MICHIGAN
             aRm~                                                                   FAR_NEWS
              ureau
              i  NO.3                                              SERVING         OVER 61,000 FARM BUREAU                     FAMILI ES                                               MARCH       1, 1976
              \ternb er on I""          Y Rfogram
                                                                                                                                                                                                      .
               roup purchase plan ok'ed
                e currently underway       tr"'afJ _ exp~ncer-        'since their     County Offices, serving as staff          In a report to the Young Far-           "This program will be initiated
                lent the Safemark          initiation 6Pthe Rrliram.                   assistant.                              mers Conference in Lansing,             only in county Farm Bureaus
                bhasing program in          . Nationwide,         tiN Safemark            In carrying "Outits charges, this    February      18, Larry DeVuyst         that agree with the philosophy
   IVllcmgan as a service to mem-          Program,            involving      group    commi ttee surveyed            county   said: "The key to the success of        that real money - in - the - pocket
   bers only. The Michigan Farm            purchase of tires, batteries, twine Farm                Bureaus        regarding    this program - as in any other          economic services will attract
   Bureau     board of directors,          and disk blades, is currently in 39 potential support of a group                    program --rests with the county         and maintain members, who will
   charged by voting delegates last        other state Farm Bureaus. The purchase program, with a result                       Farm. Bureaus.        Their total       give the program         the total
   June to give the program "top           program, open to members only, of 91 percent for the program.                       commitment to the program,              commitment it needs to be a
   priority consideration,"      voted     must be approved by the county They met with personnel from                         their ability to establish dealers      success,"    DeVuyst told the
   February 12 to accept recom-            Farm Bureau board, which .the American                           Farm Bureau        who will be equally committed to        Young Farmers.
   mendations for adoption of the          locates        a local dealer           to Federation Service Company,              the success of the program and
   program. The program will start         distribute the product in the which handles tbe Safemark                            share the same goals as the               A board-appointed committee
   with tires, batteries and ac-           community.                                  program. The committee also             county Farm Bureau - economic           is working out the necessary
   cessories, with other items on an                                                   met with representatives             of benefits     to members         and     details to implement the program
   order basis only.                           Following the special delegate          Farmers Petroleum Cooperative                                                   and county Farm Bureaus will be
                                                                                                                               membership growth -- is vitally
      The group purchasing program        session in June, 1975, where                 to explore the possibility of a         necessary.                              kept informed as plans progress.
   is the result of a state study,        voting delegates adopted the comparable                       members - only
   requested by voting delegates at       State          Study       Committee's       service. They visited the North
   the 1973 Michigan Farm Bureau          recommendation, the MFB board                Carolina and Kentucky Farm
   annual meeting, to assure the          of directors             appointed        a Bureaus       to study their ex-
- continued growth and viability of       Research           and' Development          peFiences at the state and CQWl\1
   the organization. Members of the       Committee to conduct an in~epth              levels, and jnter.viewed .....
  ~
   se~~
          ~       Ct1.mmitte~ in tlleic
                   economic services
                                          examination of the groop pWr- dealers iA~
                                          chase pFogram. Members eM the                  The Safemark          Pr~"
                                                                                                           in the  }II."
   which would attract and main-          committee were: Larry DeVuyst,               North Carolina resulted 'from a
   tain membership,          were im-     Ithaca, District 8 director; Bill state study, such as Michigan's,
   pressed with the members only          Spike,         Owosso,       District      5 to surface an economic service to
   benefits of the Safemark group         director; Jim Sayre, Belleville,             accompany       a dues increase.
   purchase       program     and the     director-at-Iarge,           with Gene Their membership in 1971 was
   growth other state Farm Bureaus        Greenawalt,            Coordinator       of 62,854 and has grown to 100,470.
                         March 16 is Soybean Day
      Michigan        Farm     Bureau     Experiment              Station        and   research in Michigan.
   Soybean Division has announced         Assistant Dean of Agriculture                   Robert Moellendick,           Sales
   its 4th annual Soybean Day             and Professor of Horticulture,               Manager, Plant Food Division,
   meeting.                               Michigan State University.-                  Fertilizer, Chemicals, and Seed
      The meeting will be held                Dr. Dale Harpstead, Chairman             Farm Bureau Services Farm
  Tuesday, March 16from 9 a.m. to         of the Crop and Soil Science and             Supply Division.
  3 p.m. at Longs Banquet Center,         Professor of Crops and Soil                    Don N. Kunz, Manager of the
  just off 1-96 at the Cedar Street       Science,            Michigan         State   Grain Division of the Michigan
  exit in Lansing.                        University.                                  Elevator Exchange.
                                               Dr. Dale E. Butz, Executive                The day -long program will be
     The past year has seen a great       Director of the Illinois Farm
  deal of concern for the soybean                                                      filled with information vital to
                                          Bureau's Commodity Division.                 your roll as a producer of
  producer       of Michigan.     The     He formerly served as Director
  competition        from Brazilian                                                    soybeans in Michigan, so plan to
                                          of F.S. Services, Inc.                       attend and encourage your neigh-              Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz came to Lanling at MFB's
  soybeans, palm oil, and Pauvian              Mr. Arnold B. Stromme, Sr.,
  fishmeal, plus all of the govern-                                                    bor to come with you.                      invitation, to keynote a "Special Membership Rally" held
                                          Division           Engineer,        Value                                               January 30. Over 600 county leaden and membenbip workers
  ment and union intervention in          Engineering, John Deer Har-                     For more information on this
  our export programs.                                                                                                            showed up despite. stormy weather and bad road conditions. The
                                          vester Works, Moline, Dlinois.               event contact:          Tom Reed,          state's press gave extensive coverage to tbe meeting with the
     The following guest speakers              Dr. Richard H. Leep, County              Marketing Specialist, Market              firey cabinet member providing them with plenty to quote a. be
  will be on the program:                 Extension Agricultural Agent in               Development Division, Michigan            defended free market agriculture and the modern American
     Dr.    Sylvan      H. Wiltwer,       Gratiot County and one of the                 Farm Bureau. Phone 485-8121               farmer. (See page 8 for more ,pictlU'es)
  Director of The Agricultural            foremost           in applied         bean   ext. 221.
         H"ouseAg. Committee tables H.B. 4921
     Michigan's House Agriculture Com-                 MFB members.                                        agreed that almost all testimony on H.B.         StAgel (R-Grant) moved to table th~ bill
  mittee voted to table House Bill 4921, the              Scores of MFB members gave testimony             4921 was opposed to it. The legislators          arid Rep. Donald Albosta (D-St. Charles)
  farm labor bill, at its Feb. 5 meeting in the        opposing the bill, which if enacted would           noted that not only farmers, but farm            supported the motion. The vote was eight.
  Capitol. The vote to table was unanimous             require farm employers to pay time-and-a-           workers objected to the proposed law.            to zero to table the biH.
  among the eight committee members                    half after 46 hours and lower the age                                                                  Although the defeat of this bill in com-
                                                                                                              Rep. Stanley Powell <R-Ionia') indicated
  present and effectively kills the bill for this      covered by the minimum wage provisions                                                               mittee can be considered a major victory
                                                                                                            that these were the best attended hearings
  session of the legislature.                          to 16. The bill would also require farmers                                                           for farmers, Michigan Agricultural Ser-
                                                                                                           he has seen. "Almost everything said in
                                                       to pay the minimum wage to piece-rate                testimony was opposed to this bill," Powell     vices Association Operations Manager, M.
     Farm Bureau members will recall that              workers if their piece rate productivity fell                                                        J. Buschlin cautioned         that similar
                                                                                                           said.
  the House Agriculture Committee held                 below the minimum wage.                                                                              legislation is likely to show up again next
  hearings on H.B. 4921 at five locations                                                                     After general agreement among the             year. "Farmers will need to be ready
  around the state this past fall. Each                   In reviewing the testimony heard during          committee members that there was little          again to speak out for what they believe
  bearing was well attended by concerned               the five hearings the eClUDmitteemembers            support for the bill, Rep. Donald Van            in," said Buschlin.


                                                                                    MfC'HTGAN }:!ARM NEWS                                                             ~RtH        .1, 1976
                                                            Membership-NOW!
                                                        The charge thismonth goes out tocountY presidents and              Labor leaders are trying to tellus who we can sellour
                                                      boards, campaign managers and membership workers to             - products to.Bureaucrats are attempting to use the fruits
                                                      call on those unpaid renewals, visitthose prOspects and           of our labor as diplomatic ammunition in something
                                                      reach goal.                                                       called "Agri-power." Consumers nation-wide constantly
                                                                                                                         refer to "our" (Meaning their) wheat as if they held an
                                                        We are running behind the pace oflastyear's drive but I          ownership share in every bushel of wheat harvested.
                                                      am confident that we can catch up. Directors, women's
                                                      committees and young farmer committees should put                    The listof issues affecting the modern farmer goes on
                                                      membership on the front burner for now.                            and on. You know them. They include property taxes,
                                                                                                                         farmland preservation, estate taxes, farm labor, workers
                                                         What difference would itreally ma'ke ifthe organization       .com~nsation, OSHA, EPA, the cost-price squeeze, etc.
                                                      ends up the year with membership a littleshort of last
                                                      year's total?                                                         Farmers alone cannot successfully deal with all these
                                                                                                                         problems and that iswhy, over the years, they have joined
                                                        In fact,itmeans a lotof difference.An organization can           theirneighbors in county Farm Bureaus and county Farm
                                                      be effectivein accomplishing itsgoal only ifitis moving            Bureaus have joined together in state Farm Bureaus and
                                                      forward, as represented by growth. When an organization            state Farm Bureaus have joined together in a national
                                                      experiences membership       growth, its influence and             federation.
                                                      respect are strengthened in the eyes of the public, the
                                                      legislature,and members themselves.                                   A thousand farm voices in a county CAN be heard, tens
                                                                                                                         of thousands of farm voices in a state CAN be heard, and
                                                        If there ever was a time when this farm -organization            millions of farm voices in a nation CAN be heard. Mem-
                                                      can least afford to lose its influence and respect, it is          bership strength is essential to continuing an effective,
                                                      tod~y.                                                             influentialFarm Bureau.
                                                                       .STATE STATUS
                                                GOAL :
                                                                            2-19-76
                                                                                 NOW
                                                                               61,586
                                                                                                       2-18-75-
                                                                                                     1 YEAR AGO
                                                                                                       61,098
                                                                                                                  I'         DONNA
                                                                                                                                 Ten feet .tall
                                                                                                                    Remember back - not so many          turned storybook pictures into
                                                New:                            2,600                    3,127    years ago --when farmers had an the "real thing" that can be
                                                                                                                  "image" firmly implanted in the actually seen and touched by city
                                                Renewals:                      55,594                  56,542     minds of the many people who           children. And reminded urban
         MICHIGAN                                                                                                 categorize those involved in a adults of the origination point of
                                                                                                                  particular         industry      or their food supply, beyond the
      FARM NEWS                                 TOTAL:                         58,194                  59,669     profession? Cartoonists and            supermarket shelves.
                                                                                                                  artists reinforced the image by          Those of us involved in, or
  The Michigan        FARM     NEWS     is
                                                % of Goal:                      94.49%                   97.66%   consistently portraying         the closely       related      to, the
                                                        ---
published monthly, on the firstday. by
the Michigan Farm Bureau Information                                                                              farmer       as a bib-overalled        agricultural industry assume
Division. Publication and Edlh~:-I
                W~r ~rrlGw      t;fighwav,
                                                                                                                  character who wore a straw hat that the old farmer-image has
Ot,~-6T/371
Lansing. Michigan 48904. Post Office            Keeded fo]:                                                       and a red kerchief around his faded entirely. Just quietly ob-
Box 960. Telephone. Lansing 485.8121.
Extension 228. Subscription price. 65                Goa 1:                     3,392                    1,429    neck, chewed on a piece of straw, serving         the shoppers         at
cents per year.                                                                                                   spoke on monosyllables, and            Saginaw's Fashion Square Mall
   Established January 13.1923.Second.                                                                            came to town o~ce a week,              recently, as they viewed the
classpostage paid at Lansing, Mi. and at                       DEDICATED          DOZEN     CLUB                  carrying with him the aroma of Huron-Tuscola-B ay -Saginaw-
additional mailing offices.
  EDITORIAL:       Editor: Jim Phillips;                                                                          the barnyard        and' spending      Sanilac       Farm         Bureau
Associate Editor: Donna Wilber; Staff                                                                             money given to him by the agricultural displays, proved
Photographer. Marcia Ditchie.
  OFFICERS:     Michigan Farm Bureau;                                                                             government for not producing. such public information efforts
President.Elton R. Smith. Caledonia, R.
1; Vice President. Dean Pridgeon.
                                                                1-300                        301-800                This picture was developed           are stillneeded. That the sharp,
Montgomery,       R.l; Administrative                                                                             early in the minds of urban            art icui ate a g'ric u It u r a I
Director. Robert Braden, Lansing;
                                                                                 1.                               children; calling someone         a spokesmen did not fitthe farmer-
Treasurer aM Chief Financial Officer,            1.     Kalkaska                                                  farmer        was     a   common
Max D. Dean; Secretary. William S.                                                                                                                       image many of the city shoppers
Wilkinson.                                                                                                        playground insult, frequently          had before this enlightening
   DIRECTORS:        District 1. Arthur
Bailey, Schoolcraft; District 2. Dean            2•     Iron Range              2.                                strengthened with the adjective, encounter was evident by the
Pridgeon. Montgomery. R.l; District3,                                                                             "dumb."                                expressions on their faces.
Andrew Jackson, Howell, R.l; District4,                                                                             In recent years, farmers have
Elton R. Smith. Caledonia. R.l; District
5. William Spike. Owosso, R.3; District          3.     Benzie                  3.                                worked hard to erase that image -        As effective as the various
6.Jack Laurie. Cass City,R-3; District7.
Robert Rider. Hart. R-I; District 8,
                                                                                                                 .- not with any fifth Avenue ad- displays were, it was the nearly
Larry DeVuyst. Ithaca, R.4; District9,                                                                            vertisingcampaign - but through 500 area farmers 'involved in this
Donald Nugent •.Frankfort, R.l; District                     801-1300                            1301-Over        sincere,        effective     com-     activitywho had the real impact.
10. Richard Wieland. Ellsworth. R.l;
District 11. Franklin Schwiderson,                                                                                munications       with non-farm        Whether it's a mall promotion
Dafter.
                                                                                       1. Clinton                 people. They've taken the story of such as this one in Saginaw, a
   DIRECTORS      AT LARGE:         Walter        1.                                                              agriculture into the schools and       Speakers' Bureau team at a
Frahm. Frankenmuth; James L. Sayre,
Belleville;      Lowell      Eisenmann,                                                                           brought the school children to the Rotary Club or in the schools,or a
Blissfield.
   WOMEN     OF FARM      BUREAU:     Mrs.        2.                                   2. Bay                     farm. They've turned urban             legislative tour t6 the nation's
Andrew Jackson. Howell. R.4.                                                                                      shopping malls into fascinating capitol - the one common factor
   FARM     BUREAU        YOUNG      FAA.                                                                         "show and tell" food fact in- that brings such positive results
MERS: Tom Atherton, Gaines.                       3.                                   3.                         formation centers. They've used isthe obvious pride of farmers in
POSTMASTER:         In using form 3579,                                                                           every form of modern com-              their profession.
mail to: Michigan Farm News. 7373
                                                                                                                  munication to tell the world of          When they say with conviction:
West Saginaw
MiChigan 48904.
                    Highway.     Lansing,
                                                      Today--It Pays                                              their fantastic productivity and       "I'm proud to be a farmer," they
                                                                                                                  person-to-person conversation to grow ten feettall--not only in the
         FaRm.,                                                                                                   create a better understanding          eyes of their listeners- but their
                                                                                                                  and appreciation for their in- own as well. Therein lies the
         BUreau                                        Don It Forget-- Renew Your                                 dustry.                                secret to their success as
                                                                                                                     Thanks to their efforts,they've agricultural communicators.
                                                         Farm Bureau Membersh ip
                                                                                                                    Farm Bureau scholarship offered
                                                                                                                         Farm Bureau Women are announcing thisyear's competition
                                                        MOVING?                                                        for the Marge Karker-Farm Bureau Scholarship ..
                                                                                                                         The scholarship of $400 is available to students attending
                                           Planning to move? Let us know 8      print new address in space             Michigan State University. They must be from a Farm Bureau
                                        weeks in advance so you won't           provided. Mail to: Michigan Farm       family. must show financial need, and must be majoring in
                                         miss a singleissue of the Michigan     News, P.O. Box 960~ Lansing.           agriculturally related courses or in medicine.
                                         Farm News. Attach old label .and       Michigan 48904.                           The State Women's Committee is encouraging each county to
                                         Name                                                                          do all possible to publicize this scholarship so Farm Bureau
                                        Address                                                                        members will know about it and encourage young people to
                                        City                                                                           apply for it.
                                        State                                               Zip Code                      Application forms are available from the Women:s De~rt-
                                                                                                                       ment, Michigan Farm Bureau, P.O. Box 960, Lansmg, Mich.
                                         Coun~y of Membership
                                                                                                                       48904.


