P' mil 'o Penn State Poultry j Pointers DOES MANURE HAVE VALUE? John H. Schwartz, Ph.D. Lancaster County Extension Director Ever since I have been an agri cultural extension agent. I have been asked by poultry fanners: what is poultry manure worth? The usual answer is taking the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potas sium concentrations in a ton of manure and multiplying them by the current cost of those nutrients in commercial fertilizer. However, the current nutrient management law has created a new debate. The question is: does man ure have any value? There arc those who believe manure has no value, is a contaminated waste that needs to be disposed of in an envir onmentally and sanitarily safe manner, and there should be an • Solid State Ignition • Auto Clutch • "Sight-Glass Primer" Mjjr Helps Prevent Flooding * Designed For all Position Operation • Weighs Only 9.6 Lbs. • Includes Shoulder Strap • 2 Limited Consumer Warranty - Model N 8251 GRASS TRIMMER/BRUSH CUTTER • 24.5 ec twooyele Robin engine - Robin straight shaft • Quick Fssd Poly Line Head • Shoulder Strap • Toot Kit • Weight: 8.6 Lb. Union Co. J.L. Peachy And Son* Winfield, PA 17889 717-966-0465 Unwtw Co, Jtfnwitrto. Maacot Sharpening Chaatnut Hul It Salea Salea and Service 434 Newport Rd. Chrlaliana, PA 17509 Ronka, PA 17872 315-025-3330 economic cost to be paid by the producer. On the other hand, many agri culturalists argue manure is a com modity that has economic value, while others are undecided. The answer to this question depends on your philosophy, manure handling system, quality and quantity being produced, and marketing skills. First, your philosophy. Do you view manure as a commodity or a waste that needs to be disposed of? A commodity is anything useful that is bought and sold. Depending on your view will determine the value you receive for the manure or the cost you will pay to have it disposed of. The value of manure is determined by the nutrient den sity and ratio, moisture content, amount of further processing, ease of application and the demand for it. The buyer wants convenience, consistency, results and a fair price. As the nutrient management ROBIN HEDGE AND GRASS TRIMMERS “As Good As The Best and Better Than The Rest” NBFI7I -\SS RIMMER/ BRUSH CUTTER SPECIAL PROMOTION PRICE $299“ Laneaetar Co. Lawn Care of PA Marllndala, PA 717-445-4541 ,r Ask Any Owner • 20.3 cc (1.1 HP) two-cyde Robin engine with solid state ignition • Diaphragm-type carburetor designed starting and all-position operation 24-inch blade with a tooth pitch of 1.4 inches • Two-year lim ited COl 4- Y9IHP9r Cheater Co. Baatern Tork Repair Zook En|lnea Wrlghtavilte, PA 17388 Honey Brook PA 19344 717-252-0256 610-273-3028 Cumberland Co. Lancaster Co. Blue Mountain Horst Repair Small Engine Repair Eaat Earl, PA 1751# Newburg, PA 17240 717-445-6087 717-423-8358 regulations are being developed, many farmers need to think about their manure management prac tices and make decisions on how they will handle manure in the future. The law will allow several years for new manure management practices to be developed. Howev er, the sharp farm manager will take advantage of every day he has and start making plans to imple ment nutrient management on the farm. For many farmers, this will involve looking at ways to increase the economic value of their man ure. Some of the ways will include producing a dryer manure through better management, upgrading of their watering systems, and install ing fans to dry manure to a lower moisture level. Other ways may include run ning manure through a hammer mill and screening it, composting, pelleting, adding nutrients to improve the nutrient ratio, and pur chasing equipment to spread man ure on other farmers’ fields. The important thing is keep up to date on various methods being tried by farmers and select the ones best for your operation. In addition, farmers need to voice their support for increased funding for research in developing new and economical methods for handling manure and encourage tax incentives and reduced govern ment paperwork in implementing nutrient managment practices such as on-farm composting with recyclable materials such as paper. leaves, and grass clippings. Work for the passage of positive laws and regulations that will encourage farmers and other businesses to invest in capital in developing manure handling and processing facilities and will insure a fair pricing system for the products developed for the market place. Remember, you the farmer Farm Credit Announces KANSAS CITY, Mo. Fig ures released at fiscal year-end show an increased price of Polled Hereford seedstock at nearly $3OO per head over last year. “The American Polled Here ford Association’s fiscal year end ed August 31,” said Ed Bible, as sociation president, “with clear evidence of increased producer demand for breeding cattle.” Females sold at public auction tallied a $299 per lot increase over the 1992-93 year. Bull values jumped $192, with overall value Cut Your Heating Costs With Our Outdoor Furnace! WOOD • COAL wood • coal • oil • gas Corning Catalytic Combuster ► STANDARD MODEL* ►MULTI-FUEL MODELS Heat Tour Home. 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Feather Profs Footnote: "In the end, the only people who fail are those who do not try." Scholarships per lot rising $272. Total grossed increased nearly $400,000. “As Polled Hereford breeders continue their increased efforts to add more profit margin to the beef industry, it’s clear that progress is being made,” Bible said. “Through the use of all the tools available, including EPDs, visual appraisal pedigree and feedlot and carcass performance, they’ve fo cused on producing sound, opti mum-performing cattle with the basics for money-making produc tion in mind.” *.« «• Dairy Barns - Hot water for cleaning, plus heat the milk house and. milk parlors for better pioductlon Veal Barns - Warm water and heat to maintain valuable livestock Workshops - Eliminates dust and reduces the fire danger due to painting fumes Green Houses Constant supply ol warm air and warm water for year round growing Models rated all the way up lo 500 000 BTU's per hour £MMM 11 1-800-782-2712 Hillll 1111 E* si nj Bo W $»«•"’ / / \ \
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