A36-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 10, 1992 Chinese Visit (Continued from Pan* All The Stauffer farm was chosen for the international visit because it demonstrates intensive animal pro duction and how the Stauffers are using composting to dispose of ani mal waste. The Stauffer farm has also been used in government stu dies for water quality. The Chinese are interested in doing these same underground studies in their coun try because they are also faced with high density manure problems. In 1980, the U.S. government drilled a well on the Stauffer farm to keep record of what is happening underground- Stauffer said that a ~ publication will soon be released that reveals the governments find ings on sediments, pollution, and underground activity. Aaron and his son Clark joint farm 65 acres, which has been in the family since 1912. They raise 2,200 broilers and 1,000 plus pigs in addition to crop farming the land. Last year, Clark raised one half acre of vegetables. The endea vor was so successful that this year, Clark raised 12 acres of vegetables, which he markets at a roadside stand and at a few local supermarkets. The Stauffers do not use any commercial fertilizer. Their com posting bins are used as a disposal for dead chickens. It takes about five weeks to Till one bin before it is topped with manure and allowed to go through a 7 to 10 day heat cycle that reaches ISO degrees. After the heat drops to about 100 degrees, the bin’s contents are dumped into an adjacent bin where it completes another heat cycle. The compost ing is then complete and the com- post is spread on the fields. No water is used in composting, which eliminates odors. The Chinese were amazed to see that the chickens placed in the compost bin that morning had par tially decomposed by late afternoon. Clark said that even a sheep or hog can be decomposed in the compost bins used on the farm. Although he had been told that it was necessary to chop up larger carcasses, Clark said that he hasn’t found that step necessary. 4* All-Plant LIQUID PLANT FOOD $ 9-18-9 PLUS OTHERS! | • Contains 100% white ortho phosphoric ? acid. Made in USA. i • Non-corrosive. Won't settle. | •Top quality. Excellent service. • Newest equipment. • Financially sound... and growing! | Big Demand Requires | More Distributors! \ □ I sell to farmers. How do I become your distributor? □ I'm a farmer. What's the price? Where do I get it? CALL or SEND FOR FACTS: Phone 814-364-1349 ALL-PLANT LIQUID PLANT FOOD, INC. 821 State Rd. 511 N., RFD 3, Ashland, Ohio 44805 Previously chickens were com posted in the ground on the Clark farm. But studies showed that the decomposing was happening too close to the ground water. For that reason, an above the ground com post was needed and has proven extremely effective. “In the long run, compost bins are very cost efficient versus dis posing of animals in other ways. In addition, you have the benefit of putting compost back on land,” Clark said. The Chinese were curious about the machinery, especially the Slur ry Buggy used to haul liquid man ure. They remarked that instead of Silos, the Chinese dig trenches to store silage.' When the Chinese toured the Stauffers’ fields, they tasted the tomatoes in order to compare the taste with those grown in China. Clark cut up two watermelons when he found the Chinese love them. The Chinese import water melons from the U.S. China has basically two types of farms: the intensified state-owned farm around the city and the one acre rural farms. Although some of the state-owned farms have large chickens, the farms are not as near ly as automated as in this country. The Chinese admired the automa tion on local farms, but they were most interested in seeing methods of fanning adaptable to the small (Turn to Pag* A 39) MASONIC HOMES, ELIZABETHTOWN, PA Ephrata farm. >some jo so. . Chinese agricultural profession als who toured the term could check the quality of the tobacco. Thanks and Congratulations on Remodeling Their Tie-Stall Into A DOUBLE 6 MILKING PARLOR and HOLDING AREA! SURGE EXPECT MORE. Parlor Installation By: r^?»r*Fr 601 E. High Street, Elizabethtown 17022 (717) 367-1221 To • Surge Millking Parlor With Indexing Brisket Rail Stalls. • Surge Electronic Milk Meter. • OMNI Automatic Detachers. • Surge Kube Kooler. OrJO a Chinese hat for the tour held on his • Grooved Concrete Floor In Holding Area For Better Footing. • Non-Slip Aggregate For Better Footing In Parlor. • Hardener To Increase Concrete Life • Glasbord Walls For Longer Life & Easier Cleaning. • Zimmerman Fencing & Gates • Agpro Flush System Remodeling By: W7*k TRIPLE H W //7m Construction 430 Springville Rd., Ephrata, Pa. 717-738-2142 Custom Builders of Dairy, Horse, Storage, Residential and Commercial Buildings Featuring...
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