  MARCH 1, 19-1~                                                                                                                                                                      PAG~3
    <I
    According to MSU study
                         PBBs in soil are no health threat
   There is no threat to animal or                                                                                   couldn't get significant leaching      microorganisms tha t break them
                                         Lee W. Jacobs have been in- amounts of PBBs_were not taken
human health from those PBBs, a          vestigating PBB contaminated           up by test grasses and root crops    of the contaminant until PBB           down into simpler        chemical
series      of    fire     retardant     soils to determine how long the or removed                from soils by     pollution was boosted to the 1,000-    compounds."
chemicals, that have entered             pollutant will remain in the en- leaching; the two major means              fold over average level, and             The only possible problem that
some Michigan soils, according           vironment and to find out if the by which soil contaminants can             water passing through the soil         might arise would be the rare
to preliminary         research     in-  chemicals     could possibly be enter animal and human food                 reached an amount 20 times the         circumstance        where      con-
formation      collected      by two     transferred from soils into foods . chains.                                 yearly average Michigan rain-          taminated soils suffer severe
Michigan State University crop           and water, and thus pose a health         "We have found that PBBs are      fall.                                  erosion and the chemicals theft
and soil scientists ..                   hazard.                                like       other       halogena ted     "Based on preliminary studies,      find their way into water
   Dr. James M. Tiedje and Dr.             In their studies, significant        hydrocarbon compounds, such as       we believe that PBBs will stay in      systems, the. scientists note.
                                                                                DDT and PCBs, in that they don't     contaminated Michigan soils for           Jacobs and Tiedje plan to in-
       Elton Smith will head                                                    rapidly break down in the en-
                                                                                vironment," says Tiedje.
                                                                                                                     years or tens~f -years ra ther
                                                                                                                     than weeks or months," Tiedje
                                                                                                                                                            vestigate the fate of PBBs in the
                                                                                                                                                            environment      further    and to
                                                                                                                     says. "They will disappear very        determine better the extent of
          Farmers Petroleum                                                        "They have taken up residence
                                                                                in Michigan where soils have
                                                                                                                     slowly, however, due to soil           contaminated soils in Michigan.
   Kent County dairy farmer                                                     been polluted         by spreading
Elton R. Smith was elected
president of Farmers Petroleum
                                        Bureau Federation, the nation's
                                        largest farm organization, and as
                                        president of Farm Bureau Ser-
                                                                                contaminated
                                                                                disposing    of
                                                                                                      manures
                                                                                                 contaminated
                                                                                                                  or
                                                                                                                milk
                                                                                                                         Oil refinery purchased
Cooperative       at the annual         vices, a major supplier of farm         or animal carcasses," he says.          Donald       R.      Armstrong,        The refinery      has a daily
reorganizational meeting of the supplies and an affiliate                  of    "This problem however appears       Executive      Vice President       of capacity of 126,000 barrels of
company's board of directors            Michigan Farm Bureau.                   to have no long-term health          Farmers Petroleum Cooperative,         crude oil. Elton R. Smith,
January 2:7.                                                                    implications for livestock and       Inc., has announced the purchase       President of Farmers Petroleum
                                           Pridgeon is a lifetime farmer,       humans       who have had no
   At the same meeting Dean born and raised in Branch                                                                of a refinery located in East          Cooperative, Inc., states "this is
Pridgeon, Branch County pork County. He farms 1500acres near                    previous exposure to the PBB         Chicago, Indiana.                      a milestone for the Cooperative
producer, was re~lected as vice Montgomery and raises 4,000 compoWlds. "                                                The operating refinery, for- and is a major step toward the
president and Wesley Prillwitz,         head of hogs and 1,000 acres of            "Test grasses and root crops      merly owned by Atlantic Rich- .company objective of becoming
Berrien County fruit farmer, was corn annually.                                 did not take up detectable           field, has been purchased by C F basic in its operations." While
newly elected as the third                 He is vice president            of   amounts of PBBs until con-           Petroleum,      Inc. "This newly' fuels manufactured by its new
member of the executive com- Michigan Farm Bureau and in                        tamination levels were boosted to    formed corporation is made up of refinery are' eXP.;ected to arrive
mittee.                                 1!n4 was appointed by Governor           100 and 1,000 times greater than    nine. regional       Farm     Supply   shortly after the purchase ef-
   Smith has served as president        Milliken to serve on the state          levels known to occur on con-        Cooperatives,"         stated    Mr.   fective date of April 1, 1976,
of Michigan, Farm Bureau, the Natural Resources Commission.                     taminated Michigan farm soils,"      Armstrong         "and      Farmers    Farmers     Petroleum     will still
state's largest general farm               Prillwitz is vice president of       Jacobs says. "This is in spite of    Petroleum Cooperative is one of maintain its supply relationship
organization, since 1964.               Berrien      Farm     Bureau      Oil    the fact that we conducted the      those nine." C F Petroleum, Inc. with their current suppliers.
   He is a partner in a 700acre, 425 Company and is a past county                test in a manner that would         will be managed by the same
head dairy farm near Caledonia.         Farm Bureau president.             He    normally encourage the uptake of     management team that operates            Farmers          Petroleum
A prominent Guernsey breeder,           currently is president of the Eau        soil pollutants."                    CF Industries, Inc., which is Cooperative, Inc. is a Michigan
his herd ranks consistently near Claire Fruit Exchange.                             Leaching is a similar story. In   involved in fertilizer ingredient     Farm Bureau affiliate and a
the top of the state's dairy lists.                                              tests with four representative       procurement       for 19 regional     major      supplier      of   farm
   Smith serves as Secretary of            Newly appointed to the board of       Michigan soils, the scientists       cooperatives.                         petroleum supplies in Michigan.
Agriculture Earl Butz' personal         Farmers Petroleum Cooperative
representative     on the Federal       were Neil Harris of Chesaning
Farm Credit Board and was and Larry Devvuyst of Ithaca.
appointed       to the national         Both are active farmers.
Technical Advisory Committee               Farmers,         Petroleu.m.         ~
on Fruits and Vegetables for. Cooperative -is a major supplier'
TraSfc .M!g9Hations in J975. He of petroleum                 products      in
also serves on the board of Michigan ;md,js affiliated with
directors of the American Farm          the Michigan Farm Bureau.
       Member Life Ilno physical II
               period ends March 31
   The unusual "no physical" sign Member Life with no physical
up period for Farm Bureau examination or health questions.
                                                                                                         ?           As Day is a time
Member Life Insurance ends After these two initial 9O-day sign
March       31. No physical          is up periods, applicants will be
required, no health questions are required to answer a health
                                                                                                          for some serious thought
asked of all Farm              Bureau   questionnaire and possibly take a
Members, ages 18 to 71, signing physica'l                 qualification
                                                                                                     about agricuIUe in America.
up for this farm family life in- examination.
surance policy.                             About 48c a week ...       $25 an-
   Farm Bureau Member Life, nually ... provides life insurance
Membership's        newest benefit,      protection    for Farm Bureau
was developed at the direction of Member families. And for that
Farm       Bureau's.      Board      of cost you receive the following
Directors. And in true Farm              benefits:
Bureau working together phil-               1. An insurance policy created
osophy, the insurance policy is exclusively for Farm Bureau
participating. That means Farm           Members.
Bureau           Member           Life      2. Coverages for Farm Bureau
policyholders will share in any Members and spouses 18 to 71,
benefits which might result from and children ages 15 days to 22
favorable program experience.            years of age (if single and not
   Designed for Michigan Farm            owning a Farm Bureau Member
Bureau members only, this in- Life policy).
surance plan is an individual,              3. Men and women qualifying
level premium, decreasing term for Farm Bureau Member Life
policy. Level premium means              Insurance     and serving their
 that all Farm Bureau members            country in the armed forces are
ages 18 to 71, pay the same protected                  while in military
premium. And named Member                service.
coverage       decreases       as the       4. No physical exam or health
 Member's age increases. The questions during sign up periods
amount of coverage bought is or renewal.
determined by the Member's last             5. Automatic       updating      of
 birthday. This plan is most coverages for members ...                      as
valuable to members in their they marry, as children arrive.
early and middle adult years                6. The program           is par-
 when family financial respon- ticipating ...                as experience
sibilities are heaviest.                 permits, benefits can be in-
    Current Farm Bureau Mem- creased.
 bers can take advantage of the 90-         Join the nearly 6,000 Farm
 day enrollment period ending Bureau                 Members       currently
 March 31, 1!n6. After that time, enrolled in this special Member
 new Farm Bureau Member also benefit.                 Call your        County
 have 90 days to exercise their Secretary or your local Farm
 right to purchase Farm Bureau           Bureau Insurance Agent.


 PAGE 4                                                                         MtCHIGAN            FARM NEWS                                                                            MARCH             1,-1976
         CAPITOL REPORT                                                                                                                     Robert E. Smith
                                                 The state budget
   The second session of the 78th
Michigan Legislature is now in
progress. Governor Milliken's
State of the State address was
                                         education will be $1.421 billion, .
                                          higher than last .year.
                                             Social Services or welfare IS
                                          the largest expenditure. In 1975,
                                                                                farmers, processors,
                                                                                was eliminated but has been
                                                                                reinstated. However, instead of
                                                                                                               handlers
                                                                                the state paying two-thirds of the
                                                                                                                          business activities in Michiga~,
                                                                                                                          including personal services. It
                                                                                                                          applies to all types of busine~es
                                                                                                                          from the largest             corporation
                                                                                                                                                                             . ~ ..                  --~-
                                                                                                                                                                                                    ,:.rl._~
                                                                                                                                                                      $23,596. Depreciation was $8,676.
                                                                                                                                                                      Interest        expense was $2,918.
                                          the General Fund budget was           cost     and      farmers        and-or                                               These figures             total $51,303.
reported in the February issue of                                                                                         down to doctors, lawyers, stores            Deducted from this amount is 28
the Michigan           Farm     News.     $940 million. When other funds        processors one-third, thesplit will       on main street, realtors, farmers,
                                                                                be 5O-SO ..                                                                           percent of depreciation on assets
Governor        Milliken has now          were added, the total was $1.813                                                etc., etc. There was an ~-
                                          billion. For 1976-77, the ap-            One item in the budget that                                                        acquired prior to January I, 1976
presented the Legislature with                                                                                            successful attempt to exempt
                                                                                could be highly controversial is agriculture from the legislation.                    which equals $2,429; cost of
his budget for the 1976-77year. It        propriation is expected t~ be $1.18
                                          billion which together With other     the recommendation            to "con-_ However through the various                   capital purchases, $15,757.These
is obvious that Michigan is in for
                                          funds will total $2.14 billion! Well  solidate     present      user taxes                                                  figures total $19,186. Subtracted
a very difficult fiscal year with                                                                                         exempti~ns and other provisions,            from '$51,303 equals a tax base
costs of government rising '!l0~e         over half of the total state budget   restricted      for special        tran-  most farmers and other small
                                                                                sportation      uses into a total                                                     before exemption of $33,117.
rapidly than revenues. This 10            goes for these two programs.                                                    businesses will be totally exempt.
                                                                                transportation fund. Specifically,                                                       The additional deduction of the
spite of the fact that next year's                                                                                            It is considered to be a totally        small business exemption of
                                             The budgets for other depart-      this involves replacing the Motor equitable tax as it treats every
revenues are expected to be up 14                                                                                                                                     $34,000 means the farmer in this
                                          ments of government are rather        Vehicle Highway Fund with a type of business and individual
percent. Present year revenues                                                                                                                                        particular example would have
                                          minor when compared to these          single Michigan Transportation
fell short by over $152 M below                                                                                           equally. It is also designed to             no tax. A similar method can be
                                        . two items. For example, it is said    Fund." Many organizations,
estimates       resulting     from a                                                                                      provide a more stable r~ven~e               used for other farm situations.
                                          that the Department of Natural        including Farm Bureau, have
decline from the personal and
                                           Resources, as large as it is, could steadfastly over the years op- source. and an economic 10-                             The above farm had $82,700 of
corporate income tax and federal
                                          be totally eliminated from the posed diversion of funds from the centive for businesses to expand.                          gross receipts. In those cases
aid.
                                          state budget and the amount ot Motor Vechile Highway Fund for With the passage of the Act,                                  where the tax base is large
   It is estimated that the 1976-77       money that would be saved would any other purpose other than                    several other business taxes were           enough to be taxable, the rate is
total state budget will be in ex-         only pay the cost.---of state                                                   repealed or amended.                        2.35 per cent.
                                                                                highways and county roads. The                The major provisions of the Act
cess of $6.9 billion! A little less       government for one day.               fact is that while costs of that would be of the greatest                                Other important              farm sup-
than half of this amount, $3.275                                                                                                                                      ported provisions include:
billion is the General Fund-                 The        Department           of maintaining roads are spiraling,          interest to farmers at this time               1. Income averaging (current
Gener~l Purpose budget and is              Agriculture's budget for 19~5w~s gas tax revenues Cor these pur- are: farmers will file their S.B. T                       year and previous four years).
the portion of the total budget            $12.7 million. For 1976-77,It Will poses have declined due to the tax return                        using the same         This is especially important to
that the Legislature can control.          be nearly $13.2 million. Of this energy crisis. It remains to be               deadlines as for their federal and          farmers.
Compare this with 1964when the             amount, $135,000 will be for seen what the specific proposal                   state income tax returns. This                 2. Exempt farmers from filing
                                           "restricted    use" of pesticide     will be, especially            whether     means        that most farmer's
total state budget was $1.4billion.                                                                                                                                   quarterly returns.
                                           enforcement. This expenditure is present funds will be maintained              returns will not due until March               3. A portion of the S.B. T can be
   The two highest budget items            required to carry out the man- for highway purposes of whether                  I, 1977. A Farm Bureau sup-                deducted from the state income
are K-12 education and social              datory federal pesticide control they become part of the "special               ported amendment was added to              tax. If business income is less
services or welfare. In 1975, the          program. (H.B. 5310 will permit      transportation fund" and are in the bill to exempt "farmers and
                                                                                                                                                                      than $20,000, 20 per cent can be
General Fund budget for K-12 state administration                      of the eCfect diverted to other forms of fishermen" from filing quarterly                      deducted; $20,000 to $40,000, 15
education was $700+ million, and           federal law). $83,100 is recom- transportation            such as rapid         returns. It is the same exemption          percent; over $40,000, 10 per~ent.
when other earmarked              funds    mended       for   world      trade  transit, aeronautics. waterways,           that is in the federal incOJ;netax         The tax is also a deductible Item
were added to this amount, the             programs. Another $50,000 is in railroads, etc.                                 law. No other business has this            for federal income tax purposes.
total was $1,365 billion. For 1976- the budget to help eradicate the               One area         of concern         to exception.
77, it is expected that the ap-                                                  agriculture and farmers in the                                                          4. Reduction of the adjusted tax
                                           gypsy moth which is creating                                                       The tax base will be fairly easy
                                                                                 budget process is whether the to compute as all information can                      base by the percentage that
propriated amount will be less             havoc in many areas of the state.
                                                                                                                                                                      wages exceed 65 percent of the
than last year at $691million, but         The fruit and vegetable          in- CoJ}perative Extension Service             be taken Crom the federal income           total tax base.
when other earmarked funds are             spection carried      on by the will receive sufficient funds to tax form. The tax base is
                                                                                 maintain    at   least   present    ser-                                                5. All businesses not using the
added,       the total for K-12 Department of Agriculture for                                                              calculated          by adding         the
                                                                                 vices. The Cooperative Extension                                                     special labor deduction                   can
                                                                                                                           following: (1) the net taxable             reduce the tax base to a
                                                                                 Service has already cut some 53 income                  received       from the
                                                                                positions which has meant that in business; (2) labor payroll, ~n-                    minimum of 50 percent of gross
                                                                                 many areas, 4-H agents, and eluding                                                  receipts.
                                                                                                                                         all fringe        benefits      6. There are other additions
                                                                                agricultural specialists of one (F.I.C.A., Work Comp., pensions,
                                                                                                                                                                      and subtractions to the tax base;
              NOW                                                               kind or another, have been lost to health insurance, unemployment
                                                                                 the detriment
                                                                                agriculture.
                                                                                                        of the local
                                                                                                   The Governor's
                                                                                budget recommendation                has
                                                                                                                           insurance, etc., etc); (3) all
                                                                                                                           depreciation in two f.orms - the
                                                                                                                                                                      however,
                                                                                                                                                                      consequential
                                                                                                                                                                      businesses.
                                                                                                                                                                                           they        are
                                                                                                                                                                                             for most small
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  in-
                                                                                                                           depreciation for eq~lpmen~ and                Later in the year when the
                                                                                increased the Extension budget
              AVAILABLE                                                         but not sufficiently to be able to January
                                                                                restore the lost positions. Another
                                                                                                                           buildings, etc., acqwred prior to
                                                                                                                                           I, 1976, and the
                                                                                                                           depreciation for the ~uipment
                                                                                problem facing Extension is a and buildings etc., acqUlred after
                                                                                                                                                                      rules and regula tions are final
                                                                                                                                                                      and all forms are available,
                                                                                                                                                                      Farm          Bureau       will provide
                                                                                substantial cut that is being January 1, 1976; (4) all interest                       complete information on the S.B.
                                                                                recommended           in the Cederal                                                  T as it affects farmers.
                                                                                                                           expense; (5) capital gains, if any.
      MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU'S                                                    budget for extension programs.
                                                                                The Agricultural          Experiment          The following can be deducted
                                                                                                                                                                         A companion bill passed at the
                                                                                                                                                                      same          time which            will be
                                                                                Station has received an overall            from the above total: (1) 28               especially helpful to farmers ~y
     BICENTENNIAL PUBLICATIONI                                                  increase      in the Governor's            percent       of depre~iation          on  cutting the property tax. This
                                                                                budget; however, it remains to be          buildings      or    machmery,       etc., was accomplished by increasing
  • Proud to Be an American?                                                    seen whether it will be sufficient         acquired prior to January I, 1976          the present property tax rebate
                                                                                to continue the level of essential          (this becomes 50 percent the              based on 31hpercent of household
  • Proud to Be a Farmer?                                                       agricultural research presently            second year, and 60 percent                income from $500 to $1200. This
                                                                                                                           thereafter).       (2) 100 percent of      property tax relief is effective for
                                                                                going on at Michigan State
     Proud to Be a Farm Bureau Member?                                           University.                               depreciable        capital outlay in-      the 1976 tax year.
                                                                                   In order  to  present    a  balanced    vestment such as machinery ,                  Farm Bureau was involved at
  Then you'll want "'200 Years of American Agriculture" with                                                               buildings, etc. (3) $34,000 (in-
  beautiful color photos as a Bicentennial keepsake.                            budget, the Governor made it                                                          every level during the con-
                                                                                                                           creases to $36,000 in 1977) small          sideration of this legislation in-
                                                                                clear that certain steps would
  Includes the 1975 County Award Winners, too!                                  ha ve to be taken including: ex-. business exemption.                       This is   cluding representation                  on a
                                                                                tension of the current fiscal year         reduced      by   $2  for  each  $1 over   special         legislativ.e        adviso.ry
  On sale following the MFB Annual Banque~ Thursc'~." evening
                                                                                Crom June 30 to September 30, $34,000 business income being                           committee;            sendmg          speCial
  December 11 in Grand Rapids and all day Friday, December 12.                                                             eliminated at $51,000 ($54,000             letters to a cross-section of
                                                                                1976 (this can cause problems
                                                                                and is controversial) ; a loan             beginning in 1977). This exemp-            farmers throughout the state to
  Only $1.50 each. Or order by mail (add 50~ for postage and                                                               tion can be increased $10,000for
  handling).                                                                    from   the  Veteran's      Trust   Fund                                               determine          the effect of the
                                                                                and a loan from the Motor                  each partner in a partnersh!p              legisla tion; successfully               sup-
                                                                                                                            (includes each shareholder 10
  LIMITED EDITION!                    DON'T      MISS     YOUR      COpy!       Vechile   Accident     Claims   Fund.  It                                             porting several amendments to
                                                                                is also contingent on the use of subchapter S corporations~ who                       lessen the impact; testifying at
  Send to:       Infotmation and Public Relations Division                      bonding authority for capital               is a full-time employee earmng at         the public hearing and committee
                 Michigan Farm Bureau                                           outlay and to take advantage of            least $10000 and owning at least           meetings; informing members in
                 P.O. Box 960 Lansing, Michigan 48904                           certain available federal mat-              10 per 'cent of the busine:ss.            5 issues of the Michigan Farm
                                                                                ching funds.                                Maximum        additional exemption       News            and      through           the
                          pies of "200 Years of American Agriculture" to                                                    under this provision is $40,000.
                                                                                        SINGLE BUSINESS                                                               Minuteman Letter; supporting
    ame                                                                                   TAX ACT OF 1.75                     The following example may be            legisla tion to increase                   the
                                                                                   The new Single Business Tax             useful. The figures are taken              property tax rebate from ~                    to
                                                                                (S.B. T) went into effect January          from Michigan State University             $1200.While it was not possible to
    ddress
                                                                                1, 1976. It has received con- Telfarm averages for 1974 for a                          totally        exempt       agriculture   t
                                                                                siderable publicity which in turn "medium tree fruit" farm.                           farmers as a whole will receive
                                                                                has created some confusion.                   The business           income was        far more property tax relief from
                                                                                   The tax is imposed on all                $16,113. The labor cost was                the Act than tax liability.


