HARRISBURG, Pa. — On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the investment of $39 million for 12 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across nine counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority. Four farm projects were included.

“Today marked another special day for the Pennvest program and for the citizens of Pennsylvania,” Wolf said. “By approving almost $40 million in funding for clean water projects across the commonwealth, the Pennvest board continued its commitment to improve the quality of our rivers and streams, the health of our families and the economic prosperity of our state.”

Of the $39 million, $18.2 million is allocated for low-interest loans and $20.8 million is awarded through grants.

The funding comes from a combination of state funds approved by voters, federal grants to Pennvest from the Environmental Protection Agency and recycled loan repayments from previous Pennvest awards. Funds for the projects are disbursed after bills for work are paid and receipts are submitted to Pennvest.

The Chester County Conservation District and Elmer Kaufman received a $408,039 grant to install manure control facilities, including a concrete waste storage structure, gutters and downspouts, four catch basins and new pipes, as well as planting 900 feet of new grass waterways, to reduce nutrient run-off into Two Log Run during wet weather.

The Chester County Conservation District and Daniel Esh received a $350,467 grant to install a variety of manure control facilities, including more than 1,000 square feet of paved and curbed barnyard as well as 14,400 square feet of reinforced gravel animal trail to reduce nutrient runoff into a tributary of the East Branch of Octoraro Creek during wet weather.

The Chester County Conservation District and Fiddle Creek Dairy received a $245,494 grant to install a roofed manure stacking structure, a watering facility and underground outlets, as well as animal trails and walkways that will serve to reduce nutrient runoff into a tributary of Big Beaver Creek during wet weather.

The Chester County Conservation District and David Stoltzfus received a $347,055 grant to make a variety of improvements in manure handling facilities as well as installing reinforced gravel animal walkways, a stream crossing and streambank fencing, all of which will reduce nutrient runoff into Muddy Run during wet weather.

Kansas
Kansas Livestock Association is organizing hay and fencing material donations for delivery to affected areas in Kansas. To make in-kind donations, call KLA at (785) 273-5115. Cash donations can be made through the Kansas Livestock Foundation (KLF), KLA's charitable arm, by going to www.kla.org/donationform.aspx.

There is a need for milk replacer for calves that have lost their mothers in the wildfire. If you are so inclined to donate a bag, Ashland Feed and Seed said they can take credit card orders over the phone. A bag costs $44.50. Their number is (620) 635-2856.  

Gov. Sam Brownback signed a bill granting a sales tax exemption on the sale of fencing materials used to reconstruct agricultural fences damaged or destroyed by wildfires in 2016 and 2017. The new law, supported by KLA, exempts purchases made in 2017 and 2018. Individuals who have purchased fencing materials for this purpose and paid sales tax may apply for a refund. To qualify for the exemption at the time of sale, buyers will need to provide retailers a copy of an exemption certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue. Information regarding the refund application and exemption certificate is available at www.ksrevenue.org/wildfires.  

Colorado
There is an immediate need for hay, feed, fencing supplies, individuals willing to provide trucking, etc. for the farmers and ranchers devastated by yesterday's fires. Donations should be taken to CHS Grainland in Haxtun. A loader and scale are both available, if needed. Contact Rick Unrein 970-520-3565 for more information about dropping off donations. Donations can also be dropped off at Justin Price's farm (11222 CR 7 Sedgwick, CO). For more information, please contact: Kent Kokes 970-580-8108, John Michal 970-522-2330, or Justin Price 970-580-6315

For more information on how to donate and aid these producers please visit http://coloradofarmbureau.com/disasterfund/.

Checks payable to Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation, cash and credit card payments are being accepted at this time. Please note Disaster Fund-CO Wildfire in the memo line on the check. Cash and checks can be sent to:

Colorado Farm Bureau Foundation
Attn: Disaster Fund
9177 E. Mineral Circle
Centennial, CO 80112

Oklahoma
If you would like to donate to this relief effort, you can do so by mail or online. Make checks payable to Oklahoma Cattlemen's Foundation and put "Fire Relief" in the memo line and send to P.O. Box 82395, Oklahoma City, OK 73148. To donate online, visit www.okcattlemen.org.

