American Dream UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) The American dream of owning land has led to a boom in the turfgrass industry, said a Penn State researcher. “Everybody wants a piece of the country before it’s gone,” siad Dr. Thomas Watschke, professor of turfgrass science. “As more farmland is lost to development, and urban sprawl continues to creep across the country, more and more acres are created that need to be landscaped. “Unlike other agribusinesses which have suffered during the recession, the turfgrass industry has continued to thrive and even grow,” said Watschke. “Among Pennsylvania agricultural enter prises, turf is second only to ani mal products in terms of economic value.” Watschke says it’s difficult to place a monetary value upon an industry that has only sod as a cash crop. But in 1989, Pennsyl vanians spent $1.46 billion to maintain close to 2 million acres of turf, according to a survey con- EHH* SAMS & SERVICE For the Latest in AGRI-VAC, and Bulk Feed Truck Bodies & Bulk Feed Transport Equipment WALING A AGRI-VACS Capacities Per Hour •2500-3000 Bu. Com/Barley . •2300-2500 Bu. Wheat , •1900-2100 Bu. Soybeans f'* List AG PROGRESS (Q CAA special price vUv ECONOMY MODEL 410 STD 540 PTO AG PROGRESS SPECIAL PRICE Distributed Py: EASTERN MOBILE MILLS 1248 E. Newport Road, Lititz, PA 17543 Phone 717-626-4762 NATIONWIDE - TOLL FREE 1 -800-288-2081 FAX-717-626-0320 EMM* ducted by the Pennsylvania Turf grass Council and the state Department of Agriculture. The survey broke down the tot al turfgrass area in the state and determined maintenance expenses for industry segments such as homes, golf courses, and road sides. It showed turfgrass mainte nance and production was a diverse industry and that increased property development has played a key role in this success. Home lawns accounted for 75 percent of total turf acreage and 76 percent of maintenance expenses. “Homeowners spend an annual average of $333 to maintain their lawns,” said Watschke. The majority of that amount pays for labor. Homeownership may be the American dream, but it also has become a challenge for adults who find themselves work ing longer hours to meet their mortgage payments. “Dual-career couples don’t have much time to work around the house,” Watschke said. “Often they turn to lawn service compa- WALINGA BODY & COACH LTD. WALINGA 510 STD Capacities Per Hour •2500-3000 Bu. Com/Barley •2300-2500 Bu. Wheat •1900-2100 Bu. Soybeans List $11,900 AG PROGRESS (Q AAA SPECIAL PRICE List $9,500 Leads To Industry*s Success nies to help them out” Homeowners surveyed said that weeds constitute the biggest turf management problem, followed by poor soil and shade. “It’s fairly common for people to try to take care of a lawn prob lem on their own,” said Watschke. “But then frustration sets in when they don’t get proper results; and they turn to professional help. Some homeowners don’t have the equipment, such as sprayers and spreaders, needed to tackle the problems.” $7,200 UfVEHHEM See Us At Ag Progress Days At Our New Location West 3rd Street Just Off Main St. T-101 20' Clark Faad Tank Wlda Drag Chain, Rack A Pinion Gataa Aa la $3,800 T-102 20' Clark Food Tank With Now Drag Chain, Rack A Pinion Gataa $4,800 T-103 26' Walinga Tank Alr/Augar Combo, Reconditioned A Mounted $16,000 TR-101 32* Fontaine 8 Comp. w/Wallnga Hyd. Controls, Good Condition $7,800 TR-102 32' Clark Trailer 8 Comp. Sealed Light System Fair Condition $B,BOO TR-103 32' Fontaine Air/Auger with New Suspension, Rebuilt Complete In 1991 ..$lB,OOO TR-104 1980 Fontaine Bag/Bulk F.R.P. Trailer Open Top w/Trap 24” Belt Auger Unload 30' Boom, Good Cond 88-101 16' Waymark Aluminum Body w/1 Partition Roof w/Roll Center, Reconditioned A Mounted On Cuatomere Cha*ale.. v $11,500 88-102 22' Aluminum Wallnga Feed Body, 1985 w/3 Partition* Not Mounted $11,500 Reconditioned & Mounted $16,000 BAG 88-201 1984 Ford LTL 9000, Big Block Cummin* Engine, Los* Than 100,000 on Over Haul Engln* 18,000 Front, 46,000 R*ar* w/22‘ Walinga Comb. Unit $34,500 88-202 1984 CMC 670 T Detroit 40,000 Mil** On Overhaul, 13 Speed Trans., 20' Aluminum Body With 510 Walinga Blower $24,900 88-203 1979 Ford LNBOOO 3500 QVW 3208 Cat, L**s Than 40,000 Mil* On New Engine w/14' Open Top Aluminum Body & Air System New Paint & PA Inspection....sl4,9oo 88-204 1982 Freightllner Big Block Cummin* Engine, 10 Speed Tran*, w/20/ F.R.P. Walinga Feed Body, 3 Divider* $24,500 88-205 1972 International, Ga* Englno 5+2 Speed Axle w/Open Top Steel Dump w/Sprout Waldron Equip. Good Running Condition BT-301 1978 International w/16' Warran Tank Air Unload Syatam, 35,000 GVW ....$11,500 BT-302 1979 D.M. Mack 6 Spaad Trana. w/20’ Clark Tank Air Unload, Naw Cab 4 Yaara Old, 64,000 GVW, Raal Claan Unit $18,900 BT-303 1985 LT 8000 Ford w/20' Wallnga Tank, Naw Pa Impaction $33,500 BT-304 1987 Patarbllt Modal 857 w/300 HP Cumminga w/22' Wallnga Tank, Air Sllngar 200,000 Mllaa, Raal Sharp Unit $45,000 Lancaster Farming,, Saturday, August 15,1992-E37 Maintenance of turf along mun icipal and state roadsides cost Pennsylvania residents close to $7 million in 1989. “Turf is used along roadsides for aesthetic rea sons, but also for stabilization and erosion control,” said Watschke. “If the grass wasn’t there, the roads would slip into the ditch after a few hard rains.” New and existing schools, parks, golf courses, airports, and cemeteries also have large turf acreage that needs to be main tained. This acreage, will keep USED E< ID TANK UNITS ONLY TANK expanding as the population increases, said Watschke. “Money spent on lawn care is well invested,” he said. “Turf increases real estate value and helps ensure safety of roadsides and recreational facilities. “All those acres of green also play a crucial role in the environ ment,” he said. “Turfgrass traps air pollutants and has a cooling effect in summer. It prevents stormwater runoff and protects water entering underground aquifers.” IUIPMENT ISIS 515,900 55,000
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