• • '" ,. Vol. 3 I, No. I2 Ie 19an arm DECEMBER I, 1953 ews 3 J st Year Published Monthly; . Roll Call Goal is 61,310 Farm Bureau Members E'D IT 0 RIAL MFB Board of Directors and Officers for '54 +lnvite Every Poll ShOIVS Bellson Ahead _Farmer to Join A large majority of farmers throughout the na- Most ~Iembers Say They Joined Farm Burea u tion approve of the stands taken by Sec'y of Agri- Because They Got An Invitation culture Ezra Benson in the face of the cattlemen's NORWOOD EASTMAN caravan to Washington and other spectacular ma- Coordinator of MFB, Organization Department neuvers by the opposition, said the national Farm Several thousand Farm Bureau Roll Call workers Journal magazine in its issue for December, are all set for the big week of November 30. Workers , Opinion was gathered from farmers throughout in 63 counties have dedicated themselves. to inviting the country, men who'raise a variety of crops, and every farmer to join a County Farm Bureau. Their goal have various political affiliations. is 61,310 Farm Bureau families in Michigan for J 954 .. Farm Journal said five things farmers lik~d best Preparations for the campaign' have been in progress about Benson are (I) his reorganization of the U. S. for several months. Every county campaign has been Dept. of Agriculture (2) requesting farmers' opin- carefully planned by a county membership committee, ion on the next farm program (3) his emergency aid THIS PHOTOGRAPH of the directors and officers of the MIchigan' Farm Bureau was taken at the close of the 34th annual Each county has selected a Roll Call manager. Forty- Ito drought areas (4) his purchase of a half-million meeting, Nov. 13. Names,marked with * indicate a new member of the board. Seated.-lef! to right: Blaque Knirk. District 2, two of the managers attended a -special two-day training Quincy: Russell E, Hazel. Dist. 1, Richland: Ward G. Hodge, vice-president, Dist. 6, Snover: Carl E. Buskirk, president. director- lower-grade beef animals (5) his unwillingness to at-large, Paw Paw: *Mrs. Carlton Ball. representing women of Farm Bureau. A~bion: Ren A. DeRuiter, Dist. 9. McBain: *Herman sch091during August. be stamp~ded by politicians and pressure groups. H~weisen, Dist. 3. Clinton. Back row. leU to right: C. L. Brody, executive vice-president for public affairs. Lansing: Thomas Managers have. selected township captains and \ ' Hahn, Dist. 7. Rodney: Waller W. Wightman, director-ai-large Fennville: Vern Thalmann, representing Junior Farm Bureau, Williams Ap,nroved r as Berrien Center: Kenneth Johnson, Dist. 8. ~reeland~ James Mielock. Dist. 10. WhiUemore: Marten Garn. Dist. fl, CharloUe: Albert workers to help invite farmers to become members. Most of the captains have attended one of a series of informal M Shellenbarger, Dist. 4, Lake Odessa: Gleason E. Halliwill, director-at-large, Gladwin: J. F. Yaeger, executive secretary and treasurer, and inspirational meetings held around the state during Chief of Nat'l SCS. October. These meetings featured outstanding speakers MFB' eetin g Praises Benson E'" LaMm •. f~om AFBF. The work teams are ready and the issues State Soil Conservation chiefs full confidence in Mr. Williams' are vital. from all states met with Secre- ability, integrity and objective- .. tary of Agriculture Benson at ness. We have no questions re- Chief among the issues is ,the determination of the Washington Nov. 18 to hear his garding )lis understanding of The largest annual meeting of the Mic.higan Farm Sec'y Benson asked for advice on:+ farm policy which Congress will adopt in 1954. Farmers , on th e reorganIza 't' lOn 0f th e Soil and Water Conservation M C II N 12 1" VIews USDA. Afterwards 46 of them, includ- problems and his recognition of Bureau was held at the importance of a dynamic pro- N gram for helping- farmers and earIY 600 did ichigan State 0 ege ov. e egates an as many VISItors .. -:J. from the mem- I-Farm Income 'Stability and Improvement. 2-Production and Marketing Sec:y Benson are a minority group. There has been greater participa- tion i~ the development of policy in J 953 than ever be- ing Mr. E. C. Sackrider, soils k AdJ'ustments conservationist for Michigan, said in this letter to Mr: Benson: ranchers solve these problems in shI'p of 59,287 families came to ina e recommendations the American way.' "We appreciate the opportunity on na IOna arm program or t' Iff th f t e u ure. . 3-Conservation and Improve- ment of Farm Resources. Reorganizes fore. The "payoff" will be on our ability to get our policies incorporated into a sound, workable farm pro- "The State Conservationists of ff d d b h' k' k the Soil Conservation Service are a or e y t IS wee s wor conferences of contributing our The 34th annual meeting agreed that mandatory expressing to you our appreciation thinking in formulating the pro- farm price supports at 90 % of parity for wheat, corn, to foreign 'nations. of your meeting with us on No- d "d . 4-Capital Needs of Agriculture. 5-Trade or Aid-our exports Dept. of Agr. gram. The success of any program in Farm Bureau is de- I vember 18, 1953. and stating to us ce ures mc~ e~t to effecuatmg the 'cotton and other basic commodities are largely responsi- November 2, Secretary of Agri- pendent upon the Farm Bureau organization in the coun- new orgamzatlOn. _ ELECTIONS. The annual meet- culture Ezra Benson announced your views regarding the reorgan- "We wish to give assurance ble for present farm surpluses and declines in farm prices. ing elected seven directors of the ties and states having a maximum number of farm fam- the reorganization of the U. S. ization of the department. that we will give our best efforts,':.'. , MFB Board of 15 for two-year Dep't of Agriculture as proposed "We are delighted at your ap- as members of the team in an ef- ~ ifhey praIsed the stand of Se,cretary of Agnculture terms. ilies. Suchan organization has' power in Congress and in the,President's Reorganization ,'pointment of Mr. Don Williams fective and efficient national pro- Ezra Benson for a flexible.farm price support p~licy. Russell Hazel of Richland, Kal- Plan No.2. elsewhere. Invite your neighbor to help in this program! as acting administrator of the Soil gram of Soil and Water Conserva- " ' .. 1 The reorganization grouped Conservation Services. We have tion." In resolutions adopted, they hand, further mflatIon of the dol- amazoo county. MFB Distnct , Farmers are going to be represented. The question made these recommendations for lar would raise costs and depre- was re-elected. Herman Howeisen some 20 major 'divisions of the nati~Jlal farm program policy: ciate savings. of Clinton, (Washtenaw) was Dep't into one Administrative is will they be represented by businessmen, labor leaders, ,Hav~ a Running Start I-CONGRESS should enact a THESE recommendations will elected to farm program conforming to the go to the American Farm Bureau Fritch of Howell, District succeed Edward Services Agency, and these four 3; service agencies: (1) Federal- States Relations (2) Marketing or political spokesmen? Or will they develop, pay (or, and operate a hard-hitting farm organization of their Mrs. Mary Ellen Klaty of San- . MRS. KLATY won the county basic principles-of free enterprise. convention at Chicago, Dec. 14-17. Marten Garn of Charlotte (Eat- and Foreign i),griculture (3) Agri- There representatives of 1,500,000 on), Dist. 5, was re-elected. own? Invite your neighbor to join Farm Bureau and ilac county and Mrs. Glenn Ro- office contest by sending in 937 2-Congress should enact a families in the Farm Bureau will Thomas Hahn of Rodney (Me- cultural Stabilization (4) Agri- both am of Benzie county are the paid memberships or 47% of the flexible farm price support policy shape for Congress and Secretary costa), Dist. 7, was elected to cultural Credit. h~lp farmers speak for themselves! winners of the recent County Sanilac goal of 1969. Close be- providing for gradual abandon- The Michigan Farm Bureau at Benson the Farm Bureau's recom- succeed Harry Norris of Casnovia, Farm Bureau secretaries contest. hind was Mrs. Thomas Kelsey of ment of present high supports. mendations on the national farm who retired. Ren A. DeRuiter of its 34th annual meeting Nov. H~re are some of the issues certain to be considered ' 'preceding the 1954 membership Allegan county. She reported 931 This means to replace as rapidly program. McBain (Missaukee), Dist. 9, was 12-13 said: campaign. members or 46% of the county as possible the mandatory 90% "We pledge the full support of by the second session of the 83rd Congress: re-elicted. This was a contest to see which goal of 2033. 'LAST JULY Secretary Benson of parity farm price supports for invited the Michigan Farm Bureau for J • Farm price support and adjustment program. county secretary could have the the nation's farm organi- Mrs. Carlton Ball of Albion the reorganization plan announc- basic commodities with the flex- highest percentage of the county MRS. ROBOTHAM won by ible price support provisions (75 zations to submit to their mem- (Calhoun), newly elected chail;- ed by Sec'y Benson Nov. 2 to pro- 2. Federal spending and taxes. man of the Farm Bureau Women, membership goal for 1954reported sending in 77 paid members or to 90% of parity) provisions of the berships for discussion and recom- was elected to' succeed Mrs. vide "Better service to farmers to the state office by November 35% of the Benzie goal of 219. Hope-Aiken act of 1949.. mendations five major problems through placing the operations of 3. Foreign economic policies - trade. .1,6. There were two divisions in Mrs. Herbert Paull of Presque in the national farm program. The Harry M. Whittaker, who retired. the Department on a more busi- the contest. One division was for Isle was a close second. She re- 3-Price supports should be recommendations are to be made Walter Wightman of Fennville nesslike, efficient and decent- 4, Decentralization and coordination of government . 1counties that are on thE! county ported 153 members or 34.6% of based only on the modern 10-year available to Congress in earl.v (Allegan), was r~-elected director- ralized basis. ~ese issues demand the best thinking of every .office agreement; the other di- the county goal of 442. Fourteen moving average parity formula. 1954. " at-large in a three-cornered race "The transfer of, the functions vision was for counties without an other secretaries reported from 24 The Farm Bureau membersh;p in which Fred Brown of Mason to the states is most significant. A~encan. Once you have decided, you must make your office. to 39% of their goal for 1954. 