HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The Department of Agriculture lotted a meeting recently to estab- H«h state guidelines for preventing depredation of fish by wild birds. Wild birds are a serious economic ducat to aquaculture, a $l2 mil |bn segment of Pennsylvania’s gricultural industry. Addressing concerns by the pile’s fish farmers, a committee pas formed to establish a state wide policy for the timely issuance of nuisance bird kill permits. These permits would authorize fish producers to eliminate indivi dual birds that don’t respond to any other control methods. Most fish producers are already using scare tactics such as noise devices, expensive netting, structural bar riers and/or electric fencing. The new committee includes one representative from the Fish Commission and three from the Game Commission, along with two fish fanners and the Depart ment’s aquaculture coordinator. Their recommendations will be finalized in May. About one-third of Pennsylva nia’s 153 fish farms are located on major flyways or near major nest ing sites. These producers experi ence frequent problems with black crown night herons, great blue herons and sea gulls, who can eas ily consume their body weight in fish each day. This can amount to is much as 40 percent of the fin gcrlings stocked by a farmer each Jpring. In addition to providing fresh Manufacturer of Farm Sprayers Pressure Washers & Hydraulic Hoaes Metal Fabricating Brake It Shear Work General Welding It Repair 858 Pumping Station Road Answering Service Kiikwood, PA 17536 7(7-529-6553 State Forms Aquaculture Oversee Committee fish for the dinner table, Pennsyl vania’s aquaculture industry pro duces fish for recreational fishing, research, home aquariums and garden ponds. Depredation is not unique to aquaculture. Many farmers have their com crop or grain fields wiped but by grazing deer and geese. Airports and community parks are also plagued with nui sance duck and geese. Aquaculture Advisory Board Meets The Aquaculture Advisory Board has asked die Department of Agriculture to develop fish health policies for the state and the mid-Atlantic region, during their bi-annual meeting. The request is a result of the problems producers face in ship ping fish into the New England states since the introduction of the New England salmonid health policy, which curtailed almost all sales from Pennsylvania. The advisory board was given an overview of the Chesapeake Bay Policy for the Introduction of Non-Indigenous Species, signed by the governors of the signatory states in the tributary watersheds of the bay last December. This policy would determine what new species of fish may be cultured in the future. It was also announced that the Pennsylvania Aquaculture Asso ciation is offering 4-H and FFA students an opportunity to raise fish for summer projects and sell them to the association in the fall for their commodity booth during aix the State Farm Show in January. This' would include hybrid striped bass, tilapia, trout and cat fish produced in cage culture or recirculating systems, provided CHELTENHAM. Md. The Southern Maryland Regional Far mer’s Market (SMRFM) is gear ing up to begin the 1994 season. The market will hold it’s first auction of the season on Friday, April 22, at 11 a.m. The wholesale auction will fea ture bedding plants and early spring crops such as spring onions WARREN (Warren Co.) An important educational meeting to better inform landowners about the elm spanworm and fall canker worm threats to woodlots and community trees has been sche duled for Thursday, April 28 at the Mercyhurst Smith Educational Center in Cony. LESTER^ I PURALHiUIt-D«wl Residential • Commercial • Agricultural Buildings EY CONSTRUCTION, INC. 2622 Valley View Road Otnce (215) 286-5407 MORGANTOWN, PA 19543 Home (215) 445-8317 Partner's Market Begins Season With Bedding Plant Auctions Forest Insect Pest Meeting Set “-r •• r-j “j to the public. It is sponsored by these 7?™“ the Pennsylvania Bureau of Fores- the recommended control try and Eric County Penn State ®“J|™!?" nerB Wary, dis tration is not required. ct fometer with the Pennsvlva- Norn Kauffman. tmomologUt „iaßureaUofF^y,-"nJem ~ P-f—« » 3 ' cause some senous economic fin— damage this year. The public 4*} ft o*f f £*o* S? should be beteter informed to pro -1601 * Cir woo industry. Call today for more details and yield comparison data, plus information on our complete lineup of NC+ com, sorghum, forages alfalfa and soybeans NC+23O9 •■NEW 1 ' ♦ 100 Day* (100 MN) 2310 GDUs ♦ Outstanding yield punch. ♦ Fastdrydown. ♦ Tall, attractive and very uniform. ♦ Girthy, medium height eats. ♦ Excellent standability and stress tolerance. NC+626O ♦ 115 Day*. 2525 GDUs ♦ Attractive combination of performance and economy. ♦ Proven ability to handle ftresa. ♦ Medium-tall plant*. ♦ Works well for allage. 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 Emel Salem, NJ 609-769-1577 • Wayne S. Freeman Elliotsburg 717-582-2397 • Delmer S. Homan Aaronsburg 814-349-8054 . Elvln M. Hursh LHltz 717-733-3538 • Samuel E. Knouse Richfield 717-463-2885 • Wayne R. Litzenberger Klntnersville 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 Mlffllntown 717-535-5103 • Roger L. Saner Thompsontown..,.7i7-535-5307 • Burden Troxell Andreas 717-386-4095 • Leon B. Wessner Kutztown 610-285-6246 • Urle C. Yoder Lewlsburg 717-524-7739 UncMtw Fuming. Saturday, April 16,1W4-A29 For more information about either of the aquaculture meetings, contact Leo Dunn in the Bureau of Ag Development at 717-783-8462. trying to diversify.” said SMagel “The SMRFM is continually striv ing to offer growers as many opportunities as possible to sale alternative cro£s”. Growers and wholesale buyers interested in participating in the wholesale bedding plant auctions should call (800) 533-3276. America’s down to earth seed company %