- MICHIGAN FaRm FARM NEWS Bureau VOL. 53 NO. ft 7 Farm News: What was done by Farm However, the batch we received had been We know that our feed plant has been Bureau Services after the call from crushed into a white powder. checked thoroughly -- twice by the MDA Halbert in mid-December? So the testing continued through March and the FDA - and we have removed any Armstrong: We stopped manufacturing and into April. The WARF lab then found pnssiblity of contamination in the plant. the feed in late December and then in evidence of a bromide compound. We have been given a clean bill of health January we asked all of our dealers to Jim McKean, our staff veterinarian got from both agencies. return all the #402feed on farms. We had word of this to Rick Halbert who told the The MDA is checking local elevators for no idea what was wrong at that time, people of the USDA lab in Beltsville, residual contamination. Most have shown however, in an attempt to protect patrons Maryland. By a matter of coincidence, the clean but three elevators at Dexter, from any unknown problems, we stopped researcher at Beltsville had worked with Mendon, and Yale must wait for further distribution of this product. All the tests the fire retardant from Michigan clearance. conducted at the WARF Institute in Chemical. He saw the information and put Farm News: Have you put ration #402 Madison Wisconsin showed no known two and two together. back on the market? harmful chemical levels in the feed during This happened on a Thursday and by Armstrong: No, we have not. But we still this time. Tuesday, April 23, we had oral con- feel it is a good product, and plan to put it Farm News: Did you stop the sale of all firmation into our offices from both the back on the market. magnesium oxide when you stopped the YlARF and Beltsville labs pnsitively Farm News: Have you_put magnesium sale of feed #402? identifying the contaminant as poly- oxide back on the market? Armstrong: At this point in time no one bromina ted-bipheny 1. Armstrong: We have it supplied by suspected magnesium oxide. The MDA am FDA were notified almost another firm now and where it is Don Armstrong Farm News: When di~ Farm Bureau immediately and we stopped the sale of necessary in formulating a good, sound Servi~es begin testing? magnesium oxide on Wt:dnesday, Apnl 24. feed, it is still being used. This con- Armstrong: Wilen we took feed samples Farm News: What steps were taken by tamination has no relationship which A quanti ty of fire retardant used in in January from the Halbert farm. We took the government agencies and Farm would discredit the use of magnesium plastics was mistakenly included in a samples of the concentrate he was Bureau Services then? oxide. Mag oxide still does what it's shipment of magnesium oxide in 1973. It receiving and samples of concentrate Armstrong: The MDA and FDA first suppnsed to do, and should be used when was mixed in Farm Bureau SeJ:Vices #402 being held at the Battle Creek Farm made sure that there was a recall of all needed. dairy ration and sold as bagged Bureau - not at the feed plant but at the _ magnesium oxide from Farm Bureau magnesium oxide. Services. The next step was to find out Farm News: There has been talk of the Battle Creek Farm Bureau store. We then This has resulted in Michigan cattle where we sold #402and magnesium oxide. state picking up some 0(- the bill of the had tests run on them all. being quarantined this May after We gave them lists of our dealers and contamination through indemnity" Magnesium Oxide was questioned and discovery of the fire retardant in feed. customers using #402plus the producers in payments. What of this? tested and it did not show up as con- Mea t and milk from the quarantined herds the Fremont area that were adding Armstrong: The state has been con- taminated. What happened was that the sidering legislation that would assist them has been rendered unmarketable. samples didn't happen to be drawn from magnesium oxide to their feed. Farm Bureau Services Executive Vice Farm News: Was it known at that time in situations like this in the future. They bag') with fjre retardant in them. So, the President Donald Armstrong was in- that the fire retardant would contaminate remember at least a couple of instances mag oxide showed up clean, leading us up terviewed by the Farm News to answer milk? when they found themselves in this another blind alley. questions concerning when and where the Armstrong: No, it was an unknown. This position in which they could not condemn Mr. Halbert had some tests run for him contamination was found and how Farm was so unique that when the USDA em- ca ttle because there was no contagious by the USDA laboratory in Ames, Iowa Bureau Services reacted. ployee checked into the library to find out disease involved. They are asking that showed there was a palatability what the effects of the compound were, he authority to come in and condemn cattle problem with animals backing away from Farm News: Mr. Armstrong, when did found nothing. where it is in the best interest of the public. feed #402. you have your first suspicions that Farm News: How were you able to trace (Editor's Note: See Capitol Report for At the same time, we took samples of the something might be wrong with Farm the contaminant back to one particular story on legislation). pellets and sent them to our research farm Bureau Services feed? supplier? Farm News: What has Farm Bureau in Fabius, New York and after a period of Armstrong: It came to my attention Armstrong: Because magnesium oxide Services done to reimburse farmers? two or three weeks, taking us into March, through a phone call from Rick Halbert, a is an item we don't get many shipments of Armstrong: Clear back in January when tests at this farm confirmed animals Battle Creek dairy farmer, on ap- and at that time we had only one supplier. we found that the problem in -the Halbert backing away from the feed. proxima tely the 21st of December. And at We had only three or four shipments of the herd was suspected to be our feed p~uct, that time I checked over reports from compound over the past year because it's we notified our general liability and excess other staff people and found out that in late Farm News: Well, what led you °to the an item that is new and has been used by liability carriers, which is normal September there was a problem on the exact source of the problem? progressive dairymen. It has been procedure. From that time forward, there Halbert farm. But when our people Armstrong: When samples were recommended by Michigan State was periodic contact with our carriers. reviewed this with the Halberts, it was felt checked in early March at the WARF Lab, University just since late 1972 or early Affected producers have a certified there might be some possibility of con- it was found that the feed from Fremont, letter from me and a letter with guidelines 1973. tamination from the 1972corn crop which which was a locally mixed ration, and the Farm News: How widely has this con- to follow for putting claims together from hat1 shown some toxicity in other areas of feed #402 from our plant had a similar taminant been spread? our FBS Risk Department. the state and country. unknown element in it. This was our first Armstrong: We think we passed the We have received two preliminary So, at that time, the parties involved concrete lead that indicated that critical point in finding contamination in claims from affected producers and they came to somewhat of a conclusion that the magnesium oxide could be the culprit. herds and other animals. But we and the ha ve been forwarded to the insurance problem lay somewhere besides the By looking at their formulation and our state are still checking. companies concerned. concentrates. own, we found that the only common Farm News: Do those parties include ingredient in both, besides corn (from two Mr. lIalbert? different areas), was the magnesium Armstrong: As far as I know, yes. oxide. We knew that we had supplied the LIVESTOCK NEWS Farm News: What happened then? Fremont producers with the magnexium Armstrong: Well, during the period oxide we ha-d received from Michigan President Smith addresses the between October and the phone call I Chemical Company. livestock crisis.