Six-County Group Considers Agribusiness Development (Continued from Pago A 1) nia, 20 percent of the S.S million jobs are in agriculture, yet some times the perception of agriculture is just one piece and that’s the far mer, he said. “There’s $4 billion in cash receipts at the farm gate and $4O billion dollars at the processing end,” he said. “There’s a twelve million population in Pennsylva nia and 1 percent is farmers,” said Evans. “The DER would consider that an endangered species.’' Comparing Pennsylvania’s agricultural technology to some other states, Zerby said, “The Pen nsylvania producer of meat, milk and eggs is light years ahead in technology. We must stay on the leading edge of technology.” He said the greatest growth has been during the past two decades. “In order for the agriculture industry to thrive and remain a viable industry, we must remain strong in the Southern Alleghe nies,” Zerby said, listing five areas of need for future growth; aware- contacts, lenders, ag-zoning and leadership. Zerby said awareness involves three risks input costs such as fuel, labor and feed; the market; and production. “We don’t want to own ani mals,” said the Purina representa tive, “but to control genetics so the animal will be consistent.” If a company owns a unit but not the animals, then the risks sup- posedly are removed if the owner/ producer takes on the risks of pro duction. He would then also deserve to share in the profits, according to Zerby. Contacts, he said would be equipment processors, builders and feed companies. “Lenders will play a major role in the growth of agriculture in this area,” said Zerby. He asked them to sometimes consider the animal husbandry potential of younger producers instead of the old stand by, equity, for the lending basis. “The hog smell is good to me,” joked Zerby when discussing ag zoning with slides for visual aids. He said a hog operation will be built in the Southern Alleghenies rather than a northern state site because of problems with that area’s county commissioners. “Look back over the growth in any industry and.you’U find lead Make Roller High Moislure Corn You know planting PIONEER® brand Seed Corn yields more bushels of quality high moisture corn. But what a difference Pioneer inoculants make. ®, SM, TM Tndemirks ind servici marks, registered or applied for, of Pioneer HI-Bred International, Inc, Des Moines, IA All sales are subject to the terms of labeling and sale documents <S) 1994 PHII ership," said Zerby about the fifth crucial need. He said growth won’t happen without good leadership. Clemens of Hatfield Quality Meats was quick to state his une- quivocal belief that the “Mom and Pop” business can indeed survive in today’s business environment The Montgomery County based family-owned company is aged 100. When Clemens said he daily rubs shoulders at work with some 20 of his cousins and uncles, he said it proudly. “We’re here to talk about change/’ he said. “We need to pro duce great animals because the consumer demands it but we need to work together,” he said. “The dynamics are there. We are at the gateway to the East Coast” he said. “We have the greatest resources in Pennsylvania right here.” Clemens said that 20 percent of the hogs processed by Hatfield come from North Carolina. The company hauls them. Jobs can be created here through raising animals. New feed mills and more trucking services would be needed. And the land could be better utilized in produc ing com and hay. This kind of potential growth means networking and the integra tion of the industry, according to Clemens. He said everybody can get involved and get a piece of the pie. “Our production is at 60 per cent,” said Clemens. “Most comes out of North Carolina. We would love to come to the Southern Alleghenies for pigs.” he said. “The reason we are looking to the Southern Alleghenies is urban sprawl has come to us.” One example is the $250,000 home that Clemens said was built 40 feet from the company waste water treatment site. Forget who arrived first, it's an apparent, irrelevant fact. Clemens urged the Southern Alleghenies to be a role model, to set the standard for bringing one stop shopping to agriculture. “We need to work together and come to an understanding, said Clemens. “Don’t think about the dollars. We in America and Pen nsylvania can produce high qual ity food for the world. The dollars are there and they are staying,” he Tests prove inoculating with 1189 significantly improves feeding value. Use the inoculant that is tested most. Genuine PIONEER® brand High Moisture Com Inoculant. Poultry Expert Heat Off Take UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) The recetot cold and snowy winter has most Pennsylva nians looking forward to the heat of summer. While warm weather may be a welcome change for peo ple, it can spell trouble for poultry, said an expert in Penn State’s Col lege of Agricultural Sciences. “Poultry can tolerate a wide range of environmental condi tions,” said Dr. Michael Hulet, as sociate professor of poultry sci ence. “But most of these condi tions are not conducive to optimum growth or efficiency. “Poultry perform best when the environment around them mini mizes stress and allows all nutri ents to be used for growth and re production.” To help ensure peak produc tion, Hulet recommends controll ing poultry house temperatures