Agriculture Enters the Era of Personal Computers · reau nearly 30 years ago, I re-member thinking that farmer representation at the state capi-tol alone was worth more than the price

ichigan Farm News

Agriculture Enters the Era of Personal Computers

A Publication of the Michigan Farm Bureau County Newsletter Inside

Safemark Sickles & Parts

PlAINDISC BLADE

MOLD BOARD

$60.97$53.16

$57.88

$37.23$37.22$33.00

$33.01

$19.76$15.30$16.48$10.15$32.69$25.64

Michigan Farm Bureau andSafemark Group Purchasing, Inc.

are on thePRICE CUTTING EDGE

*High Quality* Low Member Prices*Every Community Vendor Service

SPECIAL SUMMER SALE!

Disk Blades22" x 7 guage Plain20" x 7 guage Plain20" x 7 guage Notched18" x 9 guage Plain24" x 1/4" Plain20" JD Fluted Coulter P

Moldboards - Soft CenterJD NU 1036 SCIH 462314 SCOliver RadexlWhite

R419.R 619-16 SC

Safemark Longwear Plow Shares16" Deere $50.5818/20" Deere $58.0716" International $50.5916" Melrose $50.59

Moldboard ShinsWAC 13W Deere 3W International 25

(for Super Chief)OliverW09

$62.72$57.40

$19.57$27.67$31.05$31.86

9' $61.7415' $123.06

9' $ 79.2415' $124.7420' $144.20

Safemark Sickle Sections(price per 50 Sections)Smooth Regular BlackSmooth Heavy ChromeTopserrated Regular ChromeTopserrated Heavy Black

Safemark Guards(New Holland, Mower Conditioner)Forged 2 Prong BU 245 $5.292 Prong Serrated BU 215S $8.782 Prong (tie guard) BU 260 $7.02

International HarvesterConditioner 990Combine 615715815915

John DeereConditioner HE34769Combine 200 AH88845Combine 200 AH88848

Safemark Sickle Assemblies(For New Holland Haybine)472 477 478 488 9'461 467 469 490 9'

Most tillage tools available. Provide your vendor with proper bolthole, discs axle size, steel thickness and distance between holeson sweeps and chisel spikes.

DISCOUNT ORDER DEADLINE - JULY 12-Drop-forged, special alloy steel ...heat treated for longer life.

-Fits virtually all field equipment(OEM certified).

-Precision sharp edges, made to staysharp.

-Plain or carbide hardsurfaced fortoughest soil conditions

-Knives for side and front mount.

Call Your Local Vendor

or County Farm Bureau Office

About This SPECIAL

Farm Bureau Member Only Sale

12

8

COLUMNS

THE COVERDaily market reports, newsand weather reach Michiganfarmers and agribusinessesvia AgriCom.Photo by Marcia Ditchie

JULY 1983VOL. 62 NO.7

County Newsletter - pages 18-19Farm Bureau Market Place - page 20Agrinomic Update - page 26Discussion Topic - page 30

PROFILE: Robert GastThe new director of MSU's agriculture experiment station discusses

the future of plant and animal research in farm profitability.

22

Citizenship All StarsYoung People's Citizenship Seminar students and America & Me essay

contest winners exemplify America's new generation of "all stars."

Agriculture Enters the Era of Personal ComputersOnce reserved for "big business" computer technology

is taking its place in the farm operation.

In this issue:

Rural Route - page 4Country Ledger - page 5

Legislative Review - page 6Front and Center - page 16

Letters to Rural Living - page 17

FARM NEWS

A publicationof the

MichiganFarm Bureau

Pride in America,Agriculture andFarm Bureau

There are times when it's ap-propriate to set the concernsand challenges of the day aside,temporarily, and simply say:''I'm proud to be an American;I'm proud to be a farmer; I'mproud to be a farm Bureaumember." The celebration ofour nation's birthday is one ofthose times.

In our sophisticated societytoday there seems to be a cyni-cism about public display ofanything related to patriotism.It seems to me that public opin-ion tends to label celebratingevents such as the fourth ofJuly as "corny."

I don't agree with that atti-tude. I believe America wasbuilt by people who showedpride in their country, demon-strated respect for those whoserve the nation and put fortheffort into community service.Those actions became traditionwhile this nation was develop-ing into the wonder of theworld.

I'm proud that our organiza-tion dedicates a portion of itsunited efforts to that concept.As I read the essays submittedby our young citizens to farmBureau Insurance Group's"America and Me" contest, Igained a feeling of confidencein tomorrow's leadership.

It is entirely fitting that thewinners of this contest receivepublic recognition for theirachievements. But more thanthat, I'm proud that our farmBureau affiliate provided an op-

4

portunity that was responded toby several thousand studentsfrom 500 Michigan schools.Multiply that response by the 16years that fBIG has sponsoredthe contest and you have agroundswell of young peopleseriously considering what itmeans to be an American!

I'm proud, too, of the YoungPeople's Citizenship Seminarsponsored annually by our stateand county farm Bureaus. Thatactivity, which just took placefor the 20th year, literallychanges the lives of manyyoung people who will soontake their rightful places ascommunity and state leaders.

Watching these young peoplerespond to the opportunitiesthe seminar offers to learnabout our system of govern-ment compared to others, to ac-tually participate in political ac-tivities, and gain a new appreci-ation for the freedoms we enjoy,is a moving, gratifying experi-ence.

Earlier this year, at the Youngfarmer Leaders' Conference,our Distinguished Young farm-er, Gary Carmichael, shared hisexperiences of visiting othercountries through the MichiganAgricultural Leadership Pro-gram, and eloquently reaffirm-ed his devotion to our nationand its private enterprise sys-tem.

I could relate to his message.It has been my privilege to beinvolved in trade missions toseveral foreign countries, bothin the free world and behind theIron Curtain and, believe me,

after those visits, it's with greatfeeling that I say, "America isfor me!"

With all its problems, Americais the greatest nation on thisearth, and the magic ingredientthat makes us different fromother countries is freedom! Thatfreedom extends from our poli-tical life to our economic life.Weare free in our religiouschoices, our social status andour educational aspirations. Weare free to choose our vocation,free to try to succeed - even tofail and try again.

As we pause on this Indepen-dence Day to celebrate thosefreedoms, let's also rememberthat we must always guardagainst the loss of thosefreedoms. There is a price formaintaining them - being ac-tive in organizations like farmBureau to give direction andguidance to our elected repre-sentatives, carrying out our citi-zenship responsibilities to voteknowledgeably and supportcandidates who share our con-cerns and philosophies, givingof our time and talents to com-munity service.

Compared to the supreme sac-rifices so many made to Insureour freedoms, ours is a verysmall price - but a necessaryone. Let each of us vow to payit.

I:lton R. Smith, PresidentMichigan Farm Bureau

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 198.3

COUNTRY LEDGER

The Value of Your MembershipBy Robert Delano, PresidentAmerican Farm Bureau Federation

Because Farm Bureau hasbeen around so long, it is easyto underestimate the continu-ing value of a family member-ship. Wegrow so used to relyingon Farm Bureau to represent usand to work on our behalf, thatit is easy to forget the manyhard jobs each of us would haveto do without it.

Here, out of hundreds, areseveral valuable local Farm Bu-reau actions I have observed, ortaken part in, through the years:

-Tax reform - and work toassure that farmland is assess-ed according to present farmuse rather than someone's ideaof potential value.

-Support for farmers in emi-nent domain proceedings inwhich farm property is takenover for public purposes.

- Effective commodity marketexpansion and promotion pro-grams organized by Farm Bu-reau.

- Helping township and coun-ty commissions in planning andgaining approval for neededwater drainage and control.

A different, but equally impor-tant, list of accomplishmentscould be drawn up for virtuallyevery township and countywhere years of positive work byFarm Bureau families have sen-sitized local and county officialsto farm and ranch needs. Unit-ed Farm Bureau effort has open-ed doors for farmers and ranch-ers to hundreds of county com-mittees, councils, hearings andplatforms - to the point wherethe county Farm Bureau officeusually is the rallying place formost important farm actions.

RURAL LIVING, JULY 198.3

When I first joined Farm Bu-reau nearly 30 years ago, I re-member thinking that farmerrepresentation at the state capi-tol alone was worth more thanthe price of an annual member-ship. I personally did not havethe time to leave the crops orcattle for days of lobbying onfarm issues at either the statehouse or Washington. It was agood feeling to know that Icould stay home most of thetime, because a competentstate Farm Bureau legislativestaff represented my interestsaccording to policies that, as aFarm Bureau member, I helpedwrite.

My belief in Farm Bureau'slegislative effectiveness hasstrengthened with the years.Without exception, state FarmBureaus have assembled su-perb, professional lobbying andlegislative-research staffs torepresent member interests. Arecent list shows 113 stateFarm Bureau legislative work-ers, most of them full-time pro-fessionals.

Because these people arebacked by the powerhouse offamily membership strength,Farm Bureau has become thesingle most effective lobbyingforce in most states. Statewidetelephone grids are part of thisstrength.

Our American Federation

What value can be placed onthe unified national affairs ef-forts of state Farm Bureaus, ascoordinated through the Ameri-can Farm Bureau Federation?Last year, Farm Bureau origi-nated a 12-point plan to im-

prove depressed farm income.Currently, the American FarmBureau Federation is leading anall-out "tax attack" to preventthe states and Congres.sfromincreasing taxes to finance stillgreater spending.

Few of us have the time or ex-pertise to face a congressionalhearing. Without organizationalbacking, our individual testi-mony would often mean little insuch broad areas as nationalsecurity, monetary policy,general labor and environmen-tal issues. Farm Bureau hasnine registered lobbyists on itsWashington based staff, work-ing with members of Congressand the branches of govern-ment on behalf of member-families.

What is the yearly value ofFarm Bureau-organized, cooper-ative marketing programs(local, state and national) toeach of us? What is the yearlypayback from Safemark pro-grams and other Farm Bureauaffiliated services? What pricetag can be placed on the resultsof our combined voluntary ef-forts in farm safety and health?

Through Farm Bureau, thesevoluntary efforts are directed,much like the flame of a weld-ing torch, to either cut, inslashing red tape, or to weld, inbuilding sound farm programpolicy. Farmers and ranchersjoin Farm Bureau, not only be-cause it directly pays in manyways - but also because,through it, we are effective inshaping and directing our owndestiny. That, most membersagree, is worth whatever itcosts.

5

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW

••FB Tax Attack ContinuesTax writing committees are

"fIying blind" with no idea ofwhat revenue requirements ofthe First Concurrent BudgetResolution will be. The Senateresolution calls for $9 billion inhigher taxes in 1984 and theHouse version calls for $30. Thedelay in the budget resolutionprocess may mean that a taxbill of major proportions willnot be adopted until sometimein July or even later.

If a budget resolution is notadopted by Congress, which willrecess for the month of Augustand is scheduled to adjourn inOctober, the president will havethe opportunity to conduct aninformal budget process by useof the veto of appropriationsbills. The major drawbackwould be no binding reconcilia-tion feature that would requirethe authorizing committees tomake changes in legislation toreduce government outlays.

As part of the organization's"tax attack," FB testified at twoSenate Finance Committeehearings in late June. At a hear-ing on the administration's pro-posal to cap the amount ofhealth insurance premiums thatmay be furnished tax-free toemployees by an employer, FBtestified against it because itconstitutes a tax increase. In-stead, FB supports a tax deduc-tion or tax credit for the cost ofhealth insurance premiumspaid by self-employed taxpayersand employees who must self-finance their health insurancecosts.

6

At a hearing on estate andgift taxation, FB testified insupport of a bill to repeal theestate tax and a Senate resolu-tion to oppose any freeze in thecurrent estate tax law. Legisla-tion has been proposed whichwould freeze estate tax exemp-tions at the 1983 level of$275,000 rather than allowingthem to accelerate as requiredby the Economic Recovery TaxAct of 1981.

FB members are urged to con-tinue sending the message totheir congressmen that a con-tinuation of their "tax andspend" tradition will not betolerated.

Uighway Use Tax on FarmTrucks - Legislation has beenintroduced in the Senate whichwould increase the existing5,000 mile per year exemptionfor farm trucks from paymentof the heavy vehicle use tax to10,000 miles per year. FB main-tains that the heavy truck usetax, which will go into effect onJuly 1, 1984, is inequitable forfarmers whose only hauling ac-tivity is taking produce to mar-ket. If enacted, the bilf will en-able farmers to travel an addi-tional 5,000 miles annually onpublic roads without having topay the increased tax of $1,600

FB is looking' for co-sponsorsfor the bill. Similar legislationhas also been introduced in theHouse.

Dairy Program Legislation- Legislation which would givethe secretary of agricultureauthority to adjust the dairysupport price as low as $11.60per cwt. from the current

$13.10 has been introduced byRep. Barber Conable (R-NY).Unlike the measure approved bythe House Agriculture Commit-tee, Conable's proposal (H.R.3292) would neither pay farm-ers to cut back production norimpose a tax on the milk theysell.

AFBFPresident Robert Delanosaid the Agriculture Commit-tee's proposal, N.R. 1875, wouldhurt taxpayers and consumersand be "deadly public relationsfor the industry. Payments toproducers under the paid diver-sion part of the program willgreatly exceed the revenue gen-erated by the tax and con-sumers will not realize reducedprices until a real cut in thesupport price is enacted," hesaid. He also said it would bedifficult to end even though itis supposed to run for only 15months.

"Farmers will support theConable legislation becausecontinuation of the much-dis-puted 50-cent assessment is un-acceptable, the IS-cent promo-tion fee that producers have nosay in is unacceptable, and be-cause they know that currentprice levels will cause continueddeterioration of the dairy mar-keting situation and eventuallylead to destruction of the na-tional dairy program," Delanosaid.

Lansing legislative topics arereviewed by Robert E. Smith,senior legislative counsel.

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 1983

Members of the Michigan Uorse Council gathered on the capitol lawn onJune 8 to call attention to their $2 billion industry. Sen. Nick Smith(K-Addison), at right, samples the beef stew served from a chuck wagonthat was part of the Bicentennial Wagon Train Pilgrimage back in 1976.The council also brought exhibits, information booths and horses to thecapitol.

FLOCPlans for Michigan -In a special appearance beforethe Interagency Migrant Ser-.vices Committee in Lansing onJune 7, Baldemar Velasquez,leader of the Farm Labor Organ-izing Committee (FLOC),saidthat migrants were victims ofmisdirected public policy. Farmlaborers are hard-working peo-ple who should be compensatedadequately for their labor in-stead of being social servicerecipients, Velasquez told thecommittee, and said that muchof that compensation should besubsidized by "huge compan-ies" like Campbells.

FLOC,which has led the strikeand boycott against CampbellSoup Company in Ohio since1978, recognizes the plight ofsmall family farms, Velasquezsaid, and will use a strike onlyas a last resort if their efforts tonegotiate with growers and pro-cessors fail. The FLOC leader re-quested a "dialogue" with farmorganizations such as FB togain understanding of the mi-grants' plight and support ingetting processors to the bar-gaining table.

Positive improvements mustbe made in the farm workers'situation, Velasquez said, andwhether that takes place "with-out confrontation depends uponhow seriously we are taken."

Special Farm Truck Licens-ing - H.B. 4581 (Rep. Allen,R-Fairgrove) has been favorablyreported out of the HouseTransportation Committee toprovide:

-A special $15 permit for anytruck, truck tractor or roadtractor used exclusively togratuitously transport farmcrops between the field whereproduced and the place of stor-age. A few years ago FB suc-ceeded in getting the special

RURAL LIVING, JULY 198:3

,

$15 plate for this particularuse. However, the law limited itto vehicles" designed" for theuse which caused confusionand limited the use of the law.In fact, the secretary of state'soffice quit issuing the permit.

- A new section has beenadded allowing a farmer to buya license for three months ormore at a time for a truck, roadtractor or truck tractor if usedexclusively in his own farmingoperation and not for hire. Thefee is 1/10 of the regular an-nual fee for each month. Thiswill be very helpful to manyfarmers as they will be permit-ted to choose the period of timethey use the truck. This applieson trucks where the regular feeis $50 or more. This FB-pro-moted bill has passed the Houseand is in a Senate committee.

PCB Contaminated Silos -An emergency regulation sign-ed by Gov. James Blanchardspecified that after May 9,198.3, no feed or farm productscan be added to a PCBcontami-nated silo. The order furtherstates that such silos cannot beused after Sept. 1, 198.3.Thisreplaces a regulation that wasto become effective in 1984 andresults from the finding of avery high level of PCBson onefarm.

According to the Michigan De-partment of Agriculture, of the14,220 silos surveyed to date,.317 silos were found to be con-taminated. About 91 of thoseare presently being used. PCBisa highly toxic chemical and aknown carcinogen. Federal lawnow prohibits its manufactureor sale. The U.S. Food and DrugAdministration also sets

(continued on page .3.3)

7

By Connie Turbin

Computer systems housed inlarge, air-conditioned buildingsare not obsolete, but the era inwhich computer technology wasreserved for major corporationsor government agencies haspassed. Today, the personalmicrocomputer makes the usesand applications of the technol-ogy available to virtually every-one.

Because of the availabilityand affordability of computerhardware, software and infor-mation services, the decisionfor many farmers is not somuch one of whether to enterthe computer age, but ratherwhich combiriations of hard-ware and software will bestserve their needs. That's thequestion most frequently askedof MFBAgriCom specialistsRobert Craig, Ken Nye and MikeKovacic.

Kovacic answers that thequestion of a major investmentin computer hardware can bedelayed, depending on the im-mediate and future needs foron-farm application.

8

"If amember isonly interestedin receiving theAgriCom informa-tion service, we canget them on the systemwith the very basic equip-ment: a videotex unit withtelephone moClemand theirown television set," Kovacicsays. "With this basic hard-ware investment at a cost ofabout $150, they can begin toexplore the farm computerage."

Selection of more sophisti-cated computer hardware andsoftware programs to performanalysis, recordkeeping or othertasks may follow. "We havefound," says Kovacic, "thatsubscribers who have utilizedthe basic service using a video-tex or a color computer haveeither increased their interest incomputers so that they want toexpand, or they have deter-mined that the basic invest-ment satisfies their interest inand need for an on-farm com-puter. In that case, they havebeen happy with the systemthat AgriCom provides.

"Because formany of our

members this isan initial move to

on-farm computers,naturally, there are fre-

quent questions aboutcompatibility of computer

equipment for the AgriComservice, but we haven't run intoa personal computer yet that isincompatible with our service,"he says.

Kovacic says that althoughmany people believe they musthave some type of formal train-ing, i.e. through continuingeducation classes or junior col-lege courses, "computer cours-es aren't necessary to run Agri-Com."

However, new subscribers canattend an introductory seminarheld four times each year. Forthe intermediate and advanceduser, one seminar is conductedeach year, usually in February,and others may be available atadditional costs beyond thebasic AgriCom subscription fee.

Craig, who heads the team ofAgriCom specialists, says that

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 198:3

educational support is one of nection. With nearly 100 MFB System Pays for Itselfthe most important features of members throughout the statethe AgriCom system. "On this subscribing to the service, cur- Farmers interviewed for thissystem we can give information rent AgriCom users are likely to article give the AgriCom serviceand marketing advice, but if the be on hand to share their own high marks, and many have al-subscriber doesn't know how to experiences and successes. ready saved the cost of theinterpret and use that informa- Corlee Computers will demon- computer hardware and thetion, the potential value of the strate many programs, includ- AgriCom subscription fee by fol-system is not being utilized." ing livestock management, lowing the marketing advice

What separates the AgriCom dairy herd management, crop provided by the farmer-member-service from other such infor- management, farm accounting, only feature - AgriVisor.mation systems, Craig says, is payroll, farm machinery man- Fred Folkema of Grant in New-the opportunity for personal agement and word processing. aygo County relates that thecontact with the AgriCom staff Corlee markets its computer AgriVisor recommendation toand the educational seminars. systems nationwide. The com- buy soybean meal in May of this

"Mike, Ken and I are available pany has been in business for year was a good one. Savingsto our subscribers on a call in three years and its agricultural on that purchase were nearlybasis. If you don't understand division is well known for the equal to his investment in com-what you're reading on the personal and special considera- puter equipment made 30 daysscreen, you can call us up and tion given to farmers and agri- earlier. Folkema says that "paytalk to us about it. No other businesses before, during and off" has convinced him that up-system offers this and I believe after the sale. to-the-minute market informa-we can continue to provide this tion and advice can make thekind of personal contact." profit difference. And, he says,

Primarily, calls for assistance the AgriVisor feature gives himcome from new or relatively AgriCom-Corlee Computer a feeling of confidence in hisnew subscribers and the need Summer Fair Schedule decisions.for personal assistance dim in- "After the soybean meal pur-ishes as the individual becomes Stop by the AgriCom / Cor- chase, we sold cattle timed onmore familiar with the system. lee Computer exhibit at one an AgriVisor prediction that cat-

of the local fairs in your area tie prices would go up," Folke-Computer Road Show or at Ag Expo, July 26-28. ma says. "Right now (in late

May), the advice says to keepDuring July, August and Sep- Mecosta County fair lots current, so I sold and will

tember, Michigan farmers will July 10-16, Big Rapids deliver a pen (of cattle) within ahave the opportunity to see Berlin fair day or two. I could have fedAgriCom and other farm com- July 17-23, Marne them out a little longer, but Iputer applications in operation MSU'sAG EXPO'83 decided to take the profit in theat several local fairs when Mich- July 26-28, East Lansing market now rather than put theigan Farm Bureau and Corlee money into additional feed toComputer Systems, Inc. of Ionia free Fair sell in a soft market."Lapeer tour 11 Michigan fairs July 29-Aug. 7, Ionia Folkema, who says that farmand MSU'sAg Expo with a Huron Community fair periodicals constituted his mar-"computer road show." The Aug. 7-13, Bad Axe ket information sources in theroad show concept was gener- Berrien County Fair past, really appreciates theated by Jim Cork, co-owner of Aug. 12-20, Berrien Springs timeliness of the informationCorlee Computer. Western Michigan Fair and the feeling of confidence

In the joint venture, MFBand Aug. 22-27, Ludington that he is gaining in marketingCorlee will travel to the fairs in decisions. "Of course, you al-a motor coach equipped with Lapeer County Fair ways question (your decision)IBM Personal Computers, DEC Aug. 29-Sept. 5, Imlay City when you make a contractPersonal Computers, Commo- Saline Community fair whether you've hit the high or ifdore, COMPAQ,and Osborn Sept. 6-10, Saline you've blown it, but with themodels for demonstrating on- Saginaw County Fairfarm software applications and Sept 10-17, Saginawthe AgriCom information con- St. Joseph County Grange Fair

Sept. 18-24, CentrevilleHillsdale County FairSept. 25-0ct. I, Hillsdale

RURAL LIVING, JULY 1983 9

AgriVisor, I have more assur-ance that my marketing deci-sions are well timed."

The daily package of informa-tion available to farmer mem-bers in AgriCom includes:

Specific Marketing Advice

- Livestock and Grains - Rec-ommendations on when to sellcash, forward contract, orhedge commodities. Advice isbased on both technical andfundamental analysis and is up-dated twice each business day.

- Feed Purchases - Advice onwhen to forward purchase soy-bean meal and feed grains totake advantage of the best pric-ing opportunities.

Price Quotations

-Futures - Complete futuresprice quotations including thedaily highs and lows from theChicago Board of Trade and theChicago Mercantile Exchange.Quotes are updated at 10-min-ute intervals throughout the.trading day.

-Cash - Cash prices on allmajor commodities from aroundthe state and the Midwest, in-cluding the Michigan ElevatorExchange, the Michigan LiveStock Exchange and key termi-nal markets are updated on adaily basis.

Agricultural Weather

- Local, state, nationalweather is provided continuous-ly on the AgriCom system. Up-dated three times a day, fore-casts include current, 3 to 5day, 6 to 10 day, an extended30 day outlook, and a specialinternational forecast.

News and Information

-Subscribers receive the lat-est legislative, regulatory andcommodity news from Lansing,Washington and around theworld via AgriCom.

10

AgriCom farmers ... give the service highmarks and many have already saved thecost of the computer and AgriCom sub-scription.

Dally market reports, news, weather and marketlng.advlce have givenFred folkema of Newaygo County greater confidence and more profit Inhis marketing decisions. folkema uses a Radio Shack Color Computerwith a telephone modem and his television set.

RURAL LIVING, JULY 1983

A micro computer with 64k memory and printer give John 8t NancyBihlmeyer the capability to maintain farm. financial and personalrecords. "It makes work fun," says Nancy. "because I'm learningnew ways to use it all the time."

Five Options Available

Since the AgriCom programwent "commercial" in Septem-ber of last year, other subscrib-er options have been added tothe program making it a valu-able information and educa-tional tool for ag related busi-nesses, high school vocationalagriculture departments andother associate Farm Bureaumembers.

The program options for thenon-farm user do not providethe marketing advice (Agri-Visor), but do offer daily accessto pertinent information affect-ing agribusiness firms. For thisservice the cost is substantiallyreduced. Without the "advice,"users may receive reports ofnews, weather and markets foras little as $.35per month.

AgriCom farmer-members whoselect the full complement ofinformation for their farmingoperation may subscribe to theservice for a cost of either $99per month (with unlimited toll-free calls) or $69 per month,paying their own phone costs.

Variety of ComputerApplications Unlimited

Some AgriCom users havefound useful applications oftheir own for the personal com-puter for farm, personal andvolunteer work.

John & Nancy Bihlmeyer ofManchester in Washtenaw Coun-ty use their computer with 64kmemory and a printer to main-tain all of their farm recordsand financial statements, busi-ness and personal addresses,and correspondence.

With the printer feature ontheir system, the Bihlmeyersare able to maintain their seedcorn customer accounts andobtain an up-to-date printout atany time.

As a coordinator for theWashtenaw County member-to-


member direct marketing pro-gram, Nancy also used the com-puter for the MACMASpringAsparagus Sale. Each cus-tomer's name. address andphone number was entered on asample order blank that sheprogrammed into the computer.

The computer sorted out theorders for asparagus, hams andother items and then gave anitemized total for the entiresale. In addition. packing slipswere printed to accompanyeach customer's order. Nancyproudly reports that the sale ac-counts came out to the penny!

The computer "files" agricul-tural news stories for back-ground information and to pro-vide to the schools. Their threechildren have access to thecomputer and make use of theeducational games to practicesimple addition and multiplica-tion. Using the word processingfunction helps the youngsterslearn to build sentences, Nancysays.

However, the Bihlmeyers didnot simply discover these uses

without doing some homeworkto identify a system that fittheir needs.

''I'm no expert on computers,"says Nancy, "but I've found howit will work for our farm andfamily needs. It makes work funbecause I'm learning new waysto use it all the time. I'm evengoing to put my recipes onfile. "

John expects to gain greaterexpertise in marketing throughAgriCom with the daily market-ing information and advice. Heis convinced that in order tocompete in today's market-place, farm marketers musthave the latest informationavailable.

AgriCom farmers and associ-ate member subscribers havefound that for legislative infor-mation, weather. news and mar-kets. the service meets their in-dividual needs and provides op-portunities to apply computertechnology once reserved for"big business" to their farmingenterprise.

11

Citizenship All Stars

By Cathy J. J\irvan

They came from all over thestate. Some made the journeyin less than an hour, others leftthe night before and traveled allnight and half the day. All to-gether, 231 of the highest cali-ber high school students in thestate arrived on the campus ofAlbion College Monday, June 13for the 20th annual Young Peo-ple's Citizenship Seminar, spon-sored by Michigan Farm Bureau.

"The main intent of the semi-nar is to bring the students to-gether to learn about the social,economic and political makeupof the United States," said VicVerchereau, seminar chairper-son and manager of MFB'sYoung Farmer Department.

"The students actually havethe opportunity to run for officeand to manage their own politi-cal campaign. They can settheir goal for anything from acounty official to state senatorto a state Supreme Court jus-

12

tice," he said. "It's really ex-citing to watch the students getinvolved. Some outstandingleaders are surfaced in a verybrief period of time.

''I've been involved with fourseminars and the quality of thestudents this year was unsur-passed," Verchereau said. "Thatis a tribute to the county lead-ership who were selective inchosing students."

When they arrived at the five-day seminar, most studentswere not sure what to expect.

"When I first got the informa-tion, I wasn't too excited aboutcoming," said Jerry Todd ofGenesee County, who was elect-ed county prosecuting attorney."1 thought it would be a farmconvention - that you'd learnhow to breed cows and stuff -but I enjoyed myself and learn-ed a lot about our government,voting, how to write a speech,how to run a good campaignand how to make a lot offriends. I wouldn't have given itup for the world."