   MARCH 1, ~.g16                                                              MICHIGAN- FARM NEWS                                                                                               PAGE 5
        NATIONAL IOTES                                                                                                                                   Albert A. Almy
                      Estates, imports and railroads                                                                                                                                             1\
  FEDERAL        ESTATE    TAX            period expires, the taxes would      are causing injury to the industry            freight service on rail lines,           months. The act also requires the
                                          be payable in equal installments     in this country. Michigan Farm                otherwise scheduled for aban-           Treasury Department to make a
     Last month this column was           over the next 20 years at 4 per- Bureau and the Asparagus                          donment, will be 100 percent the         final decision within 12 months of
  devoted entirely to the subject of cent interest.           This extended    Growers Division of the Michigan              first year, 90 percent the second        whether countervailing          duties
  federal estate tax reform. Details      repayment period would apply to Agricultural                  Coopera tive         year, 80 percent the third year,        will be levied against imports
  of H.R. 1793,which Farm Bureau          estate taxes levied on the first Marketing Association (MAC-                       and 70 percent the fourth and fifth .    being subsidized into the U.S. The
  supports, were outlined. The            $300,000value ofthe estate. Taxes MA) supported the investigation.                 year. Under provisions of the            duties are intended to allow U.S.
  February 1 issue of Michigan            attributable to that portion of the MACMA testified               before the       R. e g ion a I         Ra iIr 0a d       producers to compete on equal
  Farm News will provide a                estate value in excess of $300,000 Commission and documented                       Reorganization Act passed 1973,          terms with foreign producers for
  refresher for the details of H.R.       would be payable within 9 months problems encountered by the                       the federal share was 70 percent         the specific markets involved.
  1793.                                   or 10 years if permitted by the domestic asparagus                   industry      for 2 years only. The new                   Earlier this year, the Treasury
     Farm Bureau has now learned          IRS.                                 because of the imports.                       provisions will allow an ad-             Department announced in the
 of federal estate tax law revisions                                              On January 12, the Commission              ditional 3 years for users of light      Federal Register that its in-
 proposed by President Ford. The             The $300,000 estate         value re Ieas ed'tI s repor t an d f'Ind'mgs t 0    density lines that will eventually       vestigation of cheese imports
  details -were released following        subject to the extended tax President                  Ford. Of the six            be abandoned to take whatever            from Sweden revealed subsidies
 his State~f-the-Union Message            payment schedule          would be Commissioners,              three deter-        actions might be necessary to            are being paid by the government
  on January 19. The President's          reduced one dollar for every         mm . ed th'e Impor ts are causmg         .    preserve rail service or make            of Sweden. A final decision on
                                          dollar  the  estate  value   exceeds "         t    th   d        t"     d         plans      for    alternate     tran-    levying countervailing          duties
  Proposal can be summarized as           $300,000. For example, if the an d
                                                                               mJury 0 e omes IC m ustry
  increasing the length of time                                                             recommen d e d            th a t sportation.                              must now be made before June
  allowed for payment of estate           estate value were $350,000, only res t rlc  . t'Ions be p Iace d on Impor
                                                                                                                 .        ts                                          18, 1976.
  taxes rather than overall reform        the taxes attributable to the first of fresh asparagus from Mexico.                CHEESE       IMPORTS                        In the case of Swiss and
  as provided by H.R. 1793.               $250,000would be eligible for the The other three Commissioners                                                             Austrian cheese imports, the
                                          2O-year payment schedule.            determined that imports are not                  During 1975, petitions were           Treasury Department last year
     Under        the    President's         Farm Bureau strongly believes causing injury to the domestic                    filed by Farm Bureau and other           determined and announced that
  proposal,     the personal       and    there is a need for more sub- industry.                                            farm groups requesting that the          subsidies      were being paid.
  marital deductions would remain         stantial reform in the federal          In the event of such a deadlock            U.S. Treasury            Department      However, earlier this year, the
  unchanged from levels set in 1941 estate tax law and, therefore,             among the Commissioners, the                  conduct an investigation            to   Department        issued its final
  and 1948 respectively. Also, the        continues to support H.R. 1793. Trade Reform Act allows the                        determine whether cheese im-             decision by announcing             that
  IRS appraisal of property at                                                 President to accept the views of              ported into the U.S. from Sweden,        countervailing duties would not
  market values would be con-             ASPARAGUS IMPORTS                    either side as the final deter-               Austria and Switzerland           are    be levied against these imports.
  tinued.                                                                      mination. In this case, he must               being subsidized by the govern-          This action was taken because
     The major change would come             In recent years, the Michigan act within 60 days (March 12) if                  ments of those nations.                   the Department believes that
  in revising provisions of the           acreage planted to asparagus has the imports are to be restricted.                    The Trade Reform Act requires          adequate steps have been taken
  current federal estate tax law          increased substantially. At the         MFB has supplied information               the Treasury        Department      to    by Switzerland and Austria to
  which require the estate tax to be      same time, the volume of fresh on this issue                  to Michigan          conduct an investigation            as    substantially reduce or eliminate
  paid within 9 months after death        and processed asparagus im- Congressmen representing areas                         requested by such petitions and           the adverse effects of the imports
  unless permission is received           ported into the U.S. has also where asparagus is grown and                         announce its findings within 6            upon the U.S. market.
  from IRS to pay the tax in 10 increased substantially.                       requested          that     they      urge
  annual installments with interest                                            President Ford to accept the view
  at the prevailing prime rate.              In mid-1975, the U.S. Inter- of those Commissioners                       who
     The President has proposed           national Trade Commission was found that imports are injuring
  that payment of estate taxes be petitioned to conduct an in- the domestic industry. Senator
  deferred for 5 years following          vestigation of asparagus- imports Robert           Griffin      (R-Traverse
  death. Mter this deferred time          to determine whether the imports City), Congressman                  Ed Hut-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~chinson                                                             (R~t.     Joseph)        and
                    COMPARISON OF PRESENT FEDERAL                              Congressman Guy VanderJagt
                       ESTATE TAX LAW AND H.R. 1793                            (R-Luter) have contacted the
   (Assume wife inherits 100 percent of estate as a surviving joint President in support of the MFB
   tenant.)                                                                    and MACMA position.
      PRESENT LAW                                             H.R. 1793
                                                                               RAILROADS
          $350,000          Estate Value                       $350,000
          -175,000          Less Marital Deduction             -275,000 *         On February 5, the Railroad
            175,000                                               75,000       Revitalization and Regulatory
          - 60,000          Less Personal Deduction             -200,000"'.    Reform Act was signed into law.
          $115,000          Taxable Estate                     --:0:-          This act is important to the future
                       $25,200- Estate Tax--          0                        of rail service in rural Michigan
                                                                               affected by reorganization plans
  ".Add $100,000to present deduction of 50percent of gross estate value        during recent months.
  ". • Increased to $200,000instead of present $60,000                            The act accomplishes several
... ~            ~_~~~_~              __ ~~~~_~~~~~~_                          specific rail regulatory reforms                    INTEREST ON DEBENTURES                       5-10-15 year maturity
                                                                               supported by Farm Bureau and
                                                                               mandates a series of studies that                   8%           5 Year Maturity           $100.00   Minimum      Purchase
                                                                               could result in further reforms.
  Auto insurance rates up                                                      Among the reforms provided are
                                                                               greater flexibility for railroads to
                                                                                                                                   8~%        10 Year Maturity            $100.00
                                                                                                                                                                                            (F. B.S. only)
                                                                                                                                                                                    Minimum Purchase
    Despite hopes that 1976 auto         Company, a private company            adjust their rates without time
                                                                                                                                    9%        15 Year Maturity            $100.00   Minimum      Purchase
 rate increases could be held to that monitors the industry, has to consuming proceedings before
 about 10percent, many insurance         say:                                  the ICC, statutory deadlines for
                                                                               ICC rate-making            proceedings              8~%        10 Year Maturity          $1,000.00   Minimum      Purchase
companies are already shifting
 their targets to a range of 13 to 20       "No matter how auto insurance      which can be exceeded only on
 percent.                                is viewed, the news is bad. The       notice to Congress and creation of                   9~%       15 Year Maturity          $5,000.0.0  Minimum      Purchase
                                         companies have been swamped           a railroad rehabilitation               and
    The Wall Street           Journal
predicts that 1976 will be an            by inflation and for the most part    improvement fund. The fund has
                                         they have met with indifference                                                           Interest paid annually on September 1st. The purchaser to
 "~usually      expensive one" for                                             an initial funding authorization of
                                         or resistance in their attempts to $6()0 million. It is not known at                      be offered the option to receive their interest in quarterly
auto insurance buyers, and that                                                                                                    payments on September 1st, December 1st, March 1st, and
                                         have rates keep pace with their       this time whether some form of
 1977will be just as tough.                                                                                                        June 1st. I nterest would        start the date of purchase.
                                         problems. The state insurance         user tax will be enacted to con-
    Some insurers are pushing the
                                         departments in recent months          tinue the rail fund or whether
 use of higher deductibles and                                                                                                     This is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation    to buy these
                                         have shown signs of relenting,        monies will come from the
shortening time periods covered                                                                                                    securities. The offering     is made only by the prospectus.
                                         but only in a few cases are the general treasury.
 by policies to allow for more
 frequent rate increases.
                                         insurers able to obtain rate relief
                                         approaching a level consistent
                                                                                  Of particular significance to
                                                                               Michigan is rail assistance to
                                                                                                                              ----------------------------
                                                                                                                                   Clip and mail this coupon to:
    State Farm Insurance,           the  with current underwriting ex- light density rail lines serving                            Mr. C. A. Morrill
 nation's largest auto insurer,          perience. "                                                                               Farm BurhU services, Inc.
expects its auto rates to increase                                             rural       areas.      Currently,         an       Farmers Petroleum Cooperative. Inc.
about 13 percent this year, while           The industry's       underwriting  estimated 1100 miles of light                       P. O. Box 960
                                                                               density rail Jines in Michigan are                  Lansing, Michlg~n 48904
 Allstate sees its 1976 rates going       losses on private        passenger
 up about 20 percent. Of course,         coverage totalled $1.9 billion in scheduled              for abandonment                  I would Uke a copy of the prospectus
                                                                                                                                   tered sales agent.
                                                                                                                                                                             and a call by a regis.
 like the rest of the industry,           1975, making it a dismal year.       unless federal and state mat-
                                                                                                                                   Name                                                               _
 Farm Bureau Insurance Group             This is particularly disturbing to ching subsidies are provided to
 foresees auto rate increases this       the insurance industry, because       continue operations. The new law                    Road                                       RFD No.                   _
year.                                    auto insurance represents the authorizes $360 million over a                              Citv                               _
                                                                                                                                                                             County             ~_-
    What's     causing     all this?     largest single classification in the   five-year period for the federal
                                                                                                                                   Phone                    _
 Obviously, inflation is a key
 factor. Here's what the A.M. Best
                                         property and liability insurance
                                         industry.
                                                                               share of rail freight assistance.
                                                                               The federal share of continuing
                                                                                                                              -~---~~~~~-----------


PAGE 6                                                                MICHIGAN     FARM NEWS                                                              MARCH ., 1916
  Around the state
   with Farm Bureau
                                                                                        Harold Engel, Sjlginaw County Farm Bureau past president
                                                                                      discusses the history of the County Farm Bureau at a recent member
                                                                                      meeting. The evening was devoted to recognition of past county
                                                                                      leaders, reviewing bicentennial activities and ways members could
                                                                                      get involved in them.
     State Senator Gary Corbin (D- Clio) chats with district 5 Farm
   Bureau Director B-m Spike (right) at a Farm Bureau sponsored
   Legislative Seminar. Organized each year by MFB's public affairs
   division, the seminars bring together Farm Bureau members and
   their state legislators in an atmosphere of open discussion on the
   issues of the day. Farm Bureau members from all parts of the state
   may attend one of the seminars held in February and March.
                                                                                                                                                                         -r
                                                                                                    Hillsdale County Farm Bureau member Bob Dean (seated right)
                                                                                                  chairs a meeting of the counties "Citizens for Zoning" committee. Tbe
                                                                                                  non-partisan ~oup of farmers and city people was formed to support
                                                                                                  the counties current'''zoning ordinance which is under fire by a group
                                                                                                  totall.,. opposed to zoning of any kind. Farm Bureau members
                                                                                                  throughout the state are getting involved in such "local affairs." as
                                                                                                  they learn they can have innuence on local issues.
                                              ~
                                   A                        .JIIIIIII
                   Shoppers at Saginaw's Fashion Square Mall were treated to an
                 interesting mall display sponsored by Farm Bureau Women's Com-
                 mittees from Bay, Huron, Saginaw, Sanilac and Tuscola Counties. One
                 of the largest displays in the state, it featured commodities, field
                 equipment, and traditional crafts such as butter churning, spinning
                 cotton, and quilting.
                                                                                                                                                               1
                                                                                                   Stars of a new slide-tape presentation being developed by MFB's
                                                                                                Information and Public Relations division for the Women's Speakers
                                                                                                Bureau are two nlne-year-olds, Ted Cook and Paul Gracbek from
                                                                                                Lansing. The youngsters will portray city boys who make a trip to a
     Young Farmers from all parts of Michigan attended the Yoang                                modern farm aDd learn what farmiDg il really like. They are shown
   Farmers Leadership Conference in February to gain a greater un-                              recording the sound track of the presentation IDFarm Bareaul loud
   derstanding of the pUl'pOIeof Farm BIll'UII aDd the ImportaDt role                           st.cIio.
   they can play in the organizaUOIl.IDoae of the tralDiDgInlloal FIlI'ID
   Bureau Market Development Director Dr. Pa" KlDdJager esplalDed
   seme of the complexities 01 the commodity fatara markets.


tMARCH J~ W'l6                                                              MICHIGAN            J=ARM NEWS                                                                          PAGE 7
                        -
  Michigan Mar~etingOutlook
     CHERRY     MARKETING             William J. Maclean                       60c above the year's     low.          well below 10 million head in the    farms      in    1974.    Average
              ORDER                   District Horticultural Agent                It you are still holding most of    next 12 months should turn the       production per cow in 1975 ~was
    Real tart cherry growers and      Federal Building                         your wheat, I would suggest you industry back around to a more              10,354pounds, an increase of 54
 handlers in eight states, in-        Hart, MI. 49420                          watch the markets very closely stable and predictable
                                                                              ...                                                                   meat   pounds from 1974.
 cluding Michigan,       will vote                                            Jor a time to sell a large part of sUJi)plybased on cattle numbers              Milk prices in January 1976,
 March 1-10 on whether to con-        Glen C. Antle                            this year's crop.                      in our feed lots. There are three    dropped about 10 cents per
 tinue the federal      marketing     District Marketing Agent                    Keep in mind that the price can major points to wa tch in the            hundred weight. This could be the
 order. The marketing         order   107 County Court House                   go down as easily as up and one cattle industry that will tend to           beginning of w,hat some experts
 provides for the establishment of    St. Joseph, MI. 49085                    good rain in the drought' area of dictate our prices.                       predict to be a more than normal
 a reserve pool of cherries during                                             the plains could change the price         Our cattle feeders must not       seasonal downward trend in milk
 years of excessive production.       George A. McManus, Jr.                   picture overnight.                     play the waiting game and should     prices.
 Reserve (frozen) cherries are        County Extension Director                Tom Reed, Marketing Specialist         keep their feed lots current,           Some things for dairy farmers
 returned to marketing channels       420 Boardman Ave.                        Market     Development      Division   selling when the cattle are          to watch in 1976 are the milk-feed
 during low production years or       Traverse City, MI. 49684                                                        finished.                            price ratio, slaughter cow prices,
 periods of lessened availability.    Dr. Paul E. Kindinger,     Director                     BEEF                       Our meat imports must be kept     crop estimates,      consumption
 This helps stabilize supplies,        Market    Development      Division        According      to preliminary                                            trends, and stocks of butter,
                                                                               figures, imports in 1975came to 1      to  a reasonable level to assure
 thus, attempting      to prevent                                                                                     that we are not flooded with all of  cheese, and nonfat dry milk.
 shortages     and gluts on the                     WHEAT                      billion 209 million pounds of beef.                                         Bernie Bishop
                                                                                                                      our neighbors problems in one
 market.                            .   The dry weather in the western         That's 29 million pounds more                                               ;\Iarket   Development     Division
    Cherry growers in Michigan        wheat states       of Oklahoma,          than had been scheduled and 27 year.
                                                                                                                         Our cow slaughter will have to
 who were engaged           in the    Kansas, Texas, and fringes of            million above the level which                                                            POULTRY
                                                                                                                      slow up and this will only happen
 production of cherries for market    other states stretching into Iowa        should have triggered formal                                                   The cash egg market recovered
                                                                                                                      when the nations ranchers are
 in canned, frozen, or other          have been in the news a great            import tJuotas if the excess had                                            slightly    toward the end of
                                                                                                                      convinced there is a profit in
 processed form during the period     deal in the past 10 days.                been apparent earlier.                                                      January,      but has      slipped
                                                                                                                      sight for their operations.
 from May 1, 1975 through               The loss estimates range from             The U.S. Department             of                                       downward in February. Future
                                                                                                                         If these things ha ppen and I
 January 31, 1976 are eligible to     175,000,000 to 200 million bushels.      Agriculture recorded a record                                               prices indicate egg prices will
                                                                                                                       predict that they will, we will see
 vote. Handlers who during the        There is no doubt that there is a        high commercial cattle and calf                                             confinue to soften for the next
                                                                                                                       a much improved industry with
 same period, canned, froze, or       grea t deal of damage           and      slaughter during 1975 of 46.1                                               three or four months.
                                                                                                                       profit potential for all segments
 otherwise converted       cherries   probably     substantial    losses,      million head, up 16 percent from                                            . Additional selling activity is
                                                                                                                       in the next 24 months .
 produced in the production area      especially if they don't receive       . 1974.                                                                       resulting from more attractive
                                                                                  These facts may be interpreted       Tom Reed, Marketing Specialist      retail   prices.   However.      the
 into a processed product, are also   any rain in the next couple of
                                                                               to mean several things but most         Market      Development    Division volum~ is not enough to offset the
 eligible to vote.                    weeks.
    Ballots and voting instructions      As I am sure most of you              analysts agree that they do point                                           increased production which is
 should be mailed to all known        already know, each year our              to better times ahead for the                            DAIRY              resulting in wholesale inventories
 cherry growers and handlers          crops are lost several times             cattle    industry.     The State         Total milk production for 1975 which are now at 513.300cases as
 meeting the above requirements       before they actually are in the bin      Department is in the process of        was 115,485million pounds. This compared to 498,000cases a year
 by March 1, 1976. If you meet the    through one disaster or another. I       negotiating 1976 import levels in       is slightly       lower than 1974 ago.
 eligibility requirements but do      am not trying to make light of the       talks with major meat exporting         production. Howeve.r, it must be
                                                                               nations. USDA is urging the State       noted then production in each of       Feed costs in the coming
 not receive a ballot, contact one    situation we are now facing; but I
 of the .following individuals:       am trying to remind you that the         Department to design the 1976           the last four months of 1975 ex- . months will be influenced by the
                                                                               program          with      stronger     ceeded production in the same       weather in the west and south-
                                      only thing we are really sure of at
 G~orge B. Dever, Jr.                 this point is that our wheat             safeguards         against     over-    months of 1974. At the same time west.
 AMS - U.S.D.A.                       market has been very active and          shipment. This coupled with the         the number of milk cows in .1975     Bernie Bishop
 2530 South Building                  much improved this past week.            fact that cow slaughter             is  dropped 0.6 percent from the Market            Development     Division
 Washington, D. C. 20250              At this writing, we have climbed         declining and is expected to be         annual average of milk cows on Michigan Farm Bureau
                                                         Important dates for:
                            Michigan &rmBureauMembers
                                                             You can join                             Your coverage
                                                              Blue Cross & Blue Shield                will be effective
                                                             up to                                    be~inning
                                                                                                      Thursday
                                                                                                       May 20
                                   Mem bership in Michigan                    . If you are already enrolled
                                                                                                                           ••
                             Farm Bureau offers you very                 in the Farm Bureau's Blue Cross
                             valuable benefits in the form of            and Blue Shield Group Plan,
                             Blue Cross and Blue Shield                  now is the time to make any
                             Group Coverage. Coverage                    changes in your coverage. I f you
                                                                                                                              Blue Cross
                                                                                                                                              .8
                             which provides the bes t possi ble          don't belong, and you are
                                                                                                                               Blue Shield
                             health care protection for YOU'             eligible, now is the time to join                     01 Michigan
                             and your dependen ts at reason-             - before the enrollment period
                                                                         ends.
                                                                                                                            Belonging             good thing to do
                             able group rates.


PAGE 8                                                                   MLCHIGAN FARM NEWS                                                              MARCH 1, 1976
   Special.
   m'embership
  rally
                                                                                                          coverage of the special membersbip meeting was
     MFB President Elton Smitb looks on as Secretary Butz handles
  questions from tbe press.
             Heritage of 76 Tours
                          July 24- August 1, 1976
                             August 14-22,1976
                           September 11-18,1976
                    (Depart and return from Detroit)
                           TOUR ITINERARY
 Saturday - Fly American Airlines non-stop from Detroit to Boston.
                                                                                                            County Presidents at the membership rally received so~e special
 Sunday - Tour of Boston, Bunkerhill, Frigate Constitution, Lexington                                     Hawaiian courtesies. AFBF annual meeting :will be held ID Hawaii
and Concord.                                                                                              next year.
 Monday - Tour to Plymouth, Plymouth Rock, library of John Q.
Adams and birthplace of John Hancock.
Tuesday - Fly to Philadelphia to visit the restored buildings and sights
of America's birthplace of liberty and freedom. Tour Valley Forge
enroute to Arlington, Virginia.
Wednesday - Sightseeing to include government buildings with stop at
the Whitehouse and Mt. Vernon.
Thursday - Entire day at leisure for you to visit Smitsonian Institute,
Library of Congress, etc.
Friday - Special buses to Williamsburg, Va. Tickets provided for visit
to attractions.
Saturday - Devoted to visiting new Busch Gardens outside William-
sburg.
Friday - No plans for morning. Depart in afternoon for Washington,
D.C. and flight to Detroit.
                             COSTOF TOUR
$440.24 per person from Detroit.
                                                                              Over 600 entbusiastic membership worken packed the Lansing
Cost includes air transportation as outlined based on minimum group          Hilton to bear tbe Secretary 01 Agriculture.
10rates in effect November 15, 1975,possibly subject to slight change;
all transfers; sightseeing; baggage handling for one suitcase per
person for entire trip; tips to sightseeing drivers; hotels based on two
people sharing twin bedded room. Single room higher. Not included is
meals, items of a personal nature such as room service, telephone
calls, laundry, etc.
                       RESERVATION        REQUEST
Please enter my reservation for the 1976 Michigan Farm Bureau
Bicentennial Tour. Enclosed is my check made out to Hoosier Travel
Service, Inc., in the amount of $75.00 deposit for each reservation. I
understand I will be billed for the balance of the tour according to the
schedule contained in this.
  NAME                                                              _
  ADDRESS                                                            _
  Zip code                         Telephone                         _
                                                                                                            Farm Bureau members enjoyed the Butl sease of bumor.