4-We should expand national has been conducting policy devel- (Ingham), and Carl Johnson of It replaces federal control of agr'l and state activities in agricultural opment meetings throughout the Pierson (Montcalm), were the action agencies from the top down VOIceheard. The Farm Bureau, is a free, independent PRESERVATION OF SELF GOVERNMfNT DEPENDS ON US research and education to dis- nation, with resolutions movin~ other candidates. with local initiative and coopera- far~er' s organization throu,gh which you may speak. cover new methods and relation- up from the County Farm Bu- The board of directors Vlill tive relationships between the ifl ships in production, marketing reaus to state Farm Bureaus and elect a president and vice-presi- USDA and state, county 'and InVIte your neighbor to join and speak with you! and distribution of farm products. finally to the AFBF in December. dent at its meeting in January. township programs." We have every reason to look forward to the future 5-Congress, the U. S. State _.--:.------------------------------------ with ~confidenc~ if we use today to build a better and Dep't, Mutual Security Admin- istration, Dep't of Agriculture and the Budget Bureau should take Post- War Adjustmeltt is Here stro~g~r Far~ Bureau. Our best wishes and sincere ap- preCIatIOnwIll go with every worker in the current drive. all steps to expand foreign trade. They should recognize that for- They are the builders of the world's largest and most in- eign nations need to export pro- fluential farm organization .. ducts to us in order to buy the production of American farms Let's not stop with 61,310. Let's invite every far- and industry. mer to join and push past our 1955 goal of 65,630! 6-In the field of money and credit, the dollar should be stab- Following is a list of the Roll Emmet-Mrs. Ben Peters Carp Call Managers in the counties. Lake. ' ilized as nearly as possible at present levels. Restoration now They ,are key ~eople in the mem- Genesee-Mrs. William A. So- of the dollar to previous high bershlp campaign:, bey, 12212 Stanley Road' .Flush- A1cona county-Archie Cordes, ing. ' ~ levels of purchasing power would MORAL. INTEGRITY throw our economy into a tailspin Barton City .. Gladwin - Gordon Willford, & ACCEPTAIlCE iJlc.1\IlC' Allegan-Milan Levett •.Allegan Gladwin R-3. RE5PO~Sl&lUTY of declining prices. On the other BY ALL CITIZENS R-2. Gratiot-Mrs. George Davidson Alpena-Alfred Dove, Lachine Alma R-l. • WESLEY S. HAWLEY R-1. , Hills,dale - Willis Hoffman, Coordinator Communiiy Farm Bureau Activities Antnm-Bruce McElroy, Char- Hudson R-l Farmers have much at stake and should be deeply in- levoix R-l. Huron-J~hn Terril, Sebewaing terested in the preservation of self government-Of, By and .Arenac-Percy Crawford, Twi- and William Harwood, Harbor For the people, the free choice systom. This is probably the nmg. Beach. greatest single challenge confronting us at the moment. Barry-Mrs. Barbara Barcroft, Ingham-Dale IJunckel. Will- 121 N. Church Street. Hastings. iamston R-3. The farm home is the bed rock of our civilization. 'The investments in agricullure are grealer than the combined R_~aY-Julius Rabe, Pinconning Ionia-Mrs. Irma Covert, Ionia. investments of business and industry. A' strong profitable ' .. Isabella-Murray Gordon, Cole- we have confidence in ourselves." BenZIe-Manon Nye Beulah man R-l agricullure is viial to our nation. Therefore, it is extremely R ' . MORE than 1,000farm men and of demand during and after the -1. . Iosco-Arthur Ropert, Hale. important thai farmers assume their righiful citizenship re- women representing the Michi- war. For the first time now we PRESIDENT Hannah observed Berrien-Ray DeWitt, Buchan- Jackson-Mrs. Ruth Day, Clark sponsibilities. gan Farm Bureau membership of see the real problems in our price that in the anti-inflation mea- an R-2. / Lake R-1. How fortunate we are 'thai we have the Community nearly 60,000families heard Allan support program. Support prices sures and readjustment of the Branch - Arthur Haggerman, Kalamazoo-G. T. Blankshine, Farm Bureau close aI hand where we can meet to think, to B. Kline, (right) president of the at high levels and acreage restric- farm price support program far- Tekonsha R-2. Mattawan R-2. discuss. and to act on the many important maiters facing us American Farm Bureau, ~nd tions on wheat, corn and cotton mers may suffer some loss of in- r Calhoun-Wilber Smith, Bur- Kalkaska-Jess Atkinson, Kal- as citizens. John Hannah, (center) president will only invite farmers to plant come in the years just ahead, but mgton R-l. kaska and Mrs. Purcell Morrison' A Community Farm Bureau is the best media through of Michigan State College, say other crops, which could be disas- the steadily rising population R_~ass-Lee Bakeman. Dowagiac Rapid City R-2. ~ • which the Farm Bureau member can carry on citizenship the post-war adjustment is here. trous to producers of other com- should call for greater farm pro- . Kent-Mrs. Thelma Heilman activities to make for a heiler agricullure and naiion and to They said the going may not be modities. - duction than we have ever Charlevoix-John Brock, East 2011 S. Kalamazoo Ave., Grand preserve self government. so good for a while. Both spoke at "There is no substitute for mar- known. Jordan R-2. Rapids. the 34th annual meeting of the kets, and no substitute for effici- MFB Resolutions I to Public Affairs Division, Mich- igan Farm Bureau, PO Box 960, Farm Bureau Nov. 12 at Michigan ent production, and continued ag- State College. ricultural research, and a sound Clark L. Brody, (left) efecu- tive vice-president of the Michi- gan Farm Bureau, said that vote- Cheboygan-Jack Savella, Che- boygan R-2.• , Clare-Frank Humphrey, Clare Lapeer-Sam Titus, Silverwood. Lenawee-Mrs: Walter Barron Morenci R-3 and Abraham D: Booklet Ready , Lansing. n.ational economy. What we want hungry Congressmen in both par- R-l. . Hunt, Tecumseh R-l. You may have a copy of the ---------- PRESIDENT Kline is pictured is a relatively stable price level to ties have created many of the ClInton-Ellen Jo White, St. Livingston-Mrs. Lillian Kom- resolutions adopted by the Mich- Until the 1920's, agrIcultural saying that "Price supports have preserve farm purchasing power farm problems which they now Johns. raus, Webberville. igan Farm Bureau at its 34th an- I movements were generally not held farm income at a high and good employment. We can blame up011... Secretary of Agri- Eaton-Robert Kline. Charlotte Macomb - Anthony Rapes nual meeting Nov, 12-13. Write test movements. level. Actually it was the result work out our problems because culture Ezra Benson. R-5. (Continued on Page 2) , T'#In MTCHTGAN FARM NEWS DECEMBER 1. 1953 Turkey supplies and prices wilf Farm Bureau does constructive Chairman range about the same for this things in the field of public policy. Michigan Farm News Michigan Farm- Bureau tlAM snd Thanksgiving as last year, ac- _ Turkey finds a two-pri.ce sy.:;- cording to Mac Moore at MSC. tem for wheat expensive. ll:rlle~ as second-class Jan. It. It!!, at th~ Pnthly. t1rst day. by 3l "!>,.an Farm UUreau at It~ pub- DISTRICT I-Russell DIRECTORS E. HazeL_Richland. R-l Grace,' 'at Thanksgiving ~ LOW COST - , ',"I.n attic. at 114 E. Lovett St.. !-Blaque Knlrk_ ..__ ....Qulncy. R-l Ch ....lolle. Mlchl~n. 3-Edward Frltch ....__ .Howell. R-l 4-A. Sllellenbarger_1.. Odessa. R-l Thanksgiving was a big affair at Grangers' place this year. The young folks and their families came to share the Granger cheer. ,COMPUTE COVERAGE Editorial and ceneraJ ottlce!!. %21 i--.\Jarten Gam ......_..Charlotte. R-o ~ rtl, e<'dar St .• Lan:au. (S-ot-29b) DECEMBER 1.1953 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS THREC Benson to Speak at AFBF Annual at Chicago In 1952 the meat and fur p r o - Final Actions on Internal Service Division Report Farm Lobbyists Steer Terminal Building Continues Steadily With favorable weather since Exchange general manager. As a result, the Exchange man- vided by Michigan's wild animals agement and the contractor are were estimated to be worth more now studying weather data to de- than $15,000,000. (Continued from Page 5) U.S. Farm Policy set-up. One of the jobs of the Internal Service Division is to help all of Michigan Lawmakers ground was broken the last week of October to start construction of t h e 1,000,000 bushel addition termine whether or not to pour the silos immediately or to wait until more predictable weather Buy Farm Bureau Feed. Editor's Note: Mr. Deatrick has been state capilol reporter to the Michigan Elevator Ex- in the spring. A decision will be TRAPPERS F a r m p e o p l e will m a k e their o p i n i o n s k n o w n Dec, the operating managers in em- for the Detroit Free Press for years. He attended some change grain terminal near Ot- made on or before December 1, IURN HOW TO TUP ployee training and information Bliss said. 14-17, w h e n t h e A m e r i c a n F a r m B u r e a u F e d e r a t i o n cul- programs. sessions of the 34th annual meeting of the Michigan F a r m tawt Lake, rapid progress has AIL Fumutas THE MOST difficult task dur- Bureau. This article is his appraisal of the significance of been made in the work prelimin- The world's deepest producing Mo4tf0 Method*. E*«c<>*« C M I M > , f e w y « < M d Rmuin f j i n . r n d Big C4 p*g* rotorW trtpmtn in.y*y m i n a t e s m o n t h s of policy d e v e l o p m e n t effort at its 3 5 t h our resolutions on state affairs, together with some salty ary to pouring the 28 concrete free T f l l t «1I •bnuf KM M cr»f, about w r t w f c . mf ing the past year was that of hir- oil well is 17,183 feet deep in b i n , «c. l u m p t p p f t i w * $m*4 fa* rM*l«g Mtqr m annual meeting in Chicago. ing and keeping qualified em- comments by Mr. Deatrick. silos, according to James R. Bliss, Louisiana. V S T A N L I V M A W f U K I I * SON1 • M r V.tter T M « H « P M T FT. LOUDON. K S * ployees. To do this it is necessary OWEN C. DEATRICK R e s o l u t i o n s a d o p t e d a t t h e close o f t h e c o n v e n t i o n to compare often the employee Strength in UniTV... "A Letter From Lansing" in the Detroit Free Press D e c e m b e r 1 7 will reflect t h e decisions reached by a p r o - policies and benefits, such as: re- for Sunday. November 22, 1953 tirement, sick lfeave, vacation, cess of consideration a n d discussion in t h o u s a n d s of c o m - pay, etc, to find out how Farm LANSING—Smart lawmakers have an advance blueprint m u n i t y , c o u n t y a n d state F a r m B u r e a u m e e t i n g s t h r o u g h - Bureau policies in these regards of what is going to happen in the next session of the Michigan compares to other employers in Legislature. out 48 states and Puerto Rico. the area. It is necessary to re- There's no need to consult fortune tellers—all they have to main competitive for employees do is pay close attention to the resolutions approved by the D e c e m b e r 1 5 a n d 1 6 wiH b e d e v o t e d t o g e n e r a l just as in the pricing of products, Michigan Farm Bureau at East Lansing 10 days ago. s p e a k i n g sessions a t C h i c a g o ' s Civic O p e r a B u i l d i n g . commodities or services. During the past year increased There is a Lansing saying: "The Governor proposes C o n v e n t i o n h e a d q u a r t e r s will b e a t t h e S h e r m a n N Hotel. attention was given to: but the farmer disposes." 1. Management development It applies to any governor, Republican or Democratic. A m o n g t h e s p e a k e r s will b e S e c r e t a r y o f A g r i c u l - information to improve the know- • * • ture Ezra Taft Benson. H e r e q u e s t e d t h e o p i n i o n o f ledge and skill of all executive POLITICAL SIDELINERS continue to marvel at the im- farm o r g a n i z a t i o n m e m b e r s on a n u m b e r of i m p o r t a n t personnel in our divisions, depart- pact that the farm minority has on running the State and ments, and retail stores. passing Michigan laws. There are only 59,287 family m e m - national farm program questions. T h a t resulted i n t h e 2. Office manager training in- berships in the Farm Bureau—not many compared with the F a r m B u r e a u ' s policy d e v e l o p m e n t p r o g r a m this y e a r . formation for 15 supervisory peo- approximately 3,000,000 voters in Michigan. ple in the Lansing office. But mighty few laws lhat displease farmers ever see President Allan B. Kline of the A F B F will give his 3. Holding new employee ori- daylight in the Michigan public and local acts published at entation meetings within the the end of every legislative session. a n n u a l a d d r e s s a t t h e o p e n i n g g e n e r a l session T u e s d a y } first 30 days of employment for In the last session the Bureau favored 10 laws. They D e c e m b e r 15. S e c r e t a r y - T r e a s u r e r R o g e r F l e m i n g will the purpose of answering ques- were passed. It opposed 22. They were not passed. tions on employee policies and give his r e p o r t a t t h e s a m e session. benefits and giving new em- Only one law was put on the books against the Bureau opposition—the new tax bill. And that was amended enough O t h e r n a t i o n a l l y - k n o w n figures o n t h e s p e a k i n g ployees an understanding of the before it cleared the Legislature to remove most farmer various Farm Bureau operations. p r o g r a m a r e U . S . S e n a t o r Spessard L . H o l l a n d , m e m b e r objections. 4. A progressive performance o f the S e n a t e C o m m i t t e e o n a g r i c u l t u r e a n d f o r e s t r y ; rating system. This was ac- companied by a thorough study BORROWED GLORY * * • • S^gglC0ETHER / W i l l i a m G r e d e , p r e s i d e n t , G r e d e F o u n d r i e s , M i l w a u k e e , and writing of job descriptions BELONGS TO POWELL W i s c o n s i n , a n d p a s t p r e s i d e n t o f t h e N a t i o n a l A s - for all employees. sociation of M a n u f a c t u r e r s . ALL of these, along with other information programs, results in Able Bureau Lobbyist Stanley M. Powell modestly told his Bureau members that: 'We think the Farm Bureau program was quite successful in the 1953 Legislature." •FARM jncomed and FARMER "jfaee greater understanding F r e d e r i c k L . H o v d e , p r e s i d e n t o f P u r d u e U n i v e r - ployees and supervisors of the by em- Powell, who labels himself the "Legislative Counsel for Michigan Farm Bureau" may have fudged in getting t h e . . . atelinden PRESSURE s i t y a n d p r e s i d e n t o f t h e A s s o c i a t i o n o f L a n d G r a n t C o l - relation of their work to the work Bureau a slice of borrowed glory,—some items were heading of others in the other Farm Bu- leges a n d Universities, is also a c o n v e n t i o n speaker. reau companies, divisions, and for passage no matter what the farmers wanted to do about them. Examples: The turnpike law and the new experi- Farm Bureau Membership Includes the Family during a cost-price squeeze" is departments. ment to make parents responsible for property damage done THE CONVENTION week will open Sunday afternoon, Decem- a topic to be discussed by three A special emphasis during the by their children up to $300. ITS UNITY BEGINS AT HOME past year has been put on the im- ber 13, with a vesper service in leading poultry authorities at the But there wasn't any shading in Powell's claim for credit portant relationship of all routine the ballroom of the Sherman poultry conference, T. L. Jones, in defeating 22 bills the farmers spokesmen opposed. Hotel, where an address will be Havana, Illinois; Hobart Creigh- record procedures in payroll, per- sonnel, and building service de- They didn't wftit a constitutional convention, and one Farm Bureau Families Work in Unity for a Strong given by the Rev. William ton, Warsaw, Indiana, and Dr. J. Young, Presbyterian Church, C. League Huttar, Cooperative Federation Grange partments with the training pro- Exchange, grams to improve supervision and was not submitted on the ballot. They didn't want certain highways closed to trucks on American Agriculture and a Sound and Free America Highland Park, Illinois. Ithaca, New York. the understanding of employees. Sunday. Those highways are still open to trucks. MONDAY. December 14, will The field crops conference will The greatest opportunity for im- «** be devoted to the 19th annual consist chiefly of open discussion provement in speed and quality of 1 meeting of the Associated Women of field crops problems in vari- the work of employees rests with i THE FARMERS wanted more rights on highways for JOIN YOUR COUNTY FARM BUREAU the supervisors in all parts of the their, farm vehicles that pay no highway tax. They got it in an of the AFBF, a joint commodity ous regions of the country. conference, and conferences on ARTHUR MAUCH, agricultural Farm Bureau Companies. THE WORK of the Internal amendment allowing farm equipment up to 186 inches wide to move on State highways, during daylight hours without THE ROLL CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP WILL organization, rural youth, insur- ance, land and water use, state economist of Michigan State Col- Service Division for the coming tax and legislative problems, lege, will speak to t h e dairy year will be concentrated on: a special permit. Safety-minded legislators objected in v a i n when the champions of the-f'poor farmers" pooled forces. START NOVEMBER 30th On the basis of lhat kind of record the "hep" lawmaker service cooperatives, livestock, conference on "How to make the (1) to streamline wherever possi- has found out where to learn what he is going to do n e x t dairy, poultry, fruits and veg- necessary adjustments in dairy ble the numerous procedures in- year in advance. Even more important, the lawmaker can etables and field crops. farming." volved in record-keeping; (2) to At the fruit and vegetable con- continue the type of training that find out almost positively what he cannot do next year a n d ANCHER NELSEN, adminis- ference, S. R. Smith, director of helps the supervisory staff under- it saves him the strain of trying in lost causes doomed in trator of the Rural Electrification USDA's fruit and vegetable stand and direct employees; (3) advance. Administration, will speak at the branch, will speak on how the to study Farm Bureau policies as Next year the farmers don't want any tampering w i t h joint commodity conference. USDA can meet major problems related to hiring and holding the the way their supervisor neighbors make assessments. They The same conference program in the fruit and vegetable field type of employees needed for in- probably won't get it despite"the determination of such u n - will include an address on pro- in 1954. creased efficiency and productiv- daunted outfits as the League of Women Voters to bring spective agricultural problems of ity. modern and fair methods of property valuation to the whole 1954 by Earl Butz, head of the Breakfast agricultural economics depart- An adequate breakfast has a State. A GOOD HUNTER IS ment of Purdue University. basic pattern that includes fruit, Reports on the U. S. department cereal, milk, toast or muffins FB Service AN EVEN CHANCE TO BE ON BALLOT KNOWN FOR HIS AIM of agriculture's drought relief pro- and butter or margarine. Add THE FARMERS don't want anyone fooling with their township governments. They probably won't have to worry . , „ NOT HIS GUN ! gram will be given at the live- a cup of hot coffee, if you wish, stock conference by R. L. Far- and substitute an egg once or rington, director of USDA's ag- twice a week for the cereal. Co. Meetings although the efficiency experts never quit pointing out how much money the back home government is costing. ricultural credit services, and That is the advice of Michigan Farmers said they would go along with an amendment Harry Reed, director of the State College nutritionists who livestock branch. remind you that one-fourth of Dec. 2 and 3 of the sales-tax diversion plan to get the State away from the delayed financial headache of trying to make appropriations the food energy each day should The 24th annual meeting of for schools on the basis of how much sales tax was collected "HOW to operate profitably come from a hearty breakfast. shareholders of Farm Bureau two years earlier. This program is considered to have at Services, Inc., will be held at least ah even chance of getting on the ballot. Kellogg Center, Michigan State The school bus law should be amended, the farmers now College, Wednesday. Dec. 2. The agree, to coincide with regulations in other states where all annual report of FBS is presented traffic has to stop for a school bus on two-lane highways. on pages 4 and 5 of this edition. The 5th annual meeting of Fines collected from overloaded trucks should be t u r n e d shareholders of Farmers Pe- over to the highway authorities to repair the roads the troleum Cooperative, Inc., will be illegal loads destroy, the Bureau decided. That will t a k e a held at Kellogg Center, Michigan Constitutional amendment because the fines now go to the State College, Thursday, D e c 3. library fund. In our Nov. 1 edition we pub- NOT ALL PROPOSALS lished a review of F P C activities MAY GET THROUGH for the year. In five years FPC has returned to shareholder Definitely bounties must be continued on fox, wolf and patrons patronage dividends coyote, the farmers decided. Laws improving the lot of amounting to 73% of their invest- farmers are also high on the list. But all of them may not ment. Patronage dividends in get through the Senate and House of Representatives. cash for 1952-53 wera $119,000. The Bureau officials think that a speed limit is not the answer to safety. T h e belting is lhat Michigan won't have a speed limit in 1954. Unfair Attack Most of all the Bureau wants to keep away from any State equalization program. On Twps. Continues The Bureau also adopted a resolution to show more " . . . let them (township appreciation to "those State Senators and Representatives officials) answer for the Franken- who have rendered outstanding service in promoting legisla- stein monster they have created tion in line with Farm Bureau recommendations and opposing in the form of diversion amend- measures which would have been detrimental to rural in- ments." This editorial statement terests." in the November issue of "Inside with STATE MUTUAL'S Michigan" apparently seeks to build and foster the idea that the Bureau members will be urged to be more appreciative of "the worthy services being rendered in our behalf by these high-caliber lawmakers." sales tax diversion amendment "ALL-IN-ONE" Protection Plan was promoted by township offi- cials. 1,000's Complete erican Farm Bureau Federation, where they will be included in Those who took part in the Agr'l PD Cards the nationwide summary of the i^ Your farm is both your HOME and your business. You'll enjoy fight against the adoption of the new peace of mind in knowing that you are protected against loss people who took part in ihese amendment in 1946 will resent Thousands of MFB members meetings. from fire and wind with STATE MUTUAL'S "ALL-IN-ONE" Pro- this untrue implication. have filled out Agr'l Policy De- tection Plan. Three organizations stood to- velopment survey cards at Com- A i m at your future security by starting a FIP Savings Plan This one non-assessable policy covers your home, buildings, equip- gether in opposing the adoption munity FB meetings. The same 560 At Kalamazoo now. It's b o u n d to be a bull's-eye. Fip m a k e s it easy for you to ment, and stock . . . gives you the exact coverage you need when and of the amendment: the State As- sociation qf Supervisors, Mich- folks and others returned similar cards at annual meetings of Coun- Annual Meeting where you need it! Kalamazoo County F a r m Bu- save. It offers coupons tbat can be clipped a n d cashed, dividends, igan State Grange and Michigan ty Farm Bureaus and nearly 600 Farm Bureau. They recognized voting delegates at the MFB Con- reau had the largest annual meet- actual savings and essential protection. Your Farm B u r e a u Insur- POLICY bad government policy a n d the vention cheerfully took time to ing this year. Mrs. Carl Bacon, I ance Agent will be glad to tell you the story of this important F a r m COMPANY dangers involved. make a survey report—which will secretary, reports that 560 at- AGENT come to the attention of Congress. tended. Turkey dinner was Bureau program for Farm Bureau families. served at Portage Methodist PREMIUM The cards, which were not church. Twenty-one resolutions 200,327 Members of signed by the individual, are be- were considered. Directors were State 'THutcuU INSURANCE COMPANY III. Farm Bureau ing summarized to show the av- elected and delegates named to FARM BUREAU £ije INSURANCE Illinois is the first F a r m Bureau erage farming characteristics of the MFB annual meeting. 702 Church Street, Flint 3, Michigan to have a membership of more FB members taking part in dis- than 200,000 families. Ten years cussions and policy decisions. E. R. DINGMAN, President H. K. FISK, Secretary There are 4,200,000 tractors on Mf l»»TM IIANI AVINVI • U N U M , M I < M I « AM age Illinois passed the 100,000 Results from Michigan's survey IU. S. farms. Before World War II "Statt Mutual Insures tvtry Fifth Farm in Michigan,,, Ask Your Neighbor1." mark. have been forwarded to the Am- there were 1,700,000. FOUR (Advertisement) MICHIGAN FAHM NEWS (Advertisement) DECEMBER I. 1953 Summary of the 24th Annual Report of Farm Bureau Manager Reports For An Expanded Fertilizer Program Plant Food Manufacturing New Developments Has Lively Year most of them are endeavoring to J. F. YAEGER ADOLPH F. ECKLUND. Mgx. The Manager's Report to the Farm Bureau Services solve it one way or the other by Annual Meeting at Michigan Stale College. D e c 2, 19S3 This past year's operation has some process of granulation. been a busy one for the plant We have consistently shipped Farm Bureau Services during the fiscal year ending food manufacturing d i v i s i o n . more fertilizer from Saginaw Early in the year it was decided • than the plant was designed to August 3 1 , 1953, continued to expand its services to that the construction of a second produce. This was possible be- farmers in many ways. fertilizer plant in southwest cause a large tonnage was ship- Michigan was in order. A survey ped early. As farm income The dollar volume of $20,060,900, although less in showed the best site to be near shrinks and more fertilizer is Kalamazoo. available this is bound to change terms of dollars, represented unit increases in a number It was decided to hire the John and it is unlikely that as high a of items. T h e unit volume of all Farm Bureau Services' J. HaTte Company of Atlanta, percentage will move early. The Georgia, to install a patented pro- demand has required consider- seeds was 7% greater than in the prior year and alfalfa THIS drawing by the architect illustrates the Farm Bureau Services fertilizer plant now under construction at Kalamazoo. It cess for granulation which show- able tonnage be moved during seed sales were nearly 30 % greater. is designed to manufacture 40.000 tons of granulated, high analysis planl foods a year. The large building is the manufacturing ed much promise and has been the latter part of the season with- plant and is 151 by 288 feet. The plant will be highly mechanized with the latest labor-saving equipment. It is expected to be in tested most extensively. out proper cure. Sales for Farm Bureau manufactured feeds were operation by mid-January, 1954. PLANS were drawn and con- WITH THE anticipated in- up 6fi over the prior year in spite of the fact that struction started about June 1. It creases in the use of fertilizer power, and the development of by Michigan farmers during the effective competition and this can A MAJOR objective of Farm is anticipated that we will be able over the next five years, a second feed sales of the industry as a whole in Michigan were the Snake River area in Hell's past year. be accomplished only by patron- Bureau Services is to secure the to start operation in the plant in plant located as the Kalamazoo down 6'« as compared to last year. Canyon in Idaho. Presently there izing them. best personnel possible and to im- J a n u a r y and should give a sub- plant, along with the plant at is considerable discussion at the WE LOOK ahead with optim- ism and determination to further THE SQUEEZE between expen- prove this personnel thru training stantial tonnage of high analysis Saginaw and an interest in the Sales of direct application fertilizer materials, such Nation's Capitol, and in the West, granulated fertilizer for spring as to whether this will be done expand services wherever farm- ses and income will challenge procedures. The improvement .of plant at Hartsdale, will place as nitrogen, were up approximately 5 0 % over a year the ingenuity of managers and personnel as well as the placing shipment. Farm Bureau Services in a posi- by private capital or the Govern- ers request it and proof of their desire is testified to by their will- operators of all businesses, but of Farm Bureau Services on a The past year's operation has tion to most effectively serve the ago. Mixed fertilizer sales decreased, however, as did all ment. needs of the members with the ingness to finance and use the especially those serving farmers. sound, long time, financial pro- seen the end of shortage in most Michigan fertilizer sales this fall, primarily due to the This challenge we meet with con- gram is a continuing process. lines of fertilizer materials. Tri- high analysis mixed goods they ALL IN ALL, the past year has facilities. Increased services and need. benefits to farmers are not always fidence and pledge ourselves to Started a few years back, the ple super phosphate which was so cut-back in wheat acres. been one of considerable progress short up to a year ago has been and expansion even though earn- to be measured by the size of continue to serve farmers with programs of this organization This past year Farm Bureau quality merchandise at the lowest with its "self-help" philosophy released to where purchase of Services has offered 5-20-20 and Farm equipment sales continued their downward ings were down considerably as earnings. Setting the pace in a spot shipments can now be made 6-24-12 for the first time. The ac- compared to recent years. It w a s competitive field with the farm- possible prices with earnings r e - are well on their way. trend throughout the year. The total dollar volume of inevitable that in this re-adjust- The co-operation and continu- at market prices. ceptance of these grades exceeded ers' welfare in mind, and the turned to the patrons doing bus- iness with the organization. ing patronage of farmers and the Nitrogen solution and ammoni- all expectations. Our plans at $1,476,000 was approximately 4 0 % less than budgeted ment period and the continued merchandising and manufacturing um sulphate at present are ade- Kalamazoo call for processing drop in prices of merchandise of the best quality products at The management of as large an interest of local Co-op boards of quate for any needs. Anhydrous major portions of 5-20-20. The at the beginning of the year. A net loss of $251,000 handled by F a r m Bureau Ser- the lowest possible cost, are im- organization as Farm Bureau Ser- directors and managers working ammonia has been very tight but plant will be able to make a very resulted in this phase of the program. Farm Bureau vices that this would happen. portant responsibilities of co-oper- vices with their varied scope of with the personnel and board of is now expected to meet all de- satisfactory 10-10-10 and even Management services offered atives. Often this is more worth- activities, is not that involving directors of F a r m Bureau Ser- mands by J a n u a r y 1, 1954. Pot- higher in this ratio. Services' experience in this respect was no different, to local co-ops is now taken ad- while than the accomplishment one man alone. We in Farm Bur- vices can not help but secure, in ash is equal to the present de- however, than that of the machinery industry as a whole. vantage of by 18 such organiza- of sizable business earnings. eau Services operate with a "man- the years ahead, continued suc- mand as is sulphuric acid and TOTAL production this past tons. New to the group in the agement-team" philosophy. Many cessful operations,—all to the phosphate rock. year is somewhat below that of a Generally speaking, trends of the past year are ex- past year was the Mason County COOPERATIVES frequently, people play important parts in a farmers' advantage. year ago but exceeds the previous Co-op at Scottville. In addition, by the competition they afford successful program. The various IN SPITE of increased supplies year. This was mostly in 0-20-0 pected to continue with some improvements in fertilizer THE FUTURE is in our hands farmers at Marcellus and Mt. others and because their primary division managers who report in and will be whatever we make price increases were experienced which as a direct application ma- and machinery. Both are essential items that farmers Pleasant have asked that their or- purpose is to serve their custom- the following pages are, of course, it. These pages contain the during the late spring and early terial seems to be losing out ra- ganizations be established as ers, set a pace that gives to the assisted by others. The sum total comments of those who are r e - summer. These adjustments w e r e pidly to mixed goods. Production can hardly do without. Tractors have replaced horses, Farm Bureau Services' branches. farmer a better quality product effort of all of these people, from sponsible for major operations. primarily increases that would was as follows: Saginaw Mixed 55,786 53,684 and certainly power equipment is essential to modern The confidence in Farm Bureau regardless of where he purchases those doing the more routine They should be of considerable normally have come earlier but Saginaw Super 4,691 3,498 Services is further indicated by it. We must remember, however, tasks, to those directing major ac- interest to the stockholders and had been held back by the Price farm operation. Michigan farmers presently have $20,- investment of well over a million that cooperatives must be strong tivities, makes progress possible. Stabilization Board. They were in Saginaw Raw Materials 398 patrons of Farm Bureau Services, sulphur where prices had not in- Hartsdale Mixed 3,771 4,129 000,000 of Co-op and Cockshutt equipment on their dollars in Farm Bureau Services • and flourishing if they are to be Each is doing an important job. Inc. creased for five years and phos- Hartsdale SurJer 2,217 107 farms and continuing service to them is essential. In- phate rock which had not in- Total 66,465 61,816 creased in price in four years. 3,303 tons of the decrease of creased use of fertilizer to stimulate production on de- creased or diverted areas is important. DURING the past year the Na- go dividends on tional Farm Machinery plant at fund stock so as to make possible patronage on patronage re- Ten Years of Great Growth G. F. GRISWOLD, Assistant Treasurer There was also a small increase 4,649 tons was in superphosphate. in nitrogen prices. A MAJOR portion of decrease The easier markets did not in mixed fertilizer was due to de- solve all the problems of opera- creased planting of wheat this During the past year a study on August 31 with our accounts Bellevue, Ohio, was sold to the increased savings and reduction of The functions of the Finance and Credit Department was made of credit policies af- in as good or better condition than Cockshutt Farm Equipment taxes. Money saved in this man- include the handling of finances, negotiating bank loans when fecting both wholesale and retail they were a year ago. Farm Bu- 75 THOUSANDS OF TONS MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIftHTFn Limited at Brantford, Canada. n e r is to be utilized to again necessary, collection of accounts, granting of credit and accounts. After carefully study- reau Services has wholesale ac- This Company has a background rotate securities so that holders of disbursement of funds for F a r m Bureau Services, Inc., The ing all the factors involved and counts with approximately 220 70 i l l ' of many years of successful op- securities issued in back years Michigan Farm Bureau, Farmers Petroleum Cooperative, Inc., much discussion, recommenda- regular dealers and at August 31 65 eration, and the Cockshutt line of could receive the cash and thus and twenty-four Management Contract Cooperatives. tions were made to the Board of there were 190 of these accounts 60 FERTILIZE:K •n equipment is complete and out- the financng of the organization As the organization has grown the duties and responsi- Directors who approved and which showed no past due in- 55 standing. Farm Bureau Services be placed in the hands of its bilities of this department have also increased. adopted a definite policy regard- voices or were paid in full. We will continue to service farmers as present users. LOOKING BACK ten years we find Farm Bureau Serv- ing credit. 50 wish to take this opportunity to regards machinery by offering a The program was started last ives has gone through a period of phenomenal growth. Com- thank these dealers for having 15 complete .line of Cockshutt equip- year with the calling of $47,000 paring some figures from the August 31, 1953 report with THE POLICY limits, retail their accounts in proper order. 40 ment of 1940 patronage-refund secur- August 31, 1943 we find the following: credit to thirty days unless spec- ities. At the same time securities During this past year Farm Bu- Aug. 31. 1943 Aug. 31, 1953 ial financing arrangements are reau Services Branches had a 35 sold for the fertilizer manufactur- made. Additional credit is denied total volume of both wholesale Current Assets $ 779,157.57 $5,018,452.88 30 ing operation at Saginaw were if patron's account is past due. and retail accounts amounting to called and the program refinanced Investments 189,031.00 661,867.05 25 On wholesale accounts credit is $7,176,136.49. At August 31 the Fixed Assets 245,467.82 2,863,361.61 t h r u the exchange of securities and thru bank loans. The $966,000 Deferred Charges and to be denied if the account is past outstanding accounts, both whole- ?ol 1 1,066,878.30 due and proper arrangements sale and retail, amounted to of securities called were of the Other Assets 10,005.45 have not been made for settle- $285,524.27 or 3.9% of the yearly •41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 1946 issue. ment of the account. $1,223,661.84 $9,610,559.84 volume. At the same time approximate- 2,248,151.99 We believe the policy as ap- ly a million dollars of new secur- Current Liabilities 249,778.93 THIS represents fourteen days' This graph illustrates the accomplishments made by Michigan 1,658,500.00 proved by your Board of Direct- ities were sold to finance a second Fixed Liabilities 92,105.00 ors is reasonable and for the best business invested in accounts re- farmers through Farm Bureau Services when Ihey started manu- Debentures Outstanding 3,020,900.00 fertilizer plant at Kalamazoo. A 2,243,672.00 interests of the member Coops ceivable. Branch store managers facturing fertilizers at Saginaw in 1948. A second Farm Bureau new model elevator was built at Capital Stock Outstanding 499,782.00 and the entire organization. The should be commended for this fertilizer manufacturing planl is being built al Kalamazoo and should Lansing at a cost of approximate- Undistributed Patrons Equities .... 381,995.91 439,335.85 be in operation in January. 1954. support and cooperation of all fine showing. ly $125,000, and $70,000 is being concerned is very necessary. Economic conditions at present invested in the modernization of $1,223,661.84 $9,610,559.84 and forecasts for the next two tion. Last year we reported the fall. At Saginaw fall shipments at the elevator located at Saginaw. TEN YEARS ago our total receivables were $177,416.33. THE PAST year has been a years indicate that Farm Bureau discovery of the effect of wetting August 31, were 2,168 tons behind Similar improvements in facilities This year they are $1,405,176.58. period in which the trend has Services will have to hold strict agents in improving the keeping a year ago. This same trend car- to give better service is occurring This should indicate the tremendous job there is to keep been for both farmers and dealers policies regarding credit sales in quality of stored mixed fertilizer. ried on through the season and in Farm Bureau Services' plants track of' accounts and get them collected so as to have, funds to ask for more credit, ki spite order to keep the organization in These have since been used in all was true of the industry as a throughout the State. with which to pay obligations. of this trend, we closed our books a good financial position. 'nitrogen goods mixed. whole. Concerning Farm Bureau Ser- THREE YEARS ago the dele- lence covers over one hundred remain in the retail business. Re- HOWEVER, we have continued vices' other interests; Co-op gates at the annual meeting, after considerable discussion, reiterated Farm Equipment Div. is Now years of sound growth. They are tail operations will be placed to be plagued with problems one of the big nine full line com- under contract to independent op- processing and this past fall has dernization program which in- in plant foods completed their mo- J. F YAEGER their belief that Farm Bureau panies in the industry with fac- been the worst of any season to erators as soon as dealers with date. We came to the conclusion cluded new office facilities. | IN MID-YEAR a functional re- Services should continue organization of programs and staff gram of getting back to the source its pro- A Wholesale Operation tories in both the United States and Canada and well able to serve the necessary capital require- that while we have done a num- ments can be selected. One hun- ber of things that should have velopment of the western phos- CENTRAL Farmers started de- of supply. The best example of Michigan farmers. w a s effected. F a r m Bureau Ser- ARCHIE MOORE. Manager THE SALE OF the National dred good dealers is Farm Bur- made major improvements, other phate lands during the year. Re- vices now operates in three main this is the fertilizer program As Farm Bureau Services en- Farm Machinery Company to the (2) The quality of Cockshutt eau Services' goal. These deal- factors, although tending to ports indicate that there is still divisions; fertilizer manufactur- where Services in recent years tered the year 1952-'53 the de- Cockshutt Farm Equipment Com- farm equipment is outstanding. ers must be approved by the economy, added to the problems considerable