A INI ICHIGAN FARM BUREAU JULY 1,1965 Jfarm bureau Member* $eliebe„. . • In the American competitive system. . . That the Constitution is the basic law of the land and its interpretation should be in keeping with the intent of its authors. . . That property rights cannot be taken away without infringing on rights guaranteed by the Constitution. . . That government should provide only minimum controls and aids. . . That govetf should stimulate, not discourage ividual iot^tpart of the T n e r\K\ TLIC IMCIHC • President's Capitol Report F.B. Women Pictures: Group Discussion UIN n C IINDILJLL. Column . . . Page 2 Pages 4 and 5 . . . Page 12 . . . Page 20 Topic . . . Page 22 TWO July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Editorial President's Column Twenty-two Heads Bigger and Better Committees have become commonplace to vVe've been talking about building a bigger the point where their considerable value is and better Fann Bureau. This calls for some often ignored. serious soul-searching. As your president, I By their nature they attract ridicule, for have been doing just that. committee actions are slow at best and deliber- These are 1960's, not the 1930's. The 1980's ation is easily mistaken for inaction. will soon be here. Some say, "if you want to kill an idea, turn Agriculture and the world are changing fast. it over to a committee." Others point out that Farm Bureau must be built to serve farmers Russia's farm failures are a good example of and to meet the challenges of the future. And what committee planning can do. there are plenty of challenges to face. Still, committees are an important part of Farmers of the '30's put plenty of steam in our complicated world. Most of the work of our the Farm Bureau boiler to meet the pressing legislatures and of Congress is done through problems of their day. I honor them for their committee assignment. militant, cooperative spirit - those Dads of Much the same is true of Farm Bureau which ours. But I have faith that farmers today can has the best of all comrr.ittee structures, be- do just as good a job for our times in welding cause it is voluntary. Fann Bureau committees together a strong organization. We can be just, are powerful because they have no power other as dedicated and militant. What we do or fail than that gained through the enlightened self- to do is up to us. interest and the pressures of conscience. \Ve wouldn't cut our wheat with a scythe or Fann Bureau committees never threaten or our corn with a sickle. demand. They invite instead of command. \Ve have to fashion a new Fann Bureau to They ask for help. They give help freely. They lick the kind of problems we face now and to- are respected forces in their communities. morrow. And we must do it. If farmers could A voluntary organization is much more than TWENTY-TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE. not stand alone in the 1930's, much less can they one which a member joins of his own free wiIl. stand alone in our day. By its very nature, much of the work in a Farmers live in a world of growing pressures voluntary organization must also be done by - legislative, marketing, government regula- members, voluntarily. tions, cost and price squeezes - pinches on in- Fann Bureau is member-oriented. sponsive to the wishes of its membership to reflect these wishes the member must play It is re- and .Our Cover Family come. We have to find ways of reducing these pinches. \Ve will need a stronger united farm membership to do it. a key role in perfonning important jobs. For a number of years, agriculture's "core" Fortunately, fanners are among the hardest committee workers to be found anywhere. This The Robert Armbrusters has been shrinking. Fewer and larger farms - bigger investments - more complicated fi- is true in spite of the fact that they also know nances - more mechanization - a different The appealing farm family in our cover composite- market system facing us. It isn't a question committees. for what they are, - not one bit photo, is the Robert Armbruster family of Pigeon, Mich- whether we like this trend or not. It's happen- better or worse than the abilities of the people igan. "Bob" is president of the Huron County Farm ing. Farms can't remain what they were and who work on them allow. Bureau and has been a long-time Farm Bureau leader. still be large enough to meet rising costs. The- Those who hesitate about accepting commit- Mrs. Armbruster (Frances) is former county Women's tee work should pause to think about the alter- pinch makes the small farm a tough place to Committee Chairman. carryon. natives. These begin with the rather obvious They live on 120 acres near the edge of town where "Project 80" at Michigan: State University fact that if good people refuse to give of their the farm operation is based mainly on com, beans, sugar says that there will be as few as 60,000 fanns time and talents, those who have "time to beets and wheat. Some grain is marketed in the form of in ~1ichigan by 1980. Nearly a hundred thou- spare" - and little talent, must do so. finished hogs and cattle. sand now. The farm of tomorrow wiII have to lt is to the credit of most County Farm Family members included in our picture are Karen, Mr. be a larger commercial farm. As I see it, that's Bureau boards that choices for committee as- and Mrs. Armbruster, David, James and Thomas. the kind of farm which Farm Bureau must be signment are not lightly made. Farm Bureau Karen, the oldest, is a typical teen-ager, active in school- equipped to serve. More direct and technical leaders know that those selected to help build work and community projects. James and Thomas are services - yet broader action also in public programs become the active core of the or- busy with school and chores, plus helping with crops affairs and public rela~ons. The l~gislative pic- _ ganization. during school vacation. David, the "baby" of the family, ture is far different to farmers than it was 30 These people gain in experience through years ago. anxiously awaits his turn to drive the tractor. planning programs, and. through working in Solving the farm income problem will have the programs they have helped plan. Alore Visitors approaching the trim, white two-story home in its setting of shaded lawn are struck by the neatness to he high on our priority list. This is not easy. often than not they provide the source of Many things affect it. It is complicated by leadership for Farm Bureau in future years. and well-tended appearance of the Armbruster farmstead. national political policy, inflation, labor prob- July is the month when the County Farm If anyone word could describe the family, it might well lems, taxes and marketing problems. We will Bureau hoards appoint all basic and other be "energetic". need the best staff experts we can hire to tackle 4 special committees to carry out county pro- this problem. grams. This is the month when the all-important The jobs called for will require that we hire "Roll-Call" committee is carefully selected; when the Legislative, Resolutions, Community Group, In~onnation, Local Affairs and Commodity ap- Encyclopaedia Brittannica the highest calibre of staff people that money can buy, men who can analyze, plan and or- ganize action among farmers - men who can pomtments are made. The FARM NEvVS welcomes a new advertiser this month, work with, infonn and train farmers to their These committees have tremendously impor- the famed Encyclopaedia Britannica Company, which in a full role in the tasks - men who can deal with the tant work to do in the near future. Keeping page "Bulletin" in this issue offers its Group Cooperative Plan public as we find it. up with legislative actions alone is a major job to rural people who may wish to purchase sets at a reduced price. We must work for better marketing "know- fo~ a number of alert people. Commodity com- The plan has gained in popularity because it protects the how" - use the best of marketing re~earch. mIttees become advisors to the Resolutions com- participants from receiving an unwanted call from a Britannica The public gets its information today through mi!tee~ which in turn involves the Local Affairs salesman unless specifically requested by the person wishing television. We must step vigorously into this commIttee, the Fann Bureau \Vomen's commit- to explore the possibility of obtaining the Encyclopaedia set. informational field. tee and the Community Groups. Helping tie Busy farmers need the help of expert Fann all of the work and programs together with the Bureau field men with. top quality leadership strong cord of communications is the Informa- M Ie H I G A N"'C,FARM NEWS capacities - and more of them. The best r tion committee. THE ACTION .. UBLICATION O~ THE MICHIGAN ~ARM BUREAU leadership in agriculture must be recruited to The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS is DIRECTORS: District I, Max K. Should you be asked to serve on a committee published monthly, on the first day, Hood, Paw Paw. R-I; District 2, Wil- the Farm Bureau ranks. Young farm leaders by the Michi~an Farm Bureau, at its bur H. Smith, Burlington. R-I; District of your Fann Bureau, take the invitation for publication office at 109 N. Lafayette 3, Donald L. Ruhli~, De x t e r; Dis- with promise must be developed and trained Street, Greenville, MichiJtan. trict 4, E It 0 n R. Smith, Caledonia. to leadership. Our membership must become what it is, a compliment and an opportunity. R-I; District 5, David Morris, Grand Editorial and ~eneral offices at 4000 You would not have been asked if you were North Grand River Avenue, LansinJt, Ledge, R-3; District 6, Ward G. Hodge, more active and militant. MichiJtan. Post Office Box 960. Tele- Snover, R-I; District 7, Kenneth Bull, not qualified and needed. phone, Lansing, 485-8121, Extension Bailey, R-I; District 8, Harvey Leuen- \Ve cannot succeed by setting up an organi- 317. berger, Sa~inaw, R-6; District 9, ~emember, - a one-man show is caUed a Established January 12, 1923. Sec- Eugene Roberts, Lake City. R-I; Dis- zation that is rigid. We must be flexible - ond Class Postage paid at Greenville, trict 10, Edgar Diamond, Alpena, R- able to roll with the punches as conditions DIctatorship. In this cO,untry we don't do things Michigan. 2; District 11, Edmund Sager, that way. A "dozen-man-show" is the Farm EDITORIAL: Editor, Melvin L. Stephenson. change. And we must still remain free of any WoeU; Staff Photographer, Charles DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Walter party connection of limitation. ~ureau way of doing it, a dozen or two dozen Bailey; Staff Artist, Sam Bass. Women's Frahm, Frankenmuth; Dean Pridj,teon, Instead of one or two persons. Material. Mrs. Donna \Vilber. Montgomery, R-l; Walter Wightman, If we are to get this job done, we must pro- OFFICERS: Michij,tan Fann Bu- Fennville, R-l. ~?e old saying "two heads are better than reau; President, Elton R. Smith, Cale- donia. R-l; Vice President, Dean WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU: Mrs. William Scramlin, Holly; FARM BU- vide an adequate financial base for the achieve- ment. It is no time for Farm Bureau leaders one has been improved upon. Pridgeon. Montgomery. R-I; Secretary- REAU YOUNG PEOPLE: Raymond Manager, Clarence E. Prentice, Okemos. Kuchnrek, Gaylord. and members to ,be penny wise and pound In Farm Bureau, change that to "twenty-two POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News, 4000 N. foolish. If we don't do the job right, we will ~ heads" - and count your own among them! Grand River, Lansing, Michigan. face the world with too little and too late. Second class postage paid at Greenville, Michigan M.W. Elton Smith MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 THREE Study Leads to Program Advances Expanded Program "Consensus Report" Based upon hundreds ~f suggestions for Farm Bureau pro- LEGISLATION gram expansion, and following the recommendation of a special In the matter of improved state "Relationship Committee," the board of directors' of the legislative services, taxes were Michigan Farm Bureau has backed both a greatly expanded mentioned more than any other program and a dues adjustment to finance it. item by those county Farm Bu- Recommended by the Board is an eight-dollar membership reaus holding study meetings. dues increase in 1966 with three dollars of this amount to go Main concern seemed to lie with to county Farm Bureaus, and five dollars to state programs. relieving property tax loads. Other This would place dues at the $20 mark, compared to the issues mentioned were: water present $12 sum. pollution, soil and water conser- vation laws, legislation to combat The Farm Bureau board also suggested that county organi- agricultural substitutes, changes zations be allowed to set dues to exceed this amount if desired. in wheat grades and freight rate These decisions were made after a prolonged study by the adjustments. State Relationship Committee, which examined reports from The State Relationship Com- local Farm Bureau meetings called to study Farm Bureau mittee recommended additional programs and _their financing. staff assistance in legislative areas, THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES - seated at a Michigan Farm Bureau annual Most recently, the Execu~ive Committee of the Michigan and the Michigan Farm Bureau meeting is an impressive sight. Based on membership, the delegate body is ex- Farm Bureau has compiled and released a "Consensus Sum- board made the same recommen- pected to number nearly 700 at the special meeting called to consider an expanded mary" of the comments, with copies sent to all county Farm dation. program August 16. Bureau Presidents, Secretaries and Women's Chairmen. The consensus of a large ma- jority of counties was for added The report is of special significance in a number of areas, field help, with several asking for Background Report and compares local recommendations with those of the Re- more regional fieldmen: Others lationsJ:tip Committee and final action by the Michigan Farm Bureau board. requested county or multi-county "paid" staff help. More regional Dues Recommendatioi The Executive Committee, made up of Michigan Farm Bu- men, smaller regions seemed to reau president, Elton Smith; Vice President, Dean Pridgeon and a third member, David Morris, made a careful breakdown of be the consensus, the Executive Committee reports. Comes from Counties each action-area - for example, in Marketing,' the report reads: A half-dozen steps have been taken by Farm Bureau "Almost every county said 'expand' marketing efforts. Target ADEQUATE DUES voting delegates in the past several years, leading to the crops mentioned were - navy beans, wheat, beef, milk, vege- The Executive Committee re- special meeting of the Voting Delegate body, called tables, red beans, feeder pigs and timber products. ported that almost all counties August 16 to consider program expansion and necessary said "Let's have adequate dues finances to carry it out. "They said that emphasis should be given to Market Re- to finance Farm Bureau programs The actions began in the annual meeting of November, search, a market newsletter in the Farm News,- 'contracting' of even if this means some increase." 1963. There, the delegates reviewed problems of in- farm produce, closer liaison with existing commodity organiza- Se~eral counties said that there creased cos~s involved in operating Farm Bureau pro- tions, statewide coordination of marketing groups through Farm should be two levels of dues, grams, and requested that the Michigan Farm Bureau Bureau, exploration of overseas marketing possibilities plus re- based on either classification or board direct the State Relationship Committee to Cstudy search in overseas selling, and timber marketing possibilities." age. Many counties said that a part of any dues increase should and make recommendations" regarding program and fi- Following this, the Executive Committee listed the action of nance "in the years ahead." come to the counties. Several the State Study Committee: "Recommended: increased emphasis recommended that from $1 to Step tw~ involved work of this State Relationship Com- in this area and addition to staff to work on these problems." 