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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.
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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)
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