~ Michigan Farm News March 30, 1994 In This Issue 111=1 Minor Crop Pesticides and Health Care Focus of Vol. 71, No.6 BruceliosisTesting Legislation t-1' Changes in vaccination require- Washington Trip .'~l\ ments ease livestock transporta- Over 100 Michigan farmers were in Wash- ,. tion in Michigan page 3 ington, D.C., March 15-18 as part of Michigan Farm Bureau's 34th annual Washington Legis- Spring Weather Outlook? lative Seminar, sharing their views with Michi- Expect wet and cooler than nor- gan's congressional delegation on preservation mal temperatures over the next of minor crop pesticides and health care reform. Congressmen from both sides of the political ~ 30 days page 4 aisle shared their concerns about reform of the MMPA's ShurBlend Gets nation's health care system, including Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin. the Green Light "One of the most important things we have Legislation signed by Gov. Engler to do is change the system where self-employed opens the door for dry ice cream people are not allowed to deduct health care sales in Michigan page 5 premiums as business expenses," said Levin. "Under the president's plan, self-employed peo- Markets? ple would be able to deduct 100 percent. For <~ Know your costs and be ready to most of you, that would be a tremendous plus." peg pnces on this spring's prob- But Republican Congressmen expressed able roller coaster ride page 6 doubt about the future of the president's health care reform proposal. "I think the idea of health Ethanol - What's at Stake? care alliances and a government takeover (of the MSU's Dr. Jake Ferris takes a health care system) has not received the support the President had hoped for in committee," said look at the impact of ethanol's in- Rep. Dave Camp. clusion in RFG page 7 Continued on page 15, see Michigan farmers told legislators that the loss of crop protection chemicals for so-called ~ Don't be a Victim - Remember Washington, D.C.,Trip "minor crops" is one of the most serious problems facing Michigan agriculture today. Manure Pit Safety Tips Take time for safety when it comes to working in and around Proposal-A Approval Good News .for Michigan Ag manure pits page 8 tion agreement that was reached prior to the vote, gross annual income of $200 per acre in 3 of the is followed through on by our legislators." last 5 years; Operation Green Stripe Heads MFB Continues Efforts to see Laurie is referring to an agreement Michigan • A farm designated as a specialty farm must Into Second Year Revised Farmland Definition Farm Bureau sought to assure that all farmland, have produced total agricultural income of This innovative program helps Enacted Legislatively including rented ground, would be treated equi- $2,000 or more in 3 of the last 5 years. FFA students and farmers estab- tabl y. That agreement was a key factor in making In meeting this criteria farmland will qualify lish filter strips page 9 After years of discussion, trial balloons and Proposal-A beneficial and acceptable to agricul- for the lowest millage rate irrespective of failures, Michigan farmers will finally begin to tural property owners. whether the land is leased, rented, nonadjacent MMPA - Managing Change receive a measure of property tax relief, thanks Under the agreement between Gov. Engler or noncontiguous. This agreement was a real GATT, NAFT A, and a shrinking to an overwhelming approval of the Proposal-A and the legislative leadership, legislation will be victory for farmers and will allow Michigan ballot question by Michigan voters on March 15. passed that would allow farmland to be eligible agriculture to remain competitive in the future. federal budget are just a few is- Under the new plan, property taxes used for for the 6 mill school operating millage rate - the According to MFB Legislative Counsel Ron sues addressed at the recent an- K-12 education will be reduced with the lost same as homesteads. This agreement provides Nelson, the legislation necessary to see the farm- nual meeting of MMPA ..... page 10 revenue replaced by a more balanced blend of that agriculture property must meet one of the land definition agreement implemented, has taxes, including an increase in the sales and following tests to receive the six mill rate: been introduced in both houses as H.B. 5329 and Bigger and Better Things cigarette taxes, and a new real estate transfer tax. • If the farm exceeds 40 acres, the land must S.B. 1027. "The Legislature continues to discuss Michigan Livestock Exchange de- "This offers an exciting opportunity to con- be "devoted primarily to agricultural use" (ad- the farmland definition to permit all farmland to tails recent expansion efforts dur- tinue developing our state's agricultural indus- ministratively defined as at least 51 percent of be treated alike and at the same 6-mill rate as ing annual meeting page 11 try and general economy, opening the door for the land must be in active cultivation or fenced homesteads," he said. "MFB members should new jobs and new business," said MFB Presi- pasture) in 3 of the last 5 years; continue to contact their respective legislators ..~ Premium Standard Foods - The dent Jack Laurie. "We need to continue our • A farm of 5 to 40 acres must be devoted and encourage their support of these two key Future of the Hog Industry? efforts, however, to see that the farmland de fin i- primarily to agricultural use and has produced a pieces of legislation." CEO John Stadler excited about hog industry's future ......... page 12 1993 Distinguished Young Farmer State Award Winner Receives Use of National Dairy Board/UDIA An- CASE International Award-Winning MAXXUM Tractor nounce Joint Venture ..... page 16 A Case International 5200 Series of MAXXUM tractors is a grand prize for MFB's 1993 Distinguished Young Farmer award winner Jeff Horning, a Washtenaw County dairy farmer. He will receive 80 hours free use of this 5200 series tractor on his farm in ", 1994, through his local sponsoring dealer " K& W, Equipment of Manchester. Case International 5200 Series MAXXUM tractors have been named among the Agricultural Engineering 50 as one of 1993's most outstanding innovations, ac- cording to Mark Bonson, Case International area sales manager for Northem Michigan. "We're pleased about the recognition given to the MAXXUM line, but I can't say we're surprised," Bonson said. "Customers who have looked at or purchased 5200 Se- ries machines tell us they are impressed by their innovative features and outstanding performance. That type of positive customer response has already made the MAXXUM tractors winners in our book. " Continued on page 9, see CASE-International Winner Michigan Farm News Classifieds - Page 14 Michigan Farm News :. In Brief ... USDA Declares Gypsy Moth Emergency •• March 30, 1994 The United States Department of Agriculture has declared an Asian gypsy moth emergency Sell Some '94 Grain Early, Expert Advises in North Carolina, making $7.4 million available to eradicate the pest, which defoliates trees and could threaten the timber industry. The combination of market forces and reduced u.s. supplies of grain may make u.s. farmers want to consider pricing a portion of their expected 1994 grain crops now, suggests Officials say the Asian moth is more of a problem than its European cousin, which has Bill Tierney, Kansas State University grain marketing analyst. already devastated forests in the Northeast and in portions of Michigan. The Asian gypsy moth attacks conifers, while the European variety eats only deciduous trees. It also flies With Russia not buying and with China, South Africa and South America selling, any new farther and could spread more quickly. demand for U.S. com is bound to be limited, says Tierney. He said one more spring rally may come from a surge of export demand for cash corn, but after that the shipment pace USDA said its eradication efforts in North Carolina will begin in the spring when moth may drop sharply. eggs hatch and turn into leaf-eating caterpillars. A USDA spokesman said a naturally occurring bacterium harmful only to caterpillars, not animals or humans, will be sprayed He suggests farmers may want to consider selling 25 percent of their expected 1994 over a 124,000 acre area near Wilmington, N.C. production on price upturns this spring. He said the government farm program provisions and current com prices provide the setting for a considerable upward surge in production. Russia Reports Improved Grain Supply Unless the summer brings significant yield reduction, consumption won't rise enough to offset additional supplies, according to Tierney. Season average com prices could drop by Russian President Boris Yeltsin says the country will not have to import any grain or cotton as much as 50 cents below the average 1993-94. this year, according to the Itar- Tass news agency in a recent report. Farmers Warned of Lawsuit Scam Yeltsin said, "For the first time in three or four decades, Russia will not import grain this year, nor will it import linen and wool." He said three years ago, the country feared famine, A federal prosecutor and Iowa's attorney general warn that a group accused of defrauding but now it has enough grain to last until the new harvest is available. farmers is still holding public meetings and trying to collect money under false pretenses. The officials warned farmers not to give money to organizers of the group, "We the People," USDA Reorganization Passes Senate Ag Committee which is under a court order not to collect money from farmers to share in a purported multimillion-dollar settlement of a class-action lawsuit. The legislation to reorganize the Department of Agriculture, largely along the lines suggested by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy, flew through the Senate Agriculture The group has asked farmers to pay a $300 "filing fee" to get their fair share of a suit that Committee recently. The next action on the plan, which would cut USDA staff and trim claims the federal farm lending system has been illegal for decades. "There's no suit, and the total number of agencies from 43 to 28 (Senate version) or 29 (House version), will be there's certainly no such settlement," said Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell. She when the issue comes to the full House Agriculture Committee for markup in late March held a joint news conference with Stephen J. Rapp, the U.S. attorney for Northern Iowa, or earl y April. and warned farmers about the group. Grocery Prices Remain Stable Campbell said meetings still are being held by the group, which is not illegal. However, it is another matter to collect money from people under false claims. "That's consumer fraud," American consumers are paying very little more for groceries in the first quarter of 1994 Campbell said. She said the solicitation of filing fees in this case has been declared illegal than they did in the fourth quarter last year or in the corresponding period a year earlier, and advised anyone asked for money to contact either their county attorney or the state according to a food price survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation.The attorney general's office. market basket price of $30.11 in the most recent survey compared to $29.91 in the previous quarter and $29.20 in the first quarter of 1993. "Key to Profit" Cattle Sale Repeats at Escanaba, Mich. In the survey, updated in late February, of 16 popular market basket items that Farm Bureau ,. The Upper Peninsula Hereford Breeders Association (U.P. HBA) has scheduled its fourth has monitored on a quarterly basis for the past five years, aggregate prices have stayed' "Key to Profit" sale for April 30 at the U.P. Beef Expo in Escanaba, Mich. "Along with the within a narrow range from $28.50 to $31.44 for the entire period. Polled Hereford and Hereford cattle, we have Simmental, Limousin and Angus consigned," said sale chairman and U.P. HBA President Merlin Atkins, Sault Ste. Marie. "We have 24 Slightly higher in price, on the average, this quarter compared to last were pork chops, bulls and 22 females, bred and open, catalogued for the sale, which begins at 1 p.m. (EST) bacon, eggs, milk, potatoes, cereal, shortening and mayonnaise. Items that went down in at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. price this quarter included ground chuck, sirloin tip roast, chicken, apples, flour and white bread. "Our Expo sales have continued to fill the demand for top quality breeding stock. By going in with several breeds, we are able to offer cattlemen top genetics without them having to A total of 24 states were involved in the most recent survey with 72 individual locations travel great distances." checked. Prices, of course, vary between locations, but these quotations are based on the overall averages. The sale was organized by the U.P. HBA with a commitment to providing profitable breeding stock to the area's cattlemen. All bulls will undergo a breeding soundness exam Red Meat Production Fell Slightly in '93 so purchasers can buy with confidence. For more details about the sale, contact Merlin Atkins at 6330 Nicolet Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, phone (906) 632-7046 or U.P. Total red meat production in 1993 was 40.8 billion pounds, 1 percent less than the 1992 HBA Secretary Glen Hanson, Jr., Rt. 1, Box 94A, Stephenson, MI 49887, phone (906) output, according to the USDA. Production for the year was down in all species, beef down. 753.4311. only slightly at 23 billion pounds; veal was down 8 percent at 286 million pounds; 'pork production of 17.1 billion pounds was off 1 percent from last year; and lamb and mutton Michigan February Farm Prices Down Slightly was down 3 percent at 337 million pounds. The Index of Prices Received by farmers in Michigan for all products as of Feb. 15 was Slaughter statistics for the year revealed fewer animals but at slightly higher weights per 133 percent of its 1977 base, according to the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service. The animal in all species except beef. Commercial cattle slaughter numbers went up 1 percent, February index was down 1 percent from January's index but 7 percent above last year's but the average live weight went down 8 percent, according to the USDA's annual livestock index of 124. slaughter report. The price index for all crops in Michigan dropped 2 percent from last month with hay prices Clean Water Mischief in the Works declining 13 percent. Wheat, soybeans, and dry bean prices all dropped 2 percent from last month while potato and com prices increased 7 and 1 percent, respectively. Apple prices Clean Water Act reauthorization legislation introduced by Reps. Norman Mineta (D-Cal.) decreased 2 percent while onion prices increased 8 percent. Oat prices remained unchanged and Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) would pose serious problems for agriculture, says Mark from a month ago. Maslyn, director of governmental relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation. Under this proposal, the scope of the Act would be expanded to cover groundwater, which The livestock and products index was down 1 percent from January. Milk and calf prices is traditionally governed by other statutes. Mandatory controls and management measures both decreased with 4 and 3 percent drops, respectively, from last month. Hog prices were to protect surface water would also be given the role of protecting groundwater as well. up 10 percent from last month. Slaughter cows, beef cattle and steers/heifers prices all increased 1 percent from a month ago. Other flaws in the proposal include: its requirement that all states develop and implement an anti-degradation policy within two years; citizen monitoring and collection of water Nationally, the February All Farm Products Index of Prices Received was 147 percent of quality information is encouraged and funded by federal grants to groups; and citizens its January-December 1977 base, unchanged from January. Price gains from January for would be allowed to petition EPA to limit or prohibit discharges from point sources, which hogs, lettuce, cotton, and strawberries offset price declines for tomatoes, cattle, milk, and under current law, include livestock and animal feeding operations. Citizen suits against sweet corn. suspected wetlands violations would be allowed with severe penalties provided, including fines, which would be increased from $25,000 to $100,000 per day. Michigan Beef Expo Celebrates 5th Anniversary The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (ISSN:0743-9962) is published semi-monthly except in the months of November, The 5th annual Michigan Beef Expo will be held April 8-10 at the Ingham County December, June, and July when only one issue is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm Fairgrounds in Mason, with over 99 consignors offering a unique blend of functional sound Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, M148917. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual breeding cattle that should fit a commercial or a purebred cattle operation. duos 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 Two hundred thirty-one cattle have been consigned to the 1994 MBE representing Angus, additional mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Michigan Beefalo, Charolais, Chi, Limousin, Polled Hereford, Shorthorn and Simmental breeds. Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909-8460. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Michigan Three additional breeds will be exhibiting cattle in Exhibition Cattle Alley: Gelbvieh, Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909-8460. Maine-Anjou and Piedmontese. Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Editor and Business Manager. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Lawson; Donna Wilber; Henry Huisjen. Again, the Michigan Beef Expo Trade Show will be full of useful indoor and outdoor Officers: President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Tom Guthrie, Delton; Administrative Director, Chuck exhibits for the needs of any aspect of the cattle industry and exhibition cattle will be on Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. Directors: District 1, display again this year in the Coliseum building. The junior steers and heifers on Sunday Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Douglas Darling, Maybee; District 4, Tom 'viII spotlight some of Michigan's brightest prospect show steers and heifers. Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7, Larry Snider, Hart; District 8, Richard Leach, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West Consider participating in the numerous youth and adult educational programs offered this Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Climax; Judy Emmons, Sheridan. Promotion and Education, Paul Swartzendruber, Pigeon; Young year. For further information on the Michigan Beef Expo or to request the eight breed Farmers, Andy Hagenow, Rockford. sale catalog, call the MeA Information Line at (517) 669-8589. ,,;-, Michigan Farm News ITOL r:. March 30, 1994 o o II Z m II Passage of Proposal-A With the overwhelming majority ofthe peo- as they would otherwise have. Primarily ple voting in favor of Proposal-A, interested those are school districts spending over parties now focus on the changes which $6,500 per student. The Department of may take place as a result of the vote. Treasury is required to determine the num- ber of mills that each of those districts may The following is a quick summary of Pro- levy. posal-A. School Operating Millage School districts whose current local mil- 6 for most homesteads and farmland lage authorization has expired or is insuffi- ..More sponsors for this Farm Bureau sup- Sales Tax cient to maintain current spending levels, ported legislation are needed in the House From 4% to 6% must seek voter approval to impose those to enSUre. approval, said Libby Whitley, Income Tax local property taxes. Districts with existing labor specialist for the American Farm Bu- Reduced from 4.6% to 4.4% millage authorization may continue to levy ~eau Federation. Cap Assessment Increases the needed mills without a vote of the peo- 5% or rate of inflation ple until the millage expires. (whichever is less) Single Business Tax Local school districts will still have to have veto any health care bill that does not in- No change school millage elections for school operat- clude an employer mandate. State Cigarette Tax ing when the current operating millage ex- Increases by 50 cents per pack pires, bringing that district below the al- Real Estate Transfer Tax lowed 18 mills. If the school district does (2%) 01/01/95 - 03/31/95 not pass a continuation millage on non- (.75%) 04/01/95 and after homesteads, then the school district will Personal State Income Tax Exemption not receive a portion of their per pupil grant $2,100 (no change) from the state. The amount of per pupil Interstate Telephone Sales Tax grant reduction will be based on the local 6% (1-800 numbers exempt) levied 18 mills school operating approved Per Pupil Spending Guarantees by the voters. Will not go below 1994-95 revenues With the adoption of Proposal-A, Michigan Legislative efforts continue to implement a taxpayers face a substantially reduced bur- revised farmland definition to treat farm- den for funding schools in most school land alike and at the same millage rate as districts. homesteads. Both House and Senate mem- bers are working on defining language simi- With the revision in law and the clarifica- lar to P.A. 116, the Farmland and Open tion that all farmland will be treated the Space Preservation Act, to provide a meas- same as homesteads, farmers will benefit ure of uniformity and equity for farmland. from a substantial reduction in their prop- erty tax and be more competitive from the Some school districts may be faced with standpoint of the cost of property tax per millage elections to assure they have the acre with other surrounding states. same amount of funding under Proposal-A Farmland Definition MFB POSITION H.B. 5329, sponsored by Reps. Dan Gustafson (R-Haslett) MFB sought and supports and Kirk Profit (D- Ypsilanti) and S.B. 1027, sponsored by both bills. Sen. Joel Gougeon (R-Bay City) have been introduced. H.B. 5319 has been considered twice in the House Taxa- ACTION NEEDED tion Committee. S.B. 1027 is tentatively scheduled for con- Continue to contact re- sideration in the Senate in late March, after having been re- spective legislators - rep- ported from the Senate Agriculture Committee resentatives and senators - and encourage the bills be Although both bills have been revised several times with moved as quickly as pos- further revision expected~ the intent of both bills is that all sible. farmland will be treated aliKe and levied the same millage rate as homesteads. Revisions and amendments continue MFBCONTACT to be discussed which would further clarify agriculture's Ron Nelson, Ext. 2043 millage rate. In addition to continued Ways and Means subcommittee markup, the Senate Finance Brucellosis Testing Legislation to Ease Cattle Transport Committee will hold the first of two hear- ings on the issues of health insurance pre- Changes in vaccination requirements will "Michigan was the only state in the nation miums and government-subsidized insur- make it easier to transport livestock in with bluetongue testing regulations. Public ance, according to the Monitor. Michigan under legislation recently signed Act 41 will also ease the burden of moving by Gov. Engler. cattle within the,state." Policy Goals Taking Sha~e for 1995 Farm Bill State Rep. Carl Gnbdtke, R-Sawyer, said Public Act 41 acknowledges the inclusion As various groups begin to shape their pol- use as conditions of eligibility for reduced costs to the state and animal industry will of several nontraditional breeds to the live- ,. icy goals for the 1995 farm program legis- federal farm program payments. be reduced by easing stringent brucellosis stock industry, including deer, elk, alpacas, lation, environmental and conservation and bluetongue testing regulations. Ac- ostriches, kiwis, emus, fish, mollusks and groups may be lining up against traditional Ms. Smith told SCI's 1994 Food and Agri- cording to the Michigan Department of Ag- reptiles. agriculture interests, according to speakers culture Policy Conference that so-called riculture, Michigan has been brucellosis- at the Sparks Company, Inc.'s (SCI) annual "green payments" are a way to achieve free since 1982. It also permits cattle from brucellosis-free policy conference. environmental goals and still spend less states to be imported directly. Tuberculosis federal money. Abolishing mandatory brucellosis vacci- and brucellosis tests for deer, elk, moose Tight federal budgets favor the" green" lob- nating saves the Agriculture Department an and other captive cervidae, however, would The conference also heard from Howard estimated $105,000 per' year and reduces still be required. ~ bies and their goal of forcing farmer com- (Chip) Conley, House Agriculture Com- costs of moving cattle within the state by • pliance with environmental practices was mittee economist and budget analyst, who $120,000. In addition, any animal posing a health the message delivered by Katherine Reichelderfer Smith, policy studies pro- said budget and appropriations committees threat to other livestock or people could not will be just as involved as agriculture com- The elimination of mandatory brucellosis be imported. gram director of the Henry A. Wallace In- mittees in development of new farm legis- vaccination should have no impact on the stitute for Alternative Agriculture. lation. dairy and livestock industry, because all "These changes were necessary to keep the monitoring programs will remain, accord- Michigan livestock industry competitive," Smith said the environmental push will be ing to MFB Livestock Specialist Kevin Gnodtke said. "The incidence of several for pollution control and reduced pesticide ~I Kirk. diseases is low enough that mandatory eradication programs are not necessary. Michigan Farm Bureau (517) 323-7000 "The monitoring programs are where the Proper surveillance will ensure that animal disease is usually discovered," Kirk said. populations stay healthy." Michigan Farm News March 30, 1994 II 3D-Day Forecast - Below Average Temperatures with Average Precipitation What a difference a couple of weeks can make weatherwise. Following record cold during much of January and February, temperatures during early March rebounded significantly, bring- 30-day outlook calls for temperatures to fall back to below normal levels, with precipitation generally near to slightly above normal. $ I ing average values for mid-February through mid-March to above normal levels for much of the state. Similar to the last weather column, forecaster confidence in this outlook is considered lower than normal, due mainly to the rapid changes observed in the jet stream during the past couple of weeks and the expectations that those changes may continue. The mild conditions dramatically reduced snow cover over most agricultural areas as well as ice cover across the Great Lakes which ~ had been at abnormally high levels. Precipitation during the same Normal high temperatures in early April range from the low 408 in : . period totaled well below normal over most of the state. the Upper Peninsula to the mid-40s in northern Lower Michigan to the low 50s in across the far south. Low temperatures range from ~ Current projections of the mid-March through mid-April period the low- to mid-20s in sections of the Upper and northern Lower are for furtherchanges of the jet stream flow, allowing a return of Peninsula to the low- to mid-30s in the extreme south. '" ~ ~ cold air into the region. The official National Weather Service Michigan Weather Summary Michigan Weather Summary l 2/16/94 Temperature Precipitation 2/16/94 Temperature Precipitation t: ~ to 3/15/94 Alpena Observed Dev. From Mean 24.7 Normal + 2.2 Actual linch.) 1.10 Normal lInctl) 1.67 to 3/15194 lansing Observed Dev. From Mean 29.2 Normal + 1.4 Actual (fnch.) 1.18 Normal (Inch) 1.91 Bad Axe 25.9 -0.6 1.04 1.81 Marquette 23.6 + 6.1 0.58 1.63 Detroit 33.1 + 3.0 1.42 1.99 Muskegon 28.5 0.0 2.67 1.96 Escanaba 22.9 + 0.9 0.50 1.66 Pellston 23.8 + 4.1 2.07 1.60 ~ Flint 29.0 + 1.0 1.13 1.99 Saginaw 28.3 + 1.5 0.53 1.81 Grand Rapids 29.4 + 1.0 1.38 2.02 Sault Ste. Marie 21.6 + 3.0 1.13 1.66 Houghton 22.9 + 4.6 0.15 1.63 South Bend 33.4 + 1.9 1.27 2.02 Houghton Lake 26.4 + 2.9 1.52 1.67 Traverse City 26.2 + 2.2 2.01 1.60 Jackson 31.1 + 1.7 0.64 1.91 Vestaburg 26.5 - 0.2 1.19 1.87 Normals are based on district averages. Jeff Andresen, Ag Meteorologist, MSU Michigan and Major Commodity Area Extended Weather Outlook Conditions Right for Spring Flooding in Midwest T - Temp. 3/30 4/15 3/30 5/31 P - preclp. T PT f months, said Federal Emergency Manage- But much work remains, particularly on Michigan B N N N Recovery efforts from last year's disas- ment Agency Director James Lee Witt. hundreds of levees that protect people and W. Com Belt N B N N trous floods are far from complete in the farmland from the Mississippi and Mis- E. Com Belt N N N N Midwest, but the Federal Emergency Man- Representatives of more than a dozen fed- souri rivers. Maj. Gen. Stan Genega, head Wlnt. Wheat Be,t N B N N agement Agency is gearing up for potential eral agencies met recently to discuss pre- of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers divi- Spr. Wheat Belt N B B N Pac. NW Wheat N N A N flooding again this spring, according to an paredness if the region is flooded again. The sion overseeing levee repair, said enough Delta N N N/A N Associated Press report. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has stock- work would be done on the 500 levees by SoutheastB N A N N piled 10 million sandbags, the Red Cross March 31 to withstand a 20-year flood. San Joaquin A N N N National Weather Service surveys indicate has stores of emergency food, and the Gen- the soil in the nine states hit hard by last eral Services Administration has cots. Another 1,500 levees don't qualify for A-Above Average, B-Below Average, N-Nor- summer's flood remains saturated. If there Corps repair along the upper Mississippi mal, MA-Much Above, MB-Much Below, NP- are heavy rains or fast melting of snow, No Preclp. Source: National Weather Office Last year, the once-in-a-century floods did and lower Missouri rivers. Some are being more floods could occur in the coming $12 billion in damage in the Midwest and fixed by other agencies, such as the Soil were blamed for 48 deaths. Congress appro- Conservation Service, but Genega said oth- priated more than $6 billion in flood relief. ers wouldn't be finished by spring, if ever. Michigan Honey Production Higher Serving Michigan @MPRNj RADIO NETWORK Farm Families is Our Only Business Honey production in Michigan during 1993 totaled 6.9 million pounds, 7 percent more than a year ago, according to the Federal/State Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service. This estimate only included honey from producers with five or more colonies. Michigan ranked 10th in honey production, up from 11 th last year. There were 90,000 colonies in production during 1993, 5,000 less than in 1992. Tracheal mite infestation caused the decline in the number of colonies. Yield per colony averaged 77 pounds, up nine pounds from the previous Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only objective year. The increased yield was a result of better weather conditions for Michigan honey has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- producers. ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides the latest in market analysis, weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: Station City Frequency Morning Farm Noon Farm ROOTS TO PROFITABILITY WABJ WATZ Adrian Alpena 1490 1450 5:45 am 5:30 am 11 :50 am 11 :30 am ~ \ \ \ \ WTKA Ann Arbor 1050 6:05 am 12:05 pm WLEW Bad Axe 1340 6:30 am 12:50 pm WHFB Benton Harbor 12:30 pm WKYO Caro 1360 6:15 am 12:15 pm WTVB Coldwater 1590 5:45 am *** INCREASE WHEAT YIELDS WITH ACA!I! WDOW Dowagiac 1440 6:05 am 12:15 pm WGHN Grand Haven 1370/92.1 5:45 am 12:15 pm WPLB Greenville 1380 6:15 am 11 :45am ACA WHEAT TEST PLOTS WBCH Hastings 1220 6:15 am 12:30 pm 1993 MICHIGAN WCSR Hillsdale 1340 6:45 am 12:45 pm WHTC Holland 1450 12:15 pm WKZO Kalamazoo 590 ** 11 :30 am WJIM Lansing 1240 5:05 am 11:50 am Results Are In! WWGZ Lapeer 1530 * 12:15 pm 1993 grower test plots yielded an average of WOAP Owosso 1080 6:15 am 12:30 pm WHAK Rogers City 960 12:15 pm 5.5 more bushels of wheat per acre WSJ St. Johns 1580 6:15 am 12:15 pm where ACA was used. The highest yield WMLM St. Louis 1540 6:05 am 12:20 pm increase was 9.2 bushels per acre! WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:20 pm Now is the time to treat your wheat with ACA to gain your WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45 pm advantage. ACA can be added to, or impregnated on, WCSY South Haven 940 12:15 pm your fertilizer to boost your yields! WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45 pm WLKM WTCM Three Rivers Traverse City 1510/95.9 580 6:15 am 5:55 am 12:15 pm 11:20 am GET THEACA ADVANTAGE! • Stronger more fibrous root system. * ** *** Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning fann times change with the sign-on times. Station airs various farm reports between 5:30 and 6:00 am. Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1 :00 p.m. • • • Plants are more vigorous and productive. Easy and convenient to apply. Enhanced early spring root growth. 1111 Contact your local • Enhanced drought tolerance. Clean Crop Dea.... Some stations carry additional market reports throughout the market day. • Affordable and effective. or call 1-800-292.2701 • Increased yields. for addttlonallnfonnallon on fHE ACA ADVANTAGEI ~... Michigan Farm News March 30, 1994 MMPA's ShurS/end Ice Cream Goes International Michigan dairy farmers will soon be send- ing a portion of their milk production to According to Morris, Rival Manufacturing China, Japan and other Pacific Rim coun- sells ice cream machines, and will be sell- tries in the form of ice cream, thanks to the ing the ShurBlend product with their ma- development and marketing of Michigan chines. One obstacle to selling the product Milk Producers Association's dried ice through commercial institutions was re- cream product ShurBlend. The product is moved during MMPA's annual meeting, manufactured and packaged at the when Gov. John Engler signed legislation MMPA's Ovid processing plant. allowing the sale of a properly pasteurized ice cream powder. "We have made our first shipment to the foreign market and plan to pursue other A minor technicality was discovered after outlets for the product," said MMP A Gen- MMP A had spent three years developing eral Manager Walt Wosje. "We hope to sell ShurBlend, according to Wosje. "We were somewhere in the neighborhood of 3 mil- notified by the Michigan Department of lion pounds in 1994, for the most part, in Agriculture that technically, this product international markets." didn't meet the definition of ice cream, because every single particle has to be pas- To produce 3 million pounds of the ice teurized. Even though our product was pas- cream powder will require 32 to 33 million teurized, the water that's added is not, pounds of milk, according to Wosje. Ex- frigeration or the infrastructure to handle with China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan therefore, the end-product was not pasteur- ported ShurBlend will be packaged and frozen products as well as we do, so this and Singapore. ized," he explained. shipped in 50 pound bags. Product for the product seemed to fit their needs. It's a dry domestic consumer market will be pack- product kept in a bag, it has a shelf life of "We just felt that the Pacific Rim countries According to MFB Legislative Counsel aged and sold in one pound bags under the eight to 10 months," he said. are strong growing economies that can pay Ron Nelson, the new legislation allows that White Mountain label. us in U.S. dollars," said Morris. "We've if the water were otherwise suitable for In 1993, MMPA also entered into a part- also got a number of local McDonalds that public consumption, then the product According to Wosje, convenience, ease of nership with TEACO International, of we think we can make some progress with would be legal. "Milk is a highly regulated transporting a powder versus liquid, and a Novi, Mich. The company is responsible since they've indicated an interest to mar- commodity," Nelson said. "However, this long shelf life are key to the future of Shur- for marketing ShurBlend and, according to ket it. You'll also see the product in K-Mart, legislation could indirectly benefit other Blend in international markets. "China, for Ed Morris, executive director for the com- Walmart, and Meijer stores through a rela- commodities that are dried and/or pow- example, doesn't have access to ready re- pany, has already landed several contracts tionship with Rival Manufacturing." dered and reconstituted with water in the future." Your Michigan NORTHRUP KING Seed Dealers City Dealer Phone No. Alicia Con Agra Berger & Co 517-770-4131 Alma McClintic Farms 517 -463-1141 ~. Alto Alto Farm Services 616-868-603( Ann Arbor Strieter Bros 313-995-2497 Auburn Bancroft Belding Birch Run Ittner Bean & Grain Gerald Cole Jerry Gallagher Con Agra Berger & Co 517 -662-4461 517-634-5212 616-761-3243 517-624-9321 mter Blissfield M.A. C 517 -486- 2171 Breckenridge B& W Co-Op 517-842-3104 Carson City Harvey Milling Company 517-584-3466 '\.:! ~ Conklin Arends Farm Service 616-899-2136 Constantine Ron Weston 616-435-8219 Corunna Clyde McLosky 517-743-3633 Diamondale John Oakley 517-646-0629 Dorr Dorr Farm Products 616-681-9570 ~ Dowagiac Harold Grabemeyer 616-782-8744 Dowagiac Joe Van Tuyle 616-782-8275 VIking 1 Tops University Trial Cort Agra Berger & Co 517-695-2521 Avernge Yield as Freeland Varie % of Vernal (site- Tri-County Agra Services 517 -542-3196 Viking 1 123(3) Homer This strong alfalfa can handle our winters- in 3452-ML 103 (I) Lake Odessa Mark Erickson 616-374-8538 Universityvariety trials,Vikingranked number I 5252 118(7) ~ 5262 115 (24) Mason R & S Crop Service 517-628-2036 in stand persistenceand yield It also offers resis- 111 (79) 636 tance to major alfalfa diseases. For winter survival, Aline 117 (10) Merrill Con Agra Berger & Co 517-643-7293 112(41) longer stand life and high yields, it's tough to beat Oi r Middleton M.A .C 5 17-236-7263 OK-I22 113 (32) Viking 1. Aa i 75 113 (4) Minden City Eugene Briolat.. 517 -658-8330 Master 107 (8) MilkmakerU 105 (9) Monroe New Lothrop New Lothrop Calvin Smith Anderson Bob Hajek Fertilizer Services, Inc 313-269-271 0 313-638-5868 .313-638-5281 V1king 1Alfalfa Nordic Pacesetter Quantum Vernal 114 (16) en (2) 122(4) 100 (301) WL225 107(65) Owosso Anderson Fertilizer Services, Inc 517 -723-5205 Wrangler 107 (35) Univmity ofWlSCOOSin Perennial Forage Variety U(XIaIe Portland Frank Trierweiler 517-587-6540 READ ALL BAG TAGS AND LABELS. TI1cy contain imponant condilion, of sale. including limitations of warmnty and remrey. Reading Dick Heffelfinger 517-283-2444 Nonhrup King Co .• Minneapolis. MN 55440 l-l!OO445-0956. Richmond Farmers Elevator 313-727-3025 Rockford Ron Porter 616-874-8196 Saginaw Seamon Farms 517-777-2054 A Sandoz Seeds Company Union City David LaBar 517-741-3204 Con Agra Berger & Co 517-268-5300 NORTHRUP KING Vestaburg Zeeland Zeeland Farm Services 616-772-9042 I . Michigan Farm News . Market Outlook ... •• ..... March 30, 1994 ...... . ••••••••r. ••••••• ••••••• ~~:...', 1• ......• ~ Dr. Jim Hilker,Dept. of Agricultural SOYBEANS ••••• •••• 1••• ,j ••• E~RM•••••••• Economics, MSU •~ 'j~=- •••• The South American soybean crop contin- CORN Seasonal Commodity ues to be a market mover, and when this is added to the potentially market moving re- •••••••• Price Trends ports, we may also see a roller coaster in the With two potential market moving reports coming out about the time you receive this issue, there is not a lot new I can say with soy markets. The USDA made no changes in their updated SupplylDemand Report BUSINESS j Wheat shown below in Table 3. Like com, be ready confidence about the market fundamentals. However, I can say with some confidence that as we continually get new information Corn to move and have a plan. Remember, if you price a lot of new crop on good rallies and OUTLOOK prices continue to go up, you can always this spring, we will likely be on a roller price some of next year's crop. market for a rally. Rather, it means you coaster ride with respect to com prices. Soybeans should price the basis and hold on to the The basis is quite strong for old crop. This, futures. Work with your elevators to help This means you need to have some pricing Hogs along with the spreads between futures con- you implement this. It probably means us- goals and be ready to act. Look at previous tract being small, is the market's way of ing a basis contract or a minimum price highs as a starting point to price in both old Cattle telling you they won't pay storage. This contract. We should have no soybeans in /.J and new crop. If prices bust through pre- does not mean you shouldn't stay in the either farm or off-farm storage at this point. vious highs, we may see some excellent but brief pricing opportunities. The two reports CATTLE are "Planting Intentions" and "Stocks" to be released on March 31. Go back and check out the March 18 Cat- February placements seemed high. If the The new crop basis has not tightened up and tle-an-Feed Report; our deadline just report confirmed this, late summer and fall On March 10, the USDA released their is probably a little on the wide side of missed it. It appears we are finally getting fed cattle prices may weaken. updated Balance Sheet shown below in Ta- normal. This means as you price new crop through the glut of ready cattle. Slaughter ble 1. The only change was a decrease in on rallies, you need to consider hedge-to- numbers have been strong recently. This But if the report did cause a rally, consider projected exports, it was lowered 25 million arrive type contracts versus forward con- should help prices up over $75 in the next some late summer forward pricing if de- bushels. Exports have not been real strong tracts. month or so. When they get there, keep ferred futures go much over $74.00/cwt. recently and export sales have been weak. current. How much effect this will have on the mar- And if you want some downside protection, ket will be closely tied to what the Stocks but want to stay in the market, consider put HOGS Report suggests about domestic feed use. options or the elevator's minimum price option that allows you to assume basis risk. The information contained in USDA Hogs work with the available pricing tools to fit The basis has tightened up recently. If this and Pigs Report released March 25 should your operation than they were in past years. , trend continues, be ready to move some or Remember to sign up for the 1994 govern- be in the market by now. If it caused the Check it out. If the market has not rallied, all of your on-farm stored corn and move to ment program for com. It is a close call market to rally back to previous highs, con- keep current. We will discuss the report in a basis contract or a minimum price con- what to do with normal flex acres. It will sider some serious forward pricing. Market- the next issue. tract. This way you have some money in vary by farm. But basically, you look at ing agents in the state are more willing to hand, are not paying storage costs (mostly what will bring the highest net per acre. lost interest), you eliminate possible stor- There are computer programs at your MSU Some Senate Powerhouses Against Ethanol age problems going into warm weather, and Extension offices to help you calculate the A list of 47 senators weighed in against including ethanol in the reformulated fuel can stay in the market. numbers in order to make your decisions. requirements to be imposed on the nation's smoggiest cities next year, reports Sparks « Companies, Inc., policy report. WHEAT Heading the group signing a letter to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Carol Browner was Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J. Democrat cosigners were J. Bennett Johnston The USDA did not make any changes in returns high. Again, calculate which crop and John B. Breaux, La.; Dennis DeConcini, Ariz.; Edward M. Kennedy, Mass.; Sam Nunn, their updated Supply/Demand Report has the best returns for your wheat flex Ga.; David L. Boren, Okla.; Daniel Patrick Moynihan, N.Y.; Howell Heflin, Ala. and shown below in Table 2. However, wheat acres on your farm. If the soy market rallies Robert Byrd, W. Va. Republican co-signers included Sens. Malcolm Wallop, Wyo.; Trent exports need to pick up a little in order to soon, there may be some good returns. Lott, Miss.; Pete Domenici, N.M.; Don Nickles, Okla.; and Orrin Hatch, Utah. ~ reach the projection by June 1. There is The group charged that the rule to include ethanol may disrupt the delivery system some concern about moisture in much of The nearby basis is tight. If you still have already being readied for placement and would also cost more in tax credits to ethanol the hard red winter Wheat Belt. This, along unpriced old crop, don't be paying storage. producers. with the potential ups and downs in the corn The new crop basis is not tight; hopefully, Several Corn-Belt senators responded to the charge with their own blast. "This is a fight and soy markets, may well give us some it will tighten up some at the same time we between renewable energy and our age-old dependence on imported fossil fuels," Sens. new crop pricing opportunities this spring. have a rally. I hesitate to suggest you taking Tom Daschle, Tom Harkin and Paul Wellstone said. "There are differences of opinion, but the basis risk with the hard to predict there should be no difference on the facts." The letter makes a number of erroneous Sign up for the government program for Michigan wheat basis. assertions about the economic and environmental impacts of promoting renewable energy ..• wheat. The cost is minimal and the potential 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 Proj. Proj. Pro). Pro). USDA Hilker 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 Diverted 7.5 5.3 10.5 Diverted 10.0 Acres Planted 59.2 59.1 59.4 3.5 0.5 Acres Planted 76.0 79.3 73.3 Acres Planted 69.9 Acres Harvested 58.0 58.2 56.4 72.3 72.1 Acres Harvested 68.8 72.2 63.0 Acres Harvested 57.7 62.4 Bu./Harvested Acre 34.2 37.6 32.0 62.5 ~J BuJA. Harvested 108.6 131.4 100.7 Bu./A. Harvested 34.3 39.4 38.4 Stocks (MillionBushels) Stocks (MillionBushels) Stocks (MillionBushels) Beg. Stocks 329 278 292 Beg. Stocks 1521 1100 2113 Beg. Stocks 866 472 529 Production 1987 2188 1809 Production 7475 9482 6344 Production Imports 3 2 5 1981 2459 2402 Imports 20 7 20 Imports 41 70 Total Supply 2319 2468 2106 95 Total Supply 9016 10,589 8,477 Total Supply Use: 2888 3001 3026 Use: Use: Crushings 1254 1279 1240 Feed 4878 5301 4800 Food 789 829 840 Exports 684 no 605 Food/Seed 1454 1511 1600 Seed 94 98 Seed, Feed and 98 Total Domestic 6332 6813 6400 Feed 253 191 Residuals 103 127 106 275 Exports 1584 1663 1275 Total Domestic 1136 1118 1213 Total Use Ending Stocks 2041 278 2176 292 1951 . Total Use 7916 8476 7675 Exports 1280 1354 1225 155 Ending Stocks 1100 2113 802 Total Use 2416 2472 Ending Stocks 2438 Ending Stocks Ending Stocks Percent of Use 13.6% 13.4% 7.gok 472 529 588 Percent of Use 13.9% 24.9% 10.4% Ending Stocks Regular Loan Rate $5.02 $5.02 5.02 Regular Loan Rate $1.62 $1.72 $1.72 Percent of Use 19.50/0 21.4% 24.1% Regular Loan Rate $2.04 $2.21 $2.45 U.S. Season Average U.S. Season Average Farm Price. S/Bu. $5.58 $5.50 $6.50 Farm Price. S/Bu. $2.37 S2.07 $2.60 U.S. Season Average Source: USDA & Hilker Source: USDA & Hilker Farm Price. S/Bu. $3.00 $3.24 $3.20 Source: USDA &Hilker Michigan Farm News 1111 March 30, 1994 D. What's at Stake with Ethanol and RFG ••••••••r• ••••••• ••••••• ••••• ~.rl ,1 . ....... ~:.11 •••• rj ••• •••• ,j ••• Editor's Note .r •••••• FARM •••••••• feed market and I couldn't depress soybean (2) crop and livestock producers; The Environmental Protection Agency is in prices very much, even if we had to absorb (3) between producers and agribusiness. .'~ J--.:::. •••• the process of reviewing public comment on 75 percent of the increase in production of its proposed rules for ethanol's inclusion in the reformulated gasoline program(RFG). corn gluten feed and meal in the domestic market. Taxpayers would applaud the reduction in government payments and consumers should not see much higher food prices. •••••••• The ruling is the result of the renewable Even with higher feed prices, returns to Some concerns may remain in terms of our BUSINESS oxygenate requirement proposed by the livestock hold up well. This is because of responsibilities under GATT as related to Clinton administration which would require that at least 30 percent of all the fuel oxy- the inelastic demand. Livestock producers respond to rising feed prices by curtailing the EC (which absorbs most of our corn gluten feeds) and the South American na- OUTLOOK genates used in the RFG program must production, which, within the five years tions exporting soybeans and soybean come from renewable resources, such as time span, can actually result in higher net products. ethanol. income. The longer response time in dairy is Iikely the explanation for the small drop It has been estimated that adoption of the in real returns over feed costs. Impact on U.S. Agriculture of the Utilization of an Additlonal250 program will increase demand for ethanol and, consequently,. corn by 250 million Note that com production increases less IIill/on Bushels of Com for Ethanol Production Under the Renewable bushels annually. MSU's Dr. Jake Ferris than the 250 million bushel increase in utili- Oxygenate RequIrement for Reformulated Gasol/nr has utilized the AGMOD, a computer model zation. Even by the year 2000, AGMOD used to estimate the financial impact of generates onl y about 135-140 million bush- Chanae from Baseline Prolections In 1996-2000 changes in agricultural policy. els more output. This is partly due to the If 90% of the Increase In If 25% of the Increase In offsetting effects of more com gluten feed CGF and CGM Is Exoorted CFG and CGM Is ExDorted Dr. Jake Ferris Dept. of Agricultural and meal on the domestic and export mar- Variable Absolute Percent Absolute Percent Economics, MSU kets. Also, the high com price cuts back slightly on livestock production and feed- Net cash receipts The attached table summarizes two runs. ing rates. from marketings One is for the assumption that most of the Crops +$1.40 bit. +2.2 +$.87 bit. +1.4 increased production of corn gluten feed What's the Bottom Line? Uvestock +$.24 bit. +1.2 +$.26 bit. +1.3 (CFG) and com gluten meal (CGM) would To summarize, increasing the amount of Direct government Payments -$.35 bil. -11.9 -$.32 bil. -10.9 be exported, and one assuming that only a corn going into ethanol by 250 million fourth would be exported. Net cash farm income +$1.42 bit. +1.7 +$.92 bit. +1.1 bushels would increase net cash farm in- come by about $1-1.4 billion, would reduce ARP on com and wheat -.94 mil. A -17.1 -.91 mil. A -16.5 I simply phased in the increase over the the ARP on com and wheat by about a Com production +127 mil. bu. +1.3 +145 mil. bu. +1.4 1995-97 period and held the level stable million acres, and cut direct government afterward - although realistically, ethanol payments by a third of a billion dollars. Soybean production -8 mil. bu. -.3 -15 mil. bu. -.6 production could continue to expand after- Utilization of feed grain for feed -.4 mil. MT -.3 -.4 mil. MT -.3 ward. However, I wanted to isolate the im- Corn production (and acres) would increase pact of another 250 million bushels of com Non-feed utilization of feed grain +5.7 mil. MT +15.0 +5.7 mil. MT +15.0 about 1.3-1.4 percent and soybean produc- going into ethanol production. I assumed tion would drop slightly. The farm price of Utilization of soybean meal for feed -.2 mil. MT -.7 -1.1 mil. MT -4.1 that all of the increase would be wet milled. corn would increase about 10 cents per Farm price of com +$.10/bu. +3.8 +$.09/bu. +3.4 .~ bushel and soybean prices would be steady Farm price of soybeans Impacts will continue after the year 2000, to as much as 8 cents per bushel higher. +$.08,lbu. +1.1 -$.Oltou. -.1 although farmer response would change Price of soybean meal +$4fT +1.6 +$2!T +.8 both the extent of the changes and, in some Soybean meal prices would tend to be Price of soybean oil -$.02JIb. -1.1 -$.05nb. -2.9 cases, even the direction. steady to strong, but oil prices would weaken' some. Prices on corn gluten feed Price of com gluten feed +$.70fT +1.0 -$4.40/T -6.1 Whenever I apply AGMOD to a policy would be $4-5 per ton lower if we retained Real gross margin over variable cost question, the dynamics of the model often 75 percent of the increase in corn gluten Com in Feed Grain Program +$4/A +3.9 +$4/A +3.9 generate results that are contrary to a prior feed production. belief. The logic, however, often comes Soybeans $21A +2.0 NC NC through after inspection of the internal Improved earnings by corn and other crop Real gross margins over feed working of the model. producers would tend to be capitalized into costs for milk production -$.05/cwt. -.8 -$.04/cwt. -.6 higher land prices in the Corn Belt - by $5-7 Price of land in the Com Belt +$5/A +.4 +$7/A +.6 I thought that soybean prices would be de- per acre. Obviously, we can't be as precise pressed by the additional middle and high as indicated by the numbers in the table. I * Assumed to be phased in during 1995-97. protein feed on the market and by additional would conclude that the program should corn oil: However, the higher corn price not be divisive between: Source: AGMOD supports the high protein and by-product (1) corn and soybean producers; 315 375 740 Corn-May94 305 Wheat - May 94 365 Soybeans - May 941 . 