'Farm News THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FA_. BUREAU VOL. 59, NO.4, APRIL, 1980 FB Supports Anti-Inflation Proposals President Carter's proposals to control inflation, if followed through by Congress, will break the back of the inflation psychology, according to John Datt, secretary and administra- tor of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Datt said that Carter's inten- tion to reduce the nation's 1980 budget deficit and to balance the budget in 1981 amounts to recognition that in- flation is a serious problem and calls to the attention of Con- gress and all citizens that infla- tion is at a critical stage. "If the average citizen gets the message that government is willing to get its house in order and live within its means, then citizens will have a greater in- centive to improve their fiscal responsibility," Datt said .. "Even though the admini- stration intends to impose some credit restraints," the AFBF official said, "the presi- dent indicated that the special needs of agriculture to produce the necessary food and fiber will be taken into considera- tion." Datt said Farm Bureau applauds the president's deci- sion not to impose wage and price controls. "President Carter's revised anti-inflation program, calling for a balanced budget, in- creased worker productivity and increased savings for in- vestments, should send a signal to Congress and to all citizens that fiscal responsibility at all levels is the only way to avoid an economic disaster," he con- cluded. Farm Bureau policy, adopted by voting delegates in January, calls for constitutional amendments, both to require Congress to operate on a balanced budget each year and to restrict the spending authori- ty of the federal government to a realistic percentage of the gross national product. Michigan Farmers on Annual Mission to Washington .As this issue of the Michigan The group departed March 24 farmers were designated ment officials in Washington. ing Act, the federal Grain In- Farm News goes to press, 125 to participate in the 20th an- "legislative leaders" by county Issues given top priority spection Service, Farm Credit Michigan Farm Bureau nual Washington Legislative and state Farm Bureaus and included the embargo on grain Act amendments and govern- members are in Washington, Seminar and will return on charged with explaining their exports to the USSR, rewrite of ment spending. D.C. to discuss issues of con- March 27. organization's position on key farm program legislation, the . News briefings were held at cern with their congressmen. Sixty-one of the Michigan issues to legislators and govern- National Agricultural Bargain- departure points. PAGE 2 FARM NEWS APRIL,1980 , From the Desk of the President More on Preserving Farmland livelihood would be protected not only agricultural zone. for our generation, but future genera- Local subdivision regulations can also tions as well. help insure that when farmland is divided, Michigan's zoning enabling acts author- it is not divided into uneconomical sizes ize, but do. not require, communities to: and shapes. For example, a simple " ... provide by zoning ordinance for the minimum lot width-to-depth ratio of 1 to 3 regulation of land development and the eliminates creating those long, narrow lots, establishment of districts in the portions of often extending to the half section line, the township outside the limits of cities and thereby preserving a viable agricultural unit villages which regulate the use of land and in the land behind the new lot. structures; to meet the needs of the In 1976, Michigan Farm_ Bureau, in 1 state's citizens for food, fiber, energy and other natural resources, places of cooperation with the Division of Land Re- source Programs, Department of Natural In last month's President's Column, en- residence, recreation, industry, trade, ser- Resources, the Cooperative Extension titled "It's Your Land They're Talking vice and other uses of land; to insure that Service, and the Center for Rural Man- About," I addressed four specific concerns use of the land shall be situated in ap- power and Public Affairs at Michigan State regarding H.B. 5323 and H.B. 5324, the propriate locations and relationships; ... University, prepared a gUidebook to assist agricultural districting bills, and en- and to. promote public health, safety and local communities with agricultural zoning. couraged support of P.A. 116. welfare." (Section 1 of the Township Rural Entitled "The Use of Zoning to Retain This month, let's look at other voluntary Zoning Enabling Act, P.A. 184 of 1943, as Essential Agricultural Lands," this report efforts that farmers themselves, can initiate amended.) explains how local zoning can be used to within existing state laws to further the goal This authority is widely used in Michigan protect farmland. As a local control of preservation of farmland, in addition to communities to create agricultural zones. which a farmer has direct local i~put P.A. 116. These districts can be locally estab- into, it represents a powerful tool for Farmers have available two very impor- lished as restrictive as local units of insuring farmla'nd preservation and tant tools to protect the local farmland government feel is necessary to protecting your landowner interests. base. These tools are the local zoning or- achieve protection of the agricultural This report is available to you at no dinance and local subdivision regulations. land base. charge through Michigan Farm Bureau's As farmers are often the largest In some communities, so-called agricul- Public Affairs Division. Study it carefully landholders in the community, farmer tural zones are nothing more than catchalls and share it with other concerned citizens participation in local planning and where agricultural uses are listed as per- of your community. zoning programs can be a very impor- mitted and encouraged land uses, but It seems that although farmers have the tant means for insuring the agricultural many other imcompatible land uses are greatest stake in preserving farmlancL there land base is protected from unneces- also allowed. are few willing to be involved in the pro- sary and incompatible development. In other communities, where farmland cess of protecting it. If we are to achieve Well constructed and locally admini- preservation has been identified as the ma- our goal of preservation of farmland, this stered zoning ordinances that jor land use issue, the exclusive agricultural reticence m'ust be overcome. If local plan- effectively protect farmland would zoning is the preferred alternative. Ex- ning and zoning programs are going on in eliminate the impetus for the legisla- clusive agricultural districts protect your community, be a part of them - a tive, state-directed attempts to control farmland by permitting only farm, and knowledgeable, strong, vital part. land use. More importantly, farmer farm-related uses of land within the Elton R. Smith Bits and Pieces Remember TINSTAAFL? culture. strong proponent of continues to share. ing feat! Have you ever started That's the lesson in economics the work ethic and equally He was a favorite with news to introduce a close friend. that Earl Butz preached while strong opponent of govern- people a~ well. We called him a someone whose name you he was U.S. Secretary of Agri- ment intervention in private "quotable notable" because he know as well as your own, and culture. TINSTAAFL stands for business. was back in Lansing never failed to come out swing- completely "blanked out"? No "There is no such thing as a recently as guest speaker at the ing ... and that makes for good way would I ever attempt to in- troduce a room full of people free lunch" and simply, that's the ultimate economic truth, a PCA annual meeting. His mes- sage is still the same, even his copy. ..... - but I sure do admire some- truth so many. people today refuse to accept. Dr. Butz is still spreading that jokes are the same. Michigan farmers still love him. Their standing ovation told him and Speaking of news people. we were in Cass County re- cently to honor Harold Sparks, one who can. Remembering people's names is just one quality that DONNA same message. The fiery he remains their hero and that long-time farm director for has endeared Sparky to the ag- sure to read it and take his ad- spokesman for American agri- they believe in the message he WLKM, Three Rivers. for being ricultural community. He's vice. So often we take people selected as one of Michigan most respected by his fellow for granted and neglect to say Farm Bureau's "Agricultural farmers for his dedication to thanks. Thanks for reminding MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Communicators of the Year" telling the factual story of agri- us. Bill. and thanks, too for (ISSN 0026-2181) DIRECTORS: DistrICt I, Arthur Bailey. The Michigan FARM NEWS IS published Schoolcraft. District 2. Lowell Elsenmam. for 1979. "Sparky." as he's culture. If you'd like to add pitch-hitting so eloquently for monlhly. on the first day. by the Michigan BliSSfield, R.l; DistrICt 3. James Sayre, known to many farmers your congratulations to Judy. Farm Bureau Information DIVISIOn. Publica. BelleVille. Dlstrlcl 4, Elton R. Smith. tlon and Edltonal offiCes at 7373 West Caledonia; DistrICt 5. WIlliam SpIke, Owosso, throughout the state. has been Sparky, his address is Route 4, Also deserving of bouquets Saginaw Highway. Lansing. MIChigan 48909 DistrICt 6. Jack Laurte. Cass City. District 7. seriously ill and we've been Cassopolis. MI 49031. are all the young farm women. Post Office Box 30960. Telephone. LanSing Robert Rider. Hart. District 8. Larry OeVuysl, (517) 323.7000, ExtenSion 508. SubscnptlOn Ithaca; DistrICt 9. Donald Nugent. Frankfort. waiting until he felt well enough like Judy and so many others price, 80 cents per year PubllCallOn No. District 10. Richard Wieland, Ellsworth; 345040. DistrICt 11. Herman Robere. Fayette. to accept his award. And. speaking of admir- I've seen lately, who aren't Established January 13. 1923 SeCond. DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Waller Frahm. His entire family and several ing .. ,I've got a couple bou- waiting "until the kids get class postage paid at LanSing, MI. and at ad- ditional mailing offices. Frankenmuth. Michael Pridgeon. Mon. friends from the county Farm quets to pass out. One goes to older" to get actively involved tgomery, Robert Rottler, Fremont EDITORIAL: Donna Wilber. Editor. MarCia Bureaus in that area were on Bill Kissane. husband of our in Farm Bureau. I used that ex- Dltchle. Connie Lawson, Assoclale Editors WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU: VIVian OFFICERS: Michigan Farm Bureau; Lott. Mason. hand to help honor Sparky. Outstanding Young Farm cuse for a number of years and. PreSident, Elton A. Smith. CaledOnia. R.I. There were 57 of us and. Woman, who gallantly came to Vice President, Jack LaUrie, Cass City, Ad. FARM BUREAU YOUNG FARMERS: consequently. postponed my mlnlstratlve Director, Robert Braden, Lans. L C Scramlln. Holly although he's still physically the rescue when Judy came own personal growth. Their lng, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, POSTMASTER In uSIOCJform 3579. mall to Max D Dean, Secretary. William S. Wilkin- MIChigan Farm News, 7373 West Saginaw weak, Sparky stood up and in- down with the flu and couldn't (Continued on page 17) son Highway, LanSing. Michigan 48909 troduced all 57! What an amaz- write her "regular column. Be APRIL. 1980 FARM NEWS PAGE 3 Spring Commodity Advisory Conferen~e Farmers Look to Challenges of the '80s From "com-power" to local system, Thompson explained. IMPACT OF SOVIET roads to world trade, Farm Alternative solutions to the GRAIN EMBARGO Bureau members participating problem, he said, might in- The impact of the grain, em- in the organization's annual c1ude abandoning some roads, bargo on the Soviet Union prob- Commodity Advisory Con- reducing minimum standards, ably will not be as severe as ference took a forward look at or returning some rural roads the administration had hoped, the challenges facing farmers in to the state and / or federal according to two speakers at the 80s. Held in Lansing's system. the conference. Dr. Ron Cot- Harley House on March 12-13, CORN POWER: AN terill, assistant professor of the conference agenda focused AMERICAN ANSWER agricultural economics at on what Michigan Farm Conference participants Michigan State University, Bureau President Elton R. showed keen interest in the stated that the long run effects Smith, in his welcome, called' topic of "Alcohol Fuels-In- of the embargo will bave a "challenges and opportunities dustry and State Perspectives," more severe impact on U.S. during a new era 'for ilgrlculture- - .discussed by' Andrew McHaf- farmers than the Soviet Union arid for Farm Bureau." fie, regional manager of because they will buy the grain " Dr. Stanley Thompson, alcohol sales for Archer Daniels they need from other coun- assistant . professor, Depart- Midland Corn Sweetners, and tries. ment of Agricultural State Senator Richard Allen of AFBF Assistant Director of Economics, Michigan State Ithaca. National Affairs Glenn Tussey University, told conference: McHaffie called the produc- expressed the same opinion. participants that agriculture is tion of gasohol, "Corn "It is hard to appraise the im- transportation's biggest, Power-an. American Answer" pact of the embargo. A lot customer. By the year 2000, to dependence on foreign oil. depends on what kind of Dr. Thompson said, there will . Archer Daniels Midland is the reserves the Russians are sitting be a 50 percent increase in the largest producer of fuel-grain on and what kind of crop they GLENN TUSSEY amount of Michigan grain alcohol, McHaffie said, and will hilVe next year. The impact reviewed some of the main counselors in certain countries. needing transportation. reported that demand is con- is not going' to be as severe on provisions of the act and the This has been done in 11 coun- Therefore, rural roads and tinually growing with very the Soviets as some people administration's response to tries, Tussey reported. bridges will be a problem positive consumer response. would like. J think the first thing them. Tussey also discussed CCC farmers must address in the In response to questions they'll do is cut back on poultry The act called for the credit saying that, even ac- current decade, Thompson regarding the economic production and then they may establishment of between 6 and 'cording ) to USDA Secretary said, and face. a choice of feasibility of on-farm stills, cut back on pork production 25 U.S. trade offices around Bergland, it makes money for "smaller farms or better roads." McHaffie strongly advised: and then finally, if they have the world. Six offices have the government; it is good Since smaller farms is not a "Look before you leap" and'get to, they'll cut back more on been established and the trade business for Americans, likely alternative in modem expert assistance before mak- their livestock numbers. It is yet office in Korea has now American farmers and foreign agriculture, Thompson ing large investments. to be seen as to how much of become a billion-dollar market buyers. "We would like to see ,predicted that Michigan Senator Allen reported that an effect the embargo will have for American agricultural pro- some emphasis in that area. It's farmers will be faced with some this will be one of the areas on the Soviet Union. It will ducts. Tussey said that the a good way to stimulate ex- tough decisions regarding the researched during experimen- probably have a much greater Foreign Trade Service will be ports and we would hope that financing of an adequate tal production at Michigan effect on us from our marketing opening an additional office in as we go down the road that transportation system. In 20 State University. It is hoped standpoint," said Tussey. Poland in May of this year. the administration will find years, he warned, 50,000 that a small~scale production AGRICULTURAL TRADE Another provision of the act ways to more fully implement miles of Michigan roads will be system, such as would be used ACT OF 1978 specified the upgrading of the the CCC provisions of the considered inadequate and 75 on farms, will be completed by Addressing the Agricultural agricultural attache service and Agricultural Trade Act of percent of those miles will be in this summer. Other areas of Trade Act of 1978, Tussey changing the title to agricultural 1978," stated Tussey. the county roads system. research, Allen reported, will Three-quarters of Michigan's include fermentation and inadequate bridges are also distillation processes, use of Petition to Restrict Pesticide Application within the rural roads system, by -products, and use efficien- he said. cy at less than 200 proof. While modem agriculture's needs for good' roads and bridges have increased, there The senator urged farmers to write to their legislators asking their support of the gasohol tax Iso't It Strange? has been a decrease in expen- exemption bill which would One of the major challenges application of pesticides to the of restricted pesticides to be ditures for