"1 was really apprehensiveabout coming here and aboutthe people I"d meet," said Tam-my Provoast of Ogemaw Coun-ty. "But everybody worked to-gether. It was really easy tomake friends. I didn't know thatmuch about politics beforecoming here, and when we gotinto that I thought it was theneatest thing I'd ever done. Ilearned to vote here and amvery proud of it. I think any-body who comes to somethinglike this is one of the luckiestpeople you'll ever find."

The students heard from sev-eral outstanding speakers whodiscussed free enterprise andthe democratic system as com-pared to governments in othercountries.

"1 learned a lot about ourcountry and how free we reallyare," said Thomas Schramm ofSanilac County. "1 always knewthat those communist countriesweren't as free as us, but Ididn't know how much and Ireally realize that now."

"1 think that the speakershelped me to realize my free-dom," said Brenda Feldpauschof Clinton County. "You don'treally think about it otherwise."

"1 learned more here aboutforeign policy and the U.S.economic situation than I didthis whole year in school," saidKevin Yeager of St. JosephCounty.

"1 thought it was a reallygreat experience to apply thegovernment that we've learnedin school so far," said Jeff Kim-mey of Barry County. "It wasreally interesting to see howyou apply it and how it works insociety."

Ron Gaskill, MFB local affairsspecialist who conducted thepolitical activities, said the elec-


tion results at the seminarreflected "real life" facts.

"The Populist Party held a 6to 5 majority over the FederalistParty - in real life that's justabout what we see. There werea few unfilled precinct delegateseats - that's real to life. Theparties being close in theirphilosophy - that was real tolife. The split between parties inthe offices they won - that'ssimilar to real life also," Gaskillsaid. "The issues they talkedabout, including capital punish-ment, hand gun control, nu-clear freeze, dairy assessment,drinking age, are all issues nowfacing society. Overall, theseminar was one of the mostaccurate and reflective on soci-ety."

The parties not only challeng-ed one another at the votingbooth, but in athletic contests.Populist, Independent and Fed-eralist teams participated in atrack meet, softball games andtug-of-war competition. Juniorand adult counselors had achance to tame the youthful en-thusiasm of the seminar stu-dents in team matches, but thestudents prevailed - winningall but two events from the"aging" counselors, ranging inage from 17to 33.


** *America Bt Me* * *

state Capitol OpensIts Doors to TopEssay Winners

By Luke SchaferFarm Bureau Insurance Group

first place statewide winner Lee Ann Llndenfeld (left) receives a congrat-ulatory handshake from Lt. Gov. Martha Griffiths. Lee Ann's parents, Dr.lft Mrs. f. n. Llndenfeld of Niles, share the happy moment. All top 10 win-ners are shown In the top photo.

14

The old Supreme Court cham-bers in the state capitol aren'topen to public tours any more,but the doors were reopenedMay 18 for a ceremony honor-ing the top 10 winners of theAmerica &. Me Essay Contest.

The young winners and theirparents were brought to Lan-sing by Farm Bureau InsuranceGroup, sponsor of the statewidecontest.

Greeting the winners in theornate chambers, Lt. Gov. Mar-tha Griffiths told them theywere the pride of Michigan.

"You are the top of yourgeneration," Griffiths said. "Iurge you to keep up whatyou've started, to continue tolearn and respect your country.You are very important to thefuture of Michigan and the na-tion."

It was all part of an awardsday honoring the 10 eighthgrade students whose essayswere selected the best in thestate in FBIG's 1982-83 America&. Me Essay Contest. Theiressays were judged the 10 bestout of several thousand entriesfrom more than 500 Michiganjunior highs and middle schools.

The first place statewide win-ner, whose essay survived fivelevels of judging to make it tothe number one spot, was LeeAnn Lindenfeld, a student atRing Lardner Junior High inNiles. She received a $1,000savings bond and a plaque fromFBIG, as well as a framed trib-ute from the Michigan Senate,presented to her by state Sen.Harry Gast.

The other top 10 winners re-ceived plaques and savingsbonds ranging in value from$200 to $600.

After their VIP treatment atthe state capitol, the winners


and their parents were treatedto an awards luncheon at theMidway Motor Lodge in Lansing,hosted by FBIG Marketing.

Among the guests at the lun-cheon was Howard Lancour,news director of WILX-TV in Lan-sing, who, along with Gov.James Blanchard and U.S. Con-gressmen Bob Carr, served as afinalist judge in the contest.

"The'most satisfying partabout serving as a finalist judgeis seeing that you young peopleknow and respect the writtenword," Lancour told the win-ners. "Your essays show thatwriting skills are still strong inmany Michigan schools. Con-gratulations on your excellentuse of the English language."

Serving as emcee of theawards program was RobertReed, vice president of market-ing for FBIG; Robert Wiseman,FBIG's executive vice president,presented the plaques and sav-ings bonds to the winners.

An editorial in the June .3issue of the Dally Mining Ga-zette in Houghton praised thesecond place winner in the con-test, Jennie Heikkila of Calu-met, for "bolstering our faith intoday's young people."

The editorial concluded:"There are many Jennies outthere, many conscientiousyoung people who recognize thesame values that have beenpassed from generation to gen-eration. A performance such asthat by Jennie Heikkila gives usan opportunity to salute them,one and all."

Open to any eighth grade stu-dent in Michigan, FBIG's annualAmerica & Me Essay Contest en-courages Michigan's young peo-ple to explore their roles inAmerica's future. More than80,000 Michigan students haveentered the contest since itsstart in 1968.

The program is conductedwith the help of FBIG agentsthroughout the state, who spon-sor the contest in their localcommunities.

RURAL LIVING. JUL Y 198.3

Why I am Important to America's Future

By Lee Ann Lindenfeld

Many years ago, John Quincy Adams said, "1 must studywar that my son may study politics that his son may study thearts." / wonder what he would say today. We've known wars,we've known politics, and we've known the arts. Yet today ourfuture seems more in question than ever. It could be completelyerased by nuclear war, or it could be the beginning of a newwave of technology.

/ am especially important to this future because of the ex-treme possibilities at stake. It is up to me as well as the rest ofmy generation to see that the heritage of America lives on. Wewill never be able to do this unless we can identify the changesin America and where these shifts will lead us. Our economy haschanged, our employment has changed, world balance haschanged.

Ten years ago, no one planned on a career in microcom-puters; today it is a major occupation. No one dreamed thatrobots would replace people on a factory line. No one dreamedindustry would ever shut down to the extent that it has.

The necessary careers of the future are only beginning to beidentified. Once these trends are discovered I can do my part forthe future of America. / and my generation will be able to helppreserve our heritage whether it be in the North Sea or in spaceor in Small Town, U.S.A.

Presently it seems that my future will be important toAmerica in two general areas: information and conservation. Ourcomputer technology could make us the global headquarters forthe transmission of all kinds of technological information,analysis and maintenance. Conservation would include healthcare, geriatrics, genetics, bionic medicine, solar energy, and theefficient use of raw materials.

Times are fearful for everyone now but / have hope forAmerica's future. I see it as a bright horizon waiting for me. Myparents visited Russia a few years ago and said that theythought the most depressing thing was that there seemed to benothing to hope for there. Here / have hope for a future that willsurvive depression, opposing government philosophies, andnuclear weapons.

If John Quincy Adams were alive today perhaps he wouldsay, "/ must study technology, that my son may study space,that his son may live on another planet."

Top Ten Winners - 1982-83 America 8t Me Essay Contest

Lee Ann Lindenfeld, Ring Lardner Jr. High, NilesJennie Heikkila, Washington Middle School, CalumetMeghan Dalton, South Intermediate School, SaginawTricia Horning, Nellie Ackerson Middle School, ManchesterDouglas Ayers, Cooke Middle School, NorthvilleKen Black, PattengiJI Jr. High, LansingJim Goenner, Sacred Heart Academy, Mt. PleasantTerry Wood, Ruth Fox Middle School, North BranchBill Groth, CentreviJIe Jr. High, CentrevilleChristopher Holborn, Gaylord Middle School, Gaylord

15

FRONT at CENTER

Negotiations between Farm Bureau Services and Ohio Farmers were continuing asthis publication goes to press, but several other options are also under consideration as FBSseeks the reorganizational plan that will be "best for the creditors and the membership," ac-cording to Executive Vice President/CEO Newton Allen. In the me~ntime, a hearing on a re-quest to extend the filing deadline to Aug. 1 was to be held on June 24. The extension was re-quested because no final resolution with Ohio Farmers was expected by the June 30 deadline.The St. Paul Bank of Cooperatives has agreed to extend its present financing agreement withFBSto Oct. 31.

While the massive sign-up in the PIK program is affecting FBSsal~s as well as other ag sup-pliers, May was described as an "excellent month" by FBSmanagement with $33 million insales and a profit of $800,000. Year to date, FBShas sold more bushels of grain than in theprevious year. Positive results from a spring statewide radio advertising campaign and the ad-dition of nine new dealers since FBSfiled for reorganization are other reasons for optimism.

Several major obstacles to submission of a reorganization plan have been removed; claimsby the New Hampshire Insuran~e Company, by individual PBBclaimants, by Velsicol and by thestate of Michigan have all been settled. Settlement payments will be incorporated into the reor-ganization plan and resolved when the plan is approved.

FB members will receive information regarding the reorganization process through RuralLiving, Rural Leader, the news media or the committees involved.

The on-again, off-again dairy assessment is on againl A u.s. Court of Appeals hasissued a stay against the permanent injunction ordered by a South Carolina judge to halt the50ft per cwt. assessment on all milk marketed. This latest action means that the USDAmayresume its collection of the assessment. The stay will remain in effect until the case is heardon appeal by the court, probably sometime in July.

YOUmade it happenl With 79,155 families on its membership rolls, Michigan Farm Bureaumarks its 16th consecutive year of growth. This puts MFBwell over its 1983 membership goal of78,924 - but there's still the "every county over goal" plateau to reach. In his announcement tomembership workers, Field Operations Division Director Chuck Burkett said, "Success is ajourney, not a destination. With that thought in mind, let's make it happen again in 1984."

Pledges by Michigan Pork Producers Association members to Project AIM,plus pro-cessing and transportation contributed by Frederick and Herrud ~ompany, resulted in 7,000pounds of processed pork products being shipped to 12 different locations in Michigan iden-tified as crucial need areas, during the week of June 20. In another Project AIM activity, theSaginaw County Young Farmers are planning a chicken roast for Aug. 20 at the SpauldingTownship Hall to benefit the hungry families of Michigan through AIM (Agriculture Involved inMichigan). Tickets are $1° per person, $5.00 for children under 12, and include not only themeal but also entertainment. For more information contact Dale Kettler, 517-845-6697.

Dean Pridgeon, MDAdirector, has been appointed as chairperson of the 1983Farm-City Week. The activity is strongly supported by AFBF and hopes are that it will bestronger than ever this year. Theme of the Nov. 18-24 Farm-City Week is "People Helping Peo-ple." Promotional kits are available, at $2.00 each, that include placemats, posters, pressreleases, proclamations, radio/TV spot announcements, fact sheets, brochures, etc. For copiesof the order form, contact the MFBInformation Division, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909.

Another poor harvest and some expressed willingness by the USSRto sign a newlong-term agreement with the U.S. make it likely that the Soviet Union will continue to bean important customer for American farmers, but perhaps never again as important as beforethe embargo of 1980. AFBF President Robert Delano frequently tells the news media that theSoviets are the only government in the world which has confessed to 60 years of bad weatherto explain poor harvests.

16 RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 1983

LET T E R S TO R U R ALL I V I N G

Agriculture's Showcase

On behalf of the Michigan fairindustry, I would like to thankyour fine publication for listingthe Michigan fair schedule inyour June issue.

One of our prime responsibili-ties at Michigan fairs is to pro-mote Michigan agriculture andprovide a showcase for Michi-

. gan agricultural products. Weare pleased when we receivehelp from agricultural interests.

Again, we would like to thankthe Michigan Farm Bureau andthe Rural Living staff for yourhelp.

James L. Harrison, PresidentMichigan Association of Fairsand Exhibitions

Organizing EffortsAffect Jobs and Commerce

We found your information re-garding the union activities andorganizing of farm workers veryinteresting as we are currentlypurchasing in the neighborhoodof 100,000 bushels of cucum-bers for pickling in the state ofMichigan, and we are consider-ing increasing our commitmentwithin the state. This commit-

ment currently represents an in-put into the state of over$500,000.

After reviewing the possibleeffect of organizing in this pro-ducing area, we believe if theorganizing is successful thatMichigan would become uncom-petitive, and we would be forcedto move our commitment else-where.

Kenneth SwarthoutVice President, OperationsBloch & Ouggenheimer, Inc.Long Island City, New York

Paul lIarvey News BringsSaginaw FB Commentary

(Editor's Note: Paul Harvey'ssyndicated program of newsand commentary has many reg-ular listeners among farmersand non-farmers allke. On April27, the popular broadcasterposed a question on the animalcare polley of the AmericanFarm Bureau Federation. Sagi-naw County Farm Bureau'sboard of directors respondedwith their own commentary.)

Dear Mr. Harvey:This letter comes to you from

the Saginaw County Farm Bu-reau board of directors, and the3,350 Farm Bureau members werepresent. Your programs ofnews and commentary are verywell received and are broadcastby several of our local radio sta-tions. We, here in the SaginawValley, enjoy your "good news"attitude and the positive wayyou present agriculture to youraudience.

It is because of this attitudeand your friendly, open manner,that we felt we could answeryou when, on April 27, youasked: "How can the presidentof the American Farm Bureausupport the torture of theseanimals?"

Although we cannot answerfor Mr. Delano personally, wewould like to answer with thepolicies that were passed at ourstate and national conventionslast year. We think you willagree that no one cares morefor animals than the personwho depends upon them for hislivelihood. We are very con-cerned with animal care and be-cause of this concern theAmerican farmer raises the(continued on page .3.3)

FARMERS OF THE WEEK

The Farmer of the Week program, co-sponsored by Farm Bureau InsuranceGroup and the Michigan Farm RadioNetwork, honors Michigan farmers fortheir contributions to the communityand the agriculture Industry. Five farm-ers were honored In May 1983:

May 2 - Robert Lee, .39, a dairyfarmer from Marlon, farms 600 acresand manages a 140-cow herd. He serveson the Northern Michigan ChristianSchool Board; was chairperson of thearea 5011 Conservation District board forII years; was an MMPA delegate forseven years; Is an Osceola County FBmember and served as FB membershipchairperson; Is on the Falmouth Co-opboard; served four years as local MABCpresident; and he served on the MFBNatural Resources Advisory Committee.


He and his wife were named DistrictOutstanding Dairy Couple.