development neces- ing, farm equipment, general farm has moved into t h e processing of mand for farm equipment, which pany assured the owners of $20,- (3) With the help of the county Farm Bureau Farm Sup- of processing. sary before mining or processing supplies. Re-organization was ef- materials at the Saginaw plant had been decreasing for some- 000,000 worth of Coop equipment Cockshutt Company, Farm Bur- ply Comittees. If proper public In the light of this all formula- can be started. During the year a fected along these lines with and the ownership of raw phos- time due to a lower farm income, in Michigan replacement parts for eau Services should set up a relations are maintained between tions have been changed and at tunnel has been driven into the Adolph Ecklund as manager of phate rock deposits in the foot- continued the downtrend. their equipment for the life of the .wholesale Farm Equipment di- the dealer and the County Farm the suggestion of consultants mountain about 850 feet below the Fertilizer Manufacturing Di- hills of the Rocky Mountains. machines. vision to be operated according Bureau, the operation of these re- whom we have called in, we have the top of the phosphate. A sec- vision, Maynard Brownlee as It will be noted that process- FARM equipment manufactur- Also, as Cockshutt is continuing to the established practice in the tail stores can be excellent bus- made other changes which we feel ond tunnel is now being driven m a n a g e r of the Farm Supply Di- ing activities resulted last year in ing schedules are set up almost the manufacture of these ma- industry. in about 350 feet above the first vision, Archie Moore as manager the savings of $316,292. Had op- two years in advance. Contracts chines under their own name, iness opportunities and render certain will produce high analysis one. pulverized fertilizer that will be of the Farm Equipment Division. erations been restricted to the dis- are placed for materials and the owners of Co-op equipment are (4) In making this change it outstanding service to the farm- of competitively high quality. This pin points authority and re- tribution level savings would thousands of component parts assured good trade-in values and was deccided that Farm Bureau er. THIRTY thousand yards of sur- sponsibility. The coming year have been only $176,156. which are purchased from special- a complete line of new machinery. Services, Inc., did not have ca- The reorganization of the Di- IT DOES appear from all ad- face material and phosphate rock will be the first full year in which THIS YEAR marked the begin- ty manufacturers. Because of this The distribution of parts and pital to conduct a wholesale dis- vision was completed as of No- vice that we can get, that the only have been removed on the top in t h e revised program has an op- ing of mining operations in the it is necessary to accept and as- maintaining a dealer organiza- tribution on a large scale and still vember 1st. real solution to the problem is the an endeavor to discover the pos- portunity to function. semble machines ordered earlier tion which will render prompt West. Much of the opportunity even though demand is decreasing installation of some process of sibilities of strip mining. The area and efficient service remains the granulation at Saginaw as well as has been surveyed for the r a i h TWO YEARS ago the stockhol- for developing the western prop- at the time. The net result is ders of Farm Bureau Services, at erties will depend, however, on over production and pressure at responsibility of the Farm ment Division of F a r m Bureau Equip- Finance Promotion Division at Kalamazoo. All manufacturers road extension and other develop- are having the same problem and ' ments. t h e annual meeting, voted to fore- the availability of cheap electric the retail point and results in Services. ing cost for the million dollars price cutting and excessive trade- B. P. PATTISON. Mgr. in allowances so as to effect sales. FOLLOWING the sale of Na- sale of securities was 4.2%. HUNDREDS OF TONS DISTRIBUTED HUNDREDS OF TMOUSMDS OF DOLLARS tional F a r m Machinery to the At the close of Farm Bureau During the year, one employee II 32 1 1 of the staff sold $40,000.00 of de- DURING the first month of the Cockshutt-Farm Equipment Com- Services' last fiscal year. Finance bentures for a local co-operative 10 28 r i 1952-'53 fiscal year conditions at pany—Farm Bureau Services en- Promotion Division had been as- r AR/V NITROG>EN FER riLIZER \ signed the task of raising $2,000,- to help strengthen its financial 90 National Farm Machinery placed tered into a contract with Cock- i \ shutt to become State distributor 000 to do two things; first, to position. There are a number of 80 the Farm Equipment Division in ?n EQUIPMEN \ l a very uncertain position as to of their equipment. With the build a fertilizer manufacturing local co-operatives in the State change in condition it was de- plant at Kalamazoo; second, join that would benefit materially by 70 the future. with other Regional Mid-west Co- securing some additional invested 60 It was necessary to make spec- cided that a thorough study of the operatives in the development of capital from their patrons. Ifi farm equipment program be made ial and sometimes costly sales ef- joint holdings of phosphate rock 50 forts for the purpose of moving and evaluate just what the future in Idaho. The campaign was start- ALL Series " A " four percent 17 debentures sold in 1946 to finance 40 inventory. The volume of pa- might hold. The following are ed August 15, 1952 and on August construction of the fertilizer plant A trons' purchases at the F a r m the decisions reached as a result 31, 1953, total debenture sales 30 in Saginaw were called for re- Equipment Branches were as fol- of this study: were $1,066,230. The progam also demption. (1) The C o c k s h u t t F a r m secured the transfer of some Debenture holders 20 i) lows: w e r e offered t h e option of cash Wholesale Retail Total $200,000 of 1946 four percent ten- payment or an exchange for the 10 $174,129.89 621,803.30 0 L a n s i n g ....._ $347,673.41 328,189.23 year debentures to the new five new five percent fifteen-year *43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Saislnaw 159,941.55 168,247.68 208,931.28 percent •41 12 »3 44 H5 46 47 48 49 50 61 52 53 Kalamazoo - 86,181.58 122,749.70 171,158.04 fifteen-year maturity Series " A " debentures. The final Mt. P l e a s a n t - ~ - 80,001.34 91,156.70 109,440.83 Series "A" issue. figures show cash requests for The demand for farm equipment, which had been decreasing Hastings ,JH?H5 97,739.45 1*7,043.26 Farm Bureau Services is the largest supplier of nitrogen Fifty people w e r e licensed to $367,730.00 and total exchange re- for some time d u e to lower farm income, continued the downward Emmett ~ 108,511.27 28,531.99 fertilizers in Michigan. We distributed 55% more nitrogen goods for $794,010.53 $682,555.41 $1,476,565.94 sell these securities of which only quests of $636,090.00. trend the pasl year- During the year National Farm Machinery direct application than in 1952. The graph illustrates the rapid Cooperative was sold to Cockshutt F a r m Equipment Company. F a r m The original sales goal for the | Equipment Company is in a good three were full time employees of growth of interest farmers have in nitrogen fertilizers. y e a r was $2,500,000. financial position. Their exper- the division. The estimated sell- Buy Farm Bureau Feed. B u r e a u Service* is Michigan distributor for Cockshutt. DECEMBER 1. 1953 (Advertisement) MICHIGAN FAHM NEWS (Advertisement) . FIVE Services, Inc., for the Year E n d i n g August 31, 1953 President Notes Board of Directors & Officers for 52-53 16 THOUSANDS OF TONS !• Progress Made 12 s •i El :L ALFRED ROBERTS 10 President's Comments to Farm Bureau Services Seated. left to right: Marten S Annual Meeting at Michigan State College, Dec. 2, 1953 Gam, vice-pres., Charlotte; Al- Y o u as stockholders have gathered to hear a report fred Roberts, president. Pig- 6 on the past years' business and to set objectives for eon; J. F. Yaeger, executive 4 secretary and manager. East the future. Lansing. 2 Y o u r Board of Directors feels that m u c h progress has been m a d e in y o u r organization this year. All opera- Standing, left to right: Ivan '41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 Parsons, Grand Blanc; Ward tions h a v e n o t t u r n e d o u t a s well a s w e w o u l d like t o re- G. Hodge, Snover; Thomas The dip in tonnage of steel products sales by F a r m Bureav p o r t , b u t w e m u s t e x p e c t t h a t a t t i m e s i n all t y p e s o f b u s - Berghouse, Cadillac; Blaque Services in the years following 1947 was brought about largely iness. M a n a g e m e n t a n d d e p a r t m e n t h e a d s will report in Knirk, Quincy; Albert Shell- by government allocations in connection with i h e national nst defensi enbarger. Lake Odessa; Paul program. Steel products were in good supply this year for the] detail on the various operations. Kaechele, Caledonai; Carl E. most part. C h a n g e s h a v e b e e n m a d e l a t e i n t h e p a s t fiscal y e a r Buskirk, Paw Paw. in regards to responsibility and duties of key people. feel t h a t t h e c h a n g e s m a d e h a v e b e e n i n t h e b e s t i n t e r e s t We Farm Bureau Services in of y o u r better organization service to the and that it will stockholders and patrons tend to render a in the Strong Financial Condition Farm Supply Div. Operations future. LEON S. MONROE In addition to the financing o^ Comptroller new projects costing $1,618,600 A very bright spot in the year's operation has been listed above, the new f i n a n c i n g Despite abnormally low^ n e t . p r o v i d e d $344,000 for the calling! the calling in of the stock that w a s sold for t h e building margins for the year ending Aug- of Series "A" 1946 debentures du o f t h e fertilizer p l a n t a t S a g i n a w . T h i s stock w a s issued MAYNARD BROWNLEE, Mgr. STEEL products, for the most six local associations took advant- cause was market declines on ust 31, 1953, Farm Bureau Serv- inventories,—particularly true in in 1956, the payment of St. P a u part, were in ample supply age of this service. ices, Inc., remains in a strong Bank for Cooperative m o r t g a g e d for a period of t e n y e a r s , b u t r e d e e m e d in s e v e n . This The Farm Supply Division throughout the year. One excep- feeds handled at warehouses again showed volume increases in Radio Advertising. Use of where even normal margins are financial condition. Current as- then outstanding of $725,600, a n d is just a n o t h e r