capital and take 5C off the gas tax for farmers will face in the new field, the farmer would be re- certified, now completely ig- maintenance of the rural road Qasohol (see Capitol Report). decade, according to Al Almy, quired to maintain a 250-foot nores the public protection pro- director of public affairs for ubuffer strip" inside the vided by the certification pro- Michigan Farm Bureau, will be perimeter of the field, if using a gram? the increasing emphasis that ground sprayer, or a l~foot regulatory and legislative pro- buffer strip if using aerial appli- ulsn't it strange that a posals affecting commodities cation or fine droplet misting. person's ability to use pesticides receive. This would simply mean, should be contingent upon his Almy gave one example of Almy said, that 7.6 acres of the relationship with his neighbors? that emphasis to participants of 40-acre field could not be "And, finally, isn't it strange the MFB Spring Commodity sprayed by ground or 30.3 that agriculture is being singled Conference. The Environmen- acres could not be sprayed by out while non-agricultural ap- tal Protection Agency recently air . plicators, who utilize 45 PQr- • published a proposal for public "The issues involved with cent of total pesticides, are not comment at the request of 73 this ridiculous, but real, pro- included?" Almy asked. persons signing a petition posal are: Isn't it strange that "The bottom line of this ex- under the auspices of "Friends ample is that your involvement I the federal government goes to of the Earth" to restrict applica- the expense of printing such a in politics and the clout of your tions of pesticides on agricul- proposal on the basis of only Farm Bureau organization in tural crops. 73 persons signing a petition?" dealing with political issues is The proposal, Almy ex- he asked. going to be a major factor in plained, would require manda- "At a time when there is how such issues are decided in tory approval of adjoining 1and- growing concern about the loss the coming months," Almy told owners, as weD as occupants of of farmland, isn't it strange that the conference participants. non-farmland adjacent to the proposals are being advanced Because of the role "political spray treated area, before pest- to remove more land from pro- muscle" will play in regulatory Members of each of MFB's eight commodity advisory icides could be applied. Using a tection? . and legislative issues, Almy committees met during a morning session at the Spring 4O-acre field as an example, if 66lsn't it strange that the EPA, urged support and involvement Commodity Conference to discuss Issues and problems just one adjacent property which successfully insisted on in Farm Bureau's AgriPac pro- relating to each of specific agriculture commodities. owner refused to approve the legislation requiring applicators gram. , ... ' . • PAGE 4 FARM NEWS APRIL, 1980 Enthusiasm Abounds at Young Farmer Conference Nearly 200 young farmers Detroit. Shapiro told the young from throughout the state at- farmers that it is the respon- tended the Young Farmer sibility of farmers to produce Leader's Conference in food and to get the most they Midland March 5- 7. Sponsored can for their products and, at by the Michigan Farm Bureau the same time, it is the respon- Young Farmer Committee, the sibility, obligation and right of conference was designed to ac- consumers to buy food for the quaint the young leaders with cheapest -price they can. It is Farm Bureau, its goals and ob- because of these two factors, jectives and give impetus to according to her, that there is a their becoming involved, par- built-in conflict between pro- ticipating members of the ducers and consumers. organization. Shapiro also said that. ' Seven different leadership farmers and consumers cannot classes were' held during the be' . antagonistic 4 toward each- .- Following the legislative breakfast at the Young Farmer -three-day conference and in- Conference, Senator Richard Allen (left) discussed some other and that farmers, legislative issues with Greg and Kim Perkins of Montcalm cluded For Women Only, Time themselves, must get out and County. Management, Your Legal tell their story, as consumers Obligations and Rights, Tax cannot do it for them. Breaks and Practical First Aid. Ken Cheatham, director of The success of the con- Donna Bode of Missaukee Between County, representing District local governmental the American affairs for Farm Bureau ference and the enthusiasm generated from it was ex- 9 on the state Young Farmer Committee, participated in You Federation, conducted three pressed by L. C. Scramlin, classes on "You Can Surpass chairman of the state Young the "For Women Only" class at the leadership conference. and Me Yourself ," stressing that once Farmer Committee. "The en- By Judy Kissane Young farm women discussed unrealistic fears, such as fear of thusiasm and interest in every the challenges and oppor- failure and criticism, are over- workshop was tremendous, 1980 Michigan Farm Bureau come, there is no limit to what can be accomplished. especially from such a young group; the average age of the tunities for women in their farming operations and in their Farm Bureau organization. Outstanding Young Farm Woman <\ ....... - The most controversial participants was 23.5 years. A speaker at the conference was Esther Shapiro, consumer af- fairs specialist for the city of lot of concerns were expressed and the impression I received from the participants was what part they can play in Farm Bureau; what they can do and how." The Grass Isn't ~ . Always Greener • • • Committee Appointed t~/ Review (Guest Column by Ryan's shirt, Daddy." Bill Klssa~e) One job I did manage to "What are you kids doing keep up with was washing the County Relationship Agreelllent with the bread in the living dishes. It seems the dishwasher room again?" "Please stop also picked this week to break A 12-member County Rela- your. running and quiet down a down. Not wanting to risk giv- tionship Agreement Review bit. Don't you know your ing the flu to the repair man ~~ Committee has been appointed mother is sick?" meant washing the dishes by by Michigan Farm Bureau Yes ... things have been hand. If they were not done President Elton R. Smith for turned around in our regularly, after about two the purpose of reviewing and household this past week. days, with our family of nine, recommending any changes Judy, the author of this col- the silverware drawer would be deemed necessary in the umn, has been in bed with the empty. County Farm Bureau Relation- flu. As the deadline for this arti- This was also the week the ship Agreement. ~ cle draws near, she can hardly sows started farrowing. Trying to keep one eye on the farrow- The agreement some fundamental procedures which county Farm Bureaus have agreed lays out among ~~ - hold her head up, let alone hold a pen and do any writing. So, I'm trying, as any good husband should, to fill in for ing house, one on the kids, and making an effort to keep Judy comfortable and making sure her. she had her medicine on time, themselves to follow and A 12-member County Relationship Agreement Review really made me realize how It has been quite an ex- defines, in a broad way, some Committee has been appointed for the purpose of review- much it takes to keep a perience. We fellows out here of the roles that Michigan Farm ing and recommending any changes deemed necessary in household running. on the farm don't really ap- Bureau will play in conjunction the County Farm Bureau Relationship Agreement. Shown It looks now like we will all preciate how much our wives with the county Farm Bureaus. above at their first meeting in early March are John Laurie, make it. None of the kids have left, MFB Board of Directors representative, and commit- do for us until they are laid up Mutually agreed items con- for awhile. missed the school bus yet. I tee Chairman Wayne Wood. tained in the agreement include We've gone through a lot of think they all had their lunches. membership, finances, Farm Bureaus and the state Veliquette; and District 11, peanut butter and jelly this past Sometimes I might not organizational procedure of the organization," stated President Harry Meintz. Jack Laurie will week. Of course, the kids are recognize one of them with county Farm Bureau, the Smith in addressing the com- represent the Michigan Farm always a big help ... like when somebody else's clothes on. So Community Farm Bureau pro- mittee members at their first Bureau Board of Directors on I was fixing school lunches and far, I haven't lost any 'of the gram, the