~~~ :lake Me Home .... ~.' :.F';-m and Tum Me On The AgriVisor Radio Network ... bringing you the best advice and marketing recommenda- tions. ~, Form Bureau ~AgnVlsor Marketing Advice For The Modern Farmer Cash in on the AgriVisor Marketing Seminar Series September 15 - Grand Rapids, Midway Motor Inn September 16 - Frankenmuth, Aldrich's Restaurant September 17 - Jackson, Holiday Inn (U.S.-127/1-94) 7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. NO REGISTRATION FEE REQUIRED OPEN TO ALL FARMERSI P.A.. 116 Program Marks 10 Year Anniversary ture represented many years of ment, the P.A. 116 enrollees For nearly 17,000 farmers, work by FB. Members called and the Michigan Farm Bureau Michigan's Farmland and Open upon their organization to seek extend a special "thank you." Space Preservation Act means legislation that would reduce These professional, dedicated property and income tax ben- property tax on farmland, and people have given unselfishly of efits and the assurance that establish a program to preserve their time to work with land- their land will remain in agri- the precious land resources in owners in preparing P.A. 116 cultural production. For Michi- gan residents and the thou- our state. The Farmland and contracts and resolving prob- sands of tourists who travel in Open Space Preservation Pro- lems whenever possible. The our state, open spaces and land gram answered this policy re- law has been administered fair- under cultivation are a natural quisite 10 years ago and it con- ly and the spirit of preserving attraction of our scenic state tinues to be supported by MFB farmland for property tax relief and often provide a buffer to today. has been followed. the congested metropolitan Preserving farmland for future centers. generations was a challenging This year, the Farmland and Open spaces and land goal - one to which the re- Open Space Preservati.on Pro- sources of Farm Bureau mem- under cultivation are a bers and their organization gram, known as P.A. 116, marks its 10th anniversary. With near- natural attraction of were applied successfully. The ly 4.5 million acres of Michigan our scenic state and future holds many such chal- lenges for agriculture and many land enrolled in the program, it often provide a buffer is a time to pay tribute to the such successes if Farm Bureau to the congested metro- members use their organization success of the land preserva- tion program and to reflect politan areas. to "Meet the Challenge of upon the role that the Michigan Change." Farm Bureau played in finding I urge you to identify those solutions to halt the rapid and issues that deserve the atten- While we claim this program often premature conversion of tion and creativity of your Farm as a success for the policy lands uniquely suited for agri- Bureau organization, and then development process, the true culture to other uses. join with others to address test is whether the program Further, the P.A. 116 program them through the policy de- worked for farmers. demonstrates how farmers, velopment process. The answer is "YES!" During state government and Michigan 1985, farmers received $75 Farm Bureau have cooperated million in property tax refunds. to serve the public good That is an average refund check through innovative, and mutu- of $4,412 for each participant ally beneficial, legislation. Elton R. Smith, President in the program. P.A. 116 is one of the great Michigan Farm Bureau To those who administer the success stories for our Farm program in the DNR and who Bureau policy development assist with the refunds to process. Passage of the ena- farmers in the Treasury Depart- bling law by our state Legisla- 4 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 FRONT & CENTER Farm Bureau's policy development process is in full swing. Three county FB annual meetings were held in August and the other 66 are scheduled for this fall. Members of the 1986 MFB Policy Development Committee have begun their task of reviewing proposed policy reco~- mendations from county FBs. The 20-member state committee includes (by district): George C. Brossman, Cass County; Brenda Heisler, Calhoun County; Jim VanBuskirk, Monroe County; John Finkbeiner, Kent County; Jack Anderson, Clinton County; David Milligan, Tuscola County; K. Tim Bull, Muskegon County; Roger Roslund, Gratiot County; Duane Evans, Benzie County; Thomas Foltz, Emmet County; and Ed DeWitt, Chippewa County. Representing the FB Young Farmers are Ed Cagney, Kalamazoo County; Mary Kartes, Ogemaw County; and Tom Woelmer, Monroe County. Representing FB Women are Alice Happel, St. Joseph County; Kathy Kosters, Kent County; and Jeaneen Smuts, Eaton County. At-large members from the MFB board are Jack Laurie, Tuscola County; Jim Sayre, Wayne County; and Marlin Outman, St. Joseph County. The 41st annual planning conference of the Michigan Society of Planning Of- ficials will be held Oct. 2-4 at Boyne Mountain Lodge in Boyne Falls. Keynote speaker at the conference will be DNR Director Dr. Gordon Guyer. Workshops include: siting issues in plan- ning, state/ federal economic development assistance, the impact of water / air / hazardous wastes regulations on local planning; retaining farmland and rural open spaces, tax abate- ments, Michigan waterways, tax-base sharing, resource recovery, the role of sanitary landfills in solid waste management and ballot box zoning. Registration fee for the conference is $75 for MSPOmembers and $95 for non-members. For more information on the conference, write MSPO,P.O. Box 8099, Rochester, Mich. 48308-8099, or call 313-651-3339. A new MFBr~dio program was launched in August over radio stations served by the Great Lakes Radio Network. "The Farm Bureau Review," a five-minute weekly program fed via satellite, focuses on FB organization news and events of specific interest to members. The program contains four minutes of news and information and space for two 30-second com- mercials that may be sold by the radio station. County FBs across the state are contacting Great Lakes Radio Network stations to encourage them to air the program and suggest poten- tial sponsors for the show. Stations which have agreed to air the program so far are WPAG-Ann Arbor (1050 AM) at 6:20 a.m. on Saturdays, WBCM-BayCity (1440 AM) at 12:30 p.m. on Mon- days, WTVB-Coldwater (1590 AM) at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, and WDOW-Dowagiac(1440 AM) at 6:20 a.m. on Saturdays. The Indiana Sheep Breeders Association will hold its 10th annual replacement sale Monday, Sept. 1 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds in Franklin, Ind. The sale will start at 2 p.m. with the yearling ewes selling first, followed by the aged ewes and ewe lambs. The production tested ram lambs and yearling lambs will be the last to sell. All ewes will be avail- able for inspection by prospective buyers until the sale starts. Along with the sale, an extensive commercial exhibit and educational program will be conducted. Velmar Green of Clinton County is among the 113 people appointed by USDA Secretary Richard Lyng to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. The board will administer a national program designed to increase consumer awareness of beef and strengthen the position of beef in the marketplace. The program will be funded by a mandatory $1 per head assessment on all cattle marketed in the United States, including an equivalent amount of imported cattle and beef. - Gov. Blanchard has reappointed three people to the Michigan Dairymen's Marketing Program Committee. The reappointments of Elwood Kirkpatrick, Huron County; Velmar Green, Clinton County; and Jerry Good, Kent County, expire Dee. 31, 1988 and are sub- ject to Senate confirmation. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 5 LEGISLATIVE REVIEW Congress Passes Federal Aid Package for Southeast Farmers Drought Aid to Southeast designated for the conservation The new formula would have - Farmers in the drought- reserve may be planted to win- dramatically increased grazing stricken Southeast will be able ter pasture with fast-growing fees over the next several years. to recover up to half the cost of grasses or small grains for graz- FB policy supports the cur- emergency feed for their live- ing. rent formula which adjusts the stock and poultry under provi- AFBF had urged the adminis- grazing fee according to live- sions passed by the U.S. House tration to use some of the sur- stock market conditions. and Senate. Eligible producers plus grain crops clogging stor- would be given the option of age facilities in the Midwest to Grain Storage - farmers in receiving commodities or cer- provide relief to the drought half of the major grain produc- tificates which could be sold to areas. Designated disaster ing states are Iik~ly to be facing help pay for needed feed, and areas include parts of Alabama, a significant lack of storage to receive disaster payments Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, space this harvest season, ac- using commodity certificates North and South Carolina, Penn- cording to USDAestimates. instead of cash. sylvania and Virginia. Still pend- In Michigan, combined on- ing are Florida and Tennessee. farm and off-farm storage ca- Legislation has also been in- pacity is estimated to be 66 troduced which would permit ag million bushels short of the re- producers who donate products quired storage. Indiana grain to take a charitable contribu- producers face an anticipated tion based upon the wholesale They would also become eligi- storage shortfall of 220 million market value of the product bushels followed by Ohio (129), ble to draw from some $1.5 bil- rather than the valuation at the lion set aside to compensate for Illinois (124), Missouri (106), adjusted basis which is current lost or damaged crops. In addi- California (91) and Arkansas law. Safeguards in the existing tion, the legislation requires the (65). law protect against possible USDAto make payments to eli- abuse of the deduction. gible livestock and poultry pro- ducers to cover the cost of emergency purchases of feed; Uealth Insurance Deduc- donate government-owned tion - Members of the House- stocks to relieve local feed Senate conference committee shortages; and pay 80% of studying the tax reform legisla- transporting hay supplies when tion package have pared a 50% Michigan Primary Election needed. health insurance premium de- - Results of the Aug. 5 primary In addition, USDASecretary duction for self-employed per- showed that 93.9% of the can- Lyng announced that farmers sons to 25%. didates named "friends of Ag- who lose crops in the drought In response, FB called upon riculture" by MFB's political ac- will still be eligible for 1986 members to make personal con- tion committee, AgriPac, were deficiency payments on their tacts to urge restoration of the successful in their bid for a normal yields, if they partici- 50% deduction. A long-time spot on the November ballot. Of pated in the federal farm pro- proponent of tax equity for self- the 116 candidates endorsed by grams. He authorized a nation- employed persons, FB claims AgriPac, 109 were winners. wide, across-the-board increase that true equity would be The "friends of Agriculture" in the 1986 advance deficiency achieved with a full deduction endorsement was primarily payments to all participating for health insurance premiums. based on recommendations by farmers. county FB candidate evaluation Relief measures announced committees. The "friend of Grazing Fees - In a 5-4 previously by the USDApermit Agriculture" endorsements will vote, the House Rules Commit- haying and grazing on set aside continue through the November tee voted to allow deletion of a acres and provide that acres election. new grazing fee formula from the interior appropriations bill. 6 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 Rigbt-to-Farm Task Force - Task force members rep- resenting the departments of agriculture, health, natural resources, commerce, attorney general, governor's office, USDA,SCSand MSUExtension will evaluate the environmental impact from production ag- riculture. The purpose is to determine whether controls and legislation are needed to assure clean air and pure water. Another issue will be to clarify the original in- tent of Michigan's Right-to-Farm Act. Waste Management Plan - The Michigan Department of Ag- riculture has announced that Several ag industry leaders look on as Gov. James Blancbard signs into law S.B. 711. Pictured are, left to rigbt: Fred Leitz Jr. III, president, Ber- there is an increasing number rien County Farm Bureau; Joe Derman, president, Micbigan Peacb Spon- of complaints regarding large sors; Gov. Blancbard; Jerry Jollay, president, Berrien County Dorticul- confined animal feeding opera- ture Society; Mat Moser, farmer; and Sen. Darry Gast, cbairperson of tbe tions in Michigan. This has led Senate Appropriations Committee and sponsor of tbe legislation. to proposed plans by MDA for the establishment of a compre- hensive waste management Funds Appropriated for Southwest system. MDA would be responsible for Research & Extension Center the overall "permitting and monitoring" of the operations, S.B. 711, the capital outlay vegetables grown in Michigan. with DN.Rassisting. The plan in- legislation for the Southwest The area, with its moderate cludes development of an "op- Michigan Research and Exten- "Iake effect" climate, produces erational permit" program for sion Center which was intro- the most diverse agricultural livestock operations similar to duced by Sen. Harry Gast, was mix of any location in the the current Grade A dairy pro- signed into law in late July by United States outside of Califor- gram. The permit program Gov. James Blanchard at a farm nia and Florida. would include regular inspec- in Berrien County. One million The purpose of the new center tions to assure compliance with dollars has been appropriated is to strengthen agriculture in the established "best manage- to purchase land and facilities southwest Michigan and meet ment practices." to initiate the project. the special research needs of The goal is also to establish a Sen. Gast, with the full the area's prodvcers, including uniform set of specifications for cooperation and support of variety adaptability, introduc- planning and designing future Gov. Blanchard, has led the ef- tion of new crops, pest manage- animal waste facilities. It would fort for legislative support of ment, biotechnology applica- also implement a system to this important horticultural tions, irrigation systems, etc. It monitor the handling of pesti- research project in southwest .would also serve as a focal cides, fertilizers and other toxic Michigan. A committee of point for educational meetings, substances to assure that they growers and MSUExtension demonstrations, tours, practical did not mistakenly enter the leaders is in the process of problem-solving, etc. food supply. A system of pen- selecting a site. Sen. Gast, chairperson of the alties will be recommended for A report prepared by MSUEx- Senate