~- - M D-C.H'DGA'N_FARM THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU Vol. 51, No. 4 MAKE IT HAPPEN Api Congratulations: M.EB. reaches membership goal TO: ALL FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: Most important of a\l, they should be made to understand that they For the fifth consecutive year county Farm Bureau leaders throughout have the privilege as well as the right to make their voice heard in de- the state have combined their efforts for Michigan to achieve a member- veloping policies which will shape the future of Farm Bureau. ship gain. We are, indeed, .fortunate to have many ways we can be effective in Congratulations are in order for all roll-call managers, membership Farm Bureau. 'Community groups, \Vomen's activities, Young Farmers' captains, workers, and county secretaries who contributed their time to programs and numerous action committees (Citizenship, Membership, this outstanding success for their teamwork and hard earned victory. Local Affairs, Political Education, National Affairs, State Affairs, etc.) appointed by each county Farm Bureau Board. Acquisition of Farm Bureau membership is, at times, a low-key affair compared to the organization work done by some other groups. The only All too often, many Farm Bureau members seem to forget their vital pressures used in Farm Bureau are those involving the individual farmer's role in the policy development process of their farm organization. When own conscious. Yet, three out of every four farmers who belong to a an individual member neglects to express his views on any policy of the farm organization belong to Farm Bureau. organization or fails to exercise his voting privilege at a county annual meeting, he fails himself and his fellow farmers. The best part of our successful membership campaign is that the In this age, when all types of organizations are springing up like weeds; 58,075 family members joined without fear of coercion or compulsion. there is a definite need for active participation by all Farm Bureau mem- Those who have joined did so because they wanted to. They signea bers. Farm Bureau has, does and will continue to defend and challenge membership applications and paid their ~4nnualdues voluntarily to join those activities not in the best interest of agriculture. But each individual a growing organization on the move, building the type of service farmers member must be willing to stand up and be counted. want and will need for the future. It is the right of every farmer to defend his right to conduct his business Now the new members must be recognized and given a place within and make a livelihood. I sincerely hope new members will share with us their organization. They must be introduced, at new member meetings, the responsibilities which must be assumed as we work for the better- to fellow members. They must be invited to become active participants ment of the agricultural industry and our entire society. of a community group. Elton R. Smith IN THIS ISSUE Capitol Report Page 3 National Notes Page 4 Special Announcement Page 9 TWO April 1, 1972 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS EDITORIAL ••• PRESIDENT'S COLUMN ••• j- -"'-"~-=.":---I Spokesmen Time For For Action Agriculture For some time farmers have been asking for Once again, this year's visit of Farm Bureau additional "tools" for marketing. Many farmers Legislative Leaders to Washington, D. C. pro- have stated that they are making less and less vided many with their first glimpse of the per year. Some even imply they are going broke. growing complex bureaucracy which is the From the beginning of time, farmers have seat of our government. sold their products for a "take what is offered» After having met and visited with our Con- price, but have had to pay the asking price for gressmen, attended formal briefings and hear- the production items they purchased. ings, I'm sure many departed with the feeling Many farm products are sold in a competitive that our nation's capitol is a place which must Michigan U.S. Senator Philip A. Hart is shown visiting with Farm open market. However, a growing volume of Bureau legislative leaders during lunch. be seen to be really appreciated. farm commodities is now produced and mar- Some expressed amazement that the system keted under advance contracts between farmers works. But it does, and the part which Farm and handlers. Bureau members and agriculture have in our Historically, contract terms have been de- governmental system will long be remembered veloped by handlers and offered to farmers on by the more than one-hundred members who a "take-it-or-Ieave-it" basis. This is obviously took advantage of the opportunity to take part a one-sided deal which often pits a large, well- in the 1972 Washington Legislative Seminar informed buyer against a farmer. and Heritage Tour. Faced with a growing concentration of power The full-time farmers, selected as "Legisla- on the handlers side, farmers are seeking to tive Leaders," were the spokesmen for Mich- develop sufficient strength and power through igan Agriculture during the four.,day trip. It the formation oc farmer marketing and bargain- was they, being knowledgeable about the prob- ing associations to achieve a more equitable lems of Michigan's agriculture, who explained ncgotiating position. the need for legislation to support Farm Bureau Some of the producer associations have been policy as adopted at our last annual meeting. successful in getting improved contracts with handlers. Others have run into a brick wall of These spokesmen for agriculture weren't in unwilling handlers who will not cven meet with Washington to protest with pickets and signs, farmers or their association representatives to but rather to obtain understanding and to build discuss a con tract. a communication system between themselves Experience has demonstrated a definite need and their respective legislators on issues facing to improve the legal foundation upon which their industry. Both houses of Congress were farmers can build their own effective market- visited and the opportunity to observe first- Robert P. Griffin, U.S. Senator from Michigan, outlines action~ hand our legislators at (work left impressions ing and bargaining programs. of Congress of concern to Michigan farmers. which will long he remembered. On the federal level, the National Agriculhual ~1arketing and Bargaining Act of 1971 (Sisk I was particularly pleased to see nearly all Bill) has been introduced by Congressman Sisk of ~1ichigan's diversified agricultural products of California and sponsored by over one- represented by the 'Legislative Leaders." The hundred other congressmen. size of their operations ranged from less than The Sisk Bill is a moderate and temperate a hundred-acre fruit farm, to 13,000 laying legislative approach which requires only that hens, to over a thousand-acre cash grain oper- the processors bargain in good faith with rep- ation, to sizable dairy, vegetable, swine and resentatives of qualified associations of pro- beef farms. ducers. It does not insist that a contract be One impression, I'm sure, all these full-time agreed to, but only requires that if producers farmers received was that our legislators are wish to develop a qualified marketing and vitally interested in hearing from the people bargaining association to bargain for them, the in their congressional districts. This was borne processor mu~t sit down and bargain in good out not only in words, but by the number of faith. It also spells out what a qualified bar- legislators who took time to attend breakfast gaining association would be. This proposed for 1\fichigan's Republican Congressmen and legislation applies only to contract negotiations the luncheon for the Democratic Congressmen and has no bearing upon the open competitive from Michigan. market. Here in ~1ichigan, legislation has bcen intro- A special meeting with officials of the De- duced in both houscs dealing with marketing partment of Agriculture proved to be one of and bargaining. The Senate bill (S 1225) was the educational highlights of the trip. While introduccd by Senators Zollar and Ballinger many were disappointed that Secretary of Agri- and the House Bill (H 595) was introduced by House minority leader - Michigan Represena!ive Gerald Ford culture Earl L. Butz's schedule prevented him Representative Cawthorne. - talks to Farm Bureau leaders at breakfast. Seated (I to r) from being present, all of us received a vivid The legislation provides a legal system for are Robert Braden, Administrative Director, MFB, Elton Smith, perception of the department's activities from agricultural associations that can meet its re- president, MFB. Assistant Secretary for Rural Development -and quirements as means to bargain. I t is based on Conservation Thomas K. Crowden. the concept of majority rule, whereby if the ~ The trip was not all work, as one full day producers' association is supported by 51 per- MICHIGAN 'FARM NEWS was devoted to a guided sight-seeing bus tour. cent of the producers with 51 percent or more TH. ACTrON ~U.LICATlON O~ TH1! MICHIGAN """M .U".AU Such places of interest as the Washington of the commodity grown in the production area. The MICHIGAN F AR~f NEWS is DIRECTORS: District I .. \rthur published monthly. on the first day, Bailey. Schoolcraft: District 2. Dean Cathedral, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the association would be authorized to repre- bv the ~lichill:an Farm Bureau. at its Pridgeon. ~fonti!omery. R-I; District 3. p~blic:ation office at 109 N. Lafayette and Mt. "emon. the home of our first President sent and be supported by all the producers in Street, Greenville. ~Iichigan. .\ndrew Jackson. Howell. R-I: Dis- the area in the pricing and marketing of the trict 4. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia. R-I: were visited. This provided all of us ; deepe; Editorial Rnd gl"nernl offices at 7373 District 5. David Morris. Grand Ledge. commodity. "'est Saginaw Hilhway. Lansinlt. R-3: District 6. Jack Laurie. Cass City, sense of appreciation of our American heritage ~Iichiltan 48904. Post Office BO:l 960. R-3: District 7. Kenneth Bull. Bailey, and history. Tclephone. LansinJl: 48S-8I~1. Enen- Among other items, the bill also provides sion 228. Subscription price, 50t per R-I: District 8. Harvey Leuenberger. mediation procedures in the event an agree- ye;ar. Salrinaw. R-6: District 9. Eultene Rob- Establisb~ JanUAry 13. 1923. Sec- erts. Lake City. R-I: District 10. The Farm Bureau \Vomen are to be congratu- ment cannot be reached ond Oass PostDlte paid at Grcenville. Richard Wieland. El1sworth. R-I: Dis- lated for sponsoring this type of activity. It is ~ficbignn. trict II. Franklin Sch\Yiderson. Dafter. Both proposed legislative pieces can help a very effective way for Farm Bureau leaders EDITORIAL: Editor. Carl P. Kent- DmECTORS AT LARGE: Walter solve some of today's agricultural problems. ner: Artist, :'Ijonnan Goodlinlt. Frahm. Frankc.nmuth: James L. Sayre. to personally discuss and gain understanding of Bellevi1\e: Cahrin Lutz. Kaleva. Farmers need to study and understand these OFFICERS: ~fichi2an Farm Bu- Farm Bureau policies with their Congressmen. reau: President. Elton R. Smith. Cale- WO:\fEN OF FARM BUREAU: Mrs. bills and then inform their congressmen and donia. R-I; Vice President. Denn Richard Wieland, Ellsworth. R-!. Pridlleon. Montll:omerv. R-I; Adminis- state legislators that they need the legislation. trativt" Dire:tor. Robert Braden. Lan- FARM BUREAU YOUNG FAR~~ It also offers the member an opportunity to SinlZ. ERS: William II. Spike. Owosso. If farmers mean what they say when asking better understand his government, how it works for additional "tools" for marketing, now is the POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News, and what it is doing for or against him. 7373 West Saginaw Highway, lansing, Michigan 48904 time for action. Second doss postage paid at Greenville, Michigan Carl Kentner Elton R. Smith April 1, 1972 THREE as low as four percent of the sale values to assessments several times higher than the actual sale values. In any event, it indicated that in many areas of the state assessed values can be increased considerably. Many recommendations for re- finement of the system were made, inciuding speedup of equal- ization studies, requirements that sale prices of all land be given to the township assessor and coun- ty tax departments and various recommendations for changes in the Boards of Review. The report also recommended that property taxes for school purposes be re- • moved . Robert E.' Smith MARKETING AND BARGAINING BILLS Marketing and bargaining legislation, S. 1225, was the topic PROGRESS of conversation between Senator Zollar and Farm Bureau lead- "SKY IS THE LIMIT" The marketing and bargaining legislation, which was reported in ers attending year. At the luncheon one of the eight legislative meeting, the Senator explained Seminars held this his aware- ness of the problems facing farmers, especially those produc- ON PROPERTY TAX detail in the March issue of the Michigan Farm News, has pro- ing fruits and vegetables, legislation to permit farmers, and of his efforts to pass self-help through their associations, to ef- gressed .to final consideration bv fectively market and bargain with handlers. The legislation sets The Michigan Supreme Court There is also a possibility that the Senate committee. The bills up guidelines and procedures to assure fairness in marketing has now confirmed what Farm some type of coalition program include S. 1225 in the Senate and prevent unfair trade practices. Bureau has recognized for some can be agreed upon whereby' (Senator ZoIIar, et al) and H. time - that on capital outlay there would be only one petition 5951 in the House (Representa- projects, such as county and town- circulated. tive Cawthorne, et al). ship buildings, drainage districts, People are beginning to realize Three large public hearings sewer systems, school buildings, the urgency of the situation and have been held, two on the Sen- etc., etc., the "sky is the limit" that property tax reform must be ate bill. One hearing was in St. on the amount of property tax achieved and a lasting reform Johns; the other in Benton Har- necessary to payoff the indebt- must come about through a vote bore The hearing on the House edness. The Supreme Court went of the people amending the Con- bill was in Shelby. The turnout-of even further and indicated that stitution. farmers in each case was very this can be done without a vote Special Commission Recommends good. There was. nearly unani- of the people. Higher Taxes mollS support for the self-help The decision resulted from a A 38-member Commission on legislation. case started in 1970 regarding an Local Government has finished a Extremely strong processor op- -assessment imposed by a drainage 17 -month study and has come out position is beginning to appear district board for a sewer system. with preliminary recommenda- from various sources. While proc- This fact has existed for many tions, among them being a rec- essor spokesmen did not testify at years and has been assisted by ommendation that all local units the public hearings, they are ex- numerous pieces of legislation, of government should be per- tremely active around the Capitol such as permitting the use of mitted to levy taxes within wider and extremely active in other building authorities and also per- limits and without voter approval. ways. The same old worn' cliches mitting schools, counties and other Senator Arthur Cartwright (D-Detroit), one of the metropolitan They said that townships, cities are being used, such as farmers units of government to bond for legislators who attended the Farm Bureau legislative Seminars. and villages should be permitted would price themselves out of the capital outlay projects - often Senator Cartwright, knowledgeable in the problems facing to impose 20 mills tax without a market, processors would move without a vote of the people. farmers today, expressed his willingness to give farm related vote of the people and, therefore, and that competition from other Once bonding has been accom- legislation his full consideration. be outside the IS-mill limitation. states would ruin Michigan agri- plished there is no limit to the They also recommended that culture. property tax rate that can be im- counties be permitted to tax prop- posed to pay the indebtedness. erty up to 15 mills. This, added to This type of opposition is, in agriculture. Agricultural produc- H.B. 4948, on inland lakes ane The court's decision, along with the recommendation for township a way, an insult to growers' in- tivity has outstripped every other streams, is still in the House. Ii heavy publicity in the news media, taxation, adJs up to 35 mills! In teJJigence, as growers recognize, industry, with output per man has been amended to exemp' makes the need for property tax addition, they recommend that an perhaps better than anvone else. hour 3.3 times higher than 20 farmers from the requirement t< reform very clear. that competition is involved and years ago. During this same pe- obtain permits for drainage proj income tax up to a two percent As an immediate result of the total be permitted for local gov- that it is possible to price a prod- riod, output per man hour in U.S. ects on the farmer's property court decision, both Governor uct out of the market. manufacturing has increased only There are still problems witI ernment, such as villages, town- . Milliken and the Democratic Party 1.7 times . county drains and soil conserva ships and counties. The grower aim for such legis- announced that the tax petition One of the most rapidly rising tion district projects such as smal Other recommendations in the lation is to have some opportu- drives would be stopped inasmuch costs is in property taxation, with wa tershed programs. 60-page report include recom- nity to have a voice in the pricing as a section of the Constitution that figure now at an average of mendations for such things as of products and other terms of ruled on bv the court is also a "county executives," a limitation sale and to find the «right price.': over 23 percent of net income be- Unclassified Potatoes - Legis part of each petition. fore taxes. lation has been introduced (H on numbers of county offices and Legislation would set up the nec- Both Governor Milliken and the elimination of numerous coun- essalY guidelines and procedures 6010) by Representative Younl Speaker of the House \Villiam ty commissions, boarqs, etc. to assure fairness and equity and LEGISLA TIVE NOTES (R-Saginaw), et aI, to solve : Ryan stated that they hoped that \Vhile the recommendations are would utilize the concept of ma- Lottery - Michigan voters wiJI problem in marketing unclassifie< the Legislature would take action meant to be "long rangp" in na- jority rule, meaning that an as- decide at the May 16 presidential potatoes. The bill would provid( and agree on a realistic consti- ture, it is an example of the think- sociation strong enough to repre- primary whether to legalize lot- that the packages be color codec tutional amendment to achieve ing of many as to wavs of in- sent more than 50 percent of the teries and bingo in this state. This and marked "Unclassified." Sud property tax reform and also as- creasing revenues by drastically producers and also more than 50 has been a highly controversial updating of the law should b( sure that capital outlav projects increased use of the property tax. percent of the product being pro- issue; however, the final votes in helpful to the marketing of Mich. would require a vote of the peo- These are added