e x a m p l e of w h a t f a r m e r s can do for t h e m - tion to this was sheet metal roof- sets exceeded current liabilities an addition to working capital ofj most items, the wholesale volume ing, which still requires consider- radio on a cooperative basis as a very small. for 1952-53 being $11,408,000 as media for getting low-cost product by over $2,700,000, resulting in a $61,800. selves w h e n they c o o p e r a t e w i t h each o t h e r for a c o m - able advance ordering to assure ratio of current assets to current compared to $$11,319,000 last information to farmer patrons has One new management contract m o n cause. supply at the time needed. At liabilities of 2 to 1. The mortgage loan of $1,750,000 year. The unit volume of each grown among dealers. This year was added during the year— department for the last 12 years least one supplier began offering, Farm Bureau Service has ap- is payable at the rate of $2.50 per in mid-year, shipments in truck- 42 local associations joined F a r m the Mason County Cooperative, T h i s y e a r h a s also m a r k e d t h e e x t e n d i n g of fertilizer is graphically illustrated in the Bureau Services in using 10 radio Inc., at Scottville. This organiza- proximately $5,000,000 invested in ton of mixed fertilizer handled, charts accompanying this report. loads mixed with fence, nails, cash balances, government bonds, with a minimum payment during operations. G r o u n d w a s broken this s u m m e r for a n e w roofing, etc. This should be of stations to promote the sale of tion has an annual volume in Farm Bureau supplies. During farm supplies handled and grain accounts receivable and inven- the 1953-1954 fiscal year of $200,- plant at Kalamazoo. It is expected to be in operation FARM BUREAU FEEDS hit a real service to many smaller or- tories; $560,000 invested in secur- 000 and $260,000 per year there- ganizations, allowing them to car- the 12-month period 3,173 com- _tnd beans marketed of approxi- new all time high for the year mercial appeals were broadcast mately $175,000. ities, mainly of other cooperatives; after. s h o r t l y after t h e first of t h e n e w y e a r . A new process ry smaller and better' balanced with a 6% increase in tonnage over these stations. Eighteen local cooperatives are has appropriated $1,022,000 for Long range financial p l a n n i n g ! of m a n u f a c t u r i n g will be used at this plant. This will over 1952. This increase was made inventories. .facility expansions, and has in- indicates that in order to l i q u i d a t e ! during a period when commercial vested in plants and equipment m a k e possible a b e t t e r g r a d e of fertilizer for t h e f a r m e r s feed sales for the industry as a PAINT volume for 1952-53 was our present mortgage loans, r e - | THOUSXKDS OF GALLONS $2,863,000. tire debentures outstanding! throughout the state. whole were down 6% for this sec- slightly in excess of the previous 55 tion of the country. These facts, year, which is noteworthy in Cash and government securities totalling $3,000,000 when due, a n d f age of false prosperity and have coupled with substantial tonnage view of lower farm income. Con- 50 continue the retirement of p r e - This year has witnessed the of $680,000 is greater than norm- not sensed the need of coopera- increases made by many of our siderable promotion effort was ferred stock outstanding on a 13- building of a new model elevator ally carried due to early borrow- west of Lansing on US-16 where tives nor have they fully ap- Co-op members on Farm Bureau made by the department in co- 45 p>\\Y s!T ings on a n e w facility loan from year revolving basis, net m a r g i n s ! preciated their existence. Feed, give evidence of the suc- operation with many local associ- averaging $450,000 per year fori the Farm Bureau Services ware- 40 the St. Paul Bank for' Cooper- They know nothing of market cess of this program. ations. Considerable benefit from the next 15 years are needed. house is located. In addition to atives. conditions that existed years back, this work can be seen, however While earnings for this fiscal y e a r serving the needs of the farmers As this .is written the year 35 Accounts and notes receivable excessive margins that were part of the "pay-off" should come fell below that figure, b u d g e t s in the immediate area, it will be ahead looks good for the feed of $1,405,000 are nearly normal taken and the few services that in increased volume in next for the coming year have as an a place of training for future program. The dairy industry is 30 for this time of year although were offered the farmer. We must year's operation. With high quali- objective approximately $440,000 elevator managers and operators. weathering the slump in fairly somewhat higher than last year. continue an educational program ty Farm Bureau paints, the paint of net margins. With the Kal- I am sure you will agree that this good shape. Unless greater un- 25 Inventories totalling $2,933,000 are that will show the need of the business offers a real challenge to amazoo Fertilizer Plant scheduled is something for which there is a employment hits the cities, milk approximately $500,000 greater cooperative to the farmer and his local co-ops. Most points • have for production in early 1954, a n d real need. sales should increase. The egg barely scratched the surface of 20 than last year, of which $254,000 community. the projected improvement in t h e At some of the other branches, market is favorable. It is expect- the potential farm business avail- is in the fertilizer manufacturing operation of the Farm E q u i p m e n t there have been remodeling pro- WE MUST NOT measure pro- ed that more chicks will be added able. 15 plant, $60,000 in Farm Equipment, jJivision, the long range object- grams under way with new facili- gress in dollars and cents alone. to the replacement flocks this '41 42 43 44 45 16 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 and the balance in Branch and ive can be achieved. ties being added, all for the pur- We enjoy a freedom that is known coming spring than the 615 mil- SALES ACTIVITIES. For the consigned inventories. pose of giving better service to by no other country. Agriculture lion raised this year. purpose of better coordination, Debentures, stock & equities." the farmers in the surrounding Paint sales volume showed an encouraging gain over 1952. Funds invested in other cooper- Borrowed and equity capital in- is the foundation of this nation. Even the beef industry seems effective March 1, 1953, Harold communities. Let us do all in our power to fairly well stabilized and indica- Considerable promotion was done in 1953 which helped then and atives is approximately $60,000 creased from $5,155,000 at A u g . Weinman was given the responsi- preserve that which we now have. tions are that the future will be bilities of supervision of the field should contribute to further gains in 1954. In the years 1946 and greater than last year, as a 31, 1952 to $5,704,000 at Aug. 31, | We commend Mr. Yaeger and brighter for this group. In spite result of additional stockholdings 1953, an increase of $549,000. D u r - force in addition to his sales pro- 1947 the demand for paints was record breaking for all firms. his staff for a job well done. We of all these favorable signs and in the St. P a u l Bank for Coop- ing the year approximately $955,- motion activities. Serving as eratives, necessitated by increased know they are putting forth every because of the reduced tonnage Sales Manager, he has the respon- Other Promotions. Newspaper now under management contract 000 was raised through the sale effort to render the kind of serv- felt by many feed companies, as facility loan borrowings. These of 5% 15-year debentures. In sibilities of working with the de- advertising was another major with Farm Bureau Services, the investments are made up of the ice they feel the farmers of Mich- mentioned above, feed sales will partment managers to develop promotion project of F a r m Bu- total volume of these outlets for following items: addition, $566,000 of 4% 10-year igan want. be harder to make this year. better and more effective sales reau Services. The Michigan F a r m the fiscal year being $7,231,745. debentures w e r e exchanged for I should like to comment on the All feed companies will be programs and techniques, both at News, with a circulation of 60,000 The combined volume of the 31 Regional Cooperatives the new 15-year debentures a n d work Mr. Brody is doing in re- beating the road for business. the wholesale and retail levels, so subscribers, carried Farm Bureau branch and management con- United Cooperatives $1:57,633 $400,000 retired by cash p a y - gards to public affairs. His valued Some local associations may be as to expand the use of F a r m commodity advertising in its tract points now supervised by Farm Bureau Milling Co 159,766 ments. Following the plan a p - assistance is very much appre- I tempted to meet this situation by Bureau supplies and services to twelve issues this year. In addi- Farm Bureau Services was $14,- Central Farmers Fertilizer proved by stockholders in N o v e m - ciated. adding additional lines of feed. Michigan farmers. tion, other farm publications car- 407,745.00 for the year just com- Co 55,763 ber, 1951, the savings in income | When we adjourn this annual Generally speaking, this will be i ried more t h a n 300 column inches pleted. National Cooperatives, Inc 68,597 taxes and preferred stock divi- Appreciation Days. One of in special issues. Farm Bureau Total Regional Cooperative Cooperatives Plant Inc. $461,302 dends resulting from the reduction | meeting today and go back to our a poor substitute for sound mer- Emphasis was again placed at St. Paul Hank andFoods, Central 39,543 various communities, may we go chandising of Farm Bureau quali- the major problems has al- Services also furnished its deal- Bank for Cooperatives 106.400 of "AAA" Preferred Stock divi- the retail level to modernize fa- dends to 2%, w a s used for t h e with a feeling of individual re- ty feeds. ways been the dissemination of ers and distributed to farmers cilities which would improve serv- Michigan Elevator Exchange 80,099 retirement of $47,160 of Preferred sponsibility, determined to re- Farm Bureau commodity infor- several hundred thousand cir- ice and efficiency. The follow- Other Cooperatives 13,751 SEED — Farmers purchased mation. This year there were culars, literature, envelope stuff- Stock issued as patronage refunds tain the cooperative way of doing ing are some of the major items Commercial Bank Stocks 315 $661,867 in 1940. business. Remember, where there more Farm