Water Trough Keeps Soil From Washing Away
BY SALLY DUNMIRE
Special to Lancaster Farming
LDCKPORT Soil and water
conservation measures have been
practiced on the Ammon’s Oliver
Township farm since the early
1870’s when Robert Ammon’s
grandfather started farming.
Today’s three generation farm
family is carrying on that same
tradition. For their outstanding
efforts, the Ammons have been
nominated for the 1986 National
. ior to the instc
gulleys such as the one pictured here.
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Nutrient Composition /
Nutrient Function(s) Of
Purina Athlete
Nutrient
Protein
Calcium
Phosphorus
Zinc
Copper
iron
Cobalt
Potassium
Magnesium
Manganese
loaine
Selenium
Sodium Chloride
V'tamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin 812
Vitamin K
Biotm
Thiamine (01 1
Niacm
Riboflavin (B 2)
Pantothenic Acid
Choime Chloride
Pyndoxme (B 6)
Endowment for Soil and Water
Conservation awards program.
This fourth annual awards
program, sponsored by the en
dowment and the Dupont Cor
poration, picks a worthy farmer or
rancher from each state. The
original field is narrowed down to
ten national finalists. From these
finalists three national winners are
named.
Many conservation im
provements have been made over
the years on the 330 acres of the
erosion was ere;
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[PURINA CHOWS J
Major Function(s)
Muscle
Body Reserves
Bones Body Fluid
Bones Metabolism
Metabolism
B'ooo
Blood
Blood
Body Fluids
Body Fluids
Metabolism
Thyroid
Muscles
Body fluids
Eyes SHin Metabolism
Bones
Muscles Metabolism
Blood Metabolism
Blood
Metabolism
Nerves Metabolism
Nerves Metabolism
Enzymes
Metabolism
Metabolism
Blood Metabolism
Rt.B2 6 S. Vintage M.
Unionville, PA 18375 Paradise, PA 17562
(215)347-2377 (717)442-4183
® Ragistared Trademark of Purina Mills, Inc.
Ammons dairy farms.
The first subsurface drainage on
at least three of the fields were dug
by Robert’s grandfather shortly
after the original 98 acres were
purchased. Ditches were ex
cavated by hand and with the aid of
horsepower, then stone was put in
place. Many of these old systems
are still draining land on the
Ammons’ farms.
Robert’s father passed on the
conservation efforts by teaching
Robert to let sod strips and to skip
waterways in areas where water
drained away while plowing with
draft horses.
William, Robert’s son, partner
and coowner of a 77 Holstein
milking herd, continues the same
philosophy. According to William,
“It really pays. A lot of our
acreage wouldn’t be tillable,
probably 20 to 30 acres, without
those drains.”
The elder Ammon added
“maybe up to 50 acres.”
Other improvements include a
conservation system, contour
strips, no till corn, fall cover crop,
and additional drainage pipe which
includes two blind wells and a
spring development.
This spring development
transforms a hillside pasture from
a nearby swamp to a usable
grassland with an easily accessible
drinking trough for the cows.
Gully erosion on this hillside was
considerable in the past, however,
the problem was corrected with
the addition of the trough. They
diverted the natural spring into a
1,000 gallon tank that drains into a
concrete watering trough with a
frost free hydrant.
Other conservation projects
have been completed on other
Yogurt will maintain its
peak flavor for at least ten
days after the expiration
date on the package if
stored at 40°F or less.
“Heat treated” yogurt will
keep even longer.
Brand Hors* Faad
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude protein not less than
Crude tat not less than
Crude fiber not more than
Jhfct ***** a
%** * -
Purina ■' Athlete " is an advanced feed formu
lated specifically for horses competing in
physically demanding activities Its patented
process and formulation, developed and tested
over a several year period, are an innovative
application of new process technology as well as
an advancement in horse nutrition research The
result of this intense research and careful devel
opment is Purina Athlete an advanced feed for
competition horses
14 o°o
14 0%
4 0%
Store Hour*:
Mon.-Frl. «-S
Sot. *-1
MADISON SILO CO. OF PENNSYLVANIA
1070 Stemmetzßd , Ephrata, Pa 17522 Phone 717 733 1206
The Ammons, (left) Michael, Robert and William, stand by
their spring conservation project. With the installation of this
1,000 gallon watering trough, they were able to redirect the
spring which had been causing serious erosion problems.
portions of their farm.
The Juniata river, which flows
along the Ammons’ fields, did
considerable damage to the river
banks during the 1972 flood. Since
then they have replaced dirt and
stone to the river banks,
reclaiming what rampaging flood
waters had washed away.
Part of the historic Pennsylvania
canal and lock (hence the name
Lockport) run between their fields
and the river. A large gully ‘‘big
enough to sit a car in” was
repaired. The offending spring
creating the gully, from the old
canal to the river, was concrete
tiled to prevent further damage.
Other plans being considered are
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THE SILAGE INOCULANT
THAT BEATS
THEOTH
1 More palatable, “sweeter" feed
2 Greater uniformity in dry matter
content.
3 Higher daily consumption
Result You get a better mi Ik-to-feed
ratio because a better silage ration
allows your top cows to'
1 Reach their lactation peak faster
2 Peak higher
3. Sustain a longer lactation peak
CALL YOUR MADISON SILO
DEALER OR:
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 5,1986-Al9
no-till legume seeding as well as
the pro’s and con’s of a manure
storage pit.
William’s son, Michael, 16, plans
to join his father and grandfather
on the farm after graduation.
“Conservation is a good idea,”
Michael commented.
Robert Ammon previously
served as chairman of the
Agricultural Stabilization and
Conservation Service county
committee for 12 years.
Soil and water conservation is
important to insure enough food
and water for future generations.
The Ammon family is a model of
conservation practices in Mifflin
County.
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