VOL. 38 No. 11 Farmers Propose Agricultural Nutrient Management VERNON ACHENBACH JR. Lancaster Farming Staff MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.) Two Lancaster County fanners this week presented for public review their draft for a law The Davis family, from left, Janet and Emery with Nathan; Janeli and Stephen; and standing, Laureen and Rick. Davis Family Honored In Tioga County CJ. HOUGHTALING Tioga Co. Correspondent MIDDLEBURY CENTER (Tiogo Co.) No two were more suprised to leant the Davis Family was the 1992 recipient of the Pa- DHIA Herd Management Award for Tioga County than Rick and Janelle Davis. As last year’s winners of the DHIA Top Milk Herd Award, with an average of 22,319 pounds of milk, an increase of 1,089 pounds over the previous year. Rick said he didn’t expect another large increase in production. But as the DHIA comparison report confirmed, the Davises’ produc tion again increased 1,473 pounds to a total of 23,792 for 1992. Fat content increased from 795 to 884 and protein increased from 715 to 773. “We certainly don’t expect an increase like that next year,” Ja nelle said. The increases on the Davis farm were an accomplishment to be noted, expecially considering the county average for all herds de creased in all three categories from 1991 to 1992. And the Dav- Four Sections which would create a new govern ment system for treating agricul tural operations in a holistic man ner and shield farmers from nor mal environmental prosecution channels. ises have stayed above the state averages in milk, fat and protein production for the past three years. If Rick was to name his formula for success, it would be consis tency. “We don’t do anything spe cial. Just the same thing day in and day out. We try to give them good feed and good breeding, but I’d say overall, being consistent in a daily routine is the best thing for our cows.” ‘Farmer Friendly ’ Legislation Key, Wenger Tells Pork Producers ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster Co.) Creating a bill that is “far mer friendly” is the key to signing nutrient management legislation into law, according to Sen. Noah Wenger (R-Stevens), who spoke Thursday night at the Lan-Chester Swine Producers’ Association annual meeting and banquet Wenger, minority member of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, commented about the attempt two months ago Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 23, 1993 The plan is called “Agricultural Resources Act.” According to Allen Weickscl, organizer and spokesman for the Family Farm Movement, and Donald Rank, treasurer and rep Rick and his father Emeiy work a farm that was started by Emery’s dad in the 19205. The main farm is a .consolidation of three separate farms purchased over the years to total 245 acres. The Davises also own another farm with 128 acres known as the Hulbert Place and Rick and Janelle live on a fourth farm, formerly owned by Rick’s grandfather Taylor, which is adja (Turn to Page A 25) to rush through 5.8.'1444, an environmental education bill that carried a nutrient management legislation “rider,” before the close of the session. Wenger called the wording on that bill ‘ ‘consider ably better,” but said “it seemed like a rush kind of thing” and real ly should have taken more time to see farmer input and consideration. Wenger updated the Lancaster- Chester pork producers about the status of nutrient management (Turn to Page A 29) resentative of the Lancaster Coun ty Farmers’ Association, their proposal is an alternative to nego tiated nutrient management legis lation already approved in writing by all major farm and environmen tal organizations, the state Depart ment of Agriculture, the governor, and other interests. Whether or not the concept will be taken seriously by legislators is uncertain. As of presstime, no elected rep resentatives were associated with Farm And Home Foundation Reviews Year LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) “Good leadership is hard to come by but we have a very good board to get things done,” Ken Rutt told those attending the 29th annu al banquet of the Farm and Home Foundation. At the January 19th banquet, members elected seven directors and reviewed opportunities for extension services in Albania, Poland, and Russia. The seven newly-elected direc tors will join those with unexpired ternis for a combined board of 21 Corn Growers Release Five Acre Results STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) The Pennsylvania Master Corn Growers Association (PMCG A) has announced the win ners of its 1992 Five Acre Com Club Program. Awards were made for both three-year yield averages as well as for highest yields during 199^ One hundred and thirty five corn growers participated in the prog ram this year. This year’s results reflected the excellent growing season in many areas of southern Pennsylvania. Yields were a record high, aver aging 163.4 bushels per acre. Seven entrants reported yields of more than 200 bushels per acre and another 38 reported yields of more than 175 bushels. For the 1992 classes, first place in the large harvest shelled com class went to Clarence Keener Jr. from Lancaster with a yield of 211 bushels per acre. In the regular harvest size class, Larry E. Moyer of Mertztown took the honors with a yield of 214 bushels per acre. The first place award in the ear com hand harvest class was won by Glenn Bros. Dairy from McConnellsburg with a yield of 213 bushels per acre. Kenneth Schl'egel of Fleetwood took the top honors in the machine harvest ear com class with a yield of 191 bushels per acre. In the three year average class for shelled com harvested from a 608 Per Copy the proposal or the two men. Also, Wcicksel and his group, which consists of Amish and Mcn nonite farmers who normally shy from public activism, were practi cally lone opponents against the plan currently embraced by the slate farm associations. The draft submitted for public perusal was printed in the formal of a legislator’s official proposal. While the draft itself was too incomplete to convey a workable (Turn to Page A 34) directors. The board oversees the Farm and Home Center, a multi purpose facility that serves rural and urban interests. The Center, built m 1968, is a living monument to the county’s agriculture and agribusiness industry. One of the major functions of the board is to award scholarships for the study of agriculture and family living. Extension director John Schwartz reported that 18 applica tions have been received for Farm and Home Center scholarships this year. Of those, 10 will be selected large (more than 3 acres) sample, first place was awarded to William Bissinger from Bloomsburg with an average yield of 165 bushels per acre. Second and third place in this class went to D. Richard Snyder of Mountoursville and Daryl Alger of Palmyra with average yields of 161 and 155 bushel per acre, respectively. In the three year average class for shelled com harvested from a regular (less than three acres) sample, first place was awarded to Paul Lechner from Olcy with a yieldof 189 bushels per acre Sec ond and third places in this class went to Donald Lichtcnwalncr of Macungie and Joe Matciik of Mechamcsville with average yields of 187 and 185 bushels per acre, respectively. In the ear com class, the three year average first place award went to Lester Poust of Muncy, who has averaged 187 bushels per acre. Second and third place awards went to Sid Lewis from Wysox and Sandy Ridge Farms from Shippenvillc, with yields of 177 and 163 bushels per acre, respectively. Awards will be presented at the Pennsylvania Com Conference, to be held in March. The Pennsylva nia Master Com Growers Associa tion has more than 350 members statewide. For more information, contact Greg Roth, executive secretary, PMCGA, (814) 863-1018. $19.00 Per Year (Turn to Page A 27)
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