AlO-Lancastor Farming, Saturday, July 25, 1992 OP Effort Is Worthwhile As more people move to rural areas, the need increases for cooperation and understanding among neighbors. Often new arrivals are unfamiliar with agricultural practices, animals and machines as well as the traditions of a particular rural commun ity. At the same time, established farmers and other long-time residents may be unaware of the perceptions and expectations of newcomers. Many move to the country for space (privacy), quiet, clean air and to be closer to nature. Some may be sur prised, and even disappointed, when they first encounter the odors, noises and dusts associated with farming operations. They may not anticipate the destruction of vegetable gardens and ornamental plantings by insects, plant diseases and wild animals. Because farms usually have been in-place and operating long before most rural residential development occurs, and because agricultural production is so important to our total eco nomy, state law helps to protect the right of farmers to continue most farming practices (i.e., spreading manure, drying grain), even when new neighbors might be offended or disturbed. Of course, such legislation doesn’t necessarily help to build good relationships among rural neighbors. Those good relationships depend more on thoughtful and well-motivated efforts by country residents on both sides of the fence. The old saying “Good fences make good neighbors” certain ly applies in areas where animals are grazed. It benefits both animal owners and their immediate neighbors to have well built fences, well-maintained and respected. Good fences pre vent accidents on roadways which can injure or kill people and animals and damage vehicles. Stray animals can damage both farm crops and residential plantings. Animals that wander onto other farms increase their own exposure to disease. Since many plants commonly found in home landscapes (i.e., iris, holly, yew, oak) are poisonous to people and animals, avoid discarding trimmings and yard waste into pastures. Remember that small metal objects thrown into pastures and hay fields can be eaten by animals, especially cattle, and cause “hardware disease” which can be fatal. Metal, wood and plastic trash can also damage farm equipment and reduce the quality and market value of grain crops. Robert Leiby and David Dunbar with the Lehigh Co. Exten sion office say farmers enhance country life by using the fol lowing thoughtful practices: they avoid spreading manure just before weekends and holidays; they incorporate manure as soon as possible after spreading; they apply pesticides when there is little or no wind; they make sure manure spreaders, farm wagons and trucks do not spill contents on public roads; they avoid “tracking” mud on public roads with truck, tractor and implement tires. Be cautious when traveling on rural roads. The red and orange triangular slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems plus a pair of amber flashing warning lamps are mounted on agricul tural equipment which travel at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour. Passenger vehicle drivers need to be especially alert for slow-moving vehicles in agricultural areas. Operators of farm tractors and equipment often will pull to the side, where appro priate, to allow faster vehicles to pass. Proceed cautiously when overtaking a large piece of agricultural equipment. Operators of recreational vehicles can help their farm neigh bors greatly by talking special care to avoid driving on farm fields. Causing crop damage by driving through a field is the same as stealing money from the producer of that crop. Be sure to ask permission before taking a recreational vehicle on a farm. Much of the effort required to be a good neighbor in a rural community is related to courtesy, safety and good stewardship. We believe the effort is worthwhile. Farm Calendar /^/ Lebanon Co. Fair, thru July 31. Berks Co. Holstein Club Field Day and picnic. Ice Cream Contest, Lebanon Clarion Co. Fair, New Bethlehem, thru Aug. 1. Mercer Co. Grange Fair, Mercer, thru Aug. 1. 56th Annual International Associ ation of Milk Central Agency Meeting, Hilton Hotel, Harris i^^^^ Cecil County Fair, thru Aug. 1. Dairy Night at the Dinner Theatre, Keynote Dinner Theatre, Wil low Tree Plaza, Frederick, 6 p.m. Goshen Country Fair, West Ches- NOW IS THE TIME By John Schwartz Lancaster County Agricultural Agent To Read About Hot Weather Tips For Poultry We are in the heat of summer. Here are some hot weather tips for poultry you may want to consider: • Make sure fan louvers are clean and wide open. Partially open louvers will reduce fan air movement by 10 to SO percent. • Check air inlets on both sides of the house. Make sure they are clean and no trees, bird nests, etc. are not reducing air intake. • Make sure your generator and alarm system are working. Test once a week under full load. • Make sure attic fans are work ing and removing hot air from the attic. • Check water system frequent ly to make sure birds are receiving water. • Walk through your birds sev eral times from early afternoon into early evening. In extreme hot weather, the birds sit, trap heat underneath their body, and pant a lotof carbon dioxide (deadly gas to chickens). By walking through the birds, you allow some of the body heat to escape while giving them fresh air. Remember, most mortal ity occurs between S p.m. and 7 p.m. To Consider Merits Of Silage Preservatives The merits of silage preserva tives have been debated for many years. More has been learned and improvements have been made in recent years. Because of these improvements, results have been more positive compared to previous years. Once a crop is ensiled, many things may happen that are beyond the control of the farmer. His goals are to harvest and pre serve the best quality feed possi ble, minimize the risk of abnormal fermentations, and reduce costs associated with storage losses and losses associated with feeding poor quality forages. ter, thru