May 9 - Elmer "elsler Jr., 37,operates a 900-acre grain and hog farmnear Albion. He is a member and pastcounty director of the Michigan PorkProducers Association, member of theSalem United Church of Christ and amember of the Progressive Farmers, alocal farmers' group.

May 16 - Quentin "arwood, 43, Isa beef and sheep farmer from Ionia. HeIs superintendent of 4-H beef at theIonia Free Fair, president of the 4-H ad-visory council, a 4-H leader, a MichiganSimmental Beef Association boardmember and a past board member ofthe LeValley Church. He was namedOutstanding Young Farmer of IoniaCounty. Both he and his wife, Linda,

who handles the farm's sheep opera-tion, serve as livestock Judges.

May 23 - Evert Smltb, 42, operatesa 265-acre crop, beef and hog farmnear Bronson. Smith Is a member of thePleasant HIli Missionary Church and hasserved as church treasurer for the pasteight years, serves as Noble Townshiptreasurer and Noble Township sextonand Is a Branch County FB member.

May 30 - Mlcbael "artman, Web-berville, Is a 30-year-old dairy farmerwho farms 300 acres with his brother.He Is president of the Livingston CountyFarm Bureau; Is active In St. JosephCatholic Church In Howell, belongs tothe Livingston County Young Farmergroup and the MMPA and Is a past of-ficer In the Byron FFA Chapter.

17

([ount~ j}twslttttt News and Informationfrom Michigan's CountyFarm Bureaus -

Horse Industry Uses Capitol Day to Gain RecognitionThe Michigan Horse Council used

the state capitol lawn as a forum tocall attention to the $2 billion indus-tryon June 8. Horses, music, exhi-bits, information booths and stewserved from an authentic chuck-wagon were used by members of thevarious organizations that belong tothe council to let the general publicand legislators know that the horsebusiness is a modern, viable industryand not just a backyard hobby.

Updating the public image of theindustry is part of the recommenda-tions which resulted from the Gover-nor's Conference on the Horse In-dustry held in 1982.

Stacy & Curtis Postma are shown with theirUncle Chris Postma's "kid" in ChippewaCounty.

Goat Raising Gains Popularity in MichiganDiscouraged by yo-yo markets for to $500. It is also in demand for fur-

beef or other farm produce? niture, draperies and airplane seats.Farmers who supplement their in- -The by-product of mohair is lan-

come by raising goats, tell an en- olin, used in soaps and skin carethusiastic success story. products.

Several plusses in favor of the -With a small amount of basicscavenger animals include: care, raising goats is a fairly low

-low feed costs. One bale of hay labor operation. Their needs areper day will feed 15 to 20 goats. relatively simple and include goodTheir grazing diet includes most any electric or woven fencing, somepasture ground, including brush shelter from weather, hay and smallland. amounts of grain and water.

-Two crops of mohair per year. -Many producers also keep-Our Michigan climate produces neutered billies for mohair. A good

a far superior quality of mohair than billie will produce $50 worth ofsouthern states. mohair per shearing.

-Mohair is considered the Cadil- -Slue tongue - disease is not alac of fibers, either as a blend with. threat in Michigan currently.other fibers or in its pure form. Pure -Initial cost for grown goats ismohair sweaters will market at $250 around $200.

-The mohair market should befirm as long as people wear clothes.

As with many operations, some ofthe goat raisers found that they hadbeen "fleeced" by unscrupulousdealers when they first began opera-tions, so it is wise to consult withfarmers already in the business toprotect yourself.

Most of the U.S. raw product hasbeen sent to foreign cou ntries to beprocessed and then sent back to U.S.for manufacture. However, a newlyorganized group of investors, Greatlakes Mohair Co. from Litchfield,Michigan, has been formed to buymohair and process it to a finishedproduct.

Treat Yourself toSomething Special

Why not try an Apricot-PineapplePunch? Yield three quarts.2 cups apricot nectar, chilled1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice,

chilled1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice3 pints vanilla ice cream, softened4 cups cold milk.

Gradually add fruit juices to icecream; stir until blended, stir in milk.Chill. Serve with fruit and mint-filledmilk cubes.

To make fruit and mint-filledcubes, pour a small amount of milkinto bottom of ice cube tray. Placean apricot half or a pineapple chunkand a sprig of mint in milk; freezeseveral hours or overnight. Thiskeeps punch cold and does notdilute the flavor with water.

- Recipe from Otsego County

JULY 1983

Sharing Story of Michigan Agriculture Important Role for Farmers

,Txam Workxrs Makx a Diffxrxncx

FBIG Sets Up Scholarship Fund

" ... so I thought I'd get a tanand cultivate at the same time."

Farmette

this past spring with the Rural lifeproject sponsored by the county Ex-tension Service and the Intermedi-ate School District. With the supportof many county farm groups andother organizations, third graders inthe county had the chance to learnabout farming as it was in the pastand as it is today. The county FarmBureau Women played an importantrole by taking lessons about agricul-ture to over 30 classrooms in thecounty. Several members also madetheir farms available and helpedwith tours.

Besides these organized efforts toeducate the public, we also need towork as individuals whenever we getthe chance. Let people know whatthe profit margin is on a bushel ofcorn or a market steer; explain theimportance of pesticides and herbi-cides to your operation; tell themwhy the livestock on your farm israised the way it is.

You may get some difficult ques-tions from any third graders youmight talk to; but most people willgo away with a more complete un-derstanding of agriculture. andthat's important to all of us.

able to qualified students having ag-ricultural or rural backgrounds."

Olivet College was chosen as theinstitution through which the stu-dents will receive the financial assis-tance because of the excellence ofits insurance program.

Preferred distribution of the twoannual scholarships will be to onesenior and to one junior at OlivetCollege. with the college administer-ing the selection process. Certaingrade point and financial need re-quirements apply.

For more information, contact theHuman Resources Department, FarmBureau Insurance Group, 7373 W.Saginaw, Lansing. Mich. 48909.

understanding about agriculture -its problems and potential - evenin relatively rural areas such asEaton County.

This lack of understanding - andthe misconceptions that arise fromit - can cause problems with gov-ernment regulations, conflicts aboutthe environment, misinformationput out by people promoting vari-ous diet and animal welfare con-cepts. and the friction that can oc-cur when people move into ruralareas.

An excellent example of what canbe accomplished in educatingothers about agriculture occurred

am only a mxmbxr - onx pxrson. Iwon't makx or brxak thx group." But,it doxs makx a diffxrxncx bxcausx agroup, to bx xffxctivx, nxxds thx ac-tivx participation of xvxry pxrson .

So, thx nxxt timx you think you arxonly onx pxrson - a mxmbxr - andthat your xfforts arx not nxxdxd. rx-mxm bxr my typxwritxr and say toyoursxlf, "1 am a kxy pxrson in thxgroup, and for it to function xffxc-tivxly, I am nxxdxd vxry much."

(Author Unknown)

By Duane Tirrell, PresidentEaton County Farm Bureau

This past month we had over 250~rade school children tour our farm.I think this was an education both

.for the kids and myself - third grad-ers can ask some of the darndestquestions! But I think they did go~away with a better understandingabout farming and where their food'Eomes from.

It is important that those of us in-'volved in agriculture work to edu-_cate the publ ic about it. We makeup less than 3% of the population,

~~o we need the support of non-farmoeorle. There is a great lack of

Farm Bureau Insurance Group has~stablished a scholarship fund forFarm Bureau members interested inmajoring in insurance at Olivet Col-lege.

Known as the Michigan Farm Bu-reau Insurance Scholarships. thefund will award two scholarships

.'each year of $1,850 each. The~wards will be offered beginningwith the 1983-84 academ ic year.

"The scholarships will ideally beawarded to Michigan Farm Bureaumembers or their spouses, sons or

r daughters," said Robert Wiseman,Farm Bureau Insurance Group ex-

-ecutive vice president. "However, ifno such qualified applicants exist,the scholarships will be made avail-

A txam may bx Iikxnxd to my typx-writxr. It is an old modxl, but itworks quitx wxll xxcxpt for onx ofthx kxys. Many timxs, I havx wishxdthat it workxd pxrfxctly. It is trux

. that thxrx arx forty-four kxys thatfunction wxll xnough, but just onx'kxy not working makxs thx diffxr-xncx.

Somxtimxs it sxxms to mx thattxams arx somxwhat likx my typx-writxr ... not all thx kxy pxoplx arxworking togxthxr.

You may say to yoursxlf, "wxll, I

Insurance Column

FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE

FARM EQUIPMENT FARM EQUIPMENT LIVESTOCK FOR nOMEMAKERS

Name

Address _

Run the following ad In the Issue(s):

CLASSIFIED AD POLICY

SAVEl JlIake Your Own I Frozen hash-browns. tater tots. french frlesl Com.plete. easy. Instructions. $1.00. Hamll-tons. Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Mlrn.5607.3. (7-20p-ts)

"owl frozen Tomato Silcesl Enjoygarden fresh flavor year roundl Com-plete. easy Instructions. $1.00. Hamll-tons. Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Minn.5607.3. (7-20p-ts)

Reclpesl Couponsl Cooking' DelightMagazine. Cookeville. TN .38502-2727.$.3/year. (4-lOt-lOp-ts)

Coldwater Dill Plcklesl Can In mln-utesl No hot brine. Delicious. Crisp. Fac-tory secretsl Recipe. $1.00. Hamlltons,Box 652-1.31. New Ulm. Minn. 5607.3.

(7-20p-ts)

Pecansl Quart eacb halves. plece.smeal . .3 qt. sampler. $12.95. Postpaid .Canecreek Farm. Dept.-MF. Cookeville.TN .38502. (7-12t-16p-ts)

"ursery Stock - Evergreens. shade (!Jt

ornamental trees. shrubs. roses. perennlals. ferns (!Jt ground covers. Top qualityat reasonable prices. Our 26th yearl Lan-tollary Nursery. 57.36 N. 25th St.. Kala-mazoo. 616-.385-2488. (5-.3t-.30p)

NURSERY STOCK

REAL ESTATETbree bedroom modular manufac-tured In 1969 by Active Homes. Usedas summer residence. Excellent condi-tion. Must be sold and moved to settleestate. Price $21 •.300. Includes set up onyour foundation. For particulars: Penta.2.395 Williams Road. Petoskey. Mich.49770. (7-.3t-.39p)

Smoky JlIountaln riverside bome forrent. To..wnsend. Tennessee. near Gatlin-burg and Cades Cove. Pictures sent onrequest. $50.00 night. Carl Morgan. 409Lambert Lane. Maryville. Tenn . .37801.

(6-4t-27p-ts)

farms. homes. businesses - free cat-alog No. 204 lists acreage and propertyIn 15 states. American Farm Digest..3546 Watson. St. louis. MO 6.31.39.800-.325-994.3. (4-4t-2.3b-ts)

BO.acre tiled clay loom. 150 sowfeeder pig operation. modern farrowingbarn. nursery. home. central Michigan.David Richardson. 6775 Hoover. Beaver-ton. Mich. 48612. 517-.386-27.37.

(5-.3t-25p)

for Sale - Lake property with cabinand garage on Black Lake. CheboyganCounty. Beautiful. large lot. 616-627-4796. (7-17p)

Blueberry farm - Excellent produc.Ing stage. 20 acres of blueberriesand 10 acres of other. Home. barn. largetool pole bldg .• packing shed. Tractordrag. sprayer. rotllitor and all neededequipment to run the farming buslnesslBlueberry Harvestor avallablel Irrigationequipment. pond and pipe. 4 Inch well.Fantastic U-Plck operation and cllentallMembers of Michigan Blueberry GrowersMarketl Must be seen to appreclatelCome and look us over. 616-924-0229.Fremont - Newaygo County. Mike (!Jt

Barb Maxson. (7-2t-77p)

MISCELLANEOUS

JlIllklng Sbortborns: Young bulls.yearlings and calves for sale. Write orvisit Stanley M. Powell and Family. In-gleside Farm. Route 2• .3248 Powell Hwy ..Ionia. Mich. 48846. (4-6t-12p)

Corrledale sbeep breeding stock . .31.3-429-7874. (I-12t-5p)

for Saler Dairy Goats. French AlpineNubian and Saanen. Registered andgrade. Clo Barker. Route I. Box 168.Manton. 616-824-.3972. (6-2t-20p)

Sbeep. Cats Curtis. Reg. Suffolks andReg. Southdowns. Helping small flockowners and 4-H'ers our special Interest.204 N. Williams. Stockbridge. Mich. 517-851-704.3 - 517-851-8017. (7-12t-22p)

For Sale - Half Simmetal bulls. 19months: 1.450 Ibs. Holstein Angusmother. 517-676-298.3. Mason. Mich.

(7-2t-14p)

Save $"00: Cookware. extra beavy19 piece stainless steel sold through In-home demonstration at $595. Now avail-able direct only $189.95. Only 100 setsfrom bankruptcy. Order now to avoiddisappointment. 100% refund If return-ed within 10 days unused in original con-dition. Send check. money order. Visa orMastercard number and expiration date.Yankee Trader. 4600 Stein Road. Ann Ar-bor. Mich. 48105. $1 for brochure.

(7-6t-65p-ts)

CEDAR fence posts. any size. Rustleround rail sections. Log homes. RapidRiver Rustle Cedar Log Homes and Fenc-Ing. Rt . .3. Ensign. Rapid River. Mich.49878.1-906-474-6427. (2-llt-27p-m)

Wanted: Old Indian Artifacts. Axes.celts. arrowheads. drilled slate. Informa-tion to: Relics. Box 152A. Eau Claire.Mich. 49111. (5-6t-18p)

Rake Knitting Looms - This fascinat-Ing craft can be mastered by people ofall ages and excellent therapy for thehandicapped. SASE. Davldson's Old MillYarn. Box 8. Eaton Rapids. Mich. 48827.

(5-.3t-.31pots)

Patterns for making stuffed animalsand dolls. 15" baby boy. Individualfingers and toes. dressed In coverallsand shirt. $.3.00. 12" horse. $2.00.Lifelike cat. standing position. $.3.00.Brochure of all available original pat-terns. $1.00 and LSASE. Dlxle's Love &Stuff. 2.328 Vernor Road. Lapeer. Mich.48446. (5-.3t-47p-ts)

Learn to play Bluegrass banjo. Writefor free details: Ebro-MI. Star Route.Dunlap. Tennessee .37.327. (7-2t-15p-ts)

$200 - ."00 weekly working atbome. No experience. National com-pany supplies all materials and pay-checks. Fully guaranteed. For detailsand application. send self-addressed.stamped envelope to: Tobec. Route I.Box 514. Carpenter. Miss . .39050.

