(Continued from Page A 22)
designed to develop cooperative
problem-solving skills through the
discussion of pre-selected topics.
A panel of judges selected John
Pergosky of New Tripoli, Lehigh
County as the Discussion Meet
winner. Pergosky will receive an
expense paid trip to Nashville to
compete for national honors dur
ing American Farm Bureau’s con
vention in January. In addition,
Chrysler Corporation presented
him with a check for $5OO.
Among some of the featured
speakers during the three-day con
vention, Dr. George Conneman, an
economist with Cornell Universi
ty, gave members a synopsis of the
challenges and opportunities he
forsees in the year 2010, and
beyond.
‘The only thing certain about
the future is change,” he said.
Change isn’t new. Tremendous
change has always been a part of
farming through the transitions
from using hand power to horse,
and to mechanical powers. Recent
surges in scientific information
and biotechnology increases the
productivity available to farmers.
With humor and energy, Conne
man spoke of the trends in technol
ogy that he foresees affecting
The One Spreader
Big Enough For Poultry litter,
Rugged Enough For lime.
The
Stoltz
Poultry Litter
Spreader is specifically designed for the
demands of this challenging job. The 20
foot hopper holds a whopping 400 cubic
foot load, meaning fewer trips for you.
The big 30-inch drag chain moves large
volumes of litter fast. And the dual
hydraulic spinners spread a wide,
uniform pattern up to 40 feet wide.
But its real beauty may be its versatility,
Now you can spread fertilizer, stockpiled
lime, compost,poultry litter and more, all
with one machine.
• Hydraulic spinners
• PTO-powered chain
• Spread stockpiled lime
• Walking beam suspension
• 4 sizes to choose from
• Truck-mounted models available STOLTZFUS
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Honors Achievements
farming. Some of these included
the following:
• Biotechnology and genetic
engineering will continue to
imporove agricultural production.
• Nutrition, diet, and health con
cerns will see a shift away from red
meats to fresh fruits, vegetables,
fiber, and complex carbohydrates.
• Global competitiveness will
result from unrestricted trade.
• Niche marketing by farmers
will increase. Marketing for the
kosher and organic markets will
result in value-added products.
"Free-range chickens may not
be important to you, but it is to
some,” Conneman said of the
niche marketing possibilities that
will increase.
While some economists predict
that small farms will not be able to
survive into the next century, Con
neman disagrees.
“Fanning will always be a way
of life for those who treat it as a
business,” he said.
Management will allow small,
farms to remain competitive if
decisions are based on fact and not
made haphazardly. Conneman
said, “Don’t cut comers just to cut
comers.”
He illustrated the danger of cor
ner cutting by snipping the comers
Morgan Way, P.O. Box 527, Morgantown, PA 19543
off a paper bag. Comers were cut
but the bag became useless. He
emphasized the need to plan ahead
and the importance of looking for
hidden costs.
Although Conneman believes becomes,
small farms can remain viable, Conneman advised farmers who
there will be a shift to mega farms, want to stay in business to accept
He also forsees a shift of farming technology and apply information
to better land resources. for decision making, to abide by
“Those with poorer soils will go* sound financing principles, control
out of business,” he said. costs, and develop people skills.
The biggest detriment to small
scale farming will be “getting
away,” Conneman said.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. Mary
land Secretary of Agriculture
Lewis R. Riley has announced that
the Maryland Department of Agri
culture (MDA) and the Virginia-
Maryland Regional College of
Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM)
have signed a cooperative agree
ment to jointly fund a position for
an anatomical pathologist
The individual who fills this
position will divide their time
between MDA’s Frederick Ani-
' SM^
“top-of-the-line”
ag spreaders, many Stoltzfus Spreaders
are still in use after 20 years. That makes
a Stoltzfus Spreader preferred not only
for quality and performance, but also for
terrific economy in the long run.
Sure you can settle for buying on initial
price alone. But with a Stoltzfus
Spreader you won’t be shopping for
another spreader just a couple years
down the line.
Call today for free information,
1-800-843-8731
Problems facing larger farm
operation will vary depending on
the size. Environmental concerns
and human resource management
increases the larger a farm
He reminded the audience that
the general concensus in the 19S0s
was that it was impossible for any-
Cooperative Agreement Gives
Maryland Vet Pathologist
mal Health Laboratory and the
VMRCVM’s Marion duPont
Scott Equine Medical Center in
Leesburg, Va.
“This cooperative agreement is
another example of how those of
us in agriculture are working
together with universities and
across state lines to provide essen
tial services to the agriculture
industry. In times of budgetary
restraints, it is more important
than ever to seek innovative ways
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 23, 1996-A23
Rodeo
Tonight
@ 7:30 PM and
Tomorrow @ 2 PM
NOV. 23 & 24
STATE FARM SHOW ARENA
HARRISBURG. PA
Exit 23 Off 1-81 2300 Cameron St.
For more info (717) 334-7724
Long
lered
NEED YOUR
FARM BUILDINGS
PAINTED?
Let us give you a price!
Write:
Daniel’s Painting
637-A Georgetown Rd.
Ronks, PA 17572
(or leave message)
(717) 687-8262
Spray on and Brush in Painting
one to get started in fanning unless
they were part of a family
operation.
Conneman doesn’t perceive a
problem of farmers not being able
to produce enough food for the
world. ‘The problem is that people
won’t have enough money to buy
it”
He ended with a quote from
Thomas Jefferson, “This time like
all times is a very good time, if we
know what to do with it”
(See more PFB coverage next
week in Section B.)
to increase our effectiveness in
support of agriculture. I applaud
the Virginia-Maryland Regional
College of Veterinary Medicine
for jointing forces with us to pro
tect animal and public health in
our region,” Riley said.
Under terms of the cooperative
agreement, an anatomical patholo
gist will be hired immediately and
will participate in the clincial
instruction of fourth year veterin
ary students, research, and the
coordination of gross anatomical
exams (necropsy) of various ani
mal species carcasses.
Dr. Peter Eyre, dean of the
Virginia-Maryland Regional Col
lege of Veterinary Medicine, and
Secretary Riley formally signed
the cooperative agreement at a
brief ceremony at the Maryland
Department of Agriculture. Both
men agreed that this venture
would strengthen the bond
between MDA and VMRCVM,
including the Avrum Gudelsky
Veterinarian Center at the Univer
sity of Maryland at College Park.
“I believe that his cooperative
agreement will be a precedent for
other larger joint ventures,” Riley
said.
For more information on the
cooperative agreement for joint
funding for an anatomical path
ologist, contact Dr. Roger E.
Olson, State Veterinarian, Mary
land Department of Agriculture,
(410) 841-5810.