A&ijncMttr fanning,' *,>l6* ' NMAB Approves (Contlniwd from Pago At) line for the development of regula tions to control the handling and use of nutrients. The first segment of nutrient control to be addressed is with the management of manure stemming from agricultural operations. In concept, the Act was created to address the dual problem of an increase in livestock numbers in the Susquehanna River Watershed and a heavy increase in the amount of nutrients being drained into the watershed. Originally, the decline of the water quality in Uhe Chesapeake Bay attributed directly to incoming nutrient flows horn all the major contributing rivers was recognized as a problem because of algal blooms, fish kills or disapearances, dramatic changes in the types of aquatic life present, and the formation of a summertime bottom layer in the bay where oxygen was depleted to the point that higher forms of life, such as mollusks and fish, could no longer survive. Initial analyses of the problem targeted increased agricultural livestock production in the lower regions of the Susquehanna watershed, and, to an extent, some other “nonpoint" sources of nutri ents as the culprit for the overload ing of nutrients. Since then, storm water runoff (such as all the runnoff from streets, roofs and parking lots), an assumed large number of old and untested residential on-lot septic systems, and unknown amounts of nutrients being applied to residen- Brooks-Petzold Limousin Show Best ENGLEWOOD, Colo. Doug Hixon of Laramie, Wyo. sorted a competitive field of 26 entries in the National Western Junior Limou sin Show January 12 in Denver. For grand champion honors, he went with S Y Bobbie Jo 3268, an 8/25/92 daughter of LKCC Tomahawk’s Touchdown out of Miss SY Supercharge 327 U. Amy Brooks of Mariet ta, Okla. exhibited the champion. She also led this female to the grand championship of the sale show that followed. Clint Petzold of Clin ton, Okla. had the reserve grand champion with OTSS Ballerina 21018, a 4/21/92 daughter of YKCC Top Line 180XoulofYKCL Miss Virginian RIO3V. Oth' r class winners in the show included Jessica Smith of Paris, Ky. with Cane Ridge Dream Girl 495, a 10/30/92 daughter of Polled Pack Leader 1182 U outof TEXS Star Dream Girl. Shawn Smith of Par is, Ky. also had a class winner with Cane Ridge Maggie 653 C, a 3/1/93 daughter of Polled Silverstone 7089 Y out of Cane Ridge Polled Jody. Clint Petzold was named junior champion showman. tial lawns and recreational areas, such as golf courses, have come under the scrutiny of those follow ing the development of nutrient controls. Included in the Act are provi sions for the state Department of Environmental Resources to address those issues. However, with agriculture being the first area of concern, the State Conservation Commission has been given responsibility of developing regulations and for enforcement of those regulations. The State Conservation Com mission was selected as the agency of choice for overseeing the adminstration of the law as a com promise between groups primarily concerned with environmental purity and those primarily con cerned with agricultural prosperity. The commission was initially created as an autonomous agency to oversee the state’s conservation districts, which receive funding from federal, state and local coffers. It was adopted to oversee nutri ent management because of farmer distrust of DER. Instead, it was assumed that local conservation district office personnel who serve as a direct working link between farmers and soil and water conservation practices, among a number of other responsibilities would act as local administrator of a nutrient management program. However, local conservation districts do not have to accept responsibility or authority for car- WATER FILTERS 10” Sediment filters for grit, sand, particles, dirt, etc. Micron Sizes 1,5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100 MHM 128 qty. - $1.99 ca. case lot RUPI 80 qty. - $2.25 ea. M|BPj 40 qty. - $2.50 ea. sSIpJ 742 E. Lincoln Ave. Call (717) 866-5388 EASTERN-" Ron 211) Vi'imom N 'r 1.