(7-.3t-.35p-ts)

Probate Assistance. Probate by JlIall.The attorneys at Michigan Probate Ser-vices. P.C.. specialize In handling Inde-pendent probate estates of all sizesthrough the mall. Computer assistancehelps us help personal representatives.Probate Court supervision can be avoid-ed and you. as personal representative.can remain In control. Call toll-free forrates If you have an estate to be pro-bated. 800-521-8724. (7-6t-48p-ts)

o Non-member

1960 "yster Forklift - .3.000 or 4.000pound capacity. good running condi-tion. used extensively when new. Buy asItl Asking price - $1.000. ContactHoward Boerman. Fremont CooperativeProduce Co" phone 616-924-.3851.

(7-.30p)

Interested In Antique GasolineEngines? Here are eight excellent bookson and about these fine old engines.These are collections of advertisementsfor engines ranging from 1881 to 1949.Eight volumes. totalling 4.32 pages ofadvertising. for Just $.31.00 postpaid.Order from Alan C. King. 4790 RiverRoad. Radnor. Ohio 4.3066 (sorry noC.O.D:s). (7-2t-5.3p-ts)

JlIacblnery For Sale: All housed and Inexcellent condition. J.D: 4020 Dieselwith Turbo. cab and duals. J.D. F145.5-bottom plow. J.D . .3-polnt Rotary hoe.International .3-polnt 4-row cultivator.International 4-row planter. Oliver H. G.Cletrac 1948. also Hondo II. lead guitarwith Mica 75 watt amp. Used very little.David Yallup. St. Johns. Mich. 517-224-2514. ('r-48p)

Wantedr New Idea single or narrow rowcorn picker. Will pay cash. Phone 517-52.3-280.3. evenings. (7-I.3t-22p-ts)

Parrowlng Stans - All steel $167.40.Includes feeder-waterer. top rail. rumprail. Weighs 196 Ibs. Free literature. StarrNational. 219 Main. Colchester. IL 62.326.

(7-24p-ts)

Cblcken Coop Pole Building. Approxi-mately 42'x104'. Galvanized steel. woodframe. Yours for $5.000. You tear down.Newaygo County. Mich. 1-616-798-.3450.

(7.20p)

Wanted to Buyr Milk cans for shippingmilk. International No.9 silo flller. cornbinders and grain binders. John Spezla.Leonard. Mich. 480.38 . .31.3-628-4147.

(7-2t-24p)

Por Saler Sblpplng borse stan..34"x80"x4'. Steel and I" plywood. dou-ble walled lower panel. Rubber floor.Breaks down to 5 pieces - Airline ap-proved. $200. Romulus. Mich . .31.3-75.3-455.3. (7-.30p)

Com Cribs - seven corn cribs from 15to.30 feet long. 6 to 8 feet wide. Make of-fer. Call Mike at .31.3-7.31-.3400. (7-21 p)

DFarm Bureau member

Members pay lO~ per word for non-commericaJ ads and 15~ perword for ads which prGmote a commercial business other than ag-riculture. All other advertisers pay 20~ per word for one Insertionand 15~ per word for two Gr more consecutive Insertions.

The deadline for advertisements Is the first Monday of themonth preceding publication and the publisher has the rightto reject any advertising copy submitted. All ads must be pre-paid and may be pre-paid up to one year In advance. Please In-dicate If you are a Farm Bureau member. It is the responsibility ofthe advertiser to re-insert the ad on a month-by-month or year-by-year basis.

Send ads to Rural Living, P.o. Box 30960, Lansing, Mich.48909. No ads will be taken over the phone.

Words Insertions ____ Total DueATTENTION FARM BUREAU MEMBERS:

Buy and sell through Rural Living classlfiedsl

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 1983 I

BAKED BEANBONANZA

Baked bean bonanza recipesare available by writing:Baked Beans, Michigan BeanCommission, P.O. Box 22037,Lansing, Mich. 48909.


Through a cooperative effort,the Michigan Bean Commissionand the canners and packers ofMichigan dry edible beansacross the United States havedesignated July as NationalBaked Bean Month. The purposeof the designation is to increasethe awareness of baked beansand their tradition as a greataccompaniment for just aboutany food.

"This is one of the first timesthat canners, packers, growersand elevators have worked to-gether in an attempt to pro-mote the Michigan dry bean in-dustry," said Jim Byrum, secre-tary of the Michigan Bean Com-mission.

Activities set for Baked BeanMonth include events across thecountry where baked beans willbe served to consumers, alongwith distribution of recipes andother information. In addition,according to Byrum, the com-mission's 250-gallon soup ket-tle will be making appearancesat various activities in severalstates during the month-longpromotion.

"We will have the kettle at theNational Education Association

annual meeting in Philadelphia,June 30-July 2; at Penn's Land-ing, also in Philadelphia, on the4th of July; at the Cherry Festi-val in Traverse City; the statefarm management tour in Sani-lac County; the mid-MichiganCrops Day in Isabella County;and in Peoria, Illinois in mid-July," he said.

Restaurants, institutions andschools have been asked to par-ticipate in promoting BakedBean Month by serving bakedbeans, displaying posters andoffering literature highlightingthe month. In addition, 500food editors across the nationwere sent a news release on thedesignation and a copy of thecommission's new "Baked BeanBonanza" brochure. The top 100food editors across the countrywere sent a box containing aone pound bag of dry Navybeans and several cans of porkand beans and two cans of dif-ferent brands of baked beans.

Baked Bean Month will alsobe the focus of displays by theMichigan Bean Commission attrade shows sponsored by theAmerican Home Economists As-sociation, Great Lakes Food Ser-vice and the National EducationAssociation.

21

PROFILE: Robert Gast

Director, AgriculturalExperiment Station, MSU

By Donna Wilber

Between yesterday's remark-able scientific achievementsthat allowed American farmersto record an unparalleledhistory of productivity andtomorrow's major break-throughs in the bio-technologyarea, there will continue to beless spectacular but vitally im-portant advances in the agricul-tural industry. Many of theseimprovements, according toRobert Gast, new director ofMichigan State University's Ag-ricultural Experiment Station,will result from "maintenanceresearch" and be aimed at mak-ing producers more efficientand competitive.

22

As he makes the transitionfrom a state where four com-modities account for over 90%of the agricultural productionto the "meal in a,mitten" statethat boasts over 40, the formerhead of the University of Ne-braska Agronomy Departmentsees the future of Michiganagriculture - and his own -filled with both challenges andopportunities.

The challenges include "justsorting out the research priori-ties, the needs of the manycommodities and natural re-source areas, and the mainte-nance research needs to ke~pthose industries growing."

The opportunities he cites in-clude working in a state withunique water, land and humanresources and a geographicalproximity to markets that addup to a good growth potentialfor the industry he's been in-volved in since his childhood ona Missouri farm.

Gast took over the helm ofthe MSUAg Experiment Stationfrom Dr. Sylvan Wittwer in April.In his new position, he will ad-minister research programsconducted by more than 160MSUfaculty members in 30 de-partments and eight collegeson campus, as well as 13 fieldresearch stations throughoutthe state.

As he projects the role ofagricultural research into thefuture, Gast draws on the ex-periences of the past. "Thewhole agricultural productionsystem, the pressures and con-straints on it, have changed inthe last 30 to 40 years, and sothe things we have to considerfrom a research standpointhave changed," he says.

"We expanded our productioninitially by expanding our landbase. Westarted at the EastCoast and went west, but wedidn't do much else in that pro-cess. There wasn't muchchange in technology. Weplow-ed, planted the same crops andraised the same animals withthe same techniques. Then,even though our land base be-came about fixed, our produc-tion continued to increase aswe brought in mechanization,better management, improvedvarieties and the use of chemi-cals, fertilizers and pesticides.

"Today, we're beginning tosee some signs that our in-crease in productivity is pla-teauing and I think we need torealize that the next break-throughs in agriculture will notbring about the spectacular in-creases in performance that weonce experienced.

"In the fertilizer area, for ex-ample, we've realized the great-est potential increases in yield

RURAL LIVING, JULY 198.3

from fertilizer already. Wecanstill increase yields by convinc-ing producers they need to usefertilizer, but much of our effortshould be aimed at showingthem how they can use it mostefficiently to minimize their pro-duction costs, to keep themcompetitive with other pro-ducers, and to minimize the ex-tent to which they may be con-tributing to environmentalproblems through runoff orleaching.

"Certainly, we're going toneed to continue developingnew crop varieties because theadvantages we gained from dis-ease, insect and all kinds ofpest resistance are lost over aperiod of time as pests becometolerant and adaptable and newones come along," Gast says.

The director believes that im-proved management practiceswill be a major factor in in-creasing productivity and effi-ciency.

"Our genetic potential rightnow is probably at least twice'what we're getting on the aver-age, and it's management, gen-erally, that is removing the con-straints that keep the averageyields below the maximumyields. Wecan continue to gaina great deal through moresophisticated managementsystems and probably the wholearea of computerization is go-ing to be one of the most pro-ductive areas we can get into inthe next five years," he says.

"If we can give producers asoftware package that will allowthem to say ... 'what if I plantMay 1 instead of May 15?' ... or'what if I use a little less fer-tilizer than my yield potentialsays I need?' ... or 'what if Irotate versus not rotate?" ... or'what if I control pests ordon't?' - then they can beginto play the 'what if' game andminimize their costs and opti-mize their cost production


ratio. That's really the name ofthe game in agriculture today,"

What about the criticism thatagricultural research only addsto the already existing problemof over-production? Gast comesout swinging on this inquiry.

"We're gaing to have to con-trol production some way otherthan keeping the farmer ineffi-cient! My feeling is that both forthe benefit of the producer tokeep him competitive and forthe benefit of the consumer tokeep food costs down, we needto be as efficient as we can bein agricultural production.

"The broader problem of con-trolling that production level towhere farmers can make a rea-sonable profit is a complexissue and ( think we can usesome of our research dollars,through departments like agri-cultural economics, to try tounderstand and give directionto a national policy that will notuse the farmer as he's beenused in the past - as a politicalweapon to keep a cheap foodpolicy and deny producers areasonable profit," he says.

Another item on Gast's list ofchallenges is gaining the fund-ing necessary to carry out theresearch projects identified aspriorities. He views this as a co-operative effort between his of-fice, the Extension Service, thecollege of agriculture and natu-ral resources, and the agricul-tural community.

"( hope we will work togetherin identifying and establishingpriorities for agricultural re-search that are going to bemost productive in the shortand long range, build a pro-gram and associated budgetand then convince the decision-makers that it's worth support-ing," he said.

"With .30 units receiving somelevel of funding from this office,all of which have challengesand opportunities they wouldlike to see addressed, this initself is a real challenge. All

have been trimmed down prettylean and are far from operatingon the 'fat side,' The big deci-sion is not which one is worth-while, but which one is theMOSTworthwhile."

The identification of needsand the development of pro-grams to meet those needs willinclude the agricultural com-munity, Gast believes. "Some-times it's difficult to determinewhat is researchable - and wehave to depend upon the scien-tists for those decisions - butproducers can certainly tell uswhat the problems are," hesays.

. Certainly, we're goingto need to continue,developing new cropvarieties because theadvantages we gainedfrom disease, insectand all kinds of pestresistance are lost overa period of time aspests become tolerantand adaptable and newones come along.

Gast's goal is to develop abudget with a credible set ofpriorities that have a broadbase of support from peopleacross the state involved in theagricultural industry.

"I can appreciate that our leg-islators are often put in the sit-uation of having to make toughdecisions between the differentfactions of agriculture. So, if wecan get a common voice togeth-er and arrive at a mutually-agreed upon set of priorities,then I think we'll have a muchbetter chance of getting theirsupport" he says.

(continued on page 31)

2.3

Michigan AgriculturalEquipment Exposition

Farm efficiency often dependson having the right equipmentto get the job done. Farmerswill have the opportunity to askquestions about what kinds ofequipment will do the job bestat Ag Expo '83, July 26-28, atMichigan State University. Morethan 400 manufacturers willdisplay just about every type ofmachinery used on the farm.

Check the listing and loca-tions of the exhibitors to targetyour particular interests in the35-acre farm equipment andsupply display area, and be sureto include the Farm Bureautent.

24

The Ag Expo site is located atthe Mt. Hope Road and FarmLane intersection on MSU'ssouthern campus. Admissionand parking are free. Noonmeals and refreshments areavailable at the site.