If you would like to donate hay or trucking services for hay, you can do so by contacting either the Harper County Extension Office at 580-735-2252 or Buffalo Feeders at 580-727-5530 to make arrangements or provide trucking services.

Two Atwoods stores (Atwoods of Woodward, OK and Atwoods in Alva, OK) are assisting by providing those affected with fence tape/wire at no cost while supplies last.  

Texas
Three supply points have been established to collect donated hay. Each has been listed below. If you have hay that you can donate and transport to either supply point, please contact the location directly prior to transportation.

Fencing supplies are still needed, as are monetary donations to support ranchers in the future. Fencing supplies can go to the AgriLife supply points. Monetary donations can be made to the Texas Dept. of Agriculture STAR Fund.

Supply Point 1

Lipscomb County Show Facility 
202 West Main Street, 
Lipscomb, Texas
Contact – J.R. Sprague
Office # 806-862-4601 / Cell # 806-202-5288

Supply Point 2

Clyde Carruth Pavilion
301 Bull Barn Drive
Pampa, Texas 
Contact – Mike Jeffcoat
Office # 806-669-8033 / Cell # 580-467-0753

Supply Point 3

Hemphill County Livestock
Hackberry Trail
Canadian, Texas 79011
Contact – Andy Holloway, 806-823-9114

Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline
TDA's hay hotline helps agricultural producers locate forage and hay supplies for sale. If you need hay or would like to donate hay, visit http://www.gotexan.org/hayhotlinehome.aspx or call 877-429-1998.

For more details, contact your local FSA office. To find your local FSA county office, visit http://www.offices.usda.gov. To learn more about FSA disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.disaster.fsa.usda.gov.

Lost or Found Livestock
If you find cattle or other livestock with official identification, document the number, location of the animal(s), and call the TAHC at 512-719-0733 or 806-354-9335 and TAHC will contact the owner. If you find stray cattle that have a brand, call Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) at 817-332-7064 for brand identification. Visit http://www.tscra.org for more information.

For more information and updates, please visit NCBA's Website. 

Developing an effective rotational grazing strategy doesn't require a computer, CAD drawings or even graph paper and a calculator.

"If you want to be successful in grass-fed or grass-finished beef in today's business climate, you have to be very focused on the quality and care of your pastures," says Hundt, owner/operator of St. Brigid's Meadows, a certified organic farm specializing in 100% grass-fed beef in southwestern Wisconsin.

Hundt runs approximately 175 head of primarily Angus cattle on two large pastures – split into 40 acres and 56 acres of 75 head and 100 head respectively.  He explains he started utilizing rotational grazing about ten years ago.

"I was slow to become aware of what is one of the most significant paradigm shifts in my lifetime," Hundt admits. "Rotational grazing is a seminal movement and is the brightest light in agriculture right now."

"With rotational grazing, the farmer walks out to his animals, and with his own feet and his own hands, sets the fence – no chemicals, no tractors, no combines," Hundt explains. "It is better for the animals, for the land, for the environment, and for sure – definitely the consumers. It's a game changer."

Hundt says rotational grazing works because of the right tools. He is committed to utilizing Gallagher products for all of his temporary fencing needs.

"Gallagher offers everything for a producer to get the job done right the first time and also be able to use the equipment for years to come," says Dane Headley, Territory Manager for Gallagher.

"Along with our large line of battery and solar fence energizers, Gallagher's polywires work hand in hand with geared reels for a fast fencing project and one that will work well. Ring top posts and pig tails work really well with our spring steel design – they are able to bend and spring back into place while still holding the polywire in place," Headley explains.

In the summer, Hundt says he moves his temporary fencing every 24 hours. He utilizes the sun's energy and Gallagher's S10 solar energizer for power.

"The S10 is lightweight, compact, durable and easy to use," says Headley. "It is also versatile as it can be mounted on a T-post in any direction, or can mount onto a ring top post with a post mount."

Headley mentions the S10 will fence up to three miles, or 15 acres, on a single wire application. "The unit can also run for three weeks without any sunlight, which is never a problem for Vince during his hot Wisconsin summers."