reasons whv duced and being able to meet the both the House and the Senate igan potatoes. ple, thus solving the problems cre- proDerty tax reform is needed now stringent requirements of the law were overwhelmingly in support ate.d by die court decision. and that people must, if neces- would become the marketing and of putting it on the ballot. Several Cat Licensing - S. 1228 would . The Governor also made it clear sary, circulate petitions to force bargaining spokesman for all the states have legalized lotteries with have required that all cats bE: that if the Legislature again failed the reform on the ballot, where producers of the commodity. varying degrees of success. It is licensed, vaccinated and wear 3 to arrive at a realistic a~reement the voters can make a final de- estimated that the revenue for collar with the metal license tag cision. The law would prohibit many that he would rewrite his peti- Michigan could be between $40 attached. Each cat would have unfair trade practices. It also pro- tion and that the new petition The petition drives would million and $50 million. Some required a certificate to prove strictly limit the use of the proD- vides for mediation procedures, maintain that this would be an would be circulated to force the vaccination. This was a serious ertv tax to not more than 26 mill ... and arbitration if agreements can- invitation to increase crime and issue on the ballot and to change bill, but finally was stopped. It i5 _ 'down from the present 50-mill not be reached. others maintain that gambling the Constitution to assure prop- not unusual for farms to have a ertv tax reform. He said that the limit. Counties would be limited Being enabling legislation, it presently is controlled bv the dozen cats or more. This could ne~v petition would: to not more than eight mills, would not be used unless the criminal element and that state have been extremely expensive. It townships to Ilh mills and cer- producers of the commodity in- control would reduce crime and certainlv was unrealistic as far as 1. Cut the individual property tain school costs to not more than volved decided that its provisions be a revenue source. It will be a farms a~e concerned. tax almost in half and freeze 4lh mills. ('ould help them. very controversial issue. the rate so it cannot creep Property Tax Assessment Study The vicious "cost-price squeeze" Environment - H. 4260, on air SJR "Z" and SIR "AA", consti- up again. Another special legislative shldv continues to spiral upward. Farm poJJution controls, has passed the tutional amendments introduced 2. Allow for more equitable was recentlv completed and a re- costs have reached an an-time House and is stiJI pending in the by Senators Toepp (R-CadilIac) collection of revenue for port was submitted to the House record high and are 50 percent Senate. It contains amendments and Gray (0-Warren), would be school support and a more Taxation Committee. The shldy higher than 20 years a~o; how- exempting animal odors provid- su bject to vote of the people and equitable distribution for was conducted bv Representative ever, prices for products are in ing the livestock is within an a~ri- would reduce the power of the school aid. loren Anderson '(D-Pontiac) and many cases not higher todav. It culturally zoned area. Farm Bu- State Board of Education to an 3. Assure constitutional limits Ro" Smith (R-Ypsilanti). is only through increasing tech- reau is making every effort to ex- advisory status. The power of the on the taxing power of lo- Thev found a wide disparitv nolo~,,' and productivity that it pand the exemption to all natural Legislature would be increased in cal taxing units. in tax' assessments, ranging from has been possible to continue in agricultural odors. the area of all public education. FOUR April 1, 1972 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Ruppe Introduces Marketing Bill Search Is On The search is on! Across the state people are looking for a Miss or Mrs. with charm, poise, person- ality and a spirit of advenrure who likes to travel, meet new people and enjoy new experiences. Plans for a county by county search for Queen contestants who will vie for the title of 1973 Mich- igan Farm Bureau Queen has been announced. Contestants must be at least 17 years of age before November 1, 1972 and must not have passed their 31st birthday by that date. Contestants must be Farm Bureau members and may be either single or married. If unmarried, their Members of ACWW from Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Michigan parents must be Farm Bureau attended the informal dinner meeting at Kellogg Center, M5U, members. with the President of Associated Country Women of the World. The 1973. Queen, to be selected Some of the Michigan ladies in attendance were (I to r) Mrs. from county contestants, will be Doris Wieland, Chairman, MfB Women's Committee; Mrs. F. G. chosen at the Michigan Farm Garrison, Detroit, ACWW Area Vice President of USA; Mrs. Bureau annual meeting in Novem- .olive L. Farquaharson; and Mrs. Claudine Jackson, Vice Chair- ber. Judging will be on the basis man, MFB Women's Committee. of beauty, poise, personality, CONGRESSMAN PHILIP E. RUPPE, (R) of Houghton, has intro- speaking ability, activities and duced the National Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act overall effectiveness. of 1971 at H.R. 13818 .. The National Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act is She will receive an expense strongly supported by Farm Bureau. The bill would create a paid trip to the AFBF annual legal framework for farmers to develop their own effective meeting in Los Angeles, Califor- marketing and bargaining programs. It would establish a nia in December, plus the oppor- mutual duty to bargain in good faith on the part of processors runity to travel, meet people and and producers associations. appear on radio and 1V programs. Public hearings have been held on the National Agricultural Official rules and complete de- Marketing and Bargaining Act by both the House and Senate tails of county Queen contests may be obtained from county Agricultural Committees. The House Agriculture Subcommittee Farm Bureau offices or by con'- on Domestic Marketing and Consumer Relations is now holding executive sessions on the bill. tacting a member of a county Young Farmers Committee. Congressman Ruppe is the fourth member of Michigan's Con- gressional delegation to introduce the National Agricultural Marketing and Bargaining Act. Others include Garry Brown, Schoolcraft; Elford Cederberg, Bay City; and James Harvey, Saginaw. Better Understanding The Michigan Farm Bureau Af- filiate Company Young Farmers Mrs. Olive L. Farquharson, Essex, England, president of the Conference was held Februarv 29 NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE N'OTES and March 1, 1972 at the Uni- Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW) is interviewed by Tom Ray, WJIM-TV News, during her recent visit to Michigan. versity Inn, East Lansing. Pur- by AI Almy pose of the conference was to provide young Farm Bureau mem- NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL (3) Provide for arbitration bv a bers with a better understanding MARKETING AND panel of arbiters which w~uld of programs, products and serv- F.B. Women Announce Speakers' BARGAINING ACT OF 1971 choose either the final offer ~f ices of the Michi~an Farm Bu- All Farm Bureau women and "The Nation's Number One Ecolo- The National Agriculrural Mar- management or the final offer of reau and its family of affiliated their friends have the opporru- gist" at one meeting and discuss keting and Bargaining Act of the union. companies. nity to avail themselves of the The Senate Labor Committee Michigan Farm Bureau and af- the "Importance of Getting Active 1971 has been introduced bv 88 opporrunity to hear knowledge- in Politics" at another. Al is a members of the House and 15 has indicated it will consider S. filiate company managers and kev able speakers discuss current graduate of Western Michigan Senators. Generally known as the 3232 and report a bill. personnel acted as speakers and topics of interest. resource peqple during the con- University and joined MFB in Sisk Bill (H.R. 7597 and S. 1775), AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS this legislation would establish a ference. Among the speakers scheduled 1965 as a regional representative. mutual obligation of a handler The Federal Environmental Fifty-four young farmers repre- for one or more of the Farm Bu- He served as a marketing special- and a qualified producers' asso- Pesticide Control Act of 1971 senting 26 counties were in 'at- reau Women's District Spring ist before assuming his present ciation to meet at reasonable (H.R. 10729) passed the House tendance at the conference. Agri- Meetings are Robert E. Smith, position two years ago. times and negotiate in good faith last November by a strong 288-91 cultural commodities represented M. J. Buschlen, Albert A. Almy, Ed Morey, Lt. Colonel, U.S. with respect to the production vote. As approved by the House. included dairy, field crops, live- and Ed Morey. Army retired, spent 23 years in and sale of commodities under H.R. 10729 would divide pesti- stock and fruit. Eleven of the Robert E. Smith, legislative military service. Mr. Morev holds contract. The bills have been re- cides into "general-use" and re- couples were new members in counsel for Michigan Farm Bu- a B.A. degree from Michigan ferred to the House and Senate stricted-use" categories. Farm Bureau this vear and 20 reau, wiII speak at several District State University and studied law Agriculrural Committees. Public General-use pesticides would of the couples were' active mem- Meetings on "Property Tax Re- at the University of California. hearings on H.R. 7597 have been be those considered relatively safe bers of their local