Exhibitor's Name Booth

Acme Air Systems 209Action Plastics, Inc. A-56Advanced Drainage Systems 751-2Aerovent Fan & Equipment 144Ag-Bag Corp.! Maple Lane Ag-Bag 434AgraData A-39Agriglas,lnc. 186Agro-Chem Equipment 848Agro-Marking, Inc. 756AIS Construction Equipment 454Allis-Chalmers Corp. 206-7-8Alpine Plant Foods 369Amcorn Hybrids 430American Agri-Systems, Inc. 271American Breeders Service A-IAmerican Cyanamid Co. B-9The Andersons 748-9Ang-Alloy Engineering Co. A-69Area Supply Company 221Asko,lnc. . 272ASSADFeed Company A-27Atomic Steam Co. 482Automated Farm Service 819B & K Pump Corporation A-16Babson Bros. Co. 344-5Badger Northland, Inc. 317-8-9Bainbridge Enterprises, Inc. 151BASFWyandotte Corp. 592Beard Industries 354Big Wheels, Inc. 384Bill Tysman Trailer Sales 721Blanchard Foundry/Farm Machinery 375Bob Equipment Co., Inc. 483Booms Silo Co., Inc. 627Borkholder Buildings A-2Bowers Farm Service 623

CENTRAL EXHIBIT AREA

Boyland Sales Inc. 445Bridgeway Mfg. Co. 631Brookside Farms Lab A-32Bush Hog 402Business Micro Systems, Inc. 182Butler Mfg. Co. 679-680-681Butler Mfg.l Jamesway Div. 675-6-7-8C. E. Sales & Service Inc. 110C.F.C. Distributing 263C-Band Communications, Inc. 481Cargill Seeds B-28Carl Heald Inc. 555Central MI Tractor & Parts 585Central Petroleum Co. A-55Century Mfg. Co. 156Certain-Teed/Daymond 451Ceva Laboratories, Inc. B-14Chaffee Dist. Co. Inc. 268-9Chaparal Buildings B-30Chevron Chemical Corp. 632Chore-Boy Div. 347Ciba-Geigy 109Clark Equipment/Melroe Div. 460Clay Equipment Corp. 720Clements Livestock Equipment 180Compucon,lnc. A-44The Computer Express A-53Computer Mart of Lansing A-12Conklin Products B-12Contractors Machinery Co. 461-2Contractors Rental Corp. 452-3Conwood Corp. A-57Cooper Animal Health A-22Corlee Computer Systems B-26/173Custom Farm Seed B-15DM\, Inc. 352-3Dairy Equipment Co. 246-7Dairyland Seed Co. Inc. A-68Dave Steiner Farm Equipment 516David Mfg. Company 586Dean's Windmills 104Decker & Co. 557-8DeKalb-Pfizer Genetics 303DeLaval Agricultural Div. 218-9Delphi Products Co. 643DeMott Enterprises 146Dennings Johnson Agri-Systems 484-5DeRyke Ag Equipment Inc. 174Detroit Edison Co. A-25-26

ANORTH


Deutz/ Fahr Corp. 712-3Diesel Equipment Sales/Service A-51E. F. Johnson Co. A-6Earl Montel Livestock Equipment 103Edw. J. Funk & Sons, Inc. A-29-30Energy Panel Structures, Inc. B-13Enos Farm Supply 449Evergreen Liquid Fertilizer Ltd. 464F. C. Mason & Ag-Co. Bldgs. 854-5

. Farmco Distributing Inc. 200-1The Farmers' Advance 106Farmhand/Dunham Lehr 544Farmplan Computer Systems Inc. B-35Fiber Tech 755Five H Enterprises 714-5Floyd Wonser Supply Co.518-21/528-31Ford Motor CO.-Tractor Div. 455-6-7-8Forest Management B-29Four Star Agr. ServoInc. A-66Foxworthy Farm Systems 807Fred Gutwein & Sons Inc. A-38Funk Seed International 385Furst-McNess Co. B-4Garno SeedCo. A-23GehI Co. 639-40- 1Gibson Mfg. Co. Inc. 107Golden Harvest Hybrid Corn 205Grain Systems, Inc. 593Granary Field/Feed Services Inc. 744Great Lakes Agri Supply 211Great Lakes Farm Supply 568Great Lakes Hybrids 204Great Lakes Mohair Co. 596Great Lakes Poly Steel 583Great Lakes Radio Network 307Greenville Liquid Plant Foods Ltd. A-24Gries Seed Farms, Inc. A-41H& S Mfg. Co. Inc. 4.39H& WAgri-Supply 371Hamilton Distributing Co. 644-5-6Hamilton Supply Co. 214The Hance Corporation 351Hancor,lnc. 551-2Harbachow & Co. B-31Harley Rock Picker Co. 373Hedlund-Martin Inc. 420Henke Machine Inc. 118Hi-Grade Nut & Bolt Co. A-63Hiniker Company 436-7Hochstetler Grain Equipment 260IBA Inc. B-7Ideal Livestock Equipment 853Insta-Gro International 362-3Interlock Plastics B-6International Harvester Co. 308-9-10J & D Farrowing Stalls 810J. I. Case 517-527Jacques Seed Co. 526John & Leroy Tomlinson, Inc. 708-9John Deere Co. 504-510John King Sales 664John Miller Supply 203K & H Concrete Grooving A-14Kencove High Tensile Fence 333Kent Feeds, Inc. A-8King Grain USA, Inc. 811Kirk's Automotive, Inc. 554Knight Mfg. Corp. 311-2Krause Plow Corp. 115-6Kubota Tractor Corp. 625-6L.N.S.. Inc. Livestock Products 597L. W. Meyer & Son 276Lake-O-Enterprises, Inc. 846Lasco, Inc. A-7Laursen's Inc. 710-1Lee GMCInc. 754Lilliston Corp. 584


Logsdons Stoves B-33-34M&WGearCo. 119-20MABC-Select Sires 220Madison Silos-Mid-South Corp, 665Marantette Farms, Inc. A-70Marting Mfg, Inc. 374Massey-Ferguson Inc. 160-1Mathews Farm Equipment Co. 213McCrometer / Div. of Ametek A-9McDonald's Trailers Parts/Supplies 595McLain Sales 154-5Messersmith Mfg. Inc. 169MI Agricultural Commodities B-l1MI Ag Reporting Service A-52MI Chief Sales Inc. 417MI Corn Growers Assoc. A-3MI Crop Improvement Assoc. A-64MI Dept. of Agriculture A-71MI Farm Bureau/ Affiliates 248-9/348-9MI Farmer Magazine 431MI Glass Lined Storage 820-1-2/844-5MI Land Improvement Contractors A-61MI Milk Producers Assn. 435MI PCA& FLB Assn. 809MI Pork Producers/Swine Breeders A-40MISealstor/Olthuis Equip. 152-3MI Solar Fencing 188MI Timber Exchange B-36MI Welding Supply Inc. 177Micro Concepts Inc. B-32Mid-America Agri, Inc. 266Migro Seeds 147Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. A-ISMitchell Equipment Inc. 202Mobay Chemical Corp. B-25Monsanto Agri. Products A-34-35Moorman Mfg. Co. 181Morton Bldgs. Inc. 256-7-8/356-7-8Motokov Canada Inc. Tractor Div. 5.34Motorola Communications A-36Mud Hog Corp. 594Mueller Company 145Munsell Enterprises 179Murphy Products Co. Inc. B-22Na-churs Plant Food 251National Ag Products 418National Farmers Organization 165Neuero Corp. 114Norcan Farm Equipment Ltd. 411Northern AgSupply Inc. 470Northrup King Co. 108Nu Pulse America Inc. 346Ohio Farmers Grain & Supply 816-7-8Olson Tire Service 569Opperman Grooving Inc. 553Owatonna Mfg. Co. Inc. 409-10PAGSeeds A-33Palco Livestock Equipment 320Parks, Inc. 581Partlo's Equipment Sales 407Passive Solar Heating Inc. A-67Patz Co. 628-9-.30payco Seeds 582Paymaster Seeds 172Pearson Bros. Co. 336Perennial Energy B-21Pfizerlnc. A-21Phelps Dodge Refining Corp. A-37Pioneer Hi-Bred International 849-50-51PlummerSupply 419Polymeric Systems & Eng. 852Preferred Building Systems, Inc. 686Pride of the Farm-Hawkeye Steel 663Pro-Seed, Inc. 404Railoc Co. Inc. 682Rainbow Industries Inc. 166Randolph's Cattle Feeders III

Randolph's Sales & Service 217Raydotlnc. B-16ReedCity Power Line Supply .305Renk Seed Co. A-31Reurink Bros. Star Silo Corp. 753Rhone-Poulenc Inc. A-43Rite-Way Agri Distributors 716-7Rochester Silo Inc. 622Rock-o-matic Industries 438Rohlfs Equipment Sales B-5Rohn Agri Products 275Rome Enterprises, Inc. 262Roskamp Mfg., Inc. 472Rupp Seed Farm A-20Salisbury Mgt. Services Inc. B-27Savage Sales Co. 408Schaeffer's Specialized Lubricants A-18Schettenhelm Vac-u-vator Sales 304Schoessow Inc. 368Schuck Industries 183Scientific Brake & Equipment 331Searles Pressure Washers 580Selective Feeder Co. .301Shell Chemical Co. A-13Shepard Industries Inc. 170Shiawassee Telephone Co. 372Silo press 684Simon's Planing Mill, Inc. 163Smith Silo Systems, Inc. 661Snowco 535Solar Works, Inc. A-4Spartan Agri-Sales Inc. 184-5Spartan Oil Corp. 590-1Spectra-Physics, Inc. A-IISpedquip Industries Ltd. 171Sperry-New Holland 536-39/546-49Spring Brook Irrigation 112Sprinkler Irrigation Supply 465Stafast Hitches Inc. 270Standard Steel Bldgs. 162Standard Supply & Lumber 808Star Pak Solar Systems A-28Starline Products, Inc. 244-5Starr National B-19-20State Wide Silo Repair Inc. 685Stauffer Chemical Co. 148Stauffer Seeds 334-5Steiger Tractor, Inc. 113Steiner Corp. 624Stover-Winsted 252-3-4-5Superior Equipment Co. 121Superior Precast 117

(continued on page .32)

TOMSU

CAM~US

l \HI~ITOR ~PlfH.~ITPl\fH'INl

"'T H(W' HOAD

TO

lINIVf RSHY

r:..nMS

25

AGRINOMIC UPDATE

P.A. 344 Economic TrendsThe Agricultural Marketing

and Bargaining Act, P.A. .344,was passed by the MichiganLegislature in 1972. The actallows producers, who have or-ganized into an accredited asso-ciation, to bargain in "goodfaith" with first buyers of com-modities. The act set up proce-dures for collective bargainingand binding arbitration. This al-lows the two bargaining partiesto mediate any items relative tothe trading between handlersand producers, such as prices,

quantity, quality or any otherterms of trade.

P.A. .344 applies only to per-ishable fruits and vegetables.This could include over .30 com-mercially produced crops inMichigan. To date, fivecommodities have been accred-ited for operation under the act.One of those commodities -processing apples - will be thefocus of this article.

Michigan is the third leadingproducer of apples in the nation

and an important processingapple state. The annual growervalue of our state's apple cropexceeds $50 million.

Processing apple producershave used P.A. .344 since 1975.The accredited association isthe Michigan Agricultural Coop-erative Marketing Association(MACMA),an affiliate of Michi-gan Farm Bureau.

Growers

The number of apple growersdeclined by .34% from 197.3 to

TABLE 1 - AYYLES 8t TART CUERRIES TABLE 2 - AYYLES

Number of farms. trees and acres grown in Michigan,comparison of years 197.3 and 1978.

1973 1978 Ofo Change

• Apples, Tart Cherries, Sweet Cherries, Plums, Pearsand Peaches

SOURCE: 197.3 and 1978 Fruit Tree Surveys, MDA.

ApplesFarms 2,.384 1.579Trees .3.782,902 3.498,423Percent of Total

Fruit Trees .30 .35Acres 66,157 52,049Percent of Total

Fruit Acres 45 4.3

Production and utilization. United States and Michigan,comparison of years 1968-74 and 1975-81.

(Millions of Bushels)1968-74 1975-81 Ofo Change

+ 5

+ 6

+ 20

+ 21-.34 UNITED STATES- 8 Total Production 146,502 177.689

Percent Fresh 56.7 57.5- Percen t Processed 4.3..3 42.5

-21 Total Processed 6.3.414 76,004

- MICHIGANTotal Production 15.561 16.46.3Percent of U.S.

- Production 10.6 9 ..3.21 Percent Fresh .38.4 .39.8-18 Percent Processed 61.6 60.2

Total Processed 9,54.3 10,0.34Percent of U.S.

Processed 15% 1.3%

SOURCE: Agricultural Statistics 1981, USDANon-Citrus fruit and Nuts, Various Issues, USDA.

N/A9.996,6.31

121.502

N/A12,6.38.455

147,.374

Total Fruit.FarmsTreesAcres

TABLE 3 - AYYLES TABLE 4 - AYYLES

Prices received by growers. United States andMichigan. comparison of years 1969.74 and 1975-81.

(Cents Per Yound)1969-74 1975-81 Ofo Change

SOURCE: Agricultural Statistics 1981, USDANon-Citrus Fruit and Nuts, Various Issues

UNITED STATESTotal UtilizationFreshProcessed

MICHIGANTotal UtilizationFreshProcessed

6.198 ..30.3.45

5.127.58.3.69

9.4712.9.35.00

7.4610.805..3.3

+5.3+56+45

+46+42+44

Number of handlers. in Michigan. for years 1975.81.

Yrocessors Others' Total

1975 .32 54 861976 .36 80 1161977 .36 10.3 1.391978 .36 94 1.301979 .37 9.3 1.301980 .31 97 1281981 .32 110 142

• Fresh market handlers. brokers, receiving stations,and small cider mills.

SOURCE: Marketing and Bargaining Board, MDA

26 RURAL LIVING, JULY 198.3

Mantis20

I/

-1

GARDENERS!

• Tiller • Lawn De-thatcher• Cultivator • Power Edger• Planter/Furrower • Hedge Trimmer• LawnAerator FREE DETAILS

3-Week Home Trial-------------Mantis Manulacturing Co. 0 Please send complete2651 Huntingdon Pike inlormation on theDepl. 232 Mantis and all itsHuntingdon Valley. PA 19006 attachments'

•• CO ."CM .. c....... COOPER & CO.=.~~:.':=~. 2095 SEYMOUR AVE.::::rc~.,n •. CINCINNATI. OHIO 45237

"HEAVY BREED" SPECIAl!Get big Reds. big White Rocks. big Barred Rocks. andbig Black Giants. Super-healthy. euy-ta-raise chicks

for only $14.95 per 100 plus postage. 50 for$8.95. Oar choice of pullets. cockerels.

'. ~"'" straight run mixed together IS avail-~, .... ,~able. Order direct now. We ship• ,- • ~.O.D. Send name and address to:

• RED TOP CHICK FARMSR.D. 1, MARIETTA. PA 17547

LOWEST PRICE PUMPINGPOWER ON EARTH

WINDMillSAermotor

The classic name inwater pumping windmills

since 1888SEE US AT AG EXPOLOT 104 or contactDEAN'S WINDMILLS

Sales & Service32519 N. River Road

Mt. Clemens, MI 48045(313) 469-2417

NAMEADDRESS _TOWN _

STATE __ ZlP _

'"i~:::"\'NONOER .

T\~~~:/Op.CUL~

~~ Forget about those heavy, expen-.:..sive "just-one-job" rear-tine tillers. For-

get yank-you-along front-end tillers.New space-age Mantis Tiller/Culti-

vator uses 36 tiller "teeth" that cutthrough hard soil like a chain saw goesthrough wood. Tills 8" deep. Powerweeds a garden in minutes. Mantisdoes 7 jobs in all with a variety of use-ful attachments.

(Editor's Note: This article isbased on "A Study of the Agri-cultural Economic Trends inMichigan as Related to the Agri-cultural Marketing and Bargain-ing Act (P.A. 344 of 1972, asamended)," by Ken Nye, com-modity specialist, MichiganFarm Bureau. Copies of the en-tire study can be requestedfrom: Commodity Actlvities andResearch Department, MichiganFarm Bureau, P.O. Box 30960,Lansing, Mich. 48909.)

Summary

It is difficult, if not impos-sible, to estimate the impact ofP.A. 344 On the production andmarketing of Michigan's applecrop. However, these generalconclusions can be drawn:

• Apple grower numbers, acre-age and tree numbers have de-clined since P.A. 344, but by nomore than for other tree fruits.