Aug. 1. Potter County Fair, Millport, thru Aug. 1. Troy Fair, Troy, thru Aug. 1. Lehigh Valley Horse Council (Handicapped Riding Prog- ram), Pleasant Hollow Farms, Coopersbuig, 7:30 p.m. FFA Show, Butler County Valley Foige Convention Cen ter, thru July 30. Jacktown Fair, Wind Ridge, thru Aug. 1. New Stanton Farm and Home Fair, New Stanton, thru Aug. 1. Maryland Dairy Princess Pageant, Holiday Inn, FSK Mall, Freder ick, Md., 8 p.m. (Turn to Pago A3l) Proper use of silage preserva- tives may help minimize these risks. Lactic acid-producing bac teria generally have been the most effective, especially with alfalfa and grasses. Enzymes are mere expensive and have shown their best results when used with grass type silages. The use- of preservatives should I help you to obtain similar results every time instead of erratic I results. To Do Estate Planning Estate planning involves many once-in-a-lifetime decisions, not just writing a will. It involves many complex issues, feelings, and emotions. Now is an excellent time to bring your family together and dis cuss your estate plan. The last task of being a top-notch manager is having the next generation receiv ing the business intact You need to review your current plan at least every three years. If you do not have an estate plan, you MY FAITH’S BETTER THAN YOURS! July 26,1992 Background Scripture: 1 Timothy 1. Devotional Reading: James 3: 1-5. This letter, 1 Timothy, has sometimes been used as a proof text to support an emphasis upon doctrinal correctness. Actually, it is just the opposite. The writer is concerned, not with how people articulate their ideas about Christ, but how they live their lives as a result of what they believe. There have been too many times in my life when someone has attacked me because I do not formulate the expression of my beliefs in just the same way he or she does. Many years ago, when I was an adult advisor to an ecu menical Christian state youth council, another advisor squelched our plans for celebrat ing Holy Communion together because he was certain that we did not believe about Holy Commun ion what he did. Unless we believe the same thing, he said, we could not kneel together at the Lord’s Table. “0.K.,” I said, “why don’t you tell me what you believe and I’ll see whether that’s really different from what I believe.” So, he explained rather concisely what his denomination taught concern ing the Lord’s Supper. When he was finished, I said, “Well, that’s what I believe, too.” “Oh no you don’t,” he insisted. No matter what I said, I could do nothing to shake his conviction that he could not commune with me because we believed differently. PROMOTING SPECULATIONS Isn’t this what the writer of 1 Timothy is referring to when he criticizes those who “occupy themselves with myths and end less genealogies which promote speculations rather than the divine training that is in faith” (11:4). The heart of Christian discipleship is not speculation no matter how much holy fun some people may find it but conduct. Think about many of the people whom , need to develop one now. If you do not have a will, the state has one for you. Their asset distribution will probably not be the same as yours. You should name the guardian for your children and one or more executor of your estate. If your estate is worth more than $600,000, you will need a will to set up a trust that could save your estate thousands of dollars in taxes. There arc many options avail able to you in transferring the man agement, business, and assets to the next generation. These include partnerships, joint ventures, corpo rations, rental agreements, install ment sales, living trusts, etc. There are many professionals available to help you in beginning your estate plan. These include cooperative extension agents, bankers, attorneys, accountants, and financial planners. Do not delay. Start your estate planning now. Feather Profs Footnote: “Our aspirations are our possibilities.” Jesus healed during his ministry. Not many of these people would have scored well in correct doctri nal beliefs just the opposite but all of them who were healed because they trusted in this man Jesus, not in ideas about him. I’m not saying that theological or doctrinal beliefs are of no importance; but that they are not the most important factor in our Christian life. If they produce Christian living in us, wonderful! But unless we can translate each of those beliefs into some kind of effort in faith, it matters little. I’ve known people who knew all the right doctrinal words and phrases, but their discipleship seldom went beyond the confines of their brains and voices. A GOSPEL OF GRACE How can you tell if doctrine is correct? The writer of 1 Timothy bids us look at the results of that doctrine: “...the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith” (1:5). This was the writer’s own experience. Though the writer had been “the foremost of sinners,” it was not doctrines that won him to the gospel of Jesus Christ, but the grace of God: “...the grace of our Lord over flowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (1:14). Similarly, when the writer speaks of sinners condemned, he does not speak of those who believed incorrectly, but who per formed sinfully: “...murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, immoral persons, sodomites, kidnappers, liars, per jurors and whatever else is con trary to sound doctrine” (1:9,10). Some of these may have been quite confident that they had the “right doctrine.” But concentrat ing on our ideas about faith can get in the way of living that faith especially when our belief sys tems feed our pride and the arrog ant assumption that ours is the cor rect one. Lancaster Farming Established 195 S Published Every Saturday Ephrata Review Building 1 E. Main St Ephrata. PA 17522 by Lancaster Farming, Inc. A SMnnrnn BiAmprka * Robsrt G. Campbell General Manager Everett R. Nawewanger Manning Editor C»«rrl9h« iefc by UncMtc'r Farming
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