To have a successful rotational grazing strategy in warm conditions, Hundt says you must utilize three tools: portable fencing that is easy to use, portable watering that is easy to use, and a portable shade. "If not, the animals are stranded in the sun. And that's torture – there's no place to hide from the sun," he says.

"It is important to keep the cattle cool," he explains. "About 45 degrees is the perfect temperature for most cattle. When it's very warm, there is nothing more certain to reduce feed intake, weight gain and milk production than high heat."

Hundt says it's the radiant temperature of the sun that is of concern.

"The energy from the sun is absorbed by the cattle, their core temperature gets raised and they stop eating. All they need is some place to get out of the sun," he says.

To combat the summer heat, Hundt utilizes the product Shade Haven– large portable shade structures designed to keep cattle cool in pastures.

Shade Haven works great for keeping my animals comfortable when temperatures rise while at the same time giving me an effective grazing tool to improve my pastures through the precise placement of nutrients," says Hundt.  "Wherever I put the Shade Haven, that is where the animals will be and that is where the nutrients are deposited."

Hundt reminds fellow producers that developing an effective rotational grazing strategy in varied climate environments doesn't need to stress the cattle or the farmer.

"Begin with an individualized plan for your operation. The right tools and the cattle will take care of the rest," he says. "All it takes is to move the fence, move the water and move the shade, to change the world."

We here at Gallagher electric fencing are constantly striving to improve and add to the conveniences and benefits of buying electric fence energizers with us.As part of the increased security, the website, Valleyfarmsupply.com will be better looking and easier to use. As always, we will offer the best new zealand style electric fence energizers at american prices from Gallagher fence.

With that goal in mind we are thrilled to announce that we have updated our website. These updates will improve the functionality as well as bolster the security for you, our valued customer. 

We thank you for choosing gallagher fence chargers for your electric fence needs

Photos form Valley Farm Supply's Tail Gate at Manor Races this past Saturday. 

"My personal experience – we have some of these (gallagher tumble) wheels already set up and they are great!   Had to move some cows from one pasture to another last week and it took 2 of us 10-15 minutes by slowly herding them with the wheels instead of the usual 20 + it would have taken 3 of us with an ATV and on foot.  Cows were much calmer and less stressed."

Another great reason to trust Valley Farm Supply for your electric fence needs!

We are proud to have The Lee Greenley memorial research center as a customer of ours. The farm recently bought Gallagher tumble wheels for their cattle operation that uses electric fence.

The Greenley Center was established when Hortense Greenley donated the 700-acre farm to the University. The major objective of the center is to evaluate efficient, profitable crop production in northern Missouri while emphasizing soil conservation, water quality and energy efficiency.

Researchers study the benefits of reduced tillage, alternative cropping practices, the effects of new technology and products, variety testing, soil fertility and beef cattle backgrounding. Studies on water quality and the environmental impact of crop production are being implemented.

We are looking forward to hearing from them and how they work on the farm!.

View the webinar to learn about the interaction between livestock, vegetation, and soil, and management needs to extend the grazing season and improve animal performance when managing multi-species grazing systems. The following topics will be discussed: 1) Livestock species and stocking rate as dynamic factors that depend on vegetation species and management; 2) How to get started with fencing and cost-effective methods to retrofit it for multi-species grazing; 3) Livestock management for reduced reliance on dewormers, fertilizer, equipment, and herbicides; 4) Livestock guardians and introducing new species; 5) Forage management for improved soil health and functioning of the soil; and 6) Forage and animal diversity. Additionally, this presentation will cover management and facilities needed for all seasons.

Wait! Are you really thinking about buying an electric fence charger off Amazon? Halt! Before you click the tab, call us to learn how electric fence works, how a fence charger works, and to compare our low prices on fencers. Our web site is just as easy to order at as amazon. but we are here for your needs too.

give us the click instead.. we are a hard working farm family that is here after the sale when you have questions... there will be questions about your electric fence not working... It most likely not that new fence energizer, but the ground or the fence itself...

call us at valley farm supply... See you at the farm!