HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) More than 750 vegetable growers from throughout Pennsylvania will gather at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center for the 1992 Pennsylvania Vegetable Conference and Trade Show in January 28-30, 1992. The conference will be held concurrently with the 133rd annu al meeting of the State Horticul tural Association of Pennsylvania, the state fruit growers association. The State Horticultural Societies of Maryland and New Jersey also meet in conjunction with their fel low fruit growers from Pennsylva nia. In all, more than 1,600 people arc expected to attend the three day meetings. During the conference, veget able growers, industry specialists, and university researchers will conduct seminars on all phases of the vegetable industry. More than 16 pesticide applicator update training credits are available to growers attending the sessions. Sessions on January 28 will cover processing and fresh-market pro duction methods including disease control, IPM, colored mulches, post-harvest handling, staking tomatoes and new varieties, as well as direct roadside marketing. Bedding plant production sessions will be featured on January 30, along with sessions on general vegetable culture and small fruit insect control. January 31 will be devoted to small fruit production topics. A special all-day short course on merchandising will also be offered the last day, January 31. It will feature well-known speakers, Pat Leimbach and John Hilger. Hershey To Host Vegetable Conference Leimbach is a farm wife from Vermilion, Ohio, who writes a regular newspaper column “Coun try Wife.” Pat has also written several books and will be speak ing on the “Funny Side of Merchandising.” Hilger and his family operate a large farm market near Fort Wayne. John is an entertaining speaker who is not afraid to share his marketing success stories with fellow growers. Other speakers on the short course program will cov- National Hampshire Sheep Sale Shows Positive Outlook LOUISVILLE, Ky. The National Hampshire Sheep Sale was held recently at the North American Internationa] Livestock Exposition. Twenty-eight Hampshires from across the country were featured in the competitive sale held in the newly developed south wing of the exposition center. Hampshires are a breed of large, muscular sheep bred mainly for their meat The Hampshire Sheep Sale fol lowed the National Hampshire Sheep Show, which featured 260 Hampshires from 23 states com peting for $4,600 in premiums. The average Hampshire sold for approximately $450. "Hampshires are definitely one of the top four-breeds of sheep in terms of popularity and sales," said Jack Judy, former head of the sheep division at Ohio State Uni vefsity. "The quality of Hamp shires featured in both the show and the sale looked better than last year." er the use of signs, lighting and proper market layout to promote sales. Pennsylvania grower Fred Funk of Millersville will share some of his innovative retailing ideas and Madeleine Sigman from Penn State University will advise growers on how to address public concerns. More than 100 exhibitors will display the latest in equipment, supplies, and varieties for both fruit and vegetable growers at the trade show. The processing toma- Judy compared the popularity of the Hampshires with the South down breed of sheep. The National Southdown Show held on Monday became the largest Southdown event in the world, featuring 344 sheep in 23 classes of competition. Despite the record numbers of sheep competing at the North American International Livestock Exposition, the overall sheep eco nomy remains relatively poor. Judy attributes the decline in sheep sales to both the record low prices of wool this year, which have been very slow to change, and the prices of lambs this year, which are noticeably lower than last year. "When you put these two factors together with the total economy of the United States, farmers are hit pretty hard in the sheep market," Judy said. The market for Southdowns and Hampshires, however, has remained stable. Southdowns are popular because they have the abil ity to adapt to children and are ide ally suited for club work. They are also a smaller breed of sheep that do not require a great amount of food and are easier to handle than most other sheep breeds. B GRADE FIBERGLASS - Panels or Rolls - Corrugated Sheets Clear & Colored Cedkr Crest Equipment Ip 608 Evergreen Rd. J Lebanon, PA 17042 V (717) 270-6600 as WE CUSTOM DESIGN SYSTEMS FOR YOU . LARGE WOOD BARN FOR SALE Peg & beam. Excellent condi tion. Must be dismantled and removed. Located near Hublersburg, Centre County, Pa. Please call (814) 625-2617 between 8 and 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. PHONE: 717-626-1164 or 717-394-3047 to growers with the highest yields for the 1991 season will be hon ored at the annual tomato awards luncheon on the opening day, January 28. The members of the Pennsylva nia Vegetable Growers Associa tion will discuss various issues and elect members of the board of directors at their annual business meeting on January 29. The annu al fruit and vegetable growers banquet will be held that evening. "A lot of 4-H kids are getting involved with Southdowns," said John Mrozinski, judge of the National SoUthdown Show. "Parents like the fact that South downs are docile animals that are easier to take care of and don't eat too much." Ed Niemeier, a breeder of Hampshires, said the competition at the North American in both the National Hampshire Show and the National Sheep Sale is as strong as ever. "The economy for Hampshires is looking pretty good," Niemeier said. Deb Deakin, a spokeswoman Brubaker Receives Award NILES, 111. Michael W. Bru baker, owner/president of Brubak er Agronomics Consulting Ser vice Inc. of Lititz, Pa., has been awarded the 1991 Communicator of the Year Award at the annual meeting of the National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants (NAICQ in Kansas City, Mo. This award is presented annual ly by “Agri Finance” magazine, honoring a member of the society for outstanding accomplishments ✓ Crane Optional „ .... „ . ✓ Custom Built With ' Competitive Pnces MSR Lumber ✓ Personal Service BLACK BEAR TRUSS CORF. Mon. Thru Fri. 7 a.nu to 7 p.m. Sat. by appointment FAX 717-998-9875 1 -800-326-9689 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 7, 1991-Cl It will feature the Chambersburg High School Steel Band as the entertainment. The Vegetable Conference is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers Association and The Pennsylvania State Uni versity. For more information on the program, contact your county extension office or the Pennsylva nia Vegetable Growers Associa tion, RD 1, Box 392, Northumber land. PA 17857-9723, (717) 473-8468. for the Banner Sale Management Service, said that Hampshires are one of the few breeds that truly perform well in market lamb shows. "Hampshires have tre mendous show quality," Deakin said. "They are freer of diseases than most breeds, are easy to keep, and lamb very well." Deakin added that another rea son why Hampshires are so popu lar is their ability to use their food efficiently. "They have a better gain rate," Deakin said. "They transfer the grain you feed them into more quality pounds of meat per sheep." in publicizing the positive image of the crop consultant profession. In addition to his activities with the NAICC, Brubaker is a member of the American Society of Agro nomy, Crop Service Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, Weed Science Society of America, and numerous state and local organizations devoted to the advancement of American agriculture. 111
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