AiO-Lancastor Fanning, Saturday, Novambar 29,1986
OPINION
Selecting A Farm Computer
Not long ago finding computer
software designed for farming was
almost impossible. There just
weren’t many programs available,
you either developed your own
system or purchased an off-the
shelf package that didn’t fit your
farm accounting needs.
Today the picture has changed.
Now you can even get a whole
directory of agricultural software.
Selecting the right software for
your farm is now tougher than
figuring government programs.
It’s complicated, time consuming
and requires your divided at
tention.
Farm Management, Inc., from
New Lenox, Illinois, says a good
software system can improve a
good manual accounting system,
but it can’t help a poor one. Make
sure you are familiar with the
accounting needs of your farm
operation.
In addition, you’ll need to make a
financial commitment of about
$3,000 to $6,000 for a good system
that includes both software and
hardware. Beware of spending too
little and winding up with a system
that doesn’t meet your needs. And
don’t forget to commit time for
learning, setting up and getting use
Dear Editor:
As a health professional, 1 was
particularly interested in your
editorial OPINION of November
22,1986. It is because I think that it
is so important that I am writing
this note. Please do not construe
this to be nit picking.
As you say, “rabies is a deadly
disease.” This is where my con
cern begins. You state that if
anyone has been exposed to a
suspected rabid animal, “submit
the carcass as soon as possible to
the nearest health department.” I
suggest that you call the nearest
health department for your own
and your readers information. You
will be amazed. They will not
receive it, in fact, they will not
even help transport it. You will be
told that it is up to you to get it to
the nearest state lab. I am really
concerned about untrained people
who are already exposed being
————————
Farm Calendar ,
Saturday, November 29 vention/Expo, Acapulco,
Mercer County Holstein Banquet, Mexico; continues through Dec.
Steese’s Restaurant, 8 p.m. 4.
Contact the Extension office.
Delaware State Grange Con
vention, Capital Grange Hall.
Continues tomorrow.
National Agricultural Aviation USDA “Outlook ’B7” conference,
Association Annual Con- Washington, D.C.; continues
Monday, December 1
Superior Calf Sale, Harrisonburg,
Va.
to the program that you select. For
the first 30 to 90 days, you’ll
probably want to maintain your
manual system and the computer
system in parallel, which means
double duty.
The sole function of the com
puter is to operate the software.
Just as the purpose of your grain
bin is to provide storage. No one
would suggest that you limit the
number of acres you farm to fit the
size of your grain bin. But that’s
exactly the way many farmers
begin buying a computer system.
They buy a computer first and then
start looking for software to
automate their farm operation.
Find the software first, the kind
that will give you a system exactly
right for your farm. That way the
computer you select will be more
functional and efficient.
We know many farmers are
anxious to throw out that old
cumbersome manual system and
get a new computer to do all the
work, but you may not want to
react too fast. Once you’ve made
the decision to automate, you still
have many things to consider.
When selecting a farm computer
system for your operation, you will
do well to look before you leap.
FARM FORUM
lUR READERS WRITE
responsible for this procedure.
Your article nicely mentions that
the virus enters the body through
various methods, and the un
trained would just be adding to
their risk, if they are asked to
handle the carcass.
Next, ask the health department
staff the procedure to follow for
getting the rabies vaccine this is
a deadly situation we are talking
about experience for yourself
just how complicated the process
is made.
Please understand that I am
asking you to check out these items
because of the seriousness of the
situation. I do believe as public
health care providers that some
procedures must be changed and
others clarified for the sake of
everyone.
Tuesday, December 2
Respectfully submitted,
Concerned
WHAT SOLO VOL)
ON IT, THE EXTRA
POWER IT HAS
NOPE
NOW IS
THE TIME
By Jay Irwin
Lancaster County Agriculture Agent
To Control Weeds
In Alfalfa
To Control Weeds In Alfalfa
Have you been bothered with
some of the winter time weeds
such as chickweed or Shepherds
purse in your alfalfa stands? If so,
now would be a good time to apply
a herbicide to knock out these
weeds. Too many alfalfa growers
wait until they see a heavy growth
of these weeds and then think of
spraying.
All weeds are easier to kill when
small and before they choke out
the alfalfa plants. The period
between Thanksgiving and
Christmas is excellent for applying
herbicides to alfalfa stands. The
material to use will vary with the
age of the stand and whether or not
through Dec. 4. Contact Diane
Decker, 202-786-1419.
Southern Maryland Crops Con
ference, Mechanicsville Fire
Hall, Mechanicsville, Md.
Contact H. Travis McPherson,
301-645-3903.
Wednesday, December 3
Lancaster Conservation District
Board Meeting.
Chester County Fall Homemaker’s
Day, Dilworthtown
Presbyterian Church, 1385
Birmingham Road, West
Chester, 9:30 a.m.
Insurance Coverage for Farm
Families, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.,
York County Extension Office,
Pleasant Acres Road, York.
Pennsylvania Christmas Show,
Farm Show Complex,
Harrisburg; continues through
Dec. 7.
Thursday, December 4
Peninsula Horticultural Society
Meeting, vegetable production
session, Wicomico Youth and
Civic Center, Salisbury, Md.
Friday, Decembers
Berks County DHIA Banquet, 7:15
p.m., Berks 4-H Center. For
reservations contact Forrest
Strieker, 215-678-7629.
Saturday, December 6
Southeast Regional 4-H Leaders
Forum, Montgomery County 4-
H Center.
Monday, December 8
Tax Week at Penn State, J.O.
Keller Conference Center, Penn
State N University main campus;
continues through Dec. 11.
Chester County Co-op Extension
Annual Meeting, Southeast
Farm Credit office, Avondale,
7:15 p.m.