Appropriations Commit- violations. tension at the request of Sen. tee, is to be commended for his Gast and Gov. Blanchard, states leadership and strong support (continued on page 21) that the six county southwest for Michigan's agricultural -corner harvests one-third of the economy. fruit and one-fourth of the RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 7 OPERATION UAYLIFT Farmer-to-farmer assistance effort draws spontaneous support By Donna Wilber brought hundreds of thousands of bales of hay to Southeast At a time when a Michigan states to save beef and dairy farmer is fighting for economic herds from starvation. survival himself, why would he He's not only involved - he's care about - let alone respond become the coordinator of a to - the plight of farmers in generous outpouring of farmer the Southeast who are suffering response in Isabella and sur- from the worst drought of the rounding counties. century? Those drought-strick- en farmers are hundreds of Empathy Is l'Iotivato~ . miles away; he doesn't know It all started when Don was any of them personally; he has out in his field cutting hay. He'd enough problems of his own - heard reports of the plight of all pretty good reasons not to the Southeast farmers and he "get involved." had empathy for them. Very simply and sincerely, He remembered the dry sea- Isabella County Farm Bureau son on his farm late in 1984 mem ber Don Speerstra answers and early last year. Between the Throughout Michigan farmers are donating hay and labor to fill the "why" question: "I know two, Mother Nature had dealt trucks and trains bound for how those farmers feel. I've him a losing hand - no feed for Southeastern farmers. Ken and been there." his cattle. To complicate mat- Sharon Speerstra (above) have It is because he has "been acted as volunteer coordinators ters, Don suffered a painful for the Isabella County area, there" that Don is determined back injury in an accident when using their farm as an assembly to playa role in Michigan's the school bus he drove part- and loading point. (Photos cour' "Operation Haylift," a farmer-to- time was rear-ended. During the tesy of Mt. Pleasant Morning Sun: farmer program that has following four months "spent in top - James Ultchcock, above - Werner Slocum) a recliner with heat," his dairy herd production dropped. B RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 He came in from the field that 'Raising the Level of the everybody else," Don said. day and told his wife, Sharon, Ocean with a Tin Cup' "With everybody becoming in- "We need to do something to What's happening in the volved and the momentum help those farmers," and Speerstras' small corner of the growing, we might just get Sharon responded, "Go for itI" world is also happening across those people through this Don emphasizes that Sharon the nation. Farmers who don't tragedy. is as deeply involved and ded- "When I first started this pro} know whether they'll still be in icated to "Operation Haylift" as ect, I kind of thought' it would their chosen vocation next year he is. "If she had said, 'it's up are responding to the needs of be like raising the level of the to you,' I would have figured a ocean with a tin cup. But if their fellow farmers. Nearly 50% effort on her part. But every state Farm Bureau is in- everybody gets involved with when she said 'go for it,' I knew volved in "Operation Haylift" the sincerity that has been that meant we had, just be- shown by those we've worked and farmers in the stricken area tween the two of us, a 200% ef- with, we just might be able to are "overwhelmed" by the fort." response. make it so 95% of those farmers in the Southeast sur- now It Started: flow It Grew "It's too bad that it's taken vive. something like this to pull us Once Sharon 'said, "Go for itI" "If we do, that's absolutely together. But that happens. the Speerstras first contacted Families and communities pull the best thing that ever hap- some "city friends" who lived in pened in this country," he said. together in tragedy and so does South Carolina to see if things were really as bad as reported. "They put us in touch with a county Extension agent and he told us just how bad it was," Don said. state Agencies Direct Donations Their next step was to contact the local radio station, WCEN- to Areas of Greatest Need Mt. Pleasant, to ask for help in spreading the word about "Op- eration Haylift." In Michigan, "Operation Hay- scheduled assembly points and "I thought if we could get lift" is a coordinated effort by times. maybe five loads of hay locally, farmer donors, county ASCSof- it would be a nice gesture and fices and the Michigan De- On the National Level that would be it. Well, my first partment of Agriculture, with Some drought aid measures call resulted in almost a semi- individuals and businesses sup- have been taken by Congress load and that's the way it's plying trucks and train cars for and USDASecretary Lyng (see been going. Our average per transportation. page 6). farm donation in this area is The procedure is relatively Farm Bureau has been urging probably about 300 bales. simple and assures that con- the Reagan administration to That's about $428 a farm, a tributions go to the areas of use some of the surplus grain very conservative estimate of greatest need. crops clogging storage in the the value of the hay, and very Farmers or others with hay or Midwest to provide relief to the generous when you consider the grain to donate, labor to help drought-stricken areas. econom ic problems most of load trucks or trains, or land to As Rural Living went to press, these farmers are having," Don utilize as an assembly point, both the House and Senate had said. should contact their county approved legislati~n directing As Rural Living goes to press, ASCSoffice and tell what form the USDAto use surplus stocks over 5,000 square bales and of assistance they would like to' to provide drought and other 300 large round bales from 36 contribute. disaster assistance. farms in Isabella and nearby The ASCSoffice will provide Estimates of on-farm and off- counties have been delivered to this information to the MDA farm storage facilities indicate the drought-stricken farmers where transportation will be that half of the major grain pro- in the Southeast. coordinated. MDA will report ducing states will have stocks "I think we're probably going transportation arrangements in excess of storage capacity. to double or triple that in back to the county ASCSoffice Michigan is sixth on the list number of farm donors and and instructions will then be with a storage deficit of 66 probably triple the amount of given to donors regarding the million bushels. hay," Don said. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 9 MFB IUelping Uand l , , Donations . Keach $21,000 MSUAg Expo was the site for presentation of a third contribution to the EMATprogram by MBFand members in 66 county FBs By Connie Turbin to the EMAT program from MFB periencing financial stress. and Donna Wilber and 66 of the 69 county FBs to Because of the response of over $21,000. county FBs throughout the The work of the Extension Smith said Farm Bureau has state, a second check for Management As.sistance Teams supported the EMAT program $5,000 was presented in March. is predominately a private since its initiation because "it "County Farm Bureaus wel- affair, involving farm families has done more to constructively come,d the opportunity to reach seated at kitchen tables or in respond to the challenges of out and help their fellow farm offices with members of this difficult transition period farmers in a positive, construc- one of the 14 EMAT groups. To- for Michigan agriculture than tive, immediate way," Smith gether they plot a ~ourse of any other effort." said. "The contributions ,kept farm and family management The first FB contribution of coming in, enabling us to pre- to guide the farmers through $10,000 was made last Febru- sent this third check. This the personal challenges of an ary for the formation of a four- financial support reflects the economic transition in agri- teenth team to meet the in- strong grassroots endorsement culture. creasing demand for EMAT ser- of the EMAT program by Farm But when news of the pro- vices by farmers who were ex- Bureau members." gram goes public, Michigan people - both in and outside of agriculture - have responded with caring hearts and helping hands. For the EMAT program the publicity has been good, thanks to the track record of direct, ef- fective help for farmers. Since the program's inception in Jan- uary 1985 it is estimated that over 3,200 farmers have been helped with financial planning, computer programming and legal proceedings. Over 150 have been saved from bank- ruptcy. In addition, over 400 farmers have participated in the job retraining program. FB Makes Third EMAT Contribution at Ag Expo Ag Expo was the scene of a third Farm Bureau contribution to the program. A check MSU President John DIBlagglo accepts a $6,288.85 contribution to the for $6,288.85 was presented by EMATprogram from Mf'BPresident Elton R. Smith. The voluntary con- MFB President Elton R. Smith to tribution by the Michigan Farm Bureau tops $21,000. Mf'B support was MSUPresident John DiBiaggio, also Instrumental In obtaining a special $200,000 appropriation In the MSUbudget to continue the program. bringing the total contribution 10 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 Ida Elementary School teacher Margaret Jobe took a cue from FB members and organized a week-long fundraiser to support the EMAT program. A farmers' market and activities involving the school children raised $ 2,000. (Photo courtesy of Monroe Evening News) Help has also come from other sources. When Margaret Jobe, a teacher at the Ida Elementary School in Monroe County, read about farm Bu- reau's support of EMAT in the April issue of Rural Living, she got students, parents and members of the community in- volved in a week-long fundraiser for the program. A farmers' market was set up at the school, featuring pro- duce, crafts, flowers and re- freshments. With the market, entertainment and other ac- tivities, the school children raised $2,000 for EMAT. MSUCooperative Extension Service Director W. J. Moline ex- pressed appreciation for both the financial contributions and Smith said the need for EMAT throughout its history. That the efforts to gain funding from will continue because "the com- commitment has never been so the state Legislature for the ing year will not be an easy one evident as during the past 1986-87 program year. for Michigan agriculture." The several months. The caring ex- "If it hadn't been for Michigan farm leader expressed opti- pertise and direction provided to farm Bureau members, the Ida mism, however, about the Michigan farm families by the Elementary School, farm Bu- future of the industry. EMAT members writes a whole reau legislative activities and "I am confident that our in- new chapter in Michigan State other key supporters through- dustry will emerge from this University's already proud out Michigan, the EMAT pro- transition period even stronger record of service." gram would not have been able than it was before. We have the to assist Michigan farm families resources that will enable us to Spontaneous Support in the intensive and effective Appreciated way that has been possible," he do that: the human resources, our farm families and their vital The state's largest farm said. support systems, our natural re- organization has also supported farm families who have faced sources, our unique diversity, EMAT in other ways. MfB legis- the anxiety and heartache of a the support of leadership and lative counsels worked dili- depressed farm economy won't legislators who recognize the gently with members of the soon forget the "hard times." importance of agriculture to the state Legislature to achieve a But thanks to the EMAT pro- state's economy," he said. special MSUbudget appropria- gram and the people who ex- "Not least among those re- tion of $200,000 for the con- tended a helping hand, there sources that will enable us to tinued operation of the EMAT will be memories, too, of friends emerge a stronger industry is program, and supported an who were there when they need- our land grant university, which MDA budget appropriation of ed them. has illustrated its commitment $49,600 to support the assis- to agriculture in so many ways tance hotline for farmers. RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 11 help from many volunteers, the Urkas' potato storage/ grading facility is decorated to resemble an old-fashioned barn dance. There's a lot of "company" in northern Michigan this time of year and FB members are en- couraged to bring their "city" friends and relatives to the jam- boree. "It gives those folks a chance to get acquainted with farm life," John said. Special guests this year were "Friend of Agriculture" Rep. Ed Nearly 200 people enjoyed an Giese and his family. evening of feasting and square dancing at Manistee County FB's 5th annual Country Jam- boree, Aug. 9 at the farm of Sweet Treatl county FB President John Urka YOU RASCALSI and his wife, Joy. By gosh, they're not Oshkosh but The annual event got started they'll do just fine seems to be when Joy suggested to the the message from "arold Boro- wicz, former MFBregional repre- board that the county do some- sentative in the North Region, as thing similar to the jamboree at he accepts a "retirement" gift the state annual meeting. from the Cheboygan County FB. Somehow it appeared in the The overalls will get put to good use as "arold is planning to ex- minutes that the first annual pand his farming operation while Manistee jamboree would be continuing his education. held the following month. Gallons and gallons of cherry- But the Urkas didn't get ner- apple drink were consumed by vous, they got busy. "It came motorists at Operation Care welcome centers over the July 4 off better than if we'd planned FAKMETTE it for a year," John said. and Labor Day weekends. The drink was offered to the safety Since then, the jamboree has program organizers by the Mich- By Andrea Hofmeister gotten bigger and better. With igan Cherry Committee. Tuscola County "We've talked it ouer and even RURAL RASCALS - Two-year-old Kevin Vermeesch was awed though school starts tomor- by the new born calf and big bottle his Aunt Mary was holding when he row and we're dying to go, and his brother, Matthew, visited their aunt and uncle's dairy farm just 20 minutes after the arrival of a new milk producer last spring. The we've decided to stay home boys are the sons of St. Clair County FB members John and Janet Ver- this fall and help you with the meesch and the nephews of county fB President Carl Vermeesch and harvest. " his wife, Mary. 12 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 Good Ideas Get Better When They're Shared Alcona - Oct. 3 Mackinac-Luce- Allegan - Oct. 9 Macomb - Oct. 9 Alpena - Oct. 9 (tentative) Manistee - Oct. 20 Antrim - Oct. 15 Mason - Oct. 7 Arenac - Oct. 13 Mecosta - Oct. 6 Barry - Oct. 14 Menominee - Oct. 9 Benzie - Oct. 13 Midland - Oct. 21 Berrien - Nov. 7 Missaukee - Oct. 7 Branch - Sept. 15 Monroe - Sept. 16 Calhoun - Oct. 7 Montcalm - Oct. 25 Cass - Oct. 6 Montmorency - Oct. 2 Charlevoix - Oct. 11 Muskegon - Sept. 25 Cheboygan - Oct. 21 Newaygo - Oct. 9 Chippewa - Oct. 13 Northwest Michigan - Oct. 11 Clare - Oct. 17 Oakland - Sept. 13 Clinton - Oct. 21 Oceana - Oct. 20 Copper Country- Ogemaw - Oct. 23 Eaton - Oct. 4 Osceola - Oct. 21 Emmet - Oct. 13 Otsego - Oct. 22 Genesee - Oct. 14 Ottawa - Oct. 9 Gladwin - Oct. 7 Presque Isle - Oct. 7 Hiawathaland - Saginaw - Aug. 28 Hillsdale - Sept. 10 St. Clair - Sept. 23 Huron - Sept. 25 St. Joseph - Oct. 11 Ingham - Oct. 18 Sanilac - Sept. 6 Ionia - Oct. 6 Shi~wassee - Oct. 11 losco - Oct. 17 Tuscola - Sept. 13 Iron Range- Van Buren - Oct. 23 (tentative) Isabella - Oct. 15 Washtenaw - Oct. 8 Jackson - Sept. 13 Wayne - Oct. 14 Kalamazoo - Oct. 7 Wexford - Oct. 14 Kalkaska - Oct. 16 • Date not set at press time Kent - Sept. 30 Counties not listed Lapeer - Oct. 2 have already held their Lenawee - Sept. 23 1986 annual meeting Livingston - Oct. 22 Attend Your County Annual Meeting Contact your county Farm Bureau secretary for more information By Connie Turbin study conducted and published Educational Seminars by Farm Journal magazine Set for September While cash marketers and boosted AgriVisor's reputation Educational seminars, such subscribers to other marketing by naming it the top marketing as the series scheduled in Mich- advisory services count pennies advisory service in the nation. igan this month, give AgriVisor of profit, farmers who followed subscribers the knowledge and the AgriVisor advice for corn Of the three services techniques to evaluate the mar- marketings during 1980-84 av- ket and to judge the value of eraged 32~ more per bushel. and the six basic specific AgriVisor advice to That's what researchers Marsha strategies analyzed. their own operations, whether Thurow and Keith Rogers at AgriVisor came out on they are receiving the advice Western Illinois University re- via Michigan's AgriCom com- ported in their study of three top most often. puterized communication sys- marketing advisory services in- tem, or direct from Illinois farm cluding the Illinois Farm Bu- How do AgriVisor analysts Bureau on FM radio sideband reau's AgriVisor. and subscribers to the service stations. According to the study results achieve these consistently The seminars, conducted by released this summer, AgriVisor higher market profits? Robert AgriVisor analysts, are set for consistently outperformed both Craig, MFB project coordinator Sept. 15 at the Midway Motor the Pro Farmer and Doane's for the AgriCom / AgriVisor / Inn in Grand Rapids, Sept. 16 at marketing advisory services in ACRESservices in Michigan, ex- Aldrich's Restaurant in franken- four of the five crop years plains: muth, and Sept. 17 at the Holi- studied. Profit gains from using "The AgriVisor advice com- day Inn in Jackson (1-94/ U.S. AgriVisor's year-long marketing bines three marketing methods 127). Each seminar begins at strategies ranged from 66~ / bu. - cash sales, basis contracts 7:30 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m. more profit in 198 L to 77 ~ in and futures contracts - in a AgriVisor analysts will describe 1982, 25~ in 1983 and 8~ in planned sales strategy with current market factors and pro- 1984. multiple sales throughout the ject the market trends in grains Thurow and Rogers concluded year to maintain cash flow. The and livestock for the next two that "of the three services, and result is higher return profits at or three years. the six basic strategies ana- minimal risk. While the seminars are ordi- lyzed, Illinois Farm Bureau's "Subscribers get continuous narily exclusive for subscribers AgriVisor came out on top most market information and up- to the AgriCom / AgriVisor / often." dates, prices, news, features ACRESFarm Bureau services, The study, reported in the and AgriVisor advice by FM the fall series will be open to all July 19 issue of Prairie Farmer sideband radio or personal com- farmers at absolutely no cost. magazine, is the second inde- puter tied to the Michigan Farm This no-cost seminar offer has pendent report to rank the Illi- Bureau information system. not been made since 1984 and nois FB service on top. A 1984 "It takes discipline and it will not be repeated until 1988. takes education on the part of the farm marketer," Craig says. 14 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEM~ER 1986 MICHIGAN FA YOU RMBUREAU NO FARMER Get started! Stat selected at d .. e contestants a th Istnct D. re DISCUSSIO roughout th estate. Iscussion M eets B~ .In to win! Th the MFB n Meetewill Discussio 1986beYou D ng Farmer Annual Meetin ec. 10 during g. MEET . DISTRICT DlSCOSSION District 1 _ Se MEET SCHEDOLE District . 9 - Se t Distri . .ct 2 _ Sept. pt. 9 8 . DIstrict 5- S District 10 p .10 DlstflCt 3 _ S Distr. t ept. 4 . - Se D" ept. 3 IC 6 - Au District 11 - pt. 11 Sept. 14 .Istnct 4 _ Sept. 17 District . 7- g. 27 Sept 23 District 8- A ug.26 . America Sends Its ) Best - Although assigned to a "research" farm while serving in the Peace Corp, Livingston County dairy farmers Robert and Lydia Ruttman had many opportunities to visit Nepalese families in the remote mountain villages in the Uimalayas. By Duane J. DeBruyne They knew little about grow- ing Nepal's staple food, rice. Within the 54,000 square Nor were they experienced in miles of Nepal - a country the care and management of slightly smaller than the state water buffalo. Plowing rocky of Michigan - resides a rural soil on steep mountain inclines population twice as large as with hand tools and cutting hay that of the Great Lakes state. with old-fashioned scythes were There are no Western-style sky- primitive ways of farming to the scrapers to rival Nepal's Mt. Ruttmans. Everest. Indeed, Western tech- Nevertheless, in 1974 Robert nology has only a foothold in and Lydia left their son and this mountainous and primitive daughter to operate the family country, but through the work farm and packed their bags for of the Peace Corps, agriculture Nepal. Eleven thousand miles volunteers are bringing new away new goals awaited them - ways of living and farming to goals of travel and daily life ex- the people of Nepal. periences in another culture, If Western ways were largely and of helping others. They be- Michigan Farm unknown to the Nepalese, their came Peace Corps volunteers. lack of knowledge was matched The couple returned to their Bureau members by Peace Corps volunteers Livingston County farm in Robert and Lydia Ruttman. The 1976. Others took their place in serve in the Livingston County dairy couple the long line of Peace Corps vol- Peace Corps were familiar with Nepal only unteers who have come from through a faintly-remembered Michigan since the program's Lowell Thomas radio program inception 25 years ago. Michi- they had once heard. gan is among the top five "vol- unteer" states with more than 5,000 Peace Corps alumni. 