS W/5 /SA/ T EXACTLY WHAT snow helps keep the ground warmer and prevents drying out of the soil around the plant roots. With long periods of very cold weather without snow cover, we’ll have dehydration of the plants and a good possibility of winter kill in the spring Snow cover also prevents the heaving out of alfalfa plants and strawberry plants. Without snow during long periods of freezing and thawing, the plant roots will work out of the ground. Yes, snow is good weather for the farmer. The Extension Service is an affirmative action, equal opportunity education institution. dealership in the following month under substantial programming. (No price gouging). 4. The CASE/IH merger had nothing to do with this particular situation, in that it proceeded the announcement of same, and in all probability once inventory levels are at a more manageable plateau, the really substantial discounts & rebates will be a thing of the past. Concerning the merger itself, 1 believe I speak for all concerned, former CASE & IH dealers alike, when I say that we desire to offer the same cooperative competition as in the past, though now with a simihar top - quality equip. Donald L. Hoover Binkley and Hurst Bros, Inc. To observe a situation from the standpoint of one who has spent a life farming and also an interest in the Case Farm Utilitj machinery business, I can certainly sym pathize with the Barley Brothers to have been told they could have saved $5,000 on the purchase of a Case Skid Loader. However, when one considers the dealer’s com mission plus a liberal Case Co. discount sales program, a situation of this type can take place. The Case I.H. merger should result in an increased number of Dealers to supply and service the Case and I.H. line, as well as provide plenty of competition to the advantage of the Farmer and survival of the fittest for the Dealers. To be sure, those who own I.H. equipment probably would have preferred that I.H. buy out Case. Since it did not happen that way, I.H. owners should rejoice that the I.H. line was attractive enough to the financially strong Tenneco Co. to take over. They now come forth with the best of the two companies and we will remain strong and proud owners of a good improved equipment line Harold C. Herr “LAZARUS, COME OUT!” February 17,1985 Background Scripture John 11:1-53, Devotional Reading: John 11:45-54, The story of Jesus and Lazarus is a religious masterpiece. Somehow in these spare 44 verses, the Evangelist manages to completely capture both the heights of faith and the depths of dispair with which Christians experience the fact of death. There is Martha’s amazingly honest reproach, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (11:21). Many, many Christians have said or felt something similar to that in a moment of seemingly unbearable grief. It is an honest Christian reaction; Lord, if you love us, how could you let this happen? By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. And we too often find it difficult to understand why God is late. “I KNOW” There is also Martha’s struggle between what she believes and what she knows. “I am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus tells her, “he who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” Then he asks her, “Do you believe this?” It is difficult to know just what was the level of her response. The Farm Calendar q|^/ Monday, February 18 interstate Milk Producers VI will meet at Hostetlers in Mt Joy at noon. American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. 25th Annual Meeting, Syracuse, 9:30 a.m. Berks County Sheep and Lamb Club meeting, 7.30 p.m , Ag Center, Leesport. Tuesday, February 19 Lancaster County Crops and Soils Day at Farm and Home Center, 8:30 a.m. to3p.m Eastern I>ancaster County Adult Farmers vegetable meeting, Blue Ball School, 7 ■ 30 p.m. Atlantic Breeders Co-op, Southern, Solanco Fairgrounds, 7 p.m. Mid-Atlantic Direct Marketing Conference, Feb. 19-21, at Cherry Hill Inn and Conference Center, Camden County, N.J. Cambria County Extension Dairy Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Ex tension Meeting Room, Loretto Road, Ebensburg. Thursday, February 21 1985 Pa. Holstein Convention; Philadelphia; continues tomorrow. Wolgemuth's 1985 Poultry * o words are these: “Yes, Lord; j believe that you are the .Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world” (11:25-27). The words could represent nothing more than a superficial recitation of a belief formula, or they could be a profound confession of faith m Jesus. She may not know what will happen with her brother Lazarus, bu' firm in her faith u| Chrisi. There is also me pei prising grief of Jesus. We migm expect that, with his strong faith m the love of God and his anticipation that God will enable Lazarus to be resurrected, Jesus would hardly weep at the tomb of Lazarus. Bui John tells us, “When Jesus saw her (Mary) weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit anil troubled” (11:33). As they walk to the tomb, John also tells us, “Jesus wept” (11:35). FOUR DAYS So, despite our faith, death is a tune for weeping, not because it means a permanent “dead-end” to existance, but because there is always the sense of personal loss Jesus wept because he shared the sorrow of Mary, Martha and their friends. But the story of Lazarus does not end in grief, but in faith. “Take away the stone,” Jesus commands and Martha objects that it is too late to revive him. But the response of Jesus is an invitation to faith: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” (11:40). Although Jesus has been weeping for his it is with supreme faith that he approaches the tomb: “Lazarus, come out!" Christ is Lord of both life and death and the resurrected Lazarus is a sign to remind us all. Banquet, 6:30 p.m. at Harvest Drive Restaurant. Tree Fruit Growers Meeting, Holiday Inn, Washington, Pa. Keystone Fork Congress, 10 a.m to 4 p.m at Penn Harris Motor Inn, Harrisburg. Porkette Annual Meeting at 10 a.m. Atlantic Breeders Co-op, N Lancaster #2, Blue Ball Fireball, 7 p.m. Lancaster Farm Financial Management Conference by reservation, Farm and Home Center, 9.30 a.m. to 3 p.m Continues tomorrow Friday, February 22 Md. Holstein Convention, Gaithersburg Continues tomorrow. Philadelphia’s Tailgate Market Coalition Meeting, Hor ticultural Center, Fairmont Park, Philadelphia, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 26 Conservation Tillage Conference, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Farm and Home Center. Wednesday, February 27 Lancaster-York Vegetable Meeting, Farm and Home Center, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Md.-Del. Dairy Day, 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. at Hartly Fireball. Thursday, February 28 Lancaster Estate Planning Meeting at Farm and Home Center, 7:30 p.m. York County Ag-Business Seminar, York Fairgrounds. Friday, March 1 Pa. State Guernsey meeting. Holiday Inn, Chambersburg' Continues tomorrow.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers