Michigan Farm News 111=1 March 15, 1993 Vol. 70, No.5 Monitor Stored Grain as Air Temperatures Rise! As spring approaches and air tempera- second time because it was going out of If heating continues, tures begin to rise, corn growers with on- condition. options include drying fann grain storage should inspect their crop the grain down further at least once each week. "We've had stuff that went in the bin at 15 and cleaning out fines, percent and is coming out at 17 percent," molds and broken ker- Agri Sales Area Manager Jerry Forsyth said Forsyth. "The biggest reason for it is nels. says the variability in crop condition and because you had com that ranged in mois- moisture levels during last fall's harvest ture from 25 percent to 35 percent in the For more grain storage could become evident with warmer same load." and monitoring tips temperatures. Hot spots and molds may from MSU's Roger develop in the bin and, if left unchecked, Growers should begin an inspection by ex- Brook, turn to page 4. could reduce the commercial .value and amining the surface of the grain for chan- feed value of the grain. ges and indications of potential problems. At right, Agri Sale's Crusting and wet, frozen grain indicate a workers load a 65 "Fanners need to be checking their bins problem. Growers should also check the rail-car unit of corn, every week and they've got to walk it and roof of the grain bin for condensation and with an estimated 47- babysit it," advised Forsyth. "What we should smell the grain for musty, moldy lb. test weight. When could be running into as temperatures start odors. going full speed, the to moderate, is guys with problems in their facility is capable of corn, but they aren't going to be able to If aeration is needed, growers should run loading 65 cars injust move it very efficiently because there will the fans as long as the outdoor air is not under 3-1/2 hours. be load limits on." more than 10 degrees warmer than the Each car, with a grain. Growers should also aerate on dry capacity of 3,500 Forsyth suggests that farmers pull a load out days to avoid pushing moisture into the bushels, is probed by of each bin on a weekly basis to keep crust grain. However, if heating is occurring, an inspector as it's from fonning and to keep things open. Agri growers should run fans, regardless of being loaded. Sales has pulled and dried some corn a weather, until heating stops. Economic Package Long on Taxes, Short on Spending Cuts While crediting President Clinton for rais- Kleckner said AFBF is concerned that many One Clinton proposal ties government farm "In the long run, cuts in farm research ing the issue of federal deficit reduction, the of the president's proposed spending cuts payments to off-farm income levels. If ap- programs end up costing a lot more than American Fann Bureau Federation says the are not sufficient to solve the problem. proved by Congress, farmers with off-farm they save," he said. "Farm research has been president's proposal relies too heavily on Meanwhile, the plan of additional taxes incomes of $100,000 or more would recei ve cut a lot already and that's our future bread tax increases and provides no guarantees proposed by Clinton will take a dispropor- no federal agricultural subsidies as of Oct. and butter. That's the seed for agriculture's that meaningful cuts will be made in tionate bite out of U.S. net farm income. 1. According to Clinton, that plan would future." government expenditures. save an estimated $470 million. "The energy tax proposed by the president Kleckner also said Farm Bureau would op- AFBF President Dean Kleckner said his is particularly unfair," Kleckner said. "It "This represents a foot in the door for pose further assessments on non-program organization will work with Clinton toward will impose a substantial burden on agricul- agricultural means testing, and we believe commodities, such as loan charges on crops his stated goal of developing a leaner, more ture, both in direct and indirect costs. The the estimated savings of such a plan are like soybeans and sugar. efficient federal government. Clinton's out- farm recovery of the late 1980s was greatly grossly inflated," Kleckner said. "In many lined plan, however, appears to signal more helped by stable or declining costs for fuel, cases, they will rent their land to other Since 1982, agriculture has been a of the "same old thing: tax and spend." fertilizers and pesticides. The energy tax farmers who do qualify for the farm pro- prominent contributor in every deficit- proposed by the president could mean gram, so there will be little impact on over- reduction package, according to Kleckner. "A heavy reliance on tax increases rather anywhere from $600 million to $1 billion in all fann expenditures." Agriculture has taken its fair share of cuts, than spending cuts to reduce the deficit is a added costs for our nation's farmers and while many other areas of federal spending false premise," Kleckner said. "As the 1990 ranchers." Kleckner also questioned the wisdom of have gone untouched, and "it's time for budget summit agreement demonstrated, it cutting $262 million from agricultural re- is impossible to transform increased tax President Clinton has targeted several other search programs from 1994 through 1997. revenues into actual deficit reduction. areas in agriculture for budget cuts and Continued, see page 5. Without. the means to enforce spending dis- revenue increases. "Long on Taxes .... " cipline, taxpayers who will be emptying their wallets will be making an empty ges- ture." Farm Bureau Days at the Hampton Towne Centre a Hit! At right, Arenac County Farm Bureau member Virginia Golimbieski shares some dairy delicious treats with a num- ber of third and fourth grade students from St. John's Lutheran School in Bay City, during Farm Bureau Days at the Hampton Towne Centre, Feb. 26-28. The entire weekend was filled with events for everyone, including country dancing, bands, tractor races, face painting, farm animal exhibits, and a kid's coloring contest. Arenac, Bay, and Huron county Farm Bureaus spon- sored the 3-day event. This marks the third year the event has been held to promote agriculture in general and specific commodities, including dairy, sugar, dry beans, soybeans, pork, potatoes, and pickles. Michigan Farm News Classifieds - Page 14 Michigan Farm News March 15,1993 B In Brief- usDA Narrowing Its Options on Russia's Credit USDA to Eliminate "Double Discount" on Corn Grades; Loans Affected Effective Feb. 22, USDA eliminated the "double discount" policy on grading corn that has USDA has zeroed in on one option to help the U.S. resume exports of grain to debt-plagued been hampering farmers' ability to obtain reduced loan rates for the low test-weight corn. Russia, USDA Secretary Mike Espy told the National Corn Growers convention, according Under the new policy, loan rates will be reduced by the higher of the discounts for low test to Knight Ridder News. However, Espy declined to be more specific about what kind of rates and for the grade caused by the low test weight. option was now favored. The discount based on moisture content remains unchanged. Previously, USDA had USDA had been exploring four or five ways to circumvent the problems caused by debt to counted low test weight against a loan application twice, once for the grade partly based the U.S. that have kept Russia from buying more U.S. grain. Those possibilities included on test weight and again for the test weight alone. USDA said the new policy was in an barter, using PL480 programs, direct donations, revamped export credits and a U.S. effort "to make the Department of Agriculture farmer-friendly," and would help northern restructuring of Russia's debt separately from the Paris Club. Corn Belt farmers "make ends meet." USDA's decision was prompted by a late harvest last fall and unseasonably wet weather during combining that had seriously cut into test Espy indicated that the plan may be revealed after meetings in Washington with a Russian weights for such corn in the northern Midwest. grain-buying delegation. Russia has been suspended since Nov. 30 from the U.S. GSM-102 export credit program because of its delinquent debts to the U.S. Espy indicated he favors Supreme Court Faults Kraft Cheese Commercials a resumption of export credits to Russia, a key market for U.S. grain. If Russia remains suspended from the U.S. export credit program much longer, other countries will continue The U.S. Supreme Court has left intact a government finding that Kraft, Inc., television to capture that important market, he said. commercials misrepresented the amount of calcium in Kraft Singles cheese slices, accord- ing to the Associated Press. The justices, without comment, rejected the food company's Are You Eligible for an MESC Tax Credit? challenge to a Federal Trade Commission order requiring it to stop using misleading ads for its cheese products. Kraft, a division of Philip Morris Companies, Inc., ran the television Michigan employers with a positive balance account for state unemployment taxes may ads from February 1985 to June 1987. qualify for a 50 percent MESC state tax credit in 1993, based on the federal IRS penalty tax they paid in January, 1992. The credit could amount to $28 per employee. The commission decided in January 1991 that a Kraft advertising campaign falsely implied that Kraft singles processed American cheese contained more calcium than imitation cheese The Michigan Employment Security Commission (MESC) has conducted several mailings sold by other companies. Processed cheese contains at least 51 percent natural cheese, while alerting employers to the possible refund, according to MFB labor specialist Howard Kelly. imitation cheese usually contains little or none. The FTC decided a Kraft ad falsely implied "Positive balance employers are those who have paid more in state unemployment taxes that Kraft's Singles had as much calcium as five ounces of milk and that imitation cheese than their employees have received in jobless benefits," Kelly explained. "About 75 percent had less. About 30 percent of the milk's calcium is lost in processing, while most imitation of the nearly 182,000 employers in Michigan who pay unemployment taxes have positive cheese is calcium-fortified and has about as much calcium as Kraft Singles. balances." Stray Voltage Hearings Scheduled Across Michigan Employers must complete and return the application to MESC to receive the state tax credit. The amount of the credit due the employer will appear and be credited on the second quarter, The Michigan Public Service Commission's (MPSC) Stray Voltage Task Force will hoid 1993 quarterly report due July 25. Employers with questions or to receive an application, a series of public meetings statewide in March to solicit public comments on the issue of call the MESC's Employer Customer Relations office at 1-800-638-3994. stray voltage. The meetings will provide an informal setting for the public to relay any concerns or comments to the Task Force on this issue. Comments may be made verbally MECP Program Counties Selected or in writing. The meetings will be held at the following locations: Tues., March 16,7 - 9 p.m. Wed., March 17,7 - 9 p.m. Thur., March 18,7 - 9 p.m. The Michigan Department of Agriculture has announced that 17 soil conservation districts have been selected to receive 1993 Energy Conservation Program Technical Assistance City Hall - Council City Hall - Commission Michigan Public Service Grants. A total of $478,400 were available, with each county eligible for up to $30,000. Chambers Chambers, 2nd Floor, Commission, 301 Washington St., 100 E. Church, 6545 Mercantile Way, Those Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) selected include: Arenac, Barry, Bay City Adrian Hearing Room A, Branch, Cass, East Allegan, Grand Traverse/Antrim, Ionia, Kalamazoo, Leelanau, Mason- Lansing Lake, Montcalm, Montmorency, Muskegon, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Tuscola, and the Thomap- Mon., March 22,7 - 9 p.m. Tues., March 23,7 - 9 p.m. Wed., March 24,7 - 9 p.m. ple Grand (Eaton) districts. DNR Regional Office, Troy Community Center City Hall - Commission The funds, intended to provide one-on-one technical assistance to farmers and forest product Room F, 1732 W. M-32, Chambers, 9th Floor, producers to implement energy conserving practices, were obtained from oil overcharge 520 W. Big Beaver Rd., Gaylord 300 Monroe, N.W., refunds. Approximately 90 percent of the grant money will be used for technician support Troy Grand Rapids according to Gordon Wenk of MDA's Environmental Division. Clerical support and The Stray Voltage Task Force was established by the MPSC in January 1993. The Task supplies can not exceed 10 percent of the grants. No equipment purchases will be allowed, Force is responsible for reviewing the issue of stray voltage and providing the commission meaning items in excess of $300 or more can't be purchased. with a report and recommendation of available options for addressing it, if needed. The Task Force report will be released in May 1993. For more information, contact Mary According to Wenk, efforts will be in the areas of conservation tillage, integrated pest Kunkle at the MPSC at (517) 334-6983, or Dan Knickerson at (517) 334-6374. management, fertilizer management, manure management, filter strip installation, tree planting and irrigation system evaluation and modification. In addition, grants were Renowned Forester Bruce Vincent Will be Speaking provided to Michigan State University for use in conducting demonstrations and developing energy and resource informational materials. in Grayling March 27 Forestry leader and speaker Bruce Vincent of Libby, Montana, will be speaking to members January Farm Labor Data Released of Michigan's forestry industry, March 27, at the Grayling Holiday Inn. Vincent is a fourth generation logger, and is business manager for Vincent Logging. Vincent, who holds a B.S. During the week of Jan. 1-6, 1993, there were 59,000 total farm workers in Michigan, in Civil Engineering, and a Master's in Business Administration, knows what the direct according to the Federal/State Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service. This is the first impact of over-zealous environmentalists can do to the lumber industry. His Montana-based January since 1981 that this estimate has been available at the state level. The total farm logging business has been seriously impacted by withdrawals of the timber from the market. workers estimate was reinstated this past April for Michigan on a quarterly basis. In 1988, Vincent helped organize "Communities for a Great Northwest" - a nonprofit group There were 14,000 hired farm workers in Michigan compared to 15,000 a year ago. The dedicated to the intelligent use of natural resources. He also helped to recently form die average hired worker wage rate for January was $6.90 per hour, 64 cents above January "Temporate Forest Foundation" - an international foundation intent on providing society 1992. Nationally, there were 2.51 million people working on farms and ranches. Of these, with the information necessary to make difficult and intelligent decisions regarding 611,000 were hired workers versus 703,000 last year. The average hired worker wage rate sustainable economics and a sustainable environment. was $6.40 per hour. This rate was up 3 cents from a year earlier. Workers paid on an hourly basis earned $5.99 per hour compared with $5.97 in January 1992. Vincent has spoken to many groups across the U.S. and Canada and has testified on resource issues before Congress. In addition, he has appeared on the McNeil/Lehrer Hour, 60 Minutes, and has been covered heavily by the print media including the Wall Street Journal Sarah Rupprecht Receives Top Award from College and the New York Times. In 1991, Vincent was named National Timber Industry Activist of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Year and the Montana Timberman of the Year. The Grayling program, sponsored by the Michigan Forest Resource Alliance, starts at 3 p.m. followed by a dinner at 6 Sarah Rupprecht, a senior at Michigan State University from Vassar, Michigan, received p.m. Tickets and registration are available by calling 1-800-682-4979. the Outstanding Leadership Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) at the annual Honors Banquet on Feb. 23, 1993. This award carries a $500 The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (ISSN:0743-9962) is published semi-monthly except in the months of November, scholarship and recognizes the senior in agriculture and natural resources who has December, June, and July when only one issue is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm demonstrated outstanding service to department, college, university and community. Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Ml 48917. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau regular members. Additional subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm Sarah, daughter of Marvin and Mary Rupprecht of Vassar, will graduate in May with a News to non-members and outside the continental U.S.A. Second-Class Postage paid at Lansing, Ml and additional mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Michigan Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture and Natural Resources Communications. Active Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Ml 48909-8460. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Michigan in student organizations since high school, Sarah is currently president of the MSU Dairy Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, Ml 48909-8460. Science Club; president of the student chapter of the National Agri-Marketing Associa- Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Editor and Business Manager. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Turbin; Donna tion/Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (NAMA/ACT); District I president of the Wilber; Henry Huisjen. Michigan Holstein Association; co-chairperson of a marketing team headed for national competition; and a College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Recruitment ambassador. Officers: President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Administrative Director, Chuck Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. Directors: District 1, Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Diane Horning, Manchester; District 4, Torn During the summer of 1992, Sarah took part in a CANR overseas study program in Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7, Larry Snider, Hart; Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii. She has participated in four learning internships, District 8, Richard Leach, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West including one she holds now with the Michigan Farm Bureau, working on the Michigan Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Douglas Darling, Maybee; Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Climax. Promotion and Education, Paul Swartzendruber, Pigeon; Young Farmers, Farm News. This award recognizes Sarah's hard work, dedication and enthusiastic ap- Kurt Inman, Sturgis. proach to leadership. Congratulations, Sarah, from the MFB Information Division staff! Michigan Farm News ITOL o oJJ •• March 15, 1993 Z m JJ Unemployment Compensation Insurance Reform MFB Position: Un~mp~oyment C?mpensation reform has again gained at- Farm Bureau supports tentIon In the LegIslature because of an increase in S.B.-2 as passed by the benefits, questioned solvency of the fund and the current Senate. and future penalties. The benefit increase is an automatic 3.5 percent increase in the maximum weekly unemploy- Action Needed: ment benefit for 1993. Gov. Engler has said reforms to cut Contact your Repre- costs in the jobless benefit system will be among his sentati ves and ask them to priorities this year. support S.B.-2. If amend- ments are introduced in Sen. Joanne Emmons (R-Big Rapids) is sponsoring S.B.-2 the House Labor Commit- t? provide reform measures to unemployment compensa- tee or on the House floor, tIOn. The Senate has passed a watered down version of the ask your Representative to bil~, .which Farm B~~eau still supports. As anticipated. the support those amendments waIting week proVISIOnthat the Senate Labor Committee that more closely resemble had recommended was eliminated. The expected amend- Fann ~ureau policy. ments by organized labor were introduced and several of the amendments were adopted. The bill passed on a 19-17 MFB Contact: vote. No Democrats voted for the bill. Sen. Dillingham Howard Kelly, Ext. 2044 was the only Republican to vote against the bill. Farm Bureau supported S.B.-2 in the version that would eliminate automatic adjustments; impose a waiting week to collect benefi.ts; would reduce the wage replacement ratio after tax earnmgs from 70 percent to 65 percent to make it competitive with other states; eliminate the alternate earn- ing qualifier, which ~lows high wage employees to qualify for benefits more qUIckly than other employees; and in- crease the wage level needed to qualify for benefits. Medical Malpractice MFB Position: S.B.-270, sponsored by Sen. Dan DeGrow (R-Port Huron), Supports both bills and en- and H.B.-4067, sponsored by Rep. Michael Griffin (0- "'~."x:: couraged their adoption. Jackson), seek to provide Michigan with long-awaited and .,' A:(tIie Clinton administration and Congress seek to raise badly-needed medical malpractice reform. ...revenues ffiiollgh tax increases this year, there has been dis- Action Needed: Call your Representatives The bills limit ~ontingency fees in medical liability cases, cussion aboutcutting the current$600,OOO federal estate now and let them know remo.ve .exceptlons to the cap on noneconomic damages tax exempti()D to $200,000. Other proposals being dis- ~d hmlt the $250,000 cap to each incident, defme expert cussed include imposing a capital gains tax on estates at you support these biils as passed 6y the Senate. The WItness, require plaintiffs to notify defendants of the suit time of death of the owner and instituting the use of car- legislators have taken the and its le~al basis 180 days before fIling, and allow ryover basis on the sale of inherited property. countersUlts by prevailing defendants. This is tort reform first bold steps and they H.C~ Res. 6, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad (R- now must be supported by that FanJ?-Bureau members, through their policies, have Minn.), and S.C. Res. 64, sponsored by Sen. Richard Lugar grass roots endorsement of bee.n u~gm~ for years. Let the legislators know you support (R.cInd~),have been introduced to address this issue. their efforts. Urge your theIr bIpartIsan efforts to enact meaningful reform. Representative to now Farm Bureau policy excerpts: H.C. Res. 6 expresses opposition to reducing the present make her or his vote count. Adeql!ate heal~ c~e is becoming unaffordable for many $600,000 federlil estate tax exemption. S.C. Res. 64 is iden- tical in opposing.any reduction in the federal estate tax, but Amencans and IS VIrtually nonexistent in many rural areas. also opposes the imposition of a capital gains tax upon MFB Contact: VIe sup~rt a cap on malpractice settlements, and elimina- Howard Kelly, Ext. 2044. tIon of pam and suffering settlements. death of the owner .. Among the 125 cosponsors ofH.C. Res. 6 are Michigan Local Pesticide Ordinances U.S. Reps. Dave Camp (R-MidIand), Peter Hoekstra (R- Holland), Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield Hills) and Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph). Neither of Michigan's U.S. senators MFB Position: House Bill 4344, sponsored by Rep. Tom Alley (D- West are.among the 25 cosponsors of S.C. Res. 64. Farm Bureau policy op- Branch), would preempt a local unit of government from poses local regulation of enacting or enforcing an ordinance that contradicts or con- pesticides and, therefore, flicts with the Michigan Pesticide Control Act. Minor Crop Protection Assistance Act strongly supports H.B. 4344 as introduced. The bill would allow a local unit of government to pass a H.R. 967, sponsored by Congressman Kika de la Garza (D- pesticide ordinance if unreaSonable adverse effects on the MFB.Pos/tlon: Tex.), would provide incentives to the pesticide industry to MFB Contact: . public health or environment will exist within the local unit MFB supports H.R. 967 pursue minor crop registrations; proposes changes that Vicki Pontz, Ext. 2046 of government. The ordinance must be approved by the would encourage third-party registrations; emphasizes the Agriculture Commission. MFB Contact: Al Almy, Ext. 2040 use of existing FIFRA authority to expedite minor crop pes- The bill also allows the Department of Agriculture to con- 'ticide registrations; and provides direction to EPA and tract with a local unit of government to act as its agent for USDA for pesticide programs aimed at minor crops. the purpose of enforcing the Michigan Pesticide Control Act. The loss of crop protection chemicals for so-called "minor crops" is one of the most serious problems facing produc- tion agriculture today. Minor crops are virtually every agricultural commodity with the exception of com, wheat, cotton and soybeans. The term stems from the fact that the cost of research and the development of scientific data for registration and reregistration have become so expensive that many crops no longer provide the necessary market and sales potential to warrant the research and scientific in- vestment. The problem has become particularly acute in the last few years, and more than half of alJ registered uses have been lost since 1988. In many cases, there are no effective alter- natives"leaving the farmer with nothing to protect his crop investment. Without prompt attention, fanners' ability to Gov. Joryn En.g/~r signs a ~iII, sp'!nsored by Sen. McManus, that will protect compete with foreign growers in both domestic and interna- the confldent/~"ty of propnatory mformation received while conducting P.A. 232 commodIty programs. tional markets will decline significantly. The effects will be widespread, impacting consumer prices and the quality of commodities, as well as the local food production and processing infrastructures. Michigan Farm Bureau (51.7) 323-7000 Michigan Farm News 3D-Day Forecast - Warmer and Drier Than Normal •• March 15, 1993 Sub-zero temperatures across nearly all of the state during late February brought mean temperatures for the month to below normal values (generally in the range of 1-4 degrees below Michigan Weather Summary normal). 2/1/93 Temperature Precipitation to 2128/93 Observed Dev. From Actual Normal The cold temperatures did not significantly influence mean Mean Normal (Inch.) (Inch) temperatures for the December through February (winter) period, Alpena 17.4 -1.5 0.79 1.38 averaging from 1 to 3 degrees above the long term normals. It was Bad Axe 18.0 - 4.7 0.86 1.32 the seventh consecutive December-February period experiencing Detroit 24.5 - 0.5 1.27 1.51 above normal temperatures (the last colder than normal Decem- Escanaba 17.9 -0.2 0.04 1.47 ber-February period occurred in the winter of 1985-86). Flint 21.0 - 2.5 0.65 1.51 Grand Rapids 22.5 - 0.2 1.13 1.62 Precipitation during February was generally near to below nor- Houghton 16.2 + 1.8 1.14 1.40 mal, with the major storm track remaining south of the state. Some Houghton Lake 17.0 - 2.1 0.86 1.38 northeastern sections recorded near record low monthly precipita- Jackson 22.0 - 2.7 1.30 1.47 tion amounts while a few spots in the southwestern Lower Penin- Lansing 21.4 - 2.0 1.12 1.47 sula reported near record amounts of snowfall, mainly of lake-ef- Marquette 15.3 - 2.7 0.76 1.40 fect origin. Muskegon 23.9 - 0.5 0.83 1.69 Pellston 15.4 - 0.3 0.60 1.36 The jet stream pattern responsible for the cold, unsettled weather Saginaw 20.4 -1.9 o.n 1.32 Sault Ste. Marie 13.1 -1.6 0.21 1.47 of late February has largely broken down, resulting in a more South Bend 1.19 1.62 25.7 - 0.5 zonal west to east flow pattern and milder temperatures. Traverse City 19.4 -1.3 1.63 1.36 Vestaburg 20.0 -2.4 1.16 1.34 The National Weather Service 3D-day outlook for March and the 90-day outlook for March through May both call for temperatures to average near to above normal and precipitation amounts to remain near to below normal. If this outlook verifies, it may allow fieldwork to begin earlier than normal this spring. coming weeks. Early season soil moisture for this season's crops will Just as importantly for corn growers, this scenario would lead to likely remain at sufficient levels due to the heavier than normal higher than expected drydown rates of unharvested corn in the precipitation amounts during last fall and early winter. Michigan and Major Commodity Area Extended Weather Outlook On-Farm Grain Storage Tips T - Temp. 3/15 3131 3/15 .5/31 This year's on-farm stored corn - imma- P - Preclp. T P T f Broken and fine material, prevalent in this Another indication of a moisture problem is Michigan N B N B ture, stressed by drying and laden with ab- year's stored grain, generally collects in the the presence of frost onlhe underside of the W. Corn Belt N B N B normal amounts of broken and fine material center of the storage bin and tends to pack grain bin hood early in the morning. E. Com Belt N B N B - will require extra care. tightly, impeding airflow through that sec- Wlnt. Wheat Belt N N N N tion of the grain. "Moisture migration is set up by a tempera- Spr. Wheat Belt A B A B "Producers should check corn in storage on Pac. NW Wheat A B A N ture difference within the bin of grain or a weekly basis to pick up on any problems "That section may have a higher tempera- between the grain and the outside tempera- Delta BIN A NIB N Southeast BIN A B A that are occurring and make corrections," ture than surrounding grain and may pro- ture," Brook said. "If moisture migration San Joaquin A N A N says Roger Brook, Michigan State Univer- vide a good environment for molds to develops, the grain should be aerated to sity Extension agricultural engineer. "Grain develop and insects to grow and it may set bring its temperature more in line with the A-Above Average, B-Below Average, N-Nor- temperature, moisture migration and in- up the process for moisture migration," outside temperature. " mal, MA-Much Above, MB-Much Below, NP- sects will probably be bigger problems in Brook explained. "Moisture tends to move No Preclp. Source: National Weather Office stored grain this year than in past years." through the grain and accumulate in the Place a thermometer on the outside edge of three to four foot range just below the grain the aeration fan exhaust. The temperature surface." change of the bin will be complete when the exhaust temperature nearly equals the out- MICHIGAN FARM Serving Michigan To check for moisture accumulation, Brook suggests walking the surface of the side temperature. (f !~IE!: Farm Families is grain. Grain that is dry and in good condi- Run the fan during inspection as well and tion will not provide good support - a per- smell the exhaust for any off odors. This Our Only Business son will tend to sink into the grain to the ankle. Grain that is out of condition will helps detect problems that may be develop- ing in the center of the bin. Briefly running tend to be like wet sand under foot, Brook the fan during the inspection will not create Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only objective says. any temperature-associated problems, has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- Brooks says. ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- "Feeling the grain by hand or pushing a tire tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides the latest in market analysis, iron or probe into the grain as far as possible Grain crusting will probably occur if the weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: is another way to check for temperature and weekly inspection is neglected. Crusting is Station City Frequency Morning Farm Noon Farm moisture changes in that top three to four caused by mold development due to heat feet," Brook said. WABJ Adrian 1490 5:45 am 12:15 pm Continued, see Storage Tips, page 8 WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 am 12:15 pm WPZA Ann Arbor 1050 6:15 am 12:05 pm WLEW WHFB Bad Axe Benton Harbor 1060 1340 6:30 am * 12:50 pm 12:30 pm Fill your planter or drill WKYO WTVB Caro Coldwater 1360 1590 6:15 am 5:45 am 12:45 pm *** from a gravity box ... WDOW Dowagiac 1440 6:15 am 12:15 pm WACY Fenton 1160 6:15am 12:15pm WGHN Grand Haven 1370/92.1 5:45 am 12:15 pm WPLB Greenville 1380 6:15 am 12:45 pm WBCH Hastings 1220 6:15 am 12:30 pm WCSR Hillsdale 1340 6:45 am 12:45 pm WHTC Holland 1450 12:15 pm WKZO Kalamazoo 590 ** 12:15 pm WJIM Lansing 1250 5:05 am 12:15 pm WWGZ Lapeer 1530 * 12:15 pm WNBY Newberry 92.5 12:15 pm WOAP Owosso 1080 6:15 am 12:30 pm WHAK WSJ Rogers City St. Johns 960 1580 7:10am 6:15 am 12:15 pm 12:15 pm Clay Seed-Veyor WMLM St. Louis 1540 6:06 am 12:20 pm Ideal unit for unloading bulk soybeans from your gravity WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:15 pm box to planter or grain drill. WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45 pm ", Easily mounted on gravity wagon WKZC Scottville 95.9 5:45 am 12:30 pm ", Efficient hydraulic motor power, variable speed WCSY South Haven 940 12:15 pm ", PVC belt with rubber paddles to minimize seed WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45 pm damage WLKM Three Rivers 1510195.96:15 am 12:15 pm ", Galvanized steel construction WTCM Traverse City 580 5:55 am 12:40 pm ", Unit swings back against wagon for transport ", Available in 12' and 16' lengths • Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning farm times dtange with sign-on times . Call for details ... 1-800-383-2529 •• Station airs various farm reports between 5:50 and 6:20 pm. ... Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1:00 pm. ~ Clay Equipment Corporation Some stations carry additional market reports throughout the market day. ~ 101 lincoln Street Cedar Falls, IA 50613 Michigan Farm News Economic Package Long on Taxes, Short on Spending Cuts ...Continued •• March 15, 1993 budget cuts to be spread evenly throughout programs that really have worked quite well all areas of federal spending, including en- as incentives for conservation." titlements," he said. Preliminary Ag Spending Cuts Kleckner said Farm Bureau was intrigued "Over the years, agriculture has been will- by an administration proposal to save $730 4-year savings ing to share in the pain," Kleckner said. "We million, from 1994 through 1997, by con- Program (in million $) can say with justification that we've taken solidating federal farm services (SCS, Create single family service agency (merge ASCS,FmHA, SCS) .$730 our share of spending cuts. Farm program ASCS, FmHA) into a single agency. Cuts in ag research 262 spending has been cut by 50 percent since Reduce REA loan subsidies 374 1986. If the rest of the government had cut "The consolidation proposal sounds as Meat and poultry inspection fees 416 spending anywhere near that, our federal though it will make sense to many farmers Reductions in Foreign Ag Service 40 budget already would be running in the and we'll certainly look at it," he said. "I Increased grazing fees (USDA and Interior) 76 black." think we'll look at it with a favorable eye in Eliminate honey program 32 Farm Bureau, but again that all depends on $100,000 off farm income means test 470 Clinton's plan also calls for an increase, in how the plan is implemented." 1996, in the amount -of so-called "flex Increase triple base to 25% (1996) 1,030 acres" that are ineligible for government Eliminate 0/92 and 50/92 (1996) 937 Kleckner pointed out one notable omission payments to 25 percent of a farmer's pro- from Clinton's economic package - a Increase assessments and program service fees 900 gram base acreage from its current 15 per- broad-based capital gains tax cut. Limit wool and mohair program 212 cent. Also eliminated in 1996 would be the Freeze market promotion program 308 "0-92" and "50-92" programs, which en- "A cut in the capital gains tax is still a top Require crop insurance program to use area yield 739 courage conservation.by allowing farmers priority for farmers and ranchers," he said. to receive benefits on some unplanted acres. "At the very least, such gains should be indexed to prevent inflation from eroding "Trade is going to be the salvation for ther to go than NAFT A, but President Clin- "Another increase in flex acres will directly the value of assets such as land, which agriculture in many of our commodities," ton had not really sent the message strong- impact an individual's net farm income represents farmers' primary asset." Kleckner said. "We simply need to expand ly, until his State of the Union address, when it hits three years from now," Kleck- trade. We're efficient producers in about his commitment to a successful con- ner said. "I think there will be a lot of According to Kleckner, Clinton's commit- America. I think his message on the clusion of the Uruguay Round." opposition to the elimination of 0-92 and ment to conclude trade talks was "very posi- NAFT A and GAIT was the high point of 50-92 because those were the types of tive" for America's farmers. his message for agriculture. GAIT has fur- YOUR MICHIGAN NORTHRUP KING SEED DEALERS City Dealer Phone No. Alicia Con Agra Berger & Co. 517-770-4130 Alma McClintic Farms 517-463-1140 Alto Alto Farm Services 616-868-6030 Ann Arbor Strieter Bros. 313-995-2497 Bancroft Gerald Cole 517-634-5212 Belding Jerry Gallagher 616-761-3243 Birch Run Con Agra Berger & Co. 517-624-9321 Breckenridge B&WCo-Op 517-842-3104 Carson City Harvey Milling Company 517-584-3466 Conklin Arends Farm Service 616-899-2136 Constantine Ron Weston 616-435-8219 Corunna Clyde McLosky 517-743-3633 Dimondale John Oakley 517-646-0629 DOff DOff Farm Products 616-681-9570 Dowagiac Harold Grabemeyer 616-782-8744 Dowagiac Joe Van Tuyle 616-782-8275 Homer Tri-County Agra Services 517-542-3196 Lake Odessa Mark Erickson 616-374-8538 Litchfield Blondes Farm Supply 517-542-2996 Merrill Con Agra Berger & Co. 517-643-7293 Middleton M.A.C. 517-236-7263 This superior hybrid can produce top yields. Monroe Calvin Smith 313-269-2710 Exceptional standability means easier harvesting. New Lothrop Anderson Fertilizer Services, Inc. 313-638-5868 313-638-5281 It has excellent drought tolerance, adapting to New Lothrop Bob Hajek Anderson Fertilizer Services, Inc. 517-723-5205 a wide range of harvest densities. Adapted to Owosso Portland Frank Trierweiler 517-587-6540 reduced tillage to help you get the most from every acre. Northrup King N4242. Reading Dick Heffelfinger 517-283-2444 Richmond Rockford Saginaw Silverwood Farmers Elevator Ron Porter Seamon Farms John Ferkowicz 313-727-3025 616-874-8196 517-777-2054 517-761-7217 N4242 Sunfield Mueller Bean Co. 517-566-8031 Union City David LaBar 517 -741- 3204 Vestaburg Con Agra Berger & Co. 517-268-5300 CPO 616-772-9042 Zeeland Zeeland Farm Services NORTHRUP KING Michigan Farm News Market Outlook ... •• ....... March 15, 1993 •••••••• ••••••• ••••••• ••••• ~.'I ,1 r• . ~~ •••• '1••• •••• ,j ••• .r •••••• Dr. Jim Hilker, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU SeasonalCol71tnodi~ Price Trends Dairy Market Outlook Larry G. Hamm E~RM " -j~~ ~ •••••••• •••••••• •••• Corn Dairy markets have broken their winter dormancy and are pointing toward the end BUSINESS Demand for com continues to be strong. Exports are running 22 percent above last Wheat --1 of declining milk prices. OUTLOOK year, and should easily meet the USDA Corn BT The Minnesota-Wisconsin (M-W) price forecast, especially if the loan problems are has been declining for the past seven resolved with the former Soviet Union. months. It is directly linked to the prices Strong powder demand, slowing milk Soybeans .- production and moderate cheese inven- dairy manufacturers -- principally cheese The other big user of com is livestock. This information isn't as clear, however. Live- stock reports show large numbers of live- Hogs -- manufacturers -- can get for the products they make from farmers' milk. tories have apparently caused an explosion in trading activity on the National Cheese Exchange in Green Bay, Wisc. On the last stock out there, but slaughter numbers have Cattle 1 Dairy product markets have been tightened two trading days of February, 41 carlot not backed up the reports. by the demand for milk to make non-fat dry units of block and barrel cheese were milk powder and whole milk powder for traded. B ids for another 16 carlots of barrel On the positive side for com use, the poor t Index: = Higher Prices; ~ = Lower Prices;" export sales under commitments to the cheese went unfilled. Usually this market weather conditions across feedlot areas TP= Topping; BT= Bottoming; ? = Unsure, Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP). trades no more than a few loads a week. }" " would suggest more com was fed for main- Therefore, dry milk product prices have tenance. The picture should be clearer after been strong over the last two months. Most of the trading took place at the current the March 1 Quarterly Stocks Report is Strategy: prices of $1.16 a pound for barrels and released March 31. The problem with pncmg most 1992 With strong dry milk product prices, farm $1.12 a pound for blocks. But in the last Michigan corn remains the same. The milk supplies are bid away from cheese trading session, barrel cheese prices rose As we look towards next year's crop and market, through the basis, is telling us to plants and diverted to butter-powder plants. $.005 a pound to $1.125 a pound. This participation in the 1993 Feed Grain Pro- store com on-farm for June-July delivery- If cheese demand is strong, cheese inven- increase roughly translates intQ a five-cent gram, the big question is what will be we have very little com in that condition. tories are drawn down to the point where per cwt. increase in farm milk prices. planted on the flex acres. cheese prices start to come under pressure. If you do have storable com, consider stor- This cheese trading activity and the con- At this point, given country average com ing it -- the basis tightening alone will more The milk supply situation countervails this tinued strength of the powder markets show and soybean yields and forward contract than pay storage. situation. Milk production for 1992 was 2 the downward momentum of the M-W prices for fall delivery, soybeans come out percent higher than 1991. This led to slight- should end. After another modest decline slightly in front. But it is questionable if soy For those who could not store and/or need 1y higher cheese inventories through 1992 for February, the M-W should level out in prices are high enough to see large shifts to move before warm weather, the alterna- and into January 1993. March and start rising in the months ahead. without a bid up in soybean prices. tives are not great. It would be better to concentrate on next year's crop. However, January 1993 milk production is Although this season's M-W will be below For your own decision, calculate which slowing the increase trend seen over the last year's low point of $10.98, it will be crop would be projected to provide the However, to stay in the market for a pos- past year. If it continues, a slowing milk substantially higher than the price support highest returns to fixed cost and lean sible spring rally, consider a basis contract supply will cause problems for the cheese level or the lows predicted by most market towards planting flex acres with that crop or buying futures of equivalent amounts. industry. analysts last fall. after adjusting for rotation considerations. Buying a call option could be considered. But that's a higher cost option, especially The USDA Prospective Planting Report given the low downside risks. Table Egg Market will be released March 31. Allan Rahn and Henry Larzelere Advanced chick-hatch data implies the Wheat Egg prices in late February were trading number of pullets available for flock re- around 68 cents per dozen, nine cents above placement in January was 15 percent less With only 11 weeks left in the 1992-93 moisture and, for the most part, snow cover the corresponding 1992 period. As than a year ago, but higher induced molting wheat marketing year, it may be tough to as of the first of March. seasonally anticipated, prices softened activities kept more layers in the flock. meet the USDA export projection without about six cents during the month, but are a quick settlement of the former Soviet Strategy: Watch for rallies in the wheat expected to recover by several cents in Light hen slaughter through the week en- Union delinquent loans so that shipments market to do some new crop forward pric- March in response to the Easter demand ding Feb. 13, 1993, was 18 percent below can resume. Exports are running equal to ing. Consider locking in some of your strength. Lower com prices this year have the similar 1992 period. Egg-type chick last year, but the USDA projection is for projected production if July futures hit the reduced layer feed costs and, accordingly, hatch during January was up 3 percent and exports to be up 75 million bushels. $3.30 area. A good idea is to set some cut egg-production costs around two cents the number of eggs in incubators on Feb. 1 realistic pricing goals and work with an from a year ago. was 10 percent greater than a year ago. Crop conditions across the U.S. Wheat elevator to lock in prices on segments of Belts appear to be good. There is good your crop as prices hit them. The improved net return situation is being Egg prices are expected to strengthen into reflected in the recent laying flock statis- the low 70-cent range during March. Prices Soybeans tics. The size of the table egg laying flock on Jan. 1 was unchanged from the previous in the second quarter are likely to fall into the low 60-cent range and declines may be year, but the 237 million birds estimate for more severe if actions to downsize the Demand for soybeans continues to be very that all producers should be out of the Feb. 1 is 1 percent greater than a year ago. laying flock are not taken. strong. Both crush and exports continue soybean market. Rather, I am arguing that above year ago levels. Exports are running we will see any price increases fully 69 million bushels above year ago levels reflected in the futures market. Cattle and should reach USDA projections. Strategy: The lower-than-expected cattle slaughter is Strategy: It is a pleasant surprise to see continued If you're convinced the soybean market will easier to explain. Weather across th~ large Keep VERY current. Prices will start falling strong export sales when the world knows go up, consider a basis contract or selling feedlot areas has been bad, bringing high off through March, given no more cruel a very good South American crop is just cash and buying futures rather than incur- death losses and poor weight gains. weather. Unlike hogs, the cattle futures around the corner. Again, a solution to the ring the costs of storage and interest by mar~ets are not offering attractive forward former Soviet Union loan situation is im- keeping cash beans. For some downside But the most recent Monthly 7-State Cattle- pricing opportunities. portant to continued strong exports. price protection, consider getting out of on-Feed, released Feb. 19, showed there are cash and buying a call option. cattle out there and they will be coming. At this time, the futures markets and my The basis continues to be strong and the Total-on-feed is 11 percent above last year fundamental analysis are seeing the same spreads between futures contracts small. There are many elevators around the state and placed-in-January was up 3 percent. picture: a falloff in prices through August This is the market's way of telling you that that will either do this or even write a call Marketings were down 10 percent, con- into the low $70's and then a slight it will not pay storage. option at a higher price to help pay for firming that cattle were just not ready. recovery. buying the call option. Check them out, but In my opinion, no producers should be stor- make sure you understand all the alterna- Weak Del71andPressures Navy Bean Prices ing soybeans at this time. That is not to say tives. Navy bean prices have fallen $4/cwt. since time, with little risk of encountering a the September rally took Mid-Michigan shortage or increased prices. Hogs grower bids to $22/cwt. At harvest, a large volume of beans moved to the elevator level Export shipments are well below expecta- Where are all the hogs? The December In the meantime, hog prices have been providing some price stability. The feeling tions, as reflected by inspections for export Hogs and Pigs Report indicated slaughter much stronger than expected, as demand was that prices could edge higher as demand for the September through February period. would be up 3-4 percent the past several also continues to be strong. While I expect from end-users increased into early '93 as The Michigan Bean Shippers Association months, but through the end of February, hog slaughter to increase in March, I expect canner demand for dry beans typically picks reports only 419,872 cwt. of navy beans there were no year-to-year increases, nor prices to remain at about the same levels we up in the January through March period. inspected for export compared to 1,021,646 have there been heavier weights to indicate have been seeing. However, this demand hasn't materialized. cwt. for the same period a year ago. we're not current. Strategy: Production in '92 was down dramatically Keep current to take advantage of the price Planting intentions will provide the next It's unlikely there's a larger-than-expected from the previous two years; however, we levels. Also, if the futures prices have not speculative opportunity for prices. Traders increase in gilt retention. At this point, it are still feeling the effects of the '90 and '91 dropped off much the first few weeks of ar~ concerned that despite low prices, appears the hogs were just not there. Hope- record crops with a record 2 million cwt. March, consider locking in some prices on edIble beans may still look more attractive fully, the Quarterly USDA March I Hogs carryover from the '91 crop. The current some of your future production. to .growers faced with generally depressed and Pigs Report -- to be released on March supply does allow end users the benefit of pnces for competing crops. 26 -- will shed some light on this issue. purchasing only what they need at any given Michigan Farm News -. ........ March 15, 1993 II Utilize Estate Planning Tools ...... .. ••••••••r•, ••••••• •••••~.'I ......• ~ •••• f, ••• Ralph E. Hepp The value of business real estate can be Capital Transfer •••• ,j ••• .r •••••• E~RM•••••••• Agricultural Economist appraised for federal estate tax purposes at The most effective estate planning by Department of Agricultural Economics use value to the business rather than market ~.' J.-:::.. •••• Michigan State University value and reduce the value of the decedent's gross estate up to $750,000. families is done by the accumulation of business equity by all family members who work for the business. Growth capital shar- •••••••• Estate transfer techniques used by the ing by the family members can be ac- owners of farm businesses are greatly fluenced by the potential tax impact on in- the There are a number of qualifying require- ments before special use valuation can be complished by restructuring the capital in a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietor- BUSINESS estate. Various tools are suggested by used by the estate, so it may be advisable to ship so all individuals participate in the professional estate plaQ,nersto minimize taxes and transfer a larger amount of the the retain qualified property and dispose of non-qualifying property during lifetime. ownership of the business. OUTLOOK business property to the family heirs. The sharing of growth capital provides an A 14-year period is allowed for paying an opportunity over time for the younger hesitate to transfer much equity (the estate) Since 1987, there is no federal estate tax on estate tax, with reduced interest rates, for generation to become part owners in the unless large amounts of property have been death transfers less than $600,000. farm and closely-held business property. family business, while at the same time accumulated. Medium-sized estates, between $600,000 Business property must be at least 35 per- maintaining the security for the older and $1.2 million, can eliminate the tax by cent of the value of the decedent's adjusted generation without threatening their in- Typical tools of lifetime gifts, leveraged using commonly accepted estate planning gross estate. come source and security. sales or eventual death transfers (through techniques, while larger estates, over $1.2 will or trusts) can be used for estate trans- million, can greatly reduce the federal es- Property transferred to an heir and even- This method, however, only works in fami- fers. In most cases, the founders in these tate tax burden by implementing tax reduc- tually transferred to that person's heirs is ly businesses undergoing continuing earlier transition years will not part with tion strategies. generally exposed twice to federal estate growth and development. A stagnate busi- their accumulated wealth, nor can they part taxes. To avoid the second round of taxa- ness requires the use of other tools. It also with all their wealth since it serves as in- Provisions of the Death Taxes tion on business property, generation-skip- may indicate that the business lacks earning come and security in their older age. The The federal estate and gift tax law allows an ping techniques can be used to protect the ability for another family member. best options for all parties involved is shar- unlimited marital deduction for property income interest of the first heir, and ing of growth capital. transfers to the spouse. Regardless of the avoidance of the transfer tax. The existing equity in the family business method used to transfer the property, it goes can be transferred from the older to the tax free. Although there is a generation-skipping tax younger generation. However, founders- under the federal estate tax law, the exemp- who are actively involved in the business The unlimited gift tax marital deduction tions are large. allows a married couple to place the proper- ty into both names, or anyone name regard- Business Transfer less of who currently owns the property. Since the tax impact upon the family busi- The flexibility to shift property ownership nesses has been lessened over the years, between spouses provides an opportunity small business owners may be inclined to for realignment of property ownership that delay the transfer of business interests to the best meets the estate and business transfer younger generation. We all recognize that objectives of the family. a delay strategy is a mistake. The Michigan inheritance tax law also al- Family businesses can only remain an im- lows an unlimited marital deduction for portant part of U.S. business if ways are property transfers to the surviving spouse. developed for the gradual transfer of The law also allows an exemption for the management and assets to younger family value of family farms and small businesses members. The current business owners are that are transferred to family members. Al- in a unique situation to influence the future though there are qualifying conditions for direction and financial viability of the fami- .using the business exemptions, most family ly business and can develop the framework operations will meet the requirements. for its continued success and survival. The federal gift tax law has an annual ex- The younger generation can assume the clusion of the fITst$10,000 in gifts made to responsibility of the family business and anyone recipient. A married couple can gain management responsibility and capital combine their annual exclusion and transfer in a growing business. $20,000 each year to any number of in- dividuals. At the present time, there is no Unless positive teaching between the Neal, Kelly, Pat, Harold and Marty Travis operate North Valley Farms, a 300-cow dairy limit on the number of annual exclusions generations occurs, the family business operation at Shepherd, MI. The four brothers farm with their parents, Pat and Evelyn Travis. that can be used .. spiral will probably break, possibly forever. The farm has a 20,500-lb. milk RHA and produces 1,000 acres of hay and corn. The annual gift tax exemption remains an A family business is more than sales, good attractive alternative for transferring large amounts of property within the family and business techniques, and good products; it involves people who make things happen for the benefit of the family. Therefore, for How A DROUGHT SET escaping the gift and estate taxes. Gifts of business property, however, must be care- fully planned so the gift is a present interest the business to survive, efforts must be spent developing the people who will own SEEDS OF EXPANSION by the recipient and the exclusion is ap- plicable. and operate the business in the future. FOR THE TRAVIS FAMILY v • "We've just completed the second phase of a dairy expansion that includes a free-stall, center-feed barn and Personalities and Management Skill Development double-8 milking parlour. The expansion began in 1988after Management experience and knowledge is not born, it's developed. Not only must the a severe drought forced us to make some serious decisions. future managers want to learn, the business must be structured to allow for training As brothers, we knew we wanted to farm together with our opportunities. Management styles in family business usually can be characterized by three types along a continuum based on authority .. folks but a cash-crop business was too risky for all of us to depend on. Autocratic At one extreme is the autocratic leader who maintains complete control through "Looking back, 1988 wasn't a pretty year to begin an centralization of all authority in the boss role. All decisions are made at the top and carrie~ expansion, but Farm Credit had confidence in us and stood out in a highly structured chain of command with division heads repeating and im- plementing decisions. Very little opportunity exists for division heads or other employees behind our decision. Our loan officer has been a tremendous to make suggestions or participate in the decision making process. Very little opportunity planning resource and helped us work through countless exists for management development of people in the autocratic structure. 'what if' situations on the computer. Free Rein "A lot of lenders wouldn't have been able to grasp our The free rein leader style is equally void of opportunity for management development of vision for this family dairy business but Farm Credit not people "andrepresents the opposite extreme or complete decentrali.zation of authority .The family business operated with this management structure floats m a vacuum. Very few only grasped it, they helped us figure out a better way to of the difficult decisions are made. No one in the organization has the authority or the make it happen. If it hadn't been for the facilities expansion responsibility to make decisions except the boss and he avoids that charge. loan and other help from Farm Credit, there's no question Participative that several of us couldn't be in this operation today:' Somewhere in the middle is the participative type of management style where many people are involved in decision making in a cooperative arrangement. The top managers eft. have decision making authority and responsibility individually or collectively. Everyone knows who makes what decision in a departmental structure with the coordinatorlboss serving as the orchestrator of the deci~ion process and the chairman of th~ ~~d. The FARM CREDIT SERVICES participative structure allows opportumty for management development of mdivlduals. ~ Deep roots, good people, and a will to seroe. Michigan Farm News It Pays To Take Charge of Safety! •• March 15, 1993 Nursery owner and operator David Ar- savings you can make there will transfer The work-related hazards of agriculture mintrout says the costs of work comp right to the bottom line." make it statistically one of the most claims can have a big impact on the dangerous occupations in America. But bottom line. Here are ways you can take charge of safety many farmers are finding that they can min- on your farm: imize the risk to themselves and their workers -- and make a valuable investment in the overall well-being of the farming o Make it part of your routine to inspect all equipment and facilities for operations -- by taking firm control of safety hazards - and correct hazards without and health matters. delay. "Success results from making accident prevention a management goal," says Farm o Follow the safety and health recom- mendations in operator's manuals and Bureau Insurance ag safety expert Ron on product labels. Converse. "Unlike most other occupations, From Farm Bureau Insurance farming doesn't always provide for a trained safety director to help you control o Consult with safety experts who can help you identify hazards and find risk. You have to work at being your own ways to minimize them. Farm Bureau D Know how to prevent farm injuries safety director." Insurance, for example, offers the ser- and illnesses. Take note of safety and vices of its Field Services Unit. health information that you see on TV, David Armintrout, owner of Annintrout's hear over the radio, or read. But just Nursery in Allegan County, has made safety "We have a staff of trained'personnel knowing isn't enough; you have to be a top priority for the workers in his large and who will be glad to spend the time it able to put your knowledge into prac- complex operation. Frequent - even daily - takes to help farmers focus on safety tice. safety meetings, close supervision, regular and what it can mean to their opera- training, and careful attention to detail are "Number one, you think about people. You tions," says Leo Dahring, manager of D Be prepared for the activities of the elements of the safety program that has don't want anybody to get hurt," he says. Field Services for Farm Bureau In- day. Have the right tools, equipment, become an important part of his business. "And nu mber two, workers' comp surance. and supplies at hand. Know and problems can be terribly expensive. Any respect your limitations as well as your strengths. At Armintrout's Nurs- ery, workers who show signs of strain or fatigue are given a rest break -- and might also be moved for a time to another kind of work if necessary. D Maintain your equipment properly. Make sure all safety shielding and other safeguards are in place. Make sure all workers are properly trained and equipped for their jobs. D Use appropriate personal protective equipment to protect your health and reduce injuries. Have first aid supplies available and ready to use. D Take advantage of the safety training services offered by such organizations as the Safety, Education, and Training Di vision of the Michigan Department of Labor. Remember, the time you spend properly training yourself and your workers will be returned to you -- because you'll experience fewer errors, higher productivity, and reduced accident risk. But to reap the rewards, you've got to make the investment. "Safety is something you've got to do and live and think and sleep and repeat every day until it becomes second nature to you," David Annintrout says. "We've made some improvements, and we'll keep working on them. I don't see that as ever stopping." . ; Storage Tips Continued from Page 4 and moisture migration. If a crust forms on the surface, Brooks encourages that the crust first be broken up so that it is flowable. If it's severe crusting, either shovel it out the top of the bin or unload enough grain to take the crust out of the bin. Severely crusted grain can pose a serious Member d~ntal insurance is the affordable way !o a.ssurethat you and your family safety risk to workers because it can form a receive the dental care-services you require,.,- evenwhen.sudden and'costly needs arise. bridge over an air pocket at the top of the , , . bin. The pocket is a potentially lethal trap Measure the rates against your a"nnualdental care ,bills and eon,sider the ~dv~ritage! for anyone who walks on the crust. .- Single $18 per month • Couple $32 per month . Memberl.Child $32 per month .- Family $41 per month A worker who must enter the bin should -- wear a safety harness attached to a rope held r;~ ;:lli='it':,E~1J by two adults and be sure the unloading equipment is locked out. Never enter a bin of flowing grain. It can trap an adult in five seconds and cover a body in 22 seconds. TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND A BROCHURE/APPLICATION, PLEASE FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680 EXT- 3236. The mold in crusty grain may also be a Please Print serious health threat. When handling moldy grain, wear a tight fitting mask designed to Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Name filter out mold and pollen spores. The stand- Membership Services ard painter's mask will not protect a person P.O. Box 30960 Address from mold or grain dust. Lansing, MI 48909 City State ZIP Additional information is contained in Ex- tension Bulletin E-1431, "Stored Grain Phone Management," and "Coping with Agricul- tural Molds and Dusts," AEIS-467. Both County publications are available through your local CES office. Michigan Farm News rs March 15,1993 The Thumb's M-24 Corridor Project - These Farmers Ask "Have all the Alternatives Been Considered?" A March 24 Department of Natural The same principles should apply to federally Brothers Don and Bob Mantey contend more feasible options exist for a proposed Resources (DNR) hearing in Caro, Michigan, funded highway projects as well, when other road project and question the MDOT's judgement and procedures. could mean a lot of different things to a num- alternatives are ignored." ber of people, depending on the outcome. For The Manteys' calls for a thorough review the Michigan Department of Transportation of alternatives included trying to bring the (MDOT), it could mean the completion of a MDOT and the DNR together earlier in the 28 year project to extend M-24 from Caro to process. To their knowledge, that didn't occur Unionville. For seedcorn farmers Don and until November, 1992, when state Rep. Dick Bob Mantey, it could mean a new road that Allen, the Manteys and representatives from splits a section of farmland, wetlands, wood- MDOT and DNR met. lands and windbreaks. "We've tried to follow the right process - The DNR hearing is possibly the last step it's very frustrating," said Bob. "All we've in a road project that was originally conceived ever asked right from the beginning was that in 1965, but never became reality because of this project be handled in what we thought was funding shortages, although a preferred route the right manner. I guess maybe what we was chosen in 1977. Despite environmental thought was right isn't necessarily the way our regulatory changes, MDOT believes their government works." chosen route should be "grandfathered" to In addition to time and bureaucracy, the allow the road project to be completed. The Manteys are also working against the men- Manteys, however, hope that common sense tality that if the money isn't spent now, it will and analysis based on all the facts will prevail be lost for good. Bob and Don say that line of and that other alternatives will be considered. thought could be more costly in the long run. "We're not trying to stop a Class-A road "There are a number of people that just from coming into the area," explained Don want to see this project go to get it done Mantey. "We just want to make sure that all because the money is there. If it's decided that of the alternatives are looked at. When you the project should be delayed because of have a road every mile, and then build another detrimental environmental effects, to find a road half way in between them -1 guess in my route that's more feasible, I think it's well eyes, it just doesn't make sense." worth the wait," Don concluded. At the center of the controversy is a 4.5 For a MDOT Perspective see page 12 mile east/west stretch of proposed road that cuts across farmland lined with windbreaks, woodlands, wetlands and a subsurface irriga- tion project the Manteys utilize in seedcorn production. Brothers Don, 41, and Bob, 35, operate 1,400 acres raising primarily seedcorn, soybeans and wheat. They contend that the 10 acres that they stand to lose is secondary to environmental factors that could have a much WORRIED bigger impact on the adjoining farm acreage. The Manteys say they would be willing to sacrifice the farm acreage required by the other options as opposed to losing the en- vironmental benefits of the proposed route. FACES The windbreaks, established by their father, Edgar, and uncle, Carl Mantey, in the 1950s, have allowed them to grow seedcorn on lighter soils. Bob explained that differing maturities require different planting dates to O F OUR allow simultaneous pollination by both the male and female plant. If either the male or female plant are delayed by a windstorm and a consequent sandblasting, then pollination INSUREDS. times can be disrupted, causing blank cobs with no kernels. "If anyone from SCS wants to show Worry? Not them. anybody what windbreaks look like most of the time, they come to our property," said Don. "The people involved in the Saginaw And why should you when you can protect your life savings with a Bay Water Quality Project have visited quite Long Term Care Plan from AMEX Life Assurance Company? a few times just to show people what can be done with established windbreaks." In addition, the Manteys have serious con- Regrettably, two in five older adults will require nursing home care.1 cerns regarding the proposed route's impact With costs averaging about $30,000 per year2 it's easy to see just how to the wetlands and disruption to adjacent farmland subsurface irrigation. "When you devastating this can be. cut through the middle of a tiling system, there's a lot of intricacies involved that you But it doesn't have to be this way. have to be concerned with," Bob said. "If you went along an existing roadway, the only ming that would be involved would be your With AMEX Life you can plan on peace of mind. AMEX Life, an outlets or mains which usually can either be American Express company, has over 16 years experience in long-term moved or new outlets put in." Subsurface irrigation had figured to be a care insurance and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.3 larger part of the Mantey operation. The idea of catching excess drainage water and recir- Don't be worried by the costs of long-term care. Call or write today for culating through field drainage tiles during dry periods had appealed to the Manteys from more information from your local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent on the an economic and environmental standpoint. Bob, who holds an agricultural engineer- options available to you. ing degree, and Don, who holds a mechanical Representing: engineering degree, conducted flow measure- ments from a number of their field tiles, and adjoining wetlands, recording flow rates as AMEX Life Assurance Company high as 400 gallons per minute. Another sticking point for the Manteys is a subsidiary of TRAVEL the MDOT'srightof way purchase. Currently RELATED nearly 60 percent of the new right of way has SERVICES been purchased, prior to DNR permit applica- tion and approval for the MDOT wetlands 1. Consumer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance, HIAA 1989 mitigation process. 2. U.S. News & World Report, Aug. 13, 1990 "Although it may be standard procedure 3. Independent analysts of the insurance industry who base their analysis on financial strength and operating performance. for the highway department, it doesn't make sense to me," said Don. "I feel it kind of clouds the issue when the environmental questions TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND AN AMEX BROCHURE/APPLICATION - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW come up because you've got all oftinsmoney OR CALL DIRECT 1 -800-292-2680, EXT. - 2724. that's already been spent hanging over everybody's head. We asked MDOT, 'Why Please Print proceed with right-of-way acquisition when 9 MICHIGAN the permit needs to applied for?' Their m FARM BUREAU Name response was 'This is our procedure and how we do it.'" Michigan Farm Bureau Address Please mail to: Bob also expressed frustration at the ap- Membership Services parent double standards of wetland regula- P.O. Box 30960 City State ZIP tions and enforcement. "It's frustrating that the Soil Conservation Service and other Lansing, Ml 48909 agricultural agencies don't have more juris- Phone diction in this whole process," he said. "If a farmer wanted to clear wetlands and plant County com, they jeopardize farm program benefits. Michigan Farm News II. Reducing the Risk of ENVIRONMENTAL Groundwater Contamination by Improving Water Well Condition ~ STEWARDSHIP Well Location bacteria, pesticides, fertilizer, or oil products Whether a well taps water just below the into your drinking water supply. ground or hundreds of feet deep, its location is Well construction information may be a crucial safety factor. A safe place for a well available from the well driller, the previous .' '. depends on factors such as surface drainage, owner, or the water well record. Your local groundwater flow, and location of sources of Health Department office or the Michi~an potential contamination. A well downhill Department of Natural Resources, GeologIcal from a livestock yard, a leaking tank, or a Survey Division, can attempt to locate the septic system runs a greater risk of contamina- water well record for you. tion than a well on the uphill side of these This overview of well construction and pollution sources. inspection can help you understand your Surface slope does not always indicate the drinking water contamination risk. Contact a tonite, depending on the geologic materials Better Management of Existing Wells direction a contaminant might flow once it registered well driller or pump installer for encountered). Both grout and casing prevent Existing wells are most likely located ac- gets into the ground. However, in shallow more information. A representative from your contaminants from seeping into the well. cording to traditional practices or regulations aquifers, groundwater flow is often in the same local Health Department or the Well Con- You can visually inspect the condition of at the time of construction. While these wells direction as surface water flow. If the aquifer struction Unit of the Michigan Department of your well casing for holes or cracks at the may still be legal, you may want to consider supplying water to your farmstead well is Public Health (MDPH) can also interpret con- surface, or inside the casing with a light. If you how your well conforms to current standards, deep, its slope may be different than that of the struction requirements of the state well code. can move the casing by pushing it, you may which are based on new knowledge about land surface. Finding out about groundwater have a problem with your well casing's ability groundwater contamination and well water movement on your farm may require special Casing and Well Cap to keep out contaminants. In areas with shal- quality. These standards can be found in the monitoring equipment. During construction, the well driller in- low (less than 20 feet from surface) fractured state private well regulations. stalls a steel or plastic pipe called a casing to bedrock, check on the condition of your well You might want to move activities such as Well Construction prevent collapse of the borehole. The space casing by listening for water runnmg down pesticide mixing, tank rinsing, or gasoline Poor well design can allow groundwater (called the annulus) between the casing and into the well. (Pump should not be running.) storage further away from your well, or contamination by allowing rain or snowmelt the sides of the hole provides a direct channel If you hear water running, there could be a upgrade wells, get rid of well pits, install caps to reach the water table without filtering for surface water (and contaminants) to reach crack or hole in the casing, the casing depth or extend casings. Property transfer forms in- through soil. Wells located in pits, or without the water table. To seal off that channel, the may be inadequate, or the annulus may not be clude language regarding underground grout or a cap, can allow surface water to carry driller fills the annulus with a sealing material sealed. Any of these situations is risky. petroleum storage tanks and well water safety . called grout (cement, concrete, or clay ben- To prevent contaminants from flowing Changing the location of certain farm into the well casing, the driller installs a tight- practices may prove to be expensive and time- fitting, vermin-proof well cap to prevent easy consuming. You can't move a livestock yard Contacts and References removal by children, and entry by insects or surface water. The cap should be firmly in- or a silo overnight. manage Change the way you such structures to control con- Who to call about. .. stalled, with a screened vent incorporated into taminants until you can meet minimum it so that air can enter the well. Check that the separation distance requirements. Certified wen water testing laboratories: well cap is in place and tightly secured. Wiring * A listing is available from the Water Supply Division, Michigan Department of Public should be in conduit. If your well has a vent, Backflow Prevention Health, P.O. Box 30195, Lansing, Michigan 48906. Telephone: (517) 335-9216. be sure that it faces the ground, is tightly Backflow or backsiphoning from pesticide connected to the well cap or seal, and is mixing tanks allows chemicals to flow back Interpreting well water test results: properly screened to keep insects out. The well into the well through the hose. Use an anti- * Local Health Department offices or the Water Supply Division, code requires a vermin-proof cap or seal for backflow device when filling pesticide Michigan Department of Public Health. Telephone: (517) 335-9216. all wells. sprayer tanks to prevent the chemical mixture from flowing back into the well and con- Drinking water quality standards: Casing Depth and Height taminating groundwater. Inexpensive anti- * U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline. Call toll free The casing should extend to a minimum depth of 25 feet. Your local Health Depart- back flow devices for hoses used to fill farm 1-800-426-4791 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time. sprayers may be available from irrigation or ment sanitarian or an MDPH specialist can spray equipment suppliers. Keep the hose out * Water Supply Division, Michigan Department of Public Health at (517) 335-9216. advise you on these minimum requirements. of the tank when filling the pesticide sprayer * Local Health Department offices Meeting well code minimums does not if you don't have an anti-backflow deVIce. guarantee a safe water supply; you may want Consider purchasing an inexpensive flas- Approved water treatment devices: to exceed minimum casing depth. tic nurse tank to fill with water at the wel and * Use only those devices certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and Typically, the well casing extends one to then use it to fill the sprayer away from the independent testing laboratory. two feet above ground level to prevent surface farmstead -- and away from the well. water from running down the casing or on top You should also consider anti-backflow Requirements for installation of treatment devices: of the cap and into the well. The well code devices on all faucets with hose connections requires at least 12 inches of casing pipe ex- * Before installing treatment devices on water supplies contaminated with nitrates, heavy tend above the final grade of the land. or maintain air gaps between hoses or faucets metals, VOC's, pesticides, microorganisms, and other health-related contaminants in and the water level. Otherwise, you risk excess of health standards, contact your local Health Department or the Water Supply having water in laundry tubs, sinks, washing Well Age machines, pressure washers, outside hydrants, Division, Michigan Department of Public Health at (517) 335-9126. Well age is an imf0rtant factor in predict- and swimming pools flowing back through the ing the likelihood 0 contaminants entering plumbing and contaminating your water. Locating possible sources of contamination: the well. A well constructed more than 70 * Well drilling contractors, pump installers, Department of Natural Resources district years ago is likely to be at the center of the Water Testing- office water supply specialists, or local Health Department sanitarians. farmstead. It may be a shallower well and is Check water quality in existing wells by probably surrounded by many potential con- testing them annually. Although you cannot Well construction or inspection: tamination sources. Older well pumps are have your water tested for every conceivable . * Your local Health Department sanitarians or registered well drillers or pump installers. more likely to leak lubricating oils which can contaminant, some basic tests can indicate get into the well. Older wells are also more whether or not other problems exist. likely to have thinner casings that may be A copy of your water wen record (construction report): corroded through. Even wells with modem At a minimum, test your water annually Contact the well drilling contractor who drilled the well, your Local Health Department for coliform bacteria and nitrate. A good initial casings that are 30 to 40 years old are subject set of tests for a private well also includes office or the Geological Survey Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to corrosion and perforation. If you have an hardness, chloride, sulfate, sodium, fluoride, 735 East Hazel Street, Lansing, Michigan 48912. Telephone (517) 334-6921. Be older well, you may want to have it inspected and iron. prepared to provide the legal description of the well's location. by a qualified well driller. In addition, you may choose to obtain a broad scan of your water quality for a number Well abandoiunent: Well Type of contaminants. Both state and private labs Contact your local Health Department or the Water Supply Division, Michigan Depart- Dug wells pose the highest risk of allow- offer a screening for metals, inorganic chemi- ment of Public Health at (517) 335-9216. ing drinking water supply contamination be- cals, volatile organic chemicals, her- cause they are shallow and often poorly bicides/pesticides, and coliform bacteria. A protected from surface water. A dug well is a laboratory certified by the Michigan Depart- What to read about... large-diameter hole (usually more than two ment of Public Health is recommended testing Groundwater, groundwater flow: feet wide), which is often constructed by hand, for any well providing drinking water. A list * Introduction to Michigan's Water Resources. MSU Institute of Water Research. and is shallow. of Michigan Department of Public Health Cer- * What is Groundwater. MSU - (CES). WQ35. Driven-point (sand point) wells are con- tified Labs is available from the Water Supply .* Groundwater Contamination. MSU - CES. WQ34. structed by driving assembled lengths of pipe into the ground and pose a moderate to high Division, MDPH. Lab fees vary. * Understanding Groundwater: Michigan's Hidden Resource. MSU - CES. WQ33. risk. These wells normally have a small The results may not include contaminants that could be used near your farm -- the most diameter (2 inches or less) and are less than 50 commonly used pesticides in your area, for Wells, private water systems: feet deep. They can only be installed in areas example. Test for contaminants that are most * A Guide to Home Water Treatment. MSU - CES. WQ21. of relatively loose soils, such as sand. likely at your farmstead. Test for lead if you * Home Water Treatment Using Activated Carbon. MSU - CES. WQ23. All other types of wells, including those have lead pipes or soldered copper joints. Test * Distillation for Home Water Treatment. MSU - CES. WQ22. constructed by a combination of jetting and for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) if there * Reverse Osmosis for Treatment of Drinking Water. MSU - CES. WQ24. driving, are drilled wells. Drilled wells for has been a nearby spill of oil, petroleum * Nitrate: A Drinking Water Concern. MSU - CES. WQI9. farm use are commonly four to eight inches in products, or solvent. While testing for pes- * Private Water Systems Handbook. Midwest Plan Service. MWPS-14. diameter, but older wells may be 2-inch. tici.des.can ~ very expensive, the expense may be Justified If: your well has nitrate levels over Managing & Maintaining Existing Wells 10 mgll (reported as nitrate nitrogen, N03-N); Publications available from ... You wouldn't let a tractor run too long a pesticide spill has occurred near the well or 1. The Michigan State University Institute of Water Research, 334 Natural Resources without an oil change. Your well deserves the backsiphonage has occurred; or if your weil is Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48224, (517) 353-3742. same attention. Good maintenance means test- ~hallow, ~d has less than 25 feet of casing, or ing the water every year, keeping the well area !s !ocated 10 sandy soil and downslope from clean and accessible, keeping contaminants as Imgated croplands where pesticides are used. 2. Your county Extension office or directly from the Bulletin Office, lOB Agriculture far away as possible, and periodically having Y.ou may seek further advice on ap- Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824-1039, (517) 355-0240. a qualified well driller or pump installer check propnate tests to run from your county Exten- the well components. sion office or health department, or your 3. Midwest Plan Service secretary, 217 A.W. Farrall Hall, Michigan State University, MDPH specialist. East Lansing, MI 48824-1323, (517) 353-3297. <'I Michigan Farm News •• - March 15, 1993 II Assessing the Risk of Groundwater Contamination from Drinking Water Well Condition Why should I be concerned? What do I do with these rankings? Worksheet _ About 95 percent of this country's rural Step 1: Begin by determining your overall residents use groundwater to supply their well management risk ranking. Total the Drinking Water Well Condition: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination Risk drinking water and farmstead needs. Wells rankings for the categories you completed I. Use a penc:IL You may Willi to make changes. 3. Then look above !he dcscripcillIl you c:bded to find ,our Nrd nambe(' are designed to provide clean water. If im- and divide by the number of categories you 2 For ea:h Q/tSOQ' IIsled OIl !he left lhaIls appropriJIC to your (4. 3, 2 or I) and enter that namber in !he bImt under "Jour ram.. N ranked. farmstead. read IQ'OSS to !he right and circ1e !he SWClllC11t 4. Direaions OIl overa1lllXlring lIppeU' .Ihe mil of Ihe wortsbed. properly constructed and maintained, how- that best describes ronditiom on your farmstead. (Skip and S. Allow about IS-JO minutes to complae die wortshea and Ilzure out leave b1ank any ategories that don't apply 10 your farmstead) your risk ranting for well ~pncdces. ever, they can allow pathogens, pesticides, fertilizer, oil products or other con- This ranking gives you an idea of how your LOW RISK LOW-MOD RISK MQD.HlGH RISK HIGH RISK YOUR taminants to enter your groundwater. These well management practices as a whole might (rank 4) (rant 3) (rant 2) (rink 1) RANK LOCATION contaminants can put family and livestock be affecting your drinking water, This rank- Pusltlonol Upslope from all Upslope from or at Downslope from ,.., health at risk. ing should serve only as a very general driDkiDawater poUUbOD sources. grade with pollution pollution .,un:es, guide, not a precise diagnosis. Because it well in relation to No surface water runoff soun:es. No surface Some~"'" pollution sources reaches well. SuIfacc water runoff reaches fUtJOff may reech There are documented cases of well con- represents an averaging of many individual water diverted from well. well. rankings, it can mask any individual rank- well. tamination from farmstead activities near drinking water wells. The condition of your ings (such as 1's. or 2's) that should be of well and its proximity to contamination concern. JsoIation Meets or exceeds all Meets most minimum IIem mlnlmum Does not ",., ." sources determine the risk it poses to the state minimum required mlnlmum _,.,Ion distances between well and farmstead isolation distances. isolation distances. IsollltJon d/smtJcft only ftN ~n:n ~ftw~n::es water you drink. Step 2: Look over your rankings for in- contamination lfIquiredlobe.,/I1IISI lfIquired to be ., /eat dividual activities: 300 feet from ..n... 1OUn:es. Soil andlor sub- rUle-textured soils rlOe-textured soils 3lJO feet from """". For example, a cracked or corroded well * Low-risk practices (4's): ideal; should be Medium- or coane- Coarse-lCXtured soils your goal despite cost and effort. surface poteutIaJ (clay loamI, silty clay) (clay loams, silty clay) textured soils. Walei' (sands, sandy loam). casing allows pathogens, nitrates, oil and to protect cround- water or fine textured soils (silt loam or loam). or medium-textured soils (silt loam. loam). table or fractured bedrock deeper than 2S Walei' table or fractured bedrock shallower than pesticides to enter the well more easily. A * Low-to-moderate-risk practices (3' s): Water table or fractured Water table or fractured feet. 2S feet. spill of pesticides being mixed and loaded provide reasonable groundwater protection. bedrock deeper than 2S feet. bedrock shallower than 2S feeL near the well could result in the contamina- * Moderate-to-high-risk practices (2' s): CONDmON- tion of your family's drinking water supply. inadequate protection in many cases. Condition of casing and weIJ cap No holes or cncb. Cap tightly sec:ured. No defects visible. Well .enlrd but not screened. No holes or cracb visible. Cap loose. Ho1es or cracks visible. Cap Ioo8e or missing. Feedlots, animal yards, septic systems, fer- * High-risk practices (1' s): inadequate; (seal) Sa=nedvenL Can bear WI!a' running. tilizer applications and waste storage areas pose a high risk of polluting groundwater. Casing more than 2S Casing terminates Casing termiDates Cased tmninatcs less could release large amounts of nitrate into feet in depth and ex- above any confining above any coafining than 2S feet from the your well. Regardless of your overall risk ranking, any tending thorugh a formation. but is at least formation, but is at least ground surflCe. Or no individual rankings of "1" require immedi- confming protective 2S feet in depth. rme- 2S feet in depth. casing. layer of soil such IS textured soils Coanc-lCXtured soils Preventing well water contamination is ate attention. Some concerns you can take clay. very important. Once the groundwater sup- care of right away; others could be major-or More than 12 inclles At".. tw '" 10 plying your well is contaminated, it is very costly-projects, requiring planning and abovegnde. Blttt:Ita~ difficult to clean up. The only options may prioritizing before you take action. WelJa&e Less than 20 years old. 21-SO years old. SI-70 years old. More than 70 years old. be to treat the water, drill a new well, or WeD type Drilled Driven-point (sand DugweU obtain water from another source. Con- point) taminants on your property can also affect MANAGEMENT your neighbors' wells, posing a serious Badtnow preven- tion Anti-bacldlow devices (such IS checlc valves) Anti-bacldlow devices installed on some No anti-bacld1ow devices. Air gap No anti-backflow devices. Air gap not health threat to your neighbors and serious FA RM-A-SYST installed 011 all faucets with hose connections. faucets with hose maintained. maintained.. Cross- liability questions for you. The Farmstead Assessment System in connections. connections between No cross-connections WIler supplies. Michigan is a multiagency cooperative between water supplies. How do I complete the worksheet? effort to increase awareness and en- Follow the directions at the top of the chart courage correction of potential water No unused, unsealed Unused wells capped Unused, unsealed well Unused, unsealed well wells. and procectcd. in field. Noc capped or at f'anns1cad. Noc on the next page. It should take you about quality problems around the farmstead. J)IOIeCIrd. capped or PR*Cled. 15-30 minutes to complete this worksheet The materials are based on similar Water testiDa Consistent satisfactory Oa:asional deviation Bacteria, nitrate and No Wiler tests done. Wlter quality. Bacte- from standards with other lCJlS mostly do Wattr discolored afleI' and figure out your ranking. materials developed in Wisconsin and ria, nitrate and other bacteria, nitrate and not meet standards. rainstorms or during tests meet standards. other tests. spring melL Nodceable Minnesota with assistance from the changes in color. Focus on the well that provides drinking United States Environmental Protection duity. odor or lISte. water for your home or farm. If you have Agency, Region V. more than one drinking water well on your farmstead, fill out a worksheet for each one. Aboveground Storage Tank Rules For Flammable & Combustible Liquids Recently new rules were passed to regu- hold 100 percent of the capacity of the tank late aboveground storage of flammable and if it were to release its load for any reason. combustible liquids. These rules are ad- ministered and enforced by the Michigan Labeling Requirements For State Police Fire Marshal Division Hazard- Aboveground Tanks ous Materials Section. All tanks are required to have the following: If your farm has an aboveground tank that "FLAMMABLE - KEEP FIRE & FLAME you use to store flammable and combus- AWAY" tible liquids that's 1,100 gallons or less, you would be covered by Code #NFPA 395. If 61 Gallon To 1100 Gallon Tanks: "KEEP your aboveground storage tank is 1,101 40 FEET (12.2M) FROM BUILDING" gallons or more, you are required to abide by code #NFP A 30 or #NFP A 31. Other Information You May Need to Know If you wish to. verify the legality of an existing tank setup or are planning to install o Underground tanks are not to be util- ized as aboveground storage tanks for a new aboveground tank, MFB would strongly suggest that you contact the Fire flammable and combustible liquids. Marshal in your area for further informa- tion. Here are a few of the areas you need Underground tanks are manufactured to be concerned with. to require the support of the ground to help hold it together and are not vented to properly release vapors Distance Required Between during an emergency. Buildings and Aboveground Tanks Up to 60 Gallon Tanks - At least 10 feet Definition of a Building - Any structure the event of a fire and a self-closing valve o Locks are required at both the fill from a building or flammable and combus- that will burn, or be a source of ignition! at the discharge end. opening and on the dispensing device tibles, could be stored in a building used That would include a structure made up of to prevent tampering. exclusively for storage of flammable and a roof over a tank with or without walls on combustible materials only. This type of a the side. Berm Requirements to Protect Against Spillage o Aboveground tanks are not required building must itself be located at least 10 to be elevated off the ground. They feet from any other building. It's also re- Even though shading a tank would help 1,100 Gallon Tanks or Less - None is can also be on ground level or on quired that this building have cross ventila- diminish evaporative fuel loss, if a fire required by law. However, Michigan skids; the only requirement is that tion with at least two vents of 64 sq. in. of were to occur, roofs and walls around a groundwater protection laws prohibit they should be well supported. area, each placed at floor level. tank would make it extremely difficult to anyone from contaminating groundwater. It fight the fire, creating a very dangerous would be a good idea to do anything neces- o If your aboveground tank is 1,101 gal- 61 Gallon Up to 1,100 Gallon Tanks - situation. sary to protect against a possible spill. lons or more, you need to submit a must be at least 40 feet from a building. site plan to the Michigan State Police Vehicles or equipment being filled should Gravity discharge (elevated) tanks re- 1,101 Gallon Tanks or More - A dike Fire Marshal Division, prior to instal- be at least 40 feet from any buildings. quire both a valve located adjacent to the constructed of either concrete or masonry lation. tank shell which will close automatically in must be placed around the tank to be able to Michigan Farm News March 15, 1993 M-24 Corridor Project - An MDOT Perspective The Michigan Department of Transporta- Fairgrove Road and another was down you try to select the route tion (MDOT) has been working on complet- Dutcher Road - both of which were existing that's going to have the Pictured below is part of several rows of established ing plans for an M-24 corridor since 1965. A right of ways," explained Ingle. "To go down least impact," said Ingle. windbreaks that could be opened up due to the proposed preferred route was selected in 1977, but fund- the Dutcher Road alignment would cost $12.3 "Wetlands were kind of route on the Mantey farm. ing problems put the project on again - off million, and require relocation of seven low on that pecking order again a number of times. In 1991, the state homes and 3-1/2 miles of county drain. To go in 1977. We were out allocated over $11 million in Economic down the Fairgrove Road alignment would there buying right of way Development Funds, marking the first time cost $12.4 million and require the relocation and didn't even know we ever that the project had been fully funded. of 15 homes and take part of a DNR pheasant had wetlands to contend According to MDOT Project Engineer reserve." with until 1990." Joel Ingle, the proposed route located a half According to Ingle, using existing road Ingle says that selec- mile north of Dutcher Road and a half mile alignments would provide only 66 feet of road tion of an alternative south of Fairgrove Road was selected after right of way when MDOT actually needs 130 route would require addi- public hearings and engineering reports were feet. Rather than purchase the additional tional engineering studies completed in 1977. needed 64 feet of right of way along the and delay construction "At that time, it took the least profitable existing alignment, Ingle claims the outright originally planned to get farmland, displaced the fewest number of purchase of all new road right of way will be underway in September homes and it required fewer relocations of cheaper in the long run. of 1993. county drains," he said. "At that time, wet- Despite the fact that new ditches will be However, that date lands weren't an issue and this project had built along the new road regardless of where hinges on the recommen- already been finalized. We (MDOT) felt that it's ultimately built, Ingle also claimed it dation of the DNR after the project would be grandfathered. In fact, we would be cheaper to construct new ditches as their public hearing slated didn't even know there were any wetlands opposed to relocating existing drains and for March 24, 7 p.m. at the until we had talked to Don and Bob Mantey." ditches. Caro High School According to Ingle, MDOT has purchased What about the procedure of right of way cafeteria. That hearing a 40 acre site next to the proposed route to purchase prior to permit approval? Ingle says will address the MDOT build or "mitigate" wetlands dIsplaced by the that typically the MDOT attempts to gather permit request to mitigate road. Approximately 6.6 acres of wetlands input from all interested parties prior to route wetlands for road con- will be replaced by 8.6 acres of new wetlands. selection and right of way purchase. struction. A decision In terms of other alternatives, Ingle claims "Most of the time, we've already got these from DNR is expected that MDOT studies have shown that the permit approvals or the resource agencies within a month after the proposed route, at $10.4 million, would be have given their blessing on a particular route. hearing. nearly $2 million cheaper than the other two There's a sH,ghtpecking order of priori ties and alternatives considered. The proposed route would displace three homes and approximate- ly 1,000 feet of drain. "We had two other alternatives that we looked at back in 1978 - one was down USDA Announces Milk Order Plan The Department of Agriculture has released its final decision on changes to federal milk marketing orders, opting for a uniform three-class pricing system that classifies milk by its uses and a mechanism that prices reconstituted milk similar to fresh, whole mille The decision was based on infonnation received during hearings held in late 1990. The proposals, if approved by producers, will mean that milk prices will continue to vary from region to region, based on production costs. They also mean farmers could receive fresh-milk prices for reconstituted milk shipped outside their region and sold as drinking milk. Referendums will be conducted in eight markets, and dairy cooperatives will be polled in the remaining 32 markets to :'.Assoa Ll o CMM SOlI eMMttll!!) determine whether dairy producers ap- prove the revised orders. If the amended order is not approved, the milk order ceases to exist for that market. Ctlrn:mt Health Insurance Referendums will be held in New York- New Jersey; Eastern Ohio-Western Penn- sylvania; Louisville-Lexington- Evansville; Alabama-West Florida; .... Greater Louisiana; ~emphis; Nashville; and Paducah, Kentucky. The USDA decision is scheduled to be published in the March 5 Federal Register. The referendums and polling . In these tough 'ec~nomictimes all business own~;s'are'lo~_kjng-fo~,waysto improve their bottom line.' ,'~: will take place by April 5. Now Farm~ureau can help with a ne~ money"savinggroup Health Plan from Blue Cross Blue Shjeld~ofMichigan. " ". '. - ~ .IIi' . .: ••• ~ ...... -~' ",_ • _.t ":.",." t-, .:;~~ ..:" ", : ," "z,' ...... ~ :..' : ..... : .... / .