16 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEMBER 1986 According to Detroit Peace As a Peace Corps volunteer, ganic fertilizers and composting Corps Regional Center manager he was assigned as an advisor to enrich the soils. Alice Cooper, the Ruttmans are to a "research" farm, where "I joined Peace Corps to see representative of a growing livestock management and cul- what international agricultural number of couples and young tivation methods for water buf- development work would be like people in Michigan's agricul- falo, dairy cows, chickens, pigs as a career. It was a tremen- tural community willing to and goats and various crops dous experience. I would en- share their farming expertise were studied and applied. courage other Michigan farmers with people in the developing He remembers, too, that ac- to go overseas," Larry says. world. Last year 273 Michigan cepting "new" farming prac- "Peace Corps is an excellent op- residents left for posts in 61 tices was a challenge for both portunity to reach out to others Peace Corps countries. Over man and beast. Drawing on his around the world. You learn 25% of those volunteers went dairy experience, Ruttman sug- about other cultures, the way into agriculture-related pro- gested the idea of building silos the people live and the agri- grams. for grass and corn, "They had culture they use." small, one animal silos but nothing larger." While the farmers accepted the idea and built the silo, the animals turned up their noses at the "gourmet" fodder. "At first the cows didn't like the silage - when it got wet. it smelled." Soon, however, the animals became accustomed to the silage and Robert reports that "the people built a second silo shortly after we left." Lydia Ruttman, who helped handle the paperwork at the government farm, says that Larry Yarger, son of Kalamazoo The rocky slopes of the Uima- layas were a long way from the Nepalese people were very fB members Richard and Kathryn Kultman's dairy farm, but the friendly, but notes that working Yarger, shared technology with couple found personal enrich- Thai farmers, in turn they gave with them "takes a lot of pa- their friendship_ ment through their Peace Corps tience because people (in Nepal) assignment. work slower than Americans. Peace Corps really gives you a From the Great Lakes state to "Hungry nations need more chance to see how the rest of many countries around the than food," Cooper says. "They the world lives." world, Michigan Farm Bureau have asked for farm-experi- Recalling his Peace Corps members have journeyed far be- enced Americans to teach them stint in Thailand, Larry Yarger, yond their own farm gates to how to manage soils, irrigate son of Kalamazoo County Farm share their farming know-how crops, improve livestock breeds Bureau members Richard and as Peace Corps volunteers. In and establish farmer co-ops. Kathryn Yarger, shares many of the Western tradition of lending People overseas seek the agri- the Ruttmans' impressions. a helping hand - farmer-to- cultural skills that will translate In Thailand, he found yields farmer - an international link into long-term solutions to hampered by a lack of good soil of knowledge and understand- hunger." management and proper crop ing has been formed. Robert Ruttman remembers rotation, through the improper Robert Ruttman summarizes well the contrasts of American use of fertilizers, and from ero- the feeling of having contrib- and Nepalese agricultural prac- sion due to deforestation. uted something lasting through tices. "Agriculture in Nepal is Armed with a graduate degree the Peace Corps: "Ideas you try very labor oriented," he says, in horticulture from Michigan to introduce may take hold "The tools that are used are State University, Larry helped after you've gone," he says. very primitive, like those seen Thai farmers improve both their "You just sow the seeds." in this country in the early soil and crops. 1800s." "I emphasized utilization of Duane J. DeBruyne is a public existing resources which were information officer for the Peace normally discarded," he says, Corps Regional Center in and introduced the use of or- Detroit. RURAL LIVING, SGPTt:MBGR 1986 17 AGRINOMIC UPDATE., Dairy Farmers and Industry Leaders Seek Long-Range Solutions to Stabilize Supply and Demand Canadian Tom Jenkins hosted ~Ichlgan dairy tour participants for a one-day visit to his dairy farm • Year to year fix-it plans for Listed below are 11 marketing • Deficiency Payment Pro.. the dairy industry have soured. alternatives with key points gram - A producer base would The diversion program reduced about each. be determined using recent supplies for a short time, but • All Class Base Proposal - marketing history. National production quickly returned, Terminates CCC purchase pro- base would reflect projected and most dairy farmers don't grams and federal milk mar- commercial sales plus CCC pur- expect the whole herd buyout keting orders. Establishes an chases. Supply would be in- program to eliminate over- "all class base" for all pro- creased or decreased by ad- production. So while there is no ducers (one third of the total justing the producer base. Par- widespread agreement on exact- milk marketed during the previ- ticipants would be entitled to ly what measures will stabilize ous three years with a ceiling of deficiency payments equal to supply and demand, there is a 1 million pounds); all class base the difference between the growing determination among is a device for establishing defi- market price (M-W,basic for- dairy farmers and industry ciency payments; milk is sold mula price and federal order) leaders to identify a long-range on a free market with prices de- and target price, with a max- solution. termined by producers and imum annual payment of their cooperatives. Establishes $50,000. Non-participants a periodic target price (USDA) would receive the marketing and makes deficiency payments price for all of their deliveries to producers whenever the and would be assessed cost for target price exceeds the handling excess production. average price to producers. • Flexible Support Price - finances deficiency payments This was effectively used from by producer assessments. 1949 to 1977. This program re- • Dairy Quota Proposal - duces excessive price variabil- Places a ceiling on milk mar- ity, puts a floor under producer ketings by all producers for all prices, provides an adequate classes of milk. National quota is milk supply, and keeps govern- based on commercial use. minus ment purchases within a rea- imports, plus CCC purchases of 5 sonable balance with market billion pounds. Producer quota, requirements. The support price based on marketing history, is would move up or down based adjusted up or down to conform on the level of CCC purchases. with national quota. Producers Use a CCC purchase goal of 5 are paid one price for quota milk billion pounds milk equivalent. and much less for excess deliv- A flexible support price is a On tour in Ontario with 53 ~ichl- eries. Quotas may be bought and basis of Farm Bureau's current gan dairy farmers. Bob Anderson sold. dairy policy. and Blaine Johnson raise ques- tions about the Ontario dairy • Freeman's Proposal (con- marketing system. cept proposed by former USDA Secretary Orville freeman) - 18 RURAL LIVING. SEPTEMBER 1986 Farms selling less than $40,000 • Ontario's Dairy Program - Voluntary Production of product would get no govern- - The Ontario province in Control Program - Estab- ment assistance. Farmers seIl- Canada uses a complex system lishes a production history for ing $40,000 to $200,000 worth of quotas with two classifica- all producers covering a two. of products would continue to tions, the fluid quota and the year period. Assesses every pro- receive some subsidy. Farms industrial milk quota. A higher ducer a dollar amount per hun- selling more than $200,000 in price is paid for fluid quota. The dred weight of milk marketed. sales would be eligible for Ontario