community form - Now or Never." Mr. He is a Certified Life Under- held by the House Agriculture under normal conditions and could groups. Smith has served Farm Bureau in writer and very active in civic Subcommittee on Domestic Mar- be applied by anyone following The interest and enthusiasm of many capacities including Living- affairs in Charlotte and Eaton keting and Consumer Relations. usual precautions. the ,'oung members for farming ston County Farm Bureau presi- County. Morey's topic at the Public Hearings were completed Restricted-use pesticides would as their way of" life was evident dent, member, board of directors ~pring meetings where he wiII November 23 on S. 1775 by a be those that are considered toxic throughout the conference. and vice president of Michigan speak is "Rules of the Game- Senate Agriculrure Committee. or hazardous under normal oper- Farm Bureau: Extremely active in An Insight into Communist Con-_ Closed committee executive ses- ating conditions. average egg prices are below the civic affairs on the local, county spiracy." sions on H.R. 7597 are being Farmers and others applving cost of prod~lction for a ninety- and state levels, he recently re- In addition to the educational held. restricted-use pesticides would be day period. The program would ceived a legislative appointment speakers mentioned and the nor- required to be licensed. States be for a two-year period. to a special 35-mem ber commis- mal business of the district which TRANSPORTA TION STRIKES would have responsibility for li- Farm Bureau policy supports sion to studv Article VI, Judiciary, wiII be conducted, election of dis- Settlement of the West Coast censing of restricted pesticide the proposed Egg Industry Ad- of the Michigan Constirution for trict officers (chairman, vice- dock strike did not resolve the users. justment Act if amended to in- possible revision. chairman, secretary) will be held need for enactment of permanent Hearings on H.R. 10729 have clude provision for a producer Mr. Buschlen, operations man- in Districts 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11. legislation to prevent similar sit- been held bv a Subcommittee of referendum, limit the growing of ager of the Michigan Agriculrural The officers elected wiII assume uations in the furure. the Senate 'Committee on Agri- pullets for egg production and Services Association (MASA), will their duties at the fall meetings. New legislation has been intro- culrure and Forestry. the replacement of liquidated comment on "Farm Labor and Dates on which District meet- duced in the form of S. 3232 to birds, and give a representative Safety Management." He is a ings will Occur in the month of POULTRY provide a means of prompt and voice for the contract egg pro- graduate of Michigan State Uni- April are: April 4 - District 3; permanent settlement of transpor- The Senate Committee on Agri- ducer. versity and did graduate work at April 11 - District 5; April 12- tation strikes. This Bill would per- culture and Forestry has reported the University of Idaho. He was STRA \VBERRY IMPORTS District 9; April 13 - District 4; mit an 80-day injunction to be on the Egg Industry Adjustment employed in the sugar beet in- Act (S. 2895). An identical hill April 18 - District 10-E; April obtained against transportation The Government of Mexico and uustry for 18 years, attaining the 19 - District 10-W; April 20- strikes in both regional and na- (H.R. 11913) has been introduced the U.S. Government have reach- position of assistan' -r'ner'"1 man- into the House. District 8; April 25 - District 2; tional emergencies. ed a voluntary agreement on Mex- ager of Great Lakes Sug.l. Com- April 26 - District 7; and April In addition, the President could This legislation would provide ican strawberry exports into the pany. Mr. Buschlen joined Farm 27 - District 1. use one or more of the foTIowing for a program requiring slaughter United States. The agreement es- Bu~eau Services in 1950, holding options to settle a transportation of a portion of each producer's tablishes a voluntary quota of 82 vanous management positions Additional information concern- strike: (1) Extend the 80-dav in- total flock of egg-producing fowl. million pounds of frozen straw- which he resigned to accept his ing these meetings may be ob- junction for an additional 15 days: The mandatory slaughter would berries, pa~te and pulp. The quota present appointment. tained from local newspapers, (2) Limit the strike to specified be put into effect when the Sec- is for calendar year 1972 and will county Farm Bureau Women The assistant legislative counsel chairmen, district officers, and portions of the total industry; and retary of Agriculrure determines be open to renegotiation for 1973. for MFB, AI Almy, will speak on , , IJ I \ v county Farm Bureau Secretaries. April 1, 1972 FIVE Hay Listing Concluded Final Payment On Wheat Program Feeder Pig Members participating in the The pilot project Farm Bureau The Michigan Farm Bureau Farm Bureau \Vheat Marketing late March. The committee con- cluded that the 1971 Marketing Meeting Held Hay Listing has been concluded participated in the Hay Listing Program wiI) receive about 32.5 Program was successful and asked with an updated issue in early Service as a coordinator and pub- The MACMA Feeder Pig Di- cents per bushel as their final that the program be continued for March. All Farm Bureau mem- lisher of the hay lists. Four is- vision All Member Meeting was payment on the 1971 crop wheat the wheat crop of 1972. bers in participating counties' who sues of the list were published: a held at the Missaukee Resort in consigned to the Program. This Marketing of the Program Lake City on March 9. This meet- wished to list hay were eligible December list, a supplementary settlement will be in addition to wheat .was conducted by the ing is held once each year and to participate. Members who list in each of the months of the advance payment received at Grain Department of the Mich- affords an opportunity to gain a wish to buy hay through the list- January and February, and a harvest time, which averaged igan Elevator Exchange. The better understanding of their ing can obtain a copy of the sell- comprehensive updating of the $1.10 for the state and varied ac- Michigan Farm Bureau Soft feeder pig program, to meet other ers through their county Farm list in March. cording to the freight rate zone \Vheat Committee, comprised of members and to learn more about Bureau office. The Michigan Farm Bureau of the participating cooperative 11 wheat producers, advised on production. Member attendance The Farm Bureau Hay Listing Board of Directors directed that elevator that handled the wheat. the d'peration of the Program and the project be carried out on a was excellent and up substantially demonstrates a service that a The 1971 Farm Bureau Wheat the marketing of the Program. pilot basis and that an evaluation from the previous year. county Farm Bureau can provide Marketing Program handled the Local cooperative elevators of the results be compiled. Coun- The evening program centered to members. The project origi- highest percentage of the Mich- throughout the wheat producing ties that participated were re- around quality control through nated at the initiative of the igan soft wheat production since areas of Michigan and the Mich- quested during March to com- improved management and pro- Chippewa County Farm Bureau the Program began operating. igan Elevator Exchange terminals plete an evaluation form and re- duction practices. Discussing in the Upper Peninsula. Many The harvest time payment received wheat from participating these practices were special guests producers in Chippewa County turn it to the Michigan Farm Bureau. Preliminary returns indi- equalled the high of the previous producers. These receiving ele- John Brecheisen, swine specialist harvested an excellent hay crop year and was as high as $1.155 vators worked closelv with the and Dr. James McKean, staff in 1971. Coincidently, feed short- cate a favorable attitude toward the project by Farm Bureau mem- per bushel in one area of the Exchange and ~he"c~unty Farm veterinarian from Farm Bureau ages occurred in various southern bers. state. The total payment for the Bureau wheat committees. Services. Also participating in counties. The Hay Listing Service must 1971 crop wheat represents a Producers who were Farnl Bu- the program were Bill Byrum, Bill By coordinating information . price that exceeded the net daily reau members and had signed Haas and Bob McCrory from the between hay surplus and hay be viewed as a program promot- ing member-to-member market- cash market throughout most of Program agreements were eligible MACMA staff. Thev reviewed deficit counties, Farm Bureau the year. to participate in the Program. the activities in the th;ee livestock ing. As members become greater members in both areas benefitted . specialists in producing their own They had the options of consign- divisions. Two films were shown. . The Michigan Soft "Vheat Ad- The hay supply moved from an commodities, member-to-member ing all, a portion, or none of the One was on "Jasper" the Grand visorv Committee met recentlv area where it was in excess to an marketing opportunities continue wheat to the Program when their Champion Barrow at the 1969 and ~ecommended that the fin~l area of need. to increase. wheat crossed the scales at their Chicago International Livestock payment be made to producers in local cooperative elevator. Pro- Show, and the other was on At- ducers who were not enrolled in gard, a swine wormer. the Program had fewer market- The Feeder Pig Division made ~ng alternatives. significant progress during the past year and especially in recent months. Both membership and Dependable COMMITTEES MEET The six commodity advisory committees of the Michigan Farm Bureau