C2-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 8, 1998 COLUMBUS, Ohio Ex tremely rainy weather in some parts of Ohio may be pressuring farmers to store hay that is still wet, a dangerous situation that can cause bam fires, said Ohio State University specialists. Bam fires in west-central Ohio resulted in losses of property and livestock this summer, apparently after wet, stored hay burst into flames from spontaneous combus tion. In another case, a fire erupted when an electrical spark ignited hay dust The most common cause of hay fires is when the crop is stored wet causing microbial action that can generate internal bale tern- Endorse Proposal ARDEN HILLS, Minn. Members of the Land O’Lakes and Countrymark Co-op boards of directors have strongly endorsed and unanimously approved a pro posal to unify a majority of the co operatives’ farm supply business es. The plan will be pre sented to members of both organizations for their approval. “Throughout our dis cussions with Land O’Lakes we have care fully considered ways by which we might pro vide greater, long-term value for Countrymark Co-op members through an expanded cooperative system. We have focused on the strengths of our respec tive businesses, which together will stretch from coast to coast, and we believe the proposed unification will benefit our combined member ship,” said Jeff Stro burg, president of Countrymark Co-op. Jack Gherty, presi dent and chief executive officer of Land O’Lakes, said, “Com bining businesses witih Countrymark Co-op is an important strategic step for Land O’Lakes. As a 77-year-old market driven cooperative, our history reflects many unifications that have shaped and molded and enhanced this organiza tion. With the boards’ support and member ap proval, this unification will move Land O’Lakes into the east ern com belt region, add important critical mass to our system and strengthen our core feed, seed and agro nomy businesses. The two cooperatives will provide members with comprehensice in formation on the pro posed unification prior to member- voting, which will take place during August. If ap proved, it is expected the unification would be implemented October 1, 1998. Wet Hay Can Cause Ohio Barn Fires peratures well above ISO degrees, said forage agronomist Mark Sule, Ohio State University. “After a certain point of heating from the mold growth, other chemical reactions begin to take place, and it raises the heat to a point where the hay can bum,” Sule said. In general, hay is considered 100 wet for storage if moisture lev els are higher than 20 percent in small rectangular bales, higher than 18 percent in large round bales, and higher than 16 percent in large square bales. To be sure, farmers can use one of a number of commercial moisture sensors and probes to test hay for moisture content, Sule said. These sensors are most accurate when put into the bale while it is in the baler chamber. A farmer can also use a microwave oven to determine moisture content Refer to Ohio State FACT Sheet AGF-004-90, Using a Microwave Oven to Determine Forage Moisture,” also available online at (http;// ohioline.ag.ohio-state.edu/agf-fa ct/agf-004.html). However, the persistence of ’ * r i* ■ : |* i'■ That means you can get the hottest deal of the summer on a dependable used combine, including incredibly productive John Deere Maximizer™ Combines. And they’re right on the lot today But you better hurry. These red-hot rates end August 31, 1998. , - - „ See your participating John Deere dealer for details. *Subject to John Deae Credit approval Visit Your John Deere Dealer Today! MARYLAND Dameron Carroll's Equipment Hagerstown Carlyle & Martin, Inc. Whiteford Deer Creek Equipment, Inc NEW JERSEY Elmer Pole Tavern Equipment Sales Corp rainy weather in some parts of the state are giving farmers limited choices when they harvest the crop this year, Sule said. “In some places great hay is being made, while other places are getting rained on a lot.” One tactic is to use chemical drying agents that can speed up the drying of legume hay, espe cially during the summer months, Sule said. These chemicals are ap plied to the crop stand as it is be ing mowed, he said. Another tactic is to use hay pre servatives that allow hay to be la beled at higher moisture content without excessive storage losses, Sule said. A sensor on haymaking equipment can efficiently regulate the application rate according to the moisture level of the hay dur ing harvest A uniform coverage is essential, he said. However, pre servatives are not effective on hay with moisture levels above 30 per cent If equipment is available, the fanner might think about using al ternative harvesting methods for high-moisture hay. “Under poor diying conditions, put it up as hay lage or baleage," Sule said. Just in time for harvest at participating John Deere dealerships! Get ready PENNSYLVANIA Adamstown Adamstown Equipment, Inc Allentown Lehigh Ag Equipment, Inc. Belleville Miller-Lake, Inc. Biglervllle O.C, Rice, Inc. Carlisle Cutshalls, Inc Centre Hall Dunkle & Gneb, Inc Chambersburg Clugston Ag & Turf, Inc Falrmount City Miller's Equipment Ask your John Deere dealer about the hottest financing offers - available now through August 31, 1998. Halifax Tobias Equipment Co., Inc, Hanover Finch Services-Hanover, Inc, Lancaster Landis Brothers, Inc. Lebanon Landis Brothers, Inc Loysvllle Cutshalls, Inc. Martlnsburg Wineland Equipment, Inc Mercersburg Smith's Implements, Inc Mill Hall Dunkle & Gneb, Inc New Holland A.B.C. Groff, Inc “These are other options to go to during periods when only a one- to two-day wilting period is possi ble.” In addition to wet hay, fires can be caused when an outside source, such as an electrical spark, sets off high levels of hay dust in the air, said agricultural engineer Rick Stowell, Ohio State University. These conditions are similar to those that cause grain elevator ex plosions. However, these kind of fires are less frequent than those caused by wet hay. Modern farm buildings are con- >' . -- - - —- I THWKMT | | BOUT I i ! i I SREAD LANCASTER FARMING'S I ADVERTISING TO FIND ALL I YOUR NEEDS! J New Alexandria Lone Maple Sales & Serv., Inc. Oakland Mills Lost Creek Implement, Inc. Oley Pikeville Equipment, Inc. Red Lion Waltemyer's Sales & Serv,, Inc Somerset Scheffel Equipment Company Stoneboro Elder Sales & Service, Inc Towanda S.P.E., Inc. Tunkhannock Bartron Supply, Inc Uniontown Creenlme Supply, Inc, strutted of metal roofing and sid ing, but that should not lull farm ers into thinking they are any more fireproof than traditional wooden structures. Stowell said. “Once A bam fire gets started, it’s very hard to contain,” he said. Farmers can also limit the po tential damage of a fire by plan ning in advance. Stowell said. New buildings should not be at tached to existing structures un less absolutely necessary. The se paration of structures keeps a po tential fire confined to a single building. Watsontown Deerfield Ag & Turf Center, Inc, West Chester MS. Yearsley 6t Sons, Inc. WEST VIRGINIA Moorefleld K & W Equipment, Inc. *
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