-page 2 received in December, Mr. Halbert tried So we ran some tests on our mag oxide to isolate the problem. Through some tests and still didn't find the problem, because Indemnity payment legislation run by himself on his own farm, Halbert by that time our mag oxide was clean of reviewed in Capitol Report-page 4 found there was a problem when he fed~ur the fire retardant. pellets to 12 calves. And at this time nobody with us even Livestock Marketing Outlook-page 8 Also, during this time the Michigan knew that Michigan Chemical carried a Depa rtment of Agriculture initiated some fire retardant. Had we known, we tests on mice for him. They found there probably wouldn't have tied it together was some death resulting in the mice and because the normal make-up of the so he felt he had traced back the problem retardant is a ~ight-pink crystalline form to some pellets we had provided. that bears no resemblance to mag oxide. PAGE 2 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS JULY 1, 1974 Reacting to Livestock Crises It is little wonder that our livestock producing members was the best method. Be a fair reiiable trading partner and it watch their cattle in the feed lot, knowing that everything may be less likely that some other customers will be unfair they eat represents a loss of income, and think to them- to us. selves, "What is Farm Bureau doing for me now?" There are now indications that America is being used for a Producers have fumed, watching livestock prices dumping ground for subsidized imports of meat. Just as we plummet, while store prices fail to fall significantly enough insist on fair trading practices from our shores, we insist on to induce consumers to buy in larger amounts. fair practices from abroad. It was government price freezes last summer that now We have consistently condemned the permissiveness lead retailers to say it is necessary to keep margins higher in toward subsidized dairy products entering our country and order to recover lost margins of a year ago. The con- have supported a countervailing duty to right this inequity. sequence? Consumer prices are disproportionately higher We on the American Farm Bureau Federation Board have than farm prices and the market system has not worked made ourselves similarly clear in regards to meat imports properly. Stocks of red meat in storage at the end of April with the statement we released on June 12. this year are 46% higher than they were last year. The "Until trade restrictions are removed by foreign govern- market system has been plugged by unsound economic ments we recommend that AFBF request the Commissioner actions! of Customs and the Treasury Department to investigate the Farm Bureau recognized it was unsafe to tamper with the dumping of foreign meat in America, and if founa to be true, pricing system, we protested and fought it from the that immediate action be taken to correct the serious beginning both publicly and with government officials. problem. On top of this, two important foreign consumers, Canada "We further recommend that AFBF request the President and Japan have cut off US exports of beef into their coun- to re-evaluate the economic conditions of the domestic meat tries. producers. Facts indicate that many livestock producers This appears to be in response to another. bad government and feeders are sustaining severe financial losses and many policy that has come back to haunt the livestock industry. will be forced out of business which will affect the future I'm speaking of the embargo of soybeans to Japan. Farm supply of meat for the American consumer. These facts Bureau insisted this is no way of doing business with good should be considered by the President, and he should be customers. encouraged to invoke the provisions of the law to relieve the The sword has sliced the other way, now, as Japan under financial burdens of livestock. producers." balance of payment pressures, has put a full stop on US beef These aren't meaningless words that will dissolve imports. unheard. These words were carried to the White House by Closer to home, the American Farm Bureau Federation is AFBF President William J. Kuhfuss. Farm Bureau, by presently conferring with meat packers in Canada con- virtue of the fact that we have well over two million mem- cerning the use of DES, which has been the stated reason for bers, has access to political ears. banning US meat. But another major battle must be waged by gaining access Long before, we protested the 200 percent increase on to the ear of the public. It is they who will buy the meat and import charges the Canadian government imposed on our they must be persuaded to buy more meat. cattle and beef which we felt was a viol~tion of trade Many do not really realize that meat prices are one of the agreements. few prices coming down. The American Farm Bureau and We have continually worked for fair trade practices and Michigan Farm Bureau have both released such in- stepped up export of red meat by working with meat ex- formation and we in Michigan plan to begin a massive new porters and the USDA. Our policy reflected what we thought action with retailers to promote sales of red meat. MICHIGAN FARM NEWS DONNA underlines: TERRY CANUP "EVERY ISSUE Fan Tidbits ON Superman Syndrome THE One of my responsibilities here predict they will be the right ones ISSUE" at Farm Bureau is to write the which Michigan needs so badly. Long pefore Watergate a foreign fallible men. To think that getting weekly editorial column, "Because the meeting was a newsman ~ho had sperlt several rid of Nixon will be all we need to "Agriculture in Action," which is busy one, I didn't really get to do years in America said, "By purge the government of im- sent to 161newspapers throughout much visiting with the new com- reading American newspapers, morality, to think that the hopes of The Michigan FARM NEWS is the state. It's a challenging job missioner but I did meet him and published monthly. on the first day. by you'd think the US was run by a world peace are resting solely on the Michigan Farm Bureau Information beca use, to be an effective must say I was impressed at the dictator." Henry Kissinger's shoulders or to Divisim. Editorial aoo general offices at editorial, the author must have comfortable way he slid into his Unfortunately, it was a very fair even think a new quarterback will 7373 West Saginaw Highway. Lansing. strong "get up on the soapbox" seat on this very important state Michigan 48904. Post Office Box 9ro. comment. We in America are make the Detroit Lions Super Bowl Telephone. Lansing 485-8121. Extension feelings about the topic, whatever body. I didn't realize exactly how careful to place all the blame and winners is self-deluding. 