met March 6 and 7 at the production have increased sub- stantially with the most recent expansion being in the Big Rapids and Clare areas and in the north- eastern part of the state. The Farm Bureau Center for their new assembly point at Atlanta spring mee~gs. was put into operation last fall. ~Iembers have made extra effort Highlighting the meeting of the to improve the quality of their 'wee sin. Fruit, Field Crops and Poultry pigs. Buyers are reporting better Advisory Committees on Monday, performance and demand is ex- March 6 was a visit to the legis- cellent for native pigs which are lative hearing on Michigan's pro- sold on order bi-weekly. drybeans posed agricultural marketing and The MACMA Feeder Pig Di- bargaining act. The hearing was vision has proven itself as an held by the Michigan Senate Ag- orderly marketing system for riculture and Consumers Affairs quality feeder pigs. Good feeder Committee of which Senator Bal- pig producers in other parts of lenger is a member and a co- the state are showing interest in sponsor of the bill in the Mich- Other bean weed killers, igan Senate. MACMA expanding into their areas. As groups of knowledge- new or old, can't compare The state Dairy; Livestock and Vegetable Advisory Committees able feeder pig producers in local- ized areas request MACMA to with Eptam herbicide for met March 7. A general session provide marketing services for of the committees included a re- their production, consideration sure control of night- port on marketing and bargaining will be given to establishing new shade, nutgrass, legislation which Farm Bureau supports) an explanation of the assembly points. Members elected to the new pigweed and most property tax reform petition drive Marketing Committee were Rich~ and an outline of certain politico- other major grass environmental activities which ard Cramer, Stanwood; Henry Meyering, McBain and John Pal- and broadleaf may affect agriculture. mer, Onaway. Committeemen Each commodity advisory com~ with one year of service remain~ weeds. And Eptam mittee reviewed current issues ing are Howard Seeley, Moores- facing producers and arrived at town and Murray Turnipseed, is economical, too. various recommendations which Kalkaska. The new committee BOQstyouryields of will be offered to the Michigan will elect officers at the next Farm Bureau Board of Directors. committee meeting. clean stain-free dry beans with dependable, low-cost Eptam. See us now. Soybean Division Guidelines Set The Michigan Farm Bureau 20,000 to 35,000 3 Board has directed that an organi- 10,000 to 20,000 2 zational meeting be held for a Less than 10,000 1 state soybean division when at The most recent Census of c. least seven of Michigan's com- Agriculture shall be used to de- Where lOur Fann Comes Rrst mercial soybean producing coun- termine the number of acres in FaRm~ ties have organized. Norman each countv and thus the number Veliquette, marketing spe~;~list in of voting' representatives from the Market Development Di- each county. vision, explained that in 1969, Counties where soybean pro- BUreaU Michigan's 14 largest counties in duction exceeded 10,000 acres in soybean production had over 85 1969 were, in order of largest percent of the state's soybean production to smallest: Lenawee, acreage. Monroe, Saginaw, Shiawassee, FARM BUREAU SERVICES, 'NC According to the Board of Di- Branch, Gratiot, Hillsdale, Clin- rector's guidelines, county Farm ton, St. Joseph, Berrien, Washte- Bureau soybean divisions shall be naw, Genesee, Cass and Wayne. entitled to voting representatives Identified soybean producing in the Michigan Farm Bureau Farm Bureau members in partici- Soybean Division according to the pating counties are receiving soy- following scale: bean division membership cards 20101 Acres of Soybeans No. of Reps. and are invited to participate in More than 50,000 5 the meetings and activities of the 35,000 to 50,000 4 division within their own county. SIX April 1, 1972 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS Where Your Farm Comes First FaRm Bureau FARMERS PETROLEUM .~ \ 210 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS April 1, 1972 SEVEN Far1TILeaders Receive Awards ,Four top farm leaders in Mich- McKenzie is a certified seed igan received Distinguished Serv- grower who has been an out- ice to Agriculture awards during standing leader in both civic and Farmers' Week, March 20-24, at crop related organizations. He Michigan State University. has played a key role in the or- Kenneth Bull of Bailey, -Basil ganization and development of McKenzie of Breckenridge and the Michigan Crop Improvement Richard and Jack DeWitt of the Association and the Michigan Holland area, were honored Bean Commission. He has pro- March 22 at a special awards moted market development, in- luncheon in the MSU Kellogg dustry cooperation and production Center. research for the benefit of the An experienced fruit grower, Michigan cash crop industry. Bull pioneered the use of con- The DeWitt brothers founded trolled abnosphere storage for a small poultry hatchery in 1928 apples and was one of the first and built it into what experts builders of model housing units consider to be one of the most for seasonal labor. He has served integrated poultry enterprises in on several administrative and the United States. Now incorpor- advisory boards of agricultural ated as Big Dutchman, the busi- agencies at the national, state ness includes an ultra-modern and local levels and has received hatchery and poultry processing an award for outstanding service plant, plus an equipment manu- in the area of soil conservation. facturing operation that produces automatic systems for poultry and livestock. lIThe Road To Delano ll "The Road to 'Delano," a 16- mm, 3D-minute motion picture expressing strong farm workers' opposition to Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers Organi- zing Committee, is now available for showing in Michigan. A phone call and 15 minutes away from The picture was filmed last most Michigan farms . • October with workers from De- lano visited by workers from the Where lbur Farm Comes Arst Watsonville area who had come FaRm to examine conditions of employ- ment and job security after UF- WOC's contract with Delano growers had been in force for nearly 18 months. Their findings are a severe indication of the contract and of farm labor con- ditions growing out of it. Workers in the film charge they were signed over without an opportunity for elections or self- determination of any kind. The film records that the only secret balJot election for farm workers ever conducted by the Federal Mediation and Concilia- tion Services was lost by Chavez and UFWOC at Shafter, Califor- nia, in April 1971. Father Michael Cross of Sali- nas, a Spanis:l-speaking workers' priest and the only nonfarm worker in the film, describes his own struggle to win the righ t of secret balJot elections for farm workers - in the face of all-out opposition by UF\VQC. Requests for use of the film should be directed to the Infor- mation Division, Michigan Farm . Bureau, P.O. Box 960, Lansing 48904. Requests must contain the name, street or road address (not just a route number), and phone number of the person to whom the film is to be sent; date desired; name of organization to which the film will be shown; and the Farm Bureau affiliation of the individ- ual requesting the film. Due to the number of booking dates scheduled, the film at pres- ent will not be available to any one individual or organization for more than one day at a time. The film will be shipped from Lansing via United Parcel Service and must be returned at the pc;er's expense personally or via Grey- hound Bus immediately after showing. This procedure is nec- essary to ensure the filn.'s avail- ability for other showings. EIGHT April 1, 1972 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS MAKE IT HAPPEN MOMENTS FARM BUREAU "ON THE AIR" Accent Agriculture, Michigan Farm Bureau's authorative radio program continues to reach ~housands of farm and city listeners through the 58 stations which use the farm variety program. In addition, a new farm news inforlI!ation program, "Farm News in Depth" is being aired daily, Monday through Friday on 33 Michigan stations. A number of stations carry both programs. Produced by the Information Division of the Michigan Farm Bureau, both programs include on-the-spot interviews with Farm Bureau and agri-business leaders and commentary concerning issues of importance to farmers. The broadcasts are produced by Bob Driscoll, director of Broadcast ~ervices for the Michigan Farm Bureau, using high- quality professional recording equipment and modern produc- SKEEl' tion techniques. MANUP.( ADRIAN m W ABJ 1490 AM ALBION __.__. __ W ALM 1260 AM AL MA ..""'"'''''''' .._ , WFYC 1280 AM ANN ARBOR __ m m __ • • __ .WPAG 1050 AM BAD AXE __ m __ m WLEW "1340 AM BATTLE CREEK .mm _ __ • __ __ WKFR 1400 AM BAY CITY __ __ .mm ••• m __ • __ __ WBCM 1440 AM Highest bidders for the last award, sheep ma- BAY CITY __..__..__..__ ..__WXOX 1250 AM nure, at the Central Region's Victory Party BENTON HARBOR . __ WHFB 1060 AM Elton R. Smith, president, Farm Bureau Services, were Mr. and Mrs. William Vincent of livingston BIG RAPIDS __ __.. .__.__ WBRN Inc., addresses the more than 350 persons at- 1460 AM County. Cqst of the item, 10,000 Bogus Bucks. tending the Open line Meeting last month in CAR 0 __ __ . "WKYO 1360 A~1 lansing. This meeting, sponsored by Farmers CHARLOTTE ; __ __ m __ •• 'VCER 1390 AM Petroleum and Farm Bureau Services, afforded CHEBOYGAN __..__..__ __WCBY 1240 AM those interested in farm supplies and services CHICAGO, ILL u__ __ uWGN 720 AM an opportunity to get their questions answered COLDWATER __.__ __ .. __.__WTVB 1590 AM and suggestions acted upon. DETROIT WWJ 950 AM DOWAGIAC u , __.__ WDOW 1440 AM EAST LANSING ..