•>4 / (> tying out the program. The local board of directors for conservation districts will make the decision as to whether or not funding and man power is adequate to accept enfor cement authority from the state. In the meantime, the advisory board has been busy working with commission staff to recommend, review and comment on proposals for regulations which would ensure that certification regula tions are finalized by January 1995, and that nutrient manage ment regulations are finalized by July 1995. Plan To Apply Now To HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) With interim criteria for creating a nutrient management certification program intact and progress in creating the final prog ram underway, those who would seek to become cerdfiedcan begin seeking applications for interim certification, according to state Secretary of Agriculture Boyd Wolff. Under the state Nutrient Man agement Act, the state Department of Agriculture is to create and administer a nutrient management certification program. It is to fol low the guidelines included in interim criteria, which were approved with modification Wed nesday by the Nutrient Manage ment Advisory Board to the state Conservation Commission. In a statement released Wednes DISTRIBUTORS OF QUALITY DAIRY SUPPLIES AND ECI SOFT DESIGN INFLATIONS Interim Criteria Approved Changes One of the first actions of the advisory board was to help create “interim criteria” for the develop ment of a certification program for technicians who eventually will be authorized to create “approved” nutrient management plans. Those interim criteria are not regulation, but they outline the perceived scope of competencey a person would be required to attain in order to create a valid nutrient management plan. Currently, those areas of com petency focus on livestock and day, Wolff said, “The final certifi cation program is currently under development This year we will focus on educational programs for those who qualify for interim certification.” According to the statement, interim certification will help iden tify persons interested in seeking certification as Nutrient Manage ment Specialists when regulations are finalized. The regulations are scheduled for finalization in Janu ary 1995. During the interim, or precertifi cation period, trainig is to be offered to enhance knowledge of nutrient management and conser vation practices planning. According to Wolff, those who apply to the PDA for interim certi fication will be notified directly when and where training will be On the Cutting Edge NC+ JADE™ alfalfa will lead the way to improved hay production. This Fall Dormancy 4 variety is hard to beat for its combination of high quality and top yields. ♦ Winter hardy ♦ High leaf-to-stem ratio ♦ Outstanding disease protection JADE continues to top state trials and on-farm tests all across the U.S. See us soon for complete details. America’s down to earth seed company CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER • Arthur S. Auker Manhelm 717-665-6627 • Bechtel Farms Halifax 717-896-8314 • Jeff L. Borger Kunkletown 610-381-3785 • Donald Emei Salem, NJ 609-769-1577 • Wayne S. Freeman Elliotsburg 717-582-2397 • Delmer S. Homan Aaronsburg 814-349-8054 • Elvln M. Hursh Lltltz 717-733-3538 • Samuel E. Knouse Richfield 717-463-2885 • Wayne R. LHzenberger Kintnersville 610-847-5563 • Earl I. Miller Pine Grove 717-345-1181 • Clarence B. Mull Lebanon 717-865-2037 • David G. Rice Jr. Kempton 610-756-6574 • David B. Saner Mlfflintown 717-535-5103 • Roger L. Saner Thompsontown....7l7-535-5307 • Burdell Troxell Andreas 717-386-4095 • Leon B. Wessner Kutztown 610-285-6246 • Urle C. Yoder * Lewlsburg 717-524-7739 crop agricultural operations and an understanding of the flow of nutri ents in an agricultural operation. According to the Act, thecriteri a are recommendations to the stale Department of Agriculture, which has been given authority to deve lop a nutrient management certifi cation program. Proposed interim criteria were approved by the advisory board during its January meeting and published by the State Conserva tion Commission in the Pennsylva nia Bulletin on Jan. IS. A 30-day comment period followed. (Turn to Pago A 35) Plan Later available. Furthermore, during a Wednes day meeting of the Nutrient Man agement Advisory Board, it was announced that Penn State Cooperative Extension is planning to do some extensive training in this area, incorporating the use of telecommunications, such as is being used with those enrolled in the continuing education required under a certification program for licensed pesticide applicators. That program is also administered by the PDA. According to Wolff, for more information about the nutrient management specialist certifica tion program, or to get an applica tion for interim certification, con tact Lee Bentz, in the PDA Bureau of Plant Industry at (717) 787-4843.