50 % of any dues increase should mittee, with members representing each district of the Under "The state board has recommended" - they listed: go to the counties. state. The committee met .regularly, analyzing programs "Same" - indicating that the Michigan Farm Bureau board Some counties that studied the and finances of Farm Bureau at county and state levels. had added its approval. problems of finance did not rec- The committee reported to the MFB board and to the ommend a "dollar figure"- State Resolutions Committee in November, 1964. . Similarly, the Executive Committee examined and listed the others recommend $15, $20, $25 recommendations and actions in ten other areas. Included were: The Voting Delegate body in annual meeting asked that or more" based on their under- Membership, Staff Expansion, Community Groups, Young standing of program needs and. the Relationship Committee continue its work and make People, Farm Bureau 'Vomen, Citizenship, Information, Dues, anticipated costs tied to it for a "specific recommendations" to the board and membership Public Affairs, and new Member-Service programs. several-year period. "on adequate financing and program expansion for Fann Among the new member-service programs listed for consider- The State Study Committee Bureau." ation by the Michigan Farm Bureau was 'possibility of a Farm recommended an increase in dues This study project continued throughout the months that Bureau "credit-system" - primarily for young farmers. to $20 for 1966 with $2 of the followed, aided and involved an examination of the fi- increase to go to counties and $6 nances and programs of other state Farm Bureaus, consul-:- Others underscored the concern farmers have for an improved to go to the state. They asked tation with American Farm Bureau leaders, and with ex- type of farm accounting system, to be set up and operated for a special delegate meeting to perts in farm organization. A preliminary report of "Project through Farm Bureau. "Tied into this was the possibility of consider these recommendations. 80" presented by Michigan State University staff members side-benefits through the help in preparing income-tax forms, The Michigan Farm Bureau board recommended that dues be provided a look ahead into the future of fanning. estate planning and "farm incorporation." increased to $20 effective for In February, county executive committee members met Considerable emphasis was placed on help in farm labor to examine the Farm Bureau of the future. They recom- 1966 with $3 of the increase to procurement and in training farm laborers through agricultural the counties and $5 to the state; mended further meetings to inform the membership of trade schools .. that counties be allowed to exceed obvious programming needs and adequate financing. The Michigan Farm Bureau board recommended thorough $20 for their own use "as de- l\1ulti-county board meetings were followed by county- study of these suggestions. sired." wide membership meetings, with reports flowing to district directors. Especially noted by those who studied Fann Bureau finances was the scheduled increase in American Fann Bureau Federation dues - up 25t from the present $1.00 in 1966, and going up to SOt additional ($1.50 total) in 1968. The next step in the chain of events came in early May of this year when the State Relationship Committee, as directed by the voting delegates last FalL made its recom- mendations to the Michigan Fann Bureau board. The report included a recommendation that dues be increased to $20 effective next year to intensify county and state Farm Bureau programs in Field Services, Market- ing, Public Affairs, Community Activities (Young People) and Information (public Relations). The Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors accepted these recommendations with only slight change. To the $20 dues they added that the increase in dues be split with $3 going to counties and $5 to the Michigan Fann Bureau, further that counties be allowed to exceed this amount as desired. REGISTRATION AND CREDENTIALS, - and a brief chance to greet friends from all parts of Michigan, are a part of the excitement and importance of any Farm Bureau delegate gathering. At the special meeting August 16, the same dele- They set the date of August 16, 1965, for the special gates certified for last Novembers annual meeting will be qualified to serve. The meeting will be held in Fairchild delegate meeting. Theatre, Michigan State University, East Lansing. FOUR July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS I capitol I I I • I ,~ I report "Anti-Monopoly" Milk Bill Fails in Final Hours By: Legislative Counsel than are farmers. themselves! Dan E. Reed . Farmers may hope that the chain stores' concem for their welfare FARM LEGISLATION is the topic of discussion as Rep. Floyd Mattheeussen (D. Without doubt, among the most controversial bills of the will extend to other areas of bar- Benton Harbor), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, is interviewed by current session of the Michigan Legislature has been the dairy gaining for agricultural products! Robert Smith, MFB Legislative Counsel, at Farm Bureau's "Communications Center." H. 2165 has been carefully de- The Farm Bureau radio program is heard over 53 stations throughout the state. unfair trade practices anti-monopoly measure - H. 2165. veloped over the past s eve r a I Seldom, too, have such sharp comments been made on the years through many meetings :tud tactics used by those opposing a bill. Referring to the many ads, conferences of farm groups, Mich- including full-page spreads in metropolitan dailies throughout the State, Senator Raymond Dzendzel, D-Detroit, and the ma- jority leader, said - "1 am not shaken by the distorted ads presented by an unscrupulous chain store operator." igan Milk Producers Association, Michigan dairy processors and distributors. It is a bill to provide fair competition in the dairy in- "Green" to "Grain" The ads were placed over the signamre of the Kroger Com- pany and carried a coupon space. The housewife was en- couraged to cut out the advertisement, fill in her name and dustry and would prevent the sale of milk at less than cost ex- cept to meet a competitor's fair price. It would also make illegal $$ Saved for Farmers address and send it to her Senator. The ad presented a crying the under-the-table handouts to The harvest season is here. Com hines will soon roll and baby saying - ''I'm gonna cry over high priced milk." . secure business. elevators will work around the clock receiving the newly It is common knowledge in the harvested grain. Additional trucks will be needed to take Senator Harold Volkema, R-Hol- dairy industry that such gifts as the grain from elevators to terminals. But few farmers SENATORS OBJECT trips to Bermuda, free paving for land, said - "Given money TO KROGER ADS will know that passage of H. 2175 by the :Michigan Legis- enough to put on a campaign of parking lots, free advertising, free, nT low-cost, refrigerated dairy lature and signature by Gov. Romney will prevent the Several Senators objected to the distortion, a great amount of mis- information can be spread." cases, milk dispensers and other price of grain from being a few cents lower. fact that the ad was drafted in such a way that their names ap- Senator Basil Brown, D-High- equipment - and even «lOW;.. The total story begins some months ago but, it can be peared at the bottom of the ad land Park, asked why all this de- cost" or "no-cost" loans - have summarized by a few points: Trucks transporting most as though they too were endors- bate was stirred by "a stinking been used to entice business and provide tlnfair cutthroat compe- products are under strict regulation by the Interstate Com- ing the message. ad put in the papers of our State bv one chain store. Are the letters tition. merce Commission (ICe), if they cross state lines or by The ads compared the prices for a half gallon of milk in Mich- \~e have received the result of the Michigan Public Seryice Commission (MPSC) if they igan with prices in high milk understanding of the bill or of a COMPETITION move within the State. Such regulation includes routes cost states in the South or states mass hysteria created by Madison ELIMINATED traveled, rates charged, etc. where milk prices are under State Avenue ads that tell only half tntths?" Seventy-four Michigan dairies Federal regulations exempt trucks carrying agricultural control. The ads did not list milk prices in \Visconsin and Senator Jan Vanderploeg, D- have been driven out of business products. Michigan's law also exempts vehicles used ex- Minnesota, where legislation Muskegon, spoke strongly of the the last few years, lessening the clu~ively for hauling farm products from the ..farm to similar to H. 2165 is in effect. need for action to provide fair competition in the field of milk market. H. 2165 has long been a part competition rather than market- purchasing, processing and dis- tribution. These dairies were not . Other trucks are exempt when "used for the transporta- of Farm Bureau's legislative pro- destroying, monopoly-creating un- gram. A similar bill passed both fair practices. necessarily inefficient 0 r hi g h- tion of fruits, green vegetables and sugar heets" to other hOllses of the Legislature in 1961. cost operations. They simply were markets either "local or foreign." After some unusual parliamentary caught in the bind' when large OUT-OF-STATE MILK national operators threw their re- The word "brreen" is the key word. It will be noted that maneuvering, the bill was finally DUMPED IN U. P. sources into a community to de- the word "grain" is not mentioned in :Michigan's law. Be- placed on Governor Swainson's desk. He vetoed the bill, and stroy their competitors and estab- 'cause of this the hauling of grain and beans could have Referring to the result of the lish a monopoly. come under regulation but, until recently, the law had not some believe that his career as dumping of out-state milk in Governor was shortened to one Michigan, Senator Dzendzel said In a decision of the U. S. Su- been enforced because of the exemption by other states term partly by this action. preme Court, rendered on June and by the ICe. - "We don't have a law to pro- 22, 1959, involving a national tect our dairy farmers from un- grocery chain, the court said - Strong demands were being made on the MPSC to DISCRIMINATION fair competition from other «The selling of selected goods at strictly enforce the law and to require regulation of trucks IN PRICES states." \Visconsin and Minnesota a loss in order to lure customers hauling grain and beans from local elevators to terminals Evidence that the Kroger Com- both have legislation similar to into the store is deemed not only and shipping points. Farm Bureau offered a bill in the pany has been using discrimina- H. 2165 and have dumped sur- a destructive means of competi- House to correct the situation, but because of a complicated tory milk pricing was submitted pluses into Michigan's Upper tion; it also plays on the gullibility Peninsula on a cut-prices scale. of customers by leading them to parliamentary situation it hecame necessary to amend to the Senate during debate. A telephone survey of markets The bill was reported to the expect what generally is not true, another hill in the Senate which had already passed the throughout the State showed that floor, with the recommendation namely, that a store which offers House. half gallons of milk bottled by that it pass, by the Senate Agricul- such a misleading bargain is full The amendment changed the word "green" to "grain" and the Borden Company in Grand ture Committee, chaired by Sen- of other such bargains." had the effect of eXeJlIpting both grain and beans. The Rapids were selling at 44~ in ator Roger Johnson, D-Marshall. Traverse City and 33~ in Grand Senator Johnson, in explaining the arnendment came under heavy attack. Fann Bureau and SENATOR JOHNSON Rapids. Other Kroger prices on bill, said - "\Ve are not trying LEADS FIGHT local elevator men, led by the Michigan Elevator Ex- the same day showed 39~ in to eliminate competition; we are chan~e, w~)rkt.'<1long hours to get the necessary under- Kalamazoo, 38~ in Detroit for trying to provide fair competi- H. 2165 was taken up by the standmg of tIllS cOlllplicated ,and far-reaching problem. milk in Borden brand containers tion." Senate and debated at different and 37 ~ for the same milk in times on several days. Senator 'Vithout this change, Michigan's agriculhlre would he at Kroger brand containers bottled Iohnson gave able leadership in a distinct disadvantage with other states. Michigan ports CHAINS CONCERNED by Borden. handling the measure. As the ses- and flu.' St. Lawrence Seaway would also suffer. But most FOR FARMERS? During the past four years, sion drew to a close, the Senate, importi.l1If to farmers is the fact that hauling charges would there has been less than 2~ per Some of the chain store ads after heated debate, voted by 18 havc ns('n s~arply, perhaps double the present rates, if half gallon variation in farmer have expressed concem for the to 17 to table the hill again, killing truck regulation was required. As usual, this would have prices for milk. During this same plight of the dairy farmer under it for this session. In our next come frolll farmers' income. period, Kroger has sold half gallon the legislation. Several Senators issue we wiII carrv an honor roll cartons of milk in Detroit at prices also picked this line from the ads of the members o( the House and Prompt legislative action by Farm Burcau has again varying from 33t to 44t. and used it on the Senate floor. Senate who voted for H. 216.5 in ~aved thousands of dollars for fanncrs many of "'].0111 Referring .to the thousands of It appears tTzat the elwin stores the face of a barrage of letters will lIevcr kllow \\'hat happened. dollars of newspaper advertising feel that they are better able to stimulated by the emotional ad- used by one grocery company, look Ollt for the farmers' welfare vertising campaign. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS FIVE School Aid Relieves More Labor Legislation By: Associate Legislative Counsel Robert E. Smith group leaders was shelved by the House Labor Committee, chaired by RePresentative James Bradley, D-Detroit. The bill would have Property Tax Burden A flood of farm labor legislation continues! required farmers using five or more workers secured through a Minimum housing standards, migrant labor transportation "group leader" to file a $1,000 H. 2189, as finally passed, meets the requirements of Farm safety. standards, mandatory \Vorkmen's Compensation cover- penal bond to guarantee pay- Bureau's resolutions. State aid will be increased by approxi- age of farm workers, and a duplicating crew leader registration ments of wages due. The measure mately $70 million bringing the state's share of school operating bill will add to the complications facing farmers who use se~sonal grew out of the so-called Edmore costs to the 50% mark as compared to the present 46%. The help. situation of 1964, where a pickle grand total amounts to $% billion or more. Sixty-eight million A federal crew leader registra- In opposing the duplicate regis- processor failed, leaving a number dollars of which is for the teachers' retirement program. tion bill, adopted by Congress last tration of those already covered of Puerto Rican workers stranded. year, became effective January 1, by federal requirements, a bu- The Committee killed the bill The formula-is changed considerably. There are basically two 1965. It is more comprehensive reaucrat raised the question - when Farm Bureau pointed out parts, aid to districts with $12,200 or more valuation per child .and more rigid than H. 2238 in "'Vhat harm will it do? It's only a that farmers were not fly-by-night will be figured at $255 per child with 4.6 mills deductible and the Michigan Legislature. The 85 fee." There is little recognition operators and had no bad record districts with less than $12,200 valuation per child will receive federal act covers interstate crew in many quarters of the complex of nonpayment of wages. The leader operations. The Michigan problems and the yards of red aid based on $380 per child with 14.5 mills deductible. This act would require all crew leaders tape faced by family farm oper- Committee also was surprised to provision will not payout in full but low valuation districts to register, with a $5 fee.. ators as new laws restricting farm learn that farmers are not exempt will still receive considerably more aid. It was stated by authorities operations are placed on the from the general statute which The program is quite flexible. For instance, distressed aid is working in the field that as far books. permits the Commissioner of as they knew only four crew A bill to require farmers using Labor to sue for wages not paid still included and some districts will fare better by using this leaders were intrastate operators . seasonal labor secured through to workers. .provision. Probably of most importance is the guarantee that the formulas for transportation, special educa- tion, and county "trainable" Pro- I always had to go into town grams are "open endea' or wiU be paid out in full. Other years to borrow money for my farming. because of ceilings school districts received only a percentage of the uestion: Did you say PGA will come aid due them and local taxes had to be raised to pay the costs. right out here to my farm to This "breakthrough" in school aid has the indirect effect of re- make a loan to me? lieving the tax burden on prop- erty. On the average the in- creased tid is the equivalent of over 2 ~ mills. You bet! PCA knows your time Some local boards of education may fir d it unnecessary to ask is valuable ... so they come to see the vot~rs for more property tax dollars, others may not need to Answer: you. And peA fieldmen are all levy an the millage already ap- prove0 ..nd still others may now trained agricultural credit men. find it possible to upgrade pro- grams and provide children with They know what you're talking about. better educational opportunities. Resolutions uestion: Doesn't that make their interest costs high? Chairman Appointed No! PCA costs are probably the lowest Gerald Waldeck, Kent County around because they charge simple dairy farmer, has been appointed chairman of the 1965 Resolutions Committee by Michigan Farm &swer: interest only for the time you use the Bureau president, Elton Smith. As chairman of this important money! committee, Waldeck will be re- sponsible for subcommitt~e as- signments, conducting hearings and overseeing the presentation How do I get a PCA man out of the tentative resolutions to voting delegates at the annual uestion: here? meeting, November 9-10-11. Waldeck will lead his commit- tee iR the task of readin~ and closely examining all resolutions Just call peA on the telephone. The submitted to it by the 71 County , Farm Bureaus of the state. In the numbers are listed right here! Do process the committee \vill digest approximately 1,000 policy resolu- it now. It won't cost you a thing, and tions. The committee will also se- cure background information from it will save you time. Writ'e if phoning qualified resource people on state and national issues. isn't convenient. Serving his second year on the Resolutions Committee, Waldeck is president of the Kent County PRODUCTION CREDIT Farm Bureau and has served his county and community Farm • Feeder loans ASSOCIATION Bureau in various capacities, and .Improvement loans Adrian • Allegan • Alma • Alpena • Jackson • Kalamazoo • lakeview is a member of the board of the • Ann Arbor • Bad Axe • Bay City • • Lansing • Lapeer • Marshall • Caledonia Farmers Elevator. • Car and Truck loans Cadillac • Caro • Carson City • Char. Mason • Monroe • Mt. Pleasant • The Waldecks live on a 200- • Farm Equipment loans lotte • Escanaba • Gaylord • Grand Paw Paw • Sandusky • Traverse City acre dairy farm near Caledonia. • Operating Cost loans Rapids • Hillsdale • Howell • Ionia They have four daughters - Nancy, 21, Laura, 14, Norah, 9, FIRST IN FARM CREDIT and Carla, 8. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS "Wonderlandof Wirtz" Talk about a harvest of shame. Those who take seriously the Biblical admonishment - ',Vaste not" - can only avert their eyes from tragic waste as huge fields of overripe strawberries rot in the sun, as crisp, un- picked asparagus hardens into whips of tall.grass, bursting into fern-like fans as it matures past all reclamation. Carloads of lettuce lying untouched while supermarket prices soar to the 50~ per head mark, cauliflower at nearly 80~ per head and tomatoes low in quality but sky-high in price - are all marks of the government planner and the labor union leader. The higher prices and poorer food are the direct result of official government labor policies, urged by labor leaders in a professed attempt to create more jobs. Joined by a number of misguided but vocal religious and social welfare groups, they managed to block the highly successful Mexican "bracero" pro- gram, barring most foreign workers from U.S. fruit and vege- table fields, thus leaving the jobs open to Americans. Ignored has been the fact that under the law allowing such workers to enter this country, all jobs must first have been offered and refused by "domestic" workers. These refused work-offers still stand, but there has been no stampede on the part of America's unemployed to rush into the heat of the Problems of Labor and Land tomato or lettuce fields. Untended and unpicked, the fruit rots. The next day none of the eight the Russians, Chinese and many I could go on for some time In imposing his farm labor regulations on agriculture, Secre- men showed up. The following others shooting at him from the about damages by those who tary of Labor, 'Villard Wirtz, contends that he does so in the day eight men came, but only front and a lot of do-gooders in were getting free use of my land. interest of the public and domestic workers. Yet, one of the one of the original crew. The this country shooting at him from In all of this, with only one ex- primary interests of the public, including workers, is to enjoy entire crew averaged 21 hours per behind - including many in his ception, not one company has week per man when the rest of own political party. I feel he has offered to grant me a favor or an abundance of food products, in variety, and at reasonable prices. my help averaged 48 hours. It is enough problems that we should service without pay. costing me on the average of clear this battle up without add- Let me say now that of all The wage rates imposed on farm producers for fann help, $2.50-$3.00 per hour to get any ing any to his problems. the companies, way out in front is the requirement to produce expensive housing and other bene- work out of this crew. I do feel, however, that we' the General Telephone Company. fits add sharply to the costs of producing food. These costs are This is the only available farm should go to the top, if necessary, They have been gentlemen to being passed along to the consumer market. labor that Mr. Wirtz is recom- to clean up this problem if there deal with and we have worked Instead of more acceptable jobs for the nation's unemployed, mending. It is certainly apparent is no way out but to go to Mr. out our problems. At the bottom the shortsighted actions of the Labor Department have short- that the American consumer of Johnson. of the list, in my opinion, is the changed both the diets and pocketbooks of consumers. farm commodities had better Harold Taylor Michigan State Highway "Right Suffering most of all is the fanner, caught between ripening tighten his belt because farm Coral, Michigan of Way" Division. crops cannot be produced with We know that the dght of crops and the deliberately created lack of labor. To protect this type of inexperienced, unde- Dear Editor: eminent domain is basi:.:; never- his investment he is asked to hire jobless unemployables - pendable and highly unqualified Recently I appeared before a theless it is socialistic in its con- often rejects from other industries. labor. State Senate Committee on high- cept, in that it takes frOlll the in- The letters that follow show the reactions of Michigan growers Kenneth Bull way right-of-way procurement. I dividual and gives to the state to what is taking place: Bailey, Michigan cannot give a verbatim report as and to certain large corporations my memory is not that good, but free use of private property. I would like to give the thinking I would like to make some sug- Dear Editor: MUST FARMERS ACCEPT CITY \\REJECTS"? The lack of harvest help for that I tried to get across. gestions as to changes that I think For the record, we have 400 could be made. Dear Editor: cucumber growers is much more acres of level land in North Shade 1. The owner should be al- serious than most farmers realize, Township, Gratiot County - lowed $100 per description for By what "Alice in Wonderland" reasoning does Wirtz claim including the cucumber growers. unemployed school children arc entitled to work on farms? near Carson City. attorney fees in a right of way For months now, Secretary of I believe we have had as much purchase; $25 for attorney fees Why not as taxi drivers, auto assembly, carpenters, tool and Labor Wirtz has stubbornly re- experience with right-of-way as for an easement. die men, etc. - ad infinitum? Because these jobs are unionized, fused to allow the only compe- any farmer in Michigan. One 2. In case of condemnation, with seniority rights, pay scales, etc. and the union bosses don't tent help for the pickle harvest oil pipeline crossed our farm, the state should pay the appraised want a bunch of school kids messing up their operation. to come into the .country. He cutting all tile lines. Eight years value at once as the case may So - let's send the kids to the ... has permitted crops already later it was taken up and we drag on for several years. This count ry an d Ie t F anner Brown' to fmd Jobs for our school kIds, grown to go to waste so there f th . found that the cut lines were would not cost the state as it and h.IS w ife b a b y-SI.t (an d' mCI-. l WhI e we re use to accept . 1 k' . h USA elr is no sound reason he would not never connected. The gas pipe- pays interest at 5 per cent from dentally pay $1.50 an hour for nahona s \~or mg m t e '" do the same to pickles when line was removed in mid-winter' the start. This would allow a loafing and vandalism). MEerlm vanea~ M' h' harvest time comes. and left a three-foot high dam Sure, I hire school kids _ as ast__Sa_u_g_a_tu_c_,IC Igan farmer to replace property taken. The jobs, other than pickle across the county drain. 3. Hearing should be held be- does my cousin - and we like Dear Editor: production and harvesting, will One electric line runs at an fore a local judge, not one who them. But these are not the "un- I caned the Farm Labor Office be lost to the makers of bottles angle of two com rows per pole; is state-appointed. employed school children." And of the Michigan Employment Se- and supplies for handling a crop another line runs the other way, 4. The department must pro- hay and blueberries are not curity Commission at Grant for that in 1963 (the last year for and only one row per pole out of vide drainage under the road at pickles. Let \Virtz try to grow a some urgently needed labor to do which reports are now available to line. We have 440 rods of elec~ its own expense. The County garden with "unemployed school tree pnming. After two weeks, me) was 136,250 tons of pickles. tric line, 360 rods of telephone Drain Commissioner may call a kids" help! four men - without any previous Statistics show that 23,900 acres line, 160 rods of cable under board of determination to decide On the other hand, the braceros experience - reported for work. of processing pickles were grown ground. At one time we had 220 when drainage is necessary. - and before them - most of I told them to come the next in Michigan in 1963 at a value rods of oil pipeline and 90 rods 5. Before a right of way may the "foreign" immigrants, have morning and I would have some- of $7,329,000. of gas pipeline. 160 rods of gas be condemned, a public hearing earned their pay, helped the one explain what needed to be Secretary Wirtz is not, in my line lies just four feet from our must be held; all owners to be far mer, strengthened America. done. Instead of the four, eight opinion, showing any regard for property. The company entered, The Mexican bracero, fired with- men arrived. given written notice; an rights the well being of the farmer, the after h~ving been forbidden, on to be explained. The he a r in g out cause by the union leader's vVe put fonr of them in the processor, or the jobs involved farm land with heavy equipment stooge, is entitled to jobs on packing house. Their job con- should be held by the Attorney for others than the growers and and has refused to pay damages. General's department. American farms. sisted of placing bags of apples harveste.:5 of the crop. \,yhile our land is not crossed L.B.}., in backing Wirtz, has (4 lb.) in a box. Ordinarily two 6. A similar hearing on ease- If Secretary Freeman can do by the railroad, our county drain ments should be held by the committed a monumental suicidal men can do this job easily, but anything to help, he should be - which is the outlet for 60 blunder for the U.S.A. American these four men could not keep Public Service Commission before given every opportu n i ty to acres of land - must go under Marines land in the Dominican up. I put the other four men to granting permits for pipelines and straighten this mess out. I am all the roadbed. When the drain ~epublic. L.B.}. belatedly noti- pruning trees and they completed utility lines other than local dis- in favor of getting every letter to was re-dug some years ago, the f les the Organization of American four trees in eight hours, which tributing facilities. Secretary Freeman that we can. tu be was 17 inches high on one ~t~tes. O.A.S. by a bare .ma- is equivalent to what one man 7. No judge, jury or commis- The time has come for a show- end and as a result, the drain accepts L.B.}.'s request for can ordinarily do. sion is in a position to be able )OTlty down. It is serious business when was re-cleaned a few vears later O.A.S. takeover. Mexico leads Of course they had to have to determine damages to prop- a whole Michigan industry, such at a cost of some $10,000. opposition - "can't send troops their pay that night. The next erty without knowing how many as cucumber growing, is placed The State Highway Depart- to Support O.A.S. police forces." day four men came but two of where a person can virtually put years the pipeline or utility wiII ment, in one mile, built two ce- be in lIse - and all should pay a The callous treatment of firing them were "unable" to work. The the whole operation out of busi- ment culverts 18 inches above the hraceros en masse will make the driver of the car wanted to bor- ness. flow line of county drains. This yearly rental fee subject to review , Peace Corps look like a neo- row $5.00 to buy gas, and I have each ten years. I don't like to bother President again cost the taxpayers over colonialism to force other nations never seen him since. Johnson with this problem, with Walter Kipp $2,000 to lower the level. Carson City, Michigan MICHIGAN FARM NEWS SEVEN ONCE OVER liGHTLY BY: INK WIDTE Editor, Clinton County Republican News 432 of us had a dandy time IT'S MY GUESS that newspaper people attend more ban- quets, meetings and such than most folks. Not because we like to, necessarily, but because it's part of our job. I'd be less than honest if I didn't confess that there are dozens of nights in the year when I'd rather sit home than drag "THANKS TO MARLlE" - Clinton County Farm Bureau president, E. J. Bottum (left), extends appreciation to regional repre- myself off to some affair that should be "reported." sentative, Marlie Drew, for his many contributions while serving in that area. Marlie and his family were honored guests Once in a great while, though, comes an occasion -that's at the Clinton rural-urban dinner. The Drews have moved to Three Rivers, where Marlie services the Southwest region. worth all the previous punishment ... that compensates for other less interesting evenings ... and makes me glad I've \\HIGHL Y SUCCESSFUL" apportionment, com pen sat 0 r y Representatives of area civic- had the privilege to be in attendance. payments and states' rights. Along professional groups, news media RURAL-URBAN EVENT the way, he took a slap at the and industry were present, along o o o Supreme Court and charged his with dignitaries from neighboring An outstanding example of co- operative effort resulted in a audience to give Congress the counties such as the Gratiot SUCH AN AFFAIR was the Rural-Urban banquet at Smith highly-successful rural-urban backing necessary to say "no." County Bean Queen, the mayor Hall in St. Johns last week. The dinner was sponsored by the event in Clinton County, May 18. "The survival of freedom in the of Grand Ledge, and Representa- county Farm Bureau and 432 of us - farmers, business people Farm Bureau leaders, with the United States, and everywhere, tive Blair Woodman of Shiawas- and our ladies - gathered to eat good food, visit a little, sing help of their urban friends, used depends on a Congress that can see. some songs, enjoy talented entertainers and get inspired by advanced publicity, good home- say yes or no," said Kline, "and Special guests included Michi- a truly glorious speaker. cooked, Michigan-grown food, and you can get this kind of Congress gan Farm Bureau president, El- a well-known speaker to lure over by letting your representatives ton Smith and Mrs. Smith; and The fellow who did the talking was Allan B. Kline, highly 400 people to the St. Johns' Smith know that they are backed by the Mr. and Mrs. Marlie Drew and regarded Iowa pig raiser, who is a past president of the Amer- Hall. people:' daughter, Mickey. Marlie Drew ican Farm Bureau. Allan Kline, the former Ameri- Identifying himself as "an ex- was honored by the Clinton Coun- can Farm Bureau Federation pert on pigs and government," ty Farm Bureau for his "many With mannerisms somewhat reminiscent of Sen. Dirksen, president and recipient of the Kline warned of the dangers in- Kline drills home his message in such a conversational way that Great Living Americans Award, contributions" as regional repre- volved in a controlled agriculture he appears to be speaking "off the cuff." to farmers, consumers and the sentative. held the interest of farm and civic leaders as he ran the gantlet economy of the country. "The District director, David Morris, Individual freedom is his general theme and he gets around from the preservation of freedom one reason agriculture' is not com- served as master of ceremonies, to applying it more specifically to the Farm Bureau's interest to the "elimination of poverty" pletely socialized today is Farm and Farm Bureau young people in a freer market for agricultural products, the Taft-Hartley program, "right-to-work" laws, re- Bureau!" he said. provided the entertainment. law's "right-to-work" section, and the current rural-urban strug- gle over apportionment of state legislatures. o o o ~l ALONG THE WAY this scholarly Iowan throws in refer- ences to the Ptolemies of ancient