Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 5, 1995                   TAG: 9501050045
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-10   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

AROUND NEW RIVER

DUBLIN - The fourth Virginia Commercial Bred Ewe and Ram Sale will start at 10 a.m. Saturday at the New River Valley Fairgrounds on Virginia 100.

This year, 180 ewes and 12 rams will be offered for sale. Prospective buyers are invited to attend the pre-sale inspection Friday and see how the Sales Review Committee enforces health and quality requirements.

Dr. Tom Bibb heads the committee, with assistance from producer John Bauserman and Jim Royston from the state Department of Agriculture Marketing Division.

A new grading and scoring system has been implemented to screen rams consigned to the sale. Additional information is available from Pulaski County Extension Agent Richard White at 980-7761.

Natural resources

BLACKSBURG - The town will accept new applications this month to include property in its agricultural and forestal district. The district is designed to protect and enhance farmland that contains valued natural and ecological resources.

Eligible properties include land being farmed or where forestry is the primary use. Other restrictions apply, based on location.

Successful applicants for inclusion in the district who have land-use value taxation from Montgomery County will qualify for land-use value taxation from the town. Call Duane Hyde, 961-1114.