A4O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 26, 2003 Hard Winter Good For Alfalfa Crop UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) —All signs indicate a bump er crop of alfalfa across the com monwealth, according to a crop scientist in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Marvin Hall, professor of for age management in the depart ment of crop and soil sciences, says early reports from around the state this spring all point to a great start for alfalfa and other forage crops. And it started, he says, with the winter’s substantial snow dumps. “Forage plants are different than people,” Hall said. “They like winter weather that stays cold, and heavy snow cover pro tects them from severe cold.” “Mild winter weather that freezes, thaws, then refreezes is the most damaging for forage plants and alfalfa in particular. Our motto is, ‘let it snow, let it snow!’ On a scale of one to 10, I’d say this winter was in the 8-to-9 range; I don’t expect to see much damage due to winterkill.” He explains that the less-severe winters the state has enjoyed the past few seasons promote a freeze-and-thaw cycle that can expose and tear alfalfa roots. Winterkill is a special problem for alfalfa, which is a perennial. Maryland Conservation Tour May 1 AND WATER CONSERVATION j SOCIETY (lIP* 1 2003 SPRING TOUR -“Nutrient Management on diverse landscapes in Western Maryland” 2003 Spring Tour Education Building Reaislration (see note below) All participants will meet at (he Allegany College SWCS What is it? Characteristics of Soils in the Region Carl Robinette USDA NRCS Acid Mine Drainage Floe lo control P" losses in runoff Devmder Bhumbla WV Cooperative Extension Break Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Systems Joe Mills MDE Biosolids application/permit/mformalion process Martha Hynson MDE LUNCH (provided with registration) Rotational Pasture and Weed Control William Knepp MCE Depart to Site #1 Fazenbaker Acid Mine Drainage Site Barton MO Depart to Site #2 Rotational Pasture Farm Operation Arrive back at Allegany Community College Bus leaves to go back to Fredenck * fo&s tnvniiAa from the Fr*o«rick if*» or frtpm point* Cast, * Oh*rt«f but wilt be t*avtpg ffte Ftfrfleriok SCO o»C» parting tot at 7 00am t*«vlnfltomaal*tlh*Aitoo*oyC6»*aa ”The4aya«cDv»*s ffyggr»BOHMMtfHMpon*u^inUn)«^«M4P(^t9W*nlkyW9«roMMr«|UtnMMAlfr Please Forms to David Kann MDA 604SolarexCt Ste 105 Fredenck MD 21703 Check payable lo SWCS MD Old Line Chapter For more Information Call 301 694 9290x109 REGISTRATION FORM Soil & Water Conservation Society Maryland Old Line Chapter 2003 Spring Tour “Nutnent Management on Diverse Landscapes m Western Maryland’ Name Address Telephone Robert Fulton Fire Co Hay, Straw & Grain Auction Every Thursday 10 am Located on the corner of RT 272 & 222 at Wakefield, PA 717-548-2492 717-548-2371 Randall Ranck Auctioneer 003117-L Consignments Wanted No Out of State Checks Alfalfa stands can overwinter and bounce back to produce for age for as long as IS years, with a typical life of three to four years. Alfalfa also is one of the most nutritious forages, with a high energy density. Hall explains that those demands make predicting annual yields important for live stock and dairyproducers often the difference between profitabili ty and debt. “If alfalfa yields are bad, it re ally can affect a farmer’s profita bility, because when they make their own hay it’s a pretty cheap feed source,” he said.lf they’re expecting three tons to the acre and they only get two, they can suddenly be 50 tons short of for age, and that has to come from somewhere. But the amount that they’re getting in milk revenues isn’t changing, so it’s more of a cost squeeze on the farmer. “With a cost squeeze, fanners aren’t spending as much money in their local hardware stores and jewelry stores and it affects the whole agricultural community. The consumer wouldn’t see it in the prices. But if they owned a business in the community, they’d know it immediately when farmers are having a hard time.” Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) Maryland Old Line Chapter ANNOUNCES May 1 2003 • Allegany College of Maryland - Continuing • Cumberland Md • 900- 3 30 * Cost $2O 00 May 1 2003 No of People Attending @ $2O 00 each NM cert# (if applicable) Zip Code Amt enclosed Lamb, Mutton Production Down 18 Percent, March Record Low WASHINGTON, D.C. Commercial red meat production for the U.S. totaled 3.70 billion pounds in March, up 1 percent from the 3.68 billion pounds pro duced in March 2002, according to the National Agricultural Sta tistics Service (NASS). March 2002 contained 21 weekdays and five Saturdays. March 2003 contained 21 week days and five Saturdays. Beef production, at 2.05 billion pounds, was 1 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.77 million head, up 1 percent from March 2002. The average live weight was 1,234 pounds, down 7 pounds from March a year ago. Veal production totaled 16.5 million pounds, 10 percent above March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 85,100 head, up 10 per cent from March 2002. The aver age live weight was 323 pounds, down 1 pounds from March a year ago. Pork production totaled 1.62 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog kill iotal- Fee Reduced For Farmers Attending Half Day CUMBERLAND, Md. The Maryland Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society is conducting a tour May 1 in Cumberland, Md. The Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Manage ment Program has approved this course for nutrient management credits. For fanners wanting to know more about rotational grazing and who wish only to attend the afternoon session, the cost is re duced to $lO. Please see the attached an nouncement for more details. ed 8.15 million head, 2 percent above March 2002. The average live weight was 268 pounds, up 1 pounds from March a year ago. Lamb and mutton production, at 18.2 million pounds, was down 18 percent from March 2002. Sheep slaughter totaled 264,000 head, 19 percent below last year. The average live weight was 138 pounds, unchanged from March Cattlemen Unite In D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. Hun dreds of farmers and ranchers from across the country walked the halls of the Capitol today, meeting with key congressional offices on top priority issues. Most critical is the urgent need for permanent repeal of the Death Tax. The livestock producers are ac tive members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). “We represent generations of rural families across the United States who are struggling to maintain their family ranches built by our forefathers,” said Idaho cattle producer and NCBA President Eric Davis. “The excessive burden of the death tax hits us with a devastat ing blow of up to 55 percent in taxes on the en tire operation when a family member dies. It is an unfair tax on American values and the American dream.” In /an asset rich and cash poor business, the appraised value of rural land is extreme ly inflated from the agricultural value over the years. Many cat tle producers are forced to sell off land, parts of the operation, or a year ago. January-March red meat pro duction was 11.27 billion pounds, virtually unchanged from 2002. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was up 8 percent, pork was up 2 percent, and lamb and mutton production was down 15 percent. the entire ranch to pay off tax lia bilities. This takes more open spaces out of agriculture produc tion and puts it into the hands of urban developers. “We must fight for permanent repeal of this antiquated tax. It’s not a tax on the wealthy elite it’s a death warrant for small-to medium sized family businesses,” said Jay Truitt, NCBA’s execu tive director of legislative affairs. “The rich can afford account ants and estate planners to help them evade the tax. They’re cash rich and amass fortunes, place the money within foundations, and are able to easily survive this tax burden.” AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS “CALL US TO DESIGN YOUD NEAT BUILDING PDQJECT FARMSTEAD PLANNING BUILDING DESIGN BLUEPRINT DRAFTING VENTILATION DESIGN DAIRY FACILITIES DESIGN Timber Tech Engineering, Inc. 22 Denver Rd., Suite B-2 Denver, PA 17517 PH: (717) 335-2750 FAX; (717) 335-2753 visit our web site: www.timbertecheng.com or E-mail us - trr@timbertecheng.com 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers