OPINION (Continued from Pan Alt upon a viable ana competitive agriculture. The service, though indirect, is very crucial to all. It helps to assure the continual availability of good food at a reasonable price. It helps to assure the production of this food as close to the consuming population centers as possible. The budding of this kind of food production, distribution and marketing system does not happen by accident! Extension has cer tainly had a significant role in this development. As an unbiased educator and catalyst, Extension can continue to perform a vital educational role-if given the op portunity and resources to con tinue to work with producers as well as cooperate with ag industry and other agencies. The food supply of many people, the jobs of many people, much of our local economy, and the aesthetics of many of our rural communities-today and in the future-is dependent upon a viable agriculture. This is what is at stake when people advocate the elimination of Extension and meddle with the intricate system of cooperative efforts that has contributed so much to past ac complishments and which can continue to contribute so much to future accomplishments. As an example of what’s hap pening in County Agents' offices all across Lancaster Farming Territory, let’s look at some Lancaster County Extension programs. Poultry health remains a high priority. A recent outbreak of Laryngotracheitis (LT) was contained with 26 flocks because of tight bio-security. Lancaster County gave leadership in developing a statewide Avian diagnostic and monitoring program. Fifty farm families were given assistance in financial management. Guidance in im proving cash flow through in creasing production per cow and not increasing cow number, re working mortgage payments and working more efficiently without getting bigger. Dairy herd management and feeding recommendations helped one farmer boost his milk income over $30,000 in a single year, and earn the distinction of being the most improved herd in the County. With the help of Extension and a building consultant, one dairyman who lost his dairy bam to a fire, developed a comprehensive rebuilding plan and remodeled an existing poultry house into a modem tie-stall bam at a savings of more than $50,000 over local quotations. The Lancaster County 4-H Dairy Judging Team, coached by the Extension Dairy Agent and two 4-H leaders, placed first in state competition. Extension worked with 15 farm families, using a computer program to help them evaluate the I 7WINK WE’RE ABOUT TO SEE" TME LATEST INNOVATION IN FASH/ON DESIGN,,, economic consequences of pur suing alternative plans for im proving farm cash flow in an effort to save their family business from financial ruin. The Lancaster County 4-H Program was comprised of 158 clubs, 3,701 members and 501 leaders. Leader held meetings had a total attendance of 24,954 for the 1985 fiscal year. The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program expanded to a new and large facility making it possible to service 20 percent more han dicapped youth in the 4-H Program. This year 38 members completed the Therapeutic Riding Program. Dairymen, electricians and farm service personnel were informed about herd health and production problems related to stray voltage, and how to prevent and combat the problem. Builders and farmers were in formed about cattle housing, ventilation and manure handling concepts and assisted with in dividual problems. Emphasis is on: cost control, herd health, labor efficiency, and the reduction and prevention of fly odor with pollution problems. Adoption of new technology such as: the feeding of by-pass proteins and fats to dairy cattle, the use of volotile fatty acids in dairy rations, feeding Rumensin to heifers, embryo transfer, etc. Use of computers to disperse feed to cattle, to identify individual animals and record theft* daily milk production and feed intakes, to generate herd mangement and financial reports, to keep a variety of farm records, to gain quick access to their DHIA files or to a variety of other helpful data bases and market reports. Inform farmers about ag policy decisions that affect them so they are better able to adjust to changes in ag policies or better able to decide if they should participate in voluntary programs such as: referendums and checkoffs, grain diversions, dairy herd buyout, etc. Pennsylvania’s Chesapeake Bay Project: Ten nutrient mangement demonstratin plots were established in an eight county area in southeast Pennsylvania and will Farm Calendar Saturday, July 12 Vermont Sheep Sale, Addison Co. Field Days Grounds, New Haven, Vt. Contact Michael Clandon at 802-545-2249. Regional 4-H Demonstration Day, Sullivan County High School, 9:30 a.m. District 111 Jersey Picnic starting at 11 a.m., Dreisbach’s Long NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent To Keep Poultry Comfortable During Hot Weather Ventilation is most important during hot and humid weather. During hot weather our broiler and layer houses need more air movement Mfe the house. I would suggest placing circulating fans inside the house to move more air across the birds. This will definitely give relief. In weather reports it’s known as the “chill” factor. If you move air at the rate of 500 c.f.m. across the birds, it will reduce the temperature - to the bird - by 10 degrees F. I know if the temperature is 95 degrees F. outside, it will not be any cooler than 95 degrees inside, but the chill factor would make it feel like 85 degrees to the bird. Another very important factor during hot weather is to ventilate the attics. The best way is to have an inlet at one end and an exhaust be used to demonstrate to farmers more effective and profitable manure management. Manure marketing is being researched and developed. Broiler manure which was once being put on cropland already escessive in nutrient levels in being processed and sold outside this area. Manure incineration as an energy source is being studied. As a result of Extension’s in volvement an area broiler processor, representing 31,500 tons of broiler manure production per year, is developing a system to incinerate the manure to produce electrical power. Incineration of the manure, an idea which is currently being used in other parts of the United States and the world, would reduce the nitrogen loading of area soil by 1,260,000 lbs. and reduce the companies energy costs substantially. Education of residents about drinking water quality and reducing the cost of treatment of drinking water is a prime concern. Four “Water Quality” Workshops have been given in southeast Pennsylvania with an attendance of 420 people. Meadows Farm. Folk Fest, Schaefferstown, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; admission, $2.50 for adults; kids 12 and under free; continues tomorrow. Sunday, July 13 Pennsupreme Ice Cream Festival, Lancaster Square, 1 to 5 p.m. (Turn to Page A3l) SWIMWEAR BV or IS 4£> ' fan at the other end. If you don’t move the air out of the attic, the temperature can rise to over ISO degrees F. This trapped hot air will eventually work down through the insulation and into the house. To Graze Sudan and Sorghum Grasses Carefully . Some livestock producers plant sudan grass or one of the hybrid sorghums for extra summer pasture. These grasses have the ability to grow well during the heat of tiie summer. However, they should be managed carefully in order to prevent livestock poisoning. When sudan is grazed or green chopped before it is 18 inches high, and if the sorghum hybrids are used before they are 24 to 30 inches high, there is danger of prussic acid posioning. There is greater danger with the sorghum hybrids. After the herd or flock has grazed the area, it should be clipped high, and then the regrowth allowed to reach the same length before using as fresh feed. Horses should not be allowed to graze or eat either of these two forage crops; it has been blamed for causing urinary bladder in fections in equines. Manage sudan grass and sorghums carefully for best results. To Be Careful With Sprayers Chemical weed killers are used quite frequently these days for controlling weeds. Many of these sprayers are used for other pur poses. We have seen several cases of herbicide damage on tobacco and other crops. Most were due to So after this look at what county agents do for us, we can only suggest to the national expert that if he has a crabgrass problem or any other problem related to agriculture, he call any of the county agents’ offices in Lancaster Farming Territory for help. HOW TO TELL A PROPHET July 13,1986 Background Scripture: Ezekiel 1 through 3. Devotional Reading: Ezekiel 3:16- 21. The words that God spoke to Ezekiel in their first encounter should probably be written on every ordination certificate. Twenty-three years ago I typed these words on a card which I attached to the pulpit lamp in my last parish where I served thirteen years. Every Sunday morning as I stood in the pulpit, they reminded me; And whether they (war or rtfuso to honr ... thty will know that than ha s boon a prophot among thorn. And you, son of man, bo not afraid of thorn, nor be afraid of their wordt, though briers and thomt are with you and you tit upon scorpions; bo not afraid of their wordt, not bo ditmayod at their looks ... And you thall spook my wordt to thorn, whether they hoar or refute to hoar; for improper sprayer cleaning before spraying the tobacco field. Chemical weed killers such as 2,4- D will stick to the sprayer equipment for years, unless soaked and washed with ammonia water and other strong detergents. It is best to flush the sprayer and hoses with clean water first and finish with the ammonia solution. Use one pint of ammonia for every 25 gallons of water. Choose your cleaning area with great care. It is important to discharge the cleaning water where it will not contaminate water supplies, streams, crops or injure other plants. To Keep Dogs Under Control The summer months increase outdoor activity with your dog. Keep in mind that a dog owner’s responsibility is to keep his pet under control at all times. Roaming dogs cause accidents, bite, damage property and can be a general nuisance. They also carry disease from farm to farm. Dogs are personal property and the owners are responsible for any damage caused by their pets. Many dog related problems would be alleviated if owners were more aware of their respon sibilities. All pet owners really need to do is to have their dogs licensed and keep them under control; also with the rabies problems, have them inoculated. Remember, all dogs six months of age or older must be licensed. A license is an inexpensive means to identify your dog if it should stray. It also shows you care for your pet. titty art a nMlhvt tans*. Actually, my congregation was not “a rebellious house,” but the words were still important to me because there were many times when for the sake of their approval I was tempted to tell them, not what I thought God had laid upon my heart, but what I knew they would like to hear. Often, those words in Ezekiel 2 reminded me to put aside my own desires and speak as I believed God wanted me to speak. SPEAK MY WORDS As I said, that was 23 years ago that I first copied those words, but they are no less challenging to me now than they were then. In fact, I have found that it is harder to speak for God as we get older. Prophesy is for young men and women. When you are young you think you have forever before you. So what if people get a little upset with your preaching, you have lots of years before you to balance the scales! But as people get older, getting approval from others seems to become more important as the tune to the end grows shorter. So, the words of Ezekiel 2:5-7 are even more relevant for us as we get older; “You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear.” Of course, God is not only telling Ezekiel and us that we must not shrink from speaking his word, but also that we are to do so without regard to the results. Our part is to speak the word and we must leave to God the result, successful or unsuccessful. That, too, is difficult for us, for we all want to be successful. No one who labors over a sermon or a Sunday School lesson likes to think that it will be delivered to a congregation or class that is not going to make some favorable response. Yet, often that is what we may be called to do. KNOWING A PROPHET This passage also reminds us that God does not send prophets to please us, but to do his bidding. Often, the way to determine who is a prophet is to decide whether or not you like what he or she is saying. If you don’t like it, chances are that he or she is a prophet. Only God seems to like what a prophet says. Based on copyrighted outlines produced by the Committee on the Uniform Series and used by per mission Released by Community and Suburban Press
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