A4O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 3,2001 Checklists, Consumer Trends, Disease Control At Poultry Day Continued from Page A 1) eludes components such as envi ronment, sanitation, isolation, personnel, farm traffic, and flock health history and man agement. An evaluation takes into con sideration, for instance, how many backyards flocks are in the grid area, which impacts the score of the assessment. Biosecu rity measures such as locked doors on the poultry houses also figure into the score. The overall cleanliness for instance, if the facilities are washed and disinfected between flocks makes up the sanita tion score. Whether or not em ployees wear dedicated boots, use footbaths and disinfectant spray, or work on other poultry farms also changes the score. Scores are broken into ranks of 50 points to determine the risk figure for each farm. Looking into the future, Owen predicted that food safety and animal welfare issues will become increasingly important. “We in animal agriculture have a moral obligation to provide the best care for them each day. If we do that, animal welfare will become much more of a non issue.” Recognizing Excellence A panel of industry represent atives educated the audience about “protecting the environ ment” and “being a good neigh bor.” Tyson representative Tom Pantano highlighted the busi ness’s efforts to recognize pro ducers who excel in both environmental and community categories. “People are moving in and ★ STAR SILO * Is Your Full Line huir Dealer VAN PALE • Silo Unloaders • Conveyors • Feeders Equipment mra-Mix* Mixers OSWALT We Stock Genuine J-STAR PARTS ★ STAR SILO * 1-800-431-7709 surrounding our farms,” said Pantano. For starters, “We need to educate people on nutrient management practices and keep bad publicity out of the newspa per.” Tyson foods, which includes 35 production complexes in 15 states and 7,500 growers nation wide, gives an environmental award for producers. The farms are judged locally, then go on to national competition for manure management, off-farm, ag related activities, the appear ance of the farm, community involvement, innovations, wild life management, and relations with neighbors. Responsibility Checklist Bill Achor, environmental coordinator for Wenger Feeds, presented a checklist for respon sible poultry production. First on the list was appearance, as producers should evaluate the amount of mowing done on the grounds along with the look of the buildings and equipment. “It’s for the nonfarm neigh bors driving by, trying to see what kind of a producer we are,” said Achor. Mortality management is also a factor in being a responsible producer. Birds should be le gally taken care of in a clean, screened, or fenced area. Careful manure management can also make or break a poultry farm. Stockpiling manure that is close to water or neighbors should be carefully monitored. Also the brokers who will take the manure away should be held to your standard, said Achor, so manure is not left on the roads ★ STAR SILOS ★ CUSTOMER APPRECIATION'S Thurs. & Fri., March 15 & 16, 2001 -9am to 3 pm ★ STAR SI for your neighbors to drive though. Educational tours are increas ingly recognized as a valuable tool to reach nonfarm neighbors, legislators, and environmental groups. “Agriculture’s changed a lot in the last 10 years, so get people out to show what we’re doing and what our challenges are so they can have a commonsense approach to decision-making,” he said. A producer can ease expan sion pains by discussing plans with the township supervisor, DEP field supervisors, and the county conservation district to tap their knowledge and develop a game plan, suggested Action “Go beyond compliance,” he said. “Don’t just be a box checker.” Leon Ressler outlined results of a six-week odor control project with Penn State. Re searchers studied three odor reducing strategies and surveyed neighbors which pro duced results applicable to the poultry industry. For instance if neighbors knew the producer, scores tended to be lower, said Ressler. Howevfcr if the neighbors could see the barn, scores tended to be higher. Attractive farms had smaller odor scores. “We should take to heart these points and do all you can to improve your circumstances with your neighbors. We’re a small portion of the total popu lation,” he said. Practical Farm Experience Tony Brubaker, who farms with his father and brother, shared basic tenets which help to make their operation success- 0% Cash & Carry Disco Stop In & Talk To Us ’cured Concrete Silos ‘ Precast Manure System • Poured Concrete Manure Systems • Precast Bunker S I.H. RISSLER ALSO: I.H. RISSLER Mobile Feed Carts I.H, RISSLER MIXER DEMO 2:00 PM EACH DAY 603 E. Lincoln Ave. (Route 422) 717-866-5708 Neighbor Relations Tony Brubaker, representing Brubaker farms in Mount Joy, believes that being responsible, considerate, and keeping communications lines open are integral to a suc cessful operation. fui. Winners of the national Tyson environmental award two years ago, the Brubakers and eight full-time employees oper ate two broiler houses con tracted under Tyson, milk 500 cows and have 410 replacement heifers. Sound environmental prac tices and solid neighbor rela tions are especially important, as “we farm up to the back yards of 160 homes,” said Bru baker, who also noted the hun dreds of other homes in close Also Featuring I.H. RISSLER “New” Hay Tiger proximity. Brubaker Farms operates under three objectives, he said, “be responsible, be considerate, and communicate.” Under the heading of respon sibility, Brubaker recommended having a nutrient management plan. “It helps explain what you are doing” and helps to protect against neighbor accusations. Additionally streambank fenc ing not only protects water qual ity but affords greater aquatic life. (Turn to Page A4l)
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