establishment, meeting on March 10 at Farm the committee and Wayne our oldest daughter kept say- youngsters, although I haven't maintenance and support of Bureau Center in Lansing. Wood will serve as committee ing, "Mommy does it this way!" made the final bed-check yet other activities such as Informa- Smith further added, "It has chairman. Clothes ... where did they tonight. tion, Marketing, Women and been some time since this was all go? Judy mentioned some We often talk about how a Young Farmers that is both last done; the most recent In addition to its March 10 time ago that the washing wife contributes to the opera- practical and feasible in each changes were made in 1975, meeting, the committee will machine seems to eat socks; tion of the farm, but we county, and an educational, and it is evident that a complete meet for another two-day ses- well, I didn't have that problem overlook all the work that goes legislative and business pro- review must now be con- sion before taking their recom- because I didn't even try to do into running the house. Next gram conducted by Michigan ducted." mendations to the Michigan the laundry. Right now, I'm time supper isn't ready right on Farm Bureau that is agreeable Committee members are Farm Bureau Board of Direc- lucky to find any socks - time, give her a break. It's not to the general membership of District 1, Leslie Dowd; District tors' April meeting. clean, dirty or otherwise - that as easy as it seems. I know Michigan Farm Bureau. 2, Robert Bush; District 3, Sometime after the board's fit anyone. Trying to figure out from the experiences of this "The County Relationship Luther Schaible; District 4, April meeting and considera- which set of clothes are for past week. So, let's take the Agreement calls for the Leonard Troost; District 5, tion of the committee's recom- which youngster is quite a time to say thanks to our wives periodic review by represen- Albert Cook; Distric:,!6, Wayne mendations, committee chaUenge. I thought I paid for all they do for us. tatives of county Farm Bureaus Wood; District 7, Gary Car- members will be discussing the more attention to my As the saying goes, "The to assure that the document is michael; ~ District 8, Kenneth revised agreement with each youngsters, but just as I would Good Lord willing and the kept up-to-date and that it Davis; District 9, Gary county's leadership in their start to put a shirt on John, creek don't rise," Judy will be meets current needs of county Lathwell; District 10, Dean districts for concurrence. Leilani would say, "That's back with you next month. APRIL,1980 FARM NEWS PAGE 5 Get America Back to Work, Says Butz Dr. Earl Butz, former U.S. consult the bureaucracy. In the feed ourselves with 17 percent Secretary of Agriculture, gave three years and two months he of _ our take-home pay is "..• farmers haven't quit his packed-house audience at has been president, he has ad- because farmers haven't quit the Production Credit Associa- ded over 100,000 new bodies working. They still believe working. They still belive in' an tion annual meeting in to the civilian payroll. They're there's nothing wrong with an Lansing, March 11, a lesson in gaining on us," Butz warned. honest day's work for an economics: "There is no such "When you put a body in honest dollar; they believe honest dollar." thing as a free lunch." The pay- place, it finds something to do there's nothing wrong with ment Butz asked for the PCA and that something to do is to calloused hands. I wish we lunch was for the farmers and mess around in your affairs ... hadn't gotten away from this agri-business leaders to share tell you what herbicide you can work ethic' in America, where the story of a productive use or can't use, make you get we try to curtail our production agriculture, demand a dozen permits to build a new while demanding a greater "something besides political milking parlor, make it so dif- chunk of the pie," Butz said. rhetoric on inflation," get in- ficult to build a new feedlot that Recalling 1940 presidential volved in politics, and spread you give up." candidate Wendall Wilkie's the message that America must At the very time when statement, "Only the strong get back to work. agriculture is challenged to in- can be free, and only the pro- Taking verbal swipes at the crease food production, ductive can be strong," Butz administration, bureaucracies, bureaucracy is making it more said America needs to get back labor unions, and a former difficult to do so, the former to wotk. "America needs that USDA colleague along the secretary said. Calling former message today as we face that way, Butz's ultimate plea was USDA colleague Carol totalitarian threat from Godless for greater productivity in Foreman a "cheap food activist communism, bent stillon world America. who is spreading the word that domination. The only language Butz expressed concern of our food is not safe," Butz said they understand is power and, the 'growth of the public sector agriculture will have to use in our case, that means total of our society and the decrease more -not less-science, productive power," he con- . in the private sector. "I don't technology, chemistry, an- cluded. like that trend because it erodes tibiotics and growth regulators, In his message to PCA that area of society where you to get the job done. stockholders, president find innovation, change, the Zeroing in on the demands William D. Henquinet said the desire to make a little profit, of labor unions, Bu~.said, "A association expects interest where you find the desire to disease that is prevailing in rates to be high in the coming break out of the rut and try America today is how much year, but stressed, "we are a something new. That's the less can you work for more dependable source of credit. thing that's undergirded a wages. Until last year, when We are 'agriculture's banker' in strong, powerful America," he you measure productivity of the true sense of the word, and said. non-farm labor in the United we will provide the best possi- "Four summers ago, can- States, we were at the bottom ble service that we can at the didate Jimmy Carter said he of all industrial nations - lowest possible cost to you, our EARL BUTZ was going to streamline the because we haven't been work- members." bureaucracy; he just failed to ing;. we've been sitting on our In other action, Carl Bahs of fannies. Nashville, was re-elected to the AFBF Recommends Changes "One of the reasons we can board of directors. Inflation: A 20-Year Perspective In Farm Credit Act of 1971 (Farm Cash Receipts and Personal Consumption Expenditures in Billions of Dollars)' The American Farm Bureau The proposed revisions sharing agreements and restrict Soun'l': u.s. Ilt'l'arllll,'nl 01Aj!r1,'ultun': Bun'au oll.,hor S,.II i~u('", Federation recently recom- would explicitly exclude insurance sales authority to mended changes in the Farm authority for the incorporation credit life insurance. Farm Fnod !Iollslng Thlllsvor tallon ~kdi('a1 Credit Act of 1971 aimed at of a farm credit system in- Johnston said the changes improving the capability of the surance company and exclude recommended by AFBF would Shan: of G:'-JI'./1958 s76..t s42.0 S9.3 s16.5 ~33.5 farm credit system to provide a authority for banks for "eliminate the possibility of bor- stable supply of credit, to cooperatives to serve as rower intimidation, un- Shan' of GNI'/I968 s44.2 SI uc~ S7~1.~ S 17.4 S37.M farmers, ranchers and their monetary exchange agents, to necessary duplication of private cooperatives. invest in foreign financial in-- insurance services and im- Shan' of s207.2 s52.7 s 131.0 In speaking for the federa- stitutions or servicing opera- proper utilization of farm credit GNI'/1H7H SIIO.2 s269.2 tion before a House agriculture tions and to directly finance personnel. " % or (' ha ngl' subcommittee, C.R. Johnston, noncooperative equity in- 195H-l!)78 :~29% 352% 49:1% 5"7% 7H4% president of the Missouri Farm vestors. Johnston's testimony was Bureau, urged members of the Other recommended delivered before the Subcom- subcommittee to revise a series changes in the proposed mittee on Conservation and of proposed amendments to amendments would eliminate Credit of the House Committee Agriculture Day the Farm Credit Act of 1971. proposed authority for loss on Agriculture. is a lime for some serious awareness AFBF Plans to Streng~hen Meat Boa~d and Export Programs The American Farm Bureau Federation plans to expand its voted 65 percent against the program. In Michigan, the ind ustry to support research and domestic promo- the • Form/milS "I~'nlbnty 10 sdl efforts to strengthen the Na- abroad to bolster our balann' of lmdt'. tional Live Stock and Meat 920 No. the National Live Stock and We once had' plenty of 011. 100. Noting the defeat of the Meat Board and the export As produclive farmland is turned into Board and t:J.S.. Meat Export de\'elopmt>nl property. as public policy unfair or Federation programs. "beeferendum," American promotion program carried unfavorable 10 a~rlculturt" is ('nacled. as a "cheap Cattle producers recently Farm Bureau Federation Presi- out by the U.S. Meat Export food" polley discoura~es a~ricultural investmt>nt and production. tht' ho~ for our futurl' is voted against a national beef dent Robert Delano said, "Beef Federation. " dtminisht'd .• research and information pro- producers have voiced their Farm Bureau officialswill call Arnl'rica's long-t('rrn public interl'st rt'quires a stron~ and productive farm seclor. Agriculturt" gram which if passed, would I opinion with respect to collec- a meeting of beef industry Da\'. March 20. Is a lime for serious awarl'nt>s~ have assessed producers on tion of research and promotion organizations to consider of lhal facl. the value of cattle sold to sup- funds for the industry through methods of working together to port the program. Results of the type of program voted strengthen existing research Production Credit Associations of Michigan the nationwide referendum in- upon in February. This in- and promotion programs, he dicate that cattle producers creases the need for the cattle said. PAGE 6 FARM NEWS APRIL,1980 Land Resource Inventory Bill CAPITOL REPORT Signed Into Law by Governor By ~1 ..~ Robert E. Smith ~~ i Future Transportation Needs Addressed John Woodford, director of Michigan. However, driving in the Michigan Department of the Detroit metropolitan area Transportation, spoke at a has increased 1 % . meeting of the Highway Users -Contrary to what the public believes, the Department of With representatives of the legislature, MFB and the DNR 'present, Governor Milliken Association of which Farm directly signed into law the Land Resource Inventory Bill. The bill creates a 20-member ad- Bureau is a member, ,on Transportation is running a visory committee and technical assistance from the DNR to completely inventory the land highway needs in the near tighter budget than ever before. resources of the state, including agriculture, silviculture, metallic and non-metallic mineral future. He pointed out the For example, 10 years ago deposits and hydrological features and wildlife areas. following: there were 5,200 employees and now there are 4,600 -Michigan's traffic death rate employees, even though the is far below the U.S. average. Deaths per 100 million miles in work load has increased due to federal requirements, addi- Legislative Up-Date Michigan is 2.6; the U.S. tional paperwork, and more Farm Bureau has supported if transferred to other animals land owners renting to farmers average is 3.2. Much of this responsibilities being given to H.B. 5443 which amends the such as cats, dogs, dairy, etc., and lendors. safety record can be attributed the department. Commercial Forest Tax .Act to it-means certain death. to Michigan's outstanding return additional revenue to It is not fully understood, It amends the law to -County Road Commissions eliminate the present require- highway system. face even greater financial cuts local units of government. The however, a major meeting was - Problems of the highways Commercial Forest Act was recently held in Des Moines, ment that an application for a due to inflation, regulations, loan contain a legal description are the same as they were 25 and other problems. As time first passed in 1925 to en- Iowa with pork producers and years ago or one year ago. courage expansion of the forest from that came the decision of each property where a crop goes on, highways will become is to be grown and also Adequate funding is needed in even more important with in- industry by providing a proper- that an all-out campaign must light of rapidly increasing con- ty tax break. be launched to control the eliminates the present require- creasing travel. ment that the lendor (bank, struction and repair costs and H. B. 5443 has passed' the spread of the disease. - Many highways and bridges PCA, etc.) must file the loan the effect of inflation. House and is now in a Senate H.B. 4968 will require, are in poor condition and "on the property record." This -Energy problems are committee. It increases the per among other things, identifying maintenance must be con- has added a great deal of red changing people's lives more acre specific tax from 15~ to by ear tag or tatoo swine in- tinued or else face complete tape and unnecessary addi- than anything has since the 30C and increases the payment cluding feeder pigs which were deterioration. tional fees and costs and have First World War. For the first from the Department of sold or moved within the state. -Other states, however, are resulted in concerns on the part time in Michigan, there is no in- in a worse situation than Natural Resources to the local . Swine six months of age that crease in the use of energy. In Michigan. Pennsylvania, for government from 25C per acre are sold within the state will be of land owners that their pro- order to save energy in the to 70C. In addition, it provides required to have a test Which perty record or abstract has had example, has stopped all con- a lean placed against it which is future, many workers may be struction and Wisconsin has cut for a regular ten year adjust- proves that they have come for on a four day week and car ment of those taxes based on not the case. construction and maintenance a qualified negative herd or a pooling, vans and rapid transit equalized evaluation increases. test which indicates that they Passage of S.B. 782, in- of roads by 75 %. If Michigan is troduced by Senator Young, will be used by more and more going to have industry, which At the time of cutting, the have been tested for people. forest owner is required to pay pseud~rabies within thirty days will allow lendors and farmers means employment and a to return to the system used -Transportation needs from viable agriculture, there must 10% of the stumpage value of • of movement. Swine exhibited before the Uniform Commer~ now until 1990 will depend on be adequate transportation as the timber to the local township at fairs or other shows must be cial Code became effective. federal funding. There are 23 Michigan depends on roads to in which the land is located. accompanied by similar proof. Under present law this money The bill has been supported by different categories of such a greater degree than most Swine moved from a public goes to the state. stockyard, auction sale yard, all those affected. fun~ing. states. -State gas and weight taxes, -The boat ferries crossing If the forest owner withdraws livestock yard or GASOHOL TAXES even though they were recently the lake costs $225 to make the the property from the program, slaughterhouse must be only A Senate committee has increased, will not meet the trip and the income averages a penalty is charged to require for immediate slaughter. favorably reported S.B. 480 needs. Revenue was $760 $47. The rest is subsidy. payment to the township of the The bill further provides that which will cut the gasoline tax million in 1979 and is expected - $30 billion will be needed property tax times the number swine imported into the state for gasohol from 11C down to to rise to $785.2 million in between now and 1990 in of years the land has been must originate from a 6C; but, more importantly, it 1980 and then decrease to order to maintain Michigan's listed, up to a maximum of pseudorabies qualified herd or will define ethanol and $780 million in 1981. This is a road systems and build those seven years, plus a fee equal to vaccinated herd as defined by methanol and require a purity growth of only 3 % compared . roads that are still needed. 