Editor: The Sunday News suggestion that bleeding animals for food threatens the planet (lead stoiy, Oct. 10) was scaiy with concerns, but not true. There is far more environmental protection than the stoiy led read ers to believe. Pennsylvania has been a leader in regulation of advanced livestock farms, passing a Nutrient Management Act back in 1993. In addition, a recent report from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBQ states from 1985 to 1997 there has been a 4> -q DURABED COW MATTRESS 80 oz. Waterproof the only one of its kind • The Heaviest • The Driest • The Strongest • The Most Effective *The Best Why Buy Anything Else? 111 Z < * SI MIRACO A division of Ahrens Agri m SCHAEFER Ventilation Equipment Bam Cool Fans The only patentee circulation fen on market! Because design it provide; more air moverm and therefore moi cooling effect thar other circulation' Hog ft Poultry Contracts Available! Hours: Mon-Fri 7 to 5:30 Sst to Noon Service 0B Farmer Boy Ag Systems 10/23/99 \7 410 East Lincoln Avenue, Myerstown, PA 17067 £SW |9B Same Day Shipping 717-866-7565 • 1-800-845-3374 '® i " >■& . V %. ~ f V * Farm Forum ❖ *f i’if • *u*< - *.ss** * s s', ***,' * --'> h *’'A< .?>.*;■' downward trend in phosphorus concentration in the central and southern parts of the basin while downward trends in nitrogen were detected at all seven monitoring stations in the basin. The SRBC states the decline is a result of several combined factors including agricultural best man agement practices. Pennsylvania farms are not the “giant buns’* housing tens of thou sands of animals alluded to in the article. As our extension agent suggested, our facilities average about2,soo head of bogs and simi lar animal equivalency units for L, BIG spring The First Waterers Specifically Designed for Free Stall Installation {cultural li MR v»”' V O SkLf-tel INDIVIDUAL CALF HUTCHES by Calf-Tel™ RH & LH Access Our Deluxe model features a new, extra tall offset entry door opposite a right or left side feed access floor. Lets you group hutches side-by-side for easy feeding and service. Comes with two large pails, inside pail holder and eyebolts for lifting. Rainproof ridge top ventilators keeps calves dry and comfortable. LOOPSTALLS Jmmm Heaters. The Purafire heater provides a consistent, cleanburning and fuel efficient source of warmth for all types of poultry and swine houses Choose from two models, the CBOM variable output (40,000-80,000 BTUH) and (SckMate ztoorrv^Fsmews tfciNe * cattle and poultry. And the indus try prefers these smaller sizes for several reasons, including improved biosecurity and reduced risk. Our advanced farms produce quality, safe food at a reasonable cost Pennsylvania has been the leader in designing and imple menting food safety programs for eggs and pork. The Pennsylvania Egg Quality Assurance Program has more than 98 percent of the state laying hens enrolled, which has resulted in more than a 40 per cent decline in Salmonella enteriti dis human outbreaks in the Northeast Also, our office in 1998 certi fied 97 and recertified 57 pork far mers in the national Pork Quality Assurance program. The certifica tion accounted for 804,051 head of annual hog marketings in south east Pennsylvania. These are a few examples of how science, education, govern ment and industry have worked •*» 1 together to improve the environ ment and insure a safe food supply. John Schwartz, Ph.D. Lancaster County Extension Director Penn State Cooperative Extension Editor: Just below the Lancaster Sunday News Oct. 10 front page article on farming and the envi ronment was a story on the huge boom in building permits. This region has more registered vehi cles than people and sprawl development continues to chew up farmland and open space. This summer we had the dirt iest air we have had in a decade. Meanwhile, advanced farms in the area designed and built with modern technology to con serve water, control runoff, and manage nutrients to meet indus try, federal, and state standards. They use the latest in scientific research to make certain live stock are healthy so the food produced for our tables is safe. f Uebler Feeding Machines SPECIAL DISCOUNTS MONTH OF OCTOBER On Units In Stock-Call For A Free Demo MODEL 810 30 bu Uthler has been manufacturing feeding machines for over 10 years From our extensive experience we know exactly what you want in a feeding machine Silage/Haylage Uebler silage carts feature a forage box unloading design which provides even-feeding of materials into the jumho 12” auger discharge Easily unloads all types of feed including the toughest silage Uebler silage carts come in two sizes Model 810 holds 20 bushels and Model 812 holds 42 bushels Both riding models feature easy turning automotive-type steering and a comfortable, adjustable chair A convenient foot pedal or hand control engages the feed mechanism and an easy acting hand control operates the hydrostatic transmission Exclusive center pivot makes Uebler the most maneuverable riders available today And Uebler’s simple design and durable materials are backed up with a two year guarantee Forage Box Unloading Design No need for costly variable speed unloading mechanism Spiral beater prevents bridging - provides even-feeding of materials into the auger discharge Easily unloads all types of feed including the toughest haylage * Maneuverable Center pivot is designed into each Uebler machine by positioning the pivot wheels as close to the center of the machine as possible This minimizes the turning radius giving Uebler the best possible combination of maneuverability and carrying capacity available anywhere Crest Equipment CrtOfrW 608 Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA 17042 717-270-6600 1-800-646-6601 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 23, 1999-All This is the way farming is evolving so that we can meet consumer needs and address environmental concerns. It meets economic needs, both for the consumer and for the farmer, who now must compete in a far broader geographical area. It also is designed to pro duce produce more on less land. This new way of doing busi ness enabled many of our small er farms to survive the sum mer’s drought and heat because they were more diversified and reduced risk through their con tracts for livestock production with advanced farm networks. Unfortunately, the Lancaster Sunday News article failed to address these issues, which are important to public understand ing and have significant conse quences for our efforts in farm land preservation and food pro duction. THE CLASSIFIED LIVESTOCK SECTION HAS BEASTLY SELECTIONS! Available At Ronald E. Kreider President Kreider Dairy Farms, Inc. Manheim I'M NOT LION.*. MODEL 812 43 bu
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