PRIVATE FORESTS UNITE EFFORTS Michael T. Wolf Forest Resource Agent One of the best kept secrets in the forestry community in South west Pennsylvania is the exist ence of three associations of for est landowners. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Woodland Owners Association (SWPWO), Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies (WOSA), and Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Associ ation (WWIA) are organizations that provide opportunities to_ ON VARIETY See the Massey Ferguson Tractors at the PA FARM SHOW Jan. 13,14 & 15 New Expo Hall SEE YOUR NEAREST DEALER FOR DETAILS PEOPLE’S SALES & SERVICE Oakland Mills, PA 17076 (717) 463-2735 MEYERS IMPLEMENTS, INC. 400 North Antrim Way Greencastle, PA 17225 (717) 597-2176 M.M. WEAVER 4 SON N.Groffdall Rd. uAk RA 17540 (717)666-2321 MANOR MOTORS 3655 Rt. 553 Penn Run, RA (724) 254-4753 members and the public to learn about and discuss many issues that concern private forests in the state. They organize woodlot tours, forest industry tours, educational conferences, field trips, evening programs and much more. They also provide a great communica tions network for local landown ers to discuss forestry profession als, timber sales, forest management practices, hunting and fishing opportunities, and many other issues that affect our Pennsylvania forests. In addition, they can be an organized voice for forest landowner’s interests. MILLER EQUIPMENT CO. BechteSe PA a ?95O5 West cll «° r i°P A 18413 BechtelsvNle. PA 19505 (570) 222-9090 (61 0) 845-2911 ( 570 ) 222-9020 LONGENECKERS INC. RT. 866 South Williamsburg, PA {SW 793-3731 LEBANON VALLEY IMPLEMENT CO. 700 E. Linden St. Richland, PA 17087 (717) 866-7516 This morning, you cleared the back 40. After lunch, you plowed that new field. Before you know it, it'll be time to spread manure or cut and bale or any one of a million other things. You do it all, and MF 4300 Series tractors are versatile enough to do it all with you. Six innovative models in the 55- 90 hp range all feature tough Perkins engines, Power Shuttle transmissions with MF's unique Comfort Control dial, and optional electronic linkage control,for the versatile, sophisticated performance you need. Come by today, and test drive the tractor that does one thing well: everything. NORTHEAST DIST.& EQUIP FIELDS IMPLEMENT STORE Eighty Four, PA 15330 (724) 222-1154 Bcmm bros. farmlquipment Rs#2, 80K24A New Ringgold, BA 17960 (570) 943-2131 4910 Kemsviite Rd. Orefield, PA 18069 (610) 366-2095 WHAT TO V& In my nine county region, there are currently only two counties that are active centers for such forest landowner groups. Bedford County is the center for WOSA’s activity, and Westmore land County for WWIA. Resi dents from other counties can participate in the associations, but travel and distance are fac tors in limiting participation. These associations are strong ad vocates in forestry education, proper resource management, wise-use consumption, resource conservation, and science-based decision making on our private forests. Also, they seem to be very passionate about issues that are important to the sustainability of our precious hardwood resource. Each group recognizes the multi ple benefits of healthy forests, such as timber production, water shed protection, wildlife habitat, and recreation. Although these private forest interest groups are strong in their locales, my hope is that we can develop similar groups in each of MF 4300 Series Tractors C.J. WONSIDLER 1975 Trumbauersville Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951 (215) 536-1935 TAYLOR EQUIPMENT, INC. 1300 Washington Rd. Westminster, MD 21157 (410) 848-4474 4000 Brown Rd. Taneytown, MD 21787 (410) 751-1500 !/V ON . mamey nmeusoi my counties of responsibility. I hope that within the next few years, Cambria, Somerset, Blair, Indiana, Fulton, Fayette, and Huntingdon counties will also possess strong, active and effec tive private forest interest groups. The benefit to our forest re sources would be tremendous. If you would be interested in participating in one of these asso ciations, or if you would like to join hands with other interested parties in your county to initiate a new group, please call Mike Wolf for details at the Penn State Cooperative Extension, (814) 472-7986. Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to partic ipate in its programs and activi- ties. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Cambria Extension at (814) 472-7986 in advance of your par ticipant or visit. NCSA, Ag Groups Urge Caution On Australian FT A WASHINGTON, D.C. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Asso ciation (NCBA) and a coalition of agriculture groups have sent a letter to U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Zoellick urging caution as the U.S. negotiates a free trade agreement (FTA) with Australia. The letter, signed by five ag groups including NCBA and the National Fanner’s Union, states, “we have strong reservations about this course of action, and ask you to proceed with caution.” The correspondence is the lat est in a long line of NCBA com munications with Zoellick and U.S. trade officials addressing an FTA with Australia, and suggest ing that more efforts be focused on the current World Trade Or ganization (WTO) negotiations. Grelder & Wltmer Associates, Inc. Your Complete Tax, Accounting and Investment** Service for Individuals, Small Businesses and Farmers We Are... 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Grand and fall calf champion bull: Boyd Beef Cattle, Mays Lick, Ky., Genex Cooperative Inc., Shawano, Wis., Mullinix Brothers, Woodbine, Md., and C- G Farms, Clinton, Okla. Champion junior yearling bull: Cecil Jordan and Son, Dresden, Ohio, Detweiler Land and Cattle Co., Salesville, Ohio, and Renner Polled Herefords, Bens Run, W. Va. Champion senior bull: NS Polled Herefords, Mason, Ohio Champion spring calf heifer: Detweiler Land and Cattle Co., and LaGrand Herefords Reserve spring calf champion heifer: Ralph Ullman and Son, Graysville, Ohio U.S. cattlemen maintain that U.S.-Australian agricultural trade is highly unbalanced in favor of Australia, and a bi-later al FTA will worsen the situation. “We see no net benefit for our industries in an FTA with Aus tralia. We continue to believe that the current WTO negotia tions provide the best strategy for reducing trade barriers and open ing up markets to U.S. agricul tural products,” the letter says. The letter calls for bilateral ne gotiations to be kept on a parallel track with the multilateral nego tiations at the WTO.But the groups warn that WTO negotia tions must continue. “If the WTO negotiations falter and Australia FT A negotiations are not postponed, we will have no choice but to break with the rest of agriculture and work to defeat the final U.S.-Australia agree ment once it is sent to Congress for an up or down vote.” Notionol Association of Tax Professionals Member NASD & SIPC Roxanne Witmer Enrolled Agent