Milk Marketing Board Establishes the percentage of loans, but no payments or sub- manages the quota system and national marketings (USDA)re- sidies. regulates the price. Levies are quired to supply the commer- imposed to partially fund the cial and government needs an- program, including the cost of nually. Pays back to producers subsidy exports of any sur- who did not exceed' the national pluses. percentage. • Purchase Limitation - Gramm-Rudman mandates that government purchases be re- duced. This program estab- lishes where dairy production is, and projects where it will be in the future'. Producers would be notified that CCC purchases would be lowered and their in- creased production would have to move into the market. Thus the necessary discipline to dis- courage excess production would be put into place. -Self-Help Proposal - Pro- Canadian dairy farmer Marilyn ducers would form a national Jenkins calculates the U.S equivalents of Canadian mea- organization to balance supply sures and currency to help Michi- and demand, using 1985 as the gan dairy farmers translate the base year. The base would be "bottom line." adjusted to meet com mercial market demand and CCC pur- • Marketing Contracts - chases. Participation would be Imposes market discipline voluntary. Penalties for over through producer and industry base production could be im- initiatives. USDAwould esti- posed by the cooperative. A mate annual supply require- 1q./cwt. check-off would be ments with restricted CCC pur- assessed to finance the cooper- Dr. Glenn Fox. ag economist at chases (5 billion pounds), and ative. the University of Guelph, spoke - Two-Tier Supply Manage- to the Michigan dairy tour group establish the support price on the first day of the Ontario based upon a percentage of a ment Plan - USDAwould trip. July 8. The tWO-day tour three year moving average price estimate market requirements combined on-farm visits with for- and establish a marketing mal meetings and discussions for manufacturing milk and net history for all producers. Pro- between the Michigan and On- CCC purchases. Milk coopera- tario dairy program represen- tives would issue marketing ducers would receive a market tatives. contracts to meet the required price for deliveries based on the The dairy program throughout adjusted marketing history. A the province Is managed by the supply. A contract would be at- 13-member Ontario Milk Market- tached to ~he farm and could penalty price would be paid for ing Board. The program Is totally not be sold separately. When a marketings in excess of ad- financed by producer check-off dairy farm was sold a percent- justed marketing history. The and license fees. age of the contract volume USDAsecretary could adjust the would be reserved for new pro- marketing percentage during a ducers. marketing year. RURAL LIVING. SEPTEMBER 1986 19 DISCUSSION TOPIC Farmers Seek Study to Determine the Real Impact of Antibiotics in Feed In 1984 researchers from the strate that the low level use of biotics for a long period of time Centers for Disease Control in antibiotics in the animal feed because that could lead to near- Atlanta linked a resistant strain was related in any way to the ly all antibiotic-susceptible of "salmonella newport" bac- illness of the 13 people. bacteria being wiped out and teria to hamburger found in the The controversy surrounding leaving almost nothing but a diet of 13 of 18 Midwesterners this case underscored the few mutant bacteria that the who contracted salmonellosis. continuing concern over the antibiotics could not kill. Those The report attracted wide- routine use of antibiotics in resistant strains would then be spread publicity because the animal feed. Antibiotics have free to multiply, so the next study attempted to trace the been used by U.S. livestock and time the person got an infec- bacteria to a feedlot in South poultry producers for more than tion it would likely be caused by Dakota where beef cattle were those resistant bacteria that said to have received subther- would be very difficult to treat Continuing concern with conventional antibiotics. apeutic levels of antibiotics. Here, the news media reported, over the routine use of While that is a valid concern was the direct link or "smoking antibiotics in animal when using large amounts of antibiotics to treat a disease, gun" that proved conclusively feed prompted FB to that low level use of antibiotics the controversy is over whether recommend a study to regular low-dosage use of an- in animal feed was hazardous to human health because it re- determine the human tibiotics has the same effect in animals and whether any re- sulted in the development of health effects of sub- hardy, antibiotic-resistant sulting resistant bacteria can therapeutic levels of an- then be transferred to humans bacteria. Unfortunately for the ag in- tibiotics in animal feed. through meat products. dustry, the conclusions from Farmers have a special in- the study and subsequent pub- 30 years. Sick animals are terest in the controversy for licity were greatly exaggerated. treated with very large doses, three reasons .. However, in testimony before but the more common use has First, there is always a con- the Food and Drug Administra- been to put low levels, or cern over any issue that affects tion in January 1985, Virgil subtherapeutic amounts, of the image of food products as Hays, professor and chairperson antibiotics in animal feed to wholesome and safe. of the Department of Animal prevent or reduce the incidence Second, since producers are Sciences at the University of of infectious diseases and to exposed dir:-ectlyto livestock Kentucky, refuted the validity of improve feed efficiency and feed, they are concerned about the conclusions drawn by the growth. their own health and safety. study. Hays has been studying About 80% of the poultry, Third, farmers and their fam- the use of antibiotics in feed 75% of the swine, 60% of the ilies often eat the meat they since 1957 and is recognized as beef cattle and 75% of the dairy produce on their farms. an expert in the field. calves marketed or raised in the In 1977 Farm Bureau recom- The research, he testified, did United States are estimated to mended that a study be done to not demonstrate that the bac- have been fed antibiotics at monitor the status of health in teria originated in hamburger some time in their lives. humans, especially with regards eaten by the sick people; it was Roughly 45% of the antibiotics to bacterial infections of live- not shown that the bacteria produced each year in the stock producers exposed to ani- originated on the South Dakota United States are administered mals receiving antibiotics in beef farm (even if it was as- to animals. feed, as compared to persons sumed that the bacteria came Doctors are usually careful who were not exposed. In addi- from hamburger in the first when treating a human infec- (continued on next page) place); and most importantly, tion not to overdose a person the scientists did not demon- with large amounts of anti- 20 RURAL LIVING, SEPTEM!3ER 1986 Discussion Topic Legislative Review legal actions. FB also supports (continued from previous page) (continued from page 7) MDA as the primary coordinator with qualified, competent peo- tion, Farm Bureau asked that a MDA and DNR will work with ple to provide inspections and study be done to determine the MSU,Soil Conservation Districts, establish facts in R~ght-to-Farm prevalence and character of Department of Commerce, other cases. bacterial infections