228. Publicatim office. 109 N. Lafayette it might be. Some weeks the words comfortable, though, until the most of the credit for everything Long standing attitudes of those St. Greenville. Michigan. Subscription flow like a creek following a spring second day when Pridgeon slid price. 50 cents per year. short of the weather in the lap of who play the game make winning Estaplished January 13. 1923. Secmd thaw; other times, there's what we down in his chair and crossed his the President. football teams, peaceful nations Class Postage paid at Greenville. in the profession call creative feet casually. I wouldn't place the blame for and moral public servants. To hide Michigan. constipation. "There, in the bottom of his right EDITORIAL: Editors: Terry W this sort of kingly attention we give from responsibilities and problems Canup aoo Donna Wilber The week that the vice president shoe, was a hole! the Presidency on the press, that rain upon our entire society by OFFKEHS: Michigan Farm Bureau; of Michigan Farm Bureau was "That, as far as I am concerned, President. Elton R. Smith. Caledonia. R- named to the Natural Resources did it. Here was a man who was though. The press has simply funneling all of our sins on 1; Vice President. Dean Pridgeon. reacted to the way our simple scapegoats and channeling all of l\lontgomcry. R-l; Administrative Commission, my job was easy. truly comfortable sitting with the minds like to simplify the success our hope onto prominent in- Director. Robert Braden. Lansing. Ha ving been a member of the other five men and one woman who DIRECTORS: District 1. Arthur unofficial Dean Pridgeon Fan Club make so many crucial decisions for or failure of any effort on the dividuals is to make us ripe for a Bailey. Schoolcraft; District 2. Dean shoulders of one person. Look at grandfather figure that will take Pridgem. Montg LIVESTOCK LEGISLATION The minimum wage is presently boards for cherries and apples A bill (S. 1380) introduced by $1.60 per hour and would increase operate and which requires a Sen. Ballenger, will increase the first to $1.90 and then in stages to checkoff for these two com- // payment to farmers who have $2.30 per hour by January, 1977. modities for promotional work. ~. herds infected with TB or Bangs This would bring Michigan's disease. The state payment would minimum wage law in con- The legislation would provide a Mrs. Alton Wendzel challenges the need for roll bars on all tractors at a be increased from the present $100 formance and uniformity with the penalty for any buyer of these hearing concerning OSHA regulations in Chicago on June 13. federal minimum wage law. commodities making the deduction to $250for grade animals and from for promotional programs that However, the bill contained a the present $150 to $300 for registered purebred animals for TB. Payment for animals infected provision requiring "time and a half" for all overtime beginning at does not promptly send the monies to either the cherry or apple board. OSHA Roll BoOr 48 hours per week and to be S. 1024, introduced by Sen. with Bangs would be increased from the present $50 to $100 for grade animals and from the reduced to 40 hours per week by May, 1977. McCauley, is a licensing bill for processors, packers, canners, Regulations Challenged Farm Bureau pointed out that freezers, stores, etc. Insisting that every tractor have because they are built lower to the present $100 to $150 for purebred Farm Bureau has insisted on a roll-over bars could cause more ground," he said in his testimony_ animals. agricul ture is exempt from overtime requirements in the section that will require that before hazards than it would solve, M.J. Buschlen also said that con- In addition, there is federal in- federal minimum wage law and a license can be issued, the ap- Buschlensaid at a June hearing in forming to roll-over bar standards demnity which, along with the plicant must have paid the Chicago. Buschlen was answering would be prohibitive in cost for...- salvage value of the animals, asked for amendments to exempt agricul ture from similar producer of the agricultural new OSHA (Occupational Safety many farmers who have buildings should adequately reimburse the requirements in the state law. products for the ,preceding year. and_ Health Act) regulations with entrance ways too low for farmer for the total value of the animal. Senators Byker and Bouwsma The bill also provides that the requiring roll bars on all tractors. tractors with roll-over bars. prepared the necessary amend- producer could complain to the Updating of this law results from Roll-over regulations are Testifying with Buschlen at the ment, and it was adopted. Agriculture Department if he did a recent major outbreak of TB in scheduled to take effect on SeDt. 1~ June 13 he9ring were fruit Farm Bureau county presidents not receive payment for his one herd of dairy cattle. Buschlen asked that low profile grower Mrs. Alton Wendiel of and other county committees were produce within 60 days after the A second bill, (H. 6115) is tractors used in fruit production Watervliet and grain and livestock notified, and many com- purchase, unless there was another emergency legislation to give the and tractors used in and around farm-er Arthur Bailey of munications were sent to senators agreement provided by written Department of Agriculture the farm buildings be exempt from the Schoolcraft who. gave personal indicating the hardship that contract. authority to condemn and order the regulations. examples of hardship that would mandatory overtime could mean to The Canners and Freezers disposal of any livestock that is Buschlen said that trimming occur on their farms if regulations agriculture. Association and the Michigan Food contaminated from any caus,e lower limbs of frujt trees to allow were strictly enforced in their Dealers Association strongly including the present problem with oppose this /provision. tractors with roll bars to pass present form. feed caused by the accidental under would render some trees Buschlen went on to request that Farm Bureau has pointed out mixture of a fire retardant "DOUBLE" DAYLIGHT tha t this is merely minimum practically useless and in other farmers not be liable under OSHA chemical in dairy feed. Other in- SAVING TIME protection to the producer of instances would increase hazards regulations for failure of em- stances where the legislation Legislation (S. 1253) introduced agricultural products, and it -by forcing workers to climb taller ployees to use seat belts but only be would be needed might include by Sen. -Byker and others, will, if should be part of the law. Some ladders when working on trees. required to instruct the employee contamination by insecticides or passed, put the issue of whether producers now have some similar "Low profile tractors are more to ~se the seat belt on farm other types of chemicals. Michigan