 MARCH         1~ 1976                                                   MICHIGAN FARM NEWS                                                                                        PAGE 9
                                                   HAWAII '77
                                       A'.F.B.F. CONVENTION PLANS FOR
                                  MICHIGAN FARM BUREA U MEMBERS
 Have a Hawaiian Holiday! The 58th Annual American               GROUND PACKAGE consists of 7 nights                           TUESDAY, JANUARY 18
 Farm Bureau Federation Convention will be held in           occupancy of hotel room based on two people                       Visit the Parker Ranch, the largest ranch in the United
 Honolulu, Hawaii in January 1977.In conjunction with                                                                          States. There will be a briefing at their theater and then a
this, Michigan Farm Bureau has put together an Hawaii        sharing twin rooms (single rooms higher),                         program by employees of the ranch.
Convention tour for Michigan Farm Bureau members. To         transfers, Lei greeting, baggage handling of
be eligible to go on the tour, yoo need only be a 1976       not more than two pieces per person, welcome                      WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19
Michigan Farm Bureau member. DUE TO' THE                     breakfast, city sightseeing tour and cost of                      Travel from the Kona area to Hila, going past coffee trees
 LIMITED SPACEAVAILABLE. RESERVATIONS WILL                                                                                     and seeing the many lava flows. some still smoking in the
 BE ACCEPTED ON A F,IRST COME FIRST SERVED
                                                             shuttle bus to convention center. Two
                                                                                                                               Hawaii National Park. A chance to visit a macadamia nut
BASIS. ApplicatiOns invalid without accompanying             cat~gori~s of rooms are available at each                         farm and see the fabulous Hawaii orchids.
deposit. Reservations may not be made by telephone.          hotel and will be assigned on a first come .
                                                             first serve basis. Ground package cost $203.00                    THURSDAY, JANUARYW
                                                             per person.                                                       Today the group will be flown from Hilo to Honolulu to
     MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU                                                                                                      connect with the flight home.
                                                                 (All costs based on rates quoted as of
           A.F.B.F. CONVENTION                               January 1, 1976and may be increased slightly                      FRIDAY, JANUARY 21
                                                             before departure. Any such increases will be                      Arrive, Chicago and transfer to the flight to your home
  HAWAII CHARTER PROGRAM                                     reflected in your final billing.)                                 airport.
OPTION NO.1, Jan. 6-Jan. 14, 19n                                                                                                .
                                                                                                                               COSTOF TOUR IS AS FOLLOWS:
                                                                                                                               lansing .. '" "        '" '" " . "         $653.79per person
 THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
 United Airlines chartered stretch - 8 holding 223
                                                                         POST CONVENTION                                       Grand Rapids                               $650.68 per person
passengers will leave from Grand Rapids and another                   OUTER ISLAND TOUR -                                      Saginaw        "                 ". "      $660.02 per person
from Detroit this morning to Honolulu, Hawaii arriving in                                                                      Muskegon                      "            $649.12per person
mid-afternoon, Hawaii time. Transfer to either Waikiki            Three Islands of Kauai, Maui                                 Detroit                                    $661.06 per person
Village Hotel or Reef Tower Hotel. Hotels are within a                                                                         Flint                             "        $660.02 per person
                                                                                                                               South Bend                                 $643.42per person
block of each other and located approximately one block'                         and Hawaii                                    Chicago                             '      $616.73per person
from the beach.
                                                              OPTION NO2, JAN. 6 - JAN. 21, 19n
 FRIDAY, JANUARY 7                                           Tour participants of the Outer Island Tour will depart
                                                                                                                                 Cost of tour includes transfers, baggage
A breakfast for the entire group for a briefing on optional  from home.airports on Thursday, January 6, for flights           handling, sightseeing as listed, hotels based on
tours available during the stay in Hawaii. In afternoon the   into Chicago, connecting with Hawaii flights. Upon              two people sharing twin bedded room, inter-
entire group will tour the city of Honolulu to include Mt.   arrival, transfer to your convention hotel for program         , island air transportation. Add to above cost of
Tantalus and Punchbowl, the National Cemetery of the         same as that of charter group.
 Pacific.
                                                                                                                              Honolulu Ground Package as shown for hotel
                                                              THURSDAY, JANUARY 13                                            chosen in listing for charter tour package.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8                                           Fly from Honolulu to lihue, Island of KauaL This af-
Available for personal plans or optional tours.              ternoon there will be a sightseeing trip of the Lihue area to     HOW TO MAKE A RESERVATION
                                                             include boat frip on the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto.         Each reservation must be accompanied by a deposit of.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9                                                                                                             $100.00 per person in order to hold space.
Shuttle bus service available to the conveMior:1center for    FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
~         servi.cesthis evening.                      ~ ..-. rn~niorning a beautiful trip to the Waiamea Canyon, the           Final payment due 60 days prior to departure.
                                                             "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" continuing- on to Poipu
MONDAY, JANUARY 10                                            Beachto view the Spouting Horn. Afternoon at leisure.           CANCELLATION POLICY
Shuttle bus service available to the convention center for                                                                    Full refund to be made for cancellations received 60 days
General Sessionmeetings in the morning, to conference         SATURDAY, JANUARY 15                                            prior to departure. $25.00per person charge for can-
hotels in the afternoon and to the International Center for  Fly to the Island of MauL On arrival visit a typical             cellations made between 45 and 60 days prior to depar-
the talent program this evening.                             Hawaiian farm.                                                   ture. SSO.OO per person charge made for cancellations
                                                                                                                              received 30 to 4S days before departure. Cancellations
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11                            ,             SUNDAY, JANUARY 16                                               received lessthan 30days prior to departure full air share
Shuttle busesavailab:~ to the General Sessionat Honolulu      In morning a trip up the slopes of Mt. Haleakala for a          not refundable unless seat is resold, in which case there
 International Center thl:i ~orning and again this evening   gorgeous view of the Island of Maui and the surrounding          would be a SSO.oo per person cancellation fee.
for Recognition and Awards Program. Businesssession is       Pacific Ocean. Balance of the day at leisure.
to be held at Sheraton Waikiki Hotel approximately one                                                                         Early reservations are essential since this is the high
block from your hotels. Balance of time for personal plans   MONDAY, JANUARY 17                                               winter season in Hawaii and hotel rooms are at a
or optional tours.                                           Morning flight to Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii.              premium. All unsold hotel spaces are automatically
                                                             Balance of day free for individual plans.                        released 40 days prior to departure.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
 Entire day for personal plans and-or optional tours.
                                                                                                                RESERVATION REQUEST
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
ALl baggage returning to the states must undergo                          NAME(S)                                                                                                _
agricultural     inspection; consequently, arrangements
have been made for inspectors to check the baggageat the
hotel before it is transferred to the airport. In midaf-
ternoon transfer to the Honolulu Airport for the departure                ADDRESS                                                                                                  _
flight home.
                                                                                      __________________                                        ZIP CODE                           _
 FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Arrive Grand Rapids or Detroit.
                                                                          TELEPHONE NUMBER                                                                                       _
                   COST OF TOUR
                                                                          COUNTY OF MEMBERSHIP                                                  --:-                             _
     From Grand Rapids - $509.77
             From Detroit $514.37                                        DATE JOINED FARM BUREAU                                                       _
                (Including Air and Ground)
     AIR TRANSPORTATION is based on all                                  I(WE) Desire Option Tour No. 1                    , Option Tour No. 2                 _
  seats of each airplane being utilized and each
  person paying a pro-rata share of the aircraft                         I (WE)    desire to depart from        Grand   Rapids              , Flint             ,Saginaw             '
  cost which is 5306.77 from Grand Rapids or
  $311.31from Detroit per person. Should less                            Detroit           , Muskegon              , lansing             , Chicago           _
  than 223persons use the charter, government
  regulations require that the cost be re-                           Extension tours to either the Orient (Japan,                    Mail request with deposit check to:
  prorated with each person paying an equal                       Formosa and Hong Kong) and Down Under
  shal e of the total cost. Charters are only                      (Australia, New Zealand and Fiii) are being
                                                                                                                                           MR. KENNETH P. WILES
  available to Farm Bureau members, spouses,                       planned. Please check below if you are in-                              Michigan Farm Bureau
  en ildren and-or parents living within the same                  terested in either of these tours.                                      P.O. Box 960
  household, and having been a member for at                                                                                               Lansing,     Michigan      48904
  least six months prior to departure of the                      Orient                 Down Under ------
  charter.


PAGE 10
                                                                                                                 efficiency by 15 percent.              any lower and a smart buyer can
                                                                                                                     CHEMICALS - Just about all          take advantage of the current
                                                                                                                 chemicals        are in adequate        sharp dip in ~ost.
                                                                                                                 supply, except Bladex sow and              Best selections of home gar-
        Supply                                                                   Report
                                                                                                                 certain corn rootworm materials.
                                                                                                                 There will be a production gap in
                                                                                                                                                         dening      equipment        such as
                                                                                                                                                         rototillers and lawn mowers are
                                                                                                                 the manufacturer of Thimet 15G. available now. If the same in-
                                                                                                                                                         terest in home gardening is ex-
                                                                                                                 This will put pressure             on
                                                                                                                 Furadan with a possible backlash        perienced this year as last,
                                                                                                                 into spot shortages at planting         supplies will again be cleaned out
                                                                                                                 time. Deliveries of chemicals are       at the dealer level.
                                                 . By Greg Sheffield                                             orderly. Farm Bureau Services'             F ARM TRACTOR             TIRES      -
   GENERAL - All Farm Bureau            Farm Bureau Services,            are  the best result from your land.    dealers will be in their best           There's a big strike of rubber
dealers are devoting their time lagging behind last year. Some of                                                supply po~ition, overall, for the       workers anticipated due to the
                                                                                FEEDS    - Meetings are con-
now to preparing for what looks this has been due to cold and tinuing' on through February                       last three years.                       expiration of their contract this
like the greatest spring rush to snowy weather. With the large sponsored                                             SEEDS       - Although     Farm     April. The industry nationwide is
                                                                                           by Farm Bureau
planting in many years. Farmers         planting intentions for corn and Services. These feed meetings           Bureau Services has sold all of its . bracing themselves for this strike
looki~g to a downturn of prices on other grains, and the lack of early cover many feeding aspects of             original production contract of right at the time that tires are in
supplIes appear to be holding off . order taking, a seasonal shortage        dairytng and swine. They offer      the new Weevlchek alfalfa, an           the biggest demand for spring.
on ordering their needs early. due to transportation                 is an- farmers a unique opportunity to      additional supply has been ob- We are advising our dealers to
Consequently there will be some ticipated.            Farmers        should purchase Farm Bureau feeds           tained through another member           build their inventories of tires.
disappointment       on deliveries,    oonsider putting in there needs in with the cooperation of their          of Farmers Forge Research. This         Now would be the best time for
sin~e all supplies can not be the next 30 days while supplies dealer. Feeds and animal health                    excellent yielding, wilt resistant      farmers to order large tractor
delIvered at once. At present, are readily available, and at products will be booked for 60                      variety is again available on a         tires. These tractor tires have
good inventories of all supplies prices lower than last year in days from the time of the meeting                first come, first served basis. _       been hard to come by in many_
are a vailable through Farm            order to assure          themsel'ves  at guaranteed prices. If prices go      Farmers      have shown great       sizes and the present availability
Bureau .dealers: Farmers who product when needed. Locally up, farmers don't pay more; if                         interest in Vernal alfalfa too,         should not be allowed to slip by.
take theIr supphes early will not fertilizers could be bid up in price .prices decline, farmers get the          with a tightening supply that may          TIRES,      BATTERIES           AND
put themselves in competition at the last minute not because of benefit of the decline. Feeds are                be temporary, and a pron,ounced          ACCESSORIES         - Truck tires,
with the numerous other farmers        real shortages, but because of in good supply and Farm Bureau             jump in price. All Canadian             passenger tires, and other tires,
who have delayed orders this lack of means to serve so many Services is selling feeds at a                       clover seeds have tightened up          as well as batteries and ac-
year. Prices on most items have farmers at once. Farmers who rapid                    pace.    Animal    health  considerably in supply. The once        cessories such as filters, are all
come down from what they were did not put on enaugh fertilizer               products are also in excellent      plentiful early offerings are used. being booked              by Farmers
la~t yea.r. It is doubtful that because of the high prices of supply and reasonably priced.                      up, and the remaining supply is          Petroleum      dealers in special
prIces wIll go down further once fertilizers last year                should    Rumensin, a new feed additive     being held by western growers          programs for farmers before
the great .expected . demand           consider additional usage this from Elanco, is available from              for advanced prices. Pasture           spring. Not only will prices be
before plantmg comes m.                year because of price, and to Farm Bureau Services' dealers                grasses remain plentiful and are       better, but buying at this time
  FERTILIZER           - Farmer's      i":lprove their yields. Soil testing mixed in Farm Bureau beef             favorably prices. At this time          can avoid possible delays, and
orders to dealers. and in turn to is suggested, if you expect to get feeds. It is said to increase feed           there are no supply problems            problems later. Again:the spring
                                                                                                                  anticipated 'for oats, soybeans or      rush is expected to cause some
                                                                                                                  hybrid corn seeds. However,             problems later. Again, the spring
                                                                                                                  there are a few varieties and           rush is expected to cause some
                                                                                                                  kernel sizes of seed corn that          problems of work congestion
                                                                                                                  have been sold out.                     during the spring.
                                                                                                                      HARDWARE                   Lodge       LIQUID FUEL - Liquid fuel
                                                                                                                  buildings,       the new portable       supplies are more than adequate
                                                                                                                  building concept for raising            and it looks like a simple matter
                                                                                                                  livestock, have achieved much           of keeping farm storage tanks
                                                                                                                  interest from farmers and can be supplied.
                                                                                                                  obtained through Farm Bureau               ON-THE-F ARM TIRE              SER-
                                                                                                                  dealers. The convenience and            VICE             Many        Farmers
                                                                                                                  profit making potentials of these       Petroleum dealers are now set up
                                                                                                                  unique buildings have strong            to give you on-the-farm tire
                                                                                                                  appeal to Michigan livestock            service. Dealers can come out
                                                                                                                  farmers. If you raise dairy calves      and check all your tire needs as
                                                                                                                  or swine, you should be aware of well as all your oil, grease, and
                                                                                                                  the advantages         of this new      fuel projections for spring. In this
                                                                                                                  system. Farm Bureau dealers             way you will be able to enjoy
                                                                                                                  will be leaving this month to visit     uninterrupted work during the
                                                                                                                  our manufacturing facilities in busy planting season. So, ask
                                                                                                                  Goshen, Indiana, and attend a about this service and ~~
                                                                                                                  seminar on the lodge building . early.                              --
                                                                                                                  concept.                                   REFINERY        PURCHASED            -
                                                                                                                      The Farm Bureau building            .Farmers Petroleum Cooperative
                                                                                                                  centers are experiencing a large        and     eight     other       regional
                                                                                                                  increase in inquiries. Farmers          cooperatives, have joined in the
                                                                                                                  planning spring buildings should        purchase of a refinery. With this
                                                                                                                  get their estimates as soon as          purchase      farmers      now have
                                                                                                                  possible. There has been great          access to their own refinery
                                                                                                                  increase in building supplies ,facilities outside of Chicago. The
                                                                                                                  interest from the expansion of all      purchase, from Atlantic Rich-
                                                                                                                   types of buildings for livestock,      field Oil Company, has a daily
                                                                                                                  machinery, and storage. Twine is capacity of 126,000 barrels per
                                                                                                                  now selling at grea tly reduced         day. While fuels manufactured
                                                                                                                  prices ..                               by its new refinery are expected
                                                                                                                " Buy twine now for harvest later         to arrive shortly after the pur-
                                                                                                                  on, as some increases            are    chase effective date of April 1,
                                                                                                                  already evident although Farm            1976, Farmers      Petroleum will
                                                                                                                   Bureau dealers are holding the         still    maintain       its     supply
                                                                                                                   line with very low prices. It's        relationship with their current
            Sows and pigs need special protection from damp, cofd,                                                doubtful that twine prices will get     suppliers.
            and drafty conditions. And they get that protection from the
            new SOW lODGE portable farrowing building by Universal.
            The SOW lODGE provides them with a comfortable,
            totally-controlled environment that can mean more
                                                                                  Tender                                 Blue Cross/Blue Shield re-opening
            comfortable sows, thriftier pigs and more pigs wean~             loving care                                 Attention, Farm Bureau members!
            per litter.
                 The SOW lODGE is ready to go to work as soon as it's
            delivered. Farrowing stalls, waterers, feeders, ventilation
                                                                                 f~!:&
                                                                                 sows       pigs
                                                                                                                         March 1-15are special dates for you to think about. This is the
                                                                                                                       time for the annual Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan
                                                                                                                       reopening.
            and heaters are all installed. There's even a manure pit built
                                                                                                                          If you already have Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage, you
            into the unit. All you do is hook it up to electricity and water
                                                                                                                       can renew your coverage for next year. This is also the time you
            and it's ready for your sows. And the SOW LODGE is                                                         may add your 19-25year olds who are still dependent on you for
            engineered for exceptional strength and many long years                                                    support. And most important, if you become married or had a
            of service. Ask us about the SOW LODGE and other                                                           ~hild during the year and didn't add them to your contract
            portable lODGES for finishing hogs, pigs, and calves.                                                      within the allowed 30 day period, you may add them to your
                                                                                                                       contract at this time.
                                                                                                                          Call or see your local Farm Bureau secretary to take care of
                                                                                                                       any of these details.
                                                                                                                          If you do not have Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage, why
                      CONTACT            YOUR        LOCAL          FARM     BUREAU                                    not consider joining at this time? It is the best health care
                                                                                                                       protection available to you and you can get it at group rates
                                          BUILDING            CENTER                                                   because you are a Farm Bureau member.
                                                                                                                          For further details on the coverage available to you, see or
                                                                                                                       call your Farm Bureau secretary.


                                                     MtCHIGAN     FARM NEWS   r PAGE 11
Ask your Farm Bureau Services dealer a question about
today's farming methods ... he'll either have the answer right
away, or he11 find out for'you fast. He can draw on the services
of such specialized Farm Bureau experts as a seed specialist,
agronomist, veterinarian, nutritionist, agricultural engineer,
farm fuel specialist, chemicals specialist and grain and bean
marketing specialists.
He is also' backed by seven cooperative research farms all over the
country, an international €OOpe6atlve-owned fertilizer #)mpany,
and shipping experts ... all working to develop more rewarding and
easier farming methods for you.
As modem agriculture finds better ways of doing things, find out
about them from us, the Farm Bureau people.
For an informative brochure on Farm Bureau Services and
Farmers Petroleum, write: Farm Bureau Services/Farmers
Petroleum Marketing Services Division, Box 960, Lan~ing, MI 48904.
ASKTH£
FARM IJlJR£AlJ
PEOP~£
                                                                            II1I1I


   PAGE 12                                                                  MICHIGAN            FARM NEWS                                                                      MARCH 1, 1976
  Blue CrosslBlue Shield looks to cut costs
     We have reached the point       and the general public.                 are developed, why do they tend        bulatory surgery? Are we overly            report, witn a IS-page cover
  where cost is of equal con-           "In the past," McCabe said,          to become routine, add-on, or          'blemish' and 'gimmick' con-               letter, on some of the measures
  sideration with the quality of     "when making decisions about            screening procedures - rather          scious?                                    taken to contain costs.
  health care, John C. McCabe,       patient     care, hospitals     and     than     substitutes      for other       "On       malpractice:        Could        In the letter, Murphy said that
  president of Blue Cross and Blue   physicians have quite properly          procedures? Why aren't we more         physician exposure be reduced              in another effort to avoid un-
  Shield of Michigan, said today.    put the emphasis on providing the       selective?                             by better patient relationships?           necessary hospitalization,            all
     In a dinner speech before the   best care possible.          Unfor-        "Why        has     the      ready  By more informed consent?"                 participating        hospitals     were
  Oakland County Medical Society     tuna tely , this has led to ironic      availability of low~ost clinical          McCabe said that the time has           notified that they must im-
  at the Kingsley Inn in Bloomfield  results, in that the greater the        lab services resulted not in           arrived when everyone must play            plement and maintain a system
  Hills, McCabe said:                response to rising public demand       savings to the patient but unusual      a role in health care costs con-           of concurrent review for all Blue
     "Blue Cross-Blue Shield has     for services, the greater the cost      increases in utilization?              tainment.                                   Cross-Blue       Shield      patients.
  embarked on a series of steps -    problem has become. -                     "Are we cost conscious about            In addition to physicians and            Concurrent review means that
  many unprecedented,         many      "With costs -now claiming an        hospital stays, speeding up the         hospitals -- who must continue to           each patient's h~pital stay is
  unpopular - that attempt to deal   equal priority in public policy and    process wherever possible, and          work actively         on their own          examined on a planned basis
  with the growing problem of        individual concern, costs must be      making maximum use of am-               against cost escalation through             during the 'Stay to assure the need
  costs, in a way that will involve  given equal priority        by the     bulatory diagnostic services?           the reduction of overbedding,               for hospital care.
  patients, physicians, hospitals    providers of care -- as difficult         "Is the inaccessability           of maximum efficiency and oc-                     "In another cost containment
  and insurance organizations."      and unpleasant as it may seem.         physicians the main ~reason for         cupancy and the avoidance of                move," Murphy explained, "we
     He said that although Blue         "In other words, we must learn       the misuse and abuse of ex-            duplication, unnecessary          com-      have made mandatory for all
  Cross-Blue Shield has been in-     to say, 'No,' more often, more         pensive      hospital     emergency     petition, and "empire building" -           groups our coordination                of
- volved in cost containment ac-     firmly, and more convincingly."        rooms? Are we forcing patients          he said the public also must do             benefits    p"rogram, which is
  tivities since the 1940's, new        In this first of a series of        to     use      them       for     non- more to control costs.                      designed to eliminate duplicate
  pressures now are being exerted.   speeches by Blue Cross-Blue            emergencies?                                "They can," he explained,               payment for health care when an
  These come, he said, from          Shield executives before county           "How often are tests repeated        "take better care of themselves,            individual has more ~an one
  journalists,  academicians     and medical societies throughout           when prior results are already          moderate demands for ever-                  kind of health care protection or
  researchers;             labor     Michigan, McCabe asked the             available?                              broader        coverage,      ask for       insurance. "
  organizations; major purchasers    physicians such questions as:             "Why       is there        such    a generic prescription drugs, pay
  of health insurance; politicians,     "As more expensive techniques       significant      increase      in am-   more        attention       to    their       Donald       F.     Ephlin,      ad-
                                                                                                                    physicians, and go home from the           ministrative       assistant    to the
                                                                                                                    hospital when it's suggested that          president of the United Auto
                                                                                                                    they do so."                               Workers and a member of the
                                                                                                                       McCabe detailed some of the             board's Executive Committee,
                                                                                                                    cost containment steps taken               added:
                                                                                                                    recently by the five-million-                 "In all these programs, the
                                                                                                                    member he-alth care plan.                  compromises         mean that the
                                                                                                                       On November           19, the 48-       sacrifices are tough, but at least
                                                                      reap the benefits                             member,         publicly-dominated         they're      being       shared       by
                                                                                                                    Blue Cross-Blue Shield Board of            everyone. During 1976,we plan to
                                                                      of fully conditioned                          Directors placed one-year cost             increase     our efforts toward
                                                                      soft water during this                        caps on hospitals and physicians.          finding a more equitable, long-
                                                                      special sale event                            The board placed a cost increase           term solution to the health care
                                                                                                                    limit of 10 percent on hospital            cost problem."
                                                                                                                    inpatient reimbursement in 1976,              Robert      E.      Braden,       ad-
                                                                                                                    using 1975as the base. The board           ministrative       director     of the
                                                                                                                    froze physicians' fees, except for         Michigan Farm Bureau and
                                                                                                                    those who had not increased fees           chairman of the board's Con-
                                                                                                                    since Federal controls were lifted         sumer Relations           Committee,
                                                                                                                    irt-ApFil of 197-4.         "              said:
                                                                                                                       Other Blue Cross-Blue Shield               "For years, Blue Cross and
                                                              save money now                                        cost review procedures, many of            Blue Shield have been the only
                                                                                                                    them dating back to the 1940's,            private health insurance carrier
                                                                 on OUR BEST
                                                     ca.ap
                                                                                                                    are       being     applied      more      doing anything about costs. Now
                                                                                                                    stringently.                               everyone       realizes      that the
                                                                                                                       Last week, Blue Cross-Blue              dramatic inflation in health care
                                                                                                                    Shield Senior Vice President and           costs cannot continue, and that
                                                                                                                    General        Counsel Joseph        A.    we all must share in the
                                                                                                                    Murphy, Jr., sent to the Michigan          responsibility for solving this
                                                      Automatic Water Conditioner                                   Insurance        Bureau a lengthy          problem."
                                                      Model UC-XXX, 210,000
                                                      Weekly Grain Capacity
                                                                                                                                       o                                  A
                                                                                                                           QUESTION: What is the township Board of Review and how
                                                                                                                        can they help me if I feel my taxes are too high?
                                                                                                                           ANSWER: The Boards of Review normally meet on specific
                                                                                                                        dates and times during the first two weeks in March. The duties
                                                                                                                        and responsibilities of the Board of Review are to review the
                                                                                                                        work of the assessor for completeness; accuracy, uniformity;
                                                                                                                        and check for errors, injustices or other iniquities in the
                                                                                                                        assessing process.
                                                                                                                           An often expressed comment at many Boards of Review by
                                                                                                                        taxpayers goes something like the following: "I want to talk to
                                                                                                                        you about my taxes." As can be seen from the foregoing
                                                                                                                        description, the duties and responsibilities of the Board of
                                                                                                                         Review are specifically to review the assessment and not taxes
                                                                                                                         in total.
                                                                                                                           This is a seemingly technical but very important point. Taxes
                                                                                                                        are composed of two factors: 1. Assessment, and 2. Millage
                                                                                                                         Rate. The Board of Review has no control whatsoever over the
                                                                                                                         taxes an individual pays but can only address themselves to
                                                                                                                        accurate assessing of the property in question.
                                                                                                                           In most townships, a Board of Review is comprised of three
                                                                                                                         taxpaying residents who are not township officials or employes.
                                                                                                                        The members of the Board of Review are appointed by the
                                                                                                                         township board for two-year terms.
                                                                                                                           Taxpayers who are concerned about their total taxes should
                                                                                                                         include in their visits not only to the Board of Review but various
                                                                                                                        other local meetings such as the Township Annual Meeting,
                                                                                       F.m   eon-   Rrwt                 which by law is scheduled for early April; School Board
          Order From                                                       wt..}fx,
          Your Reliable                                                    FaRm~                                         Meetings; County Commission Meetings and other units of
                                                                                                                        government which operate from funds derived from property
                                                                                                                         taxes.
          Farm Bureau Supplier                                            BUreaU
                                                                           FARM EIJAEALI 9EfMCE8. INC
                                                                                                                           Involvement is the responsibility and opportunity of all
                                                                                                                        citizens under our form of government. Involvement in local
                                                                                                                        government during this bicentennial year is most important to
      662                                                                                                                maintain our system of government.


MARCH 1, 1976                                                           MICHIGAN F A R M NEWS                                                                                                                       PAGE 13
        Michigan State Farmer's Week is March 22-26
   The nation's oldest, continuous   Outstanding poultrymen will be     Agriculture      and                 Natural                   sessions will be in Wells Hall,                 in the Brody complex.
farm oriented observance —           honored at an evening banquet at   Resources Distinguished Service                                Anthony Hall and Agricultural                        The Michigan FFA Convention
Michigan State University's          Kellogg Center.                    Awards will be given to three                                  Engineering.                                    banquet will be in Shaw Hall that
Farmers' Week - will be held           Wednesday begins the three-      outstanding Michigan residents.                                   A Thursday highlight will be                 night, while the state's top farm
March 22-26.                         day "MSU Natural Resources           A new addition to Farmers'                                   Michigan      Gov.     William                  managers will be honored during
   This year's theme, "Spirit with   Days" during which a wide range    Week also occurs on Wednesday -                                Milliken's comments during the                  the State Farm Management
a Purpose," emphasizes MSU           of Michigan's environmental        - a special program for small                                  annual Governor's Breakfast at                  banquet at Kellogg Center.
Cooperative Extension's              issues will be covered through     acreage and part-time farmers.                                 Kellogg Center. The day's                              Friday activities include the
leadership role in agriculture and   educational sessions. Subjects     This day-long session is in direct                             sessions continue MSU Natural                   Michigan State Rabbit Breeders
family living.          "Extension   will range from energy con-        response to requests over the                                  Resources programs featuring                    Association Exhibition, con-
specialists have been assisting      servation to endangered species.   past two years.                                                former Oregon governor Thomas                   tinuation of MSU Natural
Michigan residents through             During the President's Lun-        Topics include livestock care,                               McCall and Michigan House of                    Resources sessions, and a variety
educational programs since           cheon Wednesday noon at            cropping, machinery selection                                  Representatives Speaker Bobby                   of public and private association
Farmers' Week began 61 years         Kellogg Center, the College of     and gardening. The concurrent                                  Crim, during an evening banquet                 meetings.
ago," says Dr. Gordon Guyer,
MSU Extension director.
   "We are especially pleased we
can renew our strong and close                                                          -   ' . - •  ' • ' ; • ' :
                                                                                                                   . , ' : - , ' - : •  •               '  -   • . ' : - • - - ' • . '  • . ,   • - • . - -  '  - •
relationship with rural and urban
families during the week's ac-
tivities, while providing the
opportunity to bring clientele up
to date on our latest research
developments," he adds.
   The more than 165 educational
sessions featuring over 295
speakers, scores of MSU
departmental displays and the
virtual fair of commercial
exhibits worth more than $1
million, are intended for farmers
and nonfarmers alike.
   Monday's program comprises
dairy industry educational
programs and dairy breeds
association meetings. During a
noon luncheon at Kellogg Center,
Michigan's top dairy producers
will be honored.
   Tuesday's format consists of
animal husbandry, poultry
science, agricultural economics,
beekeeping and human nutrition
programs. A highlight of the
day's activities will be selecting
                                                                            Back to the basics
Michigan's 1976 Honey Queen.
                                                                      for better total profits
 Healthmobile                                                                                       Full Fertilization with one                           best maximize
                                                                                          of the many custom Farm                                         your per-acre
coming                                                                                    Bureau blends is a very good                                    yield.
   Local county Farm Bureaus
will be sponsoring a unique new                                                                                                                              Hurry-Up
program of preventive medicine                                                                                                                            starter Fertil-
using computers, advanced                                                                                                                                 izer will get
medical instrumentation, and a
self-contained mobile elinic.                                                                                                                             your crops
According to Robert Shepard,                         Full Fertilization will mean                                                                         growing
manager of member services,                       larger per-acre yields and                                                                              early this spring. These start-
the HEALTHMOBILE is geared                        higher total profits. But last                                                                          er fertilizers are a special
toward testing participants for                   year many farmers had to                                                                                formulation of N-P-K, plus
numerous health problems and
incipient diseases. Participation                 forget the basics because of                                                                             micro nutrients to insure
in the program is strictly                        fertilizer shortages. This year         way to get back to basics.                                      young healthier plants. Be
voluntary for our members and                     your Farm Bureau dealers                Your Farm Bureau dealer can                                     sure to include Hurry-Up
their dependents.                                 urge you to get back to the             plan a full fertilization pro-                                  Starter fertilizers in your Full
   After the HEALTHMOBILE is                      basics.                                 gram based on a soil test to                                    Fertilization program.
brought to a convenient parking
lot, each participant will be given
fifty tests in about one hour. Upon                                                       Where \bur Farm Comes Rrst
entering the computerized clinic,
a medical questionnaire is
reviewed with the receptionist
nurse. Then each participant is                                                           FaRrriri
                                                                                          Bureau
tested at various stations on such
instruments as an audiometer,
electrocardiograph, spirometer,
orthorater and tonometer. Four
computers back up the HEALTH-
MOBILE to analyze test results.
   Safeguards have been taken to
insure that the results are kept
confidential.        The     family
physician will receive the
detailed findings after a
pathologist reviews the thirty-                   Send for Farm Bureau's com-
nine blood and urine tests, a                     plete Metric Conversion             Don't Delay...
cardiologist reads each elec-                     Chart and Slide Rule. This
trocardiogram and an internist                    chart will be very helpful on
                                                  the farm for measuring. Fill in
                                                                                      Get your Free Metric Scale!
reviews the entire computer-
generated health profile.                         this coupon and mail to:            Name
    "Automated medical check-
ups done on a group basis are                         Farm Bureau Services            Address
very inexpensive compared to                               P.O. Box 960
individual testing. Preventive                      Lansing, Michigan 48904
medicine programs of this type                       Attention: John Sexson           Town                                                                               Zip
can           eliminate         long
 hospitalization at a later date and
catch numerous diseases that can
be treated at an early stage at the
family physician's office.


                                                                                                                                                                          MARCH 1,: 1~76,. ..
   Can farmers survive?
   This discussion topic attempts the impossible. Some six                           LOSS OF UNIQUENESS
months ago, the Discussion Topic Committee selected the
topic "Can Farmers Survive." Since that time I've nearly             Agriculture of the future may lose its uniqueness. In
worn my crystal ball out trying to envision the future. The      fact, it may be difficult to tell what is a farm and what is
following, with the help of the Economic Research Ser-           not. Farm production may be merged in an integrated
vice, is an attempt to look ahead to what the future holds       fashi~n with the acquisition of input items and with the
for agriculture.                                                 processing, transporting, financing, merchandising and
                                                                 consumption of the product.                              '
                      NEW PROBLEMS
                                                                     For the first 200years as a nation we flocked to the city.
   History tells how the American farmer survived and            For the next 200 years we probably will look toward the
prospered, using methods he did not foresee, to overcome         country as a place to live. Its warmer personal
                                                                 relationships, cleaner air and water, greater privacy, and
obstacles he could not anticipate. He transformed a
                                                                 greater social stability will look better and better as the
~il.derness int~ an agricultural plant of unparralled ef-
flclency. But, hIS problems today seem no less formidable        years pass.
than those of 1776.                                                  In the future the "City Limits" signs may have lost their
   T~ey are different problems, of course; pollution of the      si~nificance. They may well mark a boundary between
envlr0!1ment, thre~tened shortages of energy and raw             umts of government, with limited social and economic
mate~als, a g!'owmg world population pressing on food            distinctions.
supplIes, the pace of technological change. In addition, we
are warned of new ice ages to come, or of encroaching                An important institutional change which may occur in
deserts. And there is the under-lying fear of nuclear            the years ahead is the capacity to manage our system of
holocaust.                                                       money and credit-so as to check or at least reduce the rate
   Undoubtedly, our view of the future also is influenced by     of inflation now rampant and worldwide.
present circumstances, some of them no doubt transitory.
Although we have vastly greater information resources to              Probably much sooner than many would like, no one
draw on, the future will yield its secret no more willingly       will be able to buy a pound of butter or a quart of milk or a
than in the past.                                          .      bushel of wheat anywhere in the U.S. We will be on the .
                                                                   metric system - these produ.cts will be sold by the
                     FEAR OF FAILURE                              kilogram and liter.
   But fear of failure sbould not deter us. Forcasting is a                              GOVERNMENT
necessary part of the business of living. Our pl~s and the                               INVOLVEMENT
things we do to realize them assume that the con-
sequences ~f our efforts are predictable, even while                 For the commodity programs in agriculture, the recent
                                                                                                                                  which the highest rates in the country are paid. Their
acknowledgIng that our foresight is less reliable than our        trend has been away from strong government decision
                                                                                                                                  spill-over effect influences agriculture wages. The farmer
hindsight. A bad guess is a part of the game.                     making and in the direction of market orientation.              has to cope with higher wages which are more difficult to
   Let's begin on the side of the optimists. Scientists tell us   Hopefully it may be that the high tide of government in-
                                                                                                                                  affo!"d in the face of his market returns and other costs "
that the ~orld probably is some 4 billion years old, that         volvement in the production and pricing of farm products        Kruger says.                                              '
human bemgs have been on the earth for perhaps 5 million          is passed and that the years ahead will see commodity
yea~s, and that agriculture began about 10,000 years ago.         policies more nearly in keeping with the long tradition of         "A third factor has been the legislation which has
So, It seems reasonable to project that during the next 200       our country.                                                    placed restrictions on farmers which have added to the
years, hardly an eyeblink in the context of time the world                                                                        costs of farm operations. These include workmen's
will neither freeze nor fry nor chose nor starv~ nor blow             Those engaged in the production of food and fiber must      compensation, minimum wages, Occupational Safety and
itself up.                                                        be alert and concerned with the courses being chartered         H~al~ Act (OSHA) - laws which affect the ability of
                                                                  by all levels of government. Whatever the courses may           MIchIgan farmers to compete with other markets,"
                          ANEW AGE                                be, and there are many of them, they will in all. likelihood ,  Kruger says.
                                                                   affect agriculture in one way or another. Actions taken by
   Let's make the further assumption that the human race           local, state and federal governments and ,governmental            "When we talk about these laws, we must understand.
is essentially reasonable and is likely to stop an adverse         agencies will determine how agriculture survives the           that Michigan is not an island. Our products compete in a
trend somewhere short of ultimate disaster.                        future.                                                        national market and in many of these states with which
   ~hat techn~logical breakthroughs          might occur in                                                                       we compete, farm wage levels and benefits for labor are
agriculture durmg the years ahead'? Here we surmise that              The growing power of the regulatory agencies in             lower than in Michigan."
some of the presently hoped-for advanees will in fact             government which are enacting more laws than the                   A fourth factor influencing farm production is special
occur. Here are some great things which just might                 legislative branch are a growing concern to many. It           interest groups. "I want farm workers to have all the
happen:                                                            would appear that it is time to bring these agencies under     rights'that other Americans have. I want workers to be
   -Upgrading the protein content of the cereal grains and         better control.                                                protected like workers in non-agricul~al       employment.
other crops.                                                                                                                       But farmers and growers are being sued more frequently.
   -Hybridizing of additional crops.                                                    NOT PROFITABLE                             A way must be found to resolve differences without
   -Biological rather than chemical control of harmful                                                                            resorting to courts," he says.
insects and diseases ..                                               Now that we have gazed into the distant future, let's
   -Successful     long-range    weather     prediction    and    look at the present.                                                               A FINAL ASSESSMENT
 modifica tion.
   -The us~ of satellites for worldwide crop reporting.               According to Dr. Daniel L. Kruger of MSU, "Total cash          We have looked into the distant future, we have looked
   -ExtenSion of the principle of nitrogen fixation to new receipts for farming have increased - in 1974 it was $1.7               briefly at the present. True, there are problems facing
groups of plants, thus cutting down the need for com- million - but net farm income continues to decline. It is                    agriculture, but it is the nature of the human species to
 mercial fertilizer.                                              not profitable being a farmer."                                  have problems. Even if all the difficulties that currently
   -Conquest of the fuel problem, probably by the use of                                                                           are recognized as problems of agriculture were suddenly
 nuclear energy.                                                      A major force helping influence agriculture              is
                                                                   technology, some of which has evolved, in part, because of      solved, a new list would develop within a matter of days or
   -~reater en,:i~onmental control for both plants and                                                                             months. Thus, problems will be on the agenda during the
a~lmals, provldmg more economical production and                   labor problems. "There has been, and will be, a con-
                                                                   tinoous substitution of mechanical muscle for the muscle        years ahead, even though by historic comparison it might
hIgher, more standardized quality.                                                                                                 appear that they would be of modest proportions.
   -The use of microbial action on various feedstocks (such        of human being," Kruger says.
 as organic wastes) for the direct production of feed and                                                                            As a final assessment to the question "Can Farmers
 food.                                                                He partly attributes increased use of harvesting
                                                                                                                                   Survive?", let's turn to the Book of Genesis for this long-
   -Computers which will give us more sense and less machinery, such as the cherry picker and cucumber                             term agricultural outlook statement: "While the earth
 nonsense.                                                        harvester, to labor regulations and increasing labor costs.
                                                                                                                                   remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and
   How many of these things or additional things might in                                                                          summer and winter shall not cease." That forecast has
                                                                      There are high costs of fertilizer, energy, double digit
 fact occur, we cannot now know. But of one thing we can                                                                           been good for a good many years. It seems not overly
                                                                  inflation and high wage costs. "One explanation for high
 be sure - whatever may be the technical developments in                                                                           presumptuous to extend it for many more.
                                                                  wage costs is the influence of the automobile industry in
 agriculture, its poetry will continue. The wonders of life
 gro~th, and death, the cycle of the seasons, the marvels of
 oo~noouscreatioosoclearlym~i~ted~~ricul~e-                     .~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 these will still be with us. In fact, it might be said that
 these are the most enduring things about agriculture.
                PROTECT    PUBLIC    INTEREST
   During much of the past 200 years we sought to get the
public domain into private ownership, and to a large
measure succeeded. Henceforth we may be trying to
identify and protect the public interest in these privately
                                                                          T()VIC
owned lands.
   Is the competitive market to continue as the major, if
 not sole, determinant of how these lands are to be used?
                                                                                                                                                     by KEN WILES
 Will they be used for cropping, graxing, timber, mining,
 recreation, industry, residential uses, highways, airports,                                                                                        Manager Member Relations
 wildlife, watershed protection, or flood prevention? What
 is the legitimate public interest in the answers to these
 questions and how is this interest to be expressed? We are
 in a transitional phase with regard to land policy. This will
 be a major issue during the years ahead.