10% of the stumpage value. If rules of the U.S.D.A. or from a of "greater than 99%." Farm to 4-5% in previous years, and -In spite of the recent the property is in the program herd which has negative results Bureau strongly supports the because of inflation, even the gasoline and registration tax in- for more than 20 years, a from an approved test within legislation. additional dollars do not meet crease, the revenue has not withdrawal penalty is only the 30 days before entry into the It is a means to encourage the increased costs caused by kept up with inflation and the 10% stumpage fee. state. development of the production inflation. decreasing driving by the If H.B. 5443 is finally Michigan's problem has of ethanol from agricultural -Michigan is fortunate in public. Even the increased passed, it will mean con- resulted from diseased animals products to extend the gasoline having its interstate system registration fees willnot bring in siderable increase in revenue to coming from other states where supply in the form of gasohol nearly completed. The only as much revenue as anticipated local governments in those the disease is more prevalent. and also to assure the public. parts left to be completed are because people are driving counties where commercial The Pork Producers Associa- that gasohol willmeet a specifiC 1-69 and a part of 1-696. lighter cars which get better gas forests exist. tion along with others have standard. If a poor quality -170 million gallons less gas mileage. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - supported the legislation alcohol is used, it would harm was used the first four months -At the federal level, the Pseudorabies. - wholeheartedly. the excellent image and sup- of 1980 than in a similar period problems are very similar and The House Agricultural UNIFORM COMMERCIAL port that the public presently the previous year. This means states depend, to a great Committee has approved H.B. CODE has with gasohol. The use of a loss of 18 million dollars in degree, on federal monies. For 4968 that provides for the con- S. B. 782 has passed the this product is increasing ,as gas taxes for highways. example, 90% of the money trolling of pseudorabies that is Senate and now is in a House more stations are added -Driving by' motorists has for building the interstate becoming a serious disease in committee. This is a Farm throughout the state. decreased 10% in the U.P., system came from federal swine in some areas in Bureau written and supported Farmers Petroleum 6l/2 % in the Upper Lower sources. Federal money is also Michigan. The disease is very bill and will solve a serious Cooperative, a Farm Bureau Ptminsula, 9%- in. -Seuthwest -- -used. to •.some e..xteot lor ~ unusual in that it may. cause problem for. farmers borrowing ~ili~t~, ril)t.r09J1C~d ~aho~,19 Michigan and 2.2% in Central and local roads. death within a swine herd, but money for crop production, Michigan over a year ago. APRIL. 1980 FARM NEWS PAGE 7 AFBF President Delano Farm Bureau How Much Are WeWilling To Take? on the Farmers and ranchers Town or country, real income Such treatment has been NATIONAL understand pain. (gains in income versus losses outlined by the American Farm Agriculture brings its painful moments - from a farmer's from inflation), has eroded by Bureau Federation Board of SCENE six percent in the past year Directors at a recent meeting in aching back caused by a alone. Washington, D.C., where we springtime flurry of fencing to How much more can we called on the president, the the mental anguish of attempts Senate Ag Committee Okays Land Diversion Pro- stand? How much of this leaders of both political parties posal: The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved to stretch deflated income to economic - destruction are we and all citizens to put politics Farm Bureau-sought legislation to establish a paid land cover inflated costs. willing to take? aside in an immediate affir- diversion program. The committee-approved legislation The physical pain can usual- Inflation is not a mysterious mative anti-inflation action pro- would provide a $500 million cap on program expenditures ly be eased. The mental pain malady. Its cause is known gram. instead of tonnage figures and aI, OOO-acre diversion limit tends to linger. (deficit federal spending and Basic to it is a review and per crop per farmer. The measure would also provide $1.25 The" prospect of higher taxes the creation of new money to revision of the legislation per bushel for corn and $1.50 per bushel for wheat as a and much higher fuel bills to be pay for it) - the cure is creating the fast-:growing minimum payment on land taken out of production. paid with only slightly higher available (sharply reduced "entitlement" programs which income is painful. But fertilizer . spending, control of the money The AFBF had told the administration and Congress that control such things as Social sufficient cropland should be removed from production must be bought and machinery supply and of credit, and a Security, unemployment com- repaired (or replaced) even as equivalent to the embargoed 17 million metric tons of grain. balanced budget). pensation and veteran's fuel prices double and triple. The Senate committee's action followed passage of a Up until now, politicians benefits. These benefits are in- The greatest hurt of all have had little evidence that similar bill in the House Agriculture Subcommittee on dexed to the cost of living and comes with the knowledge that Livestock and Grains. constituents are sufficiently keyed to escalate with inflation. "at the prospect of twenty per- motivated to resist inflation's Entitlement programs are now MeChanization Research: Secretary of Agriculture cent inflation, the value of pleasant side: the good feeling said to account for around 70 Bob Bergland has announced the formation of a special task every dollar one has, or hopes of more dollars to spend - percent of the entire federal force to advise the USDA on current and future mechaniza- to gain, will be cut almost in relatively high employment - budget. tion research. The task force is to recommend criteria and half EVERY TWO YEARS. a brisk sale of property at Besides drastic cuts in federal procedures for objective evaluation of the economic, social, There is a very real question "good" prices and the apparent spending, we support tax environmental and labor displacement impacts of current about how much distortion the gains made from operating on reforms to encourage savings and future federally-funded agricultural mechanization market-price economy of a borrowed money. _ and investment to improve research projects .. country, even as flexible as the The question remains: are all productivity; large-scale paring The task force is to place special emphasis on mechaniza- United States, can sustain citizens "hurting" enough to be of government regulations and tion research that may result in large-scale displacement of without collapse. Bankruptcy is willing to join farmers and a realistic national energy labor. Results of the group's evaluation will be made a very real prospect. ranchers in facing what must be policy to expand domestic pro- available to directors of agricultural experiment stations to Inflation has mockery out of thrift as a vir- made a done? Can we stand together for duction. How much financial pain are .... consider as they manage their research programs. tue. severe cuts in favored federal we willing to take? Can we stop AFBF Testifies on Special Use Valuation of As I write, average savings programs, face the prospect of inflation now, or must we wait Farmland: Farm Bureau gave its support to legislation have dipped to the lowest rate no tax cuts and of continued until the Susan B. Anthony allowing the use of crop share or in-kind rentals in the since 1949 - to 3.4 percent- high interest rates in the short dollar has shrunk to the size of special use valuation formula of the Internal Revenue Ser- in the last quarter of the year. run? a nickel? vice Code. A section of the estate and gift tax reforms in the People are borrowing against Economists at the Harris -I believe that most other Tax Reform Act of 1976 provided special use valuation of their homes, their silver - and Trust and Savings Bank of citizens will join the nation's agricultural land for estate tax purposes. But regulations most of all - against their Chicago, the first major bank to farmers and ranchers in calling proposed by IRS limit the application of a previously pro- futures. boost the prime interest rate to a halt NOW to the debasement posed method of valuing farm real estate. In fl a t ion has" red u c e"d 18 percent, says the time has of our country through debase- Before the proposed regulations, the definition of gross everyone's standard of living. come for shock treatment. ,_ ment of our currency. cash rentals permitted crop share rentals to be treated as cash rentals, if no actual cash rentals existed ..In some areas Disaepoints Farm Bureau of the country where farming is conducted under crop share arrangements, this option to substitute crop share figures for Bergland Announces No Paid cash rent figures in the valuation formula is essential. The .... proposed regulations no longer offer this option . Land Diversion Proram Target Price Increases: The House and Senate have agreed to the conference report on H.R. 3398 which would raise 1980 target prices for wheat and feed grains by seven Secretary of Agriculture Bob grow. As long as we have ade- that the decision will cost grain percent above the levels in effect for the 1978 and 1979 Bergland has announced the quate supplies, we can expect farmers almost $1 billion in lost crops and would permit further increases for 1981, clearing Department of Agriculture will our exports to continue to in- income and further weaken the the measure for the President. not institute a paid land diver- crease. World grain stocks are market-price system. The bill sets the 1980 target price for wheat at $4.63 a sion program for 1980 crops of declining this year and prices The three-million member- bushel compared with the $3.40 rate used during the past wheat, corn and other feed are higher than a year ago," family organization had urged two years. For corn, the 1980 target would be raised to grains. Bergland said. The decision was based on prospects for continued growth "The actions the administra- tion took in January to suspend that sufficient removed from equivalent to the 17 million cropland production be Emergency Agricultural Credit: The .... $2.35 a bushel compared with last year's $2.20. House has in world consumption. "Our shipments of agricultural pro- metric tons of grain withheld passed H.R. 6291, amending the Emergency Agricultural grain exports will be at record ducts to the Soviet Union from sale to the Soviets. Credit Adjustment Act of 1978 and the Commodity Credit levels this year and will con- above the 8 million tons allow- Corporation Charter Act, extending an economic emergen- Delano said that grain tinue to grow in the future," ed under the U.S.-U.S.S.R. cy credit program Jor farmers and liberalizing a program planting will soon begin in parts Bergland said. Grains Supply Agreement, which provides credit for building crop storage facilities on of the country and without a "While U.S. producers en- have not fundamentally altered farms. paid diversion, new crop grain joyed record large production the long-range supply-demand Rep. Thomas Foley, D-Wash., chairman of the House will add to an already huge car- in 1979-80, world production picture for U. S. agriculture, " Agriculture Committee, said the bill "is urgently needed to ryover of corn and wheat. of grain actually declined. This he said. help assure adequate credit for many farmers who are being "This will send grain prices into has boosted demand for U.S. "We made the commitment squeezed by rising. production costs, and to bring the ceiling a downward spiral in the latter crops, Bergland said. and have taken steps to offset on farm storage facility loans into line with today's increased part of the year, and force "According to our estimates, the impacts on farm prices building costs." more grain into government we are expecting U.S. feed associated with the suspension. The bill would extend an economic emergency loan pro- U.S. producers still have strong hands," said Delano. grain exports to reach a record gram, which had been scheduled to expire May 15, 1980, 68 million tons in this domestic and world markets for "We are keenly disappointed until Sept. 30, 1981, with $2 billion in authority for marketing year and U.S. wheat their farm output and prices are that the administration has so government-insured and guaranteed loans. For farm exports to total 36 million near levels expected before the far failed to keep faith with storage facility loans, the bill authorizes raising the ceiling on tons-also a record amount." suspension," stated Bergland. farmers, after' assuring us that individual loans from the present $50,000 to $100,000, an "Obviously, we cannot make However, American Farm net farm income would not be eight percent ceiling on interest rates in the program, and any precise estimates of 'what Bureau leaders have expressed allowed to suffer because of an repeal of an existing provision which limits loans to the 1980 world feed grain produc- "keen disappointment" at embargo called for national amount needed to finance storage for two years' production tion will be, but we know world Bergland's decision. AFBF security purposed, " Delano on any farm. grain' demand will, cbhnn't1e to President' Robert Qelano', said concluded ... '.-l'. ,., <.r~":, ,,,'t I ""f! ".,t". • 1 r '~',. I I I r f 1 .. t' ,'" ~{', I '" • I 1.'"'\, I. '. -I,V/, " •• ' j. r t~l." ; 1'...... t 1 ..J' .. I : I • J J"~ •• ;J j I PAGE 8 FARM NEWS APRIL. 1980 Perfectionism and Efficiency This Farmer's Formula For Success By Shelley Sorkin herbicide and fertilizer applica- along with nitrogen applied Perfectionism is a trait most tion, harvesting, and buying with a cold flow-equipped field often associated with such and selling corn and cattle. He cultivator. He'll follow up with fields as medicine and architec- has also termed himself a the planter and starter fertilizer, ture. But it also has a place in "flyer ," available to do any job while Simultaneously applying farming. Walt Stafford of that requires two men such as Lasso plus atrazine for broad Richland, Kalamazoo County working the cattle, veterinary spectrum weed control, and Farm Bureau member, is a work and even pushing silage Furadan for control of root walking tribute to farmland at the feedlot. . worm and corn borers. A se- perfection - his fields are vir- In the fall, he tries to have ! quential application of Banvel tually weed-free, his yields are the stalk shredder and chisel I is made to control velvetleaf. better than average, and his plow follow the combine as Modified Minimum Tillage cattle operation is top notch. closely as possible. This allows < It's easy to see that Walt Staf- Stafford has to be efficient maximum time for the residue ford is a man on the lookout for because he farms some 1200 to decompose. With this fall better ways to get the job done acres of corn and wheat while tillage system, erosion prob- more efficiently. One of the dis- simultaneously managing a lems are reduced significantly. coveries he's made during this Stafford's cold confinement cattle barn comes equipped with a pit totally-confined cattle opera- All fertilizer is applied in the search is that a modified mini- that holds _320.000 gallons of Uquid manure. Part of his fertilization spring except the lime, which mum tillage system not only program includes injecting this manure into some 200 acres of tion that markets some cropland during the summer months. 1000-head of crossbred cattle they hire someone to custom- saves him fuel and labor, but yearly. "Efficiency is knowing spread between the combine also leaves time for his cattle the cattle operation, an ters at Michigan State to help your priorities, that's the key," and the chisel plow. "We need operation. "Since we chisel average corn yield made keep his books in tip-top shape explains Stafford, who has the to do this because the field is plow in the fall and then field money. By analyzing my return while simultaneously analyzing help of his wife, two full-time too rough for spreading after cultivate and plant in the on investment per cost per the cost efficiency of his tWo employees, a part:time plowing, and it's too late in the spring, we are only going over unit, I proved that I had. to vast enterprises. secretary, his retired father, spring," he explains. the fields three times. With the guarantee an average corn Before attempting any spring price of fuel and labor - and And while it may appear that and his young son, in keeping crop to come out ahead. Irriga- Stafford has taken the bulk of the farm running properly. In work, Stafford will sit down loss of plant populations from tion guar~nteed that yield. And with his soil agronomist and cultivation - minimum tillage the work load upon himself, addition to working with what while it is hard to justify irri- this is not necessarily the case. he terms "the best of help," his study the results of soil tests. has really helped get our work gation when rainfall is plentiful, - He feels it is best to have a pro- done quickly, efficiently and "As my operation has grown, I two large operations have the bad years more than make have delegated more and more forced him to implement a fessional agronomist che~k his correctly," he notes. "And now up for the good." fields yearly because "he is in that we spray and plant in the work to the hired help. Since management program that And because he