A36*Lancaster Firming, Saturday, February 29,1992 Nutrient Management (Continued from Page A 1) Humphries’ “gentle” comment brought snickers from the audi ence. And Millersville farmer and State Representative John Barley, one of the prime sponsors of HB 496, called it anything but gentle. “We need to keep practical, pro duction agriculture in mind when we look at nutrient management,” Barley said. His concern with the bill is that the language is so vague it leaves regulatory bureaucrats with too many interpretive options. Barley nevertheless secs a definite need for statewide legislation, because farm operations often transcend township and county boundaries. Brubaker, who is also a War wick Township supervisor, feels local legislation can get the job done, citing his own backyard as an example. In September of 1988, the township adopted an ordinance requiring farmers to get a manure management plan if they wanted to boost their animal num bers by more than 10 percent. Shortly after the law took effect, five farmers gave notice that they wanted to expand their operations. They got nutrient management plans, the plans were approved by the township and the farmers were able to add to their businesses. This was proof, Bru baker said, that local efforts could work. However, he also expressed concern about townships adopting MOVE MORE LIFT MORE light construction job wiu efficiency. Increased front loader lifting capacities help you move more material and lift heavier loads. A powerful hydraulic system results in shorter cycle times. You’ll also be able to do more with the compact Kubota L-Series- 23-49 PTO HP, tight turning radius and 4WD. And the innovative “Ever-Clutch”-a first-of-a-kind wet clutch that doubles clutch life and even comes with its own warranty. Demanding construction jobs demand more options. The L-Series has them, inc' a hefty 3-point hitch, of performance matcl implements and indui trial tires. 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Local action again solved a problem. Becker noted, without any need for state help or supervision. Whether the state gets involved in nutrient management sooner or later, farmers have already altered their operations in ways that help solve the problems of manure dis posal, according to Jeffrey Stolt zfus, a Lancaster County exten sion agent. As most people define the prob lem now, it has two parts; 1- Excessive manure applications to farmland result in die leaching of nitrates into groundwater sup plies; 2- The runoff of nitrogen into nearby streams, where it eventually causes problems with power, ease am NICARRY EQUIPMENT CO. RD #2, Box 2008, Reading, Pa. 19605 215-926-2441 Located: 4 Milas North of Reading On Rt. 61 3 Mllea South of Leeaport Hours: Mon. thru Frl. 8 to 5; Sat. 8 to 3 worl improve ~.12.5 Hp, 2WD aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay. In past years, the nitrogen prob lem was complicated by the fact that farmers applied both manure and commercial fertilizer, over whelming the land’s ability to absorb nitrogen. Stoltzfus told the gathering that he had worked in a Rural Clean Water Program (RCWP) centered in the northeastern part of Lancas ter County. Some 365 farmers cul tivating a total of 24,134 acres participated in the RCWP. By the end of the five-year program, between 1986 and 1991, these far mers had reduced their use of commercial nitrogen fertilizer by 78 percent without suffering any loss in crop yields. Yields remained high for these farmers because the manure applied to their croplands was 1 suf ficient - and often more than suffi cient - to support maximum production. Nutrient management planning can help farmers save significant BARN PAINTING SPRAY & BRUSHING To farm building owners Under today's farm economy It is time to reduce maintenance frustrations. Do you remember of hearing of barn painting of approximately 75 years ago that It stayed nice longer? lasted 25 years? Observation #1 In recent years many of these good old barn surfaces have been ruined by over coating, poor preparation and application, lack of controlled paint placement and film thickness. The time is coming to salvage our buildings (a) Start over (b) Water blast (c) RESURFACE (d) Use solid stain to penetrate on bare spots! (e) Second coat with a breathing film thickness (f) Brush out in all directions with finest of bristles. Really it is not as complicated as the recent changing regulations on clean milk production, or wet soils, or zoning. It is also less expensive than other barn painting experiences! Observation #2 Colored water (latex) Is less desirable tor farm buildings. There Is a long list of reasons for this. I Observation #3 Todays painted metal siding and roofing has a remarkably short life. Bad alloy or metal. There might be another list of reasons for this. To save it at reasonable coating cost • timing Is Important. Observation #4 Today's wood selection for sid ing etc. is also poor. How about recycling build ing material? For free estimates of barn painting call 215-445-6186 or write C ) PHARES s. hurst 233 E. Maple Grove Rd. Narvon, PA 17555 BRUNING PAINT <CRrecknocK JI Stockade Buildings The Best By Design... A Tradition Of Quality a. From Start To Finish. FROM SPECIALITY BUILDINGS AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS HORSE BARNS Thinking About A New Garage/Additions/Remodeling Roofing/Siding? No Job To Small Or To Large Free Estimates Insured Call 215-445-7897 amounts of money. And while they may have to spend some money to draw up and implement their plans, they probably won’t have to spend $38,000 to do it, according to Robert Gregory of the Lancaster County Conserva tion District. The $38,000 figure had been quoted in news reports from a February 12 State Senate hearing in Bloomsburg on HB 496. One of the programs Gregory administers helps farmers pay for nutrient management plans and programs designed specifically to prevent runoff from entering streams and thence the Chesa peake Bay. The District has already signed ISO contracts with farmers who have agreed to change their operations in some way to limit runoff. Gregory said after the meeting that while some manure storage LyVETHEM WfTH NJILK 1992 TO TO structures can be expensive, stor age isn’t always necessary. Grass waterways and diversion terraces, along with more effective nutrient management procedures, can often solve on-farm problems for a $1,500 out-of-pocket cost to farmers. Lament Garber is an agricultur al specialist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. He has an office in Harrisburg, just about a block and-a-half from the Susquehanna River, which is the main carrier of nutrients and silt into the Chesapeake. Garber pointed out that regula tions which affect farmers are here already and more are on the way. He pointed to the Conservation District programs as an economi cal way of combatting the nutrient problem. “There are more ways than spending money to balance nutrient input with crop output,’’ he said. PORSAHA PEANUT HULLS Far BEDDING Most effective I as bedding for all I kinds of beef and I dairy cattle, hogs, horses, sheep and k poultry V Any amount delivered % or call for at farm. Esbenshade Turkey Farm (America’s Oidest~ ' , PO Box 337 ’ Paradise, Pa. (717) 6117-7631 l 1 (800) 273-3883, (215) 445-7897 CALLUS TO LEARN HOW WE DO IT AND WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU!
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