Egypt, the Age of Pericles in Athens and the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville. Yet he does it so casually that there's no appearance of "talking down" to his audience. Ernie Carter of W~tertown remarked to me afterwards that Kline talked in simple terms "you can understand." That was the ultimate in compliments, I'm sure, because Kline is a pro- fessional who must pride himself on his ability to size up an audience and tailor his presentation in a way that will best influence their thinking. He was at his best the other night and it's a pleasure to hear a man go about a speaking chore in such a workmanlike manner. o o o THE SPEAKING wasn't all that was superior. Vivacious Sandra Dershem, St. Johns high school vocalist, entranced the banquet crowd with her selections. . /1 I don't know anything about music, but this gal sounds real good to me. She looks good, too, and she's got poise like you seldom see in an amateur entertainer. There was hardly a j I dry eye in the hall when she trilled out those high notes of ~lf "Climb Every Mountain." Scott Heibeck preceded Sandra with three accordion num- bers that drew hearty applause. o o o tJ DAVE MORRIS, Eagle farmer and district Farm Bureau director, presided as master of ceremonies and kept the program If Mr. Bell hadn't invented the phone moving swiftly along. E. J. Bottum, county Farm Bureau president, introduced guests. Mrs. Wilbur Brandt led community singing and brought extra spirit into the Michigan Week crowd a farmer would have had to! with her choice of "Michigan, My Michigan." Elton Smith, state president of the Farm Bureau, was on Farm families like yours depend farm efficiently and profitably. Your hand to introduce the evening's principal speaker. The Rev. even more than most folks on the wife counts on the phone to keep Gerald Churchill of St. Johns spoke the invocation. Accom- telephone. the family close to friends and panists for musical numbers were Mrs. Lewis Babbitt and Miss Delia Davis. Organ music during dinner was provided by You call downtown-or anywhere relatives, however far away. Lloyd Welch. in the nation-for up-to-the-minute A wonderful invention, the tele- Among onr tablemates at the banquet were pretty Barbara information to help you run the phone. And so low in cost. .. Gould of Wheeler who is Gratiot County Bean Queen this year and Bernard and Donna Feldpausch of St. Johns. Bernie con- vulsed us with his story about their nanny goat who recently surprised them with twins. "We didn't even know she was Michigan Bell Part of the Nationwide Bell System @--;-- I married," he said. July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS EIGHT MARKET DEVELOPMENT Carrots - A Golden Treasure Sooner or later it was bound to happen - the recognition of OTHER TOURS the golden carrot as a crop of special importance to Michigan. Also included in the tour will Our state is third in the list of top carrot producers, with more be a visit to the famed Grant than one-million hundredweight of the crisp vegetables going muck area. Present with the to market yearly. group will be Robert Lucas, spe- cialist from the Soils-Science de- In keeping with the tastes of most children, a majority of all partment of Michigan State Uni- carrots are eaten raw, with only one-fourth of the crop processed, versitv and a national authority on and these mostly for soup or baby foods. muck~type soils. Last year Lucas visited the Now comes CARROT DAY! International Peat Congress held Set for Friday-the-13th (of August), sponsors of the event in Russia, and his observations feel that the day will be anything but unlucky for Michigan will be of unusual interest. Work- ing with him, along with other vegetable growers and their consumer-friends. On Friday, specialists from the Horticultural August 13, at Grant, in Newaygo county, more than 100 dif- Department of Michigan State ferent carrot varieties will be ready for a field-day demon- University, will be Extension stration. Fertilizer trial plots will be examined as will rows of Vegetable Specialist, Clark Nick- close-spaced carrots. low. Carrot Day is sponsored by the M eCMnization and modern methods of growing and handling Grower-Processor CARROT VARIETIES,-by the dozens, 115 different ones to be exact, have been Conference planted in readiness for CARROT DAY in Michigan. Pictured busy at the chore will be stressed along with stlch innovations as minimum tillage Committee, in conjunction with are Bob Lucas (left) and Clark Nicklow, both of Michigan State University. Carrots to promote sturdy, straight roots. the Cooperative Extension Serv- appear to be a good cash-crop for Michigan vegetable farmers, with ready ice, the Michigan Canners and markets available. Tours of several packing houses (there are three in the area) Freezers Association and the will demonstrate the completely mechanized packing facilities. Michigan Farm Bureau. FARM BUREAU RADIO "It is a Small World" "It's a small world," decided Dr. Cyril Spike, active Shiawas- final year in the United States liv- ing with Michigan farm families, the last 500 years," said Dr. Spike. Tsuru's husband is a di- " see County Farm Bureau mem- whom she still remembers fondlv. rector of KEEP, as well as a. ber, after a recent visit to Japan. "She is truly thankful to the business administrator for a Tokyo While visiting the Kiyosato Ed- Michigan Farm Bureau Women hospital. ucational Experiment Project because she never understood «Tsuru is a fine, sweet, capable (KEEP), he met Tsuru Nakatani, Americans until she lived with lady," Spike reports. Precast concrete slats aid efficient pork production. Hogs on slotted floors stay cleaner, take less feed, grade out better. They reach market weight in less time, making it possible to finish out more hogs each year. And with concrete, slotted floors can't rust, rot or corrode. Hail is Unpredictable! Today, farmers everywhere are taking advan- tage of concrete's great versatility for all their Insurance is your only protection against ioss from Hail Damage! Play construction needs. Precast concrete is easy to it safe! Protect your income with Michigan Mutual Hail Insurance. erect, low in cost. Your local precast concrete Michigan Mutual has been insuring Michigan farms .against hail producer has many products to help you increase damage to farm and truck crops for over 50 years. In the last 3 farm efficiency. years, over $1 million has been paid to Michigan farmers. A non-profit farmers mutual insurance company means low rates CLIP-MAIL TODAY PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION and prompt, fair claim payment. /7 . Stoddard Building, Lansing, Michigan 48933 For Complete Information-See Your Local Agent Or Write 51 I An organization to Improve and extend the uses of concrete I Please send free booklet on slotted floors of concrete. .• MICHIGAII MUTI!AL HAlLA! Also send material on other subjects I've listed: President ;7nJtJIl.mlU (;omjJatt;Y I E. D. Rutledge, Waldron 107 N. Butler Boulevard, Lansing, Michigan Phone: IV 2-5265 I Secretary Fred M. Hector Over $22 Million Now In Force - Over 1X Million Surplus I NAME I I ~_S_T._O_R~~ C_IT_Y ST_A_TE ~ July 1~ 1965 MICHIGAN tFA~M NEWS ENGINEERS PREDICT MECHANIZED FUTURE This is thc farm of thc future as foreseen by General Motors '''ORLD'S FAIR - Dawn! The first rays of sunlight wash designers and depicted in an ex- the nearby mountaintoJ)s, sweep the slopes and bnlsh the hibit at the Ncw York \Vorld's shadows from the rolling desert. Fair. The sun, inching higher into a cloudless s1.")',warms the night- It also conforms to the require- chilled air. Tiny wind rivulets tease the desert sand which, in ments laid down when the "Futur- the growing light, stretches drab brown and gray to the distant ama ride into tomorrow" was con- horizon. ceived - that the designers' The heat rises with the SUIl and is reflected in shimmering proposals had to be practical, waves which at times obscure a patch of color formed by fields necessary and attainable with the of crops blooming miraculously amidst the otherwise barren technology that could be de- expanse. veloped. \Vithin a circular, glass-walled room atop a tower near the Futurama visitors, riding in fields a technician touches a series of buttons. Far below the sound-equipp~d lounge chairs, see desert stillness is broken as a machine begins to move along a highly-sophisticated fe>rm of tracks which border a field of com. farming, yet many of its proc- esses and techniques are essential- The machines, straddling the arrow-straight rows of corn- ly refinements of agriculhlral stalks, picks and husks the ripened ears. The plump com practices in use today. kernels are sheared, cleaned, processed and packaged as the collector moves along. Moreover, with the world pop- ulation increasing some 60 million At the end of the field the packages of com are transferred to persons each year, farming of this refrigerated freight containers which are loaded onto conveyors type - and on this scale - will serving a processed products center. Some of the containers become more and more necessary. leave the center immediately by express truck or train for the For centuries man has dreamed metropolitan markets; others are stored for later delivery. of farming the deserts. The great { , In the meantime the tower operator has set other machines tracts of arid land surrounding Irk L~~.-r-r'-"! - to work; machines which uproot and convert the cornstalks to the earth experience few seasonal A GLASS ENCLOSEDTOWER, - against a backdrop of barren rock and rugged fodder, plow and harrow the empty field and plant it with weather changes and provide con- bunes, is the sening of the control center for the farm-of-the-future. Scientists soybeans. sistently good growing conditions. predict that tomorrow's former will control the elements through electronic and computerized centers, as they farm the now-barren areas of the world. Auto Designers Depict Futuristic Farming Solving Water Problems Where the deserts are farmed Special atmospheric conditions today two or three crops each - humidity, light, soil or air vear are not uncommon. With temperature - are also artificially the controls available Futura~a mainta~ned in order to speed or farm fields would provide an even inhibit growth or maturation as greater yield. the market dictates. In many parts of the world's Computers keep a constant eye deserts the soil is rich in minerals on the market to' forecast food- and other plant foods and needs stuff demands and program cur- little more than water to become rent shipments. This information highly productive farmland. enables tower operators to achieve Designers set about to provide maximum farm efficiency through that water for an integrated farm crop rotation, harvest schedules, complex that could grow, process, processing and other operational package and ship food to the techniques. market plice with the greatest Though great distances may possible economy and dispatch. separate the desert farm from its "Our objective," said an exec- metropolitan markets, delivery utive, "was to show that it is time is sharply reduced by im- possible to deliver a truckload of proved freight h and Ii n g tech- green beans - for example - niques and transportation. anywhere on earth in the middle An automatically-controlled, SOLAR POWER UNITS (Foreground) provide electrical power, while rototing irrigation arms sprinkle desalted sea water of winter and do this at mid- intercontinental hi g h wayan d a over land reclaimed from former desert regions. Again, automated form machinery move over the row-crops, planting, summer prices and quality. The cultivating, pruning, picking, packaging in automated sequence in this fanciful scene from "tomorrow." high-speed rail line serve the Futurama farm could do it." Futurama farm. Processed and In many desert areas, where packaged, the farm crops are bordering mountains block the loaded into standard-size con- rains, the oft-distant sea is fre- tainers easily accommodated by quently the greatest potential truck or train and handled by a source of water. The problem, of funy-automated loading system. course, is the relatively high salt Minutes after it leaves the vine content of sea water, the cost of a cantaloupe may be speeding in purifying it and transporting it to a turbine-powered truck toward a the desert farm. breakfast table hundred.., of miles However, man today is desalt- away or a field of wheat, already ing sea water. As the purifying converted to flour, may be aboard equipment improves, the cost-per- a freight car hurrying to a dis- gallon promises to fall and make tant bakery. desalted sea water economically Fuhlrama previews what may practicable for irrigation. be the farm of tomorrow, but it There still remains the prob- sets no date when the house wife lem of inexpensively delivering may ask for Sahara squash or the water to the desert fields. Gobi grapes. Pumps - driven by atomic- gen- G M designers feel the deserts erated electricity - move the will be farmed, the jungles water through pipelines to the opened, the seas harvested and Futurama farm. Solar power, mined when man's need to utilize while limited by weather factors, the now unused resources of the augments the atomic-powcred world surpass the difficulties of generator. their development. Soil deficiencies are corrected Thc first steps have already by tower operators who add the becn taken in Israel, on the Carib- ADVANCE-DESIGN field machines straddle row crops and perform all farming functions from planting to packaging in this needed nutrients to the incoming hean island of Aruha, at the South stylized scene from the farm-of-the-future. Fertilizers are automatically added to desalted sea water used to irrigate the water. Its flow is regulated hy Pole, in Ethiopia, in Houston, fields. Varying climate conditions are to be created for segments of the fields to speed or slow-down crop maturity, as moisture-sensing devices planted markets demand. Texas and [....ong Island, New midst the crops. York. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 aEVEN ~ II ~ " II"" II II: III MATCH ,I I I :1 TALL FAR'M SERVICES ~ Yes, "Tall in the service of Michigan jl l farmers", that's the record of the Mich- igan Elevator Exchange division, busily I marketing Michigan grain and beans ~~ since 1921. ~ SELL OR STORE YOUR GRAIN AND BEANS THROUGH YOUR LOCAL COOPERATIVE and FARM BUREAU ELEVATOR! Michigan Elevator Exchange members !II I can get you the best prices that the market offers. When you market, THINK TALL. Think Cooperative! TWELVE July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS ~~ working, not waiting . ~~ ~'~~r~ ,.\fl' J ~#-----' ., ~~ ~. ~ '~"_&'iq_£;...,A.-=-~IJ1~'( ~~~~~~-!:.-I I ~~~~~ ~~ ~ -......- - Ii iii. I ...... ~ '1 ",,\11- ~ . I. ~£l~~ L-~lf"II L J:: LIIl')::1 '- , -- -- ~ ~ --;.w_ •• w:7 _.., ~ • ~~;~~ - --- =-- - - - '_ - --. - ~ ....\ ~-. I, ~ ~...A;;::, ........_ ,--. NEW OFFICERS of the District .( Form Bureau Women are (left to right): Mrs. Wesley Huyser, Kent County, secretory; Mrs. Francis Campau, Kent County, choir. man; and Mrs. Gerold Smith, Barry County, vice-chairman. The election took place at the annual spring meeting, held this year in Allendale, with 161 women attend. ing from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent and Ottawa counties. OFFICER'S TRAINING WORKSHOP SCHEDULED A two-day training workshop for incoming county and dis- trict women's officers will be held at Camp Kett, July 7-8, ac- cording to Miss Helen Atwood, coordinator of Farm Bureau \-Vomen's activities. The main objective of this year's workshop will be to promote a better understanding of Farm Bureau and the women's role in it, to study the officers' duties, and the techniques of getting the fob done effectively. The workshop will begin with 9:00 registration on Wednesday morning, July 7, and adjourn on Thursday afternoon at 2:30. Featured speaker for the training camp will be T. C. Petersen, director of the Program Development Division of the American Farm Bureau Federation. Reservations for the training A BAKE SALE- with proceeds going to the Citizenship Seminar fund for three Livingston County young people - was held Also scheduled on the pro- workshop should be sent by July recently in Howell by Form Bureau Women. Shown practicing a sales pitch on her co-workers is Mrs. Clifford VanHorn gram is Michigan Farm Bureau 2 to: Michigan Farm Bureau, (right). Almost convinced to buy bock their own baked good s are Mrs. Stanley Latson, Mrs. Clarence Taylor and Mrs. Henry Itsell. The women netted $154 from their sale with more donations still to come. president, Elton Smith, who will Attention r..fiss Helen Atwood, talk to the officers about the 4000 N. Grand River Ave., Lan- lands to better the lot of women "Futllre of Farm Bureau." sing, Michigan. Approximate. and children, working to get bet- "We hope all incoming officers cost for the two-day sessions is ter nutrition, better education, will make a special effort to at- $1l. better housing and a happier tend this important meeting," The program schedule will In September, 1965, fifteen hundred women from all parts life, through their own efforts and states Miss Atwood. «The exec- allow an opportunity for an ex- utive committee has done an ex- change of ideas hetween counties of the globe will meet in Dublin, Ireland, to hold the 11th Tri- in their own way. cellent job of making up a work- on slIch projects as safety, com- ennial Conference of the Associated Country vVomen of the There is no one pattern for shop program which will be of modit!1 promotion, young farmer \-Vorld. The ~1ichigan Farm Bureau 'Vomen, members of the the women in the various coun- real value to all leaders in the involvement, and public informa- AC\V\V, will be represented by their state chairman, Mrs. vVm. tries to reach these goals because Farm Bureau Women's program." lion and understanding. Scramlin. ------------- of the widely different climates, ---------------------------- .... The Farm Bureau Women's Bureau Women's Committees creeds, ways of life. But they are executive committee and the state have contributed to the ACW\V strongly united in their aim to im- hoard of directors felt that offi- through their "Pennies for Friend- prove conditions and in the warm dal representation from Michigan ship" project. M r s. Vir gin i a friendship for their fellow mem- Women's Speaker Confirms was especially important in view Smith, chairman, American Farm bers in other lands. Every third Mrs. Litta Robers~m, who has spent the last year in Literacy of the invitation which will be Bureau Federation Women's year they meet to report' progress and make plans for the future .. V'll I d' I age, n la, WI '11 b e t}Ie pnncIpa " I spea k er a t tl le F arm B ureau extended to the ACW\V to hold Committee, is Deputy President \Vomen's annual meeting, Tuesday, November 9, Michigan their 1968 conference in Mich- of the AC\V\V at the present The theme of this' year's con- State University, East Lansing. igan. The invitation will be issued time. ference is "Working Together." Mrs. Roberson, retired Women's Director of the Ohio Farm jointly by the Michigan Farm The AC\VW, only international The resolutions which come from Bureau Women, the Michigan organization of country women the societies include such topics Bureau Federation, will relate some of her experiences in Extension Clubs and the Mich- in the world, has 176 member as cooperation, the use of chem- "Literacy Village." Her work there has been supported, in part, igan branch of Farm and Garden societies. They are all self-gov- icals in farming, safety in homes by the Michigan Farm Bureau Women, who have watched her Clubs. erning societies, groups of rural and on the roads, training proj- progress with interest. A letter to the women read at district For many years, county Fann women working in their own ects, nutrition, and marketing. meetings last fall indicated some of the exciting adventures Mrs. ----------------------------------------------------- Roberson has had in India. This is an election year for Farm Bureau Women, so coun- ties having candidates for state chairman and vice-chairman should have their nominations in by September. Nominating forms will be sent on request. These may be ob- tained from Miss Helen Atwood, Michigan Farm Bureau, 4000 N. Grand River Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. Further program details for this year's annual meeting will be printed in upcoming issues of the Michigan Farm News. ATTENTION FARM BUREAU WOMEN! Remember T suru Nakatani, from Japan? You will be inter- FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS were honored recently at a' tea sponsored by the Mason County Farm Bureau Women. The students were presented with copies ested in reading about what ., .. book, "A Study of the United States and Its ""'Pie," distrib~ted by the Associated CCKlntry Women of the World. Shown with their honored gvests are ~ (... tH left to right): Mrs. Arthur Muir, District 7 chairman; Mrs. Donald Sarclay, county chairman; Mrs. Albert Langfeldt, vice.chairman, and Mrs. MHo Cothyrn, Tsuru has accomplished since her lKretary. Mason county has nine local yo~ths going to several countries this summer, and four foreign students attended school in the area this post year. return home. See page 8. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 THIRTEEN TO.' Michigan Farm Bureau Families FROM.' Encyclopaedia Britannica - Reduced-Pric.e Plan Arrangements have been completed wi th Encyclopaedia Bri tannica to bring you the latest Imperial Edition at ~ reduced price - ~ price that is substantially lower than that whic~ is available to any individual. Since it is Farm Bureau policy to never release member-names from confidential lists, you cannot learn the details of this special arrangement unless you fill out and mail the coupon below. And the beauty of this plan is that you not only receive the 24-volume Britannica itself at a reduced price, but you have your choice of additional Britannica merchandise at no extra cost through Britannica's Group Co-op Plan. These extras, from which you may choose, include such items as the 15-volume Bri tannica Junior Encyclopaedia designed especially for boys and girls, the Bri tannica World Language Dictionary, the Britannica Atlas, a beautiful walnut-veneered bookcase, your choice of Home Study Guides which cover subj ects that range from history and li terature to child care and home decoration. Also included among the extras is the Britannica Library Research Service which allows you to receive up to 100 prepared research reports on almost any sub- ject of your choice. And you can receive all this at no extra cost - together with the reduced price on the 24-volume Imperial Edition, ~ price available only under this plan. In addition to this, along with this reduced price, Encyclopaedia Britannica is also extending its own "Book club" plan with an important difference. It is called the Book a Month Payment Plan. You receive all 24 volumes at once, yet pay for just one book each month. No doubt you have used Bri tannica from time to time and are familiar wi th the many ad- vantages it offered you in your school days. But are you also familiar with the benefits Britannica can bring to you and your family now? For example, in the new edition yqu'll find special articles on politics, sports, every kind of hobby, careers ••• and "literally hundreds of others subj ects ••• subj ects of great interest to the entire family. It's really not necessary to portray Bri tannica' s scope and versatility , its meaning- ful articles, its significant maps and illustrations, its day-to-day usefulness. But you'll want to have all the details of this reduce-price plan. And all you hav~ to do to receive the~ is complete and return the attached reply coupon g.2~ while it's han~ CLIP AND MAIL TO: ENCYCLOPAEDIA BRITANNICA 425 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago II, Illinois Please send me, free and without obligation, your beautifully illustrated, full- color Preview Booklet picturing and describing the new edition of Encyclo- paedia Britannica - and complete information on how I may obtain the new You will receive your Free full- edition, direct from the publisher, on your convenient Book a ~10nth Payment color booklet containing many Plan. exciting illustrations taken from the pages of Britannica and full details on the Book a Month Name Payment Plan. (Please Print) Street Address City Zone State fill out and mail coupon today! Signed: (Valid for MFB Group offer when completed in full.) FOURTEEN MICHIGAN FARM NEWS last Chance for World's Fair Last year's exciting six-day trip to the New York World's Fair is to be repeated in late August, giving Michigan Fann Bureau members and their friends a last chance to take in the "fair of the century." The all-rail tour will leave from Detroit at 7:45, Tuesday morning, August 24. It will return to Detroit Sunday, August 29. In between will lie a busy period of sight-seeing which includes traditional tours of Lower New York, Chinatown and the Battery. An afternoon trip by boat is planned, taking the group com- pletely around Manhattan Island, past the Statue of Liberty and the beautiful skyline of the United States' largest city. Guide for the tour will be Melvin WoelI, Editor of the Mich- igan Farm News and ~1anager of the Information Division for the Michigan Farm Bureau. He will bring to the group ex- perience gained as a guide for last year's successful World's Fair tour. A Ch , urc h'll 1 I It, f eaturmg ex h'b' . paintings by England's famed FABULOUS FAIR war-time leader, has been added Although reported to be in and the "cultural" aspects of the MICHIGAN DAIRYMEN'S financial difficulty, travellers re- fair strengthened considerably in port that matters of high-finance other areas. have had no apparent effect on This stress on culture has been exhibits and similar attractions. evident from the start, and the FUTURE DEPENDS ON A A few of the higher-cost amuse- entire fair is designed with an ments have closed, but even more eye to beauty. Still, beauty as of the already many "free" ex- observed by the orientals, "lies BALANCED PROGRAM hibits have been completed. in the eye of the beholder"- For example, the fascinating and never has this been more Belgium Village \Vas incomplete true than at the big fair. and cloSed most of last season Last year several of the Mich- I while workmen roshed to finish igan Farm Bureau group heard this duplicate of a Belgium com- a couple arguing in heavy Brook- munity. Now open, the Village lyn accents that the fair had t I is proving a major attraction. «no culture whatever." Yet, this _____________ - denouncement took place in front ., ~/ of the Vatican's beautiful build- ~ ing containing Michaelangelo's \ ~ unbelievable "Pieta." Less than ~ three short blocks away in the = ':: - Jordan Exhibit, visitors paying 50~ could see a major collection of the Dead Sea Scrolls. - Detroit is everywhere at the fair! Were Detroit to remove its ; exhibits, the fair would truly be in trouble, but a reflection of the auto industry itself, these solid exhibits by Ford, Chrysler and General Motors are delight- ful and inspiring. They alone are worth the effort required to make the trip. True, the standing in line is disheartening, but few if any fail to agree such effort is worth- while. Guests in the Ford ex- hibit ride in new convertibles through acres of wonders, while in the General Motor's area, com- fortable chairs on a moving belt whisks one along. In both cases speaker arrangements provide a continuous narrative for the tour. MABC members know the impor- As a dairyman, your first concern Again, the Fann Bureau group tance of a balanced investment is to stay in business. A balanced will stay in the substantial Bel- dairy industry also depends on mont Plaza Hotel, well located to increase future milk produc- increased consumption of dairy at Lexington Avenue at 49th tion and sales. First, your cows products. Expanded markets de- Visible day and night, year after Street, across the street from the must have the ability to produce. year. Beautiful indefinitely in Co- Waldorf Astoria and less than a pend on timely merchandising, op's protective sunset red enamel You get that "right" inheritance advertising, public relations, and block from where the special UNILITE quality rail steel post~ from proven MABC sires. Through product and market research. withstand termites, livestock, rot World's Fair buses arrive every When you support your Ameri- and fire. Fast, easy driving elimi- half-hour. These buses go di- MABC, better livestock manage- rect to the fair and return on such can Dairy Association, you are nates wood cutting, digging, back- ment and breeding has contrib- fill, tamping and heaving. Easy to regular schedules that waiting actually investing to secure a uted to the increase in Michigan's move, too. BONDERIZED to time is reduced to minutes. balanced program for increasing last ... cheaper over the years. milk production level. It really One day in New York is left .I your milk sales in the market Workmanship, materials guaran- open to activities of individual pays to belong to the MABC. places of America. teed. For best quality and longest choice. Last year some of the life, buy UNILITES ... always! Michigan group visited the United Nations, others took in the Rocke- feller Center tours and ended up at Radio City Music Hall alllerican dairy association Transportation by rail, boat and bus trip around New York of bus transportation to the fai; MICHIGAN Available throughout Michigan from Farm Bureau Services Dealers grounds hotel room and fair costs admissions are included and in 3000 VINE STREET / LANSING, MICHIGAN and $133 per person tour price. FARM BUREAU A day-by-day itinerary will be sent to those who check and mail SERVICES, INC. the coupon on the accompanying Lansing, Michigan page. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 FIFTEEN Scandinavian" Tour Farmers to use Fast Jet It's a small world as Michigan farmers will discover when a Pan American jet flight sets them down in Oslo, Norway just a few hours after leaving Detroit. Such is the schedule planned for the special Scandinavian Cooperative Tour, arranged by the Michigan Association of Farmer Cooperatives for the dates of August 30 through Sep- tember 20. The 22-day tour will be guided by L A Cheney, Secretary- Manager of the Michigan Association of Farmer Cooperatives. Cheney's broad knowledge of the organization and operation of farmer cooperatives will be valuable assets as the tour group visits cooperatives in the Scandinavian countries. Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, in that order, will be included in the tour with stops at such places as the "Stora Vasby Farm" between Stockholm and Uppsala, and a visit with the "Swedish Cooperative Union and Wholesale Society." Coupled with a sight-seeting tour of gay Copenhagen will be a stop at "Meat City" to see the amazing uniformity of Danish pork. Later, the group will meet with representatives of the "Andelsutvalget" for information about the Danish Co- operative movement. Tour cost? $1,076 per person from Detroit. Check and mail the coupon for a day-by-day itinerary. Travel-LOG NORTHEAST CANADA AND NOVA SCOTIA Departing July 31 — Returning August 14. By rail to Montreal for full day sightseeing, on to Moncton for 11-day comprehensive bus tour of Nova Scotia and Mari- time Provinces. Cost — in the $400+ range. EUROPE Departing August 7 — Returning September 8. To Eng- land, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, West Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Switzerland, with a couple days in Paris. NORTHWEST CARAVAN Departing August 19 — Returning September 1. Visit- ing Glacier National Park, Seattle, Victoria, Vancouver, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefields and Banff. A fine scenic tour in the $450 price range. WASHINGTON, WILLIAMSBURG Departing August 19 — Returning August 25. This will be by rail to Washington and return, with a three-day bus trip to the Richmond-Williamsburg area. Cost from Detroit, $168.63 — cheaper for wife travelling with hus- band. WORLD'S FAIR Six days at the fabulous New York World's Fair, leaving by rail from Detroit in late August. This tour will include visits to Chinatown and the Battery and a boat trip around Manhattan Island. Cost — approximately $140. Information Division, Michigan Farm Bureau 4000 North Grand River, Lansing 4, Michigan SEND DETAILS OF TOURS AS CHECKED July 31-August 14 NORTHEAST CANADA AND NOVA SCOTIA Q August 7-September 8 EUROPE : - D August 19-September 1 NORTHWEST CARAVAN - O August 19-25 WASHINGTON-WILLIAMSBURG - • Late August WORLD'S FAIR • August 30-September 21 "CO-OP TOUR" TO SCANDINAVIA . . . _ • Name Address. THE SEA A N D THE LAND — combine to furnish livelihood f o r N o r w a y ' ! f a r m folk*, many of w h o m are a * much a t home County .__ LJ on the w a t e r as they are i i their fields. This is a scene in Western N o r w a y . SIXTEEN July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS "Merit Rating" Comes to Michigan Farm 13ureau Hlue Cross-Blue Shield member-sub- ~scribers will receive, along with their next quarterly hilling, information regarding the "~Ierit Rating" sys- tem, .new to ~'fichigan plans, hut used in other states for several years. According to Blue Cross-Blue Shield, merit rating will offer guaranteed annual rates with greater equity for several reasons: 1. Rates will be influenced by the cost of Blue Cross and Blue Shield benefits actually used by a group. 2. Rates will reflect the cost of hospital services in the area of the member-subscriber. 3. Rates can be stabilized or lowered by less fre- quent use of benefits. 4. Rates can never be more than 20% above the GIANT UNDERWATER "EGGBEATER" - shoves oyster. shell deposits from dead reefs, while powerful hydraulic pumps draw average rate of all groups. the "slurry" aboard for processing through washing, sorting and grading cycles. Costing $1,500,000 this dredge can pro. 5. Rates can never change more than 20% from cess 600 cubic yards of oyster.shell per hour. Later, the shell reaches Michigan farms as a valuable poultry diet supplement. one year to the next.. Greater equity in merit rating is assured because To most fanners a "mallard" is a species of duck. To the men cracked, checked or broken eggs. ~!lch group will more nearly pay for what it uses, the that "fann" the oyster-shell reefs off America's coastline, the To do this they must supply lay- ing hens daily with a source of officials explained. Fann Bureau Blue Cross-Blue "Mallard" is a species of mechanical duck, as well as a floating Shield rates ,viII be. affected by the cost of hospital home and factory. highly concentrated calcium, which oyster-shell provides. and doctor care used by the group. The first dredge specifically designed to mine oyster-shell, After being dredged from Formerly, all Blue Cross rates were based on the which in cnlshed fonn finds its way to poultry fanns all over coastal reefs and thoroughly the United States including Michigan, "Mallard" has been cost of benefits used by aU groups in the state and scrubbed, the oyster-shell is fur- placed into operation by Southern Industries Corporation, pro- ther processed by sterilization and the statewide costs of hospital services. Under merit ducer of Pilot, Eggshell, Mayo's Snow Flake and Potomac drying in super-heated kilns. rating, the cost of benefits used by each group will brands of oyster-shell products. The largest producer of oyster- be reflected in that group's rates. "Mallard" is the forerunner of. shell for the poultry in d us try, Because Farm Bureau, as a Blue Cross-Blue Shield what agricultural scientists predict covery and processing of oyster- Southern Industries annually group, uses hospital and doctor care benefits costing will eventually become a flotilla shell. dredges six million cubic yards Two hundred feet long, 50 feet of oyster-shell from reefs off Vir- more than the average used by all groups, rates will of "factories" designed to farm and mine the seas. They point abeam and tall as a 7-story build- ginia, Florida, Alabama and Loui- be adjusted to compensate for the difference. out that although most modern ing, the new dredge operated by siana coastlines. Each year near- Each melnber-subscriber will receive full informa- farmers consider themselves dry- the Southern Industries Corpora- ly 400,000 tons of the crushed tion, direct fronl Blue Cross-Blue Shield, as to how land operators, vast regions of the tion is capable of recovering and shell is graded into hen, pullet, and chick-sized particles. merit rating will affect his coverage .. ocean will be brought under man's processing 600 cubic yards of reef cultivation and control. oyster-shell per hour. It works Besides producing calcium-car- This 'system will keep rates in line with current with the cutting head more than bonate in meal and flour form for costs in an area. It is designed to help protect sub- Among the pred i ctions are 500 feet below the surface of the feed mills and as a supplementary scribers against possible increases resulting from higher those which foresee ocean-farm- water, diggiI1g into layers of shell free-choice ration for poultry, the costs in other groups. ers of the future planting and deposited by countless millions of new giant dredge "Mallard" cultivating huge beds of kelp and bi-valves over centuries of marine The new merit rating system was explained in fun - / other high-value sea plants, herd- activity. scoops up and preprocess the cal- detail to county Farm Bureau Secretaries at their con- cium shell deposits for use in ing shoals of branded and fenced- Valued for a number of rea- drug and chemical trades, for ferences May 25 and June 2, by J. E. Sliadduck, Man- in fish which are fed regularly, sons, oyster-shells have been used asphalt roofing, tires and paints. ager, Direct Billed Groups Department of Michigan and many types of mining opera- in crushed form for centuries by Still another portion is converted Blue Cross-Blue Shield. tions such as that done in the re- poultrymen to insure fewer into lime. Farmers and their Farm Bureau organization have every thing Bureau invited Livingston, to gain by becoming more effective in infonning the people. \Vayne, Lenawee and Monroe to a Clinic at Ann Arbor, May 28. That premise is the foundation for a series of "Communica- In the sessions to come, Cal- tions Clinics" designed to provide 'Know how" for County Farm houn County plays host to Barry, Bureau Information Committees. Eaton, Jackson, Branch and Hills- Kicked off May 18, the series of instructional meetings will dale on July 12. Newaygo Coun- tv invites Mason, Osceola and continue until mid-August and will eventually reach all County Oceana on July 13. Fann Bureau lnfonnation Committees in Michigan. July 15, Tuscola County in- These Clinics are of a "down vites Bay, Saginaw, Huron and to earth" variety which tackle terest of agriculture; How to op- Sanilac County Committees to its the methoos necessary for a com- erate a committee to share the Clinic at Caro. July 16 - Isa- mittee to do a good job of telling work to be done; How to write bella is the host. Clare, Glad- the story of Farm Bureau and news stories for publication - win, Midland and Mecosta Coun- agriculture to members and to a and how not to write them; How ties attend. public which sees little of farm- to use simple cameras and pic- Clinton County be com e s the ing. tures to add interest and "zip" Clinic center, July 19, hosting The one-day "schools" come at to a story. Montcalm, Gratiot, Ionia, Shia- '" ,/ a time when the public at-large Methods are examined to bring wassee and Ingham Counties. / has many distorted imag e s 0 f about improvement in Farm Bu- Lapeer County lines up Genesee, farms and farmers. Experts agree reau newsletters and publications St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland that sometimes the distortions are sent to members. In each session on July 20. cultivated by self-interest groups. Clinc participants visit with a staff Iosco invites Arenac, Ogemaw How can farmers kick the dents member of a local newspaper, arid Alcona on July 22, and Che- out of this image? The Com- radio or television station as part boygan calls in Alpena, Mont- munications Clinics tackle this of the program. They discuss morency, Otsego, Presque Isle problem. their local communications prob- and Charlevoix, July 23. Members of the Michigan Farm lems and how to solve them to- Upper Peninsula Communica- Bureau Information Division staff gether. tions Clinics will be held in Au- conduct a number of "How To" In the first meeting of the gust. Counties to be served are sessions in the Clinic program: series, Northwest Michigan Fann Chippewa, Mackinaw-Luce in How to establish a working news- Bureau hosted its neighbor coun- one Clinic; M arq uett e-Alger, ,j J gathering system; How to work ties: Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Delta and Menominee in another; WRITING A GOOD NEWS STORY was the subject discussed by Don Kin f th~ Michigon farm Bureau Information Division with county Information selo~_ w / with newspapers and broadcasters \Vexford, Manistee and Benzie. and Iron, Baraga and Houghton mlttee me~bers a! a "Communications Clinic" in Traverse City. Participants have so that they will work in the in- Washtenaw County Farm in a third. been making a tnal run at news-story writing. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 SEVENTEEN GREAT LAKES GROUP MEETS IN ESCANABA Members of the tri-state North- Pet Parade about people ... ern Great Lakes Rural Develop- ment Committee have voted to incorporate. The action took - r ........ - .::" ..... place at a meeting held June 4 in Escanaba. The committee has been sup- LOW ported by an advisory panel of represen ta tives from Federal CAT agencies and the universities of \Visconsin and Minnesota, and ~ CROSSING Michigan State University. Chair- man Wolter Harvey of Eagle ~ ~~.A""~ l.1l M"-_W~~ " I. River, Wisconsin, said, "Any new "CAT-ASTROPHE" PREVENTER,- this cute sign observed near a busy highway .. organization move should permit continued utilization of these agencies but should leave the door open for other public or private support:' The new committee, represent- ing 81 counties in the northern portion of the three states, has already stimulated the formation ED SCHRADER DUWAYNE E. ZIEGLER of several resort centers and the creation of a tri-state forestry co- Ed ("Eddie") Schrader (33), DuWayne E. Ziegler (32), an operative. The cooperative plans former Tuscola County 4-H Club agricultural education graduate of to set up a demonstration project Agent for the past six years, has the University of Wisconsin, will to encourage the establishment of joined the staff of the Michigan join the staff of the American wood utilization industry. Farm Bureau as a Regional Repre- Dairy Association of Michigan as Tourist specialist, Louis field representative on July 1, ac- sentative, according to Glenn Twardzik, suggested to the group cording to Boyd Rice, ADA of Sommerfeldt, manager' of the Michigan secretary-manager. that each major community Field-Services Division. Ziegler has five years experi- should have a person responsible for recreational development, just He has been assigned to the ence in membership work with as communities have school su- S.E. Region of the state, con- the ADA of Wisconsin, in the perintendents to administer edu- taining the counties of Eaton, Green Bay area. Prior to joining cation. He also suggested that Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Len- the Wisconsin dairy group, he the three states should plan co- awee, Livingston, Monroe, Wash- was a vo-ag teacher in that state. operatively for highway construc- Rice, in making the announce- tenaw and Wayne. tion. ment, said the staff increase wiU The addition of Schrader to the make possible an expanded ADA Michigan delegates to the tri- state organization are: Harold staff once again brings the field program in both membership ac- Dettman, St. Ignace; Roy Jensen, operations department to full tivity and merchandising pro- Escanaba; Walter Wightman, strength, Sommerfeldt reports. grams with dairies and grocers. Fennville; Ed Gould, West All Silage Not Alike Branch; Clark Most, Alanson; Pal- A GRAND SLAM WIN over a field of 21 in the German Shorthaired Pointer Club mer Beebe, Dowagiac, and the of America "national specialty" recently added a big iewel to the show ring crown of "Kamiak Desert Dawn," shown here with her proud owner, Harold Tepin of Farm Reverend Carl Staser, East Lan- Bureau Services' Data Systems department. Experts say that Kamiak is well on her sing. way to a dual (bench and field) championship, ultimate goal of most breeders. "Unfortunately, - all com silage is not created equal," says Dr. Merle Teel, Director of the American Farm Research Asso- ciation. "Some silage is good, some is mediocre and some is just plain bad, and how it gets that way is usually predictable." Farm Bureau Service, Inc. of ~1ichigan is a member of the American Farm Research Association, which is a Farm Bureau affiliate. The findings of the Association are passed on to Farm Bureau members in terms of better crops, products and services. Here are tips offered by Dr. Teel to help Fann Bureau members improve the feeding value of the silage they produce: Best quality com silage is made from fields with high grain yields.. per day during the peak period. Early-planted well fertilized com Between the milk stage and early- will have 60 percent grain rather dent stage it is still increasing ear than 40 to 50 percent The sil- weight at perhaps 50 pounds per age will contain 6 bushels of com acre per day. Harvesting com 10 per ton rather than from 2 to 5 days too early may thus cost 500 bushels. pounds of com ... enough High energy corn silage is energy to produce nearly 100 made from com harvested at 65 pounds of beef or 1200 pounds to 70 percent moisture. Grain of milk. will contain approximately 50 These losses would be twice as percent moisture and will be well great for the farmer who har- dented. vested com silage in the milk To provide com with proper stage. WAIT UNTIL CORN IS maturity for silage select an im- DENTED BEFORE HARVEST- proved, disease-resistant hybrid 1NG IT FOR SILAGE. which will mature in the time you In Iowa, an experiment showed PLYAC@added to your sprays have allotted for growth. With late planting, a short season hy- that it takes approximately 19 days for com to ripen from the brid will provide higher energy milk stage to the dent stage (60% saves respraying costs! silage than a full season hybrid with about the same total dry moisture or less). Com as silage removes over weight. 4 times as much potassium as To make sure your sprays really tween respraying ... stretches your Planting date is a very im- com for grain. A 25 to 30 ton work, be sure to add Plyac. This is spray dollar, too! portant consideration. Late plant- yield will remove over 200 ing reduces grain yield from one pounds of nitrogen, 90 pounds of Allied Chemical's unique, palented Add just 2 to 4 ounces of easy-to- to two bushels per acre for each phosphate and 240 pounds of liquid polyethylene spreader-sticker use liquid Plyac spreader-sticker for day of delayed planting beyond potash. Fertilize accordingly, ..IS- the optimum planting date. ing a soil test as a guide. that prevents rapid weathering off. every 100 gallons. Planting date may not change High silage yields demand the total silage yield. It may thicker populations. Select pop- Even under the attacks of wind and Your sprays will go on better and reduce only the grain content of ulation with careful consideration rain, Plyac keeps your sprays work- stay on longer-help you to a more the silage. Such silage is best of soil type. Top yields are com- fed to dry cows and heifers. ing from 25,000 plants and up. ing longer ... stretches the time be- profitable harvest! Fiber digestibility in com drops Don't forget lime. On light GENERAL CHEMICAL DIVISION very little during the grain ripen- soils, excessively drained, calcium ing phase. Total digestibility in- and magnesium losses due to re- P. O. Box 869, Kalamazoo, Mich. creases with maturity due to in- moval and leaching may amount TEL.: Fireside 5-8676 creased grain content. to 200 to 400 pounds of limestone Sold and distributed by Farm Bureau Services, Inc. Grain yield increases at rates per acre. This can be corrected from 150 to 200 pounds per acre with periodic liming. EIGHTEEN July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS KLINE REVISITS MICHIGAN Take Time to Care Take Time to live NATIONAL FARM SAFETY WEEK JULY 25-31 Eight thousand farm people were killed in accidents last year! Accidents on the farm in one form or another injured another 800,000 in the same twelve months! Statistics such as these show the importance of National Farm Safety Week, July 25-31. N. L. Vermillion, Administrative Vice-President of the Farm Bureau Insurance Group, urged Farm Bureau mem- bers to develop their own personal accident prevention programs during Farm Safety 'Veek - and maintain them throughout the year. Here is a suggested program of daily emphasis for various types of accident-prevention activities during National Farm Safety Week: FORMER AMERICAN FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT - Allan B. Kline (center) visits with Michigan Farm Bureau leaders at a Sunday, July 25 - Revere~ce for Life: Rural Urban dinner sponsored by the Clinton County Farm Bureau during Michigan Week. To the left is Elton Smith, Mich- Take time to take care. Be alert to and aware of ordinary igan Farm Bureau president; also shown is E. J. Bottum, Clinton county president. hazards of daily life but prepared for the unexpected. Know what to do in an emergency. Correct hazards FARM BUREAU UNDERWRITERS promptly; learn to live with hazards that can't be corrected. Accidents cost time, money, suffering and sometimes life. The individual has a responsibility to act safely to protect and prevent harm to himself and others. ~fonday, July 26 - Safety Begins at Home: Neat, orderly farm houses are safer, more pleasant homes. Have a place for everything; keep everything in its place when not in use. Practice safety while doing housework, caring for the family, during periods of re- laxation and home recreation. Check appliances, electrical wiring, power tools, etc. for defects. Look over heating system, chimneys, stoves, portable heaters, etc. to reduce fire hazards. Clear out clutter and rubbish that could cause falls and fires. Tuesday, July 27 - Farm and Home Chemicals: Chemicals are widely used in agriculture; chemical household and drug products are found in every farm home. Always read labels, use as directed, take necessary FOUR UNDERWRITERS, - representing the Underwriting Division of Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan, took part in a con- precautions in usage. Keep in original containers and store ference in Wisconsin recently. Improvement of insurance services to Farm Bureau members was the conference theme. Shown in suitable places well beyond the reach or access of small from the left are: Dave Wallace, Russ Edgerton, Don Jolliff and John Leary. children. Never transfer potentially harmful materials to unmarked food and drink containers. Poisonous materials MISSOURI should be locked up. Dispose of empty containers and unused portions promptly. Wednesday, July 28 - Prevent Falls: Boys' Bravery Cited HOSTS TO COOPERATIVES Good planning reduces need to rush, means more work Calm action and clear-headed thinking earned two northern done with fewer mishaps. Repair or replace broken, uno: AHchigan boys a citation for bravery before a meeting of the Kalkaska Rotary Club. The University of Missouri and safe ladders. When a ladder is needed, get one - don't use Missouri cooperative organiza- makeshifts. Provide handrails and good lighting for stair- The two thirteen-year-olds, Allen McCool and Robert Moyer tions are hosts for the 1965 an- ways and steps. Pick up tripping hazards from around received the awards from representatives of the Fann Bureau nual meeting of the American house, stairs, porch, yard, walkways, out buildings. Clean Insurance Group for helping save an Ohio couple from drown- Institute of Cooperation, accord- mud, grease, snow, etc. from shoes before climbing ladders ing in North Blue Lake, Kalkaska county. ing to C. B. Ratchford, dean of or on machinery, buildings, trees, other high places. Re- Presenting the engraved gold plaques was Eugene Roberts, the University's Extension Divi- pair defective floors. Skidproof small rugs. Put up hand- a member of the Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors. sion. holds at bathtub. - Also in attendance were Foster ~lcCool, Career Agent and Dates for the 1965 meeting, father of Allen; and Garth Tompkins, Career Agency Manager to be held in Columbia, Missouri Thursday, July 29 - Rural Highway Safety: on the University campus, are for Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Crawford and Kalkaska Courtesy is a key to traffic safety. Always practice basic counties. August 8 to 11. rules of safe driving. Adjust speed to road conditions. The AIC, the national educa- Obey all tr.affic signs. Be especially alert at railroad cross- Allen McCool and Robert Moyer were fishing in North Blue Lake on May 7th when they heard calls for help and, upon tional organization for farmer co- ings and unmarked rural intersections. Install and use operatives, is headquartered in seatbelts. Be careful when entering road from farm drive- their investigation, found Mr. and ~lrs. ~farion Lohr clinging 'Vashington, D.C. Each year, the way, field exits. Signal well ahead before turning into farm to their swamped boat, 50 feet from shore. Allen and Robert annual meeting is held on a land- entrance or onto secondary road from highway. managed to get to the boat and swam back to shore, each towing grant college campus. AIC pres- one of the Lohrs. ident is J. K. S.tem of Washington. Friday, July 30 - Farm Machinery: In an address to those attending the Rotary Meeting, Mr. The 1965 meeting is the Insti- Keep all farm equipment in safe operating condition. Roberts said, in part, "The heroic act is history, but the inner tute's 37th summer session. More Keep guards and safety devices in place. Always stop qualities which motivated these young citizens to help their than 2,000 farm marketing, farm machines before unclogging, servicing or adjusting. Refuel fellowman - are only beginning to emerge. This heroiSm is credit, and rural service leaders only cool engines. To avoid tractor upsets or backward only anindicatioll of the character, integrity, and personal confi- from all parts of North America flips: slow down when turning or on rough ground; hitch dence which will guide the lives of these boys and determine including many from Michigan only to the drawbar; set wheels wide; be cautious while their success in the years ahead." are expected to attend. In addi- working on slopes, uneven ground or around ditches. Keep "The Farm Bureau Insurance Group, because of its interest tion, 1,000 selected rural youth a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on tractors and self- in recognizing those individuals who make major contributions scholars are expected at the In- propelled equipment. Farm machinery should be properly to suciety, has asked that I present awards to these deserving stitute's youth program. lighted and well marked with warning devices such as young men. I am especially pleased with this assignment be- flags, reflectors and Slow-Moving Vehicle Emblems for Theme of the 1965 meeting is cause one of the boys, Allen, is the son of our Career Agent, "Cooperatives-A Creative Force better safety on roads. Foster McCool - who represents our Companies in Kalkaska in Rural Living." Keynote speak- Saturday, July 31- Recreation Safety: County." er will be Phillip Alampi, New Take safety seriously - everywhere - all the time. Be The two boys were presented citations for bravery by the local Jersey Secretary of Agriculture. careful around bodies of water both large and small. Teach Police Department and newspaper. In addition, a gold watch Alampi is also president of the -'( youngsters how to swim. Observe rules of boating safety. was given to each of the boys by Mr. and ~,f rs. Lohr who had National Association of State De- journeyed from Ohio to attend the affair. partments of Agriculture. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 N1NETEEN 1400 - Series "Brain" added BY: Charles H. Bailey The new 1400-Series I.B.M. computer system at Farm Bureau Services' Finance Division in Farm Bureau Center, Lansing, doesn't exactly talk, - but it probably will before 1970. According to Ronald 'Viller, Data Systems manager for the division, the new computer which is the heart of the system may well be "talking" by telephone to other computers at local banks in the not-too-distant future. Of course the electronic signals used by the computers would not be intelligible to the human eavesdropper, but to the 'llsten- ing" computer they would have exact meaning. "Farm Bureau Services installed the new computer system to provide management with fast and accurate information to meet the needs of the more than thirty cooperatives which the Finance Division serves," according to division manager R. G. Bartz. "BRAINPOWER" CENTER, - the newly opened Computer Center of Farm Bureau Services' Finance Division is dominated The impressive list of operations performed by the system in- by complex, cabineted machines. cludes such things a,s inventory control and sales analyses, pay- roll and labor-utilization analyses, printing of mailing lists, check- book reconciliation and many others. For the branch cooperatives, the computer and associated equipment will do in a fantastically short time such time-con- suming tasks as the preparation of patronage checks, income-tax forms, allocated-credit certificates and individual patronage statements. Many of these have been typed by hand in the past, but the new computer will automatically type them from previously prepared cards which may be handled only once for a series of related operations. The machines in the Computer Center will perform a number of services for the Michigan Farm Bureau. These include mail- ing lists by state, county or commodity interest, - or if desired, by such special cataloguing as farm size. Dues notices, membership cards, commodity listings and growth reports, these and similar complex operations will be handled by the mechanical marvel. Importantly, the new computer center eliminates the need to replace about $200,000of outdated equipment and at the same time will produce at high speed the many types of manage- ment information which could not be handled with the older TWO-MILLION ITEMS, - can be stored on this computer disk, displayed by operator Edward Kemp to visitors in Farm machines. Bureau Services' Computer Center. With Kemp are (from left) Michigan Farm Bureau Secretary-Manager, Clarence Best of all, it helps Farm Bureau do a better job. Prentice; Ronald Willer, Data Systems manager and IL G. Bortz, Finance Division manager, Farm Bureau Services. variety of subjects were given "Word -Power" is Dynamite! importance of good communica- tions. a full year's training in vocabu- "The art of using words in lary as an experiment. Later, when effective communications is the given the same tests which they most important challenge of our had previously failed, 85 percent time," said Woell, manager of of the students passed, proving (Editor's Note: The following the importance of word-under- the Information Division, Mich- report was written cooperatively standing to the basic learning igan Farm Bureau, as he pointed by "students" of the writer's process. out that a majority of business workshop sessions held as a part failures are due to lack of ade- The second day of each con- of "word-power" conferences for quate communications. ference was spent projecting ideas County Fann Bureau Secretaries, Woell stressed that it is people for office procedures and record- May 25-26 and June 2-3.) , who give meaning to words and keeping in the Farm Bureau's "Word power is dynamite," that communications are also in- county offices to meet the grow- said communications expert, Mel- volved in attitudes. "Learn how vin Woell, at Farm Bureau sec- ing needs of membership. Under to use the tools of communication retaries' conferences, held May the direction of Mrs. Marjorie anq you can unlock doors to the 25-26 and June 2-3, at Camp Gardner, coordinator of county future," h~ told the secretaries. Kett, near Cadillac. Using a recent study as an offices, the secretaries reviewed Secretaries from 50 county example, he said that a group of the results of a two-year project Farm Bureaus participated in the High School youngsters who in the form of a manual to aid meetings which highlighted the failed to pass exams on a wide them in their specialized work. "AN ETERNITY" - that's how long a two-minute extemporaneous talk seems to take, county Farm Bureau Secretaries who participated in the "Word-Power" con- ference learned. Loretta Kirkpatrick, secretary of the Tuscola County Farm Bureau "YOU ARE A FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN," - Melvin Woe II, manager of the Information Division of the Michigan Farm is shown giving her two-minute talk during Ithe Speakers' Workshop at the two- Bureau told participants at a Speakers' Workshop session. He stressed the importance of the county Farm Bureau Secre- day Camp Kett meeting. Topics were handed the speakers just before their taries' role in "communicating for her organization." "command" performonce. TWENTY July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS A8RICULTURE IN ACTION AROUND MICHIGAN EMBLEM PROMOTES SAFETY 11TH CENTURY CATHEDRAL SLOW-MOVING VEHICLE- farm safety emblem, appears with growing frequency CASTLE AT TRONDHEIM, NORWAY, - is the setting for coronation of Norwegian Kings. The ancient city is considered on Michigan farm machinery. Especially designed to eliminate rear-end highway a gateway to the North. It will be typical of similar sights offered Michigan farmers and their friends in the Scandinavian collisions, the bright emblem includes a red reflective border around a triangle Cooperative Tour, sponsored in late August by the Michigan Association of Farmer Cooperatives. MAFC Secretary Manager of fluerelCent orange. L A. Cheney win lead the group. SEMINAR DELEGATES SCHOLARSHIP HALF-BILLION ROBERT MILLIGAN, Cass City, has been named one of two teenage winners of $1,000 scholarships to Michigan State FROM IRON COUNTY, - ta the Citizenship Seminar at Camp Kett, July 12-16, University by the Beet Sugar Industry. A MICHIGAN LOAN, - to the Paul Piehl family, Ottawa Lake, helped push the will go Mike Ca$Onova, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Casanova; and Brenda He is the son of Tuscola County Farm Federal Land Bank of St. Paul to the half-billion mark in loans outstanding. It H. Virkler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Virkler. They are shown with Mrs. Bureau members, Mr. and Mrs. James Cranor, right, is manager of the Federal land Bank Association of Blissfield Lauri Honkala, Chairman of the Young People's citizenship committee. Milligan. where the loan was made. SHOWING NEED FOR BETTERSEED MICHIGAN WEEK FLOAT iER~ATlLE DISPLAY, - donated to Michigan State University by the Michigan Seed Dealers Association, shows the need ~r th et~r seed in good farm management. Examining the attractive display are Richard Brown (left), Lansing, president HOURS OF HARD WORK, - ~aid off in this colorful float, entered by the St. ~oU e ofeeelD~al.rs Association and manager of Farm Bureau Services Seed Department, and T. 1(. Cowden, Dean of the Joseph County Farm Bureau In a parade opening Michigan Week activities of ege Agriculture, MSU. that area. Photo courtesy, Farm department, Sturgis Deily Journal. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 lWENTY-ONE ...FARM BUREAU LIFE REACHES $200 MILLION Farm Bureau Life Grows The Farm Bureau Insurance Group of Michigan achieved another milestone in its history of continuing growth as life insurance in force climbed to a record $200,000,000 recently, according to N. L. Vermillion, Administrative Vice President of the Farm Bureau Insurance Group. Fann Bureau Life exceeded $200 million as a policy was needed." The policy chosen by issued to Mr. and Mrs. David the family is written on the life of Nelson, Fann Bureau members Mr. Nelson and provides coverage in Muskegon County. on Mrs. Nelson and all children "The Company has experienced - plus potential monthly income an unparalleled rate of growth for the family until 1985. since its founding in 1951," Ver- "The immediate public accept- million explained. "The Company ance of Farm Bureau Life's in- reached the first $100 million surance services and the Com- mark during 1960 and, with the pany's subsequent meteoric Nelson policy, has surpassed the growth can be attributed to our second $100 million milestone in policy of constantly improving half the time - four and one-half policyholder benefits," said Ver- vears:' million. "Dividends and interest . The Company ranks in the up- rates, for example, have been per 200/0 of all life insurance increased two and three times, finns in the United States on a respectively, since the Life Com- basis of insurance in force. pany was founded." David Nelson and his wife, The Farm Bureau Insurance Barbara, have one son and are Group, with 255 sales and claims expecting an addition to the fam- representatives located in 46 of- ily later this year. Although they fices throughout Michigan, is had been contacted by several affiliated with Farm Bureau Com- firms concerning life insurance, panies operating throughout the they decided to buy from Farm United States. Total life insur- $200 MILLION POLICYHOLDERS- Farm Bureau Agency Manager Ben Landheer, left, presents a policy to the Nelson fam- Bureau because, in Mr. Nelson's ance in force 01 Fann Bureau ily of Muskegon County which helped Farm Bureau Life reach and exceed the milestone of $200 million of life insurance words, ''''hey gave me the type Companies across the nation is in force. David and Barbara's son, Terry, seems more interested in the camera than the presentation. of protection I wanted and nearly $4 ¥4 billion. SPECIAL RATE TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: 25 words for $2.00 each edition. Additional words, 10 cents each. Figures such as 12 or $12.50 count as one word. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition, two or more editions, 10 cents per word. Copy deadline: 20th of the month. 