between affected agencies and the ag- FB has serious concerns re- matched groups of meat eaters riculture industry to assure a garding MDA's request that citi- and non-meat eaters and be- coordinated and comprehensive zens who have complaints re- tween matched groups of approach to the problem. garding animal waste facilities workers, such as butchers, who Farm Bureau's present policy file them with MDA and the DNR. have occupational exposure to strongly opposes any regulatory This opens up the possibility of meat, and workers who do-not actions that would restrict the harassment of farmers who use have such exposure. farmer's ability to produce good managemen t practices as These same studies were rec- poultry and livestock at an well as for offenders. ommended by an expert panel economically feasible level. FB which did a comprehensive will closely monitor the rules State Senator Appointed to evaluation of the issue for the and regulations as they are USDACouncil - State Sen. National Academy of Sciences written and provide input. How- Nick Smith has been appointed in 1980, and form the basis for ever, it should be noted that to the Joint Council on Food and studies currently being con- there are already federal ErA re- Agricultural Sciences by USDA ducted by the American Health quirements requiring waste Secretary Richard Lyng. Smith Institute water discharge permits on will represent agricultural pro- The most recent challenge to large livestock operations. ducers on the national council. the use of antibiotics in feed Current FB policy supports a Currently he is chairperson of came on Nov. 20, 1984, when quality environment and en- the Michigan Senate's Agricul- the National Research Defense courages farmers to become ture Committee and a member Council petitioned the secretary knowledgeable about pollution of the Appropriations Com- of the U.S. Health and Human sources and discipline them- mittee. He has served in the Services Department to ban all selves not to add to the prob- USDA in Washington, D.C., and sales of tetracyclines and peni- lem. FB supports additional is a past member of the MFB cillin for subtherapeutic use in funding for soil and water board of directors. Smith farms animal feed as an imminent conservation programs to de- a 2,010 acre dairy and cash hazard to human health. velop, improve and provide crop operation in Hillsdale But in November 1985, Mar- technical assistance for reduc- County. garet Heckler, retiring Health ing non-point source pollution. and Human Services Depart- Continued and expanded re- ment secretary, agreed with a search is needed to determine Lansing legislative topics are recommendation by the Food the extent of pollution and seek reviewed by Robert E. Smith, and Drug Administration that a solutions. MFB senior legislative counsel. petition to ban the use of these MFB's policy supports a antibiotics did not prove a sig- review of the Right-to-Farm Act nificant adverse effect on the to clarify and strengthen the health of animals or humans. law to minimize unnecessary Discussion Questions -If you raise livestock, would your operation be affected if Make $10 to $20 an houri the use of low levels of anti- biotics in feed was curtailed? - Are you concerned about the -------------------------- I Sell Quality Mason Shoes 8r Earn J,,~t I A no-investment, no-risk way to earn part-time Send for FREE Sales KIt. MASON SHOE MFG. co.. money- Be a Mason Shoe dealer and earn Dept. F-897. Chippewa Falls. WI S4n4. Cash I I I impact on your health from I $10-$20 per hour selling quality shoes to your exposure to antibiotics in I take friends and neighbors. It's easy and fun! Just orders from your Mason full-color catalog. NAME I I feed? I The cash deposit is your commission to keep. - Do you believe farmers are generally aware of the con- : Write fo< details ...... ':::;:'R£SS c-mm-_- _- _- _-_- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _- _~- _- : cerns about the routine use of low level amounts of anti- I i .----l'4L. sroE __ ZIP ,I biotics in feed? RURAL LlVINQ, SEPTEMBER 1986 21 Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac Raffle Promoted by State and County Young Farmer Committees WIN GRAND PRIZE Caribbean Cruise for Two FIRST PRIZE Northern Michigan Weekend for Two OTUER PRIZES -19" Color TV -Microwave Oven -Video Cassette Recorder -35mm Camera Outfit Drawing will be held at the Michigan Farm Bureau Annual Meeting, AgriPac Breakfast, Dee. 11, 1986, 8 a.m., Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, Grand Rapids. Contact your local Young Farmer Committee or a member of the State Young Farmer Committee for tickets. Tickets may be purchased by MFB members only. FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACE FARM EQUIPMENT MISCELLANEOUS FOR UOMEMAKERS NURSERY STOCK Complete Line of l'Iew and Used Irri- now to start and operate "7" of "ure Vanilla from nalU. Excellent for Berry "I ants - Raspberries. strawber- gation ~ulpment - Also equipment your own profitable businesses at bakingllmproves taste I Very economical ries. blueberries. currants, gooseberries. for manure pumping and spreading by home. plus "3" free bonuses. For free at only $5.00 per 16 oz_ bottle. Only one- others. Free catalog. Maklelski Berry gun. tanker. or injection. Plummer details write to National Marketing and half recipe measure needed. Write to Nursery. 71.30 Platt Road. Depl. RL. Ypsi- Supply. Inc.. 1-800-632-7731. Associates. Box 32580. Cleveland. Ohio "Vanilla." 3608-2A Camelot Dr_ 5.E.. lanti. Mich. 48 I 97. Phone .31'}-4.}4-3673. ( 1-12t-24p) 44132-0580. (7 18-2t-31 p) Grand Rapids. Mich. 49506 (add $1.00 (11-12t-22p) for shipping per bottle). 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Box 15722 -All advertisements are subject to a 15-word minimum bines. corn heads and corn pickers. Shin- North Hollywood. Calif. 91615-5722. abery Equipment Co.. 517-448-8091 or (9-16p-ts) charge. including member ads. evenings. 517-523-2803. Ask for Bob Jr. -Please indicate if you are a Farm Bureau member. or Wayne. (2-12t-20p-ts) "ROTECT YOURSELfl Secure your In- vestments with The Watchman. a com- -The deadline for ads is the first Monday of the month CUSTOM MAl'IURE "UM"ll'IG Al'ID puter database program that stores im- preceding publication. S"READll'IG with Irrigation equipment portant information about your valu- - All ads must be pre-paid and may be pre-paid up to one of lagoons. tanks and pits. Phil Banner. ables for home or business. Lock away 1-800-632-7731. (7/8-3t.16b) the data for safe-keeping and reproduce year in advance. immediately in the event of a fire. theft. -It is the responsibility of the advertiser to re-insert the ad on Wallace farm ~ulpment: wholesale routine inventory. taxes and insurance a month-by-month or year-by-year basis. and retail. 3 pl.-6' snow blades. booms, claims. Available for Apple II models - 5' rotary cutlers and 51/z' discs. 4375 N. IBM coming soon! Only $29.951 Send for -The publisher has the right to reject any advertising copy Hull Road. Leslie. 517-589-9651. free information: Charlie Software. 1709 submitted_ (9-2t-24p) W. Hibbard Road. Owosso. Mich. 48867. -No ads will be taken over the phone. 517-723-.3947 after 6 p.m. Farm Bureau members - 10% off!! Also offered as a MAIL YOUR AD WITH PAYMENT TO: service for people without a com- LIVESTOCK puterl (9-2t-86p) Rural Living. P.O. Box 30960. Lansing. Mich. 48909 Milking Shorthorn: Young bulls. year- lings and calves for sale. 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