••••• - ... ",I•• The recommended decision deals with only two areas, classified pricing and the Th'E!sene~ plans a~~guara~teed is~~.e.n~matte~ what your h~altb.~i~tory; 19Ea"y~~rviceg'QX:pur, J?g,c6.ur.1ty':offi~'es" cmd 400 ~lgents.slat~wide, . pricing of reconstituted milk. . and competItively Priced to save farm Qwnersand opergtors hundreds;oreventhousands oLdollars ofttheir health insurance bilL ', .., .' So, if you're a sole'proprietor or if you have.o~eor more em~loyees, youshoulq cci{1FarmButea~ today for benefit and rate-information: The order, if adopted, will provide a uniform three-class system of pricing in all ..... '.•1l.P?lQfI'J.t':r~~~.' . ~,-' .. '.' .. orders, resulting in a more consistent pric- .~ I. ing system. In the past, some orders had only two classes of milk and those with FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION RATE QUOTE - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 OR 3240. three did not always use the same defini- Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau tion of products for each class, according Membership Services to American Farm Bureau Federation P.O. Box 30960 dairy specialist Ken Olson. Lansing, MI 48909 Please Print The final decision is unlikely to end dis- Name Current Health Insurance cussions over milk orders among producers, Olson said. "The need to have Address Number of Full Time Employees o Sole proprietor a new base-pricing mechanism for all or- (1 person group) ders, and some producers' desire for more significant changes, would seem to assure Phone _ o 2-4 0 5-9 continued activity on milk orders." County _ o 10-24 0 25 and over Type of Farm/Business r--~ "- MFN Michigan Farm News 1993 Dodge Trucks Take the Next Step in Power and Perfromance -. March 15, 1993 Dodge Truck is taking the power war to the next level for 1993. Following the tremen- dous market response to the successful Cum- Dodge Truck Discount mins Turbo Diesel in the Ram truckline and A vailable to Farm Bureau the Magnum V-6 and V-8 engines launched across the truckline in 1992, Dodge adds more Members power for 1993 with a new Magnum 5.9-liter V-8. Effective immediately, Michigan Farm Providing the truck industry's strongest and most dependable powertrain offerings, Bureau members can now save an additional plus an unrelenting focus on engineering and $500 on the purchase of several Dodge truck convenience features, Dodge continues to models, including the popular Ram pickup back up its offerings with a "Simple Promise": with the Cummins diesel and the mid-size "Overall, today's Dodge Trucks, gas and Dodge Dakota Longbox pickup, according to diesel, can deliver more payload, towing and MFB Member Services Manager Doug horsepower than Ford, Chevy or any import. Fleming. Period." Underscoring that contention is the 1993 "This program is available to all MFB mem- introduction of a new Magnum multi-point bers who have paid their memberships for fuel-injected (MPI) 5.9-liter V-8 engine that 1993, including new and renewed members," produces considerably more horsepower and workload capability than the powerplant it said Fleming. "Members need to pick up an replaces in Dodge Ram pickups, Ram incentive certificate from their county Farm VanslWagons and Ramcharger. Bureau office to take advantage of the pro- Compared to the former throttle-body in- gram." jected (TBI) 5.9, the MPI 5.9 engine's overall 1993 Dodge Dakota Pickups Focus On Comfort, Performance Refinements horsepower is increased from 205 to 230, its According to Fleming, the county Fann 0-60 mph acceleration and wide-open throttle Coming off the most successful model pound feet of torque at 3,200 rpm. The Mag- Bureau will verify the individual's member- travel distance are improved by some 20 per- year ever, in which its new, more powerful num 5.2-liter has a peak 230 horsepower at ship, and then call Dodge for a certificate cent. powertrains created record sales, the Dodge 4,800 rpm, along with 280 pound feet of validation number that will be placed on the Gradability -- an indication of a vehicle's Dakota pickup truck for 1993 has its product torque at 3,000 rpm. incentive certificate. Members can then visit ability to do work when fully loaded to its focus on across-the-board performance refine- With the Magnum V-8, the Dakota can gross-vehicle-weight rating (GVWR) -- is in- their local Dodge dealer, negotiate their best ments. achieve 0-60 MPH in approximately 8.3 creased by as much as 33 percent with the new deal and then present the Farm Bureau cer- The first mid-size pickup truck available, seconds. With the Magnum V-6, Dakota can Magnum 5.9-liter (360 CID) V-8. the Dakota offers more power, more standard go from 0-60 MPH in 9.3 seconds. tificate for an additional $500 savings. This Joining the world-class Cummins Inter- payload, the largest cab, the largest pickup box The Magnum 3.9-Liter V-6 is standard on savings is in addition to any national con- cooled 5.9-liter Turbo Diesel model for 1993, and a higher trailer-tow rating than any com- four-wheel-drive Dakota bodystyles and op- sumer rebate or factory discount (except cer- along with a Magnum 3.9-liter V-6 and Mag- pact truck. Dakota is the first mid-size pickup tional on two-wheel-drive models. The Mag- tain employee purchase, physically hand- num 5.2-liter V-8 introduced a year ago, the designed with the power and chassis to handle num 5.2-liter V-8 is optional across the line. icapped, or college graduate programs). new Magnum 5.9 underscores Dodge Truck's the 10,000 pound GCWR-plus load range of A 2.5-liter, electronically fuel-injected 4- reputation for performance. 1/2 ton pickups. cylinder engine is standard on two-wheel- The Dodge trucks available through the pro- The Dodge Ram/Cummins Turbo Diesel Dakota is available in two-wheel-drive- drive Dakota Conventional Cab and Club Cab gram include the following: exemplifies that capability. It has a higher- and four-wheel-drive models with Conven- models. rated trailer towing capacity -- up to 17,000 Dakota - Regular Cab (4x2 and 4x4) tional Cab or Club Cab (extended cab) ver- Horsepower and torque output from the Dakota Chassis Cab - Longbox (4x2) gross combined weight -- than any other pick- sions. Magnum V-6 and V-8 engines is accom- up truck. The 1993 Dakota receives a smoother modated by Dodge's heavy-duty, 4-speed Ram Pickup - Regular Cab (gas or To harness this power, Dodge is the only shifting 5-speed manual transmission with its automatic transmission, as well as the new Cummins diesel, 4x2 or 4x4) truck builder to offer heavy-duty transmis- standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, while 5-speed manual. Ram Chassis Cab - (gas or diesel) sions -- 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatics four-wheel anti-lock brakes are available Conventional model Dakota pickups are Ramcharger - Sport Utility (4x2 or 4x4) -- across the board. Other highlights include: throughout the lineup. built either on 112-inch wheelbase with a Ram Vans - All models (cargo or - The Magnum 3.9-liter V-6 engine is Also for 1993, a full stainless steel exhaust 6-112-foot cargo box or a I24-inch wheelbase conversion vans) rated at 180 horsepower at 4,800 rpm with a system has been added on all models, along with an 8-foot box. The Club Cab has a 131- Ram Wagons - All models peak 225 pound feet of torque at 3,200 rpm. with the availability of a work package (power inch wheelbase and features the 6-112 foot Caravan CN - Cargo Van only - The Magnum 5.2-liter V-8 engine has a steering, 22-gallon fuel tank) on two-wheel box. Both boxes are double-walled construc- (passenger wagons not included) peak 230 horsepower at 4,800 rpm, along with drive models with long pickup boxes. tion and feature two-tier loading access. 280 pound feet of torque at 3,000 rpm. Both premium split bench seats and bucket Dakota boasts a large 2,550-pound - Dodge Truck's heavy-duty 4-speed seats have been deSIgned for greater comfort. payload capability in Conventional 2WD lock brakes, 15-inch wheels and tires, cargo automatic transmission has a broader model Power window and power lock switches are models and 2,000 pounds in Club Cab box with stake pickets, lighter, dome light, full application for 1993, including becoming a now more accessible, as are passenger grab models. Trailer tow ratings of 6,400-pounds gauges and dual outside mirrors. standard feature on Ramcharger models. handles. Outboard unibelt passenger restraints on the Magnum V-8 Club Cabs and up to Options include air conditioning, power - Larger exhaust systems -- now fully with free-running cinch adjustments also have 6,9OO-pounds on Conventional Cab models remote outside mirrors, power door locks and stainless steel -- with reduced exhaust back been added. are available. windows, power steenng, sound systems, pressure enhance performance of both the Major redesigns of the Dodge Magnum Standard features on Dakota include two-tone paint and several equipment pack- Magnum V-6 and the Magnum 5.2 and 5.9- 3.9-liter V-6 and the 5.2-liter V-8 engines in power front disc brakes, rear drum with anti- ages. liter V-8 engines. 1992, as well as significant improvements to - For cold-weather, an engine block heater the drivelines supporting these powerplants, is now available on all Ram pickup models, as were immediate favorites with Dakota's is a heavy duty snow plow prep package for buyers. the 5.9 diesel engine. The Magnum 3.9-Iiter is rated at 180 horsepower at 4,800 rpm with a peak 225 1 THEAlLNEW .IOFF.IAWN" MOWER NOW With Power Steering! ~ Power steering If you have over an acre of ~ adds greater land, the TROY-Blrr- Sicklebar maneuverability! is the perfect "Off-Lawn" mower to cut grass, weeds, even light brush of any height in all types of terrain. • Amazingly fast. .. cuts Morton Buildings is leading the industry with: 1,500 sq. ft. of overgrown weeds in under 5 minutes! :> New stmctural designs t/ 5O-year column MIl snow""" protection Send TODAY For FREE Detallsl Send for FREEdetails on ...I ------------ I TROY-BILT Mfg. Co. Dept. A3793 102nd St. & 9th Ave., Troy, NY 12180 1 :> New :> New :> New stmcturaJ. capabilities color combinations building styles (with no w_linit) t/ 2(}-year protection agaiIst red rust our whole line of TROY-BILT I 0 USI Please send me your FREE 1 :> New exterior applications (incbIing acid rail) Slcklebar Mower Catalog Including Sicklebar Mowers including I details on all your models ...PLUSInfor- I t/ l(}-year wiId-Ioad protection 111 :> New interior options our FREE 'TIL FALL. I mation on ~our No-Money-Down FREE 1 :> New sliding door teclulOlogy AlllnaSteefD sldilg doors (with no financing offer on now! '11L FALL financil1i offer on nowl .... Iinit) "Offer ~d March 1 lhru Aprll30. 1993. I 317 1 > New gutter systems I Name 1 > New inJonnative video tapes t/ 5-year WinIHoad protection 011 co~ I Address t1 :> New corrosion protection IniIdi1g (with no weight Iinit) C~ :1 Call your local office today! I State ZiP! 1 Adrian, MI (517) 263-0541 800-447-7436 I OTlllJ¥._LT- !1 Brown City, MI (313) 346-2702 O'.pan-l 1nI_.U __ .. .-dine CncIIt T... $1.000 or balance. 7,92"onexcess;AL. ------------ The APR.. '-sed on )lOur state 01residence, CT. R.LA. PM, ME. MN. Ne. NO. PA. RI. WA. .ndWl- first $1 000 or balance 144" on excess' NE - 18.96" on nrst SSOO 01 balance. IlM on excess; 1~ o~ nrst S7SO 01 ~la~e. 12" on ~ DC and •• other sUtes - 18.96"- Minimum nn.nce Is .s rollows: AI( - 1lM on nrst IlM;AR-7,,92"; SC - 16.9~. KS-I~.96~on 1)( - 17.64". WV ch.,.e Is S.SO (except lor residents Kalkaska, Rockford, Three Rivers, MI (616) 258-2580 MI (616)874-6400 MI (616) 279-5271 ~~MORTON ii. BUILDINGS 01 AR. CT. DC. HI. 10. KY. LA. MO. MO. NE. NMo Ne. NO. OR, .nd RI.) Michigan Farm News .v March 15, 1993 - .tJllt 1985 JOHN DEERE 7000 Glenoo disk chisel 11 shank HINIKER RIDGING Cultiva- 10 ACRE PARCELS west of DAIRY FARM 188 acres, 6 GOLF-FARMING .... Your Planter, 4 row narrow. No till 24 hole International press tor. 8 row with bean shields Adrian. Mostly tillable, some miles west of Owosso with sandy farm might be greener coulters, split insecticide wheel grain drill. Sweeney and weighted bar. $8000 or woods, lots of wildlife. frontage on M-21 and Baldwin than you think. Imagine boxes, tine tooth inoorpora- Farms. Maybee, Michigan best offer. 616-467-6109, $14,900 each parcel. EZ Road. 517-485-8885 for creating your own profitable tors. monitor. Excellent 313-587-3340. 7pm please. terms. F-731. Faust Real information. golf course just like a profes- $4000. 517-427-5662. Estate Adrian. sional. Call 517-291-3322. -- --- TAIL GATE hydraulic lift pick- 517-263-8666. GLEANER F Diesel 13' grain HI-TENSILE FENCE up cap, full size, high type. 30 10 ACRES on paved road. SUPPLIES pressure treated head. 4 row, narrow com, gallon saddle tanks. Farm Mostly,tillable. OK for mobile very good condition, $5000. posts and temporary fence equirment parts 'available. or build. Southeast Hillsdale supplies. Order earty for guar- Also 8 row International 400 Geh parts in stock. Call County. $13,500. Terms. Cyclo planter with dry fertiliz- "PUMP- don't haur manure anteed spring delivery. High- 517-224-6300. with the DODA manure pump. F-714. FAUST REAL WANTED TO BUY cash not est quality materials. er monitor. Very good oondi- ESTATE Adrian opinion for oombines, tractors tion. 517-967-8416 or Good used motorized travel- 517-386-3517 or ers and aluminum pipe. 517-263-8666. and hay equipment especially 517-386-2382. Don Nevill. 517-967-8407. NEW KRAUSE 24' Lantis- round balers. Call man and Krause 18' Rockslex PLUMMER SUPPL Y, INC. NO-TILL DRILL 20' Yetter 1-800-632- n31 130 COW Dairy facililty for 517-383-2571 evenings. disk, Krause 15' no-till drill. sale. Harvestore, Siurrystore, double bar cart, 36 Rawson --I USED JD210 DISK JD220 Sweeney Farms. Maybee, Coulters M&W drill with mark- disk, JD 27' field cultivator, r--------------------------, Mich. 313-587-3340. Trigon Partor. Extra land and feed available. Free natural gas in house. 1-800-982-5687. ltiR~::::::I.. :I.. ::::::~I::,::i::!:~I:~I.. fl:i::'::i::I:},:i:~I::,:f}i}i:I:~:::1 ers. $17,000 or will separate. 517-772-1605 517-828-6828. or Deadline for next issue is March 22, 1993 1~111111111!1111!!1111111111111!1111111~111!1111111111111111111111IIII11! QUAUTY 140 ACRE FARM SHOW SEPTEMBER REGISTERED Polled Here- Centrally located between FINEST MICHIGAN GROWN fords, breeding age bulls and strawberry and asparagus 17-18-19.1993 Farmer's E Call 1-800-968-3129 __ heifers and bred heifers. MSU Ann Arbor, Lansing and Jack- son. Beautiful 140 rolling plants. All state inspected. Antique Tractor and En$Jine Association, 7600 Fornster to Place Your Classified Ad Today! Performance tested. Rocky acres including 90 tillable plus grown on fumigated Sandy Banner bloodline. Robert roam soil. Write for free illus- Road, Adrian, Michigan or use the coupon below and mail your classifiedad to springfed pond, woods and 49221. Thank you for Dona- Rye, Rogers City, Michigan. wetlands. Well cared for and trated price list. Krohne Plant 517-734-3005. Farms Rt. 6, Box 586, Dowa- tions to Old Rome Farm Michigan Farm News newly renovated 4 bedroom farm home with large country giac. Mich 49047. Museum. Show Exhibitors WEANLING PET LLAMAS and Flea Market September Class/fied Advertising Halter trained and registered. kitchen plus 3 bedroom cape 616-424-5423 17-18-19-1993. P.O. Box 340, 109 N. Lafayette Also two bred temales. cod. Great for starter home or extra incomel Barns and FISH FOR STOCKING Giant Superior blood lines. Hybrid Bluegills, Rainbow TOOLS for every farm job. US Greenville, MI 48838 HORTON BAY LLAMAS outbuildings in excellent Trout, Walleye, Largemouth made and imports. Screw- Chartevoix 616-582-7473. shape. $375,000. Terms Bass, Smallmouth Bass, drivers to 5HP iron air possible. Wilson White Channel Catfish, Perch and oompressors, large variety of YOUNG 25 COW Jersey Company 313-995-0600. Fathead Minnows. LAGGIS' abrasives, large wrenchs and Classified Ad Codes Herd. Butterfat 5.35 plus Evenings 313-665-3075. FISH FARM INC., 08988 socket sets in stock. OPEN $1.53 solid nonfat 9.53 plus 35th St, GObfes, MI, 49055. 8am-9pm 7 days. C & W i. Farm Machinery 7. Auctions $1.07. Female yeartings and SAGINAW COUNTY 100 acres, 60 tillable with nice Call 616-628-2056 days, Tools Sales Ionia, MI calves also available. 2. Livestock Equipment 8. Building Materials 517-665-2218. home and pole barn. Call 616-624-6215 evenings. 616-527-2724. 3. Farm Commodities 9. Real Estate Muladore Real Estate POLLED Simmental bulls 517-799-7460 or Tom Schaf- 4. Livestock 10. Seeds and heifers, Fleckbieh blood- fer 517-nO-4886. NOTICE OF PUBUC AUCTION 5. Help/Position Wanted 11. Wanted to Buy lines, performance tested, FARMERS PETROLEUM COOPERATIVE, INC. bulls had 722lbs weaning MARCH 27, 1993 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. 6. Agricultural Services 12. General weight average. Wm Garvey, Chartotte. 517-543-2938. I Having sold or closed several retail locations throughout the state, FPe I QUALITY ANGUS BREED- will be auctioning assets used in the business of petroleum, TBA, and I ING STOCK Performance Phone ( tested, Bulls semen tested. farm supply distribution. Items include: tire changers, pneumatic tools, I Name I Address state---Zip Free delivery. Also Border Collie Stock Dogs. Call today. PROSOY Soybean Seed 236 Sugar St office equipment, safe, shelving, fuel handling equipment, floor jacks and stands, selected tires, and many other farm supply merchandise. I City BORDNER ANGUS FARMS A complete sale bill will be provided by contacting Farmers Petroleum I Ctassified l Ad Code Requested Number ot Issues Sturgis, MI 616-651-8353. Blissfield, M149228 i'J~\ i Cooperative, Inc., between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Mon. Desired Insertion Date(s): REGISTERED Yorkshire and 1-800- YES-CORN I Hampshire Boars and open Gilts. Also bred Gilts. some ~ Farm Seeds r:~:~~ of ! s through Fri. prior to Wed, March 24,1993. Phone: 1-800-451-6873 or by FAX: 1-517-323-6786. Sale bill will not be provided by telephone. I carrying F-1 litters. 36 years M: ProfessioNd Quality - Pat Lause, Auctioneer - I Method of Payment of quality breeding stock. Check $ (payable to MIchIgan Farm NewsClaaalfled) Marvin Cook, Mulliken, MI. 517-649-8988 Visa Card Number Exp. Date _ Taylor Master Card Number Exp. Date _ WATER STOVE Classified Rates $8 for up to 24 words 1IL~1I AG-liME SPREADING louis This is the safest, most effi- cient wood heat system on the market today. • Set Outside 30 cents each additional word Young Farm. 12196 Quarter- • Non-Pressurized line Rd, Constantine, ML Write your ad here, including phone number and area code • Provide 100% of house- 49042. Call 616-435-7560, hold heat and hot water 616-435-9665. 4 • Stainless Steel Elimi- 2 3 BIRD FERTILIZER nates Corrosion 5 6 7 6 SERVICES. 1100 N Irvina, • UL Listed Greenville. Fertilizer, chemI- • Thermostatic Control 12 9 10 11 cals, seed. lime, feed. Soil testing, truck spreading and 7 12 to 24 hr. Burn Time 13 14 15 16 custom spraying. Call 2428 W. Saganing Road - Bentley, MI 48613 MINI WAREHOUSE 17 18 19 20 616-754-3684. SALE $11.298 21 22 23 24 DEBT RESTRUCTURING 8 (517) 846-01 00 Day or Evenings ...0 '1 1~iJ PAR1Il,OllS :.ITH..'J , X. Uf41Tl.) DOORS CO"Pl him t Tl :nTH HAR[J:.AR~ I years practice representing 25 26 27 28 I Michigan family farmers, 'I specializing in reorganiza- 29 30 31 32 I tion, experienced in many 743-41112 725-72118 FARM AUCTION I agricultural issues including 743.6162 725.7756 Involved in other business, we will discontinue farming and sell the PA116 requests. Attorney L ~J Daniel Kraft, 517-485-8885. Glardon following list at public auction, located 9 miles north of Owosso, MI, via M-S2 to Johnstone Road, east 1 mile to Seymour Road, then south to 8400 AUCTION SERVICE IIICO.POUTED Seymour Road, Shiawassee County. WED., Mar. 31, 1993, 10:30 a.m. •• 70 IAIT JUDDVILU ROAD COAU'UIA.MICHIGAN ..... 7 PARTIAL LISTING MCIA SEED TESTING LAB 1977 Ford 77000 tractor, no cab, 18.4-34 clamp on duals; 1976 Case 26700 4x4 tractor, 3 pL, quick hitch, 4 EXPERIENCED ANALYSTS hyd outlets, 23.1-30 tires, 18.4-34 clamp on duals; 197810 66000 combine w/hyd. rear assist mud hog; 10 21515' flex head; 10 643 6-row com head; Kubota B7100 4WD 16 hp. diesel garden tractor, 3 pL, PTO, Kubota 2 REGISTERED SEED TECHNOLOGISTS 4' 3 pL mower; 1978 Chevy Cl65 truck, 427 gas engine, auto., air brakes, 16' Benders grn. rack, air tail gate, FAST RELIABLE SERVICE double swing, single post hoisL; 1971 Chevy C/50 truck, 16' metal grn. rack, floating tandem, single post hoist; SEED TESTING PERFORMED ON FIELD 1989 Chevy Z-714x4 pickup, short box, 350 engine,S speed manual, 54,000 miles; 1990 Brillion 32' transport cu1tipacker, Xfold; Ulliston IS-tooth tilJager soil saver; IoL 720 auto. 8-18" onland hitch plow; InL 710 auto. CROPS, VEGETABLES, & FLOWERS 6-16" onland hitch plow; Eversman V ditcher w/hyd eyl.; Wilrich 30' field cultivator, hyd fold; White 378 TESTS PERFORMED: Standard Germ Cold Germ I Vigor 8-row Oanish tooth cultivator, straight; Case 30' wheel disk, hyd fold, rock flex, anhydrous app; Brillion 7-tooth Purity TZ Viability I Vigor V ripper 3 pt; M&W 1815 3 pt. 15' rotary hoe; Case InL 5100 21-hole grain drill, grass seeder, double disk, press wheels; Unverferth 12-1/2' culti-planter II, new last spring. InL 800 8-row cyclo air planter, dry fertilizer, Noxious Weed Exam Seed Counts cyclo-meter 0; 10 17-hole grain drill; Farm Hand 7-wheel rake; Ford 3-14" 3 pL plow; Oark 400 gal. field Moisture Accelerated A in sprayer; Ford 3 pt. 7' mowing machine; Irrigation pump w/1977 Oeutz V-8 diesel 220 hp. engine & Berkley FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: B4EYRMBMCW pump on tandem trailer; Boss 1/2 mile traveler wlNelson P200 gun & 1320' 4-1/2" hose; MICHIGAN CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOC. , P.O. BOX 21008, LANSING, MI Boss 318 mile travelerw/Nelson P200 gun and P200 gun 990' 4-1/2" hose; appx. 4000' alum. irrigation pipe in 48909, PHONE 517/355-7555, FAX 517/355-4554 30' lengths; 2 pipe hauling trailers; appx. 400' black 12" plastic tile; Quantity or Farm MiscelJaneous. CALL FOR DETAILED HANDBILL (517) 743-6162 SERVING FARMERS SINCE 7904 SPIKE FARMS, PROPRIETOR (517) 725-6527 . Michigan Farm News . April Discussion Topic - "Managing Michigan's Forests" •• March 15, 1993 Privately owned forests are one of Society recognizes'the important role of 50 cost sharing with the state. In Michigan's magnificent and renewable private, non-industrial timber owners by stewardship, there are forest incentive Michigan's history includes the rich natural resources. For private landowners, supporting federal government efforts to programs. If the landowner provides a heritage of lumberjacks and timber barons forest land can provide bountiful recreation- assist landowners in their stewardship prac- stewardship plan, we provide a cost share who harvested the wood that built the great al and hunting opportunities. And when tices. The U.S. Forest Service of the USDA incentive as high as 80-20 to do certain cities of the Midwest. Today, private land- properly managed, the timber and wood has had a partnership with the states for over prescribed things in a management plan," owners manage their timber with a sophis- products from those forest lands can be a 60 years to help accomplish this objective. he said. ticated attitude of resource development. significant source of income. They see the forests, not just the trees, and The State and Private Forestry Division of $1.7 million was provided to Michigan in recognize that multi-use management can But widespread publicity about the mis- the Forest Service is designed to help cooperative programs this year, according provide a financial return and investment in management of state and federal forests has steward private and state lands to help make to Rains. the future. led some people to jump to the erroneous them as productive as possible, according conclusion that all timber resource manage- to Michael Rains, associate deputy chief, Michigan's Department of Natural Resour- ment, public or private, is negative and was- State and Private Forestry. Seven program Discussion Questions: ces has little or no jurisdiction or involve- teful. Some environmental groups promote directions are maintained consisting of ment with private forest management, ac- 1) In what manner should clear-cutting the image of timber harvesting as simple forest stewardship, planning, forest health cording to Kevin Kirk, commodity continue to be a part of forest manage- destruction of a natural resource. management, rural fire defense, urban specialist for Michigan Farm Bureau. ment? forestry, economic action programs and "However, an effort is underway by the In fact, private woodland owners have sub- conservation education. DNR to try to prescribe certain timber prac- 2) How far should an animal species stantial financial incentives to be good tices that would need to be followed on dictate the future of the timber industry? stewards of the natural resource that is under Technical and financial assistance is private land," said Kirk. "Michigan Farm their care. After all, a poorly maintained and provided to states like Michigan through Bureau has strong policy in favor of 3) Should timber harvestors/operators harvested forest provides less return on the the state forester. "That assistance gets to developing a Forest-Practice-Rights Act be licensed by the DNR? original investment made by the landowner. the landowners through one or more of the similar to the Right-To-Farm Act. We need Proper multi-use management of forests, on seven program areas and 43 specific pro- these practices to make sure the forestry 4) What should be the proper role of the the other hand, contributes to the value of gram components," said Rains. "For ex- industry continues to survive and thrive in DNR in helping to manage our private, the land and indirectly fosters wildlife ample, we assist with suppression and our state," Kirk said. non-industrial forest lands? preservation, clean air and water and other prevention of gypsy moth by providing "green" goals. leading-edge technical assistance and 50- Understand Michigan's Pesticide Use Regulations? The Michigan Department of Agriculture Commercial Pesticide has drafted new regulations for pesticide Bulk Storage Rules use as required by the Michigan Pesticide Control Act as amended in 1988. These Another new set of regulations (Regulation regulations have recently been approved 640) that are currently in effect are those for and, therefore, are in affect. Some of the Commercial Pesticide Bulk Storage. new regulations that affect your farm opera- tion are as follows; Regulation 640 regulates storage of liquid pesticides greater than 55 gallons in an in- Whether you're looking for a small, rustic cabin or a large Call or write today. All Pesticide Applicators dividual container or dry pesticides weigh- spacious home, an HONEST ABE LOG HOME is for you. 0 Send me your FREE full-color brochure explaining ing more than 100 pounds in an individual Our Jog homes are special, one of a kind, homes. Let us your Jog homes. o Must prevent off target drift. container. help you create your own special home. Our company has many years of experience and hundreds of homes as a tes- 0 Enclosed is $10 for your color catalog, which in- dudes 40 standard floor plans. o Must maintain pesticide equipment in These regulations are for commercial timony to this fact • In House Financing at low, competitive rates ... 0 Please send Dealer Information ....., sound mechanical condition including storage only. Storage by farmers is exempt • Free design services Jet you create your dream home. : Name : properly functioning shut-off valves. unless pesticides are being distributed to • Construction service to make it easy for you and assure : Address : Pesticide application or loading equip- others not owning the storage . you the highest quality job. : City State : ment that is designed to draw water • Large, massive logs accurately pre-cut and numbered I I at our plant to provide the highest quality materials. ~~p P}1.?~~ =..: must have a properly functioning anti- For more information on these regula- siphoning device. tions, contact MFB Legislative Counsel ~~ Please clip and mail to: Route I, Box 84TSR Vicki Pontz at 1-800-292-2680, ext. 2046. 101. Moss, Tennessee 38575 D Must contain all spills promptly. Dealerships Available. 1-800-231-3695 D Must have a "spill kit" available at all times. (This would contain material that would absorb or contain a spill.) D Must identify sensitive areas such as schools, parks, bees, organic farms, etc. and prevent pesticides from drift- ing into these areas. D Must wear protective equipment as described on the label. o If applicators use drift minimization practices and have a Drift Manage- ment Plan in writing, they will be given special consideration if any regulatory enforcement action were to be considered by the Michigan Depart- Travel to England, European Adventure Tour ment of Agriculture. Ireland, Scotland, visiting Austria, All Commercial Applicators & Wales Svvitzerland & Italy D Must install mixing and loading pads July 8-23, 1993 August 14-25, 1993 per specifications. One does not need the "Luck of the Irish" to enjoy the Our 12 -day central European tour takes in the beautiful many attractions included in this deluxe package. This countryside of Austria, the mountains of Italy and the D Must meet posting and notification re- quirements and notify all persons 16-day tour is full of many great attractions including lakes of northern Italy as we visit Fairy tale Bavaria, the registered as "sensitive persons" at such things as Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Blarney Passion play village ofOberammergau, the Italian resort least 24 hours in advance of applying Castle, Waterford Crystal factory, Dublin, Edinburgh of Stresa and Linderhof Castle. pesticides. Castle, an overnight stay in Ruthin Castle in Wales, The new regulations also allow for pesticide theatre tickets to a Royal Shakespeare Theatre produc- This European tour includes roundtrip airfare, transfer, containing materials such as soil, sediment, tion, a Medieval Banquet, a visit to Stonehenge, deluxe motorcoach transportation, first class and and debris to be land applied if the active Buckingham Palace, and a tour of London, as well as Tyrolean-style hotel accommodations, European-style ingredient can be measured and the applica- London Theatre tickets. Our package includes roundtrip buffet breakfast daily, 1 dinner, and much more. The tion is no greater than label rates. airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations, 24 meals and much Farm Bureau member price is $1,725. Non memher price MSU's Cooperative Extension Service will more for $2,799 per person. is $1,755 per person. be making available a sample written Drift Management Plan as well as more informa- tion about the new regulation~ so that you will be able to see what will be required of you to comply. TO RECEIVE AOOmoNAllNFORMA nON CAll DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. - 3067. Michigan Farm News •• March 15, 1993