__ __ __ WKAR 870 AM ELKHART, IND ..__ m __ WCMR 1270 AM ESCANABA __ __ "VD:eC "'m 680 AM FREMONT '__' "''' __''''''''' __''' __'''''''''' __'' __'WSHN 1550 AM GAYLORD __ __W ATC 900 AM GRAND HAVEN .. __..'VGHN 1370 AM GRAND RAPIDS __ .__. m __ __ ••• WFUR 1570 AM HASTINGS __ __ __.__ __..__ "VBCH 1220 AM HILLSDALE _._._..__.. m __ • __ • WCSR 1340 AM HOLLAND __ _ WJBL 1260 AM HOUGHTON LAKE __ m __ WHGR 1290 AM IONIA . ...... __ __ _ __. ..__.._ __.WI ON 1430 AM IRON RIVER .__ WIKB 1230 AM Vada Martin, an employee of Farm Bureau JACKSON .:------ -- ---- ---- -- 'VJ CO 1510 AM Services, Inc., has not been late or absent from KALAMAZOO _ _ ._ _. ._ WKPR 1420 AM her desk for 20 years. She was recently pre- LAPEER _ . ._.__ .WMPC 1230 AM sented with a TV in recognition of her outstand- LAPEER __ __.__. __ .WTHM 1530 AM ing attendance record. Shown with Mrs. Martin, LUDINGTON .__ __u. .__m.m_ "VKLA 1450 AM who retires this month after 35 years of service MANISTEE " _. .._.' WMTE _""'m m 1340 AM to the organization, are (I to r) Richard Clemens, MARINE CITY __. _ __ WSMA Better understanding of Farm Bureau continued Comptroller, FBS, Inc.; Donald R. Armstrong, 1590 AM even during the meals at the MFB Affiliate MARINETTE, "VISC. --...-- . "VMAM 570 AM Executive Vice President, FBS, Inc.; and Max Company Young Farmers two-day conference. Dean, Treasurer, FBS, Inc. MARQUETTE -: __._.. ._..__._.._.. WDMJ 1320 AM MENOMINEE :-- -- _ _ WAGN 1340 AM MT. PLEASANT __ 'VCEN 1150 AM MUNISING .__ __.. WGON 1400 AM 6%to7V2% m __ ••• _ •• NILES m""" m __ WNIL 1290 AM . for farm labor OTSEGO ..__.. OWOSSO ._ m m m _ _ _ _..__ _..WOAP __ .W AOP 980 AM 1080 AM PETOSKEY __.__ WJML INTEREST ON DEBENTURES Information Join PORT HURON .-- _ m -- _ __ _ WPHM __ • 1110 AM 1380 AM FOR $100.00 OR MORE ROCKFORD ---..- __ WJPW 810 AM YOU CAN PURCHASE ROGERS CITY m_ __ • __ .WHAK 960 AM SAGINAW --- -- --.-.-- _ WKNX 6%- 5 Year Maturity ST. JOHNS .-- - ---- WRBJ 1210 AM 1580 AM 6t% -10 Year Maturity SANDUSKY __ W~lI C 1560 AM 7%-15 Year Maturity MASA SA ULT ST. MARIE STURGIS .--..__ __..__ __ __ __.WSTR WSOO 1230 AM 1230 AM FOR $1,000.00 OR MORE P.0.Box 960 Lansing, Mich. THREE RIVERS --- -..-- __ WLKM 1510 AM TRAVERSE CITY ._ __..WCCW 1310 AM YOU CAN PURCHASE TRAVERSE CITY .__.__ WLDR 101.9 FM 6t% -10 Year Maturity WHITEHALL :._ WLRC 1490 AM FOft $5,000.00 0 R M0 RE YOU CAN PURCHASE 7t%-15 Year Maturity" RAISING This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy these securities. The offering is made only by the prospectus. r-------------------------------, Clip and mail this coupon to: LAMBS? MR. C. A. MORRILL Farm Bureau Services, Inc. P. O. Box 960 HAVING TROUBLE GETTING YOUR SHARE Lansing, Michigan 48904 OF LAMB MILK REPLACER? FARM BUREAU I would like a copy of the prospectus and a call by a registered sales agent. DEALERS HAVE IT. Wtw.)tu- Fwm eon- firat N A ME _ _ _ __._ __ _._ . ASK THEM FOR LAND O/LAKES LAMB MILK R OA 0 _ _ _., RF0 # __ .._ _ _._ . FaRmi1 REPLACER. IF YOUR DEALER DOES NOT HAVE CITY - _ CO U NTY . BUreaU FARM BUREAU SERVICES. INe IT, LET US HELP YOU. CALL (517) 485-8121, FEEDS DEPARTMENT PH 0 N E _ _' _ _.. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS April 1, 1972 NINE Special Announcement NOTES The State Police report that as of the end of the first week Farm Bureau Endorses Petition Drive of March, Michigan motorists had killed 331 of their fellow- men since the first of the year. Deaths to that date were 30 more than the average for the past five years. Elton R. Smith, president of the Michigan amendment to limit total property taxes and 000 Farm Bureau, announced that the state's to eliminate as nearly as possible property Additional meetings have been scheduled to afford farmers largest farm organization would support the tax as a means of financing our schools. the opportunity to learn of .and discuss the legal and practical recently announced Michigan Education Smith said, "It is unfortunate that the applications of the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety and Association petition drive. legislature has been unable to reach an Health Act. A meeting will be held in Arenac County on April Smith said, "Our members have consist- agreement on an amendment to be placed 7, in Macomb County April 12 under the sponsorship of the ently supported total tax reform for some on the ballot. However, it's essential that Wolverine Growers Association, and on April 18 at District IO-E years. However, we are convinced that the people be permitted an opportunity to Farm Bureau Women's Meeting. Additional information con- meaningful and lasting reform can come make this basic decision by their vote in cerning these meetings may be obtained from county Farm only through a basic Constitutional change." the November 1972 election." Bureau secretaries. Definite organizational direction was set Farm Bureau distributed both Governor 000 Milliken's petition and the Democratic Party last November when Farm Bureau's voting Robert E. Braden, administrative director, Michigan Farm petition. However, these petitions were delegates adopted a tax policy calling for Bureau, has been appointed to the Michigan Blue Shield Board withdrawn due to a Supreme Court de- an amendment to the Michigan Constitu- of Directors to fill the unexpired term of Dan E. Reed. cision. Smith said, "Farm Bureau would, tion. The resolution also stated that the therefore, join the coalition of groups sup- 000 Bureau would join with others, who also porting the MEA petitions." He said that recognize the seriousness and inequity of "OPERATION IDENTIFICATION," an anti-burglary tactic both petitions - one containing property the property tax burden, in support of a of identifying valuables, will soon be available through many tax reform and the other permitting a grad- petition drive to place upon the ballot an Farm Bureau Insurance Group representatives. An engraving uated income tax - would be circulated. machine will be loaned for two days during which time driver's license numbers can be marked on TV sets, radios, tape re- corders, stereos, typewriters, cameras, jewelry, guns, electric tools, lawn mowers and other items most often burglarized. This makes all stolen valuables immediately traceable to their owner. o _0 0 uCalifornia Here We Come" "California here. we comel" That will be a familiar statement in Michigan this year. "Farm Bureau members in Michigan will have an opportunity of a lifetime in December." This was among the remarks made recently by Larry Ewing, Manager of the Program Develop- ment Division. ',Vith the American Farm Bureau Convention being held in Los Angeles, the Board of Directors authorized a tour to the Convention. \Ve have a terrific package put to- gether at a cost of $140 per person. The regular round trip air fare from Grand Rapids is $260." Here are some details of the tour. Two planes have been chartered from United Airlines. They wUI leave from Grand Rapids on Sunday, December 10, returning Friday, December 15. Upon arrival in Los Angeles, the group will be taken by bus to the hotel. The Convention lasts through Wednesday. On Thursday, the Michigan members will be taken by bus for a day at Disney- You beat grassy weeds in corn with Sutan land. The transportation, admission and tickets for 10 rides are included in this package. even in a dry year. You don't need rain to On Friday, the group will be taken by bus for a tour of Hol- make it work, because you put Sutan in lywood. This will feature a visit to the Universal motion pic- ture studio. Then it's on to the airport to board the United' jet the soil where it controls back to Grand Rapids. Not included in the package price is the hotel, meals and grassy weeds as soon as they personal expenses. We have 355 seats on our charter. They will go fast because sprout. Sun and wind don't re- it's a good bargain. Will you join us? duce its power. Sutan stops the ACT NOW - SEND COUPON TODAY tough grasses ... nutgrass, fall panicum, Johnsongrass seed- PLEASE RESERVE SEATS FOR ME ON THE 1972 AFBF EXCURSION TO LOS ANGELES. I AM ft>.:,:,.:;1iii;i!iifi": ..':i:;i;i!!!i!if'., Ii n 9 S W iIde a ne,f 0 xt a iIsan d I ENCLOSING A CHECK (PAYABLE TO ~lICHIGAN many others. Get Sutan now. FARM BUREAU) FOB @$20.ooPER SEAT DEPOSIT WHICH IS REFUNDABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 1, 1972. THE BALANCE WILL BE PAID ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 1972. (PLEASE PRINT) Whel"tii )bur Fann Comes First NAME _ FaRm~ ADDRESS _ BUreaU COUNTY _ PHONE, _ RETURN TO: Program Development Division FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC Michigan Farm Bureau P.O. Box 960 205 Lansing, Michigan 48904 -------------------------------- TEN April 1, 1972 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS tions, including a world depression, dust-bowl, farm On the surface, a quota system for the feed-live- "Control of Farm Production" migrations, droughts, increases in demand, decline in farm income and the accumulation of new sur- stock economy that dealt only with feed grains might be feasible. After all, present and past control pro- pluses. grams have operated under the assumption, even if not loudly mentioned, that livestock production will Discussion Topic DAIRY One segment of agriculture which has fared much adjust to feed supplies and costs. better than other agricultural commo~ities is the Another limitation apparent with quota programs by KEN WILES dairy industry. However, dairymen are becoming relates to the problem of initial allocation and the increasingly aware of production problems. Their subsequent transfer of marketing rights. Questions DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS concern is reflected in one of Michigan Farm Bu- difficult to answer to the satisfaction of all concerned For decades, the most persistent