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Philosophy
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De-Bugging The Bugs
Whether we like to admit it or
not, this generation of farmers has
become obsessed with killing bugs.
Nearly every crop we grow must
be “protected” from the chewers,
suckers and spoilers that crawl, fly
or hatch on our private Eden. And
the more we fight, the richer the
Chemical Company gets.
It is not only the indestructible
insect that we must fight. We must
MORE HOGS
TO MARKET
controlled environment
the reason.
Raising hogs isn't just a business . . . it’s a science! In
swine complexes like the one pictured above, thousands of
gilts are introduced to the breeding process and closely
monitored throughout gestation. Their young are cross
fostered to insure a higher rate of survival, then registered by
computer, so as to provide day by day progress reports for the
highly specialized staff that operates the complex.
The amount of heat, humidity, water, and rations each hog
receives has been carefully calculated and researched. Now,
Tell me more about owning and operating a swine system. I'd
to see how I can profit from the experience of Hershey Equipmi
ADDRE!
;ity
I understand that I am under no obligation to buy
also do battle with fungi, bacteria,
nematodes and virus. Add to that
the weeds that choke and compete,
and the battle never ends.
How did we come to this state of
affairs, where the more we fight,
the harder the battle becomes?
Most defenders will say it was an
economic necessity. We had to
prove to ourselves that humans are
really the dominant animals on
STATE
ZIP
earth, and no pesky little
critter is going to prevßfft 'stunted fruit is not marketable,
having wormleas apples, cabbage and weedy or moth eaten grain
without holes, or green leafy makes no profit,
alfalfa! But the other side of the equation
Greed has its good and bad is easily ignored. What is all this
points, I guess. chemical spritzing and dunking
The struggle to “feed the world” going to do to the Planet Earth?
has flooded the land with surplus And to you and your grand
food, while much of the world still children? Are there alternatives?
goes hungry. Somehow, this The alternatives to chemical
strange enigma must be related to “quick fixes” are usually very
the warnings of “Silent Spring” slow acting and long term affairs,
that still go unheeded. Man has They may even be more costly,
changed the ecological balance, The so-called organic cures are
and must face the consequence. often too expensive, and produce
Not one single species of insect poor or no result. They often
has been eradicated, nor has any provide a vehicle for the charlatan
plant disease or weed been totally to prey on the emotions and the
conquered. Millions of dollars are pocketbook of the unwary. The
spent each year in the attempt. All terminology used in promoting the
that is accomplished is a tern- product is often vague and
porary protection of our in- misleading. The only profit they
vestment, with the prospect of achieve is for the promoter and his
repeating the whole process next salesman. They tend to polarize
year, and the next, ad infinitum. the public into extremes of
Our investment in field, garden chemical users and organic
and orchard is considerable, and fanatics, with no middle ground,
simple economics will dictate that There is a middle ground, and we
our investment must be protected, must all recognize it sooner or
Chemical control of the pests that later. It can only be reached by
defile our crops makes good takingabroadviewofhumanity.lt
economic sense. Wormy and recmires much education, in fields
sturdy, well built equipment specially designed to meet these
strict requirements carries the proper amounts of air, water,
and nutrients to each hog.
The result is more hogs actually going from finisher to
market. . . and that means profit!
If you want to raise hogs and make a profit, you need Her
shey Equipment Company. Hershey researches, designs,
manufacturers, and builds swine systems. Hershey even
operates its own system profitably! Get the benefit of ex
perience . . . Call Hershey Equipment Company today!
PARK
STEP, PA 17603
(Rt. 30 at Centerville Exit) 717-393-5807
Lancaster Fanning.SBtnrday, March I
IS
I PMENT
I N C.
of history, economics, sociology,
and especially in science and
natural history. The more we
understand about the way our
fellow creatures evolve,
reproduce, and live, the better we
will understand how they fit into
the scheme of things without up
setting Man’s dominion too much.
Fortunately we are beginning to
pay more attention to developing
plant varieties that are resistant to
disease and insects. The door is
opening wider to the ideas of
biological control of pests, through
the introduction of predators and
parasites that keep crop pests
within safe limits.
Cultural methods that inhibit
pests and enhance crop quality are
becoming more useful as we begin
to understand that nature requires
a balance in it’s own favor.
Mankind’s role in the domination
of nature may not be to destroy the
other life forms which seem to
“bug” us
The chief role of agriculturist of
the future is to learn how mother
nature uses her tricks. If you can’t
fool her, join her!
Rabies
And The
Dairy Producer
By Dr. L. J. Hutchinson
During 1986, rabies
continued its advance
through Pennsylvania.
As part of a northward
move through the Ap
palachian range, rabies
has spread from
southcentral Penn
sylvania, generally in a
northward and east
ward direction. Racoons
have been the main
carrier, but other wild
and domestic animals
have been involved.
The total of
laboratory-confirmed
cases of rabies was 583
in Pennsylvania during
1966. Of these, 409 were
racoons, 101 skunks, 24
fox, 19 cats, 17 bats, five
groundhogs, three cows,
two dogs, two horses
and one donkey. In
many of the domestic
animal cases, including
all three cattle cases,
humans were exposed
and rabies treatments
were advised.
A new Pennsylvania
law requires rabies
vaccination of dogs and
cats. Bam cats are
excluded from the
requirement. Keep in
mind that farm dogs
and cats are at high risk
of rabies exposure,
especially in high
prevalence areas.
Rabies-exposed, un
vaccinated dogs and
cats are a definite
danger to your cattle
and to humans. It may
not be easy to get farm
cats and dogs vac
cinated, but it is worth
the trouble.
What about vac
cinating cattle and other
livestock?
There is a vaccine
available for use in
cattle, sheep and hor
ses. You should consider
the chances of exposure
in deciding whether to
vaccinate. Risk of ex
posure depends on
prevalence in wildlife in
your are and animal
environment (con
finement vs. pasture).
Discuss with your
veterinarian the ad
visability of livestock
vaccination and
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