A4O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 15, 2003 Seminar Examines Agriculture’s Past, Present, Future LOU ANN GOOD Food And Family Features Editor BLUE BALL (Lancaster Co.) To help agriculturalists under stand and meet changing de mands, Blue Ball National Bank hosted its 20th agricultural semi nar, Feb. 5, at the Blue Ball Fire Company. For 41 years, Glenn Shirk served as the Lancaster County dairy extension agent. Now re tired, Shirk recapped the changes he has seen. When Shirk first came to the county, two-thirds of the farms where operated by non-Amish. The average herd size was 39. That has switched. Now two thirds of county farmers are Amish. Farm size, milk market ing, biotechnology, and free mar keting economy is changing the way business is conducted. Niche marketing has become more important. Profit margins must be thor oughly examined to remain via ble. Shirk and Charles Few, trust development officer for the bank, explained how interest rates af fect investments. Because interest earnings are at an all time low, people are being enticed to participate in get-rich scams and are being scammed in the process. Few stressed the importance of working with financial people you know and trust. Fabricators of Galvanized Barn Equipment Advantages and disadvantages of the swine industry were ex plored by Robert Ruth, president of Country View Family Farms, Middletown. In dealing with negative com munity response toward pig oper ations, Ruth said issues are often based on misconceptions. On the aroma issue that pigs smell, Ruth encouraged farmers to invite neighbors to see their operation. In reality, Ruth said, pig operations don’t smell bad except when manure is spread. Ruth said only five percent of the population is against the hog industry. “The others are for us,” he said. Some of the audience express ed concern that the hog industry will grow in the Midwest and hurt Pennsylvania operations. Ruth said, “When you com pare costs, land, com, and build ings all are more expensive here but the cost of production in Pennsylvania is still cheaper when compared with other states. The West can’t produce and ship here cheaper than us.” Ruth who has been affiliated with agriculture in many states and in various parts of the world believes that the future of agricul ture in Pennsylvania is good. Other speakers include Ken neth Bailey and Lou Moore who examined dairy marketing and how it relates to the Farm Bill and agriculture's outlook in Pennsylvania and the world. Presenters at Blue Bali Bank’s agricultural seminar, seated from left, Chuck Few, Ken Overly, and Alan Strock. Back from left, are Robert Ruth, Lou Moore, Glenn Shirk, and Ken Bailey. Walk-In • Catalog • Web Sales - www.farmerboyag.com Call or email us today for a FREE catalog. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers