Michigan Farm News 1-=1 September 30, 1993 Vol. 70, No.16 'In This Issue ... NAFTA: A Res onse to H. Ross Perot NAFT A Hearing: Lansing was a recent rallying point for Michigan agricultural representatives Ross Perot and U.S. Sen. Don Reigle (D- u.s. FARM EXPORTS TO MEXICO testify to House Ag Task Force on Flint) in their efforts to defeat NAFT A. merits of NAFTA page 3 Despite the fact that Michigan ranks third FISCAL 1992 in the country in exports to Mexico with Avoiding Stress and Shipping over $1.6 billion in trade last year, Reigle Fever in Incoming Cattle: and Perot seem intent on jeopardizing that trade and the nearly 31,000 Michigan jobs ANIMAL PRODUCTS Get some helpful tips from the UpJohn Company on how to currently dependent on those exports. 1378 Perot has staked his arguments against avoid health problems this fall as NAFT A on an economic analysis which he your new feeders arrive .... page 5 paid for and co-wrote with author Pat Market Outlook: Choate. Coincidentally, Perot's economic SUGAR study is the only one that shows a loss of 226 Be watching for short-lived price U.S. jobs, out of 28 economic studies. rallies and lock them in while you Studies have shown that NAFT A will can. Latest USDA Supply and produce more jobs than it will cost -- ap- Demand Reports page 6 proximately 170,000 more in the U.S. at wage levels 12 to 17 percent higher than the FRUIT & VEG New State Unemployment jobs they'll replace, according to the In- Reporting Requirements: 220 stitute for International Economics. OILSEEDS Get a look at the new forms for More than 280 U.S. economists, includ- 642 unemployment insurance effec- ing all 12 living U.S. Nobel Laureates in $3,676 MilliON tive Oct. 25 page 7 economics, have written to Pres. Clinton to express support for NAFT A. ESTIMATED COMMODITY BREAKDOWN Grain Bin Preparation: In this issue, you'll find several of Perot: Facts: Cleaning tips from MSU's Doug Perot's assumptions followed by factual Landis for your grain bins and information based on legitimate economic "U .S. business has great burdens compared * U.S. workers compete successfully with to Mexico -- such as higher wages and more lower wage Mexican workers because they grain equipment page 8 analysis, by the office of the U.S. Trade health benefits. The United States cannot Representati ve. compete for jobs with the low wage Continued on page nine see: Combine Preparation: Mexican work force. " "NAFTA: Response to Perot" Stay ahead of the harvest time crunch with adequate preventive maintenance page 10 Operation Green Stripe to Benefit Michigan FFA Chapters Operation Green Stripe: T hanks to the genero~ity of the Monsanto to use the buffer stripe as part of his setaside will be selected based on the quality of their Company, Michigan FFA chapters can learn for the farm program, which is allowed, the plan for implementing the Operation Green Learn how this farmer made good environmentally sound farming practices and stripe must be 33-1/2' wide to qualify for Stripe objectives. stewardship a practical part of his earn money for local chapter activities under ASCS setaside payments. The nine FFA Chapters that have par- a new program designed to protect Michigan "We expect to see some really exciting ticipated thus far in Operation Green Stripe operation page 11 innovations from this program," Snyder said. and the number of sites enrolled are: streams and waterways. "This is an opportunity to telI the non-farming Branch Area Career Center 5 sites Preventing Harvest Losses: Michigan FFA chapters participating in community that farmers care about water Camden Frontier .4 sites Get a step by step guide in Operation Green Stripe will recruit farmers willing to plant grass filter stripes along quality, wildlife and the environment. It's a Hastings 5 sites analyzing what your combine streams and drainage ditches bordering their chance to say that farmers, on their own and Lenawee AM 5 sites could be costing you ....... page 12 farms. When the stripes are planted and without regulation, are maintaining their Lenawee PM 5 sites verified by the state FFA, the local chapters operations in an environmentally responsible 01ivet 1 site Improve Combine Efficiency: will receive educational grants of $100 per way. And it's a chance for future farmers to Onstead 1 site Pointers from CASE-IH on farmer signed up for up to five farmers. learn ecologically sound practices." Whittemore-Prescott 2 sites Monsanto Co. will provide the grant Local chapters must apply to the state Coopers ville I site improving your Axial Flow's FFA to participate in the program. Chapters money, and grass seed is being donated by productivity page 13 cooperating seed dealers across the state. At a kick-off ceremony for Operation Green Stripe at the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Knirk, near Quincy area livestock farmer John Knirk was Quincy, participants toured a part of the five miles of green stripes planted at the farm. MMPA's Outstanding Young signed up by the Branch Area Career Center Dairy Cooperators: FFA which signed up the maximum five Millers of Elsie Selected ..page 16 farmers they could recei ve a grant on, and then went on to sign an additional three farmers, according to Agri-Science Instructor Bill Earl. "It's nice to be able to tie this project into the student's curriculum so that they can learn firsthand about water quality and better soil management practices," Earl said. "This project produces very visible benefits, and farmers have been willing to hear the students out on the project - there really hasn't been any resistance." "Operation Green Stripe will promote agricultural practices that will result in cleaner streams in this state," said Charles Snyder, FF A state advisor. "Controlling soil erosion, in addition to reducing stream sedimentation, also lessens the amount of farm chemicals that wash into streams in trace amounts during heavy rainfall." Snyder said he encourages cooperating farmers to work with FFA students to develop green stripes that not only reduce erosion but provide wildlife habitat as well. The stripes have to be 16-1/2' wide and at least 150' long or the length of the field. If a producer chooses Michigan Farm News Classifieds - Page 14 Michigan Farm News . -. September 30, 1993 u.s. Agriculture In Brief ... and Trade- Watered Grain Investigation Spreads Poised for The Agriculture Department is widening its investigation into charges that some grain firms abuse the practice of adding water to grain. Grain handling firms are allowed to use a water Growth-If mist to control explosions and fires, but suspicions have been raised that elevators may be padding profits by increasing the weight of grain with excessive amounts of water. Allowed To Do So Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.Dak.) held a hearing on a proposal to ban the practice of adding water to grain and most of the debate among farm groups is on whether the practice should be limited or eliminated, according to a recent Wall Street Journal report. Two interesting items dealing with international trade recently came across my desk. One was a document that excerpted a speech by Dennis A very of the Center for Global Food A No Win Position for Environmentalists Issues of the Hudson Institute. Avery told the U. S. Meat Export Federation that "viewed objectively from a global standpoint, there is no question that U.S. agriculture is, potentially, Industry and forest service initiative to speed up logging on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, one of our most important growth industries. " Avery pointed out that billions of people in Asia where forests are being threatened by an infestation of spruce beetles is being opposed by are gaining the higher incomes to upgrade their diets - and what they want most is meat, environmentalists, according to Greenwire, a daily executive briefing on the environment. milk and eggs, most of which they will have to import. Forestry officials say the logging is necessary, while the trees still have economic. value. That puts U.S. agriculture is an enviable position. "America has the world's biggest com- The anti-logging faction opposes the harvest of timber, though the trees may eventually be parative advantage in agricUlture," said Avery. "We have the climate and the cropland, killed by beetles with no benefit to be derived by either side. cleared and ready. No tropical forests need be cleared to expand our farm production. The land is served by the world's best infrastructure. We have the world's best-trained farm managers. This competitive edge in farming is larger and more permanent than a compara- More Fruit and Vegetables Headed to School tive advantage in any manufacturing industry. " The USDA said today it will add more fresh fruits and vegetables to the mix of commodities Reading those kinds of comments from a respected economist helped remind me why all it provides to schools. The department also plans to increase the variety of fresh produce farmers should be enthusiastic about the export growth opportunities presented by passage in the 17 percent of the school lunch program's food needs it provides. of NAFT A and, further down the road, successful completion of the GAIT agreement. The government currently offers apples, pears, grapefruits, oranges, tomatoes and potatoes. However, another article reminded me of some of the subtle trade barriers that have to be Approximately 25 million students participate in the school lunch program, valued last year overcome before American agriculture can reach its full export potential. Marcia Zarley at $680 million, the USDA said. Taylor, writing in Top Producer magazine, described a meeting she had with some of the European Community's top food safety regulators. They assured her that there was no Farm Workers Union Tries to Evade Debt scientific basis for banning imports of U. S. beef treated with natural hormones. "But the facts didn't matter," she wrote. "Public attitudes had been scarred by a steroid scandal decades The United Farm Workers Union is trying hard to avoid paying a $2.9 million judgment ago. Until someone could convince the Western European public that these hormones in no to an Arizona-based lettuce. producer. The court ruled the producer was harmed by the way mimicked synthetic steroids, a ban would stay in effect. Bingo, millions of dollars of union's illegal lettuce boycott, according to a United Press International report. perfectly safe U.S. sirloin barred from the five-star restaurants of London, Berlin and Paris," she wrote. The union claims payment of the judgment would wipe out its reported $2 million in assets and bankrupt the workers' group. The union has stalled payment through other appeals, Not all trade barriers can be overcome by negotiations and treaties. Public perceptions of but an Arizona Superior Court judge upheld the verdict earlier this summer and ordered our products mean a great deal. We, as farmers, need to continue to be sensitive to how the UFW to pay lettuce grower Bruce Church, Inc., $2.9 million in damages for interfering our production practices are perceived by our customers. And we need to support our with the grower's business relationships during the boycott in 1988. The union now is commodity organizations' efforts to aggressively promote our farm products abroad. trying to appeal the Arizona ruling in Los Angeles, where it says most of its assets are. At the same time, there's no way we can tolerate obviously unjustified "non-tariff" trade barriers like the European hormone ban. Your Farm Bureau organization fights to make sure. Farm Work at Night Means Jail Time for this Farmer our government doesn't let oLlr competitors get away with unfairly labeling our products as "unsafe". An Idaho farmer arrested for operating his hay baler at night near a residential area has received support from citizens flooding the police department with telephone calls. Farmer But despite the occasional problem, I'm very optimistic about the future of farm exports. Kevin Rowley was arrested by police after refusing to stop baling hay in a small field When I was on an AFBF-sponsored trade mission to Mexico in 1992, I saw firsthand how surrounded by houses. the Mexican supermarkets Were stuffed with U.S.-made food products. Because of our reputation for quality, consumers in Mexico demand the "Grown in U.S.A." label. That's a label we can be proud of. ~ ~ t~ Idaho has a right-to-farm law that seems to indicate farmers have a right to continue farming practices, even though it may constitute a nuisance under city ordinances, says Idaho Farm Bureau InformatIOn Director Mike Tracy. Tracy said the law is not entirely clear, when it comes to cases where the land involved is inside city limits and is zoned residential. The if Jack Laurie, President issue may have to be decided by the courts. Police spokesmen say police usually don't get Michigan Farm Bureau complaints from urban residents against farmers. losco County Farm Bureau Hosts Farm Accident Alar Lawsuit Dismissed on Technicality Rescue Training Seminar A federal judge in Spokane, Wash., has dismissed a $250 million lawsuit against CBS, Inc. The court ruled that Washington apple growers failed to prove that a "60 Minutes" broadcast Approximately 40 emergency personnel from area ambulance, fire, police, and falsely linked the agricultural chemical Alar to cancer. hospital agencies inlosco and A leona Counties received hands-on training for farm accident situations, thanks to the efforts of losco County Farm Bureau. CBS apparently slipped past the suit under cover of the First Amendment, which requires plaintiffs bringing product disparagement lawsuits to prove media reports were false. The Participants received classroom instruction during the morning portion of the pro- court found a standoff between apple growers' claims that no proof linked Alar to cancer gram, and then traveled to the dairy farm of Russ and Jane Nelkie for lunch and to risk and the CBS contention that its evidence was valid. learn basic farm machinery operations, appropriate chemical spill response, and toured farm facilities. Rescue personnel also received instruction on appropriate "Even if CBS' statements are false, they were about an issue that mattered, cannot be proven air-med evacuation procedures for transporting accident victims. as false and, therefore, must be protected," the judge said. The dismissal was a bitter pill for apple growers who spent approximately $1 million in pursuing the lawsuit. There is no word yet whether the decision will be appealed. The CBS story relied heavily on EPA rulings on the chemical use and a study provided by the Natural Resources Defense Council, a California-based environmental group. The court ruled that "a news organization is not a scientific testing lab, and these services should be able to rely on a scientific government report, when they are relaying the report's results." The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (ISSN:0743-9962) is published semi-monthly except in the months of November, December, June, and July when only one issue is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, M148917. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau regular members. Additional subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm News to non-members and outside the continental 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 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. Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Editor and Business Manager. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Lawson; Donna Wilber; Henry Huisjen. ~, Officers: President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Administrative Director, Chuck Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. Directors: District 1, Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Diane Horning, Manch~ster; District 4, Tom Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; Districtl7, Larry Snider, Hart; District 8, Richard Leach, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Douglas Darling, Maybee; Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Climax. Promotion and Education, Paul Swartzendruber, Pigeon; Young Farmers, Kurt Inman, Sturgis. Michigan Farm News ITOL September 30, 1993 o o:2] z m :2] Health Insurance Deduction North American Free Trade Agreement MFB Position: H.R. 1695, sponsored by Congressman Bob Carr (D-East MFB Position: The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFT A) MFB strongly supports Lansing), is pending in House Ways and Means Commit- Michigan Farm Bureau received a significant boost with the recent signing by H.R.1695 tee. The bill would increase the federal tax deduction for strongly supports President Clinton of labor and environmental side agree- health insurance premiums paid for by self-employed per- NAFfA ments. MFB Contact: sons to 100percent and make it permanent. The 100 per- AIAlmy, Ext. 2040 Action Needed: The side agreements provide safeguards for labor and the cent deduction would be made retroactive to June 30, 1992. Contact your U.S. Repre- environment. As the date for submission of NAFT A to Currently, self-employed perso~s can deduct only 25 per- sentative in Washington, Congress approaches, the Clinton Administration is mount- cent of.the cost of their health insurance premiums. The 25 D.C., or local District Of- ing a strong effort to win approval of the agreement. percent deduction will expire Dec. 31, 1993. fice and ask him to sup- On Sept. 14, a Michigan House Agriculture Task Force portNAFTA. conducted a hearing on NAFTA. A total of IS repre- sentatives from agriculture and two others testified or sub- MFB Contact: mitted written comments in support of NAFT A. The Al Almy, Ext. 2040 agricultural representatives included spokespersons from: I. Leach Farms, (feedgrains, sugarbeets, soybeans) Saginaw County 2. Guthrie Farms, (feedgrains, livestock) Barry County 3. Miller Farms, (fruit) Berrien County 4. Great Lakes Gladiolus Farm Branch County 5. American Farm Bureau Federation Washington, D.C. 6. Michigan Farm Bureau Lansing, Michigan 7. MACMA Processing Apple Growers Marketing Corom. 8. Michigan Soybean Association 9. MACMA Red Tart Cherry Growers Marketing Comm. 10. Michigan State Grange 11. Michigan Apple Committee 12. Michigan Milk Producers Assoc. 13. Michigan Cattlemen's Assoc. 14. Pigeon Cooperati ve Elevator IS. Michigan Pork Producers Assoc. In addition to the above agricultural interests, testimony supporting NAFT A was given by representatives from the Mackinac Center and the Michigan International Trade Coalition. No witnesses appeared to oppose NAFT A. Michigan Farm Bureau (517) 323-7000 USDA Reform from Top Down is Goal Cutting down the number of USDA field offices by almost a third, from 3,700 to 2,485, will not be the whole story of department reorganization Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy has in mind. Neither will the streamlining of the department be done in a hurry. Some of the changes will require congressional approval and will have heavy political implications. That likely wiII require hearings that w}1Inot be completed until sometime next year. Likewise, the plan to cut the number of agencies within the department also will take time and face political opposition. Until those functions are consolidated at headquarters, Espy says there is no point in consolidating offices out in the countryside. Consolidating the functions of the Soil Conservation Service, Agricultural Stabilization and Morton Buildings is leading the industry with: Conservation Service, Farmers Home Administration and Federal Crop Insurance Corpora- tion will not be an easy task and may be perceived by some as making these services less "> New st11lctural desigllS v' 50-year column and snow-load protecUon accessible to farmers and ranchers. > New st11lctural capabilities (with no weight limit) "> New color combinatiollS v' 2o-year protection against red rust Rampant Inflation Stifles Russian Reform > New "> New building styles exterior applicatiollS (including acid rain) > New interior options v' lO-year Wind-load protecUon on Runaway inflation is taking a heavy toIl on Russia's economic recovery plans. The newly AlumaSteeP sliding doors (with no "> New sliding door tecJmology independent country's August inflation of 30 percent was 11.7 percent above the preceding weight Omit) > New gutter systems month. Skyrocketing prices for energy and grain led the inflation rate as restrictions on coal v' 5-year wind-load protecUon on complete "> New infonnative video tapes prices were lifted, and wheat prices soared from 30,000 rubles at the end of June to 70,000 "> New corrosion protection building (with no weight Omit) rubles in August. Call yoc.-locsI oItIce todByt Budgetary problems are hampering Russia's efforts to maintain its strict monetary policy. Adrian, MI (517) 263-0541 The International Monetary Fund is threatening to withhold the second $1.5 billion 800-447-7436 Brown City, MI (313) 346-2702 installment of a $3 billion loan to ease ~ussia's movement to a free economy, unless the Kalkaska, MI (616) 258-2580 country returns to the path of economic reform. Rockford, MI (616)87#J400 ~"~MORTON Meanwhile, other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States are defaulting on payments to Russia with outstanding debts totaling 2.2 trillion rubles and little hope of being Three Rivers, MI (616) 279-5271 a_ BUILDINGS e able to pay for delivered fuel or repay earlier credits. Michigan Farm News 3D-Day Forecast - Near Normal Temps, Above Normal Precipitation •• September 30, 1993 September began with an active weather pat- Michigan Weather Summary tern in Michigan, with the passage of a series of strong cold fronts leading to wide tempera- 8/15/93 Tempen:sture Growing Degree Days Precipitation $ ture swings and occasional heavy rainfall. to 9/15/93 Observed Dev, From Actual Normal Actual Normal t Precipitation totals for mid-August through Alpena Bad Axe Mean 64.4 66:9 'Normal + 1.9 + 0.3 Accum. 1874 2179 Accum 1929 2317 (inch.) 5.35 4.77 (inch) 3.29 2.70 mid-September neared the 10-inch mark in Detroit 71.9 + 3.1 2847 2522 .3.81 2.83 some western sections of the Lower Penin- 3.71 Escanaba 64.3 + 1.9 1627 1537 3.60 ~ sula. which is more than three times the nor- : Flint 67.2 + 0.7 2454 2522 4.69 2.83 mal rainfall for that period. 2573 9.48 3.14 Grand Rapids 68.3 + 1.0 2455 4t: While the National Weather Service seasonal 90-day outlook is still calling for cool, wet Houghton Houghton Lake Jackson 62.0 64.9 67.8 + 1.6 + 1.1 - 0.8 1532 2059 2446 1759 1929 2510 4.04 5.72 6.01 3.94 3.29 3.03 conditions through November. the latest 30- Lansing 67.8 + 0.6 2436 2510 4.40 3.03 -J ~ day outlook for mid-September through mid- October calls for temperatures to average out Marquette Muskegon 61.1 69.0 + 1.4 + 2.2 1557 2422 1759 2212 4.33 5.94 3.94 3.59 I near or slightly above normal. Pellston 63.9 +2.5 1830 1995 5.82 3.40 Saginaw 68.1 + 1.1 2395 2317 6.28 2.70 ~ Precipitation during the 30-day period is also Sault Ste. Marie 61.6 + 1.0 1422 1537 5.24 3.60 expected to be above normal. The added late South Bend 70.5 + 2.0 2758 2573 7.48 3.14 season growing degree day units would easily Traverse City 66.7 + 1.1 2130 1995 5.30 3.40 bring most summer crops to maturity. How- Vestaburg 65.3 -1.2 2126 2287 7.27 3.41 ever. a continuation of heavier than normal ~ rainfall would likely result in soft or muddy Observed and growing degree day totalsare accumulated from March 1 - Sept. 15. soils. reducing opportunities for fieldwork as Normals are based on districtaverapes. Jeff Andresens Ag Meteorologist, MSU fall harvest begins. Good Crop Year Likely if Rains Allow Complete Harvest Wet weather has challenged many Like many farms in Michigan corn harvest was just getting underway Sept. 16 at Michigan farmers attempting to get a start on the Jack Knirk farm near Quincy as this field was being opened. The operation harvest activities. with some portions of the annually puts up 15,000 tons of corn silage, in just 15 days, thanks to a couple of state receiving as much as four inches or rain machines like the one pictured below and a fleet of trucks. Corn silage is stored in Michigan and Major Commodity Area in the past week. concrete bunkers for use in the operations 6, 000 head cattle operation. Extended Weather Outlook As of Sept. 19, com silage harvested stood T-Temp. 9/30 10/15 9/30 11/30 at 10 percent complete, compared to 25 per- P - Precip. T PT P Michigan N A B A cent on average. Overall, corn was 70 percent W. Corn Belt A A B A dented, with 75 percent of the crop rated good E. Corn Belt A AlN B A to excellent. Wint. Wheat Belt A N BIN N Soybeans were rated 75 percent good to Spr. Wheat Belt B A B N excellent. with 80 percent of the crop turning Pac. NW Wheat B A N N color. 5 percent ahead of average. Dry bean Delta A B N N/A harvest was 20 percent complete. but was Southeast A B NIA N being hampered by rains. the crop is rated 60 San Joaquin B N A N percent good to excellent. Farmers continued to struggle with third A-Above Average, B-Below Average, N-Nor- cutting hay harvest, with only 55 percent of mal, MA-Much Above, MB-Much Below, NP- No Precip. Source: National Weather Office the harvest complete. Winter wheat planting was IS percent complete. Michig~n's September Fruit Report a Mixed Bag The Sept. I forecast of grape production in The Michigan plum-prune production Michigan was 55,000 tons, 17 percent forecast is a slim 4,000 tons, half of last above the 1992 crop, according to the year's output. The yield would be 1.67 tons Federal/State Michigan Agricultural Statis- per acre. The harvest of Stanley plums tics Service. If realized, the yield would be began in the Southwest about Aug. 26. 4.9 tons per acre. Concords were coloring well. The dilution The percent of the crop going to fresh market will be well below normal. The ROOTS TO PROFITABILITY effect from continual rains have kept brix four-state plum-prune production was gain below normal. Black rot and other forecast at 27,000 tons, down from 38, I00 diseases have become more apparent. but it tons in 1992. The California prune crop \" "1'1 is too early to determine whether this will was placed at 135,000 tons, 27 percent reduce yields. lower than in 1992. The outset of the Niagara harvest will be The state pear output was pegged at 5,500 about Sept. 15. Concord harvesting, which tons down 8 percent from 1992. About INCREASE WHEAT YIELDS WITH ACAm usually lasts one month, will begin a week one-half of the Michigan harvest was com- later. pleted by Sept. I. ACA WHEAT TEST PLOTS The U.S. grape forecast was 5.63 million Quality and size were excellent. The Na- 1993 MICHIGAN tons, down 7 percent from 1992. Five mil- tional pear production forecast was lion of those tons are grown in California. 935,000 tons, a I percent gain from a year Output in New York and Pennsylvania was ago. California, Oregon and Washington forecast at 205,000 tons, down from produce over 96 percent of the nation's 258,000 tons a year ago. crop. Early Results Are In! 1993 Michigan grower test plots yielded an average of Marketing of a New Tomato Successful 5.2 more bushels of wheat per acre where ACA was used. The highest yield Marketing of a New Tomato in Columbus and Philadelphia has been three times more increase was 8.5 bushels per acre! successful that expected. Bob Precheur. vegetable specialist at Ohio State University, notes an Aug. 5 New York Times report that DNA Plant Technology is expanding distribution of Now is the time to treat your wheat with ACA to gain your its "Freshworld Farms" tomato tenfold. advantage. ACA can be added to, or impregnated, on your fall starter fertilizer to boost your yields. The company reports capturing 15.8 percent of the market in the two cities after three months of testing. Consumers were apparently willing to pay more for a better tomato, Precheur says. The new tomato is not geneticalIy engineered but has been bred convention- GET THEACA ADVANTAGE! alIy to remain fresher longer. • Better plant stand establishment It was developed from a patented technique that accelerates the breeding process. The "Freshworld Farmers" tomato is a vine-ripened variety that stays fresh for I0 to 14 days. • • • • Stronger more fibrous root system Increased winter survival Plants are more vigorous and productive Easy and convenient to apply 1111 Contact your loCal Most vine-ripened tomatoes have a shelf life of three to seven days. The idea of such • Enhanced fall and early spring root growth Clean Crop Dealer breeding programs is a year-round supply of tomatoes with improved taste, heartier texture • Enhanced drought tolerance or call1-aOO-292-2701 and deep-red color. • Affordable and effective for additional Information on • Increased yields nlE ACA ADVANTAGEI Michigan Farm News Proper Fall Arrival Preparation Critical for New Feeders -. September 30, 1993 Avoid stress and shipping fever in incoming cattle Both veterinarians used Naxcel at the What's important to remember is that, Autumn's cooler temperatures, shorter eases. To entice calves to the feed bunk, recommended dose level for a three-day while producers can't eliminate BRD and days and turning leaves foreshadow the cold loose, long-stemmed hay mixed with a treatment. Depending on disease severity, other respiratory problems, when introduc- and storms of winter. although nature is starter ration should get them eating. Usual- Leininger may use it up to five days. ing new calves to the feedlot, they can shutting down, fall can be a time of new ly calves begin eating the starter ration after "The most important thing is to treat lessen the incidence and impact of these beginnings. calves early, treat them with the right drug For most cattle feeders it's one of the the first couple of days. Kurtz then recom- problems with careful management techni- mends removing the hay, so calves get op- and with the right amount [of drug] for the ques and effective treatment programs. busiest, most stressful seasons of the year, right amount of time," Leininger declares. timum energy from the ration. Reprinted from Upjohn's "Exchange" because of high incoming cattle numbers and the challenges posed by fluctuating Lighter weight calves may require a less weather. energy-dense ration and take longer to step Feeder Cattle Council Announces Fall Sale Dates up to a full ration than yearlings, according The Michigan Feeder Cattle Producers Council has scheduled four annual feeder calf It's also stressful for incoming animals, to Leininger. Again, he stresses, it's helpful sales in Northern Michigan during October, according to council member and Alpena for a host of reasons, including: to know the calves' history and what they County feeder calf producer Steve Gonyea. He estimates that all four locations have • environmental changes, including are accustomed to eating. held sales for at least 30 consecutive years. This year's dates and lcoations are: variations in temperature and humidity, as Date Location Time Estimated Head well as dust inside trucks; October II Paulding 12 noon 1,200 • massive exposure to viral and bacterial Provide Full Range October 12 Rapid River 10 a.m. I, 100 disease organisms due to commingling; of Vaccines October 18 Alpena 6:30 p.m. 750 A good working relationship with a • feed deprivation during shipping and October 19 West Branch 12 noon 1,200 veterinarian and knowing the history of the "I'd like to stress that these are quality northern Michigan cattle out of some good ration changes; animal and the feedlot determine the vac- cow herds," said Gonyea. "The heifers will be selling guaranteed open, while male cal- • dehydration; and ci nations a calf will get. Most producers use ves are guaranteed castrated. In addition, some of the calves will be pre-vaccinated, and • fatigue associated with long hauls. a four-way viral vaccination with IBR, P13, will be marked as such." These factors create an atmosphere ripe BRSV and BVD. A majority of the animals being sold are spring calves weighing 450 to 600 pounds. for potential disease outbreaks, most notab- In addition, Leiningerrecommends vac- There will also be some yearling cattle available. Pens of cattle are generally marked ly bovine respiratory disease (BRD), or cination for blackleg and other clostridial with the consignor's name which is important for the buyer and the seller who may have "shipping fever." infections. Light weight calves may get pas- developed a reputation of raising and selling quality feeder calves from past sales, "Cattle, by nature, are prone to teurella vaccines. Meanwhile, because Gonyea concluded. respiratory problems," says Zane Leininger, Kurtz has seen an increase in hemophilus in DVM, at the Colorado Veterinary Clinic in La Junta, Colo. Respiratory problems in in- coming cattle probably can't be eliminated, but they can be reduced through manage- ment techniques, he states. Calf precon- his practice area this past year, he also recommends a hemophilus vaccine. The use of killed versus live or modified-live virus vaccines depends on the calves' condition. ** * * * 2a~ *** * * ditioning, facilities, nutrition, vaccinations and observation all playa vital role in keep- ing BRD in check. Both veterinarians prefer to vaccinate calves on arrival to start building up im- munities. Kurtz may delay the vaccinations LANDCOMMANDER for a day, but rarely longer; however, he Don't "Buy" Problems sometimes delays other processing proce- Dale L. Kurtz, DVM, at Pioneer Animal dures until calves are less stressed. Clinic in Scottsbluff, Neb., believes in In addition to vaccines, the buying preconditioned calves for the feed- veterinarians recommend mass medication lot. These calves, which have had some of incoming calves as needed - particularly vaccinations, build up immunities prior to if producers anticipate problems. shipment, affecting the degree of disease seen in the lot. Observe Calves Carefully Buying quality cattle is another con- From day one of arrival, calves should sideration. "You can buy a lot of problems be monitored for signs of sickness. Even trying to save a dollar. You may be better though the incubation time for BRD and off to pay a little more for a higher quality other diseases is two to three weeks, some calf, rather than gambling on the amount of calves already have been in the transport money you'll lose in death losses and treat- system that long and may be sick on arrival. ment costs with higher risk animals," With smaller calves, producers are bet- Leininger believes. The veterinarian also ter off walking, rather than riding, the pens advocates knowing as much of the calves' to listen for possible symptoms of history as possible. respiratory disease. With highly stressed Controls Compaction, rough fields, soli erosion calves, observation should be done two or Provide Adequate Facilities three times a day. & residue management problems. Incoming facilities playa vital role in If a calf is sick or suspected to be sick, • Adjustable front disc gangs cut the residue. disease reduction. Large pens with adequate • Auto-reset shanks penetrate the soil 8 to 20 to break up compaction. 1l 1l Kurtz and Leininger recommend pulling it bunk space are needed, so all cattle have the • The rear discs break clods, incorporate residue and level fields. immediately and initiating treatment. Wait- opportunity to eat at the same time. None • To leave more surface residue and control erosion, raise the gang. ing a day means getting behind on treat- should be forced back, Kurtz says. • Easy manual or hydraulic adjustements change disc cutting depth. ment, which can mean the difference be- Water, too, is key, and some calves are tween a live or dead calf, according to Now there's one way to manage the surface residue and not used to drinking out of a tank. Kurtz Leininger. compaction problems. Stop in and visit your Ruth believes it's important to create the sound of Naxcel@ Sterile Powder is one an- local Michigan dealer on Ruth Farmers Elevator running water, so calves can identify where tibiotic Kurtz and Leininger use to treat (517) 864-3760 the water is located. Facilities should be Alto Corunna Menominee Saline BRD. "I think it [Naxcel] has a lot of merits. Snyder Farm Supply Uoyd Miller & Sons Unsmeier Implement. Inc. Saline Ford Tractor watered down, if they are excessively dry We know from research that the product (616) 868-6115 (517) 743-4049 (906) 863-4479 (313) 429-5401 and dusty, to prevent dust inhalation. penetrates diseased lung tissue, and it has a Armada Eau Claire Milan Sandusky "If you don't have an adequate environ- pretty broad spectrum of efficacy. It North Center Farm Supply K11J9Farm Equipment Schettenhelm Vac-U-Vator Bader & Company (313) 784-5331 (616) 461-6733 (313) 439-1829 (313) 648-2404 ment for the calf, you compound problems definitely fits well into a treatment pro- Athens Elmira Monroe Schoolcraft early on, with calves not getting water and gram," Kurtz says. Spoor & Parlin Zaremba Equipment, Inc. J & R Farm Tractor Bronsink Equipment Co. not getting feed. This can predispose them Leininger adds that his practice also (616) 729-5471 (616) 546-3331 (313) 241-3232 (616) 679-5713 to respiratory problems," says Kurtz. prescribes Naxcel frequently. "It's a good Bad Axe Frankenmuth MlClemens South lyon Osentoski Farm Equipment Weiss Farm Equipment Rosseels Farm & Garden Theiser Equipment Co. product with a low dose and no withdrawal (517) 269-6449 (517) 652-6151 (313) 949-0822 (313) 437-2091 Get Calves on Feed Fast - plus it doesn't appear to cause any muscle Baroda Fremont Nadeau Springport Getting calves on feed immediately irritation," he explains. HFS Tractor Sales & Serv. Pell's Farm Service Under Implement Vern Losey & Son gives their bodies ammunition to fight dis- (616) 422-1753 (616) 924-2510 (906) 639-2185 (517) 857-3340 Buchanan Hillsdale North Branch StJohns LaPorte County Co-op Purdy Ford Dick Coutter,lnc. S & H Farm Sales & Serv. Dry Conditions Result in Second Largest (616) 695-6823 Carleton (517) 523-2185 Holland (313) 688-3082 Pigeon (517) 224-3264 Stlouis U.S. Cattle Placements for August Carleton Farm Supply (313) 654-8222 Fillmore Equipment, Inc. (616) 751-5141 Damms, Inc. (517) 453-2531 Bader & Sons (517) 681-5771 Dry conditions in the Southeast and Marketings also normally outstrip place- Charlotte Jonesville Portland Taylor Southwest sparked a wave of "forced" ments by 2 percent in August, but this year Williams Farm Machine Godfrey Brothers lich Farm Service William Sell & Son movement of younger cattle in Texas feed- placements ~ere II percent abo,":em~rket- (517) 543-4770 (517) 849-9966 (517) 647-4164 (313) 282-5100 lots, resulting in the second largest August Ings. The bnsk placements and hlstoncally Chesaning lansing Ravenna Wayland placements figure on record, according to large on-feed suppli~s should magnify con- Card Brothers Equipment Decker & Company Ravenna Farm Equipment Wobma Equipment, Inc. (517) 845-7370 (517) 321-7231 (616) 853-2279 (616) 792-2842 Knight Ridder Financial News. cerns over heavyweIght cattle.Traders August placements also were the largest speculate that placements w~re boosted by Clare lennon Reese West Branch Dulls Farm Service A1dermans, Inc. Bader Brothers, Inc. Willard Farm Equipment . in five years and II percent above the 10 profitable returns and a bull~sh outlo.ok for (517) 386-2192 (313) 621-4201 (517) 868-4165 (517) 345-3128 year average, suggesting that rally attempts the November-December WInter penod. Conklin Utchfield Rives Junction Williamston will be capped through the end of the year, August marketings were five percent Conklin Farm Equipment Wells Equipment Sales DeCamp Farm Sales & Serv. Turner Implement Company said Chuck Levitt, livestock analyst with above last year, but were two percent below (616) 899-2491 (517) 542-2376 (517) 569-2405 (517) 655-4606 Alaron Trading Corp. the IO-year average. . Michigan Farm News September 30, 1993 •••••••• ••••••• r• ••••• ••••••• ~.'I1• Dr. Jim Hilker, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU Market Outlook ... Seasonal Commodity WHEAT E~RM •••••••• . •••• Ir.~ •••• •••• .r ...•••• ~ ' .. •••••••• .:::. rl ••• ,j ••• . .. Price Trends The September USDA Crop Production The USDA released the Sept. I crop production estimates on September 9. \Vhile these are the best estimates available. Report only updated the spring estimates. And that number was lowered by 63 million BUSINESS Wheat bushels, which lowered total production the with the late maturing crops in large sec- tions of the corn. soybeans and spring wheat areas. it may be the November report before Corn • ? same amount to 2.493 billion bushels. The U.S. all wheat yield was lowered from the OUTLOOK I August estimate of 40 bushels per acre to 39 we get a good handle on this year" s produc- tion. There are a substantial number of acres Soybeans • ? bushels per acre. higher than last year. The Grain Stocks that will still be at risk Oct. 1. However, we I Report should shed some more light on the wi 11need to keep making pricing decisions The USDA also released an updated Wheat wheat feed use number as most of the wheat in the interim. Many times the best pricing Hogs SupplylDemand Balance Sheet (Table 2). fed is fed in the summer quarter. opportunities arise when the least amount Here, even though the projected supply of information is available. Cattle dropped, the 1993-94 fundamentals did not Strategy: improve. In the near-term, consider holding unpriced The Sept. I quarterly Grain Stocks Report wheat for a rally. In the longer-run, if ex- will be released Sep. 30 be watching for n i Index: = Higher Prices; ~ = Lower Prices; This is due to the USDA lowering expected ports don't pick up, it's hard to get optimis- it. The stocks figures released for com and TP= Topping; BT = Bottoming; ? = Unsure feed use and exports by 50 and 25 million tic about the wheat market. Check the basis soybeans will be used as the ending stocks bushels, respectively, from their August es- in your area to determine if you should be figures of the 1992-93 marketing years. surprises. Be ready to move if the conditions timate. What this means is that the 1993-94 holding cash wheat or a basis contract. These Stocks Reports often bring big warrant it. ending stocks estimates are significantly CORN SOYBEANS The September report projected the 1993 The feed use estimate was lowered 50 mil- The September U.S. soybean production bushels each. The net result was projected U.S. corn crop would be 7.229 billion lion bushels and the export projection was estimate was left almost unchanged from ending stocks were raised 25 million bushels. This compares to the August es- lowered 75 million bushels. the August estimate, 1.909 versus 1.902 bushels. timate of 7.423 and last year's number of billion bushels. This surprised the market 9.4 79 bi IIion bushels. The feed use projection was lowered due to which had projected a marginal downward As might be expected, the market did not fewer hogs seeming to be out there than adjustment. Projected harvested acreage handle these figures very well and the The lower estimate was due to two factors. previously projected and the export number was lowered 100,000 acres and projected market dropped significantly. Fundamen- There was a slight, 100,000 acres, dr9P in was lowered due to higher projections for yield was raised .2 of a bushel. The tals would suggest, given the numbers in projected harvested acres. And the yield crop production in the rest of the world. So Michigan estimate was left unchanged at 36 Table 3, that the market over did the estimate was dropped from 116 bushels per even though projected supply dropped 193 bushels per acre. downward adjustment. acre in August to 113.1 bushels per acre in million bushels, projected ending stocks the September report. dropped only 68 million bushels. As shown in Table 3, the USDA also Strategy: released new supply/demand estimates for Consider waiting to price unpriced 1993 The Michigan 1993 com production es- Strategy: the 1993-94 soybean marketing year. As beans for a rally, especially if you have timate was left unchanged at 241.5 million Given the above projections, fundamentals with com and wheat, they lowered their already priced a significant amount. bushels with a projected yield of 110 would suggest that l1arvest cash prices projected use figures. Crush and exports bushels per acre. would be in the $2.25 range in mid- expectations were lowered 10 million Michigan. The USDA also released an updated Supp- HOGS lylDemand Balance Sheet which is shown In the short run (October-January), supply in Table 1. As qm be seen, we are projected scares could make it go higher, and in the The USDA Sept. 1 Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Strategy: to still have an adequate supply of com for longer-run (spring), slack demand could Report will be released on Sept. 30 -- about Consider keeping current in the near-term. the 1993-94 marketing year despite the put pressure on the normal seasonal in- the time you receive this issue of Michigan As for the longer-term, your pricing small crop. creases. Fann News. decisions will depend of the market reac- tion to the report. If the report causes a This is due to the huge beginning stocks Be prepared to price more on rallies, but at It will be interesting to see how the numbers market rally, consider locking in the price coming from last year's record crop. At the the same time be prepared to use on-farm are adjusted to reflect the fact that weekly on som,e of your future production. same time, the USDA lowered projected storage if a rally has not come by harvest. slaughter numbers have been below what production; they also lowered projected the June Report would have indicated for use. most of the summer. 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 USDA USDA Hilker USDA Hilker Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj. Proj. 1991-92 92-93 93-94 1991-92 92-93 93-94 1991-92 92-93 93-94 Corn Acreage (MillionAcres) Wheat Acreage (MillionAcres) Soybean Acreage (MillionAcres) Acres Set-Aside and Acres Set-Aside and Acres Planted 59.2 59.3 59.5 Diverted 4.7 3.5 7.0 Diverted 10.0 3.5 0.5 Acres Harvested 58.0 58.4 56.2 I Acres Planted 76.0 79.3 73.7 Acres Planted 69.9 72.3 72.1 Bu.lHarvested Acre 34.2 37.6 34.0 Acres Harvested 68.8 72.1 63.9 Acres Harvested 57.7 62.4 63.9 I Bu.lA. Harvested 108.6 131.4 113.1 Bu.lA. Harvested 34.3 39.4 39.0 Stocks (MillionBushels) Beg. Stocks 329 278 290 Stocks (MillionBushels) Stocks (MillionBushels) 472 Production 1987 2197 1909 Beg. Stocks 1521 1100 2150 Beg. Stocks 866 529 Imports 3 2 5 Production 7475 9479 7229 Production 1981 2459 2493 70 Total Supply 2319 24n 2204 Imports 20 6 10 Imports 41 75 3001 Use: Total Supply 9016 10,585 9,390 Total Supply 2888 3097 Crushings 1254 1280 1240 Use: Use: 789 830 845 Exports 685 775 645 Feed 4878 5250 5100 Food Seed 94 93 94 Seed, Feed and Food/Seed 1454 1510 1550 Feed 253 194 325 Residuals 102 132 104 Total Domestic 6332 6760 6650 Total Domestic 1136 1117 1264 Total Use 2041 2187 1989 Exports 1584 1675 1400 Exports 1280 -1-555 1125 Ending Stocks 278 290 215 Total Use 7916 8435 8050 2416 2472 2389 Ending Stocks, Ending Stocks 1100 2150 1340 Total Use Ending Stocks 472 529 708 Percent of Use 13.6% 15.1% 10.8% Ending Stocks Percent of Use 13.9% 25.5% 16.6% Ending Stocks Regular Loan Rate $5.02 $5.02 5.02 Regular Loan Rate $1.62 $1.72 $1.72 Percent of Use 19.5% 21.4% 29.6% Regular Loan Rate $2.04 $2.21 $2.45 U.S. Season Average U.S. Season Average Farm Price.S/Bu. $5.58 S5.50 S6.50 Farm Price.S/Bu. $2.37 S2.07 $2.35 U.S. Season Average Source: USDA & Hilker Source: USDA & Hilker Farm Price. S/Bu. S3.00 S3.24 S2.85 Source: USDA &Hilker Michigan Farm News .. New State Unemployment Insurance •• ...... September •••••••• ••••••• ••••• ~.,J ••••••• 30, 1993 r. 1• ••••'l••• ...::.. John D. Jones, Telfarm Director Reporting Requirements Department of Agricultural Economics Michigan State University in each of 20 weeks during the current or preceding calendar year, or having a cash payroll of $20,000 or more in any calendar even though the reporting requirements were written to apply from Jan. I, 1993. So on or before Oct. 25, 1993, employers E~RM •••• .r •••••• •••••••• ,j ••• • ' J...:::. •••• ~ •••••••• . quarter of the current or preceding calendar should be set up to provide their own New reporting Michigan Employment Security Commis- requirements from year. machine scannable form or type the infor- mation on an official MESC scannable BUSINESS sion (MESC) will require Form 1017, For enterprises that are "non-farm" (such as form (see sample MESC form lower left). "Employer's Quarterly Report," to be submitted in a very specific Wage Detail packing other farmers produce) you must comply when total annual payroll for that The data on the new report must appear in OUTLOOK machine scannable format. enterprise reaches $1,000. precise locations on each page as specified D Your Federal Employer Identifica- by MESC. Subscribing Telfarm clients are tion Number This new requirement affects all taxpayers Effective dates and procedures provided with this service at no additional who must comply with Michigan's un- charge with their quarterly labor summary. D Your MESC number employment insurance law. This includes The first and second quarters in 1993 will be accepted by MESC under the old format any farmer employing 10 or more workers To complete MESC Form 1017, the fol- D Names and social security num- lowing information is needed: bers for all workers uesc (FWow 1017 11).921 EMPLOYER'S QUARTERLY WAGE DETAIL REPORT Michigan Employment Security Commission D Your" legal" farm name and ad- D Wages paid to each worker for dress the past quarter em..: INSTRUCTIONS THI::::~:L~::M;;E;~::e;::D: ~~:I:;:~U;;:;Aa::::~L ~::~:h:~~;: reoo ern ELITE ' ... _ .' . EUTE PeA WIll be by machIne ~ OJ] Quarter I Report Ending ::18o::ln8;~~;' .IEVS PY I MESC .. - V.1. AdminIstrative ----- , Control Federal and Michigan Unemployment Insurance Exemptions P.O. BOX 9052 DETROIT, M148202-9052 Some employees are exempt from Michigan Unemployment Compensation tax. Generally, services - - ----- THIS REPORT MUST BE COMPlETED or wages subject to the federal PUT A laws are also subject to the Michigan laws with a few exceptions. FEIN AND RETURNED BY: I I Current Exemptions 1/c=J State Federal Family Employment: Une Delete PLEASE TYPE ALL INFORMAnON Parents employed by a Social Security Number ~ EmployeeName~ To~G~ss~2es son or daughter Exempt.. Exempt Number ( ) Last Name First Name --y I Oc*rs CenlI Children employed by a parent Exempt under 18 Exempt under 21 $ I Spouse employed by spouse Exempt.. Exempt $ Agricultural Wages: $ Cash Wages (per employee) Taxable to $9,500 Taxable to $7,000 I Non-cash Wages (pay't-in-kind) Exempt.. Exempt $ I (may change) (may change) Resident alien workers Taxable same as Taxable same as . I I $ U.S. citizen U.S. citizen $ .1 Non-resident temporary workers on exchange "J" or "F" visas Exempt.. Exempt I $ I I Students: $ Students under 18 attending Exempt.. Taxable . j $ I below college level school that with restricted is accredited institutions full-time. employment I $ I Identify any employees that may be exempt from either or both the state or the federal unemployment $ I insurance program. To pay the minimum unemployment tax, be sure to delete these exempt employees I from your payroll before completing the appropriate form. Call the Telfarm Center, your local $ I Extension office or your Michigan Employment Security Commission office if you have further $ questions. $ I $ $ $ $ $ $ YOUR CERTIFICATION: I declare that I have examined this report. and to the (Sogna1\l~~~~ r:;:r,.:.