should be placed in the protection under other laws. stable and less subject to upiet_eqUlpment. The bill provides that any cost to Central Standard Time Zone on the the state would be recovered from November ballot to be decided by a whomever is determined to be vote of the people once and for all. responsible for the contamination. If the voters approve, it is likely that federal authorities would place Michigan in the Central Standard Time Zone. This would LABOR LEGISLATION carry out Farm Bureau policy as Legislation (S. 698) permitting passed by the voting delegates at Michigan agencies rather than our annual meeting. federal agencies to imp.lement Heavy support for the legislation safety regulations has been passed also comes from many senators in and signed by Gov. Milliken with the metropolitan Detroit area. support from Farm Bureau and -However, in order to get it on the most other segments of the ballot, the legislation must be economy. It will be known as the given immediate effect, which Ml.OSHA legislation. requires a two-thirds vote of both Experience has shown that houses. implementation of federal statutes Many Farm Bureau members by federal agencies has been most have been circulating petitions to oppressive, making it nearly try to force the issue on the ballot impossible to reach those in next fall. authority. Many allied groups such as The passage of S. 698will make it religious organizations, parent- possible for employers to ha ve teacher groupi, theaters, and other proper hearings and to be involved recreational organizations are also in the. development of any circulating the petition. necessary safety regulations. One It is unlikely, however, that provision provides that there must sufficient signatures will be ob- be advisory committees made up tained in order to force the issue on of agricultural people when safety the ballot. Passage of S. 1253would regulations are determined that be the most logical way to ac- affect agriculture. complish that goal. Another bill (H 4823) which would ha ve required toilet and handwashing facilities in farm fields for labor appears to be dead for this session of the Legislature. OTHER AGRICULTURAL The Field Sanitation Act would LEGISLATION also have required that the H. 5866, introduced by Rep. facilities be "properly screened, Hoffman, has now passed the ventilated, and kept clean." First House and is in the Senate. aid equipment and "standby This bill would exempt farmers transportation" for medical from the provisions of the assistance would also be required. Sedimentation and Soil Erosion In the hearing held on the Act passed two years ago. legislation, several farmers came Originally, farmers were to to Lansing to testify and pointed come under the provisions of the out that such legislation made it act in 1979. There would be appear that farmers do not provide such facilties. They said that in exemptions if the farmer was working with a soil conservation Tax Relief Supporters Gather most cases such facilities are plan. alrecufy available and that there is The exemption in H. 5866 would Senators and Representatives who supported the Farmland Open Space Preservation Act [H.4244] gathered no need for such a law. It was also apply to normal agricultural for signing ceremonies with the Governor. pointed out that the enforcement of practices. They included, [left to right, top picture] Senators Robert Davis, William Ballenger, Alvin DeGrow, [MFB such a law would be difficult. H. 6009, introduced by Rep. Bela Counsel R.E. Smith], L. Harvey Lodge, Harry DeMaso, Gary Byker and Office of Lance Use Director Karl A bill (S. 96) to increase the Kennedy and now before the Hosford. minimum wage in Michigan is House, amends the Marketing Act Representatives [bottom picture, left to right] Stanley Powell. Don Van Single, Louis Cramton, Fred presently before the Legislature of 1965 under which the present Stachable, Warren Armbruster. Bert Brennan. Robert Young, Bela Kennedy. Quincy Hoffman. [former for final action. promotion commissions and Senate aide Joseph Sharkey. MFB President Elton Smith] and John Engler. JULY 1, 1974 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS PAGE 5 ~~\ NATIONAL NOTES ,; Albert A. Almy ~\~.-... ' ..... Land Use Sill Dead Robert E. Smith Albert A. Almy On June 11, the House voted 211- public hearings to develop a 204 to not consider HR 10294, the preliminary railroad National Land Use Planning Act. reorganization plan. This decision will undoubtedly Public hearings will then be held What Happened to Property result in no further action on federal land use legislation by the 93rd Congress. this fa II on the preliminary plan before it is further modified and submitted to Congress for final Farm Bureau did not support the approval. Tax Cuts? provisions of HR 10294. Farm Bureau policy opposes federal. TRADE REFORM assistance to states for land use Following a delay of several Q: In a recent issue of the Michigan Farm News it stated that Senator Bursley has a new planning except under a grant-in- weeks, the Senate Finance Com- plan to cut property taxes for schools. What has happened to this proposal? - aid program. mittee has resumed work on trade HR 10294 would have provided reform legislation. Passage of A. The new plan is really a modification of the new school aid "Bursley Act" that became financial assistance for state land trade reform legislation to effective this year. use planning and established promote trade opportunities ,. Presently, the Bursley Act provides for a guaranteed yield per mill of property tax and certain federal guidelines that among nations is a priority item in thereby guarantees the low value district the same value per mill as any other district. would ha ve to be met if states were the Farm Bureau legislative Under the Act in the 1973-74year,school property tax increases were the smallest in to obtain the funds. program. recent years with schools receiving a higher proportion of their income from the state. .Farm Bureau did support a Last December, the House Many high tax school districts were able to reduce property taxes while some others had substi tute bill, HR 13790, which passed the Trade Reform Act to increase millages to Qualify for full state aid. provided federal grants without which would provide the President Guaranteed yield now stands at $38 per mill of property taxation (up to 22 mills) regard- federal control features to help with authority for new trade less of the per child valuation. In 1975-76the guarantee i~ to be raised to $40 per pupil per states establish land use plans. negotiations, increased domestic mill (unlimited). relief from disruption caused by .Senator Bursley, along with 15 Democrats and 15 Republicans, has introduced a bill RAILROAD imports and action against foreign calling for an increased guaranteed yield of-$60per pupil per mill for districts that rollback REORGANIZATION unfair trade practices. their property taxes proportionately. Rail service in rural America The Senate Finance Committee The effect would be for the state to pay a higher proportion of school costs. should benefit from the recent concluded hearings on the Trade A typical district now may receive $436 per pupil in state aid (47%) and $500from local nomination by President