The biggest pooling agreement yet in the state, "The Racetrack Ditch Association" in 

 Powell County, a concrete canal lining project, was dedicated and put into use June 19, 1968. 



The $200,000 water conservation project of 5^ miles of concrete-lined canals will elim- 

 inate water seepage losses of over 50 percent and replace 36 miles of gravel and earth ditches. 



The voluntary association of 13 fanners and ranchers is under the leadership of John 

 Vanisko, Chairman of the Deer Lodge Valley Soil and Water Conservation District. Cost- 

 sharing was provided by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation. Engineering was 

 done by the Soil Conservation Service. 



About 150 people attended the dedication ceremonies, which was highlighted by a barbecue 

 and speeches by Ave Linford, State Conservationist, SCS, and Viola Herak, Chairman, State 

 ASCS Committee. 



Jack Kelly, a farmer in the project, told that this was a 25 year dream come true. At 

 one time, a dam was proposed. The saving of water la this project will make about 7,000 acre 

 feet more water available, besides other benefits. Ave Linford, observed that this project 

 shows what patience, persistence, and desire can do, and of what people working together ^an 

 accomplish. Mrs. Herak observed how wonderful it is to have water when needed. 



Main canal on the Racetrack Ditch Consolidation. The water 

 will serve over 5,000 acres of prime agricultural land. 

 Crops, such as potatoes, grain, hay, and irrigated pasture 

 are being raised. Alvln Lane of Three Forks was the contractor. 



****** 



WINDBREAKS INCREASE CROP YIELDS 



The quoted material below was taken from the North Dakota Publication. It is interest- 

 ing to note how a farmer who has tried field windbreaks, and experienced the beneficial re- 

 sults, talks about them. \Jind erosion was a problem for this fanner and so in 1966, he 

 planted pattern type tree rows at AO rod spacing on approximately 600 acres of his 12A0 acre 

 farm. Her is what he has to say about them. 



"My Increase in yield has been approximately three bushels per acre, and If the trees 

 were planted at 20 rod intervals, instead of 40, the increase In yield would be doubledw" 



The tree plantings have improved crop production and reduced soil erosion, snow cover- 

 age is better, land values are up, and beauty has been added to the farm land. 



