Michigan Farm News March 30, 1993 1 •• 1 Vol. 70, No.6 Engler Makes Animal Livestock Initiative Budget Commitment In a surprise move, Michigan Gov. John Michigan doesn't meet needed production Engler included the entire $70 million capi- levels for full operation, says Poston. tal outlay required for the Michigan Animal Livestock Initiative in his 1994 fiscal year "There are some things that have happened budget recommendation. If approved by the ~recently in the private sector that could Legislature, it means that actual construc- - mean we' Ii see as much as a. 50 percent tion of new animal science and research increase 'in hogs over the next 18 to 24 facilities at Michigan State University months - that's about 5,000 jobs by itself," could begin as soon as 1994. It also means said Poston, referring to on-going discus- Michigan's livestock industry will benefit sion between the Michigan Livestock Ex- from improved research and facilities much change and Farmland Industries. "In these sooner, according to Ag and Natural hard economic times, that's awfully sig- Resources Dean Fred Poston. nificant for the state of Michigan." The capital outlay proposal follows on the The animal livestock initiative will not. be heels of a $1 million appropriation last year complete, however, without follow-through for design and architectural work of the new on budget requests for staffing and research, facilities. The university has four architec- cautioned Poston. As part of the original tural firms working on designs for new proposal, an annual allocation of $6 million facilities, most notably a new education- was requested to meet those needs once the alIlivestock pavilion and total renovation of renovation and new buildings were com- Anthony Hall, as well as new facilities for If funding is approved, MSU's Anthony Hall would undergo a total renovation. pleted. the dairy processing and meat labs. and research equipment. Upon completion support Gov. Engler's proposal, based on "We were beginning to lose people, not "We were having difficulty in terms of of the renovation of Anthony Hall, it will the potential return of the livestock initia- because of salary, but because of inadequate federal inspection because our meat lab be essentially new and capable of lasting tive, referring to excess processing facilities," Poston said. "Now, hopefully, simply wasn't up to code," Poston ex- for another 50 to 100 years." capacity in swine, dairy and poultry sectors we'll have the facilities which the governor plained. "Anthony Hall currently isn't ..... of Michigan. Currently, several meat pack- has indicated would not make good monu- capable of handling the demands put upon Despite" the current state budget crunch; ing facilities import as much as 40 percent ments. Someplace along the line, we hope the electrical system by all the computers Poston is confident that the Legislature will of their production, simply because the state will consider that. " Court of Appeals Decision Questions P.A. 116 Procedures A recent Court of Appeals ruling regard- that the rules were arbitrary and capricious. terminated. "It just says they wanted to ter- opinion, or declaratory ruling, on specific ing P.A. 116 administrative rules called In other words, the termination rules minate the contract and they didn't like the rules regarding the validity of Rule-43. Rule-43 for contract termination has weren't rational, explained Smith. rules under which they had to terminate created additional questions about the pro- and, therefore, they wanted the rules "To the best of my knowledge, the DNR cedures and validity of P.A. 116 contracts, "The Court of Appeals held that Rule-43 declared invalid," he said. never acted on the original requests to ter- and exactly the Department of Natural was valid and that DNR could adapt stand- minate the P.A. 116 contract," Strong said. Resource's (DNR) role in the program. ards to define when somebody can get out Strong maintains the court case is the result "The DNR also refused to issue a declara- of a P.A. 116 contract agreement," ex- of inaction by the DNR on two separate tory ruling on Rule-43. If they had done so, According to Kevin Smith, Michigan assis- plained Smith. "The ruling also says that occasions - their inaction on the original we would have been required to stay within tant attorney general, the Court of Appeals local units of government are bound by the termination requests, and their inaction on an administrative branch of government to overturned three Circuit Court decisions, DNR rules and they cannot allow somebody the declaratory ruling. Under the Michigan resolve this matter." but also added that the DNR has no out of a contract, unless they comply with Administrative Procedures Act, the authority in reviewing a local governing DNR rules. The DNR, however, cannot Dykstras asked the DNR to issue their own Continued on page 5, see "P.A. 116" unit's decision in P.A. 116 terminations. review the local determination to make sure The ruling was the result of a DNR appeal it's an accurate application of the rules." Stars of Michigan on a previous Circuit Court of Appeals Smith says the attorney general's office The naming of the Star Farmer decision that said DNR rules for P.A. 116 filed a request for a re-hearing on March 22, and Star Agribusiness Person of termination were unconstitutional because on that portion of the decision that says the Michigan highlighted the 65th An- they exceed the authority granted by the DNR cannot review a local decision. "I'm nual FFA State Convention held original act, that the rules did not comply fairly confident that it will be appealed, but at MSf1 March 3-5. with the underlying legislative intent, and I can't say for sure," he said. "It's difficult to predict when the Court of Appeals will Steprien Rothsfuss (right) of respond, but I wouldn't expect it to take Saline and Chad Benjamin (left) of more than a couple of months." Webberville were recognized as I outstanding FFA members for The case involves Daniel D. and Barbara their exceptional Supervised Oc- Dykstra, Barry County farmers who wanted cupational Experience Programs. to terminate their P.A. ] 16 contract to allow for the sale of enrolled farmland, after Rothsfuss was named Star State health problems and a death in the family Farmer for participation in produc- forced them to quit farming, according to tion agriculture with his hog and their attorney, Laurie Strong. crop operations. Benjamin was selected Star Agribusiness Per- Just how the case ended up in the courts is son for involvement in his meat not clear. Strong claims that the Dykstras, processing business and a hog pursued normal DNR termination proce- operation. The State FFA Degree dures and had received township and coun- is the highest degree the Michigan ty approval to do so, but received no opinion Association of FFA can bestow on from the DNR, before seeking legal its members. Just two of the 200 remedies and the subsequent lawsuit. State FFA Degree recipients are selected as Star Farmer and Star Smith, on the other hand, says that the DNR Agribusiness Person. can find no records that would support that See page 8 For More FFA claim. In addition, Smith said the lawsuit Award Winners! doesn't state why the contract should be Michigan Farm News Classifieds - Page 14 Michigan Farm News •• March 30, 1993 "Clinton In Brief ... Economic Labor Reform Act Proposal Bad News for Agriculture Package Hits Howard Kelly, legislative counsel and farm labor specialist, is calling the proposed Agricultural Worker Protection Reform Act of 1993 a broad union contract, developed by You Where It members of Congress, to be forced on all farmer employers and farm workers, whether they like it or not (see Capitol Corner, page 3). Hurts" Michigan Congressman William Ford (0- Ypsilanti), a co-sponosr of the legislation, has also introduced an OSHA reform bill, which in combination with the Agricultural Worker A major goal of our 33rd annual Washington Legislative Seminar, held March Protection Reform Act, should go a long way in reducing the number of jobs in the 23-26, was to try to help Michigan's congressional delegation understand just how agricultural industry. This one-two combination could be the last straw in the continuing hard our state's farmers will be slapped by President Clinton's proposed energy growth of burdensome rules and regulations effecting farm labor operations, says Kelly. tax. California Congressman and co-sponsor George Miller says the amendments to his 1983 So we hit lawmakers with the facts. We told them that Farm Bureau estimates that law will eliminate any ambiguity over responsibility and thus will reduce violations. "The the tax, when phased in by 1996, will boost the cost of gasoline by 7.5 cents a amendments make growers responsible for ensuring that the farm labor contractor is abiding gallon, diesel by 8.3 cents and propane by 2.3 cents. That will add $800 to the by the law. Growers and contractors have had the chance to end their abusive practices on direct fuel costs of a typical grain farmer. That figure could skyrocket if Michigan their own and with few exceptions, they have failed," said Milller. "Now they will abide farmers again face the atypical drying costs that went along with the cold and wet by the law or they will pay dearly and, in some instances, lose their right to conduct their fall. business altogether." These higher costs will burn up about two percent of total net farm income. And it February Farm Prices Lower doesn't even begin to figure in the added transportation costs that will be borne by farmers and all rural drivers, who don't enjoy access to subsidized mass transit like The index of Prices Received by Farmers in Michigan for all products as of Feb. 15 was their city cousins. 126 percent of its 1977 base, according to the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service. The February index is down 3 percent from January's index of 130 but 2 percent higher than We told the congressmen that boosting our transportation and handling costs can't last February's index of 124. help but trim farm prices, too. Markets respond to national and international demand. Farm prices, we explained, reflect international prices minus the transpor- The price index for all crops in Michigan fell 4 percent from a month ago. Hay led tbe tation and handling costs of moving farm goods to centralized markets. With decline by falling 12 percent, while dry beans and winter wheat fell 8 percent and 4 percent increased marketing and transportation costs, farm prices will tend to decline to respectively. Potato prices rose slightly from last month, gaining 2 percent. offset these margins. The slender profits of the agricultural economy are about to get pared even further. The livestock index dropped I percent from last month. The decline was due to eggs falling That adds up to lower farm income, hitting us at a time when we're also facing 9 percent and milk falling 4 percent from January. However, the meat animal index partially reduced farm price supports, a highly competitive world economy and increasingly offset the decline with hogs up 9 percent and calves up 4 percent for the month. shaky world trade talks. Nationally, the All Farms Products Index of Prices Received in February was 139 percent By and large, the Michigan congressional delegation was receptive to our informa- of its 1977 base, unchanged from January. Price gains from January for hogs, cattle, sweet tion. I think that our credibility was boosted by the fact that Farm Bureau offered a corn, and celery offset price declines for tomatoes, milk, carrots and eggs. logical and sound alternative to the president's tax plan. Rather than boosting revenues as a way to cut the deficit, we suggested controlling expenditures. The Index of Prices Paid by Farmers for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes and Farm Wage Rates for January was 193 percent of its 1977 average. The index was up 0.5 Farm Bureau's plan to do that involves the goal of a freeze in total federal spending, percent from October 1992 and up 1.6 percent above January 1992. Since last surveyed in including entitlement programs, at the previous fiscal year's level. We call for the October, prices were significantly higher for feeder livestock with lower fuel prices moderating increases for other items in the current survey. president to be given line-item veto power and write-down authority in appropria- tions bills. We support fundamental reform in federal entitlement programs and Don't Count Bacon and Eggs Out Yet cost-of-living adjustments and we support a constitutional amendment to restrict the spending authority of the federal government. People seem to be regaining their appetite for the traditional breakfast of bacon and eggs, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Market researchers are finding that To my point of view, the refreshing thing about our annual lobbying trip to the consumer attitudes are shifting back to the traditional favorites, as bacon sales in super- nation's capital is that Farm Bureau is recognized as not just another pleading markets grew 4 percent in the 12 months ended Jan. 31, 1993, and its popularity in restaurant special interest group. We back our proposals with facts and figures and offer breakfasts was even stronger. sound alternatives. As our Michigan lawmakers debate the president's economic plan in the weeks ahead, I hope they'll remember the logic of our suggestions. Sales of both bacon and breakfast sausage increased by volume, but dollar amounts were ~~u:~nt down because of the volume of pork being produced, making it a better buy for processors. Egg consumption, which declined from 1980 to 1989, has now leveled off and started to inch back up as well. Researchers say it is too early to call this a long-term trend, but it definitely r~presen~s a change of attitude. One t~eo~ is that there are now enough light and low fat chOIces avaIlable to consumers they don t mmd squeezing some of their old favorites Michigan Farm Bureau back into their diets with more frequency. Higher Farm Program Loan Rates Considered Think Tank Doesn't See What It Thinks It Sees Members of the House say they are considering some combination of higher farm program !he Cent~r for R~source EC0!10mics, .a Washingt?n-~ased environmental think tank, says loan rates and a reduction in acres eligible for subsidies as a means of cutting farm spending Its a~a!ysls of SoIl Cons~rvatlOn ServIce records mdlcates that $23 million in government over the next five years. SubSIdIes has been demed farmers due to non-compliance with conservation laws but nearly half of it has been restored on appeal. ' Members say more budget cuts would be hard to swallow on top of cuts already affecting agriculture programs, but they agree further cuts may be inevitable, according to a report The group uses this as evidence that SCS is too lax in enforcing soil conservation by Knight-Ridder News. "It's going to come down to choosing our poison," said Rep. Tim requirements on farmers. What it doesn't emphasize is that SCS investigated conservation Johnson (D-S.Dak.), chairman of the subcommittee on general farm commodities. compliance on 97,000 farms last year and found violations on only 2,499 of them. That figures out to about 2.5 percent, with appeals resulting in eventual payment of about $10.4 million of the $23 million originally withheld. Russian Power Struggle Hits Food Supply It s~ould be note~ ~hat som~ of the studies were carried out at a time of year when the crop Russia's food supply could be in for double barreled difficulty because of the political strife reSIdues were .mlmmal. It IS u.nknown wheth.er the alleged violations represent anything going on over its democratic reforms, according to a University of Iowa economist in more .than a ~aIlure to meet reSIdue levels or SImply ~roblems caused by inability to obtain Moscow to help the former Soviet republic with its agricultural reforms. techmcal aSSIstance from the local SCS office on a tlmely basis. The economist, John Helmuth, said recently in a telephone interview from Moscow, the The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (ISSN:0743-9962) is published semi-monthly except in the months of November, December, June, and J~ly wh~n only one i~sue is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm Kremlin power struggle between President Boris Yeltsin and the Congress of People's Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, LanSing, MI48917. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual Deputies is disrupting planning for spring planting in Russia and threatening the food dues of Michigan Farm Bureau regular members, Additional subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm supply. Ne~~ to non~~emb~rs and outside the C?ntinental U.S.A. Second-Class Postage paid at Lansing, MI and additIonal mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Michigan At the same time, the political uncertainty is deepening the credit problems, which has Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909-8460. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Michigan Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI48909-8460. worsened Russia's position in the world food market. Helmuth said Moscow is expending its time and resources on confrontation rather than keeping things moving in the agricultural E~itorial: Dennis .R~dat, Editor and Business Manager. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Turbin; Donna Wilber; Henry HUlsjen. sector. "I'm not optimistic that there is going to be an efficient and orderly flow of agricultural input," Helmuth said. Officers: President, Jack L~uri~, Cas~ City;, Vice President, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Administrative Director, Chuck Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, William S. Wilkinson Direct s'D' t . t 1 He said Russian people outside government are not paying much attention to the political Jim M.iIIer, COlo.m~; ~istrict 2, Blaine VanSickle, Ma~sh.a"; District 3, Diane Horning, Manch~ster; ~~trictl~,n~o~ Guthne, Delton, Dlstnct 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; Dlstnct 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette' District 7 L S 'd H rt. struggle; they only laugh at it, but it is affecting their lives. He thinks the majority of D' . 