characteristic of reau's current policy statements which urges work include: Should quotas be granted to landowners American agriculture has been the ability of farmeIs with the dairy industry in the development and or to operators? If they are allocated equally, what implementation of a supply-management program about the landlord whose tenant leaves him? And, to produce in excess of the market demand, both for- designed to keep milk production in line with the last but far from least, what about the transfer of eign and domestic, despite programs designed to regulate production. market needs fqr dairy products. quotas? Dairymen's success has been due to the major MARKETING ORDERS The First vVorld War gave American agriculture a shot in the arm. Stimulated by high prices and pa- economic adjustments within the industry during the Marketing orders grew out of problems faced by triotism, farmers continued to produce an abund- mid 1960's, regulations on imports, successes on the agriculture during the great depression of the 1930's. ance even though buying began to slacken and political front and able leadership in price bargain- Although marketing orders were at first looked upon foreign nations enacted tariffs to protect their grow- ing, according to Dr. Dale Hathaway, chairman of as temporary devices to boost prices and income, ing agriculture. the Department of Economics at Michigan State they became regarded as aids in dealing with mar- University. keting problems through good as well as bad times. Agricultural prices broke in the early '20's and continued downward as production of food far ex- Dr. Hathaway, speaking at the National Milk Pro- They are now a permanent feature of our agricultural ceeded demand. As prices declined, farmers increased ducers Federation Meeting, urged dairymen to take marketing institution and system. the initiative in solving the milk production situation The main purpose of agricultural marketing order their production more and more in an attempt to maintain their income. before the problem becomes so serious that the roof programs is to increase producers' net returns. To "literally falls in or before some other kind of approach achieve this objective, marketing orders include vari- In 1929 the Agricultural Marketing Act became to control production is forced upon them~ ous types of provisions; control of' volume marketed law. It established a Federal Farm Board which was A possible production control mechanism being quality, size, grade, pack or container regulation designed to stabilize farm prices. Its first efforts studied by dairy leaders is a new pricing system. and the prohibition of unfair trade practices. Each were limited to loans to cooperatives, but the drop Under the proposed new system, there would be one order may include one or more of these provisions. in agricultural prices in 1929 caused it to organize price for fluid milk, a price for normal manufacturing Acceptance of federal marketing orders by farmers stabilization corporations to purchase commodities needs and a surplus milk price that, in theory at has been due to their application on a local or re- and hold them off the market. least, would be low enough to make production of gional basis and the fact that they have not been As the country moved into the Thirties, prices of large amounts of surplus milk uneconomical. used for the direct control of production. Farm agricultural commodities continued to fall until they Bureau's position is that these principles should be dropped to levels lower than at any time after the POULTRY m'aintained and tbat federal marketing orders should Civil War. The Federal Farm Board demonstrated There has been an increasingly drastic up-and- be designed to provid~ for orderly marketing. the futility of attempting to control prices through down price pattern in poultry and eggs and a serious The position of the majority of Farm Bureau purchasing and withholding when no effective au- price-cost relationship has existed during recent members regarding federal marketing orders is shown thority to control production was provided. months. Extensive efforts by producers to correct in the Bureau's current policy which reads: The Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 provided these problems so far have met with little results. "Orders should not be used to control production production controls on wheat, cotton, rice, tobacco, The development of an orderly program to reduce directly, establish closed" markets, maintain' arti- corn, hogs and dairy products and authorized benefit the national laying flock might be the answer. How-- ficially high prices,' or collect funds for the purpose payments to those producers who cooperated. , ever, such a program should make full use of pro- of agricultural products for diversion purposes .. It was at this time, under the President's emergency ducers participation in program development and "Any federal marketing order should meet lhe powers, that the Community Credit Corporation administration, require a producer referendum, be following criteria: (CCC) was created and given authority to purchase, consistent with the competitive market system, and ( 1) Be producer oriented. hold, deal in, sell any and all agricultural commodi- be limited to an emergency and temporary period. (2) Be market oriented and used to maintain and ties, and to lend money on them. As it appears to some, poultry producers are unable expand markets. The Supreme Court declared the production con- to use voluntary agreement under the provisions of ( 3) Provide opportunity for new producers to trol features of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of present legislation to achieve the necessary reduction enter the industry; 1933 unconstitutional in 1936, and ruled against in fowl numbers. New legislation has been intro- (4) Contain provision for periodic review through processing taxes on the ground that they were an duced. Briefly, this proposed act would provide for referenda to determine if the producers covered by inseparable feature of the production control plan. the registration of all commercial egg producers. a marketing order favor its continuation. Later in the year, the Soil Conservation and Domes- Then, "after a decision by an industry advisory board, (5) Allow a minority of producers to petition for tic Allotment Act became law, but it too was in- the Secretary of Agriculture could, if necessary, man- rehearings or a new referendum. adequate for production control. date a reduction in laying fowl, with violators sub- ( 6) Cover commodities which are produced for ject to penalty. the same general market irrespective of the produc- Heavy crops of wheat and cotton in 1937, which The seriousness of the situation in the poultry tion area. accentuated the problems of surpluses and low industry is pointed up by the fact that the Secretary (7) Provide that rejection of a proposed amend- prices, led to passage of the Agricultural Adjustment of Agriculture has already appointed a special com- ment shall not -result in termination of the entire Act of 1938. This Act continued the soil conservation mittee to study ways to keep prices fr.om varying order. plan as part of a much broader program, which in- so much. This committee has been charged with the ( 8) Be" administered by an advisory committee cluded acreage allotments for basic crops, marketing responsibility of getting views from all concerned with the Secret~ry of A~riculture having the final quotas for extra-large basic crops, special payments on the industry's marketing problems and m:lking authority to make sure the law is enforced. to give the farmer "parity" prices, storage under the recommendations before summer's end as to how to "ever-normal granary" plan, and crop insurance. "The law should be amended to provide that an improve their income. Farmers could earn payments by complying with order shall be terminated whenever more than 50 allotments and by completing conservation projects. MARKETING QUOTAS percent of those voting favor termination. During World 'Var II the AAA .(with its title One method discussed to control crop production "Marketing orders for commodities produced for changed to Agricultural Adjustment Agency in re- is marketing quotas. ~1arketing quotas can be de- processing should not require processor approval organization in 1942) continued its program of soil fined to mean direct government regulation of quant- when confined to raw agricultural products. We conservation; it also stimulated production and as- ities that can be marketed of a given commodity in support an amendment to the Act to permit the de- sisted in war-time controls. total. Some economists accept the theory that the velopment of orders for any agricultural commodity The Korean Conflict strengthened farm prices, and total farm income could be raised by an effective and its products when producers request "it." most of the stocks acquired by the CCC during the program of supply control of the total nationwide SUMMARY post war years of 1948 and 1949 were sold. Agri- agricultural production. cultural acts continued to provide flexible supports, It is one thing to believe that it is necessary to Serious limitations of quota programs, as seen by but stocks of farm commodities continued to increase. control supply in general, and another to believe it some, would be the difficulty of adopting them on a is necessary to control the output that individual As an assist to farmers, to divert a part of their piece-meal basis. Their reasoning being that a quota farmers market. cropland from the pro~uction of excessive supplies, program limiting the number of acres of a particular Farmers are dissatisfied with -their income and the -Agricultural Act of 1956 provided for a Soil Bank crop with no provisions for limiting