~:'::;pe and belief. it is true. correct and complete ... TOTAL ~ $ Trailer Mounted Stationary $lgn.ature (Only on Last Page) Dare PAGE DOFD Patz@Offers Open-Top Mixers Four notched, 24-inch augers mix fast-even square-baled dry alfalfa in limited amounts. Market Outlook ...continued Self-aligning auger bearings mounted outside. Flanged auger tubes for easy removal. CATTLE Roller-chain reduction with sealed oil bath and planetary gear drive The September Cattle-On-Feed Report smaller yards will be collected twice a year for the augers. was released late Sept. 17 -- just after the (Jan. 1,July 1). Weight breakdowns will be On trailer models, the feed discharge features a hydraulically powered due date for this report. Go back and look dropped. door and augers. at the numbers if you haven't seen them. As usual, there are good and bad things Electronic scales precisely weigh total mixed rations. One thing is clear, and that is there will be more cattle on feed than for the same period about these changes. The good aspect is For trailer models: 540 R.P.M. PTO. last year for the next few months. that it appears the report will cover a larger For stationary models: electric motors. geographical area, which will be more rep- Strategy: resentative of the country. The bad part of Capacities of 190, 240 and 290 cubic feet (bigger models available Keep current, the market is likely to float the change is that they will be dropping the soon). sideways for a while before gradually inch- quarterly weight breakdowns. Stainless steel bottom liner av~ilable. ing upwards towards the end of th~ year. For me, the weight breakdowns were the Ask us about Patz financing with ~ffordable rates and 24, 36 or New Monthly On-Feed Report most valuable aspect of the reports. Just an 48-month terms. The USDA plans to introduce a new on-feed number tells us nothing about monthly on-feed report starting in January, when the cattle may be coming to market replacing the 7-state and 13-state forms. due to the infinite weight combinations that may be out there. Copeland Surge Sales & Service, Inc. Wylie Implements, Inc. The new report will be in two parts: Fowlerville - (517) 223-9833 Kent City - (616) 678-7732 (I) on-feed estimates for feedlots with But don't think for a second that the big 1,000 head capacity and over; . slaughter companies won't know. The (2) on-feed estimates for feedlots WIth more equalized the information set, the Miller Construction & Equipment, Inc. Westphalia Electric, Inc. capacity of under 1,000 head. Both rep00s more market power the producers have. It West Branch - (517) 345-2499 Westphalia - (517) 587-3983 will be issued on a monthly baSIS is not clear to me that the producers are the throughout 1994. Starting in 1995, onl~ t.he report covering 1,000 head plus capacltl~s will be reported monthly; on-feed data III winners in this change. Gene Stambaugh Equipment Ubly - (517) 658-8817 Pillz Michigan Farm News II. September 30,1993 Steps You Can Take to A void the Second Leading Cause of Farm Fatalities in Michigan Falls are second only to tractor rying heavy objects that can alter your o If you have a loading dock, be balance. sure it. too, is properly equipped accidents as a cause of fatalities with steps and handrails. among Michigan farmers and ~ud or manure on the steps of farm equip- their family members. Nation- ment also poses a serious slip-and-fall o Be sure ladders are in good condi- hazard. To avoid a faiL always try to keep tion and properly set before you wide, about a third of all three points on the machine at all times -- climb. Follow the four-to-one agriculture-related injuries are two hands on the handrail and one foot on rule of one foot out at the base the result of falls from farm the stcp. or both feet on the steps and one for every four feet of height. hand on the handrail. And never jump from equipment or structures. tractors or other equipment; use the steps o Keep your body between the rails From Farm Bureau Insurance and handrails. of a Iadder. ~ovetheladder Falls are most often caused by a potentially I rather than risking a fall. dangcrous condition that has simply been Other tips for preventing falls: overlooked. Perhaps an oil spill didn' t get cleaned up. Or tools were left laying on the o Falls can be a real hazard in your o Stay off the top three rungs of a Make Sure Grain straight ladder or the top two 1100r of the tractor cab. Maybe worn soles on someone' s shoes should have been farm shop. Keep the floor clean and unobstructed. The good steps of a step ladder. Bins are Clean replaced long ago. housekeeping you practice there o Use proper footwear and a safety Before the Harvest can prevent a serious injury. Take the time to wipe up spills or remove rope with harness if you work on Rush Begins ice from a walkway. Remember to wear o Rubber mats can help prevent a roof or in a tree. Taking time now to make sure that the proper footwear. Rubber boots provide bet- slips and falls in milk parlors. combine, grain handling equipment and You can prevent most falls with just a little ter traction than hard. smooth-soled shoes. o Be sure all steps are properly con- extra care. The time you spend to clean up a spill or move objects out of your way will storage bins are squeaky clean is a good way to minimize potential for costly insect Always make sure your path is clear of any structed and in good condition, be much less than the time you would spend obstructions -- especially when you're car- with proper handrails. Keep them damage later in the year. recuperating from a serious injury. "A thorough cleaning in and around the clear of obstructions. bin and of all handling equipment is strongly recommended," says Douglas Landis, MSU ........... - .. ~.. "' ..... Extension entomologist. A NEW MONEY, SAVING'REAetff~'I.AN' Landis recommends removing all debris from handling equipment, from inside the grain bin and from under the false flooring of the grain bin, an especially good place for insects to breed. He also recommends directing an insec- ticide spray into cracks, comers and other hidden places of the grain bin that cannot be adequately cleaned. Sanitary sprays can be used in any empty bin regardless of the grain that will be stored in the bins later. Once the grain has been properly dried and cleaned and put into the grain bins, use special products registered for use on stored grains. They are listed in Extension bulletin E-1582, "Chemical Control of Insects and FAMILY HEAI:nl INS\JRANC£ PROl)OSAL Nematodes in Field and Forage Crops." FARl\l OWNERS/OPERATO' • Landis cautions farmers to read all insec- ticide labels to be sure the product they intend to use is specifically registered for use in stored grains. "Insecticides and fumigants are effective only in properly dried and Assoc Cl <':M!\I sou cleaned grain," Landis points out. Some insecticide sprays or dusts can be mixed directly with new grain as it goes into the bin to protect the grain from insects. They are recommended if the grain is to be stored longer than one year. Surface sprays of insecticides can be ap- CurrCIIl Health Insur:lI11:e plied and raked into the surface of new grain to help prevent insects from getting into the grain and also to control surface feeding caterpillars such as the meal moth and Indian meal moth. The caterpillars are often abundant in poorly ventilated grain when moisture has condensed at the surface. Remove the damaged grain before spraying, then keep the grain well ventilated . .. In these toug-h 'economic times all business owners are lookingfor;ways toimprovetheir bottom 'line .. : ...... Fumigants can be used to kill insects that NoW Fa~m.Bure~u tan help with a new m~Jneysavin£l,grouP Health Plan -trom Blue Cross BlueShield'of Michigan. '~r , have invaded the grain mass. They are some- ... -',. . ~ ., .' . '~-" . , ... times applied to newly binned grain in place Th~se new pians are guaranteed is~~e nO-matter what your health history, locally $eNice~ by'mjr 69 county offices' and 400 agents:s~at~wide". of sanitary sprays and grain protectants. and competitively priced to save' farm Qwners and operators" hundreds or even thousands otdollars off their health insurance bilL' - Fumigants can be costly, however, and So, if you're a sole'proprietor or if you have'one or more employees, you should call Farm Bureau today for benefit and rate-information: can be applied only under certain restric- tions. To buy and use fumigants, growers ' ...•... '/tIICHleAN '. :' - -, must be certified by the Michigan Depart- , .. ~A"1tf BUREAU ment of Agriculture in the fumigation stand- ard. FOR A FREE~ NO OBUGATION RATE QUOTE - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CAll DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 OR 3240. New restrictive standards include the use Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau of self-contained breathing equipment Membership Services (scuba gear) in place of a gas mask and the P.O. Box 30960 Lansing, MI 48909 use of gas detection devices in some situa- Please Print tions. The best practice is to take preventive Name Current Health Insurance steps against insect damage by putting Address Number of Full Time Employees o Sole proprietor properly dried, as clean as possible, grain in (1 person group) the bin and carefully managing the bin' s Phone o 2-4 0 5-9 operation - temperature. ventilation and moisture current - throughout the storage County o 10-24 0 25 and over season. Type of Farm/Business MFN .--~~ A Health and Wellness Publication of Michigan Farm Bureau September 1993 VOL1D,No. 1 Health experts' best guess is that the coming flu season is going to be a bad one (continued) ~ -+ ~ -+ ~ ~ ~ r:. nOHTINo THE The harsh Beijing flu is expected to hit the United States this fall, and a new variant of the strain means that most Americans will not have any natural inununity against il''Even though you were exposed to similar strains in the past, you might not be able to defend yoW'Selfagainst this new one," says Dr. Lone Simonsen of the Centers IIllpOIre for Disease Control (CDe).'11 wiD be very importanl to get a au shat this 1aB." ~hat do 21 million Americans have in common with former president New Strahl Ronald Reagan, former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, and comedians Phyllis Diller and Art Carney? ~lIsuffer from hearing loss that, in most instances can be According to the enc, the new virus strain emerged very late in the 1992-93 helped by a new generation of computerized hearing aids or, if deafness is profound, flu season, infecting people and killing the elderly into May - two months after influenza a new surgical procedure wthat implants a receiver deep inside the ear. usually disappears. :II:elp for the hearing impaired is available and much improved. Digital The milder form of the flu was dominant throughout the season, accounting for technology is transforming the hearing aid into a tiny, increasingly sophisticated 75 percent of the cases between September 27 and May 15. But last spring, the virus' computer that can be programmed to meet the needs of an expanding number of genetic makeup mutated suddenly, which explains why some people who had gotten users. Yet only one out of every four people with hearing loss actually wears a flu shots fell ill. This mutation means that even people who have been exposed to Beijing hearing aid -leaving close to 16 million unnecessarily isolated in partial or total flu (or who have had flu shots) in the past will be vulnerable this coming flu season silence. Get yaur Du shat. If a m-:.dical examination. you suspect you have a hearing loss, you should first see a physician for If it'~ection and blockages ~,,~~e~ o~t, ~nd h~ari~S!IQ~ is The GOODnews is that the new flu virus strain was caught early enough for scientists to incorporate it into this fall's flu vaccine. confirmed, the d~~or may rec:om~en~ t~at .you and throat specialist), otologist (specialist In dl~~tPses of the ear) or a licensed r~*' .otolaryngologlst (e~r, nose Reprinted from the Hope Health Letter, Vol xm, No, 9, September 1993, audiologist (trained professional in the science ofi.f!earing). t~ ,> ~t~\\ ExcerpteIDrt9fu ..the Johns Hopkins Medical letter. Health A !.{f.t~".: . . ~ Exercise Vid2n elp you get '~~mfo~nd ' ..' ViW, privacY\ 'It ~t~l~~ ~) ,,/. Exe,rc iaB . ~::~cesf~'~~~a~~~\~~i\ ~r. Ann S'k. associate professor of ph~logy \ \i at th~ ..,..•. ";:of Louisville applies three Criteri".h.to niverSil.8Y.'.f.;\<.' .•.•. ....•Vide~.::.. tG.~.:;'.; Aerobic exercise oonditions the camiova5Cular system. Walking saf~y, effeiivene~s and quality of exe~ise .Iea~fr~hip. ,\ •" 5wimming.l7iking. anc.l.runn!.'!g..fre all type5 of aerol7ic exercise. \ He~ eight that meet her crltena: ) '\A , For aerobiG exercise to be~, it must be done oontinuouely, at Kathy sm.ith~~.\\\Sta, ~~g .ut. Low impact aerobics and bOd .... y... !ning. "i •..... 'r.~. sufficient intensity, for at least 20 minutes - ideally, four or five Beginne~~~~~nute6. %~ ii' it It tim- a week. The intensitv of the exercise should be 60 to 80 percent L\r )1i\'&WW t;~: V 2 Riehar~Sfmrrt0n5 5weatiri' '. the Oldie6. Low impa,., ....'bics., ~~} ~~:~;::~:~~v::~~;::~:it~i~~I: ~~::~ ::!; ~iOl' OJ proper exercise intensity: ~u;;:::;":Orl<). 3 :~~ with :elgh:'W~- ~t3eginnerand intermedia\te exercisers. 98 minute~l \ .. ~ ' • First, calculate your maximum aerobic capacity by subtracting your_~4 Anyuody'6 Workout with Ifn Kravitz. Low and high impact~obie .- . toning. Intermediate ana Mvanced exercisers; 98...minutes •• age from 220. This is your maximum heart rate, as measured by ~our ~ • ,~~ .. I pulse. (For example, a 55 year old has a minimum aerobic capacity A 5 Ang8la) Lansl1urY5 P06itive Move5.llexH:2i1ityfor older adults. 46 ~inutEj5. of 220 minus 55, or 165.) 6 Danein' Grannie6: Mature Fitne5s16eglnnere;. Stretching and aerbbic5 for older beginners. 45 mlnute6. IS . l · • Your target heart range, as it is called, is between 60 and 80 per 1 Danein' Grannie6: Mature ~~e55: ;T'rimand Tone. Low impact a~roblcs and cent of thi5 figure. (For exa mple. 60 percent of 165 i5 99: 80 toning for older "eginning Jnd intermediate exercisers. 50 mlnUj' percent is 132. The target heart range for a 55-year-old is between 8 Richard Simmons and the Sliver Foxes. Low impact aerobic for older 99 and 132.) beginning and inter,eaiate ~rcisers. 40 minute6. I. " While exerci5ing. take your pulse to 5ee if it'5 in thi5 range. l3a..a on info.,n~~ed in tHe ~ol'" Health Lotter. Vot.XIII.No.9. s;tmbel' 1993. ~~,.-, \ h 0"""- -to •, O~ :t.:r 70 ha;ve hen,rJ.:na; I.088 The standard wisdom is that if you think you have hearing loss, you're probably right. In most instances, a hearing aid will help you compensate. Make an appointment with your ., / physician if y~u: Q. lVI)' SOD. win be startb1g sahool tbis fan tor tbe f:1rR time 51 auld I ha him. hn~ ... Jud' U SO, what 1dnd of immn.nization sh ts s auld h ... Have difficulty hearing over the receive? telephone; ... Must strain to understand .