has guaran-' they are directly responsible for complements his marketing the process of trying to achieve same operation, I don't have to nutrient balance in his fields. worry about having weeds teed his corn productivity, he a large part of my success, they . practices. knows he will have silage for have direct inpuf into the way Concerned about quality "As a perfectionist, I feel more emerging to compete with my his cattle and flexibility in the things get done around the control in both his livestock and marketplace. "I have the op- farm," claims Stafford who, cropping operations, Stafford's management system is com-. "11. programmed app~oach tion to contract sell some corn before it is even planted~ gam- although considered notch farmer by his Kalamazoo a top prised of two components that interact with one another to to forming has really ble on the price of the grain I didn't sell, and even increase or County neighbors, is not a born and bred farm boy. balance his time and that of his workers. The first is assigning increased my efficiency." decrease the size of my cattle 4-H PROJECT operation according to the each member of his work team In fact, a quick glimpse into price of grain," Stafford ex- a specific task. Second is focus- Walt Stafford's past reveals a / plains. ing his energies on his cropping comfortable knowing my fields crop before the herbicide is ap- city boy with a small 40-acre operation - the most stable of are in the hands of a profes- plied. No Soybeans hobby farm and 15 dairy cows his two enterprises - and mar- sional. When I can hire some- To increase efficiency even Of Walt Stafford's 1200 acquired during a 4-H 'project. keting his cattle according to one to do a job correctly, I will. more, Walt designed and built acres, 900 are planted in corn, But even with such humble profit margin calculations. It's much easier to have some- his own water wagon for haul- 200 in wheat, and 100 in beginnings, he knew he Under this system, on.e one naul cattle to market, or ing into the field when planting. alfalfa. "Most people ask me wanted to be a farmer. So, he employee, brother-in-law Jim come check my cattle feed than The 1500 gallon wagon hooks why I don't have any acres set his goals in accordance with Thompson, is pri,!,arily con- it is to hire someone to harvest behind a tandem axle truck planted in soybeans," he says, a philosophy that is not only cerned with machinery mainte- when I need it or plant with the with a porta box for fertilizer. "I just tell them that rm a firm relevant today, but is the cor- nance and shares responsibility precision I demand." This provides water for mixing believer in not getting into too nerstone of his success: look for the crops with Stafford. The With a cold confinement cat- the herbicide as well as the lux- many enterprises. When you ahead and make smart pur- other hired man, Russ Waters, tle barn equipped with a pit that ury' of having everything they spread yourself too thin, you chases whether they be land, is in charge of the livestock, holds 320,000 gallons of liquid need right out in the field. begin to forgo proper manage- equipment, livestock or and helps out in the field only manure, part of Stafford's ferti- "With the supplies we've got on ment." chemicals. "Too many people in the spring and when his job lization program includes injec- the planter truck and wagon we see things short-term," laments Thanks to a corn-wheat rota- as herd manager is completely ting liquid manure into some could plant 85 acres," he Stafford. "More times than not tion, the Stafford farm has finished. Ever the perfectionist, 200 acres of cropland during boasts. you have to spend $2 an acre eliminated the problems Stafford sees himself as the the summer months. The in the spring to net $10 in the "Efficiency is the key to both associated with harvesting two man who does those jobs that following spring he bulk- fall. " my operations," Stafford con- crops at once. "It's much more require the most patience and spreads fertilizer in accordance In keeping with this belief, he cludes, "and while the cattle efficient to harvest wheat dur- perseverance planting, with soil test recommendations makes more than his share of operation is important, every- ing irrigation season and have long-term investments. He thing relates back to the crop- one man irrigate and another buys more cattle when he feels ping program. The better the run the combine, than to try to the market will be hot, gambles management, the better the juggle soybean and corn har- on the prices of grain, attends yields. And, the better the vesting at the same time," he marketing and hedging courses yields, the more beef we can says. He prefers to shell high at Michigan State University, produce per acre. That's what moisture corn for cattle feed in regularly recruits the help of a farming is all about. September, and dry corn for soil agronomist and feed anal- producing." • cash in October. yst, puts out test plots, and "Whether or not to irrigate Because Stafford places a most recently, installed two was a very hard decision," he great deal of importance on his center pivot irrigation systems recalls. "But after reviewing my cropping system, he spends that cover more than 610 records more times than I can long hours in his office putting acres. "While I'm a strong remember, I found that during together work schedules and believer in putting my ideas in- the ten years prior to 1977, projection plans. "A program- to action, I don't jump into any- anytime I had a good corn crop med approach to farming has thing too hastily," he cautions, Walt Stafford began as a city boy with a small4G-acre hobby farm and 15 dairy cows. Today. he plants 1200 acres and manages a - not spectacular, but average really helped increase my effi- citing the precautions he took totally-confined cattle operation that markets some 1000 head of - I made money. I realized ciency," he states, noting that before installing his center pivot crossbred cattle yearly. that even when disregarding he lltifizes the Telefarttl'c"ompu- irrigation system. ' ~ I I ~ APRIL. 1980 FARM NEWS PAGE 9 FARMERS' WEEK - MARCH 17.21 LiDlited Resources in Michigan - ProbleDls and Opportunities For The 80s "It is in tough economic times such os we face today that we especially appreciate the role agriculture ploys in Michigan's economy." • Governor William Milliken MMP A Members View Challenges of the 80s In his address to Michigan In reviewing the McDonald cent and for capital retain at "The attacks have a com- keting problem," he explained. Milk Producers Association Dairy, Company acquisition, .6 percent of the gross value mon element: the mistaken "Higher hauling costs are members at the organization's Lake said its near-collapse of milk marketed by each belief that somehow, if dairy affecting all dairy farmers. 64th annual meeting on March could have been the result of member for the fiscal year farmer programs and organ- Transportation differentials and 15 in East Lansing, President members either asking too beginning October 1, 1980. izations can be weakened or hauling rates built into they sys- Glenn Lake listed the federal much or too little of their destroyed, consumers will tem are not adequate. They do MMPA General Manager not provide the money neces- government's efforts to dictate cooperative. be able, not only to buy their Jack Barnes, in his report to ary to move milk to fluid milk American's diets as one of the "Members may have asked milk arid dairy products /members, warned that efforts processing plants. We will con- challenges facing farmers dur- too little. It may be -too few •prevalent in the 70s to weaken cheaper, but also will be able ing the new decade. questions were asked about to continue to find those tinue to struggle with those or destroy farm organizations problems until necessary Lake said that while farmers where the organization was products in abundance. The and their programs would con- changes are made in the do not disagree with,all of the headed and why," Lake said. attacks will continue, " he tinue during the new decade. federal order system to recog- suggestions outlined by "It is easy to allow the develop- warned. "As we go into the government, "Our real prob- ment of a condition where "The cooperative and its eighties, we must remain nize and make realistic provi- lem is that the dietary goals right to function as granted by dedicated to working sions for milk movement. members fail to challenge the which are being so totally ad- hired management when too the Capper-Volstead Act, the together an