• Production has increased,but not as much as the nationalincrease.

• Prices have increased, butonly Michigan's processing ap-ple price has kept pace withU.S. prices.

.Total handler numbers haveincreased, and the total volumeof Michigan apples handled(fresh and processed) has in-creased.

Uandlers

The number of apple handlershas increased since 1975 (seeTable 4). This increase hascome almost exclusively fromhandlers who are not proces-sors, such as brokers, receiversor fresh market packers. Thenumber of processors has re-mained relatively stable.

In 1975, there were 32 appleprocessors in Michigan. By1981, 23 of those firms werestill processing apples; six hadbeen purchased by firms whowere processing apples; andthree were no longer in thebusiness of processing apples.In addition, four new firmsbegan processing apples whichwere not processing in 1975.

Production

Table 2 shows the productionof apples in Michigan and in theUnited States during the pre-and post-P.A. 344 time period.Both the U.S.and Michigan pro-duction has increased, but thenational production has in-creased by a greater amount.

Prices

Apple prices in the UnitedStates and in Michigan have in-creased in the 1975 to 1981period (post-P.A. 344). However,Michigan prices have not in-creased as much as U.S. prices(see Table 3). This is especiallytrue for fresh market prices,where Michigan has a historicalprice disadvantage relative tothe ~.S. average. This disadvan-tage continued to widen in the1975-81 period. Conversely,Michigan normally has a priceadvantage over other states forprocessing apple prices, partic-ularly when comparing Michi-gan to other Eastern apple pro-ducing states.

Acreage and Tree Numbers

Acreage of apples in Michigandeclined by 21% from 1973 to1978 (see Table 1). However, ofall the tree fruits, only sweetand tart cherries had a smallerdecline in acres grown duringthat period.

Due to the increased use ofdwarf apple trees, actual treenumbers were down only 8%from the 1973 survey. This is amuch smaller decline than anyother tree fruit except tart cher-ries.

1978 (see Table 1). This issimilar to the decline in growernumbers of other tree fruits.For example, the number ofsweet cherry, peach, pear andplum growers declined by 26%,

35%, 43% and 35%, respective-ly, during the same period.

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 198:3 27

More milk is produced in Sani-lac County (about 427 millionpounds annually) than any-where else in Michigan. Dairyproducers can find out why dur-ing the State Farm ManagementTour there July 1.3.

Sponsored by the MichiganState University Cooperative Ex-tension Service, the daylongevent features nine farm stops,including three dairy farms. Aswine farm and two beef opera-tions are also among the ninestops scheduled on the farmtour in Sanilac County.

Dairy farms to be seen in-clude those operated by Jack &Marion Kaufman; by Henry, Ken& Glen Miller; and by LinwoodDale and Tom Stamp. The live-stock operations are those ofAlbert Stoutenburg, CharlesCork and Earl & Chuck Hen-drick.

Dairy Farm Stops

KAUFMA~.Sandusky381 Freiberger Road

This 225-acre farm has beenin the family 65 years and is

28

currently managed by Jack &Marion Kaufman. The farm isnoted for outstanding milk pro-duction and quality animals, in-cluding a number of provensires currently in service withseveral artificial breeder organi-zations. An interesting facet ofthis stop is the use of on-farmembryo transplants.

Kaufman's 40 registered Hol-steins have a current rollingherd average of 23,300 poundsof milk and 898 pounds of but-terfat.

The farm cropping programusually contains 55 acres ofshell corn, 15 acres of corn forsilage, 70 acres of alfalfa, 20acres of wheat and 28 acres ofoats.

Jack is active in MABC, DHIAand the Holstein Association.He is a member of the SanilacCounty Dairy Banquet Commit-tee and the Sandusky schoolboard; and he is a 4-H leader.His son, Jim, is an FFA member,a 4-H dairy judging leader andtreasurer of the Holstein Associ-ation.

MSUExtension specialists willconduct a public interview withthe Kaufman family at 10 a.m.

MILLER. Marlette2411 McGill Road

This farm has been in thefamily for 71 years. It consistsof ] ,000 acres that produceshell corn (550 acres), cornsilage (150 acres), alfalfa (114acres) and wheat (26 acres)each year.

The Miller brothers milk 130grade Holsteins, with a currentrolling herd average of 19,000pounds of milk and 676 poundsof butterfat, in a recent struc-ture expansion that houses adOUble-eight herringbone par-lor. The herd has been in thecounty 17,OOO-poundclub since1977.

MSUExtension specialists willconduct a public interview withthe Miller family at 1 p.m.

DALE-STAMP'.Marlette2675 Wood Road

This farm has been in opera-tion since 1856. The partner-ship between Linwood Dale andTom Stamp has existed since1976. The two currently man-age 1,200 acres for the supportof ] 10 Holsteins (40 grade and70 registered).

RURAL LIVING, JULY 1983

The herd is currently postinga rolling herd average of 19,500pounds of milk and 633 poundsof butterfat. Milking is done in adouble-seven herringboneparlor. Dale and Stamp have up-graded existing facilities byequipping them with a compu-ter-controlled magnet feederand total mixed ratios in a one-cow group. The herd has beenin the county 17,000-poundclub since 1978.

Crop production usually in-cludes 500 acres of shell corn,15 acres of corn silage, 200acres of alfalfa, 85 acres ofwheat, 200 acres of dry ediblebeans and 70 acres of oats.

Tom is a 4-H leader, a trusteeof the Second Presbyterianchurch, secretary of the Mar-Iette Co-op board, a member ofthe Marlette school district agri-culture advisory board and amember of the county dairybanquet committee. His wife,Deanna, is a 4-H leader, a coun-ty dairy communicator and amember of the dairy banquetcommittee.

Linwood is a 4-H leader, thesecretary of the Second Presby-terian church and a member ofthe Cass Valley Co-op. His wife,Elizabeth, is a 4-H leader.

Both Dale and Stamp aremembers of Sanilac County FB.

MSUExtension specialists willconduct a public interview withthe families at 2:15 p.m.

Livestock Producer Stops

STOUTENBURG, Sandusky70 N. Stoutenburg Road

This 1,550-acre farm hasbeen in the Stoutenburg familyfor approximately 100 years. Itis currently managed by AlbertStoutenburg, a cash crop pro-ducer who also operates a smallbeef feedlot that is stocked withlocally purchased feeders.

Albert annually markets 200Holstein steers through areastockyards and as locker beef.The herd's ration, all farmgrown, consists of full feedsilage and dry grain fed at a


rate of 1% of body weight.The farm cropping program

consists of 330 acres of cornwith yields averaging 140bushels per acre, and 100 acresfor corn silage. The 20 acres ofalfalfa, harvested three timesduring the season, yield fourtons per acre. The 100 acres ofwheat average 80 bushels peracre, and 350 acres of sugarbeets, grown under contractwith Michigan Sugar, yieldabout 20 tons per acre. The 350acres of dry edible beans havebeen averaging 15 cwt. peracre.

Albert is a member of theMichigan Sugar Company, theMcKenzie Hospital board andthe Sanilac County AgricultureAdvisory' Board.

MSUExtension specialists willinterview the Stoutenburg fami-ly at 1:15 p.m.

CORK, Peck236 Mortimer Line Road

This farm, which has been inthe family for more than 100years, is currently operated byCharles Cork. The cropping pro-gram consists of continuouscorn for silage, with yields aver-aging 25 tons per acre. All of itis marketed through the 2,000cattle annually sold through theMichigan Live Stock Exchange.

The feeders, generally Angus-Hereford-Charolais crossbreds,are purchased from Virginia,the Carolinas and Georgia. Theyare started in conventional polebarns and are fed a growing ra-tion of silage with brewers'grain protein. They are finishedon slats and are fed out onshelled corn (50% dry matter).

Charles is a member of theThumb Cattlemen's board ofdirectors, chairperson of theSpeaker Township PlanningCommission and vice presidentof the local school board. Hiswife, Dorothy, is committeechairperson of the local CubScouts and is a Girl Scout assis-tant leader.

MSUExtension specialists willconduct interviews with theCorks at 2:45 p.m:

UENDRICK, Decker5318 Pringle Road

Earl & Chuck Hendrick haveoperated Hendrick Farms as afather-son partnership since1977. They market Duroc-Yorkcrossbred hogs annuallythrough the Michigan Live StockExchange.

The Hendricks, who purchaseonly breeding stock off thefarm, have complete farrow-to-finish facilities that were builtin 1978. An average of 765hogs are farrowed per year. Theaverage litter size is 8.7 pigletsper sow.

The cropping rotation con-sists of 300 acres of corn with ayield of 115 bushels per acre;20 acres of wheat yielding 75bushels per acre; 200 acres ofdry edible beans yielding 18cwt. per acre; and 25 acres ofoats ..

Earl & Chuck are members ofthe Sanilac County FB.

Interviews with the Hendricksby MSUExtension specialistswill begin at 9:45 a.m.

Lunch Available

A catered noon meal, servedby the Sanilac County 4-Hleaders, will be available at theSandusky fairgrounds from11:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. Tourdetails may be obtained fromthe Sanilac County MSUCooper-ative Extension office at 313-648-2515.

VISIT

Michigan State UniversityJuly 26 . 28

29

The Discussion Topic isused by Community Ac-tion Groups for monthlypolley discussions.

Roads and Bridges

Many things in life are takenfor granted. Urban citizens ex-pect food to always be at thegrocery store. Rural citizensthink they can always drive towork or have the kids picked upby a convenient school bus.Farmers expect supplies to bedelivered and products to gofrom farm to market. It hasalways been, so long as we canremember.

Each of these activities are. dependent upon good roads -a system taken for granted. Buttrouble looms on the horizonfor the system.

While state trunk lines repre-sent 8% of the total roadwaysof Michigan and face problems,this topic will focus on countyroads. County roads are dividedby statute into primary andlocal. County primary roadsmeasure 25,161 miles and rep-resent 22% of the state's roads.Local roads involve 62,755miles, or 53.4% of the state'sroad system.

What is the condition of coun-ty roads? Brace yourself!

.30

According to. the Michigan De-partment of Transportation re-port #162 (released in 1981).34.6% of county primary roadsare rated inadequate. For localroads, the figure is 58.2%. Forbridges in Michigan, the inade-quate rating is given to 36.5%on county primary roads and66.9% on local roads. Thesetwo road systems contain 5,500bridges.

County primary and localroads are under the jurisdictionof county road commissions.These commissions faced a de-cline in revenue for the pastseveral years brought on bylighter cars, more fuel-efficientvehicles and ride sharing.

Because of decreased revenuebetween 1977 and 1981, roadcommissioners cut personnelfrom 7,985 to 5,186 in 1982.Annually, road commissionsspend about $28 million tokeep equipment adequate. In1981, that figure dropped to$11 million.

Cost cutting methods are be-ing used. Recycling material is

an example. However, buildingcosts continue upward. Graveland stone in some areas inMichigan are scarce and thecost is rising rapidly.

Experts believe that. for themost part. the construction ofcounty roads is complete. Weare now in the preservationphase. This includes strength-ening to reduce break-up andwidening for improved safety.

In January 1983 it was an-nounced that work would startto replace 63 bridges thisyear. This is in addition to 28previously approved for con-struction. In most cases, bridgeconstruction comes from 80%federal funds with 10% fromboth state and local agencies.

Townships have, in manyareas, used funds to help coun-ties in financing bridge androad improvements.

In January 1983 the federalgas tax increased by 5 centsper gallon. In April, Michigan


gas tax increased by 2 cents prove or disapprove of the alter-

Get Super Swineper gallon. However, consump- natives.tion continues to decline by -How much does your groupabout 6.5% comparing the first know about your county road Performance withquarters of 1982 and] 983. It is commission?estimated that the average - How many miles of roads SOPER PAKdriver will spend about $5 per and how many bridges are inyear more for gas tax this year your county?than the previous year. Farm Bureau's SOPERThe net result, however, wasthat state revenues for mainte- PROFILE: Gast PAK products for on-farmnance and improvement rose in (continued from page 2.3) mixing operations arethe first quarter of ] 983 for the superfortified to providefirst time in three years. County Gast w,asborn and raised on aroad commissions received farm in northeast Missouri the extra nutrients you$59.4 million based on the first where his .parents still live. need for excellent feedquarter revenue. After receiving his degree in efficiency and fast gains.

It is estimated that $30 mil- soil science from the Universitylion should be spent each year of Missouri, he worked with the Super Pak 75 is ajust to keep pace with bridge Atomic Energy Commission andreplacement. Under current the University of Tennessee for concentrated base mix ofeconomic conditions, that is 10 years on basic soil science, vitamins and mineralsnot possible. It has been sug- studying the fate of radio- with added amino acids;gested that local millage be lev- nuclides in soils and their up- Super Pak 100 containsied to pay for bridge repair in take by plants and subseqilent added animal sourcethe local communities. Current- incorporation into the foodIy, user fees and taxes on ve- chain. The next step on his protein for faster gainshicles and fuel form the basis of career ladder was the University and improved feedroad and bridge construction of Minnesota Soil Science De- efficiency. Each mixesand repair. partment where his teaching with your home-grown

Part of the new "jobs bill" re- and research broadened his in-grains and soybean mealquested by Gov. James Blan- terest in production agriculture

chard and enacted by the Michi- problems. After seven years in to produce a qualitygan Legislature is geared to that field, he became head of grower, developer,road construction and repair. the department of agronomy at finisher, or sow ration.What that involves is not known the University of Nebraska.at this time. Gast met his wife, Mary Lou,

Top performance - andThe dilemma will continue. while they were in college andRoads and bridges are going to today they have three grown the convenience,deteriorate. School buses will children and two grandchildren. versatility, and economynot be able to cross some While Gast is perfectly at ease you need to keep feedbridges, making student pick- discussing nuclides and bio- costs down.up less convenient and more technology, he still rememberscostly. Routes for trucks carry- his early days on the farm "do-ing supplies to farmers will be ing my share of work behind Ask your Farm Bureaumore difficult and costly. the horses. I sometimes think feed dealer about SUPER

Roads and bridges are impor- my dad held off mechanizing PAK today.tant to rural Michigan. How can until my brother and I left homethey be more adequately main- to keep us out of trouble. Youtained? don't have much time to get in FaRm~That is the question facing trouble when you're behind twothe citizens of this state. old horses and a plow."

Discussion Questions BUreaU- User fees are the traditional MID-SOUTH TRACTOR

way to finance road construc- PARTS, INC.tion and maintenance. List AI. 2 Box 316. Sikeston. MO 63801 Farm Bureau Services, Inc.other alternatives and indicate CAll TOll FREE 1-800-292-2646

QuI of Slale: 1-800-325-7070whether group members ap- Missouri Res.: 1-800-392-0929

"For good used parts allow prices."