Nixon of Reform Act on April 10. On May 22, taxes (53%) with a 24 mill tax. Cliff Mcintire as a director of the Farm Bureau wrote the Finance Under the proposed rollback plan, state aid would increase to $600 (63%) and local tax new United States Railway Committee members urging them revenue would be $360 (37%) resulting in a total increase of $24 per pupil while cutting the Association (USRAL to report out a sound trade reform property tax millage from 24 to 16. McIntire is the former bill soon. The Committee resumed The state funds needed for increased sta te aid would have to come from a one percent legislative director of the work on the legislation shortly increase in individual state income tax and similar increases in corporate and financial American Farm Bureau thereafter. institution income taxes. / Federation. When confirmed by Though state funds increase in proportion under this plan, local control of schools is still the Senate, he will represent SUGAR ACT fully maintained. "shippers" on the USRA. The House, by a 175-209vote, has Senator Burlsey intends to hold a series of public hearings on the proposal. The bill to The USRA was created last year rejected HR 14747, which would make the plan effective will be reintroduced in 1975for legislative action. when Congress enacted the have extended the United States Regional Railroad Reorganization Sugar Act. The current Sugar Act Act. It provi9es for the restruc- will expire at the end of 1974. turing of the railroad system in the If the current Sugar Act does Anything New from Pollution Midwest and Northeast Regions of expire, it will be the first time in the nation. The USRA is a nonprofit entity over 40years that a sugar program has not been in operation. with responsibility to plan and HR 14747 included some major Hearing? finance modernization the acquisition of and bankrupt railroads into a new self-sustaining changes in the sugar program. The changes included revisions in the formula for computing payments Q - Last fall, Congress held hearings on animal waste pollution. What are the results of rail system. 'to sugar growers, annual limit of the hearings? Earlier this year. the Depart- $9,400 in federal payments to ment of Transportation published a producers. repeal of the sugar A - The hearings were held last November 29-30 by the Conservation and Natural proposed rail reorganization plan excise tax and revisions in the Resources Sub-committee of the House Government Operations Comm'ittee. The purpose of that would eliminate 51 percent of labor provisions. the hearings was to determine whether FederaI' pollution control laws are being effectively the rail tracks in Michigan's lower Further action on sugar administered to control pollution from animal feedlots. peninsula. Most of the cutbacks legislation is not clear. Some ob- A broad range of interests including Farm Bureau spokesmen, feedlot operators, were in rural areas. servers expect a new bill will be pollution agencies and environmental groups testified at the hearings. On Apnl 25, the Nearly 500 persons representing developed and receive action by Government Operations Committee submitted its findings and recommendations to the 93rd Farm Bureau and other interests - the 93rd Congress. Others believe Congress. testified in opposition to the plan at an attempt will be made to attach The recommendations of the Committee do not have the effect of law and will be im- pllblic hea rings conducted by the certain sugar program provisions plemented only if administrative action by the appropriate federal departments is taken. Interstate Commerce Commission. onto unrelated bills that are cer- The recommendations are- as follows: It is expected that the USRA will ta in to receive Congressional 1. The Environmental Protection Agency should promptly: use the testimony given at the consideration. (a) Conduct, with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, a comprehensive survey of the various animal categories of the feedlot .industry .f?r the pUI1?ose of establishing, consistent with pollution control needs, the ammal densI.hes appropnate for each category of animal feedlot and identifying those feedlots from which pollutants are or may be discharged; (b) Propose and promulgate a new regulation repealing its regulation of July 5, 1973,that excluded feedlots with fewer than 1 000 animal units. The new regulation should, on the basis of the survey mentioned ab~ve, define the term "concentrated animal feeding operation" and require that all feedlots within the scope of such definition shall obtain a permit to discharge pollutants into ana vigable waterway; (c) Publish and promulgate effluent guidelines and standards of performance. for all concentrated animal feeding operations, not just those with 1,000or more animal un!l:S; and (d) Include in every permit issued to a feedlot owner or operator adequate condItIons to reduce discharges and abate pollution even before full compliance with the effluent guidelines and standards of performance. 2. The Department of Agriculture should promptly.: .. (a) Make available for feedlot waste control practIces at least $8 mIllIon from funds appropriated by the Congress and available for such purp?Se; .. (b) Revise its regulation (7 CFR 701.13) - which permits cost sharmg for ch~mIcal fer- tilizers but not for fertilizers derived from animal wastes -- to allow cost shanng for fer- tilizer derived substantially from animal wastes; (c) Publish guidelines, consistent with environmental needs, for disposal of f~lot animal wastes on land, including sale of such wastes to farmers who need them as fertIlIzer; aoo (d) Conduct economic analysis of efficient and practical methods of assisting feedlot Remember! Children under 12 are not owners and operators in collecting and marketing animal wastes and sludge for agricultural purposes. allowed to work unless they are from the 3. The DePartment of the Interior should support research and pilot plant development by the Bureau of Mines in fiscal year 1975to convert animal wastes to oil aqd other fuels and farm family. request adequate appropriations for that purpose. 12 and 13 year-olds may work on neighboring farms with written parental consent or on the same farm where parents are employed~ 14 year-olds and above may work except as prohibited by the 1911 Child Labor Law. PAGE 6 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS JULY 1, 1974 Marl grade urea aoo phosphates are on ~ll hquI~ fuels ... With the season over, there has Trade sources were saying expected to remain tight and Tires are m much better pos!tion been a tremendous movement in similar things by mid-June. Don EGGS higher in price through the last of supply than .before, especIally pesticides. Chemicals sold for the Kunz of FBS's Michigan Elevator EGG MARKET QUOTATIONS- Exchange wrote, "Planting delays MATERIAL FURNISHED, F.O.B. part of 1974 and well into 1975. for passenger tIres. Ho~ev~r, we balance of '74-'75 year will be from FARM are backordered on certam SIzeSof allocation because of short supply. or some other expected news could HARDWARE tractor tires and these sizes may Due to the buying power and large drive prices up - but don't hold FOR EGGS PICKED UP: Adequate lumber, fencing and remain tight for the coming your breath while you're waiting." JUNE 14, 17, 18, 19,20, 1974 volume of business, we hope to other building supplies have been months. We do have an adequate have adequate supply of pesticides Conti-Commodity Services, Inc., Large made available for Farm Bureau supply of batteries and other for the coming year. subsidiary of Contintental Grain LARGE MEDIUM SMALL UNDER GRADES patrons, although the outlook for automotive accessories. Company, stated, "Even though these supplies is tight. Steel An antifreeze shortage is ex- SEEDS supply/demand statistics reveal AA .34 .21 buildings are in tight balance and peeted this fall and through the Seeds ha ve been supplied in an adequacy of beans, export A .33 .20 .12 .12 cost increases are expected. winter months. Patrons shoold talk adequate amounts and there are no demand coupled with good demand Paying priCes subject to market changes. All baler twine has been received to their Farmers Petroleum dealer problems expected for the balance for oil could well provide firmness Paying price based on todays Urner and there are now some back-up early to line up their requirements. of '74 and '75. in beans. We advise trading from Barry Quotations. JULY 1, 1974 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS PAGE 9 So Says Shiawassee Farmer • Michigan IS a Soybean State Other states don't have anything over farmer said explaining one reason why he Producers ha ve often been asked to quality is another objective of producers. Michigan when it comes to soybean didn't cut back on soybeans with a weak deliver flawless beans only to see "I'd like to see premiums paid for low production--or at least that's what one market in the cards. Besides the benefits elevators put foreign matter in the beans moisture rather than penalties for high Michigan producer thinks. John Pajtas of to the soil, Pajtas says there are other and include it in the selling weight. moisture in soybeans," Pajtas said, Owosso, who has been growing soybeans practical reasOns .. "We want stronger federal inspection of suggesting a 14% moisture basis for for 15 years, met with producers from all "It's easier to harvest this way because soybeans going overseas," Pajtas says. soybean sales. the "big" soybean states the first week of it spreads out my work load." Anyway, he "What are people overseas going to think? With John Pajtas and the Michigan June and felt very much an equal as a reasons, there will be as much corn this They'll say we produce an inferior product Soybean Producers speaking for Michigan soybean producer. year as last, making for good market and go and buy soybeans from somewhere growers, maybe the myth that Michigan "My impression was that their yields compatibility . else." isn't a soybean state will be permanently are no better than mine and their soybeans A more positive means of payment for laid to rest. Pajtas obviously has planned much of are no higher than mine are now," Pajtas his future around the continued strength of said. the soybean market. He is presently the But few -Michigan farmers could stand in chairman of the Michigan Soybean front of their fields on June 6 and see green Producer's Action Committee which rows of soybeans and rightfully expect to advises the Michigan Farm Bureau Board harvest 42 bushels to the acre this Fall. of Directors. Michigan Soybean Producers Pajtas' well-browned skin was evidence (MSP) is a commodity division of the that he had already spent long hours in the Michigan Farm Bureau with seventeen sun getting his crops in early, which he county Farm Bureau Soybean Divisions says, 'may be a clue to his success. forming the association . . "I try to get my soybeans in the ground Pajtas'sees, as one of the primary ob- by May 10," Pajtas said, admitting he was jectives of his group, the speeding up of about two weeks late this year. lethargic progress of soybean research, "A lot of farmers are worried about which has lagged far behind the yield- getting their corn in, but I'd rather get my increasing progress made in other crops. soybeans in earlier." Pajtas personally is hoping for a big This is one of the tips Pajtas has learned breakthrough in research such as a hybrid from 15 years of trial and error as a cash soybean that could someday lead to a crop farmer. To make sure he can learn doubling in yield. from his successes and mistakes, he keeps "Some people say, what will you do with a log on all of his crops, recording such all the soybeans. Well, we'll do the same things as rainfall and fertilizer aIr thing we did with corn when we doubled plications. production. We'll sell it! There are a lot of Pajtas had to make his years of farming hungry people in the world that have to be a learning experience since he grew up in fed. With more and more land going out of town as the son of a man in the fuel production every day, we have to increase business. production. " After a stint in the service, Pajtas joined The target of the Michigan-based his brother in a young dairy enterprise on soybean group that Pajtas heads is to some prime Shiawassee County farmland increase research within the state. that his father had purchased. Soybeans are now considered relatively "I never drove tractor till I was 26," insignificant as a product in Michigan and Pajtas admits. But while this indicated his therefore have attracted little research John Pajtas [right] surveys the sprouting soybeans in his field with sons John Jr. lack of experience, it also tells why he was funds. In actual fact, Michigan grew [left] and Dennis. With his soybeans up in the first week of June, Pajtas feels no in- never too set in his ways to take feriority to southern soybean growers. 700,000 acres of soytx>ans in 1973 versus professional advice. And this seems to 600,000 acres of dry beans. have worked in his favor over the years. "The extension agent told my brother The Michigan Soybean Producers Action and I we were crazy to go on milking cows Committee. cOI:vinced that soybeans were when we could make more money raising bound to become a bigger part of Michigan cash crops," recalls Pajtas. production, recommended a check off fund Not too proud to consider the advice, be instituted to raise seed money for a Pajtas figured it out on paper and decided Michigan research program. the agent was right. He was been careful to The recommendation got the blessings approach farming from a professionalized of MFB delegates in December, putting level ever since. the weight of the state's largest farm Pajtas insists in testing his soil every organization behind it. ' three years and knows the specific make "With our own researchers, we would up of his soil in scientific jargon. have somebody who could adapt new "How can you know what to put on the breakthroughs in research to Michigan soil if you don't know what's in it?" he soils and climatic conditions," Pajtas says, but claims that is exactly what too says. many farmers do. Knowing what your soil But the concerns of soybeans producers already contains saves money, he says. are wider in scope. The soybean Action "I ha ve to la ugh," he said reflecting on a Committee was instrumental in directing talk with a southern farmer at a national MFB policy concerning the continuance of meeting of soybean producers. "This fella railroad service in the northeast. With 98% said 'you guys up in Michigan just sprinkle of all soybeans grown in Michigan heading that fertilizer on. We load it on and really for export markets, producers wanted to INTEREST ON DEBENTURES 5-10.15 year maturity get the yields.' So I asked him what his be sure competition would be maintained yield was and he said 32 bushels." along transportation routes to eastern Pajtas contributes much of his own ports. 7% 5 Year Maturity $100.00 Minimum Purchase soybean production success to strict weed Some problems need national attention control. And strict it is. A quick survey of among soybean producers, and Pajtas 7%% 10 Year Maturity $100.00 Minimum Purchase his acreage shows that his soybeans give represented Michigan producers on the no quarter to weeds. American Farm Bureau Federation 8% 15 Year Meturity $100.00 Minimum Purchase This along with well tiled fields has Soybean Advisory Committee, which proven to give Pajtas a consistently good brought producers together from 17states. 7%% 10 Year Maturity $1,000.00 Minimum Purchase four-crop mix of soybeans, dry beans, One of the major concerns confronting wheat and corn. the group was what sort of a deal the 8%% 15 Year Maturity $5,000.00 Minimum Purchase "I still believe in crop rotation," the middle man was giving the farmer. Interest paid annually on September 1st. The purchaser to be offered the option to receive their interest in quarterly County Fair Time payments on September 1st, December 1st, March 1st, and June 1st. I nterest would start the date of purchase. This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy these ".\llt DATE Jo:aton Co. July 22-27 Luce Co. SepL }2:!_4 Otsego Co. Aug 7-10 Alger Co. Aug. 8-10 Emmel Co. Aug. 19-24 :\Ial'kinac ('0 .. \ug. securities. The offering is made only by the prospectus. _.I-_.l Oltawa Co. July 22-27 Allegan Co. Sept. 6-14 Julv 15-20 Alpena Co. Arenac Co. Aug. 19-24 Aug. 1-4 Fowlerville (;f'nf's('(' Gngebic Co. ('0 . .\uJ(. :>-ll Aug. 7-11 Maochester ~1arjstee Marion Aug. Aug. July 20-24 27-Sept :Hi 2 Presque isle Co. Sept. 6-8 RaveMa Sal(ina\\ Aug. 6-10 Stol)t. • -U I -------------------------- Clip and mail this coupon to: Armada HaralUl {'o. Barry Co .. Aug. 13-18 \uJ(. H-W July 15-20 Gratiot Co. lIf'spt'ria Hillsdale Co. Frf'f' Aug. ;'-10 Jul)' Sept. :W-.\Ul(. :1 22-28 Marquette Mecosta Co. Menominee Dairy Sept. July July 26-28 8-13 27 Saline Sarjlac Co. Sept. 3-7 Aug. 12-17 I I Mr. C. A. Morrill Farm Bureau Services, Inc. FaRmr1 Bay Co. Berlin Aug. July 5-10 15-20 Houghton Hudsonville Aug. Aug. 24 & 25 19-24 l\lidland Co. l\1issaukee-Falmouth Aug Aug. 11-17 12-14 Shiawassee Co. Aug. 11-17 Sparta High Sch July 15-20 St Clair Co. Aug. 7-10 I P. O. Box 960 Lansing, Michigan 48904 BUreaU ~--..u_1NC Berrien Co. Aug. 9-17 Huron Co. Aug. 4-10. Monroe Co. Aug. ;'-10 St. Joseph Cn. Sept. 16-21 I Bral1Gh Co. ('alhoun ('0 .. Aug. 12-17 \uJ(. I.-:!~ Ingham Co. Ionia Free July July 27-Aug. 3 26-Aug. 4 :\Ionlcalm Co. Montmoreocy Co. July Aug. 15-20 I.H7 Tuscola ('0. July :!!)..\ul(.:1 I I would like a copy of the prospectus and a call by a regis- tered sales agent, \'an Buren .July 20-27 Cass Co. Chelsea Aug. Aug. ~10 27-31 10scoCo, Iron Co. .July Aug. 24-27 1;),-18 Nl'Waygo Co, Nllrthern District Aug. Aug. 13-17 19-24 Vassar July 15-20 I Name _ Washtenaw Co. July 29-Aug. 2 Chippewa Co Sept. ;'-7 Isabella Co. Aug. 19-24 Nflrthern Michigan Aug. 12-17 Wayland Aug. 16 & 17 I RFD No. _ Chippewa Clare Co Aug. .July 3O-Sept. 2 29-Aug. :l .Jackson CII. Kalamazoo ('0. \ug. 4-10 \ul(. l!1-~ I Northville l\:orthwestern !\Iich Aug. Aug 1-4 26-31 Wayne Cn. Aug. 13-18 I Road Western Mich Aug. 13-17 City _ County _ Omtoo Co. Aug, 12-14 Kalkaska Co. AlIg 16 & 17 UlIkland ("0. July ~'-.\ul(. :l Croswell JulY 15-20 Kent Co. t\ug. Oceana Co. ,\ug. 29-Sept 2 STATE FAIRS I Dickinson Co -\ug, 3O-SepL 2 Lake Odessa July 5-10 :J-7 Ontonagon Co, \ug. 24 & 25 MIChigan Stale Aug. 23-Sept 2 I Phone ------- ":asternMichigan \ul(. :s-.~pt. :! I..enawee Co ,\ug 11-17 Osceola Aug 6-10 Upper Peninsula .\ug. 13-18 .. -------------------------- .. PAGE 10 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS JULY 1, 1974 Young~armers Women Continue Great PRe Picking a Peach in VanBuren The biggest Farm Bureau event of the Success was largely due to some in- ABU DANCE of FOOD year may have taken place in Van Buren County this spring. It drew 150onlookers, but that's really not so incredible when you consider they were looking at 13 pretty novative thinking by the Queen contest committee, '73 queen Barbara Dowd, Shirley Howe and Gloria Krogel, who figured spring was the time everybody's AIERIC-A'S STRENGTH! young women who were vying for the fancy turned to queen contests and a crown of the Van Buren County Farm springtime queen could plan on being in a Bureau Queen. number of festivals over the summer A 17-year-old high school junior, Debra before heading to Grand Rapids to try for Cerny, took the honors but the county the state Farm Bureau crown. Farm Bureau was the real winner since Signs advertising for queen entrants told few events have ever created so much prospective contestants that the reign interest in the course of the year. would not be an idle one. The itinerary for the next few months was already planned. The queen would be at the Van Buren County Fair, the blossom, blueberry, strawberry, grape and wine festivals, as well as the state Farm Bureau Queen contest. Appa rently , the girls liked the idea of an active role since 13entries were made. The .. ,~.; committee got the community to feel part of the event, too. Ten businesses supported Livingston County Farm Bureau Women gave urban shoppers at the Brighton Mall the contest in various ways including an opportunity to learn more about agriculture during Michigan Week. With the accent on the county's leading agricultural enterprises, dairy and beef, the display making gift certificates available to the new queen. included a miniature farm, ,complete wi~ price tags on the machinery needed to The night of the ceremonies a State operate a modern farm. Representative Bela Kennedy, extension agent Jordan Tatter and fashion judge Mrs. David Madison sat as judges as the 150 in the audience kept track of their favorite contestants in the program sheets '~ provided. l : !i Between the dramatic appearances of the contestants in first, second and third elimination rounds, John McElduff en- tertained the crowd with a few songs and little Toni Jackson gave the crowd a taste of modern interpretive dancing. But true ha ppiness that night, as the program theme said, was a peach from Van Buren County. All those present at the crowning, no doubt, think the county members should be very happy with the Van Buren peach Debra Cerny one selected as queen that night. Homefront A pen of "baby" animals and a talking cow proved big attractions to young and old alike. Drawings for beef and ice cream were also crowd-pleasers. Although the promotion was a project of the Livingston Women, husbands and children were recruited to make it a success. While most of us are thinking summer So that people wouldn't forget to vote in am warm weather, the Seeders and the school election, the ladies from the Weeders, Lenawee county, have already Real McCoy's in Saginaw county spent made reservations for their Christmas much of the day phoning their neighbors to party. remind U~m to vote. #I #I #I #I #I #I #I #I #I II In order that they can better understand Micah Chinoda from Rhodesia, who is the farming operations and problems furthering his education here in the United encountered by fellow farmers, the Hy-Tys States, was a guest at the meeting of the '71 in Livingston County, make a practice Lucky 50in Huron county. He spdce briefly of touring the host's farm before their and contributed greatly to the discussion regular meeting. After a tour of a fruit on "Imports and Exports." fann, where they learned about grafting to #I #I #I #I II form dwarf trees, one member reported "it was surprising to find out how often Two members from the Oversil Op- fruit trees have to be sprayed to control timists, Allegan County, testified in Gra'nd numerous insects and fungus diseases." Rapids as to the effect eliminating #I II #I #I #I railroads (as proposed by the US Elba Rural Neighbors, Gratiot County, Department of Transportation) would are gathering material to be used in ha ve on their opera ti ons. compiling the history of their township. #I /I #I /I II #I /I #I /I #I Dr. Gannon from the University of Ideas for a special project to make Michigan's Biological Station on Doublas Washtenaw County Farm Bureau Women brought the farm to the city May 16-18at people aware of their group was one of the Lake spoke to the Crump Settlement the Briarwood Mall near Ann Arbor. Talking animals roamed the mall telling urban Jwms discussed at a recent meeting of the Community Group in Cheboygan County. shoppers about life on a farm and urging them to visit the various agricultural Cloverland Community Group, Chippewa He showed pictures, explained the origin displays. Dairy, beef, sheep. pork, fruit, eggs. and farm equipment displays attracted County. One suggestion was to spend a day of the fresh water lakes and what over thousands of people with product samples. demonstrations, recipes, and information deaning up the old cemetery and to end population by people and the resulting presented by those "in the know." A sheep-shearing demonstration by Dale Weid- .he day activitIes with a family picnic. pollution will do to them in the future mayer was a popular feature of the mall promotion. Well over 100people donated # II # # # unless controlled. their time and talents to the project. JULY 1, 1974 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS PAGE 11 Cheboygan FB Wins Fight for New Bridge For three years several fanners but were caught up in the County members assembled' from Cheybogan County ha ve had presidential impoundment policy materials for their representatives to make a 40-mne detour to get that soon followed. to take to Washington during the supplies to their farms and goods Meanwhile, the county Farm 1974Seminar which would show the to market because of a closed Bureau kept busy assuring that the critical location of the bridge and bridge over the Black River bet- other 50 percent of the funds would demonstrate the impact on the six ween Cheboygan and Onaway. be forthcoming. The county board commercial farms, as well as the Construction on a new bridge is of commissioners, with county several small homesteads in the finally nearing a start after a long Farm Bureau support, voted to area. _ ba ttle by the Cheboygan County supply 25 percent of needed ap- A month after the Seminar, in Farm Bureau which sent six propriations and the county Farm April, funds flowed from members to Washington D.C. over Blireau contacted State Rep. Mark Washington to the state and in May the last two years to convince the Thompson (R-Rogers City) ane emphasized that industrialization of the food and fiber system is a major force that is shifting future control away from the farm. Access to adequate capital is a key control ip- strument. Acquiring economic farm units is becoming costly am prohibitive to a majority of would-be farmers. The trend toward larger and fewer farms can. be expected TUVIC by KEN WILES Manager Member Relations to continue as successful farmers expam. Those who have a stake in the control of agriculture also have a voice in IXlblic policy-making and the opportunity to influence A COOPERATIVE AGRICULTURE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE policies which affect control. A pure cooperative system of agriculture would involve It appears that the future of agriculture would be much fewer and larger units than in the present system of brighter if those in agriculture could be certain they would voluntary farmer cooperatives. To maintain control all be in commarxl of their own ships. Those engaged in A DISPERSED AGRICULTURE farmers would belong to tightly organized cooperatives agriculture are well aware of the_problems they have A dispersed, independent farmers, open market that would handle procurement of supplies and all faced over the years in attempting to receive a fair agriculture is a possibility of the future, but major marketing of agricultural products. Marketing decisions market price for their various commodities. changes in present policies will be necessary. The basic by the cooperative would place direct restrictions. on As mechanization of agricultural operations has grown, features are modest size farms, freedom of the operator to producers' production and marketing decisions. But farm operators have found themselves needing to work make decisions, and the existence of an open market to farmers would control the cooperatives and they would more lam. There has been a growing consolidation of allow the farmers to freely buy supplies and sell their approve restrictive decisions on themselves. farms and parts of farms in order to utilize more fully and produce. The operating farmer in a dispersed agriculture / effectively modern power am equipment, and to provide would play a composite role of laborer, manager, nearly full-time employment for fann operators am finar¥:ier, am landholder. Farmers could be somewhat members of their families. better off, in terms of the distribution and absolute level of The trem toward fewer and larger farms appears likely iBCome, than if they were contractors or laborers. But GOVERNMENT ADMINISTERED AGRICULTIJRE to continue. Farmers who already own some land have they would lack enough power in the market place to gain A pure government-administered agriculture would be been the largest single group buying farmland for many substantially higher incomes. a choice by society either to influence or replace priva te years. But tile process of adjustment IS slow as it mvolves action in the control of the food production and marketing many individual problems, only part of which are system. Markets, land. credit and technology appear the economic in nature. most likely means of goyernmeDt control. While some people view tbe tre~ toward fewer am A CORPORATE AGRICUL TUItE Administrative decisiom would be difficult. Should U. larger fanD6 with alarm, It seems unlikcly that there is a In a ccrporate system, m~t agricultural production pablie choose control t8 fa ... fanners, effects Gn fann U1reat to the family fann as long as changes takiq place wClUJd be controlled by a small member of very large income could be fav