1 AUCTIONS 6 DOGS 14 FOR SALE. 20 LIVESTOCK 22 NURSERY STOCK -MISSOURI AUCfION SCHOOL. Free SELEctED ENGLISH SHEPHERD SHELLED PECANS, BLACK WALNUTS, CATILE FEEDERS-Feed high analysis FREEl Stark Bro's 150th Anniversary Cat- cataloltl 1330-50 Linwood, Kansas City, PUPS from our own working stock dogs English Walnuts, Fil berts, Brazils, Al- Perfect Balancer 8 % phosphate mineral alog. Spectacular big full-color display of Mo. 64109. (2-Tf-l0b) -$20.00. Bradley Acres, Springport, monds, Cashews, Pepper, Cinnamon, Sas- feed. Feed free choice. Put plain salt in apples, peaches, pears, cherries from Dwarf, Michigan. (Jackson County) safras $1.25#. Dried Mushrooms $3.00# one container and Perfect Balancer Min- Semi-Dwarf, Standard Size trees. Bear lus- (9-64-12t-15p) 6 Peerless, 538 M N Centralparlc, Chicago erai in another container. The animal cious fmit - anywhere in your yard. knows which one he needs. Get Perfect 3 OPPORTUNITIES 60624. (6-2t-2lp) 14 Balancer mineral at vour elevator. The Ornamentals, too. Stark, Dept. 30576, Louisiana, Missouri 63353. (7-1 t-38b) 22 EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE-Amazing new 8 FARM EQUIPMENT Gelatin Bone Co., Box 125, Em m e tt , Michigan. (tf-47b) 20 liquid plastic coating used on all types of 20 BUNDLES (500) Bale Ties for Hand FARROWING CRATES-with creep pan- Tie Baler 15 GA. 9'6"-$60.00 for lot. surfaces interior or exterior. Eliminates els $22.95. Free literature. Dolly Enter- waxing when applied on Asphalt Tile, prises, 219 Main, Colchester, Ill. George Ben, 28323 Dixboro Road, South FEEDING HOGS? Use salt free, high 26 POULTRY Vinyl, Linoleum, Vinyl Asbestos, Hard Lyon, Michigan. Phone GE 8-3356. analysis Perfect Balancer 8 % phosphate (6-2t-14p) 8 (7-lt-25p) 14 mineral feed in your hog feed. Mix one DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS- Wood, and Furniture. Completely elimi- nates painting when applied to Wood, pound of Perfect Balancer with each 100 The DeKalk profit pullet. Accepted by ,Metal, or Concrete surfaces. This finish Ibs. of ground feed. You can eliminate the smart poultryman for high egg pro- is also recommended for boats and auto- MODEL H INTERNATIONAL TRACTOR bone meal by using Perfect Balancer. Get duction, superior egg quality, greater feed mobiles. No competition-as these are ex- with hydraulic system, cultivator, 7 ft. 20 LIVESTOCK Perfect Balancer at vour elevator. The efficiency. If you keep records, you'll clusive fonnulas in demand by all busi- mower, 10 ft. double disc, double bottom Gelatin Bone Co., Box 125, Emmett. keep DeKalbs. \Vrite for prices and nesses, industry and homes. No franchise 14 in. trailer plow, 3 section sprin~ tooth Michigan. (tf-50b) 20 catalog. KLAGER HATCHERIES, Bridge- WISCONSIN CO-OP HIGH QUALITY fee. Minimum investment-$300. Max- harrow. Tillage equipment msty through water, Michigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel FEEDER PIGS-unifonn, healthy fast- imum investment-$7,Ooo. Investment is disuse but in 'working condition. Fann growinj;! crossbreeds. Castrated, wonned, 9-7087, Manchester GArden 8-3034 secured by inventory. Factory trained per- in soil bank. Call IV 5-8464 or write YOU NEED CORRIEDALES for more ear tagged and vaccinated. Purchase by (Washtenaw County) (tf-46b) 26 sonnel wiII help set up your business. For Don Moore, P.O. Box 960, Lansing, Mich- profit with sheep. Contact Walter Good- weight. Approval on delivery and ten complete details and descriptive literature igan. (7-lt-48b) 8 all, Secretary, Michigan Corriedale Breed- day guarantee. Russell McKams, R#1, write: Chern-Plastics & Paint Corp., 1828 West Unity, Ohio. Phone-924-5361. ers Association, Cass City, Michigan, for Locust, St. Louis 3, Mo. (6-14t"-104b) 3 (12-12t-36p) 20 location of breeders nearest to you. FLASH! FLASHI Shaver Starcross 288 14 FOR SALE (2-9t-26p) 20 top ranked white egg layer by U.S.D.A. Summaries of contests, complete started FOR SALE - Clipper seed cleaner #16 pullet program 95% on own farms. SPECIAL TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS FOR SALE-25 large Holstein Heifers, PIGGIE WENT TO MARKET FASTER Visitors welcome see environment con- -Croup Cooperative Plan offer from En- with 26 screens, 650 G.P.M. irri~ation pump and motor like new, Minn. Moline bred November, vaccinated, 1100 Ibs, de- after an "Iron Shot." Get Annidexan trolled housing. Blue Diamond \Vhite cyclopaedia Britannica, allowing members horned from good herd-$235.00. Edward from your dealer. \Vrite Ray Nystrom, Rocks. Free literature. MacPherson to secure famed Imperial Edition at a re- power portable com sheller, Rosenthal Tanis,. Jenison, Michigan. Phone MO 9- Box 277, Concord, Michigan, for free Hatchery, Ionia, Michigan. Phone 616 duced price, substantially lower than avail- #80 com husker and shredder. Pine literature today. (J aclcson County) 527 -0860. (Ionia County) Border Fann, Cedar Springs. Michigan. 9226. (Ottawa County). (6-2t-21p) 20 able to any individual. See BULLETIN, (5-4t-25p) 20 (5-2t-41p) 26 Page 13. (7-1t-34b) 3 (Kent County) (2-6t-35b) 14 DAIRYMEN-Cut Vitamin Deficiency DAIRYMEN-Use Perfect Balancer 8% 20 GIANT IRIS-Assorted. $2.00. Black using Fann-Med Vitamin Mix, four pounds phosphate mineraI feed. Mix one pound POULTRYMEN-Use Perfect Balancer, Iris and Planting Guide Free. Parsons, to each ton of feed, increase or maintain of Perfect Balancer to every 100 lbs. of 8 % phosphate mineral feed in your cround 3187 Morganford. St. Louis, Mo. 63116. milk production. Get Fann-Med from ground feed. You can eliminate bone meal feed. Eliminate soft shelled eggs. Mix 3 (5-3t-16p) 14 your elevator. Write Ray Nystrom, Box by using Perfect Balancer. Get Perfect Ibs. J>Cr 100 Ibs. feed. The Gelatin Bone 277. Concord, Michigan, for free litera- Balancer at vour elevator. The Gelatin Co., Box 125, Emmett, Michigan. ture. (J aclcson County) (5-4t-35p) 20 Bone Co., Box 125, Emmett, Michigan. (tf-25b) 26 (tf-40b) 20 FARMERS: KLAGER'S DelCALB PROFIT PULLETS Check the value you get in Gelatin Bone Perfect Balancer, FREE FILM -Sixteen Hybrid. weeks and older. The proven Raised under ideal conditions by the mineral feed of champions: For every roll of Kodacolor or Black and White film you send w for proces- DEFEND experienced poultrymen. Growing birds in- spected weekly by trained staff. Birds on Percent Min. Percent Max. sing. you will receive ABSOLUTELY FREE a fresh roll of the same size film FREEDOM full feed, vaccinated, debeaJced, true to age, and delivered in clean coops. ~ee theml We have a grower near you. Birds Phosphorous Calcium 8.0 29.0 9.0 34.0 with your developed prints. a expo'ure developed 225 BUY US. raised on Fann Bureau feed. HATCHERIES, Bridgewater, KLAGER M ichi g an. Mag. Sulfate .24 and enlarged PLUS FREE ROLL KODACOlOR FILM SAVINGS Telephones: chester GArden Saline, HAzel 9-7087, Man- 8-3034. (Washtenaw Iodine (pure) Cobalt Sulfate .015 .01 .018 .03 12 exposure developed and enlarged 275 B D County) (tf-72b) 26 Salt 0.00 0.00 PLUS FREEROLL KODACOlOR FILM When temperatures go above 80 de- grees, birds need Pilot Brand Oyster Get Perfect Balancer at your elevator. Distributed in Mich- GIANT SIZE COLOR.PRINTS (Kodacolor negative. only) ea. 19c 34 WANTED Shell fed free-choice for strong igan by: Only the finest Kodak ATTENTION FARMERS-Get good money for your old live cows and horses, shelled eggs. FARM BUREAU materials used. "up or down," we pay $10-$50. We OYSTER SHELL PRODUCTS CO .. SERVICES, INC. feed to mink only. You are safe when you sell to Fur Fanns Food, Inc., Rich- Subsidiary of Maplewood Studio mond, Michigan. We pick up everyday in Southern Industries Corporation The GELATIN BONE CO. MOBilE, ~lABAM~ _ I Box 125, Emme", Michigan Box 362 Lansing, Mich. all counties east of M-27 and 127. We also pay for your phone call to: 727-9765. (Macomb County) (3-65-tf-58p) 34 TWENTY-TWO July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS ,:\ I ," \ ' I I I I I I " " , , \ , \ \ I \ I \ I , I \ I , I , I \ fj~~-~~\ )J ~~mr, \\ ~ DEMAND (d~~'\ '1-\ PREPARED BY THE " ;.'1.,. ••. ~.- EDUCATION AND RESEARCH. DEPARTMENT MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Price Bargaining I Can price bargaining yield positive benefits for farmers? )\ ..• Science, Not Miracle What are the advantages and disadvantages of "withholding~ Yes, indeed it can - and it has. It has to be done properly, of a product as a bargaining-pressure device? course. And we cannot expect it to deliver miracles. Of course, one of the advantages in the farmer's hands is that We "sell bargaining short" if we see price as its only object. he controls the raw product to begin with. This means little And to insist on a price, for its own sake, can damage the effort unless he pools the main volume of the product. He must control to gain the maximum price that the market could deliver. most of the flow to market. This requires pooling and planning. Farmers need to be organized Unregulated, independent sales ruin such control of product for a proper voice in bargaining. Marketing agencies will even offer flow and upset any plans for withholding. That is a first requirement. Buy- better prices in return for this , ers in today's market are well- kind of responsibility. They save \1 Withholding is not merely a negative pressure device. The financed corporations with "com- by knowing what to expect. positive feature lies in being able to offer products in the de- mand" over the market flow of Farmers' marketing organiza- sired volume. Quality control can deliver uniform products. food products. They are highly tions can offer products under BARGAINING This is a strong bargaining point. Pooling products is a kind informed about market conditions. high grading and quality stand- The "king pins" of the system ards. They can satisfy favorable are the retail supermarkets. They delivery schedules and provide :SKILLS II of withholding. \Vith this approach farmers can play one buyer against another in competition for supplies of the products. do much to dictate prices to the proper storage until the raw farm processors with whom the farm- foods are needed. In some cases, ers must deal. But the large mar- the farmers help promote the I On the farmer's side of the withholding effort there are prob- lems. This is especially true in withholding highly perishable keting agencies are highly skilled prod ucts through a d v e r tis i n g . :MARKETING products or livestock. Losses of highly perishable mean loss of income. Continued feeding of livestock is also a products and well informed about market These points strengthen the farm- conditions. They buy on large- ers' position. v.olume contracts under definite What "tools" are necessary to ~COSTS costly thing, and livestock can go overweight prime grade and their premium price when sold. and lose their specifications calling for regulated a proper approach in bargaining? delivery schedules. The primary "tool" is broad and I Everyone knows that high prices encourage increased pro- duction - unless there are quotas imposed. Quotas are cut- To bargain effectively, farmers accurate information about mar- SUBSTITUTES backs. Even with a better price, limits on sales may mean no r must match them. Their bar- ket conditions for the product to net income improvement. And costs continue to go up .• 1 gaining agents must possess the be sold. Goods must be priced same breadth of market inform a- to sell - yet yield the best pos- If the price is set too high, consumers stop buying the product. tion and match the buyer's skill in sible price. Price should not They have many things to choose from - competing products bargaining strategy. freeze the market. The exact "best Sales always require agreement price" falls at a delicate line. .TOTAL and substitutes. Farmers could ill afford a consumer rebellion against sharp between buyers and sellers. The But information, alone, is not farmer must become an effective, enough .. The information must SUPPLY price increases across the board. Consumers are the biggest I organized force in this marketing be interpreted with skill and ap- pressure group in the nation! Farmers' income dollars come from system. plied in the bargaining process. sales in the consumer market. How far can farmers go in apply- What are the farmers' points A proper bargaining formula in- ing forced prices in the system? It must be considered. of bargaining strength? Short of owning his own proc- volves exact calculations. The facts needed include what ,TOTAL 'Vhy is a good bargaining approach necessary for farmers? essing and marketing operations, stocks are on hand of the product, the farmer may s.till play his hand as well as of competing products. :DEMAND Farmers know the answer to that one. Net incomes trouble. Farmers seek a 'way out of the problem. are in to favor the strong points of his One must know the impact of position. There is a temptation to "substitutes" on consumer buying. overplay his position in regard to What are the consumer buying I ~PRICES But much of the problem is caused by conditions beyond mere price for farm products. Rising production costs are a big "fly in the farm income jam." The facts of the cost-price squeeze withholding products from the trends - new consumer pref- market as a pressure device. This erences? Are incomes rising or show this point clearly. can and may cause him more dis- falling in the economy? What are tress than those he seeks to pres- the costs of storing, processing, I In 1947, farm costs were less than 50% of gross returns from sales. In 1964, they were 70%. The index of prices received sure. More on this point later. transporting To be well organized is strong ing the product? What shrinkage and merchandis- ,CHOICES_ by farmers dropped from 112 in 1951, to 89 in 1964. Yet the index of prices paid for farm equipment and supplies rose from point number one. Today's marketing agencies losses occur? Facts like these, prefer to deal with seller organi- handled, give a basis for a realistic skilfully I II 100 in 1951, to 130 in 1964. Price is only part of the problem! Inflation, itself, contributes zations large enough to deliver "asking price" formula. goods under contract for a year price request is not merely a shot Your SPENDING strongly to the farmer's difficulty. The dollar has lost half its purchasing power since World War II. Government policy pro- and which are responsible as busi- in the dark. ness corporations. Farmer market- ~ I motes from 2% to 3% inflation per year. So, politics plays its part in the downward pressure on farm incomes. ing cooperatives ca~ till this bill. ~"- ~'':' . \ -.;. . SALES But, as the farmer sees it, price seems to be the only workable line of action open to him. The real probl~ is to find the ~~~~:~~ ;' ~~ ,. delicate line which will bring the farmer the best possible price ty; I/.> ~~:-7~ ;,~,;";"", .... .... ~" \1 ('".- ~;'+lit' .~""':.;.. , ...: • .i"f. ~- t\..- without destroying the market - knocking sales into a cocked ." . .. ' -;1::: - - ~ hat and encouraging the sales of substitutes or competing prod: /.~ '-~:&::-.yc- ~ 5~: ucts. The problem cannot be solved by taking any "bull in the china closet" approach. The proper approach must be carefully and ~\~:~ ~, skillfully planned. This is what Farm Bureau marketing organ- ~~_ .. ~ izations such as MACMA and the American Agricultural keting Association are trying to do. Mar- ~.:S~) ~) 1. What points of strength can fanner use in negotiating for price? bargaining organization" :.:-:.: :::;:ell. ss 2. What problems and hazards do fanners face in using witlr holding as a pressure device in an effort to establish a price ?~ for a product? MICHIGAN FARM NEWS July 1, 1965 TWENTY-THREE "10 bu. More Per Acre with Farm Bureau WHEAT STARTER" says Mr. STANLEY SWITEK Rt. 3, Pinconning, Mich. "I used Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter Fertilizer this past Fall with my wheat and it looks real good. A year ago I used 6-24-12 on half of the field, for a total of 15 acres, and applied Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter on another 15 acres. Where Farm Bureau Wheat Starter was applied, I received an increase of 10 bu. per acre over where I used 6-24-12. Rate applied was about 250 lbs. per acre of each analysis. The cleaned wheat total averaged 58 bu. per acre. "As long as I receive this type of increase in yield, I am going to continue to use Farm Bureau Special Wheat Starter Fertilizer. I'd recommend it to you." The perfect profit partner for Farm Bureau Specia~ Wheat Starter SEED WHEAT Fertilizer is Michigan Certified Seed Wheat. with the best and you'll harvest the best. Unit Production Cost. Plant the best, fertilize Our aim is to lower your HOG FEED BUILD THE BEST! BOOKING Farm Bureau ing farmers guaran- teed buildings are help- all over PROGRAM Michigan ... and :more are going up every day. See what you're buying before you buy it. Your local A.B.C. dealer will Watch for thisl ... We're going to bring our whole field crew to your local dealership for one mammoth booking program in your area YOUR A."B. C. DEALERS ... you'll reap the savings on this booking STAND READY TO SERVE bonanza. Ask your dealer nowl YOU ACROSS MICHIGAN Reduce Your Unit Production Cost ... No matter what you grow or raise it takes a given amount of raw ma- terials and production facilities. to produce one unit: a bushel, a pound, a gallon or a ton. FARM The average dairy cow in the state of Michigan requires .35# of feed to produce one pound of milk. The average beef feeder requires 5;2 tons of com silage, 15 bushels of shelled com, 250# of hay, and 300# of supplement to b~ ready for market. BU The average hog requires 3.3# of feed to produce 1 pound of pork. These are the average feed requirements for the average fanner - where do you stand? Fann Bureau Services stands ready to help lower your costs . . . .with F.B.S. Cust Control Programs TWENTY-FOUR July 1, 1965 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS " LOOKING AHEAD ... . . .WITH CONFIDENCE 'Ve 'all have dreams for tomorrow.. We work and wait for the day we can buy the special home or farm we've always wanted - or enjoy that extended vacation - or provide a col- lege education for our children. But because dreams are expensive, many never come true. / , Thousands of Michigan families have guaranteed their future through a carefully planned life insurance program with Farm Bureau Insurance. They are investing in a program which builds cash values to be used in later years for any purpose. And, at the same time, the fam- ily is protected against the financial loss which results from an untimely death. Each year, more and more families are discovering how we can protect and. help fulfill their "tomorrows." As a matter of fact, the men, women, and children of Michigan now own more than $200 million of Farm Bureau life>insurance. And, across the United States, American families own over $4%: billion of life insurance with Farm Bureau companies. , i The reason for our rapid growth is simple. We're a little old-fashioned - still dedicated to providing OJ.llythe best for our policyholders. And it's working. Farm Bureau \ 1 INSURANCE Group Farm Bureau Mutual- Farm Bureau Life. Community Service, LANSING