RURAL LIVING, JULY 1983 31

32

Farm Bureau Services, Inc.1-800-292-2646

So you get super results and convenience, versatility,and economy all at the same time!

BeBS PremiumCosts Set

As the current contract periodfor the Farm Bureau Blue CrossBlue Shield group draws to aclose, Michigan Farm ~ureaumanagement'reports a substan-tial improvement in the groupperformance.

MFB Member Services Depart-ment Manager John Vander-Molen announced recently thatafter three years of rate in-creases - averaging 30% an-nually, the overall increase forall groups combined is lessthan 8% for 1983-84.

"Certainly, the past year hasbeen a time of change and ad-justment," VanderMolen said."We are encouraged that our ef-forts to tighten medical under-writing and match premium toanticipated individual utiliza-tion has been successful.

In addition to implementingsignificant changes in the FarmBureau program this past year,management has actively ex-plored alternatives to the pres-ent Blue Cross Blue Shield car-rier, including a thoroughexamination of private carrierand self-funding plans. Each al-ternative was evaluated basedon benefit levels, costs and ac-ceptability by providers as wellas members.

Several health maintenanceorganization (HMO) plans wereanalyzed this past year, and asa result, members in 12 coun-ties were given the opportunityto choose an HMO plan insteadof one of the traditional BlueCross Blue Shield plans. HMOshave demonstrated a remark-able abilfty to maintain lowutilization 'and premium costsby concentrating on preventivehealth practices.

In addition, a free standingdental program was made avail-able to members in severalcounties this past year. Unlikemost dental plans that are tiedto medical insurance, the freestanding dental plan offered byFarm Bureau is available with orwithout medical insurance.

RURAL LIVING, JUL Y J98.3

Universal Farm Sales A-IOUnverferth McCurdy 405-6The Upjohn Company A-19USFarm Systems, Inc. 164U.S.A. Buildings 758USDAASCS A-48USDASoil Conserv. A-49/647-8/666-7Valley Industrial Products A-72VanDale Inc. 158Vermeer Mfg. Co. 463Versatile Farm Equipment 446-7-8Vicon Midwest Inc. 101-2Vigortone Ag Products B-2-3Voris Seeds Inc. 545Wabash Valley Mfg. 212Walinga, Inc. 480Weatherwax-Brooklyn Radio Shack A-5Westfalia Systemat 421White Farm Equipment 426-7-8-9Wick Bldg. Systems 745-6-7Wicke Grain Equipment 321Wiles Sales 812-3-4-5WiI-Rich 283-4Winpower (Midwest Power Sys.) 149Wood Lynn Farms Ltd. A-58Woods, Div. of Hesston 847Yanmar Tractor 360-1

302662210

468-9B-23-24

355642313683105

A-45264175261274

See your Farm Bureau dealer for more on SUPER PAKand other top performing swine feeds.

Farm Bureau's Super Pak 75 and Super Pak 100 aretwo ways you can lower feed costs and raise efficiencyin on-farm swine feed mixing operations.

Super Pak 75 is a concentrated base mix of vitaminsand minerals with added amino acids; Super Pak 100contains added animal source protein for faster gainsand improved feed efficiency. Each mixes with yourhome-grown grains and soybean meal to produce aquality grower, developer, finisher, or sow ration.

Two Ways to LowerYour Feed Cost

Per Pound of Pork

Swine Equipment SpecialistsSycamore Bldrs.Taber & Ottenwess, Inc.Tailored Bldg.Thermal Gard of MIThumb Truck Equipment, Inc.Top Line EquipmentTownsend's Livestock EquipmentTri-State Silo, Inc.Truck & Trailer Equipment Co.Uckele Animal Health Corp.Union Carbide Agri. Prod.Unique Systems .'United Farm Tools, Inc.United Satellite Systems

(continued from page 25)

Letters toRural Living(continued from page 17)most productive animals in his-tory.

Our concern extends to alldomestic animals and we aretotally opposed to any cruelty.While we, in agriculture, are notdirectly" involved with labora-tory test animals, we do seethis method as the only viablemethod to safeguard con-sumers and to speed develop-ment of useful and sometimeslife saving products.

These (Farm Bureau) policies,like this letter, originate at thebasic "grassroots" level andthey constitute the concernsand beliefs of American agricul-ture today.

Saginaw County Farm BureauBoard of DirectorsRichard E. Leach, President

If you have a question or opinion thatyou would like to share with MichiganFarm Bureau members in Rural Livingmagazine, send It to: Letters to RuralLiving, Michigan Farm Bureau, P.O. Box.30960, Lansing, Mich. 48909. We retainthe right to edit letters for length.

Legislative Review(continued from page 7)stringent tolerance levels inmilk and meat.

Since 1976, when the dangerwas recognized, the MDA hasdiscouraged the use of suchsilos and advised recoating theinteriors to limit the contamina-tion of stored feed. The contam-ination has been found in silosconstructed by the MichiganSilo Company which has beenout of business for severalyears. The PCBwas an ingre-dient of the material used tocoat the inside walls. The prob-lem has been found in about 15states. MDA Director Dean Prid-geon has outlined the details ofthe emergency rules in a letterto farmers having the PCBcon-taminated silos ..

II RURAL LIVING, JUL Y 198.3

Farmers are being asked towork closely with the MDA'sdairy and animal health inspec-tors so silage levels and con-tam inated silos can be moni-tored. Samples must be takenwhen silage is down to the sixfoot level as this silage may behighly contaminated and shouldnot be fed until the degree ofcontamination is determined.Inspections must also be madeon used silos that might be pur-chased as replacements andsoil samples may need to betaken around the old silo site.

It is emphasized that the MDAmust "make certain that noPCBcontaminated milk or meatreaches the retail market forthe protection of the industryas well as the public."

The MDA is also proceedingwith a permanent regulation asthe emergency rule expires insix months. unless extended bythe governor.

Pridgeon's letter recognizesthat farmers are concernedabout compensation for removaland disposal of the silos andpoints out that it is anticipatedthat legislation will be intro-duced to address the problem.

Farmers with PCBsilos areconcerned with the problemscreated by the emergencyorder. Some have been able tofind other silos to use whilereplacing a contaminated one.Six farmers went to court andsucceeded in getting a tem-porary injunction permittingthem to add feed or farm prod-ucts to their silo after the effec-tive date of May 9. The courtorder applies only to those whobrought the suit and does notaffect the portion of the ru Ieprohibiting the use of the siloafter Sept. 1, 198.3.

Michigan Farm Bureau hasclosely followed this issue forsome time, especially sinceBlanchard signed the emergen-

cy rule. FB's long time generalpolicy is that the farmer shouldbe compensated when propertyis lost through government ac-tion and by no fault of thefarmer. Usually such taking ofproperty by government is com-pensated through condemna-tion procedures. FB will strong-ly support legislation to com-pensate farmers' losses result-ing from the PCBsilo contami-nation.

This is a bipartisan issue. It isexpected that the legislationwill be introduced in the Senateby Sen. Nick Smith (R-Addison)and in the House by Rep. LewisDodak (D-Montrose).

"Prepayment" of Sales Taxon Gasoline - The Depart-ment of Treasury is now pro-moting legislation to require"prepayment" of sales taxes ongasoline. The bill, H.B. 4587(Brown, D-Kalamazoo), wouldmandate "prepayment" of mostof the sales tax on gasoline bythe first purchaser within thestate.

For example, the wholesalerwould "prepay" the tax to therefiner, who would "prepay" thetax to the state. The "prepaid"tax would be passed on to theretailer and consumer. The"prepayment" would be claimedby the retailer on the monthlysales tax return. The "prepay-ment" rate would be 4% of thestatewide average price of self-serve leaded gasoline. Present-ly, sales taxes are collected bythe retailer and then sent di-rectly to the state.

The reason given for the legis-lation is that the Treasury De-partment claims that sales taxrevenue is being lost because ofillegal operations, fraud,bankruptcies, falsified records,etc. Honest station operatorsclaim this creates unfair compe-tition. The claimed loss is $2

(continued on page .34)

LIQUID PLASTIC(NOT SOLD IN STORES)

~

~h~:y~;pii~~lik:, • point 'arms a

•~'. ' skin so tough it" won't crack, chip

;~_~ ........._ . ar peel. Cuts, '-~ -~ -- pointing costs

... covers andprotects like a shield of unbreakable .glass.

WATERPROOF IN 30 MINUTESAdheres to practically anything., Stopsleaks. Ideal for concrete. aluminum,wood. masonry, canvas, any metal.Clear any major color. Just specify. Wepay all shipping costs. Order NAVAL 5.Ship as follows: ( ) Qh. at SI.9Seach. ( ) Gal. at nS.9S. ( ) 5Gals. at no per gal.Name

AddrelSCity __ State Zip _

HU~l'dall' Chl'mical Cu., Dl'Pt. ,\\V-H3P.O. Box 30~2, RO~l'dall', nan. 66103

HAMilTON DISTRIBUTING CO.

See Usat

Ag Expo'83

Michigan's Leader inGrain Drying Equipment

Stormor Ezee-Dry • Stormor Grain BinsFarm Fans Dryer • Sweet Elevators

Hog Equipment • Agri-Pole BuildingsHamilton 616-751-5161 lapeer 313-664-0641Gladwin 517-426-4591 Marshall 616-781-6500

..• L1K~~i'~ESR2~lt~~R!;".~E:6J~~~;~CE':'~~~~~~rNES •

:A~N:A~:OM"TO~';_EcPR~EiTO:. ~ ~. ',~..~ ... ~ ~ .....• WeIghs 22 Pounds Tills Deeper Than W~dS Fast Irom •

Gasoline Powered Olher Tillers Do 12 to 2 In. Wide

• I. Buill for commercial use ... Rugged Air Force approved •

• ~n;~~b~~kT;Ja:h~:i:~ ii~:'~~:~~~n~~d~_n.S'~I~ I~C~~~ •

• direct saves you S .•.....• WRITE TO 4UENTOWN TILLER CO. DEPT •

c,o Allintown Feld Co. ",.In 51.. Allinlown, N.J 08S01

• For Rush MaIling Of literature call 201 530 9380.Ask for Belly Allen .. - -

• - - - - - - - - - - - ICALL THE PROFESSIONALS TOLL FREE

In Michigan: 1-800-292-9233Out of State: 1-800-248-9263

CENTRAL MICHIGANTRACTOR & PARTS

2713 N. u.s. 27, SI. Johns, Michigan 48879

.34

Legislative Review(continued from page 33)

million a year, but testimonystated that the total revenuefrom this source is $150 milliona year. The loss is thus about11/4%, which is extremely low.

FB raised the question ofwhat happens when gasoline issold to those who are exemptfrom the sales tax because it isused for the production of aproduct. This would includefarmers, schools, governmentalagencies, construction, etc. Theanswer wasthat it would haveto be refunded. This means thatduring the delay and paperwork of refunds, the state wouldhave interest free money.

Farmers Petroleum Coopera-tive, Inc., estimates that itwould cost $10,000 to justchange the computer program-ming. It is also estimated thatthe annual interest cost on themoney required to make the"tax prepayment" would be$25,000 a year. Such addedcost would have to end up inhigher prices to farmers andother customers. All companieswould be affected in a similarmanner.

The question really is: Is the11/4 % loss in revenue the realreason the Treasury Departmentwants "prepayment"? Or, dothey want that huge amount ofmoney paid in advance, whichsuddenly would balance thisyear's budget and providemoney for other things? Thiswould be regardless of theadded cost to businesses.

Still another question mightbe: Is this only the beginning?Will prepayment of other taxesbe mandated? And the finalquestion: Why can't the state ofMichigan enforce the presentlaw? After such questions, theHouse Taxation Committee hasappointed a subcommittee to

further study the issue andreport in September. The issuehas serious consequences .

If "prepayment" can be man-dated for gasoline sales taxes itcan also be mandated for othertaxes.

Education Finance FilmFlam - Two newly introducedbills, S.B. .31.3and S.B. .314, pro-vide a scheme for the state toshift some school costs back tothe local taxpayers. The propos-al would avoid the mandate ofthe people when they passedthe Tax Limitation Amendmentto the constitution in 1978.This constitutional change re-quires that the "proportion oftotal state spending paid to allunits of local government,taken as a group, shall not bereduced below that proportionin effect in fiscal year 1978-79."

In order to carry out the elec-tors' mandate, in 1979 the Leg-islature set the proportion ofthe state budget guaranteed tolocal units, including schooldistricts, at 41.6%. The state'spayment to the Public SchoolEmployment System and to So-cial Security were counted inthe" state" share and not aspart of the 41.6%.

S.B. .31.3and S.B. .314 wouldevade the constitutional re-quirement by making full pay-ment of these costs to localschool districts and at the sametime charge the costs to the41.6%.

The cost is estimated to be$125 million for the rest of thecurrent fiscal year and $.300million for 1984. This paymentshift would make it possible togain that money for other statespending and circumvent boththe spirit and intent of the 1978constitutional mandate.


HIGHLIGHTS

• Receive valuable information on the benefits ofthe Farm Bureau membership:-Service-to-Member Savings Programs-Leadership Programs-Legislative Accomplishments.-Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Coverage

at a Savings

• Demonstrations of AgriCom, a computerizedmarketing and information system.

• Learn about complete insurance protection andcoverages you need:-Agricultural Workers Compensation Insurance-Universal Life Insurance-Farmowners Insurance-Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)

• Drawings for free prizes.

• Personally see numerous farm supply productsand displays:-Feed-Fertilizer-Chemicals-Seed-Hardware- Tires-Batteries-Farm Equipment Accessories

• Get acquainted with Michigan Elevator Ex-change, a worldwide marketer of Michigangrown grain and dry edible beans.

• Compare Custom Diesel fuel, a premium prod-uct boosting horsepower up to 15%.

• Information exhibits about Farmers Crude Pro-duction Co.'s 200 producing oil wells providingover 140,000barrels of oil annually .

Stop By and See Us - Booth 248Michigan Farm Bureau and Affiliate Companies

Michigan Farm BureauRural Living MagazineP.O. Box 309607373 W. Saginaw Hwy.Lansing, Michigan 48909

Non-Profit OrganizationU. S. POSTAGE

PAl Dlansing, Michigan

Permit No. 37

Documents

Agriculture Enters the Era of Personal Computers · reau nearly 30 years ago, I re-member thinking that farmer representation at the state capi-tol alone was worth more than the price