720 I I . . I 2% 355 700 I 285 345 bOO 275 335 £mO 265 325 &40 255 315 620 245 305 600 235 ZCl5 580 nay Jun Jly Aug Sep Oet Hau Dee Jan Feh Mar nay Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Hou Dee Jan Feh Mar nay Jun J)y Aug Sep Oet Hau Dee Jan Feb nar 77.40 53.00 240 I Uve Cattle - April 941 77.00 I Soy Meal- May 94 ! I Uve Hogs - April 94\ 51.00 232 76.60 4~.00 76.20 47.00 75.80 45.00 75.40 43.00 75.00 41.00 74.£>0 JC3.oo 184 74.20 37.00 17fl nay Jun J ly ~g Sep Oct Hoo Dee Jan Feh Mar May Jun Jly ~g Sep Oct Nou Dee Jan Feb nar May Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Nou Dee Jan feb flar .1ll I Charts Provided by Knight-Ridder Financial Michigan Farm News NIOSH Warns: Manure Pits Continue to Claim Lives •• March 30, 1994 "It is outrageous that we are losing virtually ing to rescue others in these confined spaces pit gases may not always be present, farm According to the National Institute for Oc- entire families in manure pit tragedies," frequently become victims themselves. On workers may have successfully entered cupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), said NIOSH Director, Dr. J. Donald Millar. a late summer afternoon, a farm worker these pits in the past. farm workers are risking their lives every "While we know we cannot prevent a father entered a 10-foot-deep manure pit on his time they enter a manure pit. The oxygen- from entering a pit to save his son, we can family's farm to make a repair. While at- "It is hard to convince a worker who has deficient, toxic, and/or explosive atmos- and will continue to do everything in our tempting to climb out of the pit, he was entered a manure pit on several occasions phere which can develop in a manure pit has power to prevent farm workers from jeop- overcome and fell to the bottom. without complications, that the potential for claimed many lives. ardizing their lives by entering manure pits death exists," said Millar. in the first place," stressed Millar. His 15-year-old nephew then entered the pit NIOSH believes that warning farmers of to attempt a rescue. He, too, was overcome Although the potential for death always ex- this hazard will help end the continued dev- It is not uncommon for manure pit incidents and collapsed. The boy's father, his cousin, ists, farm workers should be particularly astation it is inflicting upon the American to result in multiple fatalities. As the fol- and his grandfather, the farm owner, then aware of the hazards of entering manure pits farm family. lowing case demonstrates, persons attempt- entered the pit one by one, attempting to during the summer months. Changing con- rescue him and his uncle. Tragically, all ditions, such as warmer or more humid five family members died. weather and increasing barometric pres- Preventable Deaths sure, can accelerate the production and ac- August 8, 1992 August 11, 1992 Manure pit systems, used primarily on live- cumulation of hazardous gases. A 27-year-old employee of a hog farm and his A 43-year-old dairy farm owner and his 23- stock farms (especially dairy and swine op- 46-year-old uncle, who co-owned the farm, year-old son died from asphyxiation after en- erations), allow for the easy cleaning of Manure pits that had been entered without died after entering an outdoor manure pit. The tering a manure pit. The father descended a animal confinement buildings and the effi- incident in the past, can quickly become employee entered the pit to repair a pump ladder into the pit to aEempt to clear a tunnel cient underground storage of large amounts filled with lethal concentrations of gases. when he was overcome and fell off the ladder obstruction. His son Y:asfound lyingOn top 'of, , of raw manure. The hazards of manure pits, into the pit. His uncle descended the ladder in him, apparently overcome during arescue at- as well as the proper prevention measures, In order to prevent future deaths, farm an attempt to rescue his nephew. He was also tempt. The men were removed from' th~ ma-, have been recognized by researchers for workers must be informed of the dangers of overcome and fell into the pit. Both men were nure pit by rescue personnel equip~d "with several years. manure pits. While NIOSH is currently removed from the pit by rescue personnel appropriate respiratory ,"protection. Both men, working to develop practical prevention equipped with appropriate respiratory protec- were pronounced dead at the scene:.from as<" However, many farm workers remain un- measures, current engineering controls are tion but were pronounced dead on arrival at the phyxiation due to lack ,of oxygen.: '" ", aware of the dangers associated with ma- often expensive and 'impractical. hospital of hydrogen sulfide poisoning. nure pits. Because the dangerous manure Until more efficient prevention measures are developed, NIOSH urges farmers not to enter manure pits. What are the Hazards? " There are several hazards associated with manure pits. Dangerous concentrations of gases such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane can be pro- duced when waste products break down. Since manure pits are confined spaces that are usually poorly ventilated, concentra- tions of these gases can quickly rise to lev- els that are immediately dangerous to life and health. These gases may also displace the oxygen in the pit, which may cause workers in the pit to suffocate due to a lack of oxygen. '"1 For more information about this or other occupational safety and health concerns, call toll-free: 1-800-35-NIOSH. .c.UYI:;!UGJ;:: Steps for Prevention G:Y"~M:o.t 2.."" To protect workers, the following precau- ? AssoCi Cl [] C"'~I S()(I (""MM l{IIlQ tions should be taken if a manure pit is in use on your farm: • Never enter a manure pit! ~ f .... If emergency entry into a pit is necessary for rescue, call your local fire department or 911. CltrrcUl lh:alth Insurance If it is absolutely necessary to enter a pit for maintenance or repair, contact your local Extension agent or NIOSH for the recom- mendations necessary for safe entry. To contact NIOSH, call1-800-35-NIOSH . • Post hazard signs on all manure pits. The signs should be understandable to workers who cannot speak English or read. They should convey the messages DO NOT ENTER and DEADLY GASES POSSI- BLE . • Provide ~ccess to all serviceable parts from outside the manure pit. This should eliminate the need for entry into the pit. • Fit all openings to manure pits with ' .. 'f.1 substantial metal grill covers. These grills provide natural ventilation and FOR A FREE, NO OBLIGATION RATE QUOTE - FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. 3239 OR 3240. prevent accidental falls or entries into the Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau pits. Membership Services P.O. Box 30960 Your state agriculture safety specialists, Lansing, MI 48909 county Extension office, and your local fire .. Please Print department can also provide valuable infor- Name Current Health Insurance mation. Address Number of Full Time Employees o Sale proprietor The NIOSH recommendations are de- (1 person group) tailed in a NIOSH Alert. To obtain copies Phone o 2-4 0 5-9 of the Alert (Publication Number 90- 103), write or fax: NIOSH Publications County o 10-24 0 25 and over Dissemination, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Type of Farm/Business Cincinnati, OH 45226. FAX: (513) 533- ~N-' 8753. ~ A Health and Wellness Publication of Michigan Farm Bureau Producing good health with fruita & vegetables a day The role of fruits and vegetables as a part of a balanced diet has long been the subject of scientific interest. The National Academy of Sciences recommends at , east five servings of fruits and vegetables each day to help reduce the risk of cancer and other ~ , I , chronic diseases. In 1991, the \ Department of Health and Human I Services concurred when citing the same recommendations as a dietary goal for all Americans in "Healthy People2000," a report " - I of the nation's health objectives. ,4 ..... Unfortunately, most Americans, including adults and children, still only eat about two and one-half servings of fruits and vegetables a day. (continued next page) -. • Producing good health with fruita •• & vegetables A nyone who has lived a long time already knows t something about staying healthy. But as your body ages, you have to make more of an effort to eat wisely. Fruits and vegetables are a valuable A Ithough much remains to be learned about the contribution to a well-balanced diet for nutritional needs of the older person, it is clear that a multitude of a variety of reasons. They are good physical, psychological, environmental and psychosocial factors can sources of complex carbohydrates, jeopardize nutritional status, either directly or indirectly, by affecting fiber and vitamins and minerals includ- food