Florida Horse
Sends Sunshine
(Continued from Page A2O)
will train at Penn National Race
Course for the summer. Jogging
3-4 furlongs a day three to four
days a week will build stamina,
said Minnich.
Additionally a speed workout
about once a week will ready
Wild Kipper to race in the fall in
Philadelphia, Saratoga, or Bel
mont, “it depends on how far
along we are with him and how
he looks,” said Minnich.
“I told the trainer after the
Derby, ‘next year we’re going
down to the Derby and we’re
going to show them how it’s
done,”’ said Minnich. “That’s
just wishful thinking but hey, you
never know.”
Conservation Successful At Schertel Farm
(Continued from Page A 1)
measures to protect the stream
from the erosion and pollution
that was occurring from the
cattle. The cattle would do most
of their grazing in the area of
the stream where the grass was
lush and water was plentiful.
By constructing stream bank
fencing with a livestock stream
crossing, they have protected
almost a half-mile of the
stream.
Prior to protection of the
stream, the cattle had unlimited
access and would cross, lounge,
and drink wherever they want
ed. The quality of the water
they drank naturally was not in
the best interests of the ani
mals’ health. By erecting per
manent fencing along the
stream, 15 feet on both sides is
now off-limits to the cattle and
protected from erosion and pol
lution.
Along with the installation of
stream bank fencing, a live
stock stream crossing was con
structed by installing six hog
slats, 20 tons of 2B stone, and
geotextile fabric to protect the
streambed by providing a stable
surface for the cattle to use
The roofed feedlot erected by the Schertel family to manage runoff from rain and
melting snow is attached to an existing Quonset shelter used as a bedding area for
their cow-calf herd.
Above, Royal Ticket is one of Minnich’s racing
string. At right, Minnich has big hopes for yearling
“Iron Princess.”
when crossing the stream.
At first Schertel was con
cerned that the herd seemed
hesitant to cross at the desig
nated area, but that concern
was short lived as they became
accustomed to the new sur
roundings.
The Schertel family has al
ready noticed the results of
their efforts. Where once the
stream was suffering from the
free access of the cattle, there is
now a pristine stream, not only
providing a cleaner and safer
source of water for their cattle
but also feeding into the nearby
creek used by hundreds of peo
ple for fishing, recreation, and
sources of drinking water to
nearby cities.
Water samples taken before
and after construction of the
conservation methods show a
dramatic improvement in the
water quality. While the im
provement at test site #1 went
from 50 colonies of fecal col
iform bacteria per 100 millilit
ers to 45 colonies per 100 milli
liters, the results of test site #2
and #3 were quite impressive.
Fecal coliform bacteria are used
as an indicator of the sanitary
quality of the water. Results of
test site #2 improved from 355
colonies per 100 milliliters to 52
colonies per 100 milliliters.
Even more impressive were the
results of test site #3 with 1,390
colonies per 100 milliliters,
which decreased to less than
one colony of fecal coliform per
100 milliliters. One can readily
see the physical improvements
of the area; however, test re
sults are further verification
that protective measures to
eliminate or control erosion and
pollution are effective.
The Schertels also noticed
that since the cattle now graze
the slopes of the valley instead
of only the bettom area, not
only is the vegetation being bet
ter managed but also the ma
nure is spread throughout the
pasture instead of being con
centrated and flowing into the
stream.
As a further measure of im
proving the drinking water
quality, the Schertels installed a
livestock watering system using
the now-clean stream as the
source of water. They use a
one-half horsepower pump and
one inch PVC pipe to pump
(Turn to Page A 22)