&. According to Dr. Howard Burgess, a family practitioner on staff at Sparrow Hospital, conversation; if your child has received normal scheduled booster shots at 18 months of age he should ... Cannot follow a conversation when receive additional immunizations before starting elementary school. Receiving these more than one person is speaking at a time; shots at this time is recommended to insure his immunity to several diseases. The ... Are told that you turn the TV immunizations he should receive include diphtheria and tetanus booster, oral polio volume up too high; booster, and a repeat of the measle, mumps and rubella immunization. Some physicians ... Don't hear common sounds, such also recommend repeating whopping cough immunization. Check with your family as the phone or doorbell ringing; physician or pediatrician, or call your local health department if you have questions. ... Misunderstand words and ask people to repeat themselves; ... Have difficulty hearing the speech q. ~ fall, strep throat ~.o.m.es a common fllDes of women and children which is What is the beBt treatmaut for this inteation &nd. at wha. higher pitched and more difficult to distinguish than the lower pitched conf;aSlon.s9 speech of men; ~ The best treatment for strep throat is penicillin, according to Dr. Stanley Dudek, an ... Think other people mumble; -f ' ~ Otolaryngologist on staff at Sparrow Hospital. If a person is allergic to penicillin an ... Misunderstand what others are saying and respond alternate treatment is erythromycin. For step throat the earlier the treatment the better inappropriately; ~dded Dr. Dudek. The stage that strep throat is the most contagious is in its early stages I f ... Avoid activities because you when symptoms first begin. cannot hear well and fear being embarrassed as a result. Q. Can J'01l recommencl any tree or low-cost health screeningB that may I~f be otfered.f.n the ~'Iftft'ftfty for people with little or no health insurance? Not for Recoverin!! A1cohflics . These beers are NOT deSigned for aJpoholtcs, howe~",;; A. According to Sparrow's Community Health Education Department in the Lansing and hoo! h."~". since "nonalcoholic" doesn't mean QI,coholfree. ,<,.'», mid-Michigan area Sparrow Hospital's Health-Q-Rama, a community-wide health screen- ~V' ing special event will be held at the Lansing Mall, September 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Many researchers believe that sucHtaeverages may \ Free and low-cost health screenings will be offered including blood pressure, bioelectri- be the ~rst st~p back to drinking for I~ny rec~vering cal i~peda~ce/bo~y fat composition, vision & glaucoma testing, hearing, pulmonary alcoholics. It IS unknown whether thl\danger IS psycho function, helght/w8lghtmeasurement.blood panel test, blood testfor prostate screening, logical or whether it comes from the~t~inute amount of colorectal cancer and screening kits. Counseling and referral will also be available with alcohol itself. In addition, these beer~J~re not Sparrow pharmacists, doctors, nurses and dietitians. designed for children: some experts{~ij additi,Q If you have health concerns, Questions, or need a physician referral, call Sparrow Hospital's NurseLine, an believe that these beverages may sele as . "training beers" for kids. I:)~ information and Physician Referral Service at 1-800-968-3838. No More MNear Beer" Thanks to modern technology, the ta~~ of i The above Questions and answers are for general information related Questions, consult our physician. purposes only. If you have symptoms or health these beers has come a long way sin~' the "near < beers" of the Prohibition era. In the plil brewe~~Jr"., ... ' , heated the beer to evaporate the alco~~I, but !HI wned tlie "~ flavor, now they use more sophisticat~ij methods of removal. Or they may inhibit fermentation in the firsiplace - for instan e! by quickly cooling the hot malt, or else by brewing a ower: 1 The new nicotine patch, available prescription is designed to curb (and eventually by temperature. At least one brewer uses a spe~j,al ybriCt strai~ of yeast eliminate) the craving for nicotine by releasing that ferments the beverage, but produces littlealcohol. small doses of the chemical into the blood- stream. FewerEmptyCaIOries! ~ Limiting alcohol eliminates "empty" calories, since each gra~f.-a1COhol has seven' People who use nicotine patches are urged calories. Nonalcoholic beers have about one-third to ~&=rralf the calories of regular I to join a stop smoking program. Studies beer - anywhere from 50 to 95 calories in 12.o~e(versus the usual 140to 200 / I show that 20% of smokers using the patch alone (without a behavior modification (about 100 calories in light beers). Like regul~~e~, nonalcoholic beer is basi~~11y/": . program) are able to quit; but up to 45% of carbohydrates from barley malt and hops};-with a small amount of minerals anV// smokers who use the patch with a support 8 vitamins. '\ /' program are successful. ~~ For more information on nicotine patches, talk to Adapted from the University of California Wellness Letter, September 1993. your doctor and phannacist. Adapted from Hope Health Letter, Vol. XIII No.BAugust 1993. Fighting fimr in Rural Mi. A woman living at the western end of This intervention is happening in a number of "It's hard to say," she said. Michigan's Upper Peninsula discov- ways - information brochures, educational "Keep in mind that this is not a ers a small lump on her breast. Be- videos, information booths a county fairs. and population based study. All of the cause she cannot make the long trip hat give aways that are provide more practical, women were taken from to M8nJUette to have it checked, she sun-shielding benefit. a population that is chooses to ignore it. seeing a physician. It "Farmers used to wear these wide- shows that they brimmed hats," Rosenman said. "Now already have regard A farmer near Bad Axe develops skin they've gone to baseball caps which for their health." cancer on his arm, but fails to notice don't cover the ears or the back of the because he doesn't know the warning neck." Ear tips are especially prone 12private physicians are signs. to skin cancer. helping in the project - 11 in the Upper Peninsula and The project, called "Rural Partnership Linkages To increase access to health care. the project is 1 in the lower peninsula. Health practitioners for Cancer Care," seeks to provide state of the A woman in Barry County is recover- planning to train health care personnel to better share information on the mammogram art cancer care for patients and change the pat- ing at home from a mastectomy and diagnose and treat skin cancer. project through a computer network system terns for cancer care with emphasis on earlier follow-up chemotherapy. She is ex- called "UPRNet." The network allows the 12 diagnosis, effective treatment, symptom manage- periencing problems and her family "We will be sending four nurse practitioners to family practices sites to share information, not ment and continuing care in their local community. is suffering financially. Where do Houston for training for the diagnosis of skin onlyon the mammogram project but on all the they turn for help? cancer," Rosenman said. "These nurses will go Through the Linkages Project, comprehensive latest medical information. back to their communities, applying what they cancer care networks are being created in 3 south- Throughout Michigan and nationwide, people learned." A 1988 grant from the Department of Health and west Michigan counties by linking existing com- struggle daily with such situations. Ouick and Human Services allowed UPRNet to start up. munity resources with regional cancer centers. easy access to health care is always important. In the first year of the project, a Since then, it's been used to teach medical It is imperative when it comes to cancer, because baseline survey of farmers was done The networks include local hospitals, clinics, students throughout the Upper Peninsula and the earlier the diagnosis, the better the chance to see what they do to prevent skin hospices and home health care agencies, the northern lower peninsula. of recovery. cancer. Tbe second year involved Kalamazoo Community Oncology Program and the interventions. In the final year, the MSU/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. The "Unfortunately, many people are not in a position RURALPARTNERSIDPSIMPROVE researchers are seeing if they've program is currently in operation in Barry, Allegan to have easy access to the health care they ACCESS TO CANCER CARE made an impact. and Van Buren counties. desperately need," said Dr. G. Marie Swanson, director of the Cancer Center at Michigan State "Have people gone to their doctors? Are they "Cancer patients often have limited Project directors hope to enroll as many as 600 University and professor of medicine. using sunscreen? This is what we're trying to access to continuing cancer care," patients. The project is funded by a $2.27 million said Dr. Barbara Given, MSU professor of nursing find out now," Rosenman said. grant from the National Cancer Institute awarded The Cancer Center at MSU supports and associate director for Cancer Prevention and to the MSU College of Nursing, the Cancer a number of projects which address The project is supported by the Cancer Center Control for the Cancer Center. Given is co-director Centerat MSU and the MSU College of Human the problem of lack of access to of MSU, the National Institute for Occupational of a project that provides specialized continuing Medicine Family Practice Department. health care. In particular, the Cancer Safety and Health and the American Cancer . cancer nursing care in rural southwest Michigan. Center focuses on the issue of cancer Society of Michigan. in rural populations. "In that aspect, we are unique," Swanson said. "We are one of only a handful of cancer centers in the United States that supports cancer research in rural areas." Founded in 1988, the Cancer Center at MSU is the nucleus for cancer research, education and ser- vice.ln keeping with the land grant tradition, many of the Cancer Center's programs are community based. Research is conducted in the community. THE ROAD TO DIAGNOSIS solving critical problems and providing new re- sources. whi Ie investigators contribute to progress Using a $15,000 grant from the Cancer Center at in cancer research. MSU, the staff at the MSU College of Human Age Frequency Medicine's Upper Peninsula campus are studying Sigmoidoscopy, preferably flexible M&F 50 and over Every 3-5 years Following are three examples of projects the whether distance from a hospital or clinic Cancer Center at MSU is supporting in rural areas Fecal Occult Blood Test M&F 50 and over Every year prevents a women from getting cancer of Michigan, and the impact these projects Digital Rectal Examination M&F 40 and over Every year detecting mammograms. are having on cancer patients and their families. Prostate Exam* M 50 and over Every year The project works like this: Any woman, age F Pap Test All women who are, or who have been, sexually 40 or older, who visits a physician at active, or have reached age 18, should have an FARM CANCER CONTROL one of 12 family practice sites is given annual Pap test and pelvic examination. After a PROJECT a questionnaire. The questions help woman has had three or more consecutive satisfactory I),ormal annual examinations, the Pap Everyyear in Michigan. nearly 700 farmers develop her identify whether she is in need of test may be performed less frequently at the some type of cancer. About 12 percent of a mammogram and also ask if dis- discretion of her physician. those cancers are attributable to farm tance is a barrier to getting one. The Pelvic Examination F 18-40 Every 1-3 years with Pap test work with the largest number of can- woman is then referred to a lab where Over 40 Every year cers affecting the skin and lip. mammograms are done. Endometrial Tissue Sample F At menopause, At menopause and "After that, it's a simple matter to how many if at high risk thereafter at the discretion The Cancer Center, in collaboration with MSU's of the physician Centerfor MichiganAgricultural Safety and Health mammograms were actually done, compared to how many recommendations were made," said Breast Self-Examination F 20 and over Every month (CMASH) is in the final year of a project designed to help farmers in the state's Thumb Area avoid the Nan Kreher, coordinator of research at the UP Breast Clinical Examination F 20-40 Every 3 years campus. "We can verify by just receiving the lab Over 40 Every year dangers of skin cancer. "We've been trying to encourage farmers to protect their report." Mammography*** F 40-49 Every 1-2 years skin from the sun," said Dr. Kenneth 50 and over Every year Kreher said a recent pilot study showed that Rosenman, MSU associate professor of medicine Health Counseling and M&F O~rW ~ery3~a~ nearly98 % of women did NOT think distance CancerCheckup**** M&F and co-director of the project. "We are urging Over 40 Every year was a barrier to getting a mammogram. Will this them to see a doctor for early diagnosis and to study reflect that? .Annual digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen should be performed on men SOyears and older. If either is abnormal, further evaluation should be considered. have their skin examined on a regular basis." •• History of infertility, obesity, failure to ovulate, abnormal uterine bleeding, or unopposed estrogen or tamoxifen therapy . ••• Screening mammography should begin by age 40 . .... To include examination for cancers of the thyroid, testicles, ovaries, lymph nodes, anal region, and skin. Revised November 1992. Michigan Farm News -. September 30, 1993 I "NAFTA: Response to Perot" are five times more productive. The U.S. economy can support higher wages because it has better transportation facilities, com- munications infrastructure, and closer * Factories built in Mexico with capital goods exported from the United States will primarily service the 88 million person m Mexican market. For example, in 1990, proximity to markets. approximately 70 percent of sales by U.S. - owned Mexican companies were to the Me~cans spend * Mexico will have lower wages than the Mexican market. United States with or without the NAFf A; companies that want to move to Mexico * Exports of capital goods are good for the 60% of tneir because of low wages already can do so. u.s. economy because they support high However, wages are not the key issue; if they were, then lesser developed countries wage jobs; other leading economies, such as Germany and Japan, also export capital earnings buying would be the economic superpowers instead goods. of the developed countries. Perot: goOOsfrom ~e * With the productivity of the U.S. work force, the United States already has gained over 225,000 net jobs due to freer trade with Mexicans products. cannot afford to buy U.S. U.S., a figure far higher ~an any Mexico. Our bilateral trade balance has Facts: swung from a $4.9 billion deficit in 1986 to * Mexicans already buy U.S. products in a $5.4 billion surplus in 1992. droves. Perot: The United States is already deindustrializ- * The average Mexican spends $380 per year on u.s. goods and services, more than other nation. ing; NAFT A will accelerate this process by the average Korean ($360) who eams twice moving U.S. manufacturing jobs to Mexico. as much, and almost as much as the average Japanese ($400) who earns 10 times as *Mexicans bought $40.6 billion worth of * Mexicans have the highest propensity to Facts: much. U.S. goods and services last year, $5.4 bil- buy U.S. goods of any foreign country. * The United States is not deindustrializing. lion more than Americans bought of Continued page 10 see:" Mexican goods and services. "NAFTA: Response to Perot" * Manufacturing provides 23 percent of U.S. GDP, the highest percentage since World War II. * The United States has a $7.5 billion surplus with Mexico in manufactured goods trade. .TAKE'THE'BITE OUT OF DENTAL CARE COSTS * U.S. companies continue to invest in the United States -- approximately $500 billion last year, as compared to $6 billion in Mexico. * NAFf A would reduce or eliminate exist- ing incentives to move manufacturing jobs to Mexico. * NAFf A removes Mexican tariffs -- which are 2 1/2 times higher on average than their U.S. counterparts -- and tough nontariffbar- riers that require U.S. companies to have factories in Mexico in order to sell in Mexico. * NAFT A removes Mexican requirements that companies in Mexico buy Mexican components, currently an important incen- tive for suppliers to produce in Mexico in- stead of exporting from the United States. * By providing increased access to the . ;: growing Mexican market, N AFT A will strengthen U.S. manufacturing by increas- ing exports of U.S. manufactured goods. Perot: The current U.S. made surplus with Mexico is a "mirage" because it consists of capital goods; these goods are going to build Mexican factories that will export to the United States. Facts: * The United States exports lower propor- tion of capital goods to Mexico than to other countries. While capital goods account for 40 percent of our exports worldwide, they Member dental insurance is the affordable way !o assure that you and your family . compose only 33 percent of our exports to receive the dental care services you require ~ even when sudden and costly needs arise. Mexico. Measure the rates against your annual dental" care bills and consider the advantage! ANNUAL PER CAPITA PURCHASE ~ Single $18 per month • Couple $32 per month Member/Child $32 per month - Family $41 per month OF U.S. GOODS .. ItI'CIf'GIiN . • .. ~ARItI BUREAU TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND A BROCHURE/APPLICATION, PLEASE FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680 EXT- 3236. Please Print Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Name Membership Services P.O. Box 30960 Address EUROPE Lansing, MI 48909 $266 City State ZIP per person Phone Coun1¥ MFN . Michigan Farm News Getting Ready for Harvest is a "Head" Game •• September 30, 1993 Soyke says growers harvesting com and beans with the same machine should make sure remember, the concave thrashes, cylinder A safe. sllccessful harvest starts with the the feeder house drum is set properly for each crop - up for com and down for beans. "In the midst of a frantic harvest, many growers simply change headers and charge on, " he said. speed smashes," Soyke reminded. head - the one on the combine and the one on the operator. according to Loren Soyke. Combine operators should try to do 90 marketing representative at Deere & percent of the separating at the cylinder Com pany' s Harvester Works in East and concave and only 10 percent on the Moline. Illinois. straw walkers. "Usually when a grower says he's getting grain losses at the Soyke says the combine head is the most walkers, he's actually throwing too neglected area of the machine for pre-har- much grain on them," he said. vest inspection and maintenance. but over- all combining performance is heavily in- The most important preparation for harvest, fluenced by the way grain enters the Soyke says is mental. Growers should machine. "And I can't stress just how im- spend some time going over the basics of portant it is for the operator to keep his or safety in maintaining and operating their her head in the game during the most intense combine. In the rush of a busy harvest, it's and stressful part of the crop year," he said. tempting to take shortcuts. On corn heads, the deck plates adjustments A few steps that shouldn't be overlooked may be more important than ever this year during the rush of the season. are: due to wide variations in weather and ul- - Start or move the combine only after timately ear size. "Deck plates should be everyone is well clear of the machine. adjusted according to the size of the ears being harvested," he said. "This adjustment - Make sure all shields are in place. is overlooked by many growers, but if it's too wide you can lose ears and shell ears in - Stop the engine and remove the ignition the head. It they're set too narrow, you'll key before working on the combine. take in too much trash." Growers pay close attention to concave speed up the cylinder if threshing efficiency - Al ways check for overhead obstacles and clearance and speed as they're harvesting, drops off. Speed damages grain, so the right To avoid kernel damage and bunch feeding, power lines. but according to the Soyke, they tend to response is to tighten the concave. "Just Soyke says it's important to see that augers on corn heads and bean heads are running at the right speeds. "It's particularly impor- tant on a soybean head with a flex plat- Pesticide Use in the Great Lakes Watershed form." Soyke cautioned. "Otherwise the A report by the U.S. General Accounting says Fred Weiner, GAG senior evaluator in lakes which contain 95 percent of the resulting pinching and binding of the crop Office (GAO) estimates that at least 56 mil- charge of the report. nation's fresh water and provide 3 billion going into the machine will result in poor lion pounds of pesticides are used annually gallons daily for domestic use. threshing performance." in the Great Lakes Watershed which in- He notes the report's basic objective was to cludes the United States and Canada. provide a baseline for the amount of pes- For a free copy of the report, Pesticides, Other header adjustments include making ticide use in the basin since no data systems Issues Concerns Pesticides Used in the sure the rear strippers and floor strippers are GAO estimates, based on federal and currently exist to track such. Great Lakes Watershed, request report adjusted to the auger flighting, gathering private data sources, show 46 million #GAO/RCED-93-l28, write: U.S. GAO, chains are adjusted for proper tension, and pounds of pesticides used on agricultural The report notes that pesticides are only one P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20884,- making sure the snapping rolls aren't worn. crops, 8 million on lawns and more than 2 of the sources of chemical pollution in the 6015 or phone (202) 512-6000. million pounds on golf courses in the water- Moving past the head, feeder house chains shed. need to be properly adjusted. Loose chains can flop around and cause bunching. Also "Even though 56 million pounds is a lot of make sure the feeder house speed is at the pesticide, it is only 4 percent of the 1.1 slow s~tting. billion pounds used annually in the U.S.," Total .Corn, soybean and field crops8 37,328,600 Fruits 6,608,800 Serving Michigan ~M;;iiN; L~ RADIO NETWORK Farm Families is Our Only Business .Vegetables Lawns Golf Courses Total 41,587,700 14,913,800 b 2,164,100 8,000,000 2,400,000 56,501,500 Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only objective &rhe U.S. pesticideusage estimate includesthe amounts used on corn and has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- soybeansonly. The Canadianestimate includesthe amounts used on all field ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- crops, including corn and soybeans. tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides the latest in market analysis, blnformationnot available. weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: Station City Frequencv Morning Farm Noon Farm WABJ Adrian 1490 5:45 am 12:15pm WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 am 12:15pm "NAFTA: Response to Perot" WPZA Ann Arbor 1050 6:15 am 12:05pm spending approximately I5 cents out of Perot: WLEW Bad Axe 1340 6:30 am 12:50pm every dollar earned on U.S. goods and ser- NAFTA jeopardizes highway safety by WHFB Benton Harbor 1060 * 12:30 pm vices. opening U.S. highways to Mexican trucks WKYO Caro 1360 6:15 am 12:45pm and drivers that will not have to meet U.S. WTVB Coldwater 1590 5:45 am *** Perot: standards. WDOW Dowagiac 1440 6:15 am 12:15pm NAFT A is backdoor deregulation of U.S. WACY Fenton 1160 6:15 am 12:15pm Health and Safety Standards. Fact: WGHN Grand Haven 1370/92.1 5:45 am 12:15pm * NAFf A does not exempt Mexican or WPLB Greenville 1380 6:15 am 12:45pm Facts: Canadian vehicles or drivers from our en- WBCH Hastings 1220 6:15 am 12:30pm * NAFT A makes no changes to our strin- vironmental or safety standards. WCSR Hillsdale 1340 6:45 am 12:45pm gent U.S. standards. WHTC Holland 1450 12:15pm * All U.S. regulations regarding trucks WKZO Kalamazoo 590 ** 12:15pm * NAFT A includes a commitment by all (size, weight, and equipment), drivers (lan- WJIM Lansing 1250 5:05 am 12:15pm three countries to work toward harmoniz- guage and hours of service) and the environ- ing standards up to U.S. levels. ment (fuel and emission standards) must be WWGZ Lapeer 1530 * 12:15pm complied with by Mexican and Canadian WNBY Newberry 92.5 12:15pm * Only the U.S. Congress can change our drivers. WOAP Owosso 1080 6;15 am 12:30pm health and safety standards. WHAK Rogers City 960 7:10 am 12:15pm * Mexican drivers are also tested for licens- WSJ St. Johns 1580 6:15 am 12:15pm Perot: ing according to standards fully comparable WMLM St. Louis 1540 6:06 am 12:20pm NAFT A gives Mexican trucking firms an to standards used in the U.S. WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:15pm advantage over U.S. trucking firms due to WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45pm regulatory differences. Perot: WKZC Scottville 95.9 5:45 am 12:30pm There should be a trial period for the WCSY South Haven 940 12:15pm Fact: NAFT A, during which any country could WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45pm * Mexican trucks already have access to pull out of the agreement. WLKM Three Rivers 1510/95.9 6:15 am 12:15pm our border states while U.S. trucks are WTCM Traverse City 580 5:55 am 12:40pm closed out of the Mexican market. Facts: * The NAFT A text permits any country to * Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning farm times change with * NAFT A will open the Mexican borders withdraw at any time for any reason. Article sign-on times. to U.S. trucks and would phase out 2205 provides that any country "may ** Station airs various farm reports between 5:50 and 6:20 pm. Mexico's restrictions, eliminating the cur- withdraw from this agreement six months *** Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1:00 pm. rent Mexican advantage. after it provides written notice of Some stations carry additional market reports throughout the market day. withdrawal to the other parties." L September 30,1993 Could You Benefit From ENVIRONMENTAL Operation Green Stripe? For Quincy area farmer Jack Knirk, Op~r~tion Green Stripe .addressed a !~~ STEWARDSHIP number of issues for the family partnershIp s 2, 70q acre croppm.g and 6, .000 head cattle operation. Acreage enrolled in operatIOn G,reen Stnp~ pro~/.des runoff control along five miles of drainage ditches, whIle also bemg utIlIzed as part of Knirk's ASCS setC}side a,cres. Knirk e?timates he's got ne.arly 25 ~ .~l __ acres doing double duty as fIlter stnps and setaslde acres. Below, Kmrk talks with members of the Branch Area Careers Center, the local chapter that signed Knirk up in the program. CRP, so we opted to use the strips as setaside," Knirk explained. "We've got ap- proximately 25 acres now planted to gr~en Operation Green stripes. The only catch was that the stnps had to be 33-1/2' wide as required by Stripe Fact Sheet ASCS, to qualify for setaside acreage." • Operation Green Stripe is a program which encourages farmers to plant Knirk planted a oat/perennial rye mix, part vegetative "buffer strips and maint~in of which was donated by Reading Feed and them for three years. The program rem- Grain, shortly after corn planting was com- forces farmers' dedication to the land and pleted last spring. !he oats provi?ed an support for the local community. immediate vegetatIve cover, while the ryegrass, whl<;h is a slower growing grass • A vegetative buffer strip.can reduce the similar to yard grass, will be there for a amount of farm field sedIment that runs longer lifespan Knirk explained. He then into a stream, and the herbicides attadled mowed the strips in August. to it by 30 to 50 percent. All totaled, Knirk estimates that he's got • On a 15-foot strip, the first three-four less than $1,000 invested in the 25 acres of feet usually does most of the filtering. The green stripes but expects far greater returns. thick grass barrier also collects runoff water in front of it, so a good deal of the Soil tests are taken on a regular basis, and silt it carries actually settles out in the water samples from the ends of tile outlets cropping area before it washes into the are analyzed to make sure that fields aren't grass strip. Gentle rolling ground, manure disposal "We raise most of our own corn and spread being overloaded with phosphates and from as many as 6,000 head of livestock all of the manure from 6,000 head of live- nitrates. and an interest in protecting the water that stock back onto nearly 900 acres each • Operation Green Stripe is an education flows from his fields, were more than year," Knirk said. "Needless to s~y, it's and conservation experience for local Knirk said that the stripes have shown no FF A chapters. Not every chapter can par- enough reason for Quincy ~ea cat~l~man critical that we have these green stopes to chemical stress, which is proof positive that Jack Knirk to become an actIve partIcIpant protect the water, and to help keep th~ ticipate. The state FFA will choose only chemicals, manure or soils aren't getting select chapters. and supporter of Operation Green Stripe. manure and chemicals where we want It into the water. But those are just part of the instead of in our local water supplies." benefits Knirk expects from the green Knirk, who farms 2,750 acres in addition to • Chapters will receive $100 from Mon- stripes. santo for each farmer recruited to par- running a large feedlot operation in partner- Knirk investigated using the buffer strips .as ship with his father and brother, .had been part of his farm program acreage, and dIS- ticipate in the program. "I like to drive in and look at my corn fields looking into installing buffer stops along covered the ground could be used as either and you'd be surprised how many deer, the nearly 5-1/2 miles of drainage ditches Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) • The green stripe established in Opera- pheasants and all kinds of other game are tion Green Stripe must be at least 15.5 feet that run through their farm for the last three acres or setaside acres. "We didn't want to inhabiting these stripes and it's great to be years. sacrifice our corn base by going into the wide (strip must be 33-1/2 feet wide for able to look down along your creeks and ASCS setaside requirements). The length ditches and see these stripes," Knirk said. of the green stripe must be the full length of at least one field selected by the farmer. "Public image is half of the problem we Looking Out For The Environment have in dealing with environmental issues. • A variety of distributors will provide We know that farmers are good stewards free grass seed to farmers in the program. and environmentalists, but if we can convey that message to the consumers and to the For more information, call Charlie environmental groups, we've gone a long ing steps outlined below. If you way toward resolving many issues, Knirk Snyder, FFA Project Consultant at Managing Crop Residues are missing the targets, look for ways to boost residues. concluded. " (517) 353-9221. onservation tillage has long The key to erosion considerably. Soil con- The Right System For You C been used to improve tilth, conserve moisture and provide protecting surface servation practices will also help reduce the unwanted movement The proper tillage system for you will depend on your soil type, DMllntroduces New Precision Row Marker food and cover for wildlife. It's water near of ag chemicals from your fields weather conditions and tillage your farm is into streams or lakes. OMllnc., an- also an excellent way to prevent practices. soil erosion and protect surface toimple- Remember, nounces the water supplies from contamina- mentyour The amount of residue you will the more availability of a tion by field runoff. About 65 approved have depends on the crop you you till the new Row Marker percent of the environmental conserva ion plan. Crop last harvest- residue, ed. Com, for for farmers wish- compliance plans signed by residues on your fields will the more farmers include some form of absorb the impact of falling rain example, it is buried. ing to maximize conservation tillage. and slow water runoff, reducing roduces ~ Every tillage the efficiency of about 60 operation you perform reduces fertilizer place- pounds of the remaining cover somewhat. ment by incor- HOW TO KEEP CROP RESIDUES residue per he porating strip til- a bushel, tilglagepra%Cticessh~~I~~~~W T while soybeans produce about lage or other "In- 1. Include a high residue producing crop. such as corn, in your rotation sequence. 50 pounds. In addition, the size, texture and weight of each indi- o for at least 30 percent residue cover dexing" techni- ques. The new 2. Reduce the number of tillage passes. vidual piece of com residue is greater, so more ground cover is TO ~:rO;~~ld OMI Row 5m%O 3. Plant rye or wheat as winter cover crops. Markers are provided. mg. Some 4. Set chisels and disks to work the soa shallower. compliance designed to be mounted on OMI ri 5. Drive slower during tillage operations. plans require as much as 40 to ;~u~t~:e 50 percent residues on the soil Nutri-Plac'r@ 6. Use straight shanks and sweeps on chisel plows ~ V\I"" operatio~s instead of twisted shanks. ~ aremeetmg surface. 3250 mounted ~ residue Use the accompanying measuring or 4250 pull-type 7. Convert to a minimum till or no till system. goals, use steps to determine the amount applicators with L ---' themeasur- of residue in your fields. After no alterations. awhile you'll know what a certain residue level looks like. For more information on residue Indexing is an envi~onmentally . OMI Row Markers are available in management, contact yow local sound practice of placmg the seed m a sizes to fit 30" spacings (8 row, single- Soil and Water Conservation precise relationship to banded dry fer- fold fits 20' 3250; 12 row, double-fold District, the Soil Conservation tilizer in pre-marked "strips" ~f soil, fits 32.5' 3250 and 4250), and 8 row Service or the Cooperative Extension Service. resulting in optimum absorptIon. of . 