Tulpehocken Watershed
(Conliniwd from Pago A 2O)
hocken, which feeds into the Blue
Marsh.
With stream bank fencing, cattle
will be kept out of the Tulpehock
en and this will reduce sediment
load substantially, he noted.
On the Troutman farm, similar 1
projects were installed to help
manage nutrients, ensure stream
bank stability, stem soil erosion,
and ultimately improve herd
health.
In February 1996, about 1,400
feet of stream bank fencing was
installed to stabilize the streambed
near were cattle graze using 319
funds.
A portion of the fencing is cut
into a “V” shape to allow cattle
limited access to the water. The
system includes double-wire.
In February 1996, about 1,400 feet of stream bank fencing was installed to stabilize
the streambed near were cattle graze. A portion of the fencing is cut Into a “V” shape to
allow cattle limited access to the water. Richard Troutman stands at the point of the V
shape. The system includes double-wire, high-tensile, Australian-type fence.
high-tensile, Australian-type
fence.
A few years ago, a laneway was
constructed over the stream, using
a 24-inch pipe and crushed stone.
Also, in the spring of 1997,
grass waterways were installed to
separate two com fields.
Richard Troutman said that the
limestone, clay-bottom ground
holds water in a dry year. Last
year, despite a persistent drought,
the farm harvested ISO bushels per
acre of com. All hay and com is
chopped for silage.
Troutman installed two earthen
bank manure storage structures.
Each provides 6-month storage.
One, measuring eight feet deep,
includes a cement-bottom storage
with 120,000 gallons of capacity
near a feedlot constructed where
re are similar projects that have already been Installed on local farms. One
Marlon Township farm completed construction on this concrete-lined manure
Impoundment structure, installed in the spring of last year, Inspected by Kim Fles of
the Berks conservation district. The poured wall storage structure contains 8-Inch
thick by 8-feet long forms arranged In a rectangular shape, to a depth of about 8 feet.
an old bank bam once stood.
Another, also an earthen bank
with cement floor built about 20
years ago measuring 12 feet deep,
includes six-month storage at a
capacity approaching 400,000
gallons.
With stream bank protection,
herd health has improved, accord
ing to Troutman. Hoof health and
somatic cell counts have become
more manageable.
The Land O’Lakes cooperator
herd average is 20,000 pounds.
Kim Fies noted that “all prac
tices must be part of a conservation
plan to be developed along with
whatever systems the landowner
wants.” On June 6, the local dis
tricts asked for $200,000 in fund
ing to be released for the program.
There are similar projects that
have already been installed on loc
al farms. One Marion Township
farm completed construction on a
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 4, 1998-A2l
concrete-lined manure impound
ment structure, installed in the
spring of last year. The poured
wall storage structure contains
8-inch thick by 8-feet long forms
arranged in a rectangular shape, to
a depth of about 8 feet The tank
itself measures 60 feet long by 16
feed wide. The manure, scraped
into the structure from a feedlot,
can be agitated and pumped out.
The structure took about two
weeks to complete.
On the Tulpa-Canal farm owned
by Floyd and Janice Martin and
family near Womelsdorf, a cross
ing over the Tulpehocken was
installed, together with stream
bank fencing. Another nearby
farm contains a concrete agricul
tural crossing structure installed
over a stream, also with bank
protection.
The project will provide land
(Turn to Pago A 22)