       Farm' Bureau offers college credit                                                                                                                                                                                   New egg products from
      Michigan Farm Bureau is now
 offering to its members the op-
                                                                     highly qualified instructors.
                                                                        Three seminars are currently
                                                                                                                                        NIQUES: Participants examine
                                                                                                                                        their personal barriers to ef-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             research center
 portunity to earn college credits                                 available               through           this new                   fective communication and are                                                 The Egg Distribution and Product Research Center near
  through participation in one-day                                 program. Meeting Techniques:~                                        provided with a practical un-                                              Grand Rapids has been full with activity in recent days. Egg
 seminars                 held communities                          An introduction to a system for                                     derstanding                   of        the            com-                Marketing Division Vice President Clyde Springer announces
   throughout the state.                                            preparing for and con.ducling                                       munications process on both the                                            the introduction of two new products for the institutional market
      Specially              designed             by the            work meetings with emphasis                                         interpersonal and organizational                                           - Country Queen Quick Frozen Hard Cooked Diced Eggs, and
  Lansing Community College, in                                     toward initiating cooperation and                                   levels.                                                                    Country Queen Quick Frozen Pre-Cooked Portion Controlled
  cooperation                  with MFB, the                        utilizing human resources.                                              PROBLEM-SOLVING                                    AND                 Scrambled Eggs.                       -
  seminars                are conducted                     by           eOMMUNICATION                               TECH-              DECISION-MAKING:                                  An in-                      Both products capitalize on the attractive benefits of cutting
                                                                                                                                         troduction              to a logical and                                  waste and drastically reducing labor costs in cooking and
           Soybean petitions turned in                                                                                                  systematic approach for isolating
                                                                                                                                        problems,                 pinpointing                    true
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   preparation.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      The diced egg product can be refrigerator-thawed in 48 hours
      Petitions, containing the nameS                              mail. with all producers havmg                                       causes and making decisions.                                               and used in any recipe calling for diced eggs - salads, garnishes,
 of bonified soybean producers                                     over $800 value in soybean                                           Shows the processes, influencing                                           etc. Taste tests show that the frozen product retains fresh-egg
 throughout Michigan have been                                     production eligible to vote.                                         factors and consequences in-                                               flavor, because the eggs are frozen immediately under super-
 turned over to the Director of                                         The seven members                               com-            volved in group problem solving                                            cold conditions, after cooking and dicing.
 Agriculture,                   B. Dale Ball.                      mittee, chaired by John Pajtas,                                      and decision making. Directed                                                 Quick-frozen scrambled eggs are particularly well suited to
 Director Ball has appointed a                                     Owosso soybean producer, will                                        toward farming partnerships.                                               such applications as school breakfast .and lunch programs,
  temporary committee of soybean                                   hold its first formal meeting                                            The cost of each seminar is                                            hospitals, nursing homes and airlines - anywhere there is a need
 producers to draft a final version                                early in March. Should you or                                        $8.50for Farm Bureau members.                                              to keep nutritional value high while holding down costs. They
 of a soybean check-off program.                                   your neighbors like more in-                                          Non-members are welcome at a                                              also offer consistent high quality, portion control, less mess and
      The committee version of the                                  formation concerning the check-                                     cost of $25.00per seminar. These                                           cleanup and fast preparation (no thawing required before
  referendum proposal will then be                                  off program, please contact:-                                       costs cover instruction, materials                                         heating>. Each 2 oz. portion contains the nutritional value a
  considered at a public hearing.                                       The Market                    Development                       and credit.                                                                whole fresh egg. The mixture of egg yolks and whites, extrin,
  Assuming all goes well at the                                     Division                                                                For more information contact                                           starch and nonfat dry milk is pre-cooked in vegetable oil, with
  hearing, soybean producers will                                       Michigan Farm Bureau                                             Michigan                  Farm                 Bureau,.                   monosodium phosphate added to preserve color.
  then vote on a check -off program                                     7373 W. Saginaw Hwy.                                            Attention:                 Jesse             Taggart,                         Looks like a good year for convenient, wholesome, cost-
  for soybeans in Michigan.                                             Lansing, Michigan 48910                                         Training Officer, P.O. Box 960,                                            cutting egg products!
      The vote will be conducted by                                     Phone 517-485-8121ext. 222                                      Lansing, Mich. 48904.
        FARM                                                              BUREAU                                                                                      MARKET                                                                                          PLACE;.
       SPECIAL RATE TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: One free 25 word ad per month per membership, 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: 13th of Month. Mail classified ads to: Michigan Farm News, P. O. Box 960, Lansing
       Mi. 48904 Publisher reserves right to reject any advertising copy submitted.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       '
      FARM               EQUIPMENT                                        FARM              EQUIPMENT                                                 LIVESTOCK                                                     MISCELLANEOUS                                                   MISCELLANEOUS
 WANTED          - Implement         Truck in good con-              FO~ SALE:         1941 Ford Truck with like new                   MILKING         SHORTHORNS            - Young           bull5.      "SWEET         POTATO         PLANTS"!!          Allgolds.      FOR SALE:            Larker     Barley Seed retail and
 dition. must have sliding-tilt            bed and winch.           grain box. Phone Hubbard Lake 517-727.2J98                         yearlil1gs and calves for sale. Write or visit                      Centennials.        Nancyhalls.         Jewells.       Por.     wholesale.         Donald Keinath.           123 Akron        Rd .•
 prefer    longest wheelbase.             Box 2'17. Union-          evenings.                                                          Stanley    M. Powell        and Family.           Ingleside         tricans.    "Georgia        Reds".     Bunch. Queens.           Caro. Michigan           4723. Phone 517-67J-"211.
 ville. Mich. 4767 or Phone 517-67.-2311.                                                                             (3.lt-15p)       Farm. R.R. 2. Box 238. Ionia. Mich.~.                               Triumphs.       Nuggets:       SO plants $3.98: 100-                                                                  (J-2t-18p)
                                                   (3-lt-2.p)                                                                                                                           I 6-tf-25p)        S5.98: 300.S9.98:          500-$12.98:       1000.S19.98
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Postpaid to you. Early Bird Plant Company.
AVOID THE MIDDLEMEN                      and save. Cedar            FOR SALE - "Flying               L"    horse & stock                                                                                                                                                    VIKING          TREFOIL         SEED:         98.73 percent
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Dresden. Tennessee 38225.
 Products:         fence post. grape post. pointed                  trailers.   gooseneck & flatbeds in stock. 1'12                    ALFALFA          & 8ROME          - 2,000 bales 2nd                                                                                  Pure. Inert 0.27 percent. Weed 0.00 percent.
                                                                                                                                       cutting. excellent Quality. Open bid. Also. SOO                                                                     (3-3t-34p)
 post and rustle round rail fences. Purchase                        mi. west of Palo_ Thomas Read. Fenwick.                                                                                                                                                                 Crop       1.00      percent         (Clover.     Timothy).
 direct. trucking no charge in truck load lots.                    Mich. 4834. Phone 517-637-<4J72.                no-    tf-25p)      bales straw. Paul Grofvert.            6521 N. 12th St ••                                                                            Noxious         Weeds - None.             Germination              80
 Write:     Iv.an R. Malnar.           Wholesale        Cedar                                                                          Kalamazoo.       Mich. <49009.Phone 616-3A4-6004.                   COLDWATER               DILLPICKLESI              Can      in    percent      +   15 percent Hord Seed. Don Wallis.
                                                                                                                                                                                          (3-1 t-25p)      minutes!      No hot brine.          Delicious,      Crisp.      R R 2. Box 838. Rudyard.                 Mich.     Phone 906-
 Post     Yard.        Rte.    No. J.       Rapid       River.
 Michigan       .-9871. 906- .. 74-5200&evenings.                                                                                                                                                          Factory     Secrets!     Recipe SUlO. Hamllton's.               "78-6427.
                                                   13-6r-43p)                      LIVESTOCK                                           FO~ SALE:           At all times,         Michigan          and     Box 23J-131. New Ulm. Minn. 56073.                                                                                     (3-2t-32p)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (3.2t.20p)
                                                                                                                                       Wisconsin      Holstein heifers,        bred and open.
 FOR SALE - 9 hanging                 tyke Propane gas                                                                                 Clayton Healey. R No.2. East Jordan. Mich.                                                                                          FO~ SALE - ATTENTION                        COLLECTORSI
                                                                   FOR SALE:          Registered     Holstein bulls 1 yr.
 brooder       stoves SOO chick            size St. Clair                                                                              Phone 616-582.7520. Call evenings.                                                                                                  My collections         of many years! 139 airplane
                                                                   to 15 mos. from 16.000 to 20.000 lb. milk.                                                                                             SAUSAGE         MAKERS.          GREAT!        RECIPES.
 County. Edwin Wissman.                 7136 Marine        City                                                                                                                           (3-1 t-23p)                                                                      color pictures for framing.              31 pieces aviation
                                                                   Tested. ready to move from                 high proven                                                                                  Bologna.       Frankfurters.           Head      Cheese.
 Hwy .• Marine City..a0J9. Phone 313-765-9:JI,.t.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          literature.       23 automobile         color pictures           for
                                                                   sires. Also. 10 registered. fancy 2 yr. olds due                                                                                        Summer.       Blood and Pork Sausage. Sl.00.
                                                   (3-1 t.25p)                                                                                                                                                                                                             framing.         36 pieces automotive               literature.
                                                                   May. June. July. George Robb. phone 517.                                                                                                Hamilton's,      Box 233-131. New Ulm. Minn.
 FOR SALE - Sheep drenching                      beg S25.00.
                                                                  223-9~2. Fowlerville.           Michigan.                                     MISCELLANEOUS                                             .56073.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           (3-2t-20p)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Write
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Gridley.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     for      detailed      listings,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Bo'x 56. Ypsilanti.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           prices.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mich. 41'17.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Don
                                                                                                              (3-1 t-25p15b)
 Phone 313-"28-7628. Manchester.                  Michigan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (J.l t.39p)
 Merle L. Cummings, 8220 Grossman Road.                                                                                                STRAW8ERRY                 PLANTS          eo     Michigan
                                                   (3-lt-16p)      REGISTE~ED              Corriedale     Sheep for sale.                                                                                  FREEZER         DOUGHS! Make your own! Save                     KNOW        Ii.  LITTLE      about farming?             Help get
                                                                                                                                       Certified    Virus-Free       Stock. Hardy northern
                                                                   Rams. Ram lambs. ewes. good bloodlines.                                                                                                 time. money! BreadS. bUns. ro/ls. Complete.                     agriculture          moving        overseas.          Expenses
                                                                                                                                       grown        plants:         Guardian.             Midway.
 FOR SALE. New Idea 76IJ- Unl Chopper: 762                         Also Hampshire          Rams. Leo Eccles. Mendon                                                                                        easy instructlons-       Sl.oo. Hamilton's.       Box 233-      paid.     Ages        20-60.     single.       married.            no
                                                                                                                                       earlidawn.        Earllglow.      Dunlap.         Robinson •
 • Two row Wide corn head: 7~ - Windrow                            • 9072. Phone 616-"96-7650_                        (7tf-21p)                                                                            131. New Ulm. Minn. 56073.
                                                                                                                                       Jerseybelle.      35 other varieties       including new                                                            (3.2t.20p)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           children.       Write Peace Corps Farmer.                   Room
 pickup.       Phone       (517) 831."2"9.          Stanton.                                                                            Fort    Laramie         Everbearing          Strawberry.                                                                           322.F N. Wacker Dr .• Chicago. Illinois 60606.
 Michigan.                                                                                                                             Write for free catalog and prices. Our 139th                                                                                                                                              (3 ...t-31p)
                                                   (3.1t.20p)    CHAROLAIS.               For sale polled or horned                    year.    DNn      Foster     Nurseries.        Box FB-30.           HOMEMADE            CHEESE!          HARD,       SOFT &
                                                                 bulls and bred cows. performance                      tested.         Hartford.     Mich. 49057. (616) 621.m7.                                                                                            ASPARAGUS.              2 year        Mary      Washington.
                                                                 R.J. Eldridge        & Sons. 7911 Alden Nash Rd ...
                                                                                                                                                                                                           COTTAGE!           Make        it_ yourself!         Easy.
 WANTED           ' Complet.        set of tandem rear                                                                                                                                    (2.3t...sb)                                                                      state Inspected           plants.      nice planting          size.
                                                                 (M-SO) Alto. Mich. (616) 868.3011.                (3-tf-25p)                                                                              delicious!     Complete       Instructions!      Recipes.
 ends - 5.50 ratio. Phone 313-659-6535. or 517-                                                                                                                                                                                                                            511.00 thousand at farm. Fred Zalka. Rt. No.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           S1.00. Hamllton's,          Box 233-131. New Ulm.
 7C-J8.t7. Corunna. Michigan.                                                                                                          8LUE8ERRY             PLANTS       - Hardy northern                                                                                 2. Bear Lake. Mich.                4961". Phone 616-864-
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Minn . .56073.
                                                   (3-1t-15pl    QUA~TER            HORSES.        Disposition        for "-H.         grown plants:        Blue"a,      Earllblue,        Blueray.                                                        (3.2t.20p)      J.tS3.
                                                                                                                                       Bluecrop.       Berkeley.       18 other          Blueberry                                                                                                                                (3-lt-25DI
                                                                  ability     for caMle. conformation             for show.
                                                                  Reasonable prices. Customer satisfaction                       a     varieties.    Write for free catalog and prices.
 FOR SALE: 117 gallon Jamesway                     Bulk Milk                                                                           Our 139th year. Dean Foster Nurseries.                      Box
                                                                  priority.     Visitors     welcome.     Walton Farms.                                                                                    LOG CABIN building Instructions.                304 pages       LET US SHOW YOU how Surfactants                                   in-
 Cooler,     Double stainless           steel wash tank.                                                                               FB-JO. Hartford.        Mich. 49Q57. (616) 621.m7 .
                                                                   Rosebush_ Phone517-~-m5.                         (J-tf.2.p)                                                                             . . . illustrated!!        Satisfaction     guaranteed.         crease spraying           effectiveness        of Herbicide.
 three Surge ss milk budtets                  with vacwm                                                                               12-3t-33b)                                                          $4.95 postpaid.         Glenn Smith         Enterprises •     . Insecticides.        Fungicide       on any crop or Raw
 pump. four milk cans. cream ~rator.                       199..
                                                                                                                                                                                                            Box 1513. Dept. F.81. Akron. Ohio 40)9.                        Agricultural          Commodity.           Free      Brochure-
 Cedar Road. Manistee.               Mich . .e966O. Phone        FOR SALE:           Santa Gertrudis        Bulls; try one             DWARF FRUIT TREES - Apples. Peaches.                                                                                (3.2t-21p)
 616-723.5433.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Demo. & P.E_D .• Att: G. Beaumont.                       Box 711.
                                                                  in your       herd     for bigger.      faster       gaining         Plums, Pears. Nectarines,.             Apricots,         Sweet
                                                   (3-3t-J3p)                                                                                                                                                                                                               East Lansing.         Mich. 41823.
                                                                 calves. H. M. Huggett. 20111 - 15 Mile Road,                          Cherries.        Montmorency             Cherry.          Also
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (2-2t.30p)
                                                                 Marshall.       Mich. 4906lI.                                         standard      size Fruit      trees.. Write         tor free         LAND CLEARING              and Bulldozing       - By the
 HA~LEY             ROCK       PICKERS.         Rock      Win-                                                      (3-1 t-25p)        catalog    and prices.       Our 139th year. Dean                   hour or by the job. Tom                   Tank.     Eagle.
 drCJWen. Picks 1 to 16" dia. The World's                                                                                              Foster     Nurseries.        Box     FB-30.        Hartford.        Michigan .win. Phone 517-626-6671. (5- tf-18p)
  Best. Phone J13-37~791.                Earl    F _ Reinelt.
                                                                 LIVESTOCK             - Ponies       wanted       32"       and
                                                                                                                                       Mich. 49OS7 (616) 621-4397.                                                                                                                           REAL             ESTATE'
 4465 Reinelt. Deckerville,           Mich. 4<e27. (5-tf-                                                                                                                                 (2.3t-36b)
 23p)                                                            smaller. any color or sex. David R. Roy •• 209
                                                                 E. South St .• Jackson. Mich. 49201.
                                                                                                                                                                                                          EVERGREEN                &    HA~DWOOD              TREE
                                                                                                                                       VI~US-F~EE             ~ASPBERRY              PLANTS             - SEEDLINGS             ..    Black      Walnut.        Tulip      FOR SALE:            Two-bedroom            ranch. 1'h lots.
                                                                                                                   (3-2t.20p)          Red. Black.        Yellow     and Purple          varieties.       Popular.     Colorado -Blue Spruce. White Pine.                  underground            sprinkler.         double         garage.
 SPRAY-TEC            insulation    for metal. wood and                                                                                Write for free catalog and prices. Our 139th                       Douglas Fir. Scotch Pine. Norway                   Spruce.       handy kitchen with disposal. deluxe bullt.in
 block buildings. UL Lab. as Class A building                                                                                          year. Dea n Foster Nurseries.                   Box FB.30.         Globe Arborvitae,            Spreading      Yew.     many        stove & oven. drapes. carpeting.                   laundry.         3.
 material.      Gerald Oakley.          1.20 M-52 North.         CHAROLAIS            - For sale polled or horned                      Hartford.     Mich. 49057 (6\6) 621-4397.                          others. Write for free catalog and prices_ Our                   piece     bath.       Write      Paul       Townsend.            RR
 StOCkbridge.          Mich.    49285. Phone 517-851 -           bulls and bred cows. performance                 tested. R.                                                              (2-3t-28b)      139th year. Dean Foster Nurseries.                Box FB-         Brethren.        Mich.    or call evenings               616-477.
 8062.                                            (5-12t.250)    J. Eldridge&        Sons. 7911 Alden Nash Ref:. (M.                                                                                      30. Hartford.      Mich. 49057. (616) 621-A397.                  531".
                                                                 SO) Alto. Mich. (616) 868-6223.                                       BERRY PLANTS -. Thornfree                  Blackberries.                                                           (2-Jt.43b)                                                        (3.5t-25plb)
                                                                                                                    (3-tf.25p)         Thornless       Boysenberries.          Youngberries.
 WANTED            TO BUY:         Cow binders.         Grain                                                                          Dewberries.         Gooseberries.         Loganberries.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           ASPARAGUS           ROOTS - Mary Washington.                    FOR SALE:            Two-bedroom           ranch. 1-'h lots •
 binders.     Silo fillers.     Drive belts. Shredders,                                                                            • Elderberries.         Write     for free catalog              and
                                                                 COW TRIMMING                  makes     your cows feel                                                                                    California      500. Paradise.         California       711.    underground            sprinkler.         double        garage.
 Old Engines. Ford Tractors                & Tools_ Dave                                                                               prices.    Our 139th year. Dean Foster                     Nur-
                                                                 better. produce better and makes you more                                                                                                 Waltham      Washington.        California    72. Jersey        handy kitchen with disposal. deluxe bUiIt.in
 Steiner.     11134 Sluart.        Grand      Blanc. Mich.                                                                             series.    Box F B.30. Hartford.              Mich . .a9OS7
                                                                 money. Call Bob Presson. RFD 3. Evart. MI                                                                                                 Hybrid varieties.       1-yr. seedlings; 2-yr. roots:           stove & oven. drapes. carpeting.                  laundry.         3-
 4U39.                                            111-6t-25p)                                                                          (616) 621-017.
                                                                 49631. Phone (616) 73A-S051.                        110tf-l"p:                                                                           J-yr. jumbO crowns. Write for free catalog                       piece     bath.       Write     Paul       Townsend.             RR
                                                                                                                                                                                          (2-Jt-29b)
                                                                                                                                                                                                           and prices.      Our 139th year. Dean Foster                    Brethren.         Mich.    or call evenings               616"'77.
                                                                                                                                                                                                           Nurseries.     Box FB-JO. Hartford.         Mich. 49057.        5314.
 GRAIN            DRYING            AND         STORAGE                                                                                                                                                    (616) 621-4397.
                                                                                                                                       WOULD LIKE TO PURCHASE                         STANDING                                                                                                                              (2.1 t.25p7b)
 EQUIPMENT.              Farm      Fans DrYer"}. Brock             CO~RIEDALE            SHEEp.       Purebred Breeding
                                                                                                                                       TIMBER.         interested      parties     may contact                                                             (2-Jt-"lb)
 Bins. Bucket Elevators.              Sales. Insf"alIation.        stock for sale. Paper optional.                Waldo         F.
                                                                                                                                        Buskirk    Lumber       Company       (toll free) 1-800-
 Service. Keith Otto. K & R EQuipment.                    Inc .•   Dieterle.     7285 Textile       Rd .• Saline;          Mich.
                                                                                                                                       632-9756.                                          (1-Jt-16b)
 Charkltte     ~IJ.      517->t3-1J50.            (10- tf-25p)    4176. Phone (J\J) 429.7874.                        11-tf-19p)                                                                                                                                             FOR SALE:            195 Acres zoned commercial
                                                                                                                                                                                                           FORESTRY         SERVICES         - Appraisals.      plans.      next to new Kelly               Downs        Horse        Racing
                                                                                                                                                                                                           consultations.        investigations        relating       to    Track.      Large BanQuet Hall with five acre
 FOR ~LE:            J complete      side-opening       Surge     FOR SALE.          YORKSHIRE          serviceage         boars   - CERTIFIED             GRAPE        VINES        -     Niagara.        timber. shade and Christmas tree problems.                       lake and wooded picnic areas. Two sets of
 milking     stalls. Like new. William             Burrows.       and open gilts top bloodlines            tested at MSU               Concord. Delaware.          Golden Musket. 16 other                 F ire and theft losses. marketing_                 George        farm buildings with 1300 foot frontage on M-
 Box "11. R No .••            Dowagiac.       Mich .• 9OA7.       test station.      All registered       stock. Richard               varieties.    Ideal for jams. jellies. juice. wine                   Blair.   Reg. Forester        No. J. 720 S. Durand.             15. north of Davison. Write or call Don M
 Phone 616-782.2570.                                              Cook. 1 2 mile east Mulliken.          M-43. Phone 517-              making.     Write for free catalog             and prices.          Jackson. Mich. Tel (517) 782-9544. (5.tf-25pl                    Sherwood. U16 N. State Rd .• Davison. Phone
                                                   (3-1t-22p)     649.8988.                                          (3- tf.24p)                                                                                                                                            J 13.653.66.42.
                                                                                                                                       Our 139th year. Dean Foster Nurseries.                      Box
                                                                                                                                       FB-30. Aarttord.        Mich. 490.57. (616) 621-..:m.                                                                                                                                      (J.2t-SOp)
                                                                                                                                                                                          (2.Jt-36b)      WATCH         REPAIR         - Any make           cleaned.
SURVIVE         THE ENERGY               CRUNCH         Bum      AUSTRALIAN                SHEPA~DS,          Registered                                                                                   repaired.     internal      parts. crystals.       crowns
wood. famous Ashley                  Thermostic         wood     tricolors       and      blue    mer Ies. Gentle             yet                                                                          Included. 3 day shop service. wrist watches                      COUNTRY            HOME 2 acres flowers. berries.
burning     circulators       available     FlOW.    Krad«       protective      -. an   extra farmhand         that works          .PAINTING.           Tuck pointing.        sand      blasting.        Sa.cIO. pocket       $18.00. No electrics_             Elgin      pines. fishing ... miles to Hastings.                       Barry
Enterprises.         Rt. No.      1. Grand        Junction.      for      dogfoOd!       S75_ Phone         616.891-1377.             caulking,     registered      steeple-jack.         fully     ill-   trained    craft man_ Mail order repair               since      County.        Telephone      616-9A5-59U         or 616-267-
Mich. .t9OS6. Phone 616-253-4)7.                                 Shagbark        Farm.      Caledonia.                                sured. E.R. Wilcox. 3A2A E. Beaver                 Rd .• Bay         1952. Free mailer.        Hub's Service. J85S Hopps             S618.
                                                  (2-..t-2"p)                                                      (2-2t.23p)         City. Pttone 517-.614.76AO.                        (6- tf 2Op)       Rd .• Elgin 111.60120.                          11-6t-J9p)                                                              (J-2t.18p)


PAGE 16                                                        MICHIGAN F A R M NEWS                   MARCH 1, 1976
        • • • IE^^^H _ ^ _
        !•    :
                      ' ^ %•
                **^':•*- M 1 1
        m %^-..*5; • B
        Bureau
        Member
        Life Insurance
                                                                              econd Chance
                             Because you are a Farm Bureau Member
                                  The Member Life Insurance program will feature
                                  a special enrollment period from January 1 until March 31,1976
                                  No physical examination
                                  No qualifying health questions
                                  A convenient policy with all the life insurance $25 can buy
                             This special program with rates less than 7 cents a day, is offered
                             to no one else but Farm Bureau Members
                                  Covers member, spouse, and children 15 days to 22 years old if
                                  single and not covered under their own Member Life policy
                                  Protection continues if in military service
                                  Renewable up to age 71
                                  Automatic updating of coverage
                                  Add Farm Bureau Member Life to your other policies
                                  Your County Secretary and Farm Bureau Insurance agent have the
                                  enrollment facts
                             Don't miss out on your second chance
        Ask your agent about the special enrollment period:
                                       January 1-March 31,1976
                                          FARM BUREAU
                                    INSURANCE
                                                   GROUP..
                                   Farm Bureau Mutual • Farm Bureau Life • Community Service Insurance
                                   L.