through proper ventilation. “Air rushing over the birds* heads by directed vents or circulating fans helps to moderate the environment at the birds’ level,” said Hulet “At very high temperatures, or if a hot spell starts quickly and doesn’t allow time for acclima- said. Clemens and Zeiby claimed the synergy the combination of face and cooperative action is there. Instead of recoiling at the whiff of a hog slaughtering, processing facility, they said they smell the wastewater, but they can deal with it. Evans was quick to add, “It’s the ‘aroma’ of profitability,” he said, “not ‘odor,’” “The Boston to Washington corridor offers a tremendous opportunity in the marketplace,” said Evans, enlarging on a point made by Clemens. “You can drive a day and see half the population of ttie United States. That tells you something exciting about food by truck.” “When you look at the agricul ture industry, dairy is the biggest,” said Evan Fineman, “and poultry is the fastest growing. Dairy farm ing is alive and well in Pennsylva- don, mortality and tremendous de creases in growth can occur,” he said. “Circulation of air within the house, especially when moisture is added by fogging, can help cool the birds and prevent losses and poor performance.” Early in life, chicks and poults also are sensitive to drafts and temperature changes as small as two or .three degrees. During the brooding stage, growers should observe bird behavior and keep temperatures constant. “If the chicks are huddled to gether. determine whether the be havior is caused by low tempera ture or draft,” Hulet said. “Air direction is important for young birds the inlet air should be directed toward the ceiling to mix the air coming into the house.” Huiet also recommends that ventilation equipment be checked and cleaned before summer. “Dur ing winter, condensation and poultry dust coats belts, motors and wire mesh around fans, and vents, restricting air flow to the birds,” he said. “Spring cleaning shouldn’t be delayed until the hot weather arrives.” nia,” he said, noting that the Inter state Milk Producers began in 1917. The 3,500 member, farmer owned, Atlantic Dairy Coopera tive has members in six states, according to Fineman. “Farming is moving west,” said Fineman. Where 20 years ago all the customers were around Phi ladelphia, the majority are now in Franklin County, he said. “Real estate has taken its toll,” stated Fineman. He said some Midwestern dairy cooperatives envision high poten tial in the East Coast market and want to get involved. Also, Pennsylvania must stay competitive with the California dairy industry lower pices, said Fineman. David Mankamyer, a Somerset County commissioner, com mented that he sees a trend in the area for more animals and larger farms. He said that fewer farms are disappearing. / 153 lbs. more , I ' i milk per ton of ) high moisture / com fed Call 1-800-247-6782 for copy of tnal data m. ■VV Pioneer... PIONEER. BgSK ■mmd pmoouct* Source o» PIONEER KK-BRED INTERNATIONAL, INC. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 25, 1994-A23 Says Birds Hulet said producers also should make sure that fresh, clean and cool water is available to their birds.“Waterers can provide the ideal environment for bacterial growth, especially if they contain nutrients from feed residues,” he said. “Between flocks, water sys tems should be cleaned with a line cleaner, drained and flushed. Chlorine treatments frequently are used to help reduce contamina tion.” Depending on the type of wa tering system, water level or pres sure also should be adjusted when outside temperatures are high to allow for increased water con sumption by the flock. “If you don’t provide enough water,” said Hulet, “feed consumption falls and growth suffers. “Fresh air and water are basic to good production practices,” he said. “By protecting against un healthy environments, you’ll pro duce healthier and more produc tive birds.” Maryland Announces Field Days ELKTON, Md. The Univer sity of Maryland Cooperative Extension has announced details and entry deadlines most set for July 1 for the stale’s breed field days for V 994. The location of the Holstein Field Day is at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship. The four other breeds’ field days are to be held at the Frederick Fair grounds in Frederick. According to a newsletter from the University of Maryland Exten sion Service, the Holstein field day is scheduled for July 18, F/S 4:30 p.m./6:30 p.m. The Guernsey and Ayrshire shows arc to be held July 30, start ing 10 a.m. The entry deadline for the Holstein field day is July 1 and entries should be sent to Martin Hamilton, 3525-L Elli cott Mills Drive, Ellicott City, MD, 21043. The deadline for Brown Swiss is July 1 and entries should be sent to Stanley Fultz, Frederick County Extension, 330 Mon tevue Lane, Frederick, MD. 21702. For the Jersey breed, the deadline is July 1, and those wishing to enter should write to David Greene, Cairoll County Extension, 700 Agriculture Center, Westminster, MD 21157. The deadline for entering the Ayrshire show is July IS, and entries should be sent to Martin Hamilton. For the Guernsey show, the deadline for entry is July 15, and entries should be sent to Donald Schwartz, Washington County Extension, 1260 Mary land Avenue, Hager-
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