choices. Complaints of some older persons include difficulty ing vitamin C and beta carotene. The chewing, constipation, dehydration, and indigestion. iron content of many legumes and Eating appropriate foods from the essential food vegetables, including red beans, beet groups, including fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, breads and greens, dried fruit, broccoli and kaleis of cereals and protein sources such as meats, dried beans, etc.; and drinking particular nutritional importance to sufficient fluids will help you meet your nutrition needs. While little is known those who have reduced iron from their about the effects of aging on nutrient needs, we do know that metabolism slows diet by cutting back on the amount down with age and activity level usually decreases. Because this reduces energy they consume in red meat. needs, older people require fewer calories. Other nutrient needs are unchanged, so it is necessary to choose more nutrient dense foods. Elders need to be nutrient Almost all fruits and vegetables are conscious as well as calorie conscious. In addition, older adults who have chronic naturally low in fat and can be substi- diseases or take medications that affect nutrient usage by the body may require tuted for foods high in fat to help a dietary counseling. person achievea low-fat diet. Research has shown that fiber plays a variety of A nother common consequence suffered by the elderly is an important roles inhelpingmaintain good interaction between a food or nutrient and a prescription drug. Absorption rates health. Specifically, fiber-rich foods are (passage into the blood stream) of the drug are sometimes affected. Drugs may believed to have a strong protective also affect appetite and waste elimination, alter the sense of taste, decrease effect against coloncancer, the second absorption of a nutrient, bind the nutrient, or increase the requirement for a leading cause of cancer death in the nutrient. Check with your doctor to learn more about potential dietary effects of United States. Fiberalso has beneficial prescription drugs or drug combinations. effects on the digestive system, including maintaining regularity. A fiber-rich diet is advocated in the management of constipation. For children, however, moderate fiber intake is important because too much fiber can cause fullness after only a small meal, limiting the amount of food a child can eat at one time. Five-a-Day According to the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, popula- tions consuming diets rich infruits and vegetables, particularly those rich in vitamins A (beta carotene) and C,have significantly lower rates of cancer of the colon, breast, lung, oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, stomach, bladder f. Eat a balanced diet. and pancreas. Inaddition to other health 2. Exercise regularly. benefits, a diet high in fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of stroke 3. Get regular medical check-ups. due to arterial blockage,and coronary 4. Don't smoke. It's never too late to quit. heart disease. j. Practice safety habits at home to prevent falls and fractures. Always wear your seatbelt when traveling by car. The National Cancer Institute and other health agencies encourage the con- o. Maintain contacts with family and friends, and stay active through work, recreation and community. sumption offive servings of a variety of fruits and vegetables every day for 7. Avoid overexposure to the sun and the cold. better health. These health organiza- 8. Ifyou drink, moderation is the key. tions agree that the benefits of Remember, when you drink, let someone else drive. consuming fruits and vegetables every q. Keep personal and financial records in order to simplify budgeting dayfaroutweigh any potential risk from and investing. Plan long-term housing and financial needs. possible exposureto pesticide residues. fOe Keep a positive attitude toward life.Do things that make you happy. Source: National Institute on Aging. f • Hea~N0te5 The following questions and answers come from Sparrow Hospital's physician referral and information service called .Nurseline". They are timely and commonly asked questions. A I R L I N E reservation agents seldom mention the Q. What is Fifth disease? availability of special-order, more healthful meals for travelers. You can take the initiative A. Fifth disease, so named because it is the fifth, pink-red infectious rash of and ask about alternative meal choices available from your air camero childhood, (the other four are scarlet fever, measles, rubella and roseola) is a moderately contagious viral condition. 6 E CAR E F U L to keep mouthwash safely out of the reach of young A rash first appears on the cheeks, giving a "slapped cheek" appearance. A similar children, who may drink it. Many brands of mouthwash contain more alcohol rash then follows on the trunk and extremities, with central clearing, giving a lacy than wine, an(:talcohol can cause brain damage and other serious harm in appearance. There is usually not a fever, but sometimes the rash is accompanied by small children. a light runny nose and sore throat. The rash lasts usually about 11 days, but may come and go over a period of up to five weeks, sometimes appearing after warm baths, exercise or sun exposure. Because the disease is mainlycontagiousduringtheweek before the rash begins, a child with the rash is no longer contagious and can attend school. Adults who get Fifth disease usually develop a mild rash on the cheeks and may experience joint pain, especially in the knees, for up to three months. Ibuprofen is H A V E YOU been counting sheep lately? You'll sleep better and feel more usually prescribed to relieve these symptoms. rested if you schedule regular, moderate exercise at midday, avoid large meals or heavy foods right before going to l:1ed (snacks are okay if you're hungry), and allow yourself time to r:-elaxbefor~ trying to sleep. Q. I have heard that trauma is a public health issue reaching epidemic proportions. What is the definition of CUT DO W 1'1 on fats in cakes, browniee or:other baked desserts deliciously trauma, and what can be done about this problem? by using appleeauce or pureed banana, prunes, etc., a~a substitute for A. Trauma is injury to the body caused by an external force - many injuries 50me or all of the oil, butter, margarine, or shortenin~fff the recipe. o result in life or death situations. The primary factor in assuring the best possible outcome for the trauma patient is a rapid resuscitation, evaluation and delivery of 6 REA K 0 U T S after work outs? If you definitive care, such as needed operations in the shortest time possible. This is notice complexion break outs after known as the "golden hour" in trauma care. work out sessions, try removing makeup with a toner or mild cleanser Prevention is the key to reducing the number of trauma victims. By cracking down before exercising. Exchange workout on drunk driving, using automobile seat belts and bicycle helmets and reducing garb for a shower and fresh clothing as violent crime, we can dramatically reduce the number of trauma cases. Today, soon as possible after you exercise. trauma is the number one cause of death for people aged six months to 45 years. :? You can make your own frozen gel packs to ice injuries by freezing a mixture More total years of life are lostto trauma than from cancer, stroke, and heart disease combined. of water and rubbing alcohol. In a heavyduty freezer bag, mix 1part alcohol Automobile crashes and violent crime produce the most trauma victims, but falls, to :3 parts water. Seal the bag and then seal it inside another plastic bag fires, industrial and household accidents, plane crashes, and cataclysms such as and freeze. Like antifreeze, the alcohol prevents the water from freezing tornados, earthquakes or hurricanes also result in trauma. solid and the gel pack will be aUgentler" solution to icing injuries than a solid ice pack. When it comes to trauma, avoiding the behaviors and situations which lead to these mortal injuries is worth more than any cure. Education and prevention can serve to reduce the number of patients treated for trauma. If you have health concerns. questions. or need a physician referral. call Sparrow Hospital's NurseLine. an information and Physician Referral Service at 1-800-968-3838. The above questions and answers are for general information purposes only. If you have symptoms or health related questions. consult your physician. I I',-J G) St1tlSCN~n••• Easy to use ••• i Using sunSCN~nis a first d~r~n~ against uncomrort.abl~ sunburn and, u~d Ngularly, can ~ an important I h~lp in pNv~nting skin canca. But, Nm~m~r, it only works if you put it on! U~ SUf1SCN~n Ngularly • Just apply it to sun-~~ skin. U~ SUIlSCN~n Ii~rany and at lust 15 minut~ ~foN going outsid~ • U~ SUIlSCN~nproducts with a Sun Prot~ction Factor (SPF) of at lust 15/ which m~ you can saf~ly stay out in th~ sun 15 tim~ lon~r than you could without sullSCN~n. • If you hav~ smaH chiIdNