Dl4-Lancaster Farming Saturday, June 1,1991 iy v’sa Ytea t®L c‘ v l> * DAIRYING IN THE HEART Phil Durst Snyder Co. Extension Agent Dairy is the primary agricultur al enterprise in Snyder, Union, Northumberland, and Montour counties, the so-called SUN Area in the heart of the Susquehanna River valley. This is the area where I work, and while it is not the premier dairy area of the state, it is an area where dairy farming will survive and be successful. The reasons for its success, both now and into the future, are not related to its fine valleys, major transportation routes, or well developed support industry. Rather, my confidence is placed in the quality of the dairy farmers here. Tim and Arlene Yoder, of Selinsgrove, are milking cows again after a December 23 fire destroyed their bam, cows, and equipment. This couple, in their late 20’s, illustrate four reasons why dairy fanners in the SUN Area will survive troublesome times and shine in their industry. 1. The help of friends, neigh bors, and strangers. The Tire at Yoder’s started in the early morn ing hours, and word of it spread as BINS & AUGERS Authorized M NORTHEAST AGRI hE w bS&SSSS systems, inc. /f/ \ II YWAY BUSINESS PARK ‘sl n<J A West Airport Rd / / U&mm i-mi/, pa ' 4 r^- DAIRY ISSUE SPECIAL RT quickly as the fire had. On Mon day morning, the day before Christmas, when people usually have much yet to do, more than 100 came out to help clean up the mess left by the fire. I’ve seen that type of response repeatedly demonstrated in this area whenever a farm family has been struck by a death, sickness or disaster. In fact, on the same day, just over the hill from Yoder’s friends and neighbors were work ing to put up a bam at Clair Heim bachs to replace one lost by a fire several weeks earlier. On this day, both the Yoders and the Heim bachs said that if they got too many volunteers to help them, they would send some of them up to the other’s farm. Both the Yod ers and Heimbachs sent crews. Business with whom the Yod ers deal gave them breaks; semen was replaced or credit was given, the veterinarian reduced his bills and farmers donated cattle. Not a herd test was missed on DHIA because the remnants of the herd and the donated cattle were milked on another farm. 2. Parent’s help in establish ing the next generation. The dif ficulty that a young dairyman I. Master Distributor (717) 569-2702 V*^44tl / ■ v^ STORE HOURS Mon.-FrL 7-30-4-30 Sat. 7:30-11:30 faces in getting started on his or her own may be great enough to severely constrict the industry in the next 20 years. But, over and over I have seen a parent’s help make it possible for the younger generation. Tim’s parents owned the bam that burnt and the land that Tim and Arlene farm. They worked hard to rebuild not only the physi cal barn, but also the dairy future of Tim and Arlene. On this and other dairy farms, I know the farm only continues because of the sacrifice of the old er generation who worked their lives to make a farm and who now give up some of the value of that farm so that another generation can carry on. Their labor and the knowledge they have gained through the years are also essen tial on many farms now run by their offspring. 3. Involvement in farm orga nizations. Tim has served as Snyder County DHIA president, county Holstein Association director, and as a junior director with Sire Power. Although busy with the farm, his family, and their church, he has made time to be involved with organizations which provide services, products, and management information that farmers depend on. Like other young dairy farmers in this area who are similarly involved with farm organizations, Tim has shown a commitment to serve and to work with other dairymen for the sake of the indus try. All dairy fanners benefit by this local leadership. 4. Hard work and good man agement No farm can survive without these ingredients and they certainly are not lacking at Yod ers. Tim and Arlene milk 44 cows with a punctuality that cows pre fer. Tim says that he would rather be in the bam than in the field, and it shows with the cows. Their herd SCC of 120,000 is proof of the commitment they have made to producing premium-quality milk. Two years ago, I asked one young couple* whose SCC had been averaging less than 125,000, why they came to a cooperative extension mastitis clinic. Their reply was that if they learned one more thing that would help them, it would be worth it. Those who put a priority on producing quality milk promote their product like no commercial can do. And those who make a commitment to constantly sharpen their management skills by con- Greater Flexibility In Corn Weed Control WILMINGTON. Del. Re cent label updates for Accent herbicide mean greater flexibility this year for com growers fighting tough grassy weeds, including shattercane, foxtail and woolly cupgrass. The EPA-approved revisions extend the size range that Accent can be applied on some grasses and add several tank-mix partners to the label. “Growers throughout the Com Belt now have even greater flexi bililly and a wider window of ap plication to fight tough grassy weeds that are costing millions of dollars in lost yields,” said Mike Dobrotka, Du Pont product devel opment specialist for Accent. The Accent label changes ex tend the weed control height of shattercane to 12 inches and wool ly cupgrass to four inches. Accent also provides control of foxtail up to four inches, quackgrass up to 10 inches, and wild proso millet up to tinued learning are preparing for the future. Looking around, it is easy to see these characteristics! of success on farms throughout these four coun ties. The heart of the Susquehanna Valley is home to farmers with dairy in their heart Like Tim and Arlene Yoder, there are many dairy families who work hard and well, have the sup port of family and the help of friends and neighbors, and who work together to boost the dairy industry. That is the secret to suc cess, and I’m pleased to be able to work with these farmers. three inches, For com growers fighting John songrass, Accent now can be ap plied to seedling Johnsongrass up to 12 inches and rhizome Johnson grass up to 18 inches. “Due to the competitiveness of these tough grasses, many grow ers are finding that the control of fered by an effective post program including Accent just makes good economic sense,” Dobrotka said. Other recently approved label revisions allow com growers to achieve greater broadleaf control by tank-mixing Accent with atra zine, Buctril, Buctril/atrazine, Banvel or Marksman. Com growers rotating to other crops now have greater flexibility in using Accent Shorter crop rota tion intervals mean growers can rotate to spring wheat barley, and oats after eight months and to win ter wheal after four months. In addition, Accent can be ap plied to seed com and popcorn.
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