38" spacings (double-fold fits 27.5" nutrients. The OMI Row Marketmg aIds 3250). A special sequencing v~/ve auto- Choose a typical part of the field. The total number of marks directly over This information is provided by in this process by marking crop rows for matically alternates between fight and Select a 100 foot line with marks every 12 a piece of residue is the percent cover for the Alliance for a Clean Rural precise tracking and optimizing place- left hand rows. Hydraulic flow control the field. For example, if you counted 45 Environment. a non.profit. inches. Stretch the line diagonally across ment of the seed. Fertilizer performance sets raising and lowering speed inde- non-political organization the crop rows so each end of the line is marks, you have about 45 percent crop residue. encouraging environmental is increased in both crop yield and in pendently. Marker d!sc blade,is 14" in over a row. stewardship and protection of Walk the line and count each mark with Repeat the procedure at least three water quality. supported by lower fertilizer amounts lost to erosion diameter. For more mformatlon, con- crop residue directly under it. (Don't count times in different areas of the field and the makers of crop protection and run off, as compared to broadcast tact Bob Wiegand at DMI, Inc., phone chemicaJs. residue smaller than 1/8 inch in diameter.) average the findings. applications. (309) 965-2233. Michigan Farm News I September 30, 1993 Get the Maximum Crop by Properly Adj.usting Your Combine You've prepared your land. You've planted it. You've invested both money and labor in fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides. Now it's time to put all the grain in the tank. Of course, that's a tough goal to meet, or even approach, because your combine is such a complicated machine with so many parts that must work in concert to maximize your yield. First step in maximizing that yield ...in get- ting the most out of your fields is to study the reasons for the losses you do have and AREA make every possible adjustment to mini- C mize them. You really have to work at diagnosing the reasons for your losses because the spur-of- the-moment adjustments that many farmers should be checked in several areas and To reduce header losses, make sure the You can do this by fully opening the shoe make frequently lead them astray ...lead averaged to eliminate the effects of any header is adjusted properly as explained in and chaffer sieves for a test interval. If the them away from the correct adjustments. uneven feeding. the Operator's Manual. separator loss remains high, it's due to rotor losses. If it decreases, the loss is due to What are the sources Before making adjustments for separator improper cleaning system adjustments. Making the Proper Adjustments losses, be sure there are no grain leaks due (Note: Your sample will be poor during this of/asses? to missing bolts, open cleanout doors, or test interval because of excessive trash.) Once you have made the loss counts just other obvious causes. If separator loss is When you understand the flow of the crop described, you'll know what systems, if high, you'll want to determine whether the For adjustments to the rotor and cleaning through your combine and the function of any, need adjustments. loss is from the rotor or cleaning system. system, see your Operator's Manual. each major combine system, you'll be in an ideal position to determine where the losses are occurring and to take the necessary steps to minimize them. There are three major areas of loss: • Pre-harvest loss is the loss that has oc- curred before you harvest your -crop. This includes the seeds on the ground due to weather, insect damage, or other adversity. There's no way any combine can harvest that grain. • Header loss is caused by cutting too high, reel shatter, and other header misadjust- ments. • Separator loss from the rotor and clean- ing system is caused by improper adjust- ment or the lack of proper attachments. Determine the amount of loss at each source To determine how much grain you're losing from each source, take a full cut at your regular operating speed without using the straw spreaders. Select an area in the field that seems typical of the ent.ire field and is away from the edges and end of the field. Cut a swatch a little longer than the length of the combine and stop; back up a distance equal to its length so that you have a situation similar to that shown in the illustration. This will give you three "counting areas" as follows: • Area A has not been entered by the com- bine. • Area B has been combined but not passed over by the separator. • Area C is directly behind the separator. It has been combined and passed over by the separator, but it has not been backed into or had extra straw dropped into it. Caution: Be sure the combine is shut down and all moving components are completely stopped before starting evaluations. Your next step is to count the grains lost on the ground in each "counting area." Each You can leave your children more A future that includes college. a "counting area" should be equal to about 10 paid-off mortgage. and enough square feet. than just your good looks. money to keep the family together. The grains you find in Area A are pre-har- With a plan from Farm Bureau Life vest losses. The grains in Area Bare pre- Insurance Company of Michigan. You live on in your children ... harvest losses plus header losses. The and in the life insurance you leave grains in Area C are pre-harvest losses plus you can leave them the kind of future header losses plus separator losses. Ob- you want them to have. behind. Call your Farm Bureau viously, header losses equal Area B minus Insurance agent today. Area A. and separator losses equal Area C minus Area B. To convert the amount of loss you find at ~. FARM BIJREAIJ MAKING YOUR FUTURE any point to bushels, refer to the seed loss tables in your Operator's Manual. Losses ••• FAItMIUIlAU aMITUAl @ • FAItM "'U INSIJRANCE UFf • FAItM~ G9BAl • FI AIMIm MORE PREDICTABLE Michigan Farm News September 30, 1993 Ways to Increase Your Combine's Efficiency The following tips were provided by Harvest Your Crops with CASE-I.H. as suggestions that owners of the Environment in Mind Axial-Flow combines may want to con- sider. Here are some suggestions that have All a:ross the U.S. farmers are becoming helped many rotary combine operators in- more conscious of the ecological aspects of crease their efficiency: their operations. Many of them are following tillage practices that will conserve moisture • If congestion becomes a problem in green, and reduce wind and water erosion. weedy crop conditions, you may want to reduce the rotor-to-concave clearance Combining also has its ecological aspects. and/or increase the rotor r.p.m. to help the For one thing, you'll want to avoid overload- green material move through the rotor cage. ing your machine. In addiiton to adding extra You can do this with either the standard or stress to the combine, overloading can cause the specialty rotor. soil compaction. You may want to consider duals. And don't forget the damage grain • Some operators have improved the move- carts and trucks can do to soil strucutre. A ment of green material through a standard few extra trips may be preferrable to the soil rotor with minimum grain loss by installing compaction that can occur with the addition notched separator bars on the rotor over the of sideboards. separator grate area. Proper distribution of chaff and straw is the • When harvesting hard-to-thresh grains key to effective residue management, which with either rotor, you can help your com- directly affects the yield of your next crop. bine complete the threshing operation by For very severe hard-to-thresh conditions, In most cases, however, once you obtain a Adjust your spreader for even distribution retarding two or more of the directional I ~uch as a heat stressed crop, you can install I desired concave clearance, all you need to and avoid windrowing for better residue vans to the slow position over the concaves, mterrupter bars on the concaves. do to achieve ideal operation is to vary decomposition. beginning with the first two vanes. rotor speeds. Check List for Corn Headers Check List for Grain Headers 0 1. Level the corn head. 0 1. Level the header. 0 2. Check all divider points for free movement and height adjustment. 0 2. Inspect real drive chain (5/16" to 5/8" free movement). 0 3. Inspect gatherer chains for wear and adjustment. Gatherer chain 0 3. Check operation of reed speed sensor. (800 Series header.) flights should be aligned to mating chain, except in rocky field 0 4. Check reel lift adjustment. conditions. 0 5. Check fore and aft reel adjustment and freedom of movement. Set 0 4. Inspect gatherer chain idler sprockets for wear, damaged teeth, and for crop. bearing failure. 0 6. Check reel tine pitch on pick up reels. 0 5. Inspect gatherer chain tension control brackets for free movement. 0 7. Check knife guard alignment and knife hold down clip clearance. a. Disassemble and lubricate idler bracket rods with Never-Seez. b. 1/4" maximum clearance at spring sleeve to washer. 0 8. Check knife wear and adjustment of knife hold down clips. 0 6. Inspect gatherer drive sprocket shields. 0 9. Inspect knife wear plate and all sections. 0 7. Inspect main drive chain drive and sprockets. 0 10. Check knife registry. 0 8. Check stalk roll spacing. 0 11. Check knife drive belt for cracks or wear. a. Check for wear at stalk roll front support pin and bushings and 0 12. Check belt idler pulleys for alignment and wear. bearings. b. 3-3/4" between roll centers. 0 13. Check auger drive chain for wear or adjustment (3/16" to 3/8 n free movement). c. Free to turn without binding. o 9. Inspect stalk roll knives for condition and adjustment. 0 14. Auger-to-stripper clearance should be 1/4" all the way across the stripper. a. Should be knife edge to knife edge. b. Knife edge clearance 1/32" to 5/64 H. 0 15. Check short auger extension for proper setting to feeder width. See Operator's Manual. D 10. Inspect front and rear stalk roll weed knives for damage. a. 1/1611 maximum clearance. 0 16. Check auger-to-bottom clearance. On flex headers it should be 1/8 11 b. Add optional rear weed knives if conditions require. from bottom with the auger in its highest flex position. On rigid headers it should be 1/2 from bottom. 11 D 11. See that stalk roll stripper plates are adjusted uniformly. 1-1/4 at 11 front 1-3/8" at rear for normal crop conditions. 0 17. Check adjustment of auger fingers for crop being harvested. o 12. Check stalk roll slip clutches; adjust as needed. 0 18. Check auger slip clutch spring setting. a. Disassemble, clean off all dirt and trash, lubricate clutch 0 19. Slip the auger slip clutch before harvesting. jaw/hub to clutch holder face and pilot surfaces and reset to 0 20. Set counter balance spring. Adjust as required. (Flex headers only.) recommended spring height setting. b. Increase lubrication frequency to 50 hours. 0 22. Inspect header height control linkage adjustment. (Flex headers only.) D 13. Inspect stalk roll frames for cracks or other damage. D 22. Inspect header height control tube for free movement. (Flex headers D 14. Check auger-to-trough-bottom adjustment. 1" clearance auger- only.) flig ht-to-trough-bottom. D 23. For headers equipped with electro-hydraulic sensing check all 0 15. Check auger-to-stripper adjustment. 3/4 n clearance at upper electrical wires and connections for cracks and corrosion. center stripper, See Operator's Manual for proper adjustment for feeder opening .. 0 24. Select skid position depending on ground conditions. (820 headers only.) o 16. Check auger slip clutch; adjust as needed. (If equipped.) 0 25. Adjust floating dividers. (Flex headers only.) a. Loosen springs and rotate clutch plate to be sure it's free to slip. b. Reset spring length to 1/2" minimum. 0 26. Knife: apply light engine oil to the entire length. 0 17. Inspect auger drive chain and sprockets. 0 27. Lubricate all fittings with multi-purpose lithium base grease. 0 18. Check the oil level in all gear cases with the header in the down 0 28. Lubricate the pickup reel tubes. position. 0 29. Lubricate the header height control tube support at points with light 0 19. Inspect the lubrication lines to all stalk roll points. Check for any engine oil. Check all joints for freedom of movement. holes in the lubrication lines. 0 20. Lubricate all grease points. 0 21. Check for prop~r reflectors. 0 22. Make sure all safety and instruction decals are readable. 0 23. Be sure all shields are in place. i I Michigan Farm News . • September 30, 1993 - Michigan Farm News Classifieds - .illlil 11(.'~1itlli a,i~fI~illl.iI)ll. 2310 FOX CHOPPER: Two heads, 1000 R.P.M. Excellent condition. FREE CATALOG: Whole- sale Veterinary Supplies. Vaccines, wormers, supple- FOR SALE: 750-800# pre-conditionedl prime colored steers. 60 HEAD 490 ACRES: 5 bedroom country home. 2Vz baths, fireplace, several outbuild- "'.1. PRESSURE TREATED fence posts, hi-tensile fence """""";o""""':rse""""':~!""""':$""""~""""~"""""~ BLACK MULE MARES: 16 H.H. Well broke to ride and supplies. drive. Will also sell wagon Call 1-517-546-1686. ments, medications, insecti- Northland Farms Call ings. A real show placel Nevill Supply with hydraulic brakes and cides, disinfectants, syringes, 517-422-3763 (Farm) or Upper Michigan, near 517-386-3517 harness. Perkins, MI FOR SALE: GLEANER F 313-881-3172 (Info). Combine, 13' grain head, 4 needles, b'uckets, pails, Wolverine, $350,000. (F-759) 517-386-2382 1-906-359-4826. row narrow, 430 com head. mastitis treabnents, implants, PUREBRED Yorkshire and Faust Real Estate $4,800. Call 517-875-3736. pour ons, eartags, rainwear, Hampshire Boars and open 1-517-263-8666 gloves. Much morel K. V. Vet Gilts. Also F-1 York X Hamps, FOR SALE: Ulliston 6200 Supply, Box 245, David City, Back fat and Loineye. Jest Edible bean combine. Farmall 200 with 4-row bean NE 68632. 1-402-367-6047. data. Also:. days to 230 .......................................................... ,.,.1"'1'1"'1'1"'1 :~:~:~:;:~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:f~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:f wind-driven puller and Innes windrower and conveyor. Call pounds. 1-517-M9-8988. Marvin Cook, • :jlllllllll!II!IIIIII!ljlllll~lllllll!llllljl. PONDMASTER .................................. ... , ..... BUYERS OF STANDING I.atlll 1-517-726-1014. QUALITY ANGUS BREED- ING STOCK Performance timber and veneer logs. J.D. 450 DOZER $7000. J.D. Devereaux Sawmill, Inc. 2640 tractor and loader, tested, Bulls semen tested. $10,900. J.D. 544A loader, Free delivery. Also Border Pewamo, MI. Call 26TH ALFALFA MIXED HAY and Collie Stock Dogs. Call today. 1-517-593-2552. YEAR new tires, $14,900. Case W.14 loader, new motor, grass, 4x5 round bales. BORDNER ANGUS FARMS WANTED: Com, soy beans. $12,000. Georgia John Stored insidel Delivered semi ~turgis, MI_~1_6-651-8353. Top prices paid, fast! Don't Farms 313-629-9376. loads. Gene Wager, speculate, our expertise can 1-517-967-3361 days. MILKING SHORTHORN eliminate price risk through NEW AND USED irrigation 1-517-772-7031 evenings. Registered bull. Call sound marketing. Call Michi- and manure spreading equip- SCOTCH PINE Christmas 313-428-9247. gan Experts, The Smith ment. Pumps, travelers, trees. Freshly cut, painted, Brother., 1-800-878-2767. agitators, PVC and aluminum baled and loaded on your pipS. Call for listing. We REGISTERED HEREFORD deliver! Plummer Supply, Inc. 1-800-632-7731. vehicle for only $5 per tree. Contact Richard Bradley bull for sale. Good pedigree. Pedigree is Advance and }{{ ?~~~~i~i{{{,~i ~f:,~~~~~?t:I~?~~?~~~~?fl Tree Farm., 5360 South Grand Valley L1 Domino. Can Dickerson Road, Lake City, be rurchased for beef price. •:!:!I!!I!I!!!I!II!l!I!!!I!I!l!!!lllll!!illl!~!I!lll!l!1!ljl~!~!~J!!I!' MI49651. Cal 1-616-794-2525. Call 1-616-825-2895. 13,000 GALLON BULK • 11111111 REGISTERED POLLED storage tank for LP or amonia, Herfords. Breeding age bulls, WHEAT, STRAW: Square bales. Call 1-616-623-2261. heifers and bred heifers. MSU performance tested. Robert $7,500. 