-DIGIT ■ - S<l6 P 3 1777:5 030 A. j . Dl RIALH Rt-CORDS **X. | ■ I _ W?O r / PATTF LIBRARY I *““• ■ **" PI NN 81 ATT UN I VERM TY UNIV PARK PA 1680? jmmg/Q , , I Vol. - 47 No. - 29 ‘Green Energy ’ From Poultry Litter Possible MICHELLE KUNJAPPU Lancaster Farming Staff MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.) Approximately 20 poultry and al lied industry representatives learned about alternative poultry by-products utilization at a meet ing sponsored by Penn State Ex tension Service at Kreider’s Res taurant Monday. Dr. Lewis Carr, extension bio logical resources engineer for the University of Maryland, pres ented results of his latest work at the Lower Eastern Shore Re search and Education Center, Princess Anne, Md. Carr discussed the physical characteristics of litter, poultry litter as a combustible “green en ergy” source, and composting avenues to recycle the material. Whole and caked litter, said Carr, weighs approximately 32-34 pounds per cubic foot, re spectively, and has 15-20 percent ash content. Most litter has a pH of 8-8.3 and its primary nutrient Pick-Your-Own Berry Season Begins On Sander Farm May 20 Grace Saiider examines a field of berries. The Sauders grow three acres of ber ries for their pick-your-own operation, which opens May 20. Photo by Lou Ann Good, food and family features editor What Will Season Bring? Here Are Growers’ Thoughts Vegetable, Dairy Farmers Share Hopes Under new Farm Bill, the aver age Pennsylvania dairy farm can expect a $5,600 check for slumping mflk prices since last December, says a Pennsylvania Farm Bureau policy specialist DAVELEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) The 2002 season will bring potential weather risks as well as marketing opportunities for fruit and vegetable producers, accord ing to Lfqn Resslet, .taster .County,**,.. www.lancasterfarming.com at 71 pounds per ton of litter is nitrogen. Phosphorus is anoth er primary nutrient. Secondary nutrients include calcium, mag nesium, and sulfur, among oth ers. The typical poultry operation will produce 1-1.25 tons of litter (feces, urine, and bedding) per one thousand birds per flock, according to Carr, who estimates that the Delmarva area produces 775,000 tons of poultry litter per year. Recycling of this kind of vol ume could be achieved through direct land application, compost ing, cattle feed, organic fertilizer, or combustion to produce energy. Carr has experimented on broiler litter in loose, ground, and pelletized forms as a biofuel. “Poultry liter can be used as a biomass fuel to generate electrici ty and steam,” said Carr. Understandably, the litter with (Turn to Page A 26) tension director. “The year has promise,” he said. “The demand for locally-grown high quality produce has been growing.” An increasing number of customers are buying fresh produce at local roadside stands and at Lancaster County’s two pro duce auctions. Local marketing infrastruc tures have been developing to meet that demand, according to Ressler. The revival of farmer’s markets in cities is another trend that bodes well for pro ducers. Growers can tap that opportunity CTum to Page A3l) Five Sections The Stahl family’s Harvest Lane Farm near Lititz opened for business last week, offering flowers, strawberries, and other produce in time for Mother’s Day. Pic tured, from left, Laura Martin, and Melody, James, Eileen, Joe, Rosene, Rachel, and Peter Stahl. Read about the Stahl’s diverse operation on page 4 of this week’s Grower A Marketer section. Photo by Dave Lefever Saturday, May 18, 2002 NEW HOLLAND (Lancaster Co.) Berry time is here. Due to a warmer March, the picking sea son is earlier than usual and much heralded by berry aficiona dos. Growing the cheery red fruit isn’t a job for the leisurely mind ed. Ask Harvey and Grace Saud er. The couple raise three acres of berries for their pick-your-own operation. Although the Sauders have a New Holland address, their 60-acre farm is actually tucked between Martindale and Fivepointville in eastern Lancas ter County. Generally sun brings sweeter berries. Despite some heavy rains this past week, Grace said the berries are looking really good for the fields that will open to cus tomers on Monday, May 20. For the past two weeks, Grace had been picking early berries for cus tomers and family. Grazier, Orchard Grower Provide Views MICHELLE KUNJAPPU Lancaster Farming Staff KINZER (Lancaster Co.) and LOGA NVILLE (York Co.) The grazing season is generally on schedule for Roman Stoltz foos, Kinzer, toho operates a 200-acre grazing operation. His organic dairy in cludes ISO cows arid 100 young stock. The farm is further diversified with hogs and 9,000 finished turkeys per year. “We’ve had an excellent season so far. What we like is coolish weather 50 or 60 degrees at night and 75 through the day. That’s mostly what we’ve had, other than that one .hot .week there to early, spring,”. $36.00 Per Year LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor For the Sauders and other growers, the berry season is an al most year-round operation. For those considering planting berries, the Sauders have this ad vice: the year before planting, do everything possible to destroy all perennial weeds such as thistle, bindweed, dockweed, grasses, and others. Sauder said the weeds can be destroyed through tillage or chemicals or a combination of both methods. A soil test needs to be taken to determined fertilization recom mended in July. Fumigation is necessary as a whole field treat ment or the strips under black plastic mulch. If fumigating strips through the drip irrigation system, a three-week wait is re quired before planting for some fumigations. Strawberry plugs must be or dered at least four weeks in ad vance of planting. (Turn to Page A3O) said Stoltzfoos. “Last year was a scorcher for us. We were significantly behind in hay and pas ture yields because of the rain. We do irri gate but we’re not set up to do without rain, we’re set up to supplement it. Irriga tion pays the best in years when you have reasonable rainfall.” An irrigation system is “not insurance,” said Stoltzfoos, since “it’s pretty hard to replace what rain does.” Although the drought cost the farm thousands in lost income last year, said (Turn to Page A3l) $l.OO Per Copy
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