8 R' h d L h S' . D' , , , arry nI er, a , Istnct. ' . IC, ar eac, aglnaw, Istnct 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West Russians entering private enterprise will opt for cooperative rather than private ventures. Branch, Dlstnct 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Douglas Darling Maybee' Jack L . C C'ty. F Ad am, S nover; J an V os b urg, CI"Imax. Promotion and Education, Paul Swartzendrube " aune, ass I , aye "They feel strength and support working with groups," he said. P' .Y F Kurt Inman, Sturgis. r, Igeon, oung armers, Michigan Farm News ITOL o -. March 30, 1993 oJ] z m J] No-Fault Automobile Insurance Reform The Michigan House of Representatives agreed to reform MFB Position: Michigan's automobile insurance laws by passing H.B. MFB policy on No-Fault 4156 (H-2) with a 65 to 43 vote. The bi-partisan proposal Automobile Insurance is expected to reduce auto insurance rates an average 16 supports the cost saving percent by enacting reforms which: reforms included in H.BA156 (H-2). o Allow consumers to select PIP medical coverage limits from $1 million up to $5 million. Present law re- MFB Cpntact: quires that consumers purchase unlimited PIP medical Darcy Cypher. Ext. 2048 coverage. o Prohibit lawsuits by motorists 50 percent or more at fault and limit non-economic lawsuits. o Control medical and rehabilitation costs. o Reduce subsidies to high-risk parts of the state by lower risk communities. o Allow discounts for airbags, seatbelts, anti-theft devices and long-time customers. Perishable Commodity Frost Weight Exemption MFB Position: A substitute to House Bill 4121 was considered in the Michigan Farm Bureau's House Transportation Committee on March 10. This sub- stitute required that county road commissions and the state Highways policy supports "a frost weight exemption Department of Transportation establish permitting for highly perishable com- mechanisms for exempting milk and other highly perish- able commodities, as designated by the Commission of modities and supports graIlting county road com- Agriculture, from seasonal weight restrictions. '.misSions the authority to The substitute granted MDOT and local road commissions suspend frost weight ex- the ability to deny permits. but required that written notice emptions." MFB opposes stating the reason for denial be made within 30 days and in- H.B. 4121 (H-2) as clude alternative routes. The Michigan Milk Haulers. the amended in committee. County Road Association and Michigan Farm Bureau were not opposed to the substitute. The substitute was amended by the Transportation Commit- tee to delete the requirement for a permitting mechanism and limited the exemption consideration to only milk. MFB Position: House Bill 4344, as introduced by Rep. Tom Alley (D- Farm Bureau policy op- West Branch), would preempt a local unit of government poses local regulation of from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that contradicts or . pesticides and. therefore, conflicts with the Michigan Pesticide Control Act. strongly supports H.B. The bill would allow a local unit of government to pass a 4344 as introduced. pesticide ordinance if unreasonable adverse effects on the public health or environment will exist within the local MFB Contact: unit of government. 'f.he ordinance must be approved by Vicki Pontz, Ext. 2046 the Agriculture Commission. The bill also allows the Department of Agriculture to contract with a local unit of government to act as its agent for the purpose of enforcing the Michigan Pesticide Control Act. Michigan Property Tax Reform Proposals Plentiful There is an apparent consensus among The three options most often talked about Even with substantial property tax cuts, the In addition to legislative discussion, a num- legislators that Michigan's property tax for replacement of lost property tax dollars governor has indicated a concern for raising ber of groups and organizations either are needs reform to reduce reliance for schools include: taxes on the basis that Michigan needs to developing or have proposed solutions to operating on the tax. Unfortunately, they further down-size, or right-size, govern- the property tax di lemma. All of these haven't reached a consensus on a variety of 1. Simply replace the needed revenue from ment. Additional revenue, unless very care- proposals have the possibility of lending proposals for property tax reform, accord- the existing General Fund. fully structured, may not find its way to confusion to the issue or the opportunity to ing to MFB Legislative Counsel Ron Nel- offset the property tax reductions, accord- surface a variety of options and creative son. 2. Increase in sales tax (which requires a ing to Nelson. approaches to resolve the property tax vote of the people to raise the current 4 cent dilemma. A package of ten bills that deal with proper- limit). ty tax reform is moving through the House and a Senate bill has also moved through 3. Increase in the income tax rate to Proposed Ethanol Rules Published the Senate. Nelson says that all of the generate the additional revenue. The proposed rule concerning ethanol's inclusion in the Clean Air Act's reformulated proposals would accomplish, in varying "All of the proposals have advantages and ~asoline program has been published in the Federal Register. A plan to include ethanol degrees, property tax reform. In the program was proposed last fall by then-President Bush, but publication of the rule disadvantages," Nelson said. "The down- side of taking money from existing general to implement it was delayed. The Clinton administration, shortly after taking office. put "The debate on property tax reform is a temporary hold on the ethanol matter and several other not-yet-finalized regulations. driven by several factors; the removal of the funds raises the question of which existing freeze on assessments, the fact that we are programs will be reduced or eliminated. The concern on raising the sales tax is that The ~roposed rule would allow ethanol to effectively compete in the reformulated at the beginning of a two-year session, and the voters will not approve the sales tax and, gasoh.ne pro!?ram .. 1t would require ~lean air programs in 39 metropolitan areas that the fact that 27 new members of the House expenence wmtertlme carbon monOXide problems to use fuels with a 2.7 percent oxygen were recently elected, many on promises of therefore, other sources of revenue, or fur- ther budget cuts, will have to be imple- level, a standard easily met by ethanol. property tax relief," Nelson explained. "The complicating factor is that any significant mented. Finally, increasing the income tax is politically risky for a legislator to go back Farm Bureau strongly supports efforts to include ethanol in the reformulated gasoline reduction on property tax reform requires a program and will be commenting on the proposal. American Farm Bureau Federation substantial amount of dollars to replace at home and tell constituents they have just raised their taxes." President Dean Kleckner said the inclusion of ethanol would benefit the nation's air least a portion of the property tax cut." quality and its energy security, and also would benefit the agricultural economy. The comment period will close April 27 . A public hearing on the ethanol rule also is planned. o Michigan Farm News 3D-Day and 90-Day Forecast - Warmer and Drier Than Normal -. March 30, 1993 Several periods of sub-zero temperatures brought mean tempera- tures to below normal levels (generally 1-4 degrees F below Michigan Weather Summary normal in the north and 4-7 degrees below in the south) for the 2/16/93 Temperature Precipitation mid-February through mid-March period. to 3/15/93 Observed Dev. From Actual Normal Mean Normal (inch.) (inch) Given the persistent nature of the cold weather and increase in Alpena 17.4 - 5.1 0.83 1.67 snowcover since early February, it is likely that overwintering Bad Axe 19.4 -7.1 1.16 1.81 fruit and field crops were still dormant and relatively unaffected. Detroit 24.9 - 5.2 1.97 1.99 Precipitation during the last 30 days generally continued below Escanaba 19.3 -2.8 0.19 1.66 normal, with the exception of a few western sections which Flint 21.9 - 6.1 0.74 1.99 experienced very heavy lake-effect snow, and in the far south, Grand Rapids 23.2 - 5.3 1.34 2.02 where a series of major snow storms brought above normal Houghton 17.9 -0.4 1.21 1.63 snowfall. Houghton Lake 19.0 - 4.5 1.24 1.67 Jackson 22.4 -7.0 1.03 1.91 Latest National Weather Service outlooks for the Great Lakes area Lansing 22.2 - 5.6 1.45 1.91 remain little changed, calling for a continuation of normal to Marquette 16.2 -1.2 0.92 1.63 below normal precipitation and an increase in mean temperature Muskegon 24.7 - 3.8 1.10 1.96 to normal to above normal levels for the next 1-2 months. Pellston 18.2 -1.5 0.49 1.60 Saginaw 21.5 - 5.3 0.95 1.81 For much of the state, this would be a favorable outlook for spring Sault Ste. Marie 16.6 - 2.0 0.15 1.66 South Bend 25.3 - 6.2 1.64 2.02 fieldwork, especially in eastern sections of the Lower Peninsula Traverse City 21.1 - 3.0 1.86 1.60 where heavy, wet soils can cause lengthy delays. Even though Vestaburg 21.4 -5.3 1.38 1.87 precipitation has dropped off during the last month or two, soil moisture should still remain at adequate levels for the early season Normals are based on district averages. due to the heavy rains and snows of last fall and early winter, which brought many soils to field capacity or even saturation. Jeff Andresen, Ag Meteorologist, MSU Spring Canola Could Be a Worthwhile Crop An oil crop that could provide northern ~opeland ~bserves. "If the .crol? is planted Canola debuted in southern Michigan in Michigan growers upward of $200 gross In late Apn~ or early May, It will be ready 1988 on about 100 acres. The estimate for return per acre may be worth looking into. for harvest In 90 to 100 days." the 1993 crop is about 10,000 acres, down Michigan and Major Commodity Area The crop is spring canol a and there are about 3,000 acres since 1991. Extended Weather Outlook several reasons why it could be fitted into Field trials in 1990 at MSU's Lake City T - Temp. 3/31 4/15 3131 5/31 northern Michigan crop rotations, accord- Experiment Station on 17 varieties of Copeland isn't too concerned about the P - Precip. T P T f ing to Larry Copeland, Michigan State spring canola showed yields ranging from acreage fluctuation, but he hopes farmers Michigan N B N B 2,260 pounds to 3,474 pounds per acre. University Cooperative Extension Service won't give up on canol a because of one or w. Corn Belt N N N B two years' bad experience. E. Com Belt N N N B agronomist. Wint. Wheat Belt N A N N "With good market planning and proper Spr. Wheat Belt A B A B "Spring canol a does best in a cool climate, crop management, canola should provide a "Canola has not found stability in Michigan Pac. NW Wheat A B A N which is characteristic of northern lower return of 40 bushels an acre," Copeland agriculture, but it needs to be given a Delta BIN A NIB N Michigan and the Upper Peninsula," says. "With current prices at about $5.67 chance," Copeland says. "While I en- Southeast B A B A per bushel delivered to Windsor, Ontario, Copeland says. "Farmers in northern courage farmers to try the crop, I also urge San Joaquin A A A N Michigan can produce canola crops as that's a fairly good return on investment." them to remain with it for at least tl;1reeyears A-Above Average, B-Below Average, N-Nor- abundant as those in Canada, where canola because we are still on the upside of the mal, MA-Much Above, MB-Much Below, NP- is a major oilseed commodity." Canola has become a sought-after crop be- learning curve for this crop." No Precip. Source: National Weather Office cause of its oil and protein content. Canola "We have a milder, more stable climate than typically has 40 to 44 percent oil and 23 That probably was the case with farmers is found on the Canadian prairie provinces," percent protein. The soybean typically has who began growing soybeans in Michigan 18 p.ercent oil and 37 percent protein. in the early 1900s. By 1930, there were only about 1,000 acres planted to soybeans, with Serving Michigan (f MFRN Because of that similarity, canol a market yields running about 10 bushels per acre. prices rise and fall in sympathy with the Farm Families is volatility of the soybean market. Neverthe- less, the canol a market tends to be quite Michigan's 1991 soybean crop of 1.39 mil- lion acres averaged 38 bushels per acre and RADIO NETWORK Our Only Business dependable throughout the year, Copeland says. produced 52.8 million bushels worth more than $298 million. Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only Objective has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides the latest in market analysis, weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: Roots to Profitability. Station City Frsqusncy Morning Farm Noon Farm WABJ Adrian 1490 5:45 am 12:15 pm WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 am 12:15 pm WPZA Ann Arbor 1050 6:15 am 12:05 pm \ I \\ WLEW Bad Axe 1340 6:30 am 12:50 pm WHFB Benton Harbor 1060 * 12:30 pm WKYO Caro 1360 6:15 am 12:45 pm WTVB Coldwater 1590 5:45 am ••• WDOW Dowagiac 1440 6:15 am 12:15 pm Increase Wheat Yields WACY Fenton 1160 6:15 am 12:15 pm Spring is the time to treat wheat with ACA WGHN Grand Haven 1370/92.1 5:45 am 12:15 pm to gain your advantage. ACA can be used WPLB Greenville 1380 6:15 am 12:45 pm as a spring dormancy break application with WBCH Hastings 1220 6:15 am 12:30 pm your topdressing fertilizer to boost your yields. WCSR Hillsdale 1340 6:45 am 12:45 pm 1992 Yields WHTC Holland 1450 12:15 pm ACA-treated wheat had an average increase WKZO Kalamazoo 590 •• 12:15 pm of 10.76 bu/acre with the highest yield WJIM Lansing 1250 5:05 am 12:15 pm increase at 22.22 bu/acre. On farm yield WWGZ Lapeer 1530 • 12:15 pm increases in 1992 varied from 5.16 to WNBY Newberry 92.5 12:15 pm 22.22 bu/acre. The four-year average yield WOAP Owosso 1080 6:15 am 12:30 pm increase wheat growers have seen using WHAK Rogers City 960 7:10 am 12:15 pm ACA has been 8.53 bu/acre. WSJ St. Johns 1580 6:15 am 12:15 pm WMLM St. Louis 1540 6:06 am 12:20 pm See the Benefits of ACA WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:15 pm Better root systems Increased Profits WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45 pm Heathier Plants Increased Yields WKZC Scottville 95.9 5:45 am 12:30 pm Easier Harvesting Proven Performance WCSY South Haven 940 12:15 pm To see the difference apply ACA with WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45 pm anhydrous, liquid 28% N, Liquid Starter, WLKM Three Rivers 1510195.9 6:15 am 12:15 pm impregnated on dry or sprayed. WTCM Traverse City 580 5:55 am 12:40 pm Contact Your Local • Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning farm times change with Clean Crop Dealer sign-on times. or call 1-800-292-2701 .. Station airs various farm reports between 5:50 and 6:20 pm. for additional information ... Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1:00 pm. Some stations carry additional market reports throughout the rilar1 , •.•~.:.:;: W'" ~.:- .. -.; ...;.~.;.;:~:.: 0'" .. atively or negatively, the Dykstras then had heart and more confidence. the right and option to take the issue to Circuit Court to ask for P.A. 116 contract An annuity from FB Annuity Company termination declaratory ruling. Strong declined to have her clients comment on the issue, since they are still involved in a possible appeal. She said she did not know how many acres are involved in the case, nor who the purchaser of the Dykstra property may not save your career, but it can save your retirement. Our IRA annuity guarantees you a lifetime retirement income - a check every month for as long BE ..... '.' . "..... .............................. '.' ~r.:.:.;... :;:.:~:~:;:~:~:;:;:~:~:~:::~:;:;..:.:.: «« ... .... '.' ... ' .... ....... .... ......... ..... ~~ ...... ....... ~ 'T'.' '.' "J 't.;.;.;.:.;.;.:- - ~. :-: - :::~:;:~::.:::~:;:::::;:~:.:;:::~:::::::;:~ ' A '. . ..".. ....... .••..: ~ .. ::::.:::.:::::: 1 .:. ~ .. '.' """j .. n as you live. ;.~ou~ .. " R would be if the P .A. 116 contract is success- fully terminated. According to MFB Legislative Counsel Ron Nelson, farmers in general could stand to lose the most if a DNR appeal on the local government decision-making ability is un- sucessful, since the ruling puts the future of the P.A. 116 program in doubt. Consider the tax savings, too. You may qualify to deduct up to $2,000 in deposits each year from your federal income tax . And your interest earnings are tax deferred, y ....... , '.. ...... .............. .... :::: .:-: , ::::~f' ........... . ; .. ;::::: :::~:., .............. :-: .' ... .... ... ..................... ~ ..:::: .::::' :~~ .~: ' .. .. ..:-:.;..:.;.: ..... .':';': '. :~. ~~~ -.' :::: ':': ' " ::< ::~ ~~~ :::: ' '. .. :.;.:.;..:.:.; - .. ' :~ :=: ~~ ::: :.:.. ..':':.':-:' : ::,. .:. :::'." :. '.' '.'. .:::~l" ' :. '. ..' .. :,. ,,::~ ... . :~I~m , E ~ protected from taxes until you take your "The practice since 1974 has been that the P.A. 116 contract is between the individual money out. L landowner and the DNR as the agent for the ~~ j~~ f 1 ::~ .. state of Michigan," Nelson said. "The total An IRA from FB Annuity Company impact of the Court of Appeals decision is currently earns * 11 w.:':':':':,}:r;:;:::<;:t II:.. unknown at this point. Early indications are ~:~ ~~~ 1 ::~:..: 6.250/0 :..:.;.;.:.:.;.;:.:.:.;.:-:.:.;.;.;.:::: .:.;.;.:.:.:::~ :.;.:.;.:.;.;;::; .:.:.;.:.:.:.:.;.;.;.;.:.:.;.:.;.;.;.:.:::: that it may have substantially weakenetl the law and raises serious questions of contract law if a township, which isn't a part of the contract, has the authority to dissolve an Effective Annual Yield -: agreement. " And guaranteed to never lall below 4% So what's the answer to the seemingly end- less confusion and discussion of P.A. 116 contract terminations? Smith suggests that You can't replace the secure feeling of an IRA. the holes in P.A. 116 contract rules be filled Call your Farm Bureau Insurance agent today. and dealt with legislatively. "The statutory scheme is particularly unclear. There's no FARM BUREAU question that it's a very poorly drafted statute with respect to the termination MAKING YOUR FUTURE INSURANCE process. Clearly the Legislature could FARM BUREAU MUTUAL • FARM BUREAU LIFE amend and clarify this issue," Smith con- MORE PREDICTABLE FARM BUREAU GENERAl • FB ANNUITY cluded. I Miqhigan Farm News Market Outlook ... •• ..... .......March 30, 1993 ••••••••,.. ....... ••••••• ~.r. 1• . .r••••••. ••••• •••• j ••• ,j ••• ~:.. Dr. Jim Hilker, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU Seasonal Commodity Price Trends Soybeans E~RM•••••••• • ' J....::::.. •••• ~ •••••••• Corn The USDA only made a minor change in their March version of the 1992-93 Soybean SupplylDemand Report shown in BUSINESS Wheat The USDA did not make any changes in their March release of the Corn Supp- lylDemand Balance Sheet shown in Table Corn Table 3. They increased projected imports 15 million bushels to 760 million. OUTLOOK 1. I have made some minor changes in my This lowered projected ending stocks by estimates for the 1993-94 corn marketing the same amount to 340 million bushels. soybean planting intentions at 3 p.m. on year since February. However, two major Soybeans March 31. The number will affect Table 3 While this stocks level is by no means tight, USDA reports are to be released on March it is low enough that the market could get for soybeans just as described for corn. 31, about the time you receive this issue, Hogs excited by poor planting conditions or a Again, the USDA will update the Supp- which could substantially change both the drought scare. 1y/Demand Reports given the new informa- USDA's 1992-93 and my 1993-94 es- Cattle tion on April 12, but you can approximate timates in Table 1. They are the quarterly As with corn and wheat, the USDA will the changes by making the appropriate Grains Stocks Report and the annual report March 1 soybean stocks and 1993 changes in Table 3 yourself. Prospecti ve Plantings Report. The Corn Grain Stocks Report will help Hogs Cattle determine the amount of corn that has been The USDA will also release the Prospective fed through the first six months of the 1992- Planting Report which will show how many The question of "were the hogs ever there?" I suspect that the Cattle-On..:Feed Report 93 ClOp year. Check to see how much the corn acres U.S. farmers intend to plant this should have been answered in the USDA released March 19 showed we still have a lot USDA corn stocks figure differs from the spring. When you hear the estimate late March 1 Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report of cattle coming and the question is, "when trade estimates. afternoon on the 31st, you can easily adjust released March 26. While the December is it going to get here?" my 1993-94 figure for acres planted in report showed we would be slaughtering If the USDA figure is larger than the trade Table 1. From that, subtract 7.1 million 3-5 percent more hogs this winter, we have At this point, weather has continued to hold estimates, that probably means 1992-93 en- acres not harvested for grain and you will slaughtered 3 percent less hogs year-to- up the flow, but the reports have consistently ding stocks will be increased. This would have the estimate for acres harvested. Mul- date. showed they are coming. be negative on both this year's and next tiply by 121 bushel per acre and you will year's prices. If the stocks figure turns out have the production estimate for 1993-94. If the report was positive and the markets At this point, the most important strategy is to be lower than expectations, ending stocks rallied further, consider forward pricing to keep current and try to get your cattle will likely be lowered, which would be Adjust the beginning stocks numbers for some of your future production. We will market ready as soon as possible in order to positive for corn prices. any changes you made in the 1992-93 en- discuss the March report in the next issue. take advantage of these very strong prices. ding stocks number and you have total The USDA will not update their Supp- supply for 1993-94. If it is higher than mine, Milk Production Down Slightly lylDemand Report until April 12, but you ending stocks will likely increase and vice- could approximate that update by changing versa. At this point, I feel the futures Dairy herds in Michigan produced 425 million pounds of milk during February, down 4 1992-93 feed use and ending stock in Table markets expects a planting figure lower million pounds from a year ago, according to the Federal/State Michigan' Agricultural 1 by the amount the numbers differ from than mine. Statistics Service. Milk per cow averaged 1,250 pounds, decreasing 20 pounds from a year expectations. ago. The Michigan dairy herd was estimated at 340,000 head, 2,000 more than Febru~ 1992. I Wheat The preliminary value of milk sold averaged $12.30 per hundredweight (cwt.) in February, The latest Wheat Supply/Demand Balance 93 exports were lowered 25 million bushels $1.00 less than last year. Mid-month February slaughter cow prices averaged $50.00 per Sheet is shown in Table 2. The same two and projected food use was lowered 10 mil- cwt., $3.10 more than the previous year. reports will be released for wheat as we lion bushels. This lowered total use and discussed for corn. When the reports are increased expected ending stocks by 35 mil- Milk in the 21 major states totalled 10.0 billion pounds, down 2 percent from production released, make the necessary changes on lion bushels. in these same states in February 1992. The number of cows on farms was 8.20 million head, Table 2 for wheat in the same manner that 74,000 head below February 1992 and 11,000 less than January 1992. was described for corn. Because it appears that we will produce more than our projected use next year, that Dairy manufacturing plants in Michigan produced 2.1 million pounds of butter in January, The USDA made some changes in their implies a stocks build-up over the next 24 percent more than a year ago. Ice cream output totaled 1.7 million gallons, 4 percent March estimates shown in Table 2 versus couple of years with normal yields and low less than January 1992. their February estimates. Projected 1992- set-asides. Table 1 Table 2 Table 3" Supply/Demand Supply/Demand Supply/Demand Balance Sheet For Balance Sheet For Balance Sheet For CORN WHEAT SOYBEANS USDA Hilker USDA Hilker Proj. Proj. USDA Hilker Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj. 1991-92 92-93 93-94 1991-92 92-93 93-94 1991-92 92-93 93-94 Corn Acreage (Million Acres) Wheat Acreage (Million Acres) Soybean Acreage (Million Acres) Acres Set-Aside and Acres Set-Aside and Acres Planted 59.1 59.1 59.5 Diverted 4.7 3.5 7.0 Diverted 10.0 3.5 0.5 Acres Harvested 58.0 58.1 58.5 Acres Planted 76.0 79.3 76.3 Acres Planted 69.9 72.3 73.8 BulHarvested Acre 34.3 37.6 35.0 Acres Harvested 68.8 72.2 69.2 Acres Harvested 58.1 63.1 64.0 BulA. Harvested 108.6 131.4 121.0 BulA. Harvested 34.1 39.0 39.0 Stocks (Million Bushels) Beg. Stocks 329 278 340 Stocks (Million Bushels) Stocks (Million Bushels) Production 1987 2197 2048 Beg. Stocks 1521 1100 2237 Beg. Stocks 866 472 541 Imports 3 2 2 Production 7474 9479 8373 Production 1981 2459 2496 Total Supply 2319 24n 2390 Imports 20 3 5 Imports 38 65 43 Use: Total Supply 9016 10,582 10,615 Total Supply 2885 2996 3080 Crushings 1254 1265 1250 Use: Use: Exports 685 760 720 Feed 4897 5200 5200 Food 785 810 850 Seed, Feed and FoodlSeed 1434 1495 1535 Seed 94 95 100 Residuals 102 112 100 Total Domestic 6331 6695 6735 Feed 259 225 175 Total Use 2040 2137 2070 Exports 1584 1650 1700 Total Domestic 1137 1130 1125 Ending Stocks 278 340 320 Total Use 7915 8345 8435 Exports 1275 1325 1350 Ending Stocks, Ending Stocks 1100 2237 2180 Total Use 2413 2455 2475 Percent of Use 13.6% 15.9% 15.5% Ending Stocks Ending Stocks 472 541 605 Percent of Use 13.9% 26.8% 25.8% Regular Loan Rate $5.02 $5.02 5.02 Ending Stocks Regular Loan Rate $1.62 $1.72 $1.72 Percent of Use 19.6% 22.0% 24.4% Regular Loan Rate $2.04 $2.21 $2~45 U.S. Season Average U.S. Season Average Farm Price. S1Bu. $5.60 $5.45 $5.50 Farm Price. SlBu. $2.37 S2.05 $2.10 U.s. Season Average Source: USDA & Hilker Source: USDA &Hilker Farm Price. SlBu. $3.00 $3.30 $3.00 Source: USDA & Hilker . Michigan Farm News -. March 30, 1993 IIThe Competitive Position of Michigan Ag •••••••• ...... .. ••••••• r• ••••••• ••••• ~.rl 1• . ~ Jake Ferris ly mean farm prices should be higher than low cost sugarbeet produci ng state . •••• '1••• •••• ,j ••• in many other states. This is true in some .r•••••• E~RM Department of Agricultural Economics Processing capacity and low corn prices Michigan State University cases, but there are a number of exceptions. have contributed to the growth in turkey and .'~ J.:::. •••• Michigan's agricultural future is directly Export markets have grown to become very significant for corn, soybeans, and wheat. hog production. Cash field crop production fits well into part-time farming. •••••••• •••••••• tied to national and global scenarios. The The bulk of these products move into export pace of population and income growth at home and abroad, how consumers modify markets through the Gulf of Mexico or A.t- Iantic Coast. Therefore, states along the Michigan's important dairy industry lost ground to California and the South due to BUSINESS their tastes and preferences, what policy Ohio and Mississippi rivers and in the East- economies of scale in those regions and also makers decide to do in forging domestic and international agricultural programs are all crucial to the outlook for Michigan farmers. ern U.S. benefit. Secondly, location of processors is key to due to an effective "whole-herd buyout" program in Michigan, among other reasons. Further expansion in California may be OUTLOOK geographic price surfaces. Because nearly limited due to resource constraints, par- Another set of questions relate to how well all of Michigan's soybeans, dry beans and ticularly water. The existence of new blueberries, nursery, and floricultural Michigan agriculture will compete with fed cattle are shipped out of the state for cheese processing in Michigan should help products declined in 1976-90, these were other states and nations in the years ahead processing, this tends to depress prices rela- stabilize the industry in the future. among the more rapidly expanding in supplying the projected food demands. tive to states to the south. On the positive products in absolute terms in this period. Does Michigan have any comparative ad- side, processing of hogs, turkeys, sheep, The accelerated decline in dairy cow num- Michigan responded to growing demands, vantage? and lambs well exceeds Michigan's output. bers in the 1980s contributed to a turn- but other states made a bit more headway. The state also has slack in cheese process- around in cattle feeding. More important, Most of Michigan's agriculture and food ing. however, was an innovative financing pro- Evaluation of the competitive position of an industry is near large metropolitan areas gram of the Michigan Live Stock Ex- industry in a state often focuses on the and non-farm employment opportunities. About 60 percent of Michigan's corn crop change. endowment resources -- soils, topography, Not only are markets close at hand within and as much as 20 percent of Michigan's climate, water, etc. These are basic, but the state and just outside its borders, but hay crop is shipped out of the state. The Other reasons might be cited for the patterns much under-rated is the contribution Michigan is favorably located in the North quantities involved and the lower price observed in the shifts in Michigan's share leadership arid infrastructure can make in American market. Just under half of the structure resulting can be considered a plus of U.S. output. One caution for interpreting shaping the future. Michigan has the com- total population of the U.S. and Canada is for expanding the livestock industry. trends in shares is that trends in absolute bination of resources to maintain and within 500 miles -- a reasonable one-day production may present a different picture. strengthen its position in agriculture in the drive. The state's advantage, then, is being To assess Michigan agriculture's competi- For example, while Michigap-' s share of years ahead. closer to markets than many other major tive position, the efficiency of the farm producing areas, with consequently lower production plant must be evaluated. Are transportation costs. economies of scale for operation being real- ized? What is the level of management The urban interface provides certain unique skills? Related to this is the progressiveness opportunities for extensive direct market- of farm organizations, agribusiness, ing through roadside stands, "pick-your- marketing agencies, processors, and the en- own" operations, and farmer's markets. tire infrastructure involved. Also, with industry close at hand, farm families have the flexibility of earning off- The competitive position of an industry in farm income. Farm families in places like a state is not static, but is ever changing as western Iowa have few of these alterna- new markets evolve, as costs of production, tives. For this reason, the percentage of processing, and transportation change, and part-time and hobby farming is higher in as leadership emerges to effect change. Michigan than elsewhere. The dynamics are illustrated in a "shift- In addition to the urban-rural connection, share" analysis of major Michigan farm the diversity of Michigan agriculture also commodities in 1960-90. Looking at the contributes to stability. With more eggs in last half of this period, 1976-90, the results one basket, the cyclical stress, which is a can be seen in Table 1. trademark of many agricultural enterprises, is counterbalanced by the wide scope of Sugarbeets topped the list as Michigan's agriculture in the state. Diversity does have share of U.S. production increased by .37 drawbacks in that it challenges the in- percent per year in 1976-90, i.e., from about frastructure (Extension, research, teaching, 6 percent of U.S. output in the mid 1970's finance, agribusiness, government agen- to nearly 12 percent by 1990. Egg produc- Neal, Kelly, Pat, Harold and Marty Travis operate North Valley Farms, a 300-cow dairy cies, etc.) to serve a vastly different clien- tion barely outpaced U.S. output. A number operation at Shepherd, MI. The four brothers farm with their parents, Pat and Evelyn Travis. tele adequately. of commodities lost out. The farm has a 20,500-lb. milk AHA ~nd produces 1,000 acres of hay and corn. Of course, the close interface of agriculture Of special interest is the number of com- and the non-farm population also presents some handicaps -- some comparative disad- vantages. Animal waste issues are more modities gaining share in 1976-90, which had been losing share in 1960-76. This list includes oats, turkeys, hay, peaches, hogs, How A DROUGHT SET sensitive in Michigan than in many other agricultural states. Wage rates to hired labor cattle on feed, wheat, fall potatoes, and eggs. In other words, 10 out of the 14 com- SEEDS OF EXPANSION tend to be higher. Property taxes are also above other states, although many in- modities exhibiting comparative strength in 1976-90 had been losing out in the previous FOR THE TRAVIS FAMILY dividual farmers receive relief through P.A. 15 years. Of the commodities losing ground 116. In spite of urbanization, Michigan in 1976-90, only beef cows and blueberries "We've just completed the second phase of a dairy - farmland prices are below other eastern had gained in 1960-76. expansion that includes a free-stall, center-feed barn and Corn Belt states. Understanding why shares have shifted can double-8 milking parlour. The expansion began in 1988 after Michigan's favorable location relative to provide insight into future prospects. For a severe drought forced us to make some serious decisions. the North American market would normal- example, Michigan has been a relatively As brothers, we knew we wanted to farm together with our TABLE 1 folks but a cash-crop business was too risky for all of us CHANGE IN SHARE OF U.S. PRODUCTION, 1976-90 to depend on. "Looking back, 1988 wasn't a pretty year to begin an Gained Lost Ranked from gained the Ranked from lost the expansion, but Farm Credit had confidence in us and stood most to gained the least least to lost the most behind our decision. Our loan officer has been a tremendous planning resource and helped us work through countless Sugarbeets Beef cows 'what if' situations on the computer. Cherries, tart* Sheep and lambs Potatoes, summer Grapes* "A lot of lenders wouldn't have been able to grasp our Oats Milk vision for this family dairy business but Farm Credit not Turkeys Apples* only grasped it, they helped us figure out a better way to Hay Vegetables make it happen. If it hadn't been for the facilities expansion Peaches* Nursery/Floriculture loan and other help from Farm Credit, there's no question Hogs Strawberries Blueberries* that several of us couldn't be in this operation today:' Soybeans Cattle on feed** Cherries, sweet* Wheat* Dry beans Corn for grain* Potatoes, fall* ~~. FARM CREDIT SERVICES Eggs* Q Deep roots, good people, and a will to serve. *Not statistically significant. **Based on trends from 1982 to 1991. . Michigan Farm News Farm Trucks: Make Each Trip a Safe One •• March 30, 1993 vehicle registration, and proof of in- D Keep an adequate following distance, Your fann trucks get as much use -- and surance on hand. especially if you're hauling a heavy sometimes abuse -- as any vehicles you'll load or the road is slick. You'll be bet- ever own. But proper operation and main- tenance will help prolong the life of your o Train new drivers in safe truck opera- ter able to avoid rear-ending someone tion. Make sure they realize that a who suddenly slows or stops. trucks and protect everyone who dri ves heavily loaded truck can't accelerate, them. Here's how to make each trip a safe one: stop, or turn as quickly as an unloaded truck. o Don't allow riders in a pickup or other truck bed. D Comply with all federal and state regulations that apply to your trucks: o Keep loads within rated capacity. Over- o When driving a semi or a long-wheel- loading adversely affects handling, base straight truck, or towing a trailer licensing regulations, transportation of braking, and engine performance -- or wagon, be sure to clear all hazardous materials, wide loads, and adds stress to components. obstacles -- posts, mailboxes, cul- placarding, and the like. Contact your verts, ditches, and the like. On farm local state motor vehicle branch or the D Secure the load if necessary, so it can't lanes, and in lots and fields, watch for From Farm Bureau Insurance Michigan Department of Transporta- shift or fall off. When hauling objects such as rocks, mud, posts, tion for the information you need. machinery, load it for minimum over- farm equipment, fences, animals -- hang. FFA State Winners Continued ... and, of course, people. Make certain D Keep your trucks in good operating everyone is clear before backing up or Other State FFA Degree recipients were condition. Make sure all lighting D Wear your safety belt. Avoid alcohol -- moving ahead. recognized for excellence in production works, brakes and tires are sound, and and if you take medications, ask your agriculture and agribusiness. Gold winners other safety components -- wipers, defrosters, mirrors, etc. -- are function- doctor if they might affect your ability to handle a truck safely. o If your truck has a hydraulically lifted in production agriculture were: bed, don't rely on hydraulics to hold it Dawn Green, Branch Area Career Center ing properly. Check hoses, belts, and up. If you must attend to trouble with fluids regularly. o Obey speed laws, and drive slowly the bed up, block it securely. Stay Ryan Kuhl, Unionville-Sebwaing Amanda Lea Nash, Ovid-Elsie over rutted rural roads. Watch for soft clear when lowering the bed and keep D Have tools, flares, a fire extinguisher, Mary Beth Siemen, Harbor Beach shoulders and abrupt drop-offs. Slow bystanders back. load securing devices, a jack, spare Silver recipients in the area of production to a safe speed before entering a curve, tire, and first aid kit available. And be agriculture were: then maintain accelerator pressure. sure to have your driver's license, Amanda Barry, Laker Jim Miller Jr., Chesaning Bill Ostrander, Leslie James Smith, Capac Tanya Thuemmel, North Huron Mark Walkington, Lakewood The agribusiness gold award winners were: Kurtis Griffes, Webberville Lynn Renee Houpt, Dundee Justin Johnson, Branch Area Career Center Chad Nicholas, Caledonia Doug Sheridan, Mason Silver agribusiness award recipients were: Chad Bischoff, Marshall Robert Braman Jr., Milan Benjamin Butcher, Corunna Cherryl Salenbien, Dundee Chad Sweeney, Laker Greg Talaski, North Huron 1993 State Proficiency Awards l"AMILY HEAI:rU INS\iRANCE. Ag Mechanics }"»ROPOSAL David Woods, Marshall, State Winner FARl\l O""NERS/OPERATORS Ag Sales and/or Service Kurtis Griffes, Webberville, Gold C.UY1:'.1U!i£: Beef Production Assoc Wendy Pline, Ovid-Elsie, State Winner WC!ll~tlfU Michael Allen, S1. Louis, Gold C..l <.:M\I SOil Ryan Kuhl, USA, Gold Dairy Production . Adam Atherton, Byron, State Winner Amanda Nash, Ovid-Elsie, Gold Dave Mikek, S1. Louis, Gold {:\n-rcn\ Health Insuram:e Diversified Crop Adam Good, Marshall, State Winner Diversified Livestock Ryan Kuhl,USA, Gold .. Floriculture Brandie Smego, Cassopolis, Gold Home and Farmstead Anthony Boughton, Marshall, State Winner Joshua Gremel, USA, Gold In th~se tough economic times all business owners are looking for ways to improve their bottom line. ',' Horse Production Now Farm Bureau can help with a new money savin.g group Health Plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield'of Michigan ..., Charla Smith, Alma, Gold John Schut, Hopkins, State Winner Thgse new plans are g~a;~nte~d is~~~ ntrmatter what your he~lth history, locally s~rvice~ by our 69 county offic~s' and 4~O agents.s~at~wide, .. Melinda Beck, Ogemaw Hgts., Gold . and competitively priced to save' farm Qwners and operators'hundreds or even thousands otdollars off their h~alth Insur?nce blll-.. Placement in Agriculture So, if you're a so~eproprie~or or if you have.one or more em~loyees, you shou~dcall ~arm Bureau today for benef~t and rate Inf~rmatlo~. Michael Allen, S1. Louis, Gold Daniel Schulz, USA, Gold .... /tIICH •.CAN · Chad Benjamin, Webberville, State Winner , ... f'A,,1tI BUREAU Sheep John Tomasek Jr., Byron, State Winner FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION RATE QUOTE - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 OR 3240. Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Soil & Water Management Membership Services David Kemp, USA, State Winner P,O. Box 30960 Lansing, MI 48909 Specialty Animal Please Print Jennifer Blakely, Lakewood, Gold Name Current Health Insurance Speciality Crop Address Number of Full Time Employees o Sale proprietor Robert Weburg, S1. Louis, State Winner (1 person group) Swine Phone o 2-4 0 5-9 Chad Vincent, JACC, Gold Chad Benjamin, Webberville, Gold County o 10-24 0 25 and over Wildlife Management Type of Farm/Business Danette Taschner, USA, Gold ~ ~~I A Health and Wellness lication of Michigan Farm Bureau March 1993 VOL 7,Ne. 1 EQUIPMENT .How to select a machine that's right for you You've decided a piece of indoor equipment is the perfect sol ution for exercising on rainy days or in cold weather. Now you're faced with the question, "What to buy?" .. ............... ....... ~~ . . . . . . . . . continued II. Machines with a flywheel and chain drive generally are easierto SMOKING ...isitphysic aI? operate and more effective than This quiz gauges the strength of a smoker's piston-type rowers, which are less addiction, the likelihood of severe withdrawal expensive and more compact. symptoms, and, in turn, the need for nicotine With either rower, proper tech- patches. Swedish researcher Karl O.Fagerstrom, nique is important to avoid back Ph.D., developed the quiz, which is now widely strain. accepted by experts on smoking. It uncovers three general signs of nicotine dependency: a "'readm~II.Youcanwalkorjog need for heavy doses of the drug; an especially as fast as you choose. Several strong desire to smoke in the morning, when models offer adjustable inclines the body's nicotine supply is depleted; and a simulating hills. All models build compulsion to smoke even when it's socially unacceptable or offers little pleasure. leg strength and aerobic capacity. Answer the following questions, then add up Higher horsepower models run the points. smoother and are less likely to develop mechanical problems. 1. How many cigarettes do you smoke in a day? 15 or less (0 points) 16 to 25 (T point) Sta~r-cl~mber • This machine 26 or more (2 points) helps tone and strengthen your hips, buttocks,thighs, hamstrings, 2. How much nicotine is in each cigarette you smoke? (That information is on the package calves and lower back. Compared label.) to jogging, it reduces wear and 0.9 mg. or less (0 points) 0 tear on your ankles and knees 1.0 to 1.2 mg. (I point) The choices can be overwhelming. But if a machine Extras • Today's exercfse while providing an effective aero- 1.3 mg. or more (2 pointsl at home wiD help you maintain a fitness routi~ it's machines areoften ladenwith costly bic workout. Sti.II,the device can 3. How often do you inhale? worth the money and effort of shopping. gizmos to monitor your perfor- aggravate knee problems. Never (0 points) mance - calorie counters, timers, Sometimes (1 point) WHAT TO LOOK FOR computer printouts and video displays to name a few. Decide Cross-count~sId macbjne • This may give you the best over- 4. Always (2 poi!'.ts) .• I Do you smoke more during the first 2 hours of "You getwhatyou pay for" is an old which gadget, if any, you want, all workout, but itcan be a difficult the day than during the rest of the day? No (0 points) saying, but apt when it comes to but don't get talked into something machineto master.Your armsand Yes (T point) exercise equipment. The $19.95 you don't need and won't use. legs move in rhythmic opposi- ready-to-assemble stationary tion, like walking. At first you'll 5. How soon after you wake up do you smoke your bicycle may do nothing more than Warrancw • A comprehensive first cigarette? probably feel off balance. You'll More than 30 minutes (0 points) raise your blood pressure, espe- warranty is usually a sign of a need to practice to achieve the Less than 30 minutes (T point) ciallywhen you realizeit's unstable, quality machine. smooth skiing motion that's unsafe and uncomfortable. Before required. 6. Which cigarette would you most hate to give up? you buy, consider the following: FIVE BASIC MACHINES The first one in the morning (1 point) Constftlct~on. Make sure the machine is built solidly with no Each device has something differ- SOME REMINDERS Any other (0 points) 7. Do you find it difficult not to smoke where it's exposed cables or chains. Avoid ent to offer. Some exercise only Seeyour physician for recommen- forbidden? your lower body. Other machines No (0 points) equipment with spring operated dations before making an Yes ( f components. They can make sud- build strength, or aerobic (cardio- investment and beginning an den jerky motions that cause injury vascular) capacity. The following exercise program. Look for a mach ine that offers machines build both strength and continuous, smooth motion. aerobic capacity.o Start at a comfortable level of exertion and frequency, then work FH • When you get on a piece of StaUon.~ IHcycle • A versa- up. Even a 1 or 2 minute workout equipment, it should feel comfort- tile machinethat builds leg strength can be beneficialasa starting point. able; if it doesn't you won't use it and cardiovascular capacity. It's for long. A quality machine can be usefu Ifor both the beginner and the No matter what device you invest adjusted to fit you. A comfortable serious exerciser. in, you must use the equipment seat is particularly critical for cycles regularly. To encourage ongoing and rowing machines. Some cycles have moving handle- exercise, set goals and keep bars that provide an upper body records. Be accountable to -mal "nod • Never buy an workout as well. Putting all four someone. exercise device you haven't tried. limbs in action increases calories Some vendors allow a trial in your burned and can reduce stress on Finally, and perhaps most impor- home. Or visit a fitness center and your hips and knees. If you have tantly, make exercising fun - try different equipment. knee problems, however, be sure read a magazine,watch television, the resistance can be adjusted to a use headphones, or carry on a Instftld~on. Vendors specializ- low setting. conversation. If you're working ing in exercise equipment often so hard you can't talk, you're offer free instruction. Take them up Ro1ri ... m.ch~ne. This device working too hard. on it. If you have questions, call puts your whole body in action. It back or revisit the store. If free offers a good aerobic workout and Reprinted from the September 1992 Mayo Clinic Health Letter with permission of the instruction isn't available, be ready helps strengthen your back, shoul- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education to pay for training. ders, stomach, legs and arms. and Research, Rochester, MN 55905. NICOTINE PATCHES: A better way to quit? P atches fig~t nicotine with nicotine. They can help. But you still need plenty of will power. While the patch may be working wonders for drug makers profits, its not a magical solution for smokers. Some patch users may "Step into a life free from cigarettes, " as one ad promises. But most won't. And, last summer, reports of heart attacks among users of the patch raised questions about its safety. Here's a realistic look at what nicotine patches can and can't do. A NEED FORNICOTINE W hen a cigarette smoker tries to quit, the odds are less than 1in 10tbat he or she will succeed The following questions and answers come from Lansing's Sparrow Hospital's .' for more than a few months. That's because smoking is not just" psychologically addicting, but physician referral and information service called "NurseLine". They are timely and physically addicting as well. Most smokers develop symptoms of nicotine withdrawal within a few commonly asked questions. hours after their last puff. Those withdrawal symptoms can include hunger, insomnia, and difficulty Q. W-J.thsomuch coverage in the media today about the high C08tofhealth concentrating, as well as feelings of anxiety, irritation and anger. care and treatment in a hospital em.ergency room., ~i,..edas one otthe most expensive places to receive care, how do you know if a visit to the Before patches came aTong,the best way to fight nicotine withdrawal was by chewing nicotine emergency room is appropriate? gum (Nicorette). But using nicotine gum properly isn't as easy as it sounds. Chew it for less than 20 minutes or so, and you won't get enough nicotine; chew it too vigorously or too continuously, and A. Each year, over 50,000 people are evaluated and treated in Sparrow Hospital's you get too much, which can cause burning in the mouth and throat, nausea, or vomiting. Many Emergency Department Dr. Bruce Reinoehl, has treated thousands of patients during thirteen years as a Sparrow Hospital Emergency Medicine physician, yet he stresses foods and drinks, particularly highly acidic ones like coffee and soda, can interfere with the that there are not strict guidelines for when to come to a hospital emergency room. "If absorption of nicotine if you ingest them before using the gum. you are worried about a problem, then we are worried about it too," said Dr. Reinoehl. Patches are a simpler, more reliable way to ease withdrawal symptoms. Youstick the 2t03-inch Unfortunately, many patients do not come in for treatment until they are seriously ill, Dr. Reinoehl says, while other patients tend to come in with simple problems that could adhesive patch on your upper arm or torso and replace itonce a day. Thepatch continuouslyreleases easily be treated at home or could wait until the patient sees his or her physician. small amounts of the drug, which then seeps into the skin, supplying the daily equivalent of up to Remember, Dr. Reinoehl says, many health problems are easier and more cost- three-quarters of a pack of cigarettes. Each brand comes in two or three dosages, so you can effective to treat if caught earlier. If you are not sure if your condition warrants a visit to gradually wean yourself from nicotine during the treatment period which lasts anywhere from six the emergency room, Dr. Reinoehl suggests you contact your private physician or call Sparrow Hospital's NurseUne, 1-800-968-3838. weeks to several months. Dr. Reinoehl offers the following list of potentially serious situations which suggest Initially, using the patch alone can work well. In one study at the Mayo Clinic, for example, 77 immediate medical attention: percent of people had stopped smoking i~mediately after a six-week course of treatment, compared • Shortness of breath • Chest pain with 39 percent using placebo patches that delivered no active drug. But such success doesn't last • Serious cuts • Head injuries A similar study with a longer follow-up has found that only around 15percent of people in the patch • Orthopedic injuries (breaks, sprains, swelling) group and fewer than 5percent in the placebo group managed to stay away from cigarettes for a full • Pregnancy problems (bleeding or abdominal pain) • Suicide attempts or psychotic episodes year after treatment • Change in status of a chronic health problems (asthma, heart disease) While the patches ultimately aren't much use by themselves, they can be moderately effective If possible, you should contact your private physician before you leave for the when combined with counseling aimed at a smoker's psychological dependency. In the typical Emergency Room. Your physician may be able to provide important medical information study, smokers wearing nicotine patches participate in weekly or biweekly hour-long group to the emergency room staff. Dr. Reinoehl cautions that one should not hesitate if he/she counseling sessions for anywhere from three weeks to three months. That two-pronged approach think they need immediate attention. typically keeps about one of every three smokers away from cigarettes for at least one year. By "I would rather see a hundred people that did not need immediate treatment than to miss one that did." contrast, counseling alone works as well for only about one of every five smokers. Experts on smoking and patch manufacturers themselves agree that patch users should indeed have behavioral counseling and support. Consumers Union's medical consultants recommend Q. What is Lyme disease and what are the symptoms? group programs such as those run by the American Lung Association or the American Cancer A. Accordingto Dr. Michael Fairfax, RheumatologistatSparrow Hospital, Lyme Disease Society. is transmitted by a deer tick the size of a pinhead, and is contracted most often in the spring and summer months. It is caused by a spirochete, usually Borrelia Burgdorferi WHAT ABOUTTHE RISK? which is a microorganism. Lyme Disease discriminates against no one-people of all The only serious side effect associated with the patch was reported recently by a Massachu- ages may be affected. I setts hospital, which had five heart attack cases in patch users who continued to smoke. But at least According to Dr. Fairfax, the symptoms and signs of Lyme Disease range from a dozen clinical trials, involving a total of several thousand smokers, have found no more heart headaches and rashes, to more serious neuromuscular and cardiac manifestations. attacks among people who wear the patches than among those who wear placebo patches - even Within 30 days, an infected person may feel the onset of early symptoms of this disease, characteristically starting as a rash. Without treatment a person may experience though many patch-wearers continued to sneak at least an occasional cigarette. cardiac, neurologic or musculo-skeletal symptoms within two months to several years Smokers who are at highly increased risk for heart attack would be better off kicking the habit after being infected with the spirochete. If you have reason to believe you may have been without the help of patches. (Factors that strongly increase the risk include a recent heart attack; infected with Lyme Disease, see your physician. uncontrolled angina, or heart related chest pain; and abnormal heart rhythms.) However, any Nmoker who can't quit without the patches is probably safer trying them than continuing to smoke. Q. I spend. a lot of time on my teet. Often after WOI.idDg or aerc:ising in a a..: Olhe( side effects are better established. Up to half of patch users experience itching, burning, gym, I experience ito"f~g, arackiDC and bu.rDiDg buLwee4 my toes. Bow or reddenetJ"skin arouna the patCh;:tJllt those symptoms are generally minor and transient can I prevent athlete's toot? Some pat~~so report insomnia 9rnightmares - bO~sH~ng{he patch A. According to Dr. Mitchell Rinek, Dermatologist on staff at Sparrow Hospital, you can round the clock. The neweSt~ h on the marke'f, f.J;e;~~pBiJTo be tJen'dft8tnijbt, since prevent athlete's foot by following these guidelines: it provides a full daily dose in 16 'h 2~ .. • Wear cotton socks when you exercise. • Change your socks every day. Consumers Union's medical consu t ggests starting with a ~1KJdf patclllHBbitrol, • Wear shoes with ventilation holes or porous upper material (not man-made), Nicoderm, or PROSTEP). Then, ifnighJtiJ1fro'BJems arise, you could simpJ't6I1!QXetf101J~Jte.tore or sandals. going to bed. While that reduces tb'1!'&J amount of nicotine you get, y~:tttifljdaiMl1n thll IOrer • Air out your shoes when you are not wearing them dose. If not, you could just switch j Nicotrol. ~t • Wear sandals or flip-flops when you take a shower in a locker room. • Apply Micatin or Lotrimin, an over the counter compound once or twice Other than that difference, nflfatch has any apparent advantagp o~e othlNS: Tbe-gsllcost a week between your toes and predisposed areas. about $25tD$3(}perweek.~ecompan;esandevenS2~~j0st • Disinfect shower and locker room floors. If you have health concerns, questions. or need a physician referral, call Sparrow Hospital's NurseLine, an information and Physician Referral Service at 1-800-968-3838. The ab~ve questions and an~~rs are for general information purposes only. If you have symptoms or health related questions, consult our phvslclan. When you discuss surgery with your Prior to the final approval for autologous ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS: physician, in addition to scheduling the collection, the physician and technicians evalu- Q. How many units of blood (pints?) are typically needed for surgery, Le.,is there a recommended date, you may want to ask about donating ate the patient's overall health, medical his- available supply? your own blood in advance. Technically tory, and any medications the patient is taking. A. We usually leave that deCiston to discretion of physician who makes the determination depending on the tyRe of sufgery, for. example, a Caesarean may require only 2 units of blood known as autologous blood, your own blood For example a history of blood disorders or where joinfsurgery ma'1indicate an available supply of up to 6 units of blood. can be collected, tested and stored before cardiovascular disease, and certain "blood Q. How frequently would the patient donate before elective surgery? surgery to be available for blood transfusions. thinning" medications would preclude autolo- A. With the physician's approval and assuming patien~can recover adequately, we would draw gous donation. Pregnant women or patients 1 unit a week and ideally draw the last unit 1 to 2 weeks prior to surgery. If the physician orders, "We're seeing more autologous collection who have an active infection will not be say 6 units, th.atsounds like a lot of units Of blood in a short period of time. There is the possible because using your own blood is really the allowed to donate. problem of outdated blood. safest, surest way to reduce the risk of Q. How far in advance would autologous collection take place? potential exposures," said Fran Sklapsky, Currently about 4 million people require A.A unit of bloodis good for 42 days- Maximum ideal period. If we need to start drawing before administrative director of the Sparrow Hospi- thattime and could 8\lcounterthe problem of outdating we do whatwe call "leap frog collection," transfusions of 14 million units of blood and i.e.,we take 1unitlbisweek; then atthe next collection date we give that unit back and then draw tal Laboratory in Lansing, MI. "It's becoming blood components each year. The Red Cross 2 units. more common and more people are electing it Blood Service, the nation's largest supplier of as a personal preference." n. What factors might determine the frequency of autologous collection? blood (mostofitdonated)saysthatthe current A. Hemacrit level (ratio of red cells to plasma) recovers adequately; overall health; minimum tests, including tests for HIV antibodies, level of hemacrit (red cells vs. plasma) This is all monitored by the physician. For a few people, autologous collection may virtually eliminate the chances of receiving n. Are there times when autologous collection would be indicated? be medically indicated. "When there is the contaminated blood. A. Autologous colleCtio~ is indicated when there is the presence of unusual antibodies or presence of unusual antibodies or multiple multiple antibodies in an individual's blood that could make the possibility of finding compatible antibodies in an individual's blood, it could "We remind our regular, volunteer blood blood difficult or next to impossible. Antibodies in the blood are identified by routine blood group make the possibility of finding compatible donors that they cannot direct to a patient and type testing done by the hospital - a lot of people walking around with antibodies, but generally can find a cOfpatible blood supply. blood difficult or next to impossible," said unless the patient has requested them to do Q. How long does blood testing take? Sklapsky. Antibodies are identified by routine so," said Wilson. A. A minimum of three qays before surgery - if donor directed. blood group and type testing. Q. What other tests are performed on donated blood (other than for HIV antibodies)? A. Blo.LKJ1foupand type, antibody screening; ALT, non specific liver function test hepatitis C; According to Fred Wilson, administrator of -trepatitis B surface antigens; hepatitis core; HIV; HTLV-l virus; VORL(syphilis). , the Great Lakes Regional Blood Service for Fran Sklapsky, administrative director of the laboratop/, Sparrow Hospital, Lansing. the American Red Cross, the key difference between the general blood supply and autolo- gous or directed donations (for specific donors) is that autologous and directed dona- tions are planned donations. Directed donations are taken from persons selected by the patient from among family or close friends who have the same or compat- ible blood type. "The major medical objection to directed donations isthat, under pressureto donate, a family member or friend might not STIIDY SAYSDRUGS \VORK AS WEll AS BAllOON ANGIOPIASlY TO OPEN CLOSED VESSELSAFfER HEART ATIACK I be completely truthful about their medical history. This is especially true si~ce donor Clot-dissolving drngs restore blood flow during a heart attack just as well as the more complex balloon angioplasty anonymity has been sacrificed," said Wilson. procedure, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. "This finding should be of great benefit to patients, " says Dr. Raymond Gibbons, Mayo Clinic cardiologist and "Our autologous and directed donations are principal author of this study. "Drug therapy is available in virtually every hospital acrossthe United States. The special services that the Red Cross Blood balloon procedure is available only at larger medical centers. " Services provides to patients," said Wilson. "AII of these donations require special paper- The study assigned 108 patients who had suffered acute heart attacks to one of two therapies. Half received the clot- work and authorizations." dissolving drug called tissueplasminogen activator over four hours. They were then observed carefully for the next week. If their chest pain returned, they were treated promptly with medicines or balloon angioplasty. Whether you choose to use your own blood The other half received balloon angioplasty. This therapy involved threading a balloon-tipped catheter through an for surgery as a personal preference or for artery in the leg and up into the blocked heart vessel. The balloon was then inflated to widen the blocked vessel and medical reasons, your doctor must order restorenonnal blood flO'W.Thisprocedure is almost always successful initially, although the vesselmay again become autologous collection. Any blood donor - blocked over the next six months. autologous, directed donor,orgeneral donor- By using a radioactive material and imaging technique, the researcherswere able to measure thepotential size of the must be at least 14 years old and weigh 100 heart attack before treatment and the actual size of the heart attack after treatment. Gibbons and colleagues pounds or more. detennined the amount of heart-muscle saved by comparing these two numbers. These measurements shO'Wedthat both treatments reduced the size of the heart attack by 50 percent. Unfortunately, many patients did not come to the emergency room until they had chest pain for more than two hours. The benefit of either therapy would almost certainly have been greater if the patients had come to the hospital sooner. "Many cardiologists believe that the balloon procedure would be more effective, " Gibbons notes. "We were a bit surprised to find that the drng therapy helped save as much heart muscle as balloon therapy. " The study also shO'Wedthat the cost of the therapies was about the same. In analyzing costs, researchers measured expenses for hospitalization as well as costsfor days taken off of work and change in personal income. When they compared the amount of heart muscle saved with the cost of therapy, they found no substantial difference. This is one of many Mayo studies examining both the benefits and costs of various treatment options. Michigan Farm News -. March 30, 1993 ses to Begin New Method for Measuring Soil Erosion Farm Bureau has long believed that sound SCS indicates that the changes should not affect the Midwest very much since that is science is the basis for good policy. To that end, the USDA Soil Conversation Service where the information came from to (SCS) is about to implement an improved develop the original method. However, equation for estimating soil erosion caused RUSLE may change erosion estimates in by rainfall and runoff. The old method, other parts of the country. The change could known as the Universal Soil Loss Equation, be either way; in some cases erosion e's- will now be called the Revised Universal timates will increase, in other cases they Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE). may decrease. Many farmers using crop residue manage- The Agriculture Research Service, which ment, particularly certain types of mulch did the research and developed the revised tillage and no-till,' have felt that the old equation, turned RUSLE over to the SCS in equation did not give them proper credit for mid-December. SCS will train state offices. the soil erosion control they were attaining. State SCS offices will then develop tables using the new factors and have those tables While the revised equation doesn't address in the local SCS offices by August 1993. all the concerns, it represents a major im- provement. The revised equation may However, SCS does not anticipate that use cause some erosion estimates to go up, of the new equation will require a wholesale while others will go down. For those that go rewrite of conservation compliance plans. down, the good news is that farmers are accomplishing more erosion control than Technical questions about RUSLE should they were previously credited with. be directed to: Kenneth Renard, ARS, USDA, Tucson, AZ 8570 I; George R. The equation itself will remain the same Foster, Univ~rsity of Minnesota, St. Paul, (A=RKLSCP). What has changed is that MN 55108; or Glenn Weesies, National When available, the SCS field offices will use the new method in making calcula- more research has become available to Soil Erosion Research Laboratory, West tions for any "new" conservation compliance, CRP and sodbuster plans. They also allow some of the factors to be updated to Lafayett, IN 47907. will use it when revising any plans that farmers want to change. more accurately reflect different conditions across the country. Particularly noteworthy are improvements in: R=rainfall factor - This factor has been dramatically updated in the western U.S. from data obtained at 1,200 weather sta- tions. The factor also has been revised in the WORRIED eastern U.S. for flatter areas with high R- factors. K=soil erodibility factor - A seasonally FACES variable erodibility factor has been I developed. L=slope-Iength factor and S=slope- gradient factor - New slope length and OF OUR steepness factors have been developed to account for rill and inter-rill erosion and slopes of varying shape. INSUREDS. C=cropping management factor - New sub- factors for prior land use, crop canopy, sur- Worry? Not them. face cover and surface roughness are avail- able. And why should you when you can protect your life savings with a P=erosion control practice factor - New Long Term Care Plan from AMEX Life Assurance Company? values have been generated'for rangelands, strip-crop rotations, contouring and subsur- Regrettably, two in five older adults will require nursing home care.\ face drainage. With costs averaging about $30,000 per year2 it's easy to see just how devastating this can be. Farm Bureau But it doesn't have to be this way: Communicates Health Initiatives to First Lady With AMEX Life you can plan on peace of mind. AM EX Life, an American Express company, has over 16 years experience in long-term In a letter to Hillary Clinton and the Health Care Task Force she is chairing, care insurance and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.3 the American Farm Bureau Federation pointed out a number of changes in U.S. Don't be worried by the costs of long-term care. Call or write today for health care policies that would bolster more information from your local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent on the the quality and availability of health care in under-served rural America. options available to you. Representing: AFBF suggest~d that health care policy include the following: * A loo-percent health insurance tax AMEX Life Assurance Compan)' @ deduction for the self-employed. a subSidiary of • TRAVEL * The elimination of or drastic reduc- Qi) RELATED SEIMCES tions in cost shifting from Medicaid and Medicare to individuals and third-party I. Consumer's Guide to Long. Term Care Insurance, HIAA 1989 payers. 2. U.S. News & World Report, Aug. 13, 1990 3. Independent analysts of the insurance industry who base their analysis on financial strength and * Assistance for medical communica- operating performance. tions systems and emergency patient. transfer systems. TO RECENE ADDmoNALlNFORIIATION AND AN AIIEX BROCHURE/APPLICATION - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1~2e2-2S80, EXT. - 2724. * Regulatory flexibility for health care providers in rural areas. _ .. ItIICHIGAN Please Print * Greater efforts by the nation's medical .... FARItl BIJREAIJ Name schools to train family physicians to practice in rural areas. Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Add s Membership Services * Allowing a greater use of non- P.O. Box 30960 Ci State ZIP physician health care providers, such as Lansing, MI 48909 nurse practitioners and physician's as- h n sistants. Coun Michigan Farm News . March 30, 1993 -. Reducing the Risk of ENVIRONMENTAL Groundwater Contamination by Improving Fertilizer Storage .~~ STEWARDSHIP ,I If stored safely in a secure location, fer- well should be greater in areas of sand or tilizers pose little danger to groundwater. fractured bedrock. Common sense suggests keeping fertilizer dry and out of the way of activities that 2. In the event of a fire, contaminated fire might rip open a bag or allow rain to enter a fighting runoff water should drain to a con- bulk container. fined area. In the event of such an accident, an imper- 3. The mixing and loading area should be meable (waterproof) floor, such as concrete, close to your storage facility, to minimize helps to prevent fertilizer seeping into the the distance that chemicals are carried. ground and leaching to groundwater. A curb built around liquid fertilizer storage areas 4. The building foundation or secondary will prevent contaminants from spreading to containment floor should be well drained cidental spills or theft. Provide signs or Engineering at Michigan State University. other areas. and located a minimum of two feet above labels indicating that the cabinet or building Call (517) 355-4720. the water table. The finished outside grade is a fertilizer storage area. Labels on the Secondary containment provides an imper- should be 3 inches below the floor of the outside of the building give firefighters im- Even if you don't have an impermeable meable floor and walls around the storage storage area and sloped away from the portant information about fertilizers during mixing and loading pad, you can minimize area, which will prevent the fertilizer from building to provide surface drainage. The an emergency response for a fire or spill. contamination by following some basic seeping into the ground if a bulk liquid subsoil should have a low permeability. guidelines: fertilizer storage tank should leak. 8. Provide adequate road access for 5. Provide pallets to keep bags off the floor. deliveries and emergency equipment. • Avoid mixing and loading fertilizers Building a New Storage Facility Store dry products separate from liquids to within 100 feet of a well or water supply. While a new facility just for fertilizer prevent wetting from spills. 9. For information on factors to consider in One way to do this is to use a nurse tank to storage may be expensive, it may be safer the design of a storage facility, such as transport water to the mixing and loading than trying to adapt areas meant for other 6. If you plan to store large bulk tanks, ventilation, water access, temperature con- site. purposes. Keep these simple principles in provide a large enough containment area to trol and worker safety, contact your county mind: confine 125 percent of the contents of the Extension office or the Michigan State Ideally, the mixing site should be moved largest bulk container, plus the displaced University Department of Agricultural En- from year to year within the field of applica- I. Locate the dry storage building or liquid volume of any other storage tanks. gineering at (517) 355-4720 for plans and tion. secondary containment downslope at least recommendations. 150 feet away from the well and 200 feet 7. A locked storage area or building • A void mixing and loading on gravel from surface water. Separation from the provides security. Preventing unauthorized An effective way to reduce your storage driveways or other surfaces that allow spills use of fertilizer reduces the chance of ac- cost is to cut back on the amounts of fer- to sink quickly through the soil. A clay tilizer stored. If that option is not practical, surface is better than sand. consider how you can protect the fertilizers you keep on hand. Contacts and References • Install an anti-backsiphon device on the well or hydrants. Never put the hose in the Who to call about ... Ideally, your fertilizer storage area should sprayer tank. Provide an air gap of 6 inches be separate from other activities. If the between the hose and the top of the sprayer Plans and recommendations for fertilizer mixing and loading pads: building must also serve as a machine shed tank. *Your Extension office or Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural or a housing for livestock, you may find it Engineering, at (517) 355-4720. difficult to meet all the requirements for • Always supervise sprayer filling. safe storage. Fertilizer spills: * The 24-hour Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) - Michigan Department • Consider using a closed handling system, of Natural Resources at 1-800-292-4706. Mixing/Loading Practices in which the fertilizer is directly transferred Groundwater contamination can result from the storage container to the applicator from small quantities spilled regularly in equipment, typically through a hose. This Proper disposal of soil contaminated by a fertilizer spill: the same place. Spills of dry fertilizer minimizes human and environment ex- * Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Response Division: should be promptly and completely cleaned posure to the chemical. Region I - Marquette (906) 228-6561 up and placed immediately into the applica- Region II - Roscommon (517) 275-5151 tion equipment. • Use rinsate for mixing subsequent loads. Region III - Lansing (517) 322-1300 A mixinglloading pad provides for opera- • Once the pad is contaminated with chemi- What to read about ... tional containment during the transfer of cals, runoff must be contained and stored Groundwater and nitrates in groundwater: liquid fertilizer to application equipment on with the rinsate for mixing subsequent * Well Water Sampling Results. 1988-1989. Michigan Department of Agriculture. (517) nurse tanks. Store piles of dry bulk fertilizer loads, or disposed of in an approved man- 373-1087. on an impermeable surface under cover or ner. in a building. Treat dry fertilizer impreg- Health effects: nated with a pesticide as a pesticide. • Only when the pad has been adequately * The product label. Read your product labels carefully for specific information on cleaned can runoff be considered uncon- fertilizer health effects. Liquid Fertilizer Mixing/Loading Pad taminated and allowed to discharge freely. * Nitrate, Groundwater and Livestock Health. Univ. of Wisconsin-Extension. G3217. Containing liquid fertilizer spills and leaks * Nitrates and Groundwater. Freshwater Foundation. requires an impermeable surface (such as Spill Cleanup concrete) for mixing and loading. A con- For dry spills, promptly sweep up and reuse Fertilizer handling and management: crete pad should be large enough to accom- the fertilizer as it was intended. Dry spills * Fertilizer Practices, Right To Fann. Michigan Agricultural Commission, Lansing, MI. modate your equipment and to contain are usually very easy to clean up. Dry im- * Chemicals in Your Community: A Guide to the Emergency Planning and Right to Know leaks from bulk tanks, wash water and spills pregnated fertilizer is considered a pes- Act. 1988. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Pages 26-27 contain information on from transferring fertilizers to the sprayer. ticide and, if spilled, should be recovered implications of this law for fanners. and applied to the target crop as it was Locate the pad adjacent to the storage area. intended. Fertilizer storage: Make sure that water from the pad moves * Fertilizer and Pesticide Containment Facilities Handbook. Midwest Plan Service, away from the well. At sites where runoff For liquid spills, recover as much of the Ames, Iowa. MWPS-37. could reach the well, construct a diversion spill as possible and reuse as it was in- * Michigan Department of Agriculture, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division. to direct runoff to another area. Pads should tended. Some contaminated soil may be REG 641 (pending) Commercial Fertilizer Bulk Storage. be located at least 150 feet from private required to be removed and field applied if wells unless special well head protection is possible. provided. Publications available from ... Report uncontained fertilizer spills of more 1. Your county Extension office, or directly from the Bulletin Office, Room lOB The size of the pad depends on the equip- than 55 gallons or 200 pounds of fertilizer. Agriculture Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. There may be ment you use. It should provide space Smaller quantities of liquid or dry products charges for the publications. arou~d ~e parked e9~ipment for washing should be reported if they could cause and nnsmg. The fertlhzers and rinse water damage because of the nature of the 2. Your county Extension office or the Plan Service Secretary, Agricultural Engineering should have a confined area, such as a specific compound or spill location. Department, Room 217 A.W. Farrall Hall, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, sump, for settling before transfer to rinsate (517) 353-3297. storage tanks. To report, call the 24-hour Pollution Emer- gency Alerting System (PEAS) of the 3. University of Wisconsin-Extension, Environmental Resources Unit, 216 Agriculture Having several separate rinsate storage Michigan Department of Natural Resour- Hall, 1450 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, (608) 262-0020. tanks allows you to keep rinse water and ces: 1-800-292-4706. different fertilizer chemical mixes separate. 4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Pesticide Programs (TS- That way, it can be used for mixing water Remove the spilled material and con- 766C), 401 M Street S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. on subsequent loads. taminated soil no matter what the quantity, and dispose according to DNR recommen- 5. Freshwater Foundation at Spring Hill Center, 725 County Road 6, Wayzata, Min- If you are considering constructing a ~ations. ~now how to handle your par- nesota, (612) 449-0092. mixinglloading pad, more detailed infor- tIcular fertIlizers, and whom to call for help. mation is available from county Extension 6. Midwest Plan Service, Agricultural and Bio Engineers Department, 122 Davidson offices or the Department of Agricultural Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Michigan Farm News March 30, 1993 III Assessin9. the Risk of Groundwater Contamination from Fertilizer Storage and Handling the "risk level" of your fertilizer handling, Why should I be concerned? Fertllizers playa vital role in agriculture. storage and disposal practices. Worbheet Over the years, they have increased farm production dramatically. Commercial fer- • It will help you determine which of your Fertilizer Storage and Handling: Assessing Drinking Water Contamination Risk practices are reasonably safe and effective, tilizer is, however, a major source of nitrate. l. Use a pencIL Y011 may ... lO mike dIarJaes. and which practices might require some 2. For eacb c:aIeI\lIY IiUed m the left that is IppIOpIisIe lO your f~ rald across lO the right and circle the IUIeIDent Nitrate-nitrogen levels exceeding the modification to better protect your drinking that baa describes CXlIIdIlions m your fannsllCad. (Skip and leave bIadt lilY earqories dlII eIm't apply lO your farmstead) public health standard of 10 milligrams per water. LOW RISK LOW-MOD RISK ~HlGHRlSI: HIOHRlSK YOUR liter (mg/1; equivalent to parts per million (llllt4) (1'IDk 3) (raak2) (not I) RANK for water measure) have been found in How do I complete the worksheet? J1ER11LIZER STORAGE many drinking water wells. The other major Follow the direction at the top of the charge Dry lormaladaa components of commercial fertilizer, phos- on the next page. It should take you about AllDlllt Nooc stored at Less than I ton. Between I aad 20 lOllS. More than 20 lOllS. phorus and potassium, are not generally a 15-30 minutes to complete this worksheet Itored anytime. and figure out your ranking. groundwater contamination concern. TJPeol Covered on lmpenne- Covered 011 clay soil Putial COYer on loamy No COYer on sandy storace able surface (such as Spills are c:olIec:tcd. soils. Spills DOl 1Oils. Spills DOl Nitrate level.s in drinking water above What do I do with these rankings? CODa'eIC or asphaJt). c:oIJccII:d. coIkcu:d. Spills are c:oIlcc:tal. federal and state drinking water standards Step I: Begin by determining your overall of 10 mg/1 nitrate-nitrogen can pose a risk fertilizer management risk ranking. Total IJq1IId lOI'1IIldatIoa to some infants. Infants under 6 months of the rankings for the categories you com- AIIDIIIt Nooc stored at Less than ~~ p11oos. Between ~~ aad lSOO More than lSOO pDons. age are particularly susceptible to health pleted and divide by the number of IIoftd any time. pllons. problems from high nitrate-nitrogen levels, categories you ranked. Typecf ~leorocbcr Oay-lined ICCOIIdary PameabIc IOil (and). including the condition known as SomewIIIt ~le =-.r stonce Impermeable JCalIIdary aJIlIaimnent. Most of IOils (JoIm • No IeCOG- No ICCOIIdary CODtIin- methemo-globinemia (blue baby This ranking gives you an idea of how your dary COIItIinment. ~.:.rn contaiDmcot does DOl spill can be rec:ow:mL IDCIIL Spills coatami- Date IOil. syndrome). Nitrate can also affect adults, fertilizer management practices as a whole lD conlami- CIDDOl be but the evidence is much less certain. might be affecting your drinking water. It CoatalDen Original coatainen Original coataincn old. CoataiDc:n old but ComIiDen hPe holes should serve only as a very general guide, clearly labeJcd. No Labels panially missing patcbed. Metal CODtIin- or larIlhat allow boles. ICUI or 'M:alt or hard lO read. en sbowiDg Ji&ns of fenilizrn to leak. No Young livestock are also particularly sus- not a precise diagnosis. Because it repre- seams. Lids tighL rusting. labels. sents an averaging of many individual rank- ceptible to health problems from high LOW RISK LOW-MOD RISK MOD-HIGH RISK IDGHIUSK YOUR nitrate-nitrogen levels. While livestock ings, it can mask any individual rankings (rlllk4) (nak3) (nak2) (nakl) RANK FERTILIZER STORAGE (CGIIIiINed) may be able to tolerate several times the 10 such as Is or 2s that should be of concern. Fc:oad or Ioc::bd area Fc:oad area sepamle Open to Ktivities thII Open ICCICU to dJeft, mgll nitrate-nitrogen level, levels of 20-40 SecariIJ ICpIIalC from all ocbcr from most otha' IICtivi- couJd~ vandalism aud chiJdraL mgll may prove harmful, especially in com- Step 2: Look over your rankings for in-. activities, or Ioc:b 011 ties. en or spill '. Yal~ bination with high levels (1,000 ppm) of dividual activities: MIXING AND LOADING PRACI1CES nitrate-nitrogen from feed sources. * Low-risk practices (4s): ideal; should be orwell .. 100 or feet 5DtotDDIeeI tDfo5D""~ MtIlIn tD"" your goal despite cost and effort. Locatioa relation to IIIidaW downslope IDClI1: from well. ~. ... • or 100 to SOO feet upslope. ........ upslope. or 100 feet Farmstead handling of fertilizers can affect * Low-to-moderate risk practices (3s): ..... 8ra willa DOcurbed_ groundwater by allowing materials con- Provides reasonable groundwater protec- ~ CllIIItaIItment ara taining nitrogen to seep through the ground tion. ADDmONAL MIXING AND LOADING PRACI1CES FOR UQUID FERTn.IZER after a leak or spill. Other potential * Moderate-to-high risk practices (2s): MhIn& aDd .... Coocn:tc mixing! Coocn:tc~ with curb Coocn:tc pad with lIClIDC No mixinBlk*fing pad. farmstead sources of nitrate are septic sys- Inadequate protection in many cases. pad (spill meat) contaia- ading pad with curb keeps ~ coatained. keeps . s contained. No sump. aacb keeps some spills contained. No PtrmeIb1c soil (and). Spills __ inlO grouod. tems, livestock yards, livestock waste * High-risk practices (Is): Inadequate Swnp collectioa curb or sump. storage facilities and silage storage. protection; poses a high risk of polluting aad transfer to storage. groundwater. Water...u ScpcUD water tank. Hydnnt away from Hydnnt Dear well. DirectlyobWDcd from Your drinking water is least likely to be wdl. well. Regardless of your overall risk ranking, any contaminated if you follow appropriate BackfIow pIftIDo Anti-bactflow device Anti-bactflow device No 1JI1i-bKkflow No 1JI1i-beckfJow management procedures or dispose of was- individual rankings of I require immediate tioa Gl water Installed or 6-inch air installed. Hose in tank device. Hose in WIk device. ",."" __ "--In11M.11M tes off the farm site. However, proper off- attention. Some concerns you can take care -ppl, pp maintained aboYe above waterIinc. above waIr::dine. sprayer tank. site disposal practices are essential to avoid of right away; others could be major or cost- Ftllinl_penIsioa Coastant mquent Seldom or Defti' risking contamination that could affect the ly projects requiring planning and prioritiz- water supplies and health of others. ing before you take action. LOW RISK LOW-MOD RISK MOD-IDGH RISK HlGHIUSK YOUR (nnt4) (1'IDk 3) (nak2) (aMI) ~ ADDITIONAL MIXING AND WADING PRACI1CES FOR LIQUID n:R11LlZER (CIlIIIti-.ed) How will this worksheet help me IbDdIn& Closed syaem fOr all Closed S)'SICIIl for most All liquids hand poured. protect my drinking water? IyIIeIn liquid product trans- liquids. Some liquids Sprayer fill port easy lO All1iq1lldlhand ~ Sprayer fill port rea. to FARM-A-SYST fm. hand poured. SpRyer rea. fill port easy to reach. • It will take you step by step through your The Farmstead Assessment System in CLEANUP AND DISPOSAL PRAcrICES fertilizer handling, storage and disposal Michigan is a multi agency cooperative SpnJ'l" c:IaniD& SpRyer washed OIIt in SpRyer wasbed ont on SpRyer washed oat at practices. effort to increase awareness and en- and riDsate (m- field. RinsaIc used in pad at fmnsteal. fumstead. Rinsate water) d1spoaI next !old and applied Rinsate used in next spnyed less than 100 courage correction of potential water lO labeled aop. loBd aud applied lO feet from wdI. labclcd aop. • It will rank your activities according to quality problems around the farmstead. how they might affect the groundwater that The materials are based on similar provides your drinking water supplies. materials developed in Wisconsin and TOTAL D • It will provide you with easy-to-under- stand rankings that will help you analyze Minnesota with assistance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region V. Conservation Farming Practices Can Influence Insect Populations Farmers who are reducing tillage or chang- insecticide recommendations warn that Rotation Changes Could Benefit If a field has a high potential for wireworm ing crop rotations to meet conservation conservation tillage keeps the soil cooler, Wireworms infestation, you should expect trouble for compliance requirements could be in store making com seeds sprout slowly. This in- As for wireworms, problems can arise the next couple of years and plan your soil for changes in their insect problems in com, creases their vulnerability to early-season when compliance plans include the pos- insecticide program accordingly, Tollefson according tQ insect, specialists in the Com soil insects. sibility of changing crop rotations or when recommends. Belt. acreage is set aside. Bledsoe points out that high-residue or Some Good News -- Earthworms "Conservation systems don't necessarily weedy fields can also make a good breeding "If you're in sod for more than two years, Thrive have more or less insect problems, just dif- ground for insects like cutworms, your chances of wireworm and seedcorn No-till fields tend to increase earthworms ferent ones," says Larry Bledsoe, Purdue wireworms, white grubs, billbugs and stalk maggot problems increase substantiall y, " because of the field's moisture and in- University insect specialist. borers. warns Dr. Rich Edwards, Purdue Univer- creased residue, which serves as a good sity insect specialist. "The same is true for food source. No-till farmers benefit from The 1990 Farm Bill linked farm program Surface Residue Attracts Cutworm seedcorn maggots following alfalfa." earthworms because the worms help mix in benefits with conservation provisions. The Moths in Spring fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides. deadline for total compliance is Jan. 1, 1995. Dr. Jon Tollefson of Iowa State University Farmers facing wireworm infestations have An option to achieve compliance on highly says cutworm moths fly north early each to be extra careful, even years after coming "Earthworms are a natural form of tillage," erodible land is to plant continuous com, spring from the Gulf of Mexico to breed in out of setaside or hay, according to Tollef- says Dr. Ed Berry, USDA entomologist in since com leaves more durable residue than U.S. cornfields. Unt]led com stalks or piles son. Ames, Iowa. soybeans. of crop residue provide a shelter for them to lay their eggs, and growing weeds provide. "Even if you plow to get out of hay, wheat Earthworms loosen and aerate the soil, But, more continuous com could mean in- a food source for the hatched larvae until or setaside, you probably won't disturb the Berry explains, and water soaks into the creased problems with com rootworm, the com plants emerge from the ground. wireworms," he notes. "Wireworms stay ground via their channels four times faster 'single most damaging insect in com. fairly deep in the soil and have a life cycle than fields that don't have earthworms. In high-residue or no-till fields that develop that can last two to four years. They may Also, plants' roots are less inhibited and More residue = More insects? a cutworm infestation, a soil insecticide can live on roots and buried organic matter for often take advantage of the abundance of More surface residue from corn, small make a big difference in stand and yield. A an entire growing season, then reemerge the channels throughout the soil. grains and hay could mean new problems single cutworm can cut four com plants in next year." with insects that were once considered the two-leaf stage. That adds up quickly in minor pests. The University of Nebraska's the weigh wagon. Michigan Farm News : Young Farmers Optimistic, Better Off, But Not Worry-Free Survey Says •• March 30, 1993 MFB's 1992 Outstanding Young Farmer James Wagner, daughter Alysia and wife Michelle. Young farmers and ranchers are more op- timistic about farming, and are better off 1~ ''"''~'~''~\\ children to follow in their footsteps as financially than they were five years ago. <.~ it ~ • 1 farmers. Only 12 percent said "no," while 7 But their lives are far from worry-free. _;.,.f ~ "'~:.:* \,..,,, 4..' . percent said that decision should be left total- ly up to their children. , \",~, Concerns about the availability of financ- ing, profitability, regulations, and taxes >;5~.' ~. Whi Ie recognizing the importance of weigh heavily on their minds today, accord- economics and the environment in agricul- ing to a survey conducted by the A11}erican ture, 62 percent of the respondents said they Farm Bureau Federation. base their voluntary farming practices on both, with an emphasis on economics, and 33 The survey of 226 young farm and ranch percent said both, with an emphasis on the leaders from 35 states was conducted Feb. environment. Four percent said they equally 13, during AFBF's 1993 Young Farmers balance economics with environmental con- and Ranchers Leadership Conference in siderations, while only I percent said they Dearborn, Mich. considered only economics or the environ- ment. The survey tracked the attitudes and choices of young farmers and ranchers on issues The stewardship ethic of young farmers and ranging from the environment to off-farm ranchers is on the increase. Results of the employment. survey indicate that these young farmers have doubled their overall use of stewardship When asked about their present attitude practices in the last five 'years. The most toward the future of farming, 67 percent work off the farm. In 24 percent of the total Despite the need to supplement their farm widely used practices today, in order, in- said they were more optimistic, while 33 operations, both spouses work off the farm. income, 95 percent of the total respondents clude: reduced tillage, regular soil and tissue percent said they were less optimistic than Only the wife pursues off-farm employ- said they see themselves as "life-long analysis, field scouting, other types of in- they were five years ago. A total of 77 ment in 54 percent of the operations, while farmers." tegrated pest management, and buffer strips percent said they are financially better off only the husband brought in off-farm in- for wildlife. than they were in 1988. come in 19 percent of the operations. On a similar note, 81 percent of those responding said "yes" they wanted their When asked about their three greatest con- I,. cerns, the young farmers and ranchers said overall profitability was the top concern, , - . receiving 26 percent of the combined rank- ing. Availability of financing was also a primary concern, with 23 percent of the vote. TAKE'THE-BlTEOtrrOF PENTALCARECOSTS Other top issues of concern include: the freedom to farm, in light of government regulations, red tape and urban encroach- ment (18 percent); the burden of taxes (13 percent); the availability of land and facilities (10 percent); competition from larger farms (5 percent); the willingness of parents to turn over the operation's reins (4 percent); and the availability of adequate support services such as schools, services, and social/cultural activities (1 percent). Gi ven those concerns, when asked to rank the top three steps they'd'like to see-govern- ment take on behalf of agriculture, young farmers and ranchers said opening interna- tional markets was the most important, with 17 percent of the combined ranking. Government reform of health-care was second at 16 percent. On a related topic, 87 percent of the young farmers and' ranchers said they were covered by health insurance. Two additional top recommendations for government action included the strengthen- ing of private property laws and sounder fiscal policies, which each gained 15 per- cent of the vote. Other government actions young farmers would like to see include: reducing the bur- den of Social Security taxes on the self- employed (11 percent); more consideration of economic factors by regulators (9 per- cent); developing cost-share programs for environmental compliance (7 percent); and more emphasis on rural development , .. programs, and increasing farm program payments, (5 percent each). Member dental insurance is the affordable way !o assure that you and your family receive the dental care services you require ~ even when sudden and costly needs arise. Government officials are advised to pay ~ ~ f attention to the wishes of young farm and Measure the rates against your annual dentaf care ,bills and con.sider the advantage! ranch leaders, especially in light of survey .. Single $18 per month • Couple $32 per month .. results that indicate 9 I percent of the MemberjCj1ild $32 per month • Family $41 per month respondents voted in the last presidential election, and 43 percent communicated at least once with their elected officials during the previous year. .... _ ... .... 'CII'GAN' . ~ARItI BIJREAIJ .. TO RECEIVE ADDmONAL INFORMATION AND A BROCHURE/APPUCATION , PLEASE FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW When asked how they felt about the profes- sion of agriculture, 66 percent of those OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680 EXT- 3236. responding said they chose farming be- Please Print cause of its lifestyle values, while 25 per- cent said their decision to farm w~s based Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Name on lifestyle and business aspects, while just Membership Services 9 percent said that to them farming was "just P.O. Box 30960 Address a business." Lansing, MI 48909 Citv State ZIP While most choose to farm for lifestyle reasons, even more young farm and ranch Phone couples supplement farm income through off-farm work. Ninety-eight percent of the Coun~ respondents said they, their spouse or both MFN Michigan Farm News 11= March 30, 1993 Challenge and Change Focus of MMPA Annual Meeting Approximately 274 delegates and addi- tional members of the Michigan Milk Producers Association (MMPA) were in Lansing recently for the cooperative's 77th annual meeting. In addition to policy dis- cussion and award programs, delegates heard from General Manager Walt Wosje Trend Toward and MMP A President Elwood Kirkpatrick. Larger Hog Kirkpatrick told the group that the emphasis on cutting government spending to fund dairy support prices combined with new Farms To trading opportunities via North American Free Trade Agreement and GATT could be Continue mixed news for the dairy industry. There will be more extremely large hog producing units among the nation's "It's becoming apparent the government hog fanns and the total number of hog will not playas important a role as it once producing fanns will be much smaller did in price supports," Kirkpatrick said. by the year 2000, according to an in- "That means we have both a challenge and dustry survey conducted recently. an opportunity for developing export market opportunities. It gives the dairy in- To cope in the next century, hog dustry the potential to design a program that producers will need expertise and ad- can assist us in developing export markets vice of expert consultants in such areas and, at the same time, maintain market as veterinary medicine, financial plan- balance in this country." Above MMPA President Elwood Kirkpatrick addresses delegates and members ning, nutrition, marketing, and environ- attending the cooperative's 77 th annual meeting, to hear annual operating reports, mental and agricultural engineering. Kirkpatrick said the recent Engler proposal and discuss policy issues in addition to numerous award ceremonies. to fully fund the Livestock Initiative also The survey conducted among hog represents an opportunity for the dairy in- He predicted the trend of fewer cows and would not benefit as much as the processors producers, veterinarians, meat packers, dustry and Michigan State University to larger production per fann" will continue, and, in fact, could lose peak price oppor- academics and ag-industry executives establish a new partnership. meaning more changes for the cooperative tunities. serving the pork industry found that in terms of services provided. consolidation of smaller hog farms will "We need to address the competitive situa- In other pricing matters, Wosje outlined a continue and result in far fewer units tion from a production per cow standpoint," Wosje also discussed a Class III-A pricing new multiple component pricing system, producing less than 3,000 head-per-year Kirkpatrick said. "But more importantly, category for butter and powder utilization based on volume, butterfat, and protein, to by the year 2000. we need to identify the cost of producing that a number of dairy cooperatives around replace the current single component pric- milk here in the state of Michigan and how the country have called for in national hear- ing structure based on butterfat only. Ac- The survey, conducted during the recent we can reduce that cost so that we can ings. cording to Wosje, the protein component of National Pork Industry Forum in Dallas, compete with any producing group in the pricing will account for nearly 66 percent was taken by Brock Associates of Mil- U.S." Under the program, milk sold for butter and of the total value of milk, once imple- waukee and underwritten by Elanco powder processing would be priced at the mented, and reflect changing consumer tas- Animal Health, a division of Eli Lilly According to Kirkpatrick, the shift in market value of butter and powder as op- tes and dairy product demands. and Company. production trends to the south and west has posed to milk utilized for cheese production. continued, adding that California will likely Although the USDA has implemented the The co-op marketed 2.9 billion pounds of There could be as many as a dozen fanns displace Wisconsin in dairy production. Class III-A pricing structure in three of 28 milk in 1992, with an average producer pay producing a million or more hogs a year Additionally, Michigan's number one rank- federal orders, it still hasn't been imple- price of $13 .34 cwt. Loss of the state super- by 2000, compared to five of that size ing in production honors has gone to New mented in Michigan. pool cost the cooperative nearly $1 million now. Farms producing more than Mexico which now claims a rolling a month in additional premiums paid to 100,000 hogs a year could jump by 52 statewide average of 19,500 pounds. "What we saw last year, was that the return producers, from June to December when percent by the turn of the century, to 129 on butter and powder was significantly the new superpool was implemented. fanns. General Manager Walt Wosje told the below the M- W, and yet all the plants that group that the number of cows also con- made butter and powder had to settle up with Wosje expects that with the new super-pool Environmental issues such as waste tinues to decline, while average production the federal order at the M- W price," said in place, 1993 will be a better year for management and odor control are seen per cow continues to grow. "In 1950, there Wosje. "In effect, we were paying 75 cents MMPA, compared to 1992. Although as major factors which will impact was about 22 million dairy cows in the U.S. into the federal order pool even though the producer pay prices will not be as high in production growth between now and producing 115 billion pounds of milk," ex- market return for butter and powder wasn't 1993 as in 1992, Wosje predicted prices 2000. plained Wosje. "In 1992, there was less than there." would not reach the record lows of 1991. 10 million cows producing 152 billion pounds." W osje also expressed concern over the proposed dairy futures market, saying that Wosje attributed the producti0n gains to despite future market proponent's claims of better genetics and improved management. dairy market stabilization, dairy producers II#wlr,,1 In Hal/The Time! Mowing with the Dixon~ ZTR~ mower ha.s never been . easier or cheaper. For a limited time, your Dlxo~ De,aler wtll. bring the mower to your home for a free, ~o obltg.atlon test "de. Dixon ZTR mowers feature Zero Turnmg RadiUS maneuverability. So you can mow tight circles around Morton Buildings is leading the industry with: obstacles, cut square corners, even turn inplace. It'll mow your yard in half the time. Check Itout :> New sf1Uctural designs II' 5O-year coUIII ... snow-Ioad protectioo for yourself. 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BUILDINGS Michigan Farm News .c March 30, 1993 - Michigan Farm News Classijieds - ... ;..... I ,': ... :::.:.;.:::.'::::.:.:.:.;.:.:.:.".:.';;.;.".:.:::.";'.; .................................. .................................................................... ....................................... B••JIJI'" 1985 JOHN DEERE 7000 LINCOLN WELDERS, weld- ANGUS BULLS real advan- 1111111/'1111111' voltage, banKruptcy, estate planning. EAST SIDE: 10 ACRES on paved road. FISH FOR STOCKING Giant Planter, 4 row narrow. No till ing supplies and Harris tages that generate real Mostly.tillable. OK for mobile Hybrid Bluegills, Rainbow coulters, split insecticide cutting torches available at Thomas J. Budzynski, 43n7 dollars; easy births. high Groesbeck Hwy., Mt. or bUild. Southeast Hillsdale Trout. Walleye, Largemouth boxes, tine tooth incorpora- money-saving discounts to weaning weights, higher County. $13,500. Terms. . Bass, Smallmouth Bass, tors. monitor. Excellent Farm Bureau members. For Clemens. MI 48036. market prices. Structurally 313-463-5253; WEST SIDE: F-714. FAUST REAL Channel Catfish, Perch and $4000. 517-427-5662. more information, contact sound guality bulls, priced ESTATE Adrian Fathead Minnows. LAGGIS' your local Group Purchasing Robert A. Stariha, 40 W. GLEANER F Diesel 13' grain right. Wlnn Farms, Douglas Sheridan, Fremont, MI 517-263-8666. FISH FARM, INC., 08988 head, 4 row, narrow corn, vendor, or call 313-367-6379. 35th St, Gobles. MI, 49055. 1-800-292-2680, ext. 2015. 49412, 616-924-3760. very good condition, $5000. QUAUTY ANGUS BREED- Call 616-628-2056 days, Also 8 row International 400 ING STOCK Performance DEBT RESTRUCTURING 8 616-624-6215 evenings. Cyclo planter with dry fertiliz- tested. Bulls semen tested. years practice representing er monitor. Very good condi- tion. 517-967-8416 517-967-8407. HINIKER RIDGING Cultiva- or .Iltdltllll "PUMP. don't haul- manure Free delivery. Also Border Collie Stock Dogs. Call today. BORDNER ANGUS FARMS Sturgis, MI 616-651-8353. Michigan family farmers. specializing in reorganiza- tion, experienced in many agricultural issues including PA116 requests. Attorney WANTED TO BUY cash not opinion for combines, tractors and hay equipment especially NO-TILL DRILL 20' Yetter double bar cart, 36 Rawson Coulters M&W drill with mark- tor. 8 row with bean shields REGISTERED Suffolk Ram round bailers. Call ers. $17,000 or will separate. and weighted bar. $8000 or with the DODA manure pump. Daniel Kraft, 517-485-8885. Good used motorized travel- lambs for sale. Suitable for 517-383-2571 evenings. 517-772-1605 or best offer. 616-467-6109, purebred or commercial 517-828-6828. 7pm please. ers and aluminum pipe. BIRD FERTILIZER PLUMMER SUPPLY, INC. breeders. Defect free. Call SERVICES. 1100 N Irvina, JOHN DEERE 1209 1-800-632- n31 517-375-2212. Greenville. Fertilizer, chemI- HAYBINE for sale 9' cut. H&S cals, seed, lime, feed. Soil .1,nmt@#imt-1 TOOLS for every farm job. US 16' forage wagon. Both excel- testing, truck spreading and made and imports. Screw- lent shape, stored inside custom spraying. Call drivers to 5HP iron air $4000 each. 517-766-2484, 616-754-3684. compressors, large variety of Northern Michigan. GOLF-FARMING .... Your !!!!!11!1!1!ll!111!~!!1!1!1!1!1!lltllll[:!1!!!ll1!I!j!~[~!ll1~ll!~~!i sandy farm might be greener abrasives, large wrenchs and POWER TWIST adjustable than you think. Imagine socket sets in stock. OPEN V-Belts at discount prices. For HIGH QUALITY Holstein EXPERIENCED Michigan 8am-9pm 7 days. C & W agribusiness attorneys with creating your own profitable more information, contact service age bulls for 24,000 golf course just like a profes- Tools Sales Ionia, MI your local Group Purchasing pound herd, good size $800 farm backgrounds. Know- 616-527-2724. ledge and ~xperience in all sional. Call 517-291-3322. vendor, ar call to $900. MBM Pasch Farms, 1-517-644-3519. farm area:;; restructure, stray r--------------------------, 1-800-292-2680, ext. 2015. 130 COW Dairy facililty for sale. Harvestore, Siurrystore. Deadline for next issue is April 9, 1993 Trigon Parlor. Extra land and I I E Call 1-800-968-3129 .. feed available. Free natural gas in house. 1-800-982-5687. FOR DISPLAY AD QUALITY 140 ACRE FARM to Place Your Classified Ad Today! I I or use the coupon below and mail your classified ad to Centrally located between Ann Arbor, Lansing and Jack- son. Beautiful 140 rolling INFORMATION I Michigan Farm News acres including 90 tillable plus I I Classified Advertising P.O. Box 340, 109 N. Lafayette springfed pond, woods and wetlands. Well cared for and newly renovated 4 bedroom farm home with large country CALL I kitchen plus 3 bedroom cape I I Greenville, MI 48838 cod. Great for starter home or extra incomel Barns and outbuildings in excellent 1.800.292.2680 Classified Ad Codes shape. $350,000. Terms I I 1. Farm Machinery I 2. Livestock Equipment 5. Help/Position Wanted 6. Agricultural Services 9. Real Estate 10. Seeds possible. Wilson Company 313-995-0600. Evenmgs 313-665-3075. White EXT. 3201 I 3. Farm Commodities 7. Auctions 11. Wanted to Buy I 4. Livestock 8. Building Materials 12. General Save on High Quality OEM Certified I Tillage Parts I Name Phone ( Cutting Parts __ : Address Roller Chains I City State Zip --and Lincoln Welders D C1assified Ad Code Requested Desired Insertion Date(s): Number of Issues Group CUrchasing Call your local vendor or order direct by calling 1-800-292-2680, ext 2015 .Order from our Lansing Warehouse Method of Payment. inventory by"nQon, and we'll ship Check $ (payable to Michigan Farm News Classified) same day UPS at No Extra Visa Card Number Exp. Date Charge for OVERNIGHT Master Card Number Exp. Date SERVICE! Classified Rates $8 for up to 24 words 30 cents each additional word Write your ad here, including phone number and area code 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 MelA SEeD TESTING LAB EXPERIENCED ANALYSTS 9 1Q 11 12 2 REGISTERED SEED TECHNOLOGISTS FAST RELIABLE SERVICE 13 14 15 16 SEED TESTING PERFORMED ON FIELD 17 18 19 20 CROPS, VEGETABLES, & FLOWERS TESTS PERFORMED: Standard Germ Cold Germ I Vigor 21 22 23 24 Purity TZ Viability I Vigor 26 27 28 Noxious Weed Exam Seed Counts 25 Moisture Accelerated A ing 29 30 31 32 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: MICHIGAN CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOC. , P.O. BOX 21008, LANSING, MI 33 34 35 36 48909, PHONE 517/355-7555, FAX 517/355-4554 1- _ ,- -------------------~ SERVING FARMERS SINCE 7904 . Michigan Farm News Farmers and Lenders Discover Value of Crop Insurance •• March 30, 1993 Written by: Rain and Hail Insurance Service, Contact One of These Farm Bureau Insurance Agents for Your Crop Insurance Needs Inc. and Jim Gallagher, Manager, Adrian Stephen E. Orlowski (517) 263-8840 Marlette Jack R. Walker (517) 635-7563 Pigeon Bill Weitzel (517) 453-3334 CSACAgency Allegan Dennis Smiertka (616) 673-6651 Marshall Larry Robinson (616) 781-2849 Pontiac William Porritt (313) 391-2528 Allendale David Carlson (616) 895-5321 Mason Vic Whipple (5 17) 676-5578 Reed City Michael D. Burke (616) 832-3283 Up until last year, Kansas State Allendale Robert Willard (616) 895-4380 Mayville John Welke (313) 664-4551 Rogers City Dan Gabara (517) 734-2692 Alma Ron J. Artecki (517) 463-4859 Midland Ronald Andrews (517) 631-6543 Sandusky Max Kreger (313) 648-2800 University's crop marketing specialist Dr. Bill Midland Larry Breasbois (517) 631-6222 Alpena Jim Milstein (517) 356-4581 Scottville Jim Fitch (616) 757-2368 Tierney never paid much attention to crop Alpena Margaret Schultz (517) 356-4581 Midland Linda Martin (517) 631-6222 Shelbyville Ann Davis (616) 672-9300 insurance. "I always thought producers exag- Bad Axe James Leonard (517) 269-6520 Montrose James K. Hardy (313) 639-7077 Sparta Oscar L. Anderson (616) 887-1763 gerated the risk that they would lose a crop," Battle Creek Tom Cain (616) 963-4214 Mt. Pleasant Gordon Moeggenborg. (517) 772-0996 Spring Lake John J. Queen (616) 846-6909 Tierney said. "I recognized that there was Battle Creek Scott Hisler (616) 979-3337 Munger Dan VandenBoom (517) 895-8600 St. Johns.. Daryl Feldpausch (517) 224-3255 some risk that a fanner might price more Bay City Joe Davis (517) 892-9771 New Era Roger Fessenden (616) 861-5219 St. Johns Don Keirn (517) 224-3255 bushels than he produced. I usually recom- B. Springs Larry Dobberstein (616) 473-2722 Onekam Korwin Agency (616) 889-3288 Standish Marvin Schwab (517) 846-6323 mended that fanners purchase 'put' options - B. Springs Marty Rudlaf.. (616) 473-4791 Owosso Art Buckley (517) 725-5174 Three Rivers .. Loren Carlisle (616) 273-9551 Big Rapids Paul A. Jefts (616) 796-7697 Owosso Michael R. White (517) 725-5174 Union City Ralph Strong (517) 279-8091 a form of price insurance, if they pushed pre- Petoskey Thomas Gambrell (616) 347-6051 Breckenridge.Jim Cooper (517) 842-3220 Unionville Ted Balzer (517) 674-8617 harvest sales beyond 50 percent of their ex- Cadillac Leon C. Bigelow (616) 775-0126 Petoskey Dick Schaefer. (616) 347-6051 West Branch .. Vem Clemens (517) 345-1447 pected crop." However, recent developments Caro David Kolacz (517) 673-5553 Pigeon James Armbruster (5 17) 453-3300 West Branch .. Mary Kartes (517) 345-1795 have changed Tierney's thinking about the tie Carson City EJ. Horricks (517) 584-3508 between pre-harvest pricing decisions and Centreville Larry M. Frisbie (616) 467-6308 Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI). Charlotte Kurt Johnson (517) 543-5565 "The 1992 crop year offered wheat and Charlotte John R. Brooks (517) 543-5565 Charlotte David T. Dotts (517) 543-5565 feed grains producers some exceptional pric- Chesaning Robert St. Gordon (517) 845-7090 ing opportunities," Tierney said. In February, Daggett Edward Johnson (906) 753-2707 1992, futures prices for wheat reached an 11 Dundee Larry Brossia (313) 529-3939 year high. The com market, while not as strong Elkton Frank Kluger (517) 375-4598 as wheat, nevertheless gave producers two Escanaba Rick Jensen (906) 786-4757 chances (in March and again in June) to sell Escanaba Dwayne Klein Ins (906) 786-4757 new crop com at $2.50Ibu. or better, he says. Escanaba Daniel Veeser (906) 786-4757 Fennville Warren Wilkinson (616) 561-2059 "In nearly all the conversations I had with Fenton Steve Keswick (313) 629-1507 producers last year, they kept telling me that Fowler Tom French (517) 593-3104 they just didn't feel comfortable pricing a crop Frankenmuth ..Carl Gustafson (517) 652-6411 that they didn't have-no matter how good the Frankenmuth ..Dale Van Fleet (517) 652-6411 price looked," Tierney said. "Ijust couldn't get Fremont. Ben J. Landheer (616) 924-4000 them to do any pricing until an associate of Gladwin Duane Simpkins (517) 426-8131 mine (Dr. Art Barnaby, an Extension fann Grand Rapids .Dale Johnson Harrisville Alvin Sharp (616) 940-8181 (517) 724-6524 Now you can save up to 50% on most management specialist) pointed out that a Hastings Larry Neil.. , (616) 945-3443 producer might be willing to make some pre- Hillsdale Noble Bertalon (517) 437-7393 popular brand name vitamins and harvest sales on that part of the crop that was Hillsdale Douglas Miller (517) 437-7393 insured under MPCI (up to 75 percent of their Hillsdale Duane Sanford (517) 437-7619 prescription drugs. Plus, we offer proven yield)," Tierney said. Homer Terrace Anderson (517) 568-4342 The idea of "linking" crop insurance and Ida Ionia David Brown Robert Shelden (313) 269-3275 (616) 527-3960 the leading brands of ostomy marketing into an Integrated Risk Manage- ment strategy made a lot of sense. Tierney and Ithaca Jackson .Jerome Desrochers Robert Nelson (517) 875-2200 (517) 782-0485 and diabetic supplies! Barnaby decided to launch a series of over 25 Kalamazoo Clayton Hisler (616) 342-0212 day-long workshops in Kansas to demonstrate this strategy to crop producers. "To date, Kalamazoo Kawkawlin Robert Vlietstra Ed Sambom (616) 381-2311' (5 17) 697-3146 Call TOLL-FREE for your FREE we've had over 1,000 producers attend our Kimball Carl E. Tice (313) 984-5200 workshops and I've been amazed at the recep- tion," Tierney said. "At the beginning of each L' Anse Lakeview Roland A. Sweeney Todd Lincoln (906) 524-6229 (517) 352-6069 Prescription Drug or workshop, we discuss traditional producer at- titudes toward multiple peril crop insurance. It producer harvests more bushels than he in- Medical Supply catalog never fails that there's always a few farmers in sured, then the farmer's revenue will also be the audience that say they don't buy crop insurance because "it never pays." Those same farmers don't seem bothered by the inconsistency of that statement. higher. However, if the harvest is smaller than the insured level, then the farmer's crop in- surance will replace the lost bushels at the 1-808-228-3353 "Farmers don't expect property, health, and price election level of $2.30Ibu. If futures auto insurance to 'pay', but that doesn't stop prices are lower than $2.50 at harvest, then the ~H EAR T LAN D FEl{[£ORUG them from buying it," Tierney say~. "For some "put" option will replace the loss in the com's reason, many farmers want a real return - 'to market value. Tierney points out "the prin- ~ PRESCRIPTION SERVICE & MEDICAL SUPPLIES collect' on their crop insurance. However, as cipal applies to all areas of the U.S.; just 5023 Grover Street .:. Omaha, NE 68106 long as the insurance rates are actuarially substitute your local basis to calculate mini- sound, it's highly improbable that they will mum expected revenue." earn a big return from their crop insurance over a 10 to 15 year period." However, Tierney and Barnaby believe that farmers could use crop insurance to in- crease farm income in good years, if they were willing to use it in combinatIOn with some low risk, pre-harvest marketing strategies. "In most years, crop producers are able to sell their crops early at prices much higher than those that prevail at harvest," Tierney says. "Iowa State University's Dr. Robert Wisner recently published some startling research which clear- ly documented this phenomena for com. "Most of the farmers that attended our workshops recognized that crop insurance could serve as a 'financial safety net' which provided added protection if they choose to do some pre-harvest sales," Tierney says. "If they limited their pre-harvest sales to just that por- tion of their expected crop that was covered under MPCI (50, 65 or 75 percent of their Travel to England, European Adventure Tour proven yield) and they price those bushels using 'put' options (price insurance), then the Ireland, Scotland, visiting Austria, combined effect of these two actions would be a de facto revenue insurance." & Wales Svvitzerland & Italy According to Tierney, the combination of July 8-23, 1993 August 14-25, 1993 crop and price insurance could guarantee One does not need the "Luck of the Irish" to enjoy the Our 12-day central European tour takes in the beautiful farmers a known minimum revenue many attractions included in this deluxe package. This countryside of Austria, the mountains of Italy and the equivalent to the number of bushels insured (and sold) multiplied by the expected mini- 16-day tour is full of many great attractions including lakes of northern Italy as we visit Fairy tale Bavaria, the mum price associated with the 'put' option such things as Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Blarney Passion play village of Oberammergau, the Italian resort strike price. Castle, Waterford Crystal factory, Dublin, Edinburgh of Stresa and Linderhof Castle. For example, if a Kansas producer: ( I) has a proven insurance yield of 110 bu.lacre (and Castle, an overnight stay in Ruthin Castle in Wales, purchases MPCI at a $2.30 price election), and theatre tickets to a Royal Shakespeare Theatre produc- This European tour includes roundtrip airfare, transfer, (2) expects to harvest 500 acres of com, then tion, a Medieval Banquet, a visit to Stonehenge, deluxe motorcoach transportation, first class and their minimum expected revenue from pur- chasing $2.50 December com "put" optIons Buckingham Palace, and a tour of London, as well as Tyrolean-style hotel accommodations, Europcan-style would be as follows: (MPCI Coverage; London Theatre tickets. Our package includes roundtrip buffet breakfast daily, 1 dinner, and much more. The Bushels of Corn Insured and Sold x December Com option Strike Price - Expected Local airfare, deluxe hotel accommodations, 24meals and much Fann Bureau member price is $1,725. Non memher price Basis = Minimum Expected Revenue more for $2,799 per person. is $1,755 per person. 75% 41,250 x $2.50 - $-.20 = $94,875 65% 35,750 x $2.50 - $-.20 = $82,258 = 50% 27,500 x $2.50 - $-.20 $63,250 If futures prices at harvest are higher than $2.50 (and the producer has bushels to sell), TO RECEIVE ADDrTIONAL INFORMATION CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. - 3067. then the farmer's revenue will be higher. If the Michigan Farm News II. March 30, 1993 Study the Remember numbers in f \ \ Michigan's \ Pseudorabies \ \ this book Deadlines Effective March 31, all Michigan swine herds before must be tested, at owner expense, by July I to establish a herd status in regard to pseudorabies (PRV) disease. According to MFB livestock specialist Kevin Kirk, herds that don't complete you put. this testing will be quarantined and tested by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, at the owner's expense. "Michigan is currently involved in a 10-year numbersm cooperative state, federal and swine industry effort to eradicate pseudorabies from its swine populations," said Kirk. "The success of this program is important to ensure the health of our your shed. swine herds and to maintain our competitiveness in interstate and international markets. For ex- ample, Ohio and Wisconsin will not currently accept feeder pigs from Michigan without spe- cial provisions, since their state PRY status is ahead of Michigan." Crow's 482. 498. 667. 669. These numbers posted big wins in farmers' test PRV, a viral disease of swine, causes reproduc- tive problems in breeding swine, fever and flu plots last year. To get the best return on like symptoms in growing swine, death in very young pigs from encephalitis, and poor perfor- your '93 seed investment, use our new mance in all ages due to reduced immune sys- ~ Yield Results book to compare Crow's tems. single-cross hybrids and your numbers. Herds that test positive are required to enter into an agreement with MDA to eradicate the dis- It's hot off the press. ease. A herd cleanup plan will be developed Call your dealer. Study the defining the steps, procedures and timetable for this cleanup. results. You may just put In addition, when a herd tests positive for PRY, some more Crow's in your the testing lab informs the state veterinarian's office and a quarantine is placed on the herd. shed this winter. Previously, the herd was then restricted to moving pigs only to slaughter or to another quarantined facility. Your Under the new law, however, the herd may Crow's dealer move animals only to slaughter or, under special delivers results. Call to get permit, to licensed, inspected, quarantined Milford, IL. Nevada, IA. Greenville, OH results from facilities. area yield trials. There's Only One Crow's Quarantines may be released based on negative tests of the entire herd at least 30 days following removal of all infected stock. Alternatively, the For more information, call one of these Crow's Dealers or 1-800-331-7201. herd may be tested by statistical sampling. Two negative samples of a percentage of the breeding and finishing herds collected at least 90 days apart will qualify for quarantine release and reassignment of herd status. Les & Orville Sieler James D. Crow Andy Sparks Too Kublszak, DSM Richard Bella Adrian, MI Camden, MI Fremont, MI lawrence, MI Ottawa lake, MI A herd may also be released from quarantine by 517 -263-2458 517-254-4512 616-924-5945 616- 674-3843 313-856-5612 undergoing depopulation, cleaning, and disin- fecting of premises, and repopulating with Art Blight Carl Sparks Ray Lowman Richard Zenner James F. Crew known PR V-free stock. Albion, MI Cassopolis, MI Gobles, MI Kingsley, MI Quincy, MI 517-629-2582 616-445-3195 616-628-5079 616-263-5339 517-639-8352 According to Kirk, a percentage of swine in a herd must be tested annually according to the Loren Clemence Mark Morgan Grand Ledge Produce Wendell Norder Dolphie Eisenlohr following schedule: Battle Creek, MI Charlotte, MI Grand ledge, MI laingsburg, MI Shelby, MI / 616-965-4034 517 -543-2498 517-627-2743 517-651-5409 616-861-2318 - In a herd of 10 or less, all 10 are tested. Ross Vander Band Robert Molyneux Steve Baldus Richard Stank Bill E. Morgan - In a herd of II to 35, 10 swine are tested. Belding, MI Coopersville, MI Hartford, MI lake Odessa, MI Sherwood, MI 616-761-3585 616-837 -8710 616-621-2313 616-374-7394 517-741-3698 - In a herd of 36 or more, 30 or 30 percent are tested, whichever is less. Ron Wenger Noble Harper Herbert Haight Addison Brooks Larry Roberts Belding, MI Deckerville, MI Homer, MI Litchfield, MI Three Rivers, MI - Breeding/farrowing operations are tested ac- 616-897 -8958 313-376-4987 517 -568-4072 517 -542-3273 616-279-2117 cording to the number of breeding animals six months of age and older of both sexes. Feedlots Donald Isley Thomas Ruehs Mark Hilaski John Bihlmeyer Ned Cutler are tested according to the number of animals Blissfield, MI Dundee, MI Hopkins, MI Manchester, MI Weidman, MI present on the premises for 30 days or more. 517-447-3683 313-529-3825 616-793-4541 313-429-7527 517 -644-3367 - Sampling should be random and representative Stephen Smith, DSM Roger Theodorski Don Hassevoort Paul Smith Edgar Miller of all groups. Testing the oldest animals in each Blissfield, MI Eagle, MI Hudsonville, MI Mason, MI White Pigeon, MI group will generally yield the best information. 517-486-2854 517-626-6853 616-875-8403 517-676-4413 616-483-7284 - All herds are subject regardless of size or type Jeff Haack Carlton Wells Scott Lantis Jay Gould of operation. Bronson, MI Eaton Rapids, MI Jackson, MI Morenci, MI 517 -369-2207 517-663-3380 517 -536-8246 517-458-2573 - Purchased additions are not part of the herd until 60. days after their introduction into the Lance Kalbfleisch Joe Bennett Golden Acres Cyril Van Brandt herd for monitoring purposes. Brown City, MI Edmore, MI Jasper, MI Morenci, MI 313-346-2234 517-762-5480 517-443-5526 517-458-7248 - Qualified negative pseudorabies free herds and all herds located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula Ed Groholski Dennis Lasceski DeMann Dairy Ron Gudakunst are already in compliance and do not need to Burlington, MI Filion, MI Kalamazoo, MI Onstead, MI change their testing schedule. 517-765-2111 517-269-7980 616-372-3887 517-467-7041