Bureau seed this year held, in cooperation with dealers, ers, direct mail pieces, etc., de- completed during the year: is unity there is strength. through local co-operatives and some 43 commodity information scribing its products. Policy on expansion. In ac- Farm Bureau dealers than at any meetings for farmer patrons. Net margins for the fiscal y e a r | 1. A n e w 12,000-bushel ca- cordance with a policy estab- amounting to $123,679 were allo- time in the history of the organi- These were all-day meetings zation. Sales of Farm Bureau called "Appreciation" or "Bonus" RETAIL ACTIVITIES. In an pacity elevator was constructed lished by your Board of Directors, cated as follows: FBS Internal alfalfa seed were nearly 30% greater than in 1952. In spite of 000 farmers attended these events supervisory activities, Ray Bohn- at the Lansing Branch. ern facilities for swift This all major additions to fixed as- Days. It is estimated that 28,- effort to streamline retail store elevator is equipped with mod- sets have been financed through and the sale of securities, or through Dividends on Class "AAA" Preferred Alfred Roberts this, net earnings of the depart- and learned about Farm Bureau sack, was given in mid-year the efficient handling of grain. Mod- long-term bank borrowings. Dur- Stock $ 30,639 ! DURING the year some local cooperatives have asked Farm Bu- Service ment were 23% less than last year due to market declines quality products and how to use responsibility of all retail man- ern grinding and mixing equip- ing the past fiscal year, gross them. In addition, throughout the agement services. This includes ment, including molasses blend- additions to fixed assets totalled Federal Income Taxes Added to Reserve Fund .... 10,579 32,852 reau Services for help in.the way throughout the year. year, thousands of Farm Bureau supervision of all branch and ing, is included in the operation. $549,000 and are made up of the Patronage Refunds Pay- Members a n d Cooperative Pat- management contract points as of management problems. Farm Bureau Services now has 18 Division Prospects for the seed business seem especially good at this time. rons were informed about F a r m well as assisting in the develop- ment of new local cooperatives 2. Grain handling facilities following items: able in Class B Pre- ferred Stock 49,609 points under management con- W. VICTOR BIELINSKI Mgr. Prices on seed offered to farmers Bureau products at community were completely remodeled at Sterling Elevator Facilities $ 29,177 tract. This is another service group and Co-op annual meetings and branch stores. He is assisted the Hastings Branch, including a Kalamazoo Fertiliser Plant The Internal Service Division of for next spring will be attract- by the field representatives, com- by two Store Supervisors—Ken- new high-capacity grain cleaner, Construction 248,414 $123,679 extended to those who feel need of help at their local cooperatives. Farm Bureau Services provides ive and the acreage to be seeded modity specialists, and through neth Miller on the west side of grain pit, and truck hoist to speed Hastings Elevator Equity capital decreased a p - services involving employee pol- will undoubtedly be larger due to visual aid materials. the state,, and M. H. Wallace on Improvements 26,602 proximately $6,000 due to r e d e m p - The future of Farm Bureau icies and working conditions. It acreage allotments on other crops. the east side. grain handling. Lansing Elevator Construction.. 96,379 tion of Preferred Stock in excess | Services depends entirely upon includes the departments of build- Again, s o u n d merchandising Emmett Elevator Improvements 18,748 of capitalized net margins. you folks here today that are rep- ing service, payroll, personnel, should produce results for the ag- Merchandising Kits. One of the Farm Bureau Services debent- 3. Mobile feed units were put Grand Rapids Warehouse greatest needs of local cooper- ures were sold in the Sterling into operation at the following Construction .._ 28,030 resenting local cooperatives and and gressive Co-op or Farm Bureau ORGANIZATION OF D I V I - the farmers of your community. office equipment and dealer. atives and dealer agencies has area for the purpose of starting a points to improve and expand Trucks and Trailers 56,600 SION. With respect to organi- With your loyal support there is vehicles. In this way related ac- been a good merchandising pro- new branch store at that point. service to patrons in their re- US-16 Land Improvements zation of the Comptroller's Divi- no limit what an organization tivities which affect the internal The Plant Food Department of gram. At their request, Farm Bu- Over $55,000 of debentures were spective areas: Grand Rapids (Net) 11,720 sion, some changes have b e e n | $549,000 owned and controlled by farmers operation of the business are com- Farm Bureau Services distributed reau Services again offered a purchased by the patrons to pro- Branch, Saginaw Branch, Grand Other Equipment and made to improve the efficiency bined. monthly "merchandising kit" vide this service. A local elevator Blanc Cooperative Elevator Com- Improvements In addition to the foregoing33,330 ex- can do for themselves. 55% more nitrogen goods for penditures, appropriations for new in its operations. Responsibility j THE NUMBER of employees on direct application than in 1952. which contained "point-of-sale" was purchased and began operat- pany, Fowlerville Cooperative facilities and investments totalling for the operation of the Account- j FORCES are continually at August 31, 1953, as compared to a Farm Bureau Services remain the promotion material for produce ions as a branch in September, Company. $1,272,000 have been provided for ing Department has been placed work hoping to destroy the bene- year ago decreased from 714 to largest supplier of this type of displays, suggested newspaper 1952. through bank borrowings and in one department head, w h o has I fits that rightly belong to farmers 704. This was due, primarily, to fertilizer in the state. and radio advertisement, direct 4. The Charlevoix Cooperative the sale of Series "A" 5% deben- mail pieces, display layouts with Services' 13 branch stores h a d Company installed a grain drier reassigned duties and added through their marketing and changes in the Farm Equipment The mixed fertilizer program tures as follows: mechanized equipment resulting purchasing operations. Our young Division from a branch to a dealer was again limited only by pro- instructions for building them, a volume from the previous year. to take care of the moisture prob- and many other items. Seventy- This decrease in net margin is lem on wheat and corn handled Original Expended Balance folks have come up through an (Continued on Page 3) Appro. to Aug. to be duction facilities, during the due to several factors. The major in that area. J1,1»6J Ex)»< spring months of the year. T h e Kalamazoo Fertilizer Plant Facilities $1,048,607 $248,414 $ 8'' fall season was a different pic- The year just completed has Kalamazoo Fertiliser Plant Inventories 250,000 THOUSANDS OF TONS MILLIONS OF POUNDS 50 t u r e — acreage allotments on carried with it many problems. Stuck Subscriptions—Central Farmers Fertilizer 6.5 Co. for Western phosphate land wheat substantially reduced de- Prices on many items, which have 125.000 15 development 125,000 96.379 mand. All fertilizer companies 6.0 been increasing almost continual- Lansing Elevator Construction 125.000 10 FEED 4¥ were knocking on doors for busi- ness this fall and, as it appears 5.5 C •^ ly for more than ten years, made an about face. Much credit goes Saginaw Warehouse Construction The utilization of excessive 70,000 $1,618,607 $346,198 $1,272,409 Z>EEIJ V 35 30 v > $ now, competition will continue to be keen for the farmers' fertilizer needs next spring. 5.0 to Farm Bureau Services' retail store managers, department man- agers, and store supervisors for cash balances as of August 31, 1953, and t h e liquidation of ab- normally high inventories will in a substantial clerical personnel, as well reduction producing financial s t a t e m e n t s of as 4.5 their efforts in handling these provide funds to complete these and operating figures more / / / Local cooperatives and Farm situations. The year ahead will promptly. 25 Bureau dealers should give seri- projects. 4.0 undoubtedly present new hurdles. The summarization of b u d g e t s o>-- ous attention to improving mer- With the continued cooperation Long term financing. In view of as prepared by the operating d i v i - 20 / . «• L - _ • • • ** ,.•*•... itfS chandising techniques if present tonnage is to be increased, or 3.5 of local associations, these can be the need for the expansion of sions, and reporting progress t o - . . - J— t _*» met and progress maintained. fertilizer manufacturing facilities wards achievement have been r e - 15 • * \ '***» ,.-• ..'.*« Efl/£i even maintained. The need on 3.0 fined during t h e year by e s t a b - *•«.• • rT ^7. w— farms for better soil practices is and other expansion projects, > <* your board of directors author- lishing check points each m o n t h , 10 evident in many areas. The re- MSC potato specialists are co- 2.5 ized a complete refinancing of thus providing management w i t h ". 1 42 4 3 44 4 5 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 t u r n to the farmer for money '1H 42 43 44 45 46 47 *8 43 50 51 52 53 operating with the U.S. D.A. and long-term loans and the "sale of more information as a guide to spent for plant food is still at- colleges all over the nation to additional 5% 15-year debentures. future decisions. tractive. There is a need, how- try to develop potato varieties Farm Bureau feed sales rose to an all-time high this year, with a ever, to get this information to Farmers purchased more Farm Bureau seed this year through that will resist 25 virus diseases This authorization provided for 6% increase in tonnage over 1952. 94% of our total mill tonnage is the farmer patron. An organized local cooperatives and Farm Bureau dealers than in any other year. which threaten potatoes. More mortgage loans aggregating $1,- Grape Mly in the form of high concentrates. Each ton of concentrate provides sales and merchandising program Alfalfa seed sales were 30% greater than in 1952. Prospects for than 2100 varieties are being 750,000 and additional debenture For grape jelly-making, use *> five more tons of Farm Bureau feeds at the farm level than is shown will be needed by every local as- the seed business appear to be especially good. We seed about 500,000 used in cooperative work at sales of $1,000,000, or a total of mixture of slightly underripe an