Dairy Farms of Distinction
meeting.
Fourth Annual Cooperative
IT'S EASV
HANDLING ?
ZnopeM
( IT
any grass is there as a companion
crop. We suggest that growers
refer to the Agronomy Guide or to
their local pesticide dealer for
suggestions relating to materials.
The important thing is to do the
spraying while the weeds are
small.
To Use Only Needed
Fertilizer Elements
Fertilizer prices continue to be
high, so we suggest that farmers
act now to hold this production cost
in line. A complete soil test now
will reveal the exact fertilizer
elements that are needed in cer
tain fields for certain crops. The
idea of applying the same amount
of the same analysis of fertilizer
each year might help but is not the
best way to obtain the most from
your fertilizer dollar. Some fields
may have sufficient amounts of
potash, or be in excess of some
elements; in these cases it is not
economical to apply more of these
same elements.
Testing in the county over the
last year has revealed that some
fields will require no additional
fertilizer. So with high fertilizer
costs we suggest that farmers do
soil testing and then apply only
what is needed for each crop, and
be sure to include the nutrient
value of manure when calculating
your needs. '
To Observe Withdrawal Time
Drugs and antibiotics are needed
in many cases to protect the health
of livestock, poultry and dairy
animals. Their use is quite com-
Directors School, Pa.
Association of Farmer Co-ops,
Penn State University, 814-863-
0655.
Tuesday, December 9
Winter Forage Meeting, Maryland
- Delaware Forage Council,
Hartly Fire Hall, Hartly, Del.
Lancaster County DHIA Banquet,
Good and Plenty Restaurant,
11:30 a.m. For reservations call
Jay Myling, 665-5960. Meeting
repeated tomorrow.
York Extension Meeting; Topic:
Sodbuster - Provisions, Dover
High School, 1 p.m. Kennard
A LIGHT
TO MY FEET
November 30,1986
Background Scripture: Nehemiah
8:1-12; Psalms 119.
Devotional Reading: Psalms
119:9-16.
“For all the people wept when
they heard the words of the law.”
Thus Nehemiah records for us the
reaction of the returned exiles
when, having completed both the
rebuilding of the walls of
Jerusalem and the temple, Ezra
read to them the words of the law.
Perhaps it is difficult for
Christians to understand not only
their response, but also the
revered place the law has always
enjoyed in Judaism. Christianity
has no comparable law. but we do
regard the Bible itself in a similar
capacity. So, that although the
Psalmist’s words, “Thy word is a
THE EXTRA THICK,
TRIPLE PADDED,
mon in many faim operations.
However, the misuse of these
materials is where trouble can
start.
When these items are ad
ministered to animals or poultry,
the owner should read the label for
directions relating to withdrawal
periods for milk cows or time
between treatment and slaughter
for meat. It’s only common sense
that these regulations be followed.
To short-cut the period of time is
only jeopardizing the product and
the entire farming business. Don’t
take chances with our valuable
food products. Also, keep accurate
records of all treatments. In case
excess tolerance is found, it might
save time and money.
To Protect Farm Machinery
Winter weather is very hard on
farm machinery. As I travel
throughout the county, I still ?ee
too many pieces of machinery
sitting out behind the building or in
the fields. This is very costly to the
owner. Moisture causes rust and
shortens the life of the equipment.
Machinery costs are very high
and weather protection is one wqy
to reduce the cost of replacement.
Separate machinery sheds are
suggested in order to keep
everything from being stored in
the main bam. Good care and
maintenance is needed to lengthen
the life of all farm machinery.
The Cooperative Extension Service is an
affirmative action, equal opportunity
educational institution
Dale High School, 7:30 p.m,
Wednesday, December 10
Penn State Dairy Computer-
Management Conference,
Sheraton Penn State, State
College. Contact Joe Hlubik,
814-863-3912.
York Extension Meeting, Topic,
Sodbuster Provisions, Farmers
Bank and Trust, Baltimore
Street, Hanover, 10 a.m.; York
Extension office, 1 p.m.
Thursday, December 11
Golden Harvest Sale, Lebanon
Fairgrounds.
lamp to my feet and a light to my
path,” were originally a reference
to the law of Israel, Christians
regard these words as equally
descriptive of the Bible itself.
THE PEOPLE WEPT
But why did the people weep
when Ezra read the law? Was it not
because they realized how im
poverished their lives had been
without it, forgotten by many
'during the Babylonian exile? As
Jesus indicated again and again,
despite the possibility that the law
could be greatly distorted and even
become a substitute for God, still it
was a tremendous comfort for
then. They needed something
solid, dependable and enduring to
•nake the foundation for daily
living.
Once again, as many times
before in the life of Israel, the
people have been challenged to
renew their covenant and they do
so willingly. It is true that God’s
people had failed him miserably,
but once again God was giving
them the opportunity to renew the
covenant. It was a time of great
emotion and the people wept. But
their leaders told them, “This day
is holy to our Lord your God; do not
mourn or weep” (Nehemiah 8:9b).
So the people rejoiced and had
renewed Israel’s ancient covenant.
It was a time of new beginning.
THEY REJOICED
Just as the law of Israel is no
longer instructive for us, so the
rites and rituals of Judaism have
almost no meaning for us. But,
although the outward forms may
seem alien, that does not mean
that we do not need the inner
essence of their experience.
Perhaps in our own way ways
suitable to our times and our own
needs we need to leam to
recognize the light God gives us
and celebrate it by committing
ourselves anew to walk in his way.
(Based on copyrighted Outlines produced by the
Committee on the Uniform Series and used by
permission Released by Community a n£ *
Suburban Press)
itii