616-874-7319. ANGUS BREEDING stock ~ C-;:- Rye, 1-517-734-3005. and black calves at West USED POULmy equipment WlLUNG TO SELL: 1992 Michigan Association Regis- ICE-FREE AREAS Big Dutchman feeder, cages, High Moisture Com, stored in tered Angus Sale: Saturday, automatic waterers, 10 ton glass lined Havestore Silos. teed bin and 45X250 coop. Call 1-517-883-3714. ,--------------------------, Omega Farma, Williamston, MJ C811 517-468-3366. _lalfJIII .........PlR ::::::::;:::::::;:::::::;:::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::::;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::.::::::::; . October 2, 1pm. Allegan County Fairgrounds. Informa- tion call: 1-616-423-7546, 1-616-878-9313. FOR LIVESTOCK FISH & WATERFOWL FACTORY DIRECT - VISA/MC CHORE BOY MILKING ! Buy 2 Issues ! I WORK WANTED: Farm job wanted. Experience in Dairy, Beef and Crops. Also, have worked in Feed Mill. Call SYSTEMS Starline equip- ment. McBride, Produce, McBride, MI 48852, Phone or contact your nearest PONDMASTER COD dealer of \ r 1-616-896-8422 after 5:30 pm. days 517-762-5370. COMPUTER SOFT WARE by Harvest Computer SIBLEY IND., INC. ANDERSON, MO 64831 systems. Accounting pack- Michigan Farm News IIaIflrcl ages, field management packa~es, and more. For more Information call David Dankenbring 517-543-1588. Get the Third Issue BIRD SERVICES. 1100 N IrvinQ, Greenville. Fertilizer, chemI- cals, seed, lime, feed. Soil FERTILIZER CYUNDER HEADS: Block and transmission case repair. Cast iron repair specialists. Place your ad for 6 All work guaranteed. testing, truck spreading and months, get phone FREE! custom spraying. Call Kingman Engineering 703 616-754-3684. Curtis Street, Mason, MI 517-676-1417. number or name in red. ELIZABETH SUE'S FOR SALE: 6.9 DIESEL COUNTRY SHOP & FEED Vitaplus Feed, Triumph Feed, Engine, .030 over, fresh. Place your ad for 1 Deadline for next issue is October 8, 1993 517-467-2687 or antiques, country gifts, quilts. 517-467-6888. year, get phone number :mI Call 1-800-968-3129 to Place Your Classified Ad Today! = Monday-Saturday, 322 Walnut Street, Stanton, MI. Call 1-517-831-5024. 8-Spm. FOR SALE: Three barns full of 1993 hay of various grades. or name in red and also or use the coupon below and mail your classified ad 10 EXPERIENCED Michigan Clover and Timothy. Call 1-906-478-3421. Charles save $1.00 per ad. Michigan Farm News agribusiness attorneys with Wallis, Box 949, Route 2, Buy Line/Daily News farm backgrounds. Know- ledge and experience in all Rudyard, MI. Call PO. Box 6 farm areas; restructure, stray FREE GUIDE: Tensile Stanton, MI48888 voltage, bankruptcy, estate planning. EAST SIDE: Fence. Strong, economical! Also, portable lasting, 1-800-968-3129 Classified Ad Codes Thomas J. Budzynski, 43n7 electric fence. Phone order i. Farm Machinery 2. livestock Equipment 5. 6. Help/Position Wanted Agricultural Services 9. Real Eslale 10. Seeds Groesbeck Hwy., Mt. supplies, 1-800-KENCaVE. 1-412-459-8991. for details 11. Wanted to Buy Clemens, MI 48036, I 3. Farm Commodilies 7. Auctions 313-463-5253; WEST SIDE: r 4. lives lock B. Building Malerials 12. General HA VESTORE SILOS: two 13. Ponics/Horses Robert A. Stariha, 40 W. newer, 2Ox60, A.a. Smith I Sheridan, Fremont, MI Havestores with 1 Goliath : Name Phone ( 49412, 616-924-3760. unloader, good oonditon, best I Address I City 1 I I Classified Ad Code Requested Desired Insertion Date(s): State __ Zip -----1 Number ollssues i 1 1 RECYCLED DIESEL air filters. Recycle Now, Inc. a Holland, Michigan based company, committed to racyl- ing diesel and industrial air offer or will trade. Call 616-834-5896. INTRODUCTORY OFFER: $6O/per ton animal bedding Why Pay More? made from ree,ycled news- 1 I infake filters using the Sonic paper, chopped not shred- 1 Method of Payment I Dry Clean method. No liquids ded. More absorbent-less I CheCk $ (payable to Michigan Farm News Classilled) 1 or detergents used. HaJf the flies-less odor. Clean Future : Visa Card Number Exp. Date __ : cost of a new filter! Better than 517-876-6051 Turner MI. Les a new filter! For more informa- Keely, 517-654-2208 Master Card Number Exp. Date 1 tion, call 1-616-396-7724 or Classified Rates I fax 1-616-396-8102. 517-873-6089. UVESTOCK Photography: Cut Your Prescription Costs $8 for up to 24 words Experienced professional Enjoy substantial savings on over 5,000 of the most 30 cents each additional word bovine photographer will Write your ad here, including phone number and area code 6 3 •• MODERN 340 ACRE Dairy 111 provide quality photographs at your show and at your location. Proofs overnight! Picture mailed 7 days. Bill popular name brand prescriptions, non-prescriptions, vitamins, and medical supplies. Plus, save even more when you order generic equivalents! Farm. Central Michigan Day, P.O. Box 3826, Center- Heartland/Feld Drug has been serving Rural 10 11 12 between Aint and lanSIng. line, MI 48015. Call 140 oow capacity, double 6 1-313-759-2099. Fax Americans for over 30 years. 13 14 15 16 Herringbone milking parfor, 1-313-754-8171. 17 18 19 20 25x80 and two 2Ox3O Harve- STRA W CHOPPERS: We To get your FREE Discount Phannacy Catalog store silos, 2Ox70 cement rebuild and balance. Some 23 24 silo. Good ground, lots of tile 1-800- 228-3353 21 22 exchanges. We stock chop- drain, 4-bedroom home, 5 per parts. ENGINE Call Toll-Free 25 26 27 28 tractors and all farm machin- REBUILDING our specialty. f 29 30 31 32 , ery for only, $445,000. Auto-Truck -Trector-Antique- LaValley Realty, Inc. Con ti nental- Ko hIer-0 nan- I I~ ~ ~ ~ 1 1 1-517-723-6107 Wisoonsin engine dealer. ~H EAR T LAN DFEl!i£ORUG ~ PRESCRIPTION SERVICE & MEDICAL SUPPliES Ask for Clyde LeValley, L =~~-------------~, 1-517-725-6366. Hart'. Auto Parts Cecil, Ohio 5023 Grover SlIeel' Omaha, Ne 68J06 Circulation over 46,000 in State of Michigan. 419-399-4m HEARTtANOI1=ELO IS A MEMBER BENEFIT PROVIDER FOR FARM BUREAU MEMBERS Michigan Farm News 1993 County Annual Meetings Quickly Winding Down -. September 30, 1993 CASS: Oct. 4, 6:30 p.m. LIVINGSTON: Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. Don't miss an opportunity to have input on Woodshire Building, Fowlerville S.W. MI Univ., Matthews Lib., Dowagiac policy issues critical to your farm operation such as NAFf A. Make sure you attend your CHARLEVOIX: Oct. 2, 7 p.m. MAC-LUCE: Oct. 8, 7 p.m. OCEANA: Oct. 11, 7 p.m. county Farm Bureau's annual meeting to Whiting Park, Boyne City Blaney Inn, Blaney Park Hart Methodist Church, Hart discusss and vote on major policy recom- CHEBOYGAN: Oct. 5, 8 p.m. MACOMB: Oct. 21, 7 p.m. OGEMAW: Oct. 28, 7 p.m. mendations that will be forwarded to the VFW Hall, Cheboygan St. Mary Mystical Church, Armada County Fair Grounds - West Branch MFB Policy Development Committee in preparation for state annual debate and dis- CHIPPEWA: Oct. 28, 8 p.m. MECOSTA: Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. OSCEOLA: Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. cussion. Lions Club, Kincheloe Mecosta Senior Center, Mecosta Reed City High School, Reed City ALPENA: Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m. CLINTON: Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m. MENOMINEE: Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. OTSEGO: Oct. 26, 6:45 p.m. Long Rapids Hall, Alpena St. Johns High School, St. Johns CST, Belgium Town Hall, Stevenson Twp. Hall, Johannesburg ANTRIM: Oct. 13, 7 p.m. COPPER COUNTRY: Oct. 23, 7 p.m. MISSAUKEE: Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. OTTAWA: Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. Central Lake High School, Central Lake American Legion Hall, L'Anse Falmouth Elementary School, Falmouth Christian School Gymnasium, Allendale ARENAC: Oct. 4, 7 p.m. EATON: Oct. 2, 7 p.m. MONTCALM: Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m. PRESQUE ISLE: Oct. 17, 7 p.m. Orner Community Building, Orner American Legion Hall, Charlotte Lourdes Parrish Hall, Stanton Moltke Township Hall, Rogers City BENZIE: Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m. EMMET: Oct. 7, 7:30 p.m. MONTMORENCY: Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m. ST. JOSEPH: Oct. 23, 6 p.m. Link Family Restaurant, Honor VFW Post, Harbor Springs Hillman High School, Hillman Young Auditorium, Sturgis BERRIEN: Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. HIAWATHALAND: Oct. 25, 7 p.m. MUSKEGON: Oct. 5, 7 p.m. VAN BUREN: Oct. 22, 6 p.m. Business Meeting - Youth Memorial Terrace Bay Inn, Escanaba Econo-Lodge - Bus. 31, Muskegon FOP Lodge, Lawrence Bldg NEWAYGO: Oct. 14,7:30 p.m. Berrien Springs IOSCO: Oct. 13, 7 p.m. WASHTENAW: Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. Masonic Temple, Tawas City Newaygo Senior Center, White Cloud Farm Council Grounds, Saline Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. Awards/Recognition Night- IRON RANGE: Oct. 22, 6:30 p.m. CST, NW MICHIGAN: Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m. WAYNE: Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m. Youth Memorial Bldg, Berrien Springs United Sportsmans Club, Merriman Twin Lakes 4-H Camp, Traverse City Eagles Lodge, Belleville CALHOUN: Oct. 5, 7 p.m. LAPEER: Oct. 7, 6:30 p.m. OAKLAND: Oct. 14, 6:30 p.m. WEXFORD: Oct. 12, 7:30p.m. Belcher Auction Facility, Marshall County Center Building, Lapeer United Methodist Church, Clarkston United Methodist Church,Cadillac ~RRlED FACES OF OUR INSUREDS. Worry? Not them. And why should you when you can protect your life savings with a Long Term Care Plan from AMEX Life Assurance Company? Regrettably, two in five older adults will require nursing home care.1 With costs averaging about $30,000 per year2 it's easy to see just how devastating this can be. But it doesn't have to be this way. "This bodes;'well for future growth in rural areas, since local' economies are With AMEX Life you can plan on peace of mind. AMEX Life, an . closely tied to creciit available to farmers American Express company, has over 16 years experience in long-term and ranchers," said James Chessen, the banking org~nization' s chief economist. care insurance and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.3 "It also marks the seventh year of recovery from the recession that nearly Don't be worried by the costs of long-term care. Call or write today for crippled the industry inthe early 1980s." more information from your local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent on the The banks were able to take advantage options available to you. of more financially sound customers, Representing: lower loan losses, more favorable inter- est rates and stricter lending standards, the report said. AMEX Life Assurance Company II @ The fann economy did well in 1992. Net a subsidiary of TRAVEL RElATED farm income, at $60 billion, rose 3.5 @ SEIMCES percent from the previous year and was near the record of 60.3 billion reported I. Consumer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance, HIAA 1989 in 1990. 2. U.S. News & World Report, Aug. 13, 1990 3. Independent analysts of the insurance industry who base their analysis on financial strength and Farmers and farm businesses lowered operating performance. their debt burdens. "In fact, farmers con- centrated on paying down their debt and TO RECENE ADDI110NAL INFORMATIONAND AN AIIEX BROCHURE/APPUCATION - FIlL OUT THE COUPON BELOW took less debt in 1992 by financing a OR CALL DIRECT 1"'~-2S80. EXT•• 3231. greater portion of production out of cur- rent income," the report said. Please Print .... ItI.CH.GAN As a result, the pace of lending slowed .... FARItI BIJREAIJ Name in 1992, increasing only 4.1 percent, compared with an 8.6 percent rate of Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Address increase in 1991. Still, "Demand for Membership Services P.O. Box 30960 Ci State ZIP credit by high-quality borrowers w~ stronger in the agricultural sector th~n 10 Lansing, MI 48909 other business sectors," Chessen Said. P Coun MFN Michigan Farm News September 30,1993 1m MMPA Selects Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators the dairy industry. The contest has been held annually over the past 43 years. Photo: Courtesy of MMPA Jon and Lynette Miller, of Elsie, in Clinton County, were recently selected as the state winning 1993 Outstanding Young Dairy "The OYDC program identifies outstand- Cooperators (OYDC). They represented ing young leaders in our organization and Michigan Milk Producers Association's provides the opportunity for them to gain (MMPA) District 6 and the Mid-Michigan a greater understanding of milk marketing Local in the annual OYDC conference held activities and MMPA," says Elwood Aug. 18-20. The Millers were selected ear- Kirkpatrick, MMP A president. lier in the year by fellow dairy farmers in their district to participate in the program. The Millers milk 85 cows and farm 345 acres in the Elsie area. They recently pur- As the state winning cooperators, the chased the operation from Lynette's Millers will represent MMPA at various parents, after having been in a family industry and Association activities. Mike partnership for 14 years. The dairy facility and Kathleen LaPoe, from Clare, were was also recently remodeled with the addi- selected as the runner-up cooperators. They tion of a new double four milking parlor, represented MMPA's District 10 and the and additional freestalls. Clare Local in the contest. All 11 of MMP A's district Outstanding Selection of the OYDC is based on the Young Dairy Cooperators will be officially applicant's farming operations, farm-re- recognized at the 1994 annual state lated and community activities and delegate meeting to be held next March. demonstrated leadership abilities. , The Millers represented MMP A's District The State OYDC Conference, held at 6 which covers Ionia, Clinton and MMPA headquarters in Novi, is designed Shiawassee counties. MMPA is a milk Above (I-r) the Miller family in- to provide information about milk market- marketing cooperative owned and control- cludes Robin, Josh, Jon, Michelle, 1993 MMPA District ing activities, cooperatives, milk testing led by approximately 3,600 dairy farmers. and Lynette. procedures and other current events within Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperators District 1 Ann Arbor Local Bruce & Jennie Breuninger. ........Dexter District 2 Battle Creek-Homer Local James Luoma & Lori Laing .. East Leroy District 4 Webberville Local Michael & Rosemary Benjamin ..... Perry District 5 Alma Local Neil and Darlene Strong Remus District 6 Mid-Michigan Local Jon and Lynette Miller. Elsie District 7 Tri-County Local Kevin & Debbie Daley Lum District 8 Deckerville Local David & Carolyn Arndt Harbor Beach District 9 Pigeon Local Kurt & Patricia Anderson Pigeon District 10 Clare Local Michael & Kathleen LaPoe Clare District 11 Muskegon Local William & Terri Stankenas ....... Freesoil District 12...... West. U.P. Hauling Local Barry & Michele Bahrman ........ Skandia August Farm Prices Slightly Higher The Index of Prices Received by farmers in Michigan for all products as of Aug. 15, was 128 percent of its 1977 base, according to Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service, one percent higher than last month's level While you're busy farming, In the halls of Congress and in of 127 and four percent above 1992' s index Farm Bureau is on the job in the Michigan Legislature, Farm of 123. Lansing and Washington, D.C. Bureau is respected as the voice The price index for all crops in Michigan protecting your' interests. of agriculture. It's a grass roots rose 2 percent from July. Corn, wheat and OUf experienced and highly organization with responsible hay prices were all higher, rising one, two respected team of lobbyists are legislative clout, powered by and nine percent respectively. Oats and there working for you. its members and guided by its potato prices partially offset the all crops farmer-developed policies. increase by dropping 4 percent from July. With the thousands of bills With over seven decades of introduced on the state and experience in the legislative and The livestock and products index remained federal level, Farm Bureau regulatory arenas, you can count unchanged from last month. Increases in lobbyists work full-time on Farm Bureau to get results! eggs and hogs completely offset price aggressively supporting decreases in calves, cows, milk and cattle. Hogs increased two percent while calves legislation that benefits farm Farm Bureau member benefits and slaughter cows both fell three percent. families while seeking to defeat include: measures detrimental to • Educational and leadership Nationally, the All Farm Products Index of agriculture. opportunities Prices Received in August was 142 percent • Health care insurance of its 1977 base, up 1.4 percent from July Farm Bureau - always there and proven effective ... • Travel program 1993. Price gains from July for oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and apples more than • Discount prescription drugs offset price declines for potatoes, lettuce, • No fee VISA card soybeans, and milk . • Farm, auto and life insurance The Index of Prices Paid by farmers for commodities and services, interest, taxes, What concerns you and farm wage rates for July was 197 per- concerns us. cent of its 1977 average. The index was unchanged from April but 2.6 percent above July 1992. Since last surveyed in For your nearest Farm Bureau April, price decreases for feeder pigs, build- office call 1(800) 292-2680 ing materials, and diesel fuel were offset by extension 3237 price increases for used vehicles and feeds.