the future use of believe that consumers should pay higher prices so Program. For the next few years controls were mini- the land not planted would merely aggrevate the hrmers might have a more equitable income. They mized and dependence was placed on the Soil Bank income problem of the other commodity groups. believe processors and retailers have an influence on for diverting excess acreage from production. Acre- They point out, as an example, the land taken out the market. age allotments for com were discontinued, after they of corn production and planted to soybeans. Generally, farmers have expressed the idea that in were rejected by producers in referendum in favor Thus, it is argued that so long as the income prob- an attempt to get higher prices, they must be able of lower supports and unlimited production. lem of agriculture arises from many sources, applying to control the output of individual farmers. How- And so over the years, Congress has enacted vari- quotas on any major commodity alone would lend to ever, the majority of farmers, as yet, have not ex- ous Agricultural Adjustment Acts until production little increase in total farm income. pressed a willingness to actually accept restrictions control has become a way of life and evolved to the A quota program that would encompass both on their own output. status as we know it today. grain and livestock produc~ would appear to be very Thus, it appears that if farmers are going to be Although legislation has changed, programs de- complex. It would secm safe to assume th~t the cffective in developing a means of obtaining equity signed to bring about farm parity are not greatly determination of the size of quotas to be distributed of income, they must first rethink some of their different from those established during the Thirties. among the various livestock and feed grains would positions and evaluate some of their beliefs and The programs have survived a succession of condi- prove a severe test. values. ,-"I', Cl I. c.I ~. 'I •• MICHIGAN FARM NEWS April 1, 1972 ELEVEN TOPIC SUMMARY Discussion Topic' ANY NUMBER The February discussion topic dealt with "Zoning-Land Use." The following percentages reflect the answers given to the The Discussion Topic and Report Sheet for the discussion' CAN PLAY questions by those community groups which replied. topic on the opposite page i~ furnished for use of community gr.oup members who may wish to review it prior to their group It's become a Great American 1. Does your township have a zoning ordinance? meeting. If used by a Community Group, in lieu of report sheet Game - playing with numbers to Yes: 60% No: 40% furnished the Discussion Leader, please forward answers with prove a point. It often seems that 2. Is a member of your group a member of a township or coun- minutes to Michigan Farm Bureau. If used by individuals, please , everybody wants to get into the ty zoning board or planning commission? forward answers to Information Division, Michigan Farm Bu- act, and usually does. Yes: 41% No: 59% reau, P.O. Box 960, Lansing, Michigan 48904 on or before May In health care discussions, the 1, 1972. game has been raised to an art 3. Does your group feel that agriculture is suffici~ntly repre- form. Mortality and morbidity sta- COMMUNITY FARM BUREAU sented on zoning boards and planning commissions? tistics are cited as definitive meas- Discussion Exercise and Report Shect urements of the "health" of our Yes: 57% No 43% April 1, 1972 health care system. 4. Is there a land use plan in your county? Those who speak in defense of Yes: 54% No: 46% Community Farm Bureal~l our country's health care often 5. In those townships or counties having a zoning ordinance, . decline to play the game, but not County ,. Please indicate the num b er because they have no "ammuni- has it been recently updated to your knowledge? of people taking part in this discussion tion." So, since anyone can play, Yes: 61%' No: 39% ~----------- let's hear a word on the positive 6. If your township does not have a zoning ordinance, would TOPIC: Control of Farm Production side. the majority of your group like your township to adopt one? 1. Should government protect the public interest and prevent Doctors' fees, reportedly nsmg Yes: 74% No: 26% the price of raw agricultural products from increasing? out of sight, actually rose just 8.5 percent more than the Consumer . 7. It 'has been recommended that enforcement of state and Yes__ No __ Price Index between 1967 and local laws pertaining to land management programs be 1971. strengthened. What are some suggested ways that this can 2. Should farmers reduce the total amount of products going to be accomplished? market in order to receive a higher price for their products? The U.S. death rate from heart and blood vessel disease dropped Green Belt land assessing program would prevent urban Yes __ No __ 20 percent in as many years. Esti- sprawl; education of the public and real estate developers mated lives saved from this prog- 3. Can farmers make their bargaining power felt without cutting concerning sound land management practices is vital if wise ress: 51,000. laws are to be made and enforced; make officials do their off the available supply of processors? Yes__ No __ . Statistics increasingly indicate jobs; too strict already; get citizens involved so that informed that deaths from hardening of the 4. In your opinion, farm prices are largely determined by __ decisions can be made; more locally controlled - too much arteries relate directly to choles- red tape; not let undue pressure by citizen groups influence tral and saturated fats in diet. board .decisions; better enforcement; full support of local (In Finland, where diets are five zoning board by all interested people; each township or area percent higher in fats than in the should have realistic programs for land management and U.S., the death rate from arterio- laws governing the programs should be enforced. .sclerosis is 7.5 percent higher than 5. It. has been said that agriculture could not survive without in the U.S.). an ex-port market. Should the U.S. drop all agricultural trade An American worker now needs barriers with other countries in return for the same reduc- half as much time to ea~ the cost SHAVER ST ARCROSS tions by these countries? Yes __ 6. What are your group's suggestions for controlling the quan- No __ of a pneumonia hospitalization as in 1950. The daily cost is higher, but the hospital stay is only one- PULLETS tity o~ farm products in order ~o increase farmers' income? quarter as long. Between 1957 and 1966, U.S. male life expec- "THE MONEY 81RD" tancy rose 11.4 percent. Between 1950 and 1969, deaths per 100,- THE CHOICE OF PROFIT MINDED 000 dropped from 40.5 to 21.3 EGG PRODUCERS THE WORLD OVER for infant diseases, and from 22.5 CAGE & FLOOR GROWN PULLETS AVAILABLE 7. Comments: _ to 2.6 for tuberculosis. CALL FOR AVAILABILITY The numbers game can be very informative. Our health care sys- _ HATCHERY - Zeeland, Mich. Ph: (616) 7-72-4668 tem has its problems, but has it really failed us as some believe? \Ve don't think so. FARM BUREAU MARKET .PLACE 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. 8 FARM EQUIPMENT 14 FOR SALE 20 LIVESTOCK 26 POULTRY 36 MISCELLANEOUS NEW AND USED PATZ MATERIAL 600 ASSORTED SWEET OXION PLANTS MILKING SHORTHORNS: Young Bulls. SHA VER ST ARCROSS 288 - Started pul- EXJOY GENUINE COUNTRY MUSIC: handling equipment. Barn cleaners, cattle with free planting guide, $4.80 postpaid. yearlings and calves for sale. "Trite for lets available most overy month. Get wise Two records and list $1. Gospel 8T Cart- feeders, manure stackers, manure spread- TONCO, "home of the sweet onion," tabulated pedigrees or better yet, pal' us and try these top profit makers as your ridge $4.95. Oatmora Stars, Box 9039. ~rs, silo unloaders, conveyors and other Farmersville. Texas 75031. ( 1-4t-20b) a visit. Stanley ~1. Powell and Family, next flock. ~lacPherson Hatchery, Route Little Rock, Arkansas 72209. (3-2t-2Ip) Items. One of the best parts stock in Ingleside Farm, Route #1, Box 238, Ionia, #3, Ionia, ~fichigan. Phone 527-0860. Western Michigan. Individual parts or Michigan 48846. (7-tf-33b) ( tf-28b) complete rebuilt like new ready to in- FOR SALE: Asparagus Plants for the 1972 stall- parts and units factory direct to planting season; also Holland Transplanter, ~fAKE FLUFFY RUGS FROM OLD ~armers. Cow stalls and free stalls, % to ~Iodel 1900. Green Tip Farm. Paw Paw, SERVICE AGE YORKSHIRE, DUROC DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS-- NYLONS AND PA::\'TYHOSE! Illustrated o HP motors in stock. Booms Red & Mich. 49079. Call evenings 616-657-5003. (4-6t-20p) BOARS. AND OPEN GILTS. Sonora}' in- The DeKalb profit pullet. Accepted by instmctions, constmction samples show fhite top silos at early order discount. fOnllation available on most of the boars. the smart poultryman for high egg pro- you how, $1 postpaid. Margaret Davis, years to pay ... 5 % on unpaid bal- Robert Harper, R#l, Vicksburg, Michigan duction, superior egg quality, greater feed 1417-T Spaulding, San Angelo, Texas pnce. Wyngarden Equipment, Route :# 3, FOR SALE: Having sold my farms, must 49097. Phone: 616 - 649-2803. efficiency. If you keep records, you'll keep 76901. (3-2t-23p) remont, Michigan 49412. (tf-83b) sell hy June. 196 recorded Charolais, calv- ( 12-6t-25p) DeKalbs. 'Vrite for prices and catalog. ing in April. Mostly polled, 50 are purebred, KLAGER HATCHERIES, Bridgewater, Michigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel 9- 12 years breeding. Cattle will be so!d. Rare REGISTERED YORKS HIRES and CHES- TWO DOLLAR BILL 53.95. California CALF CREEP FEEDERS - 30 Bushel 7087, Manchester GArden 8-3034. opportunity! Also, new portable hvestock TER WHITES - Top quality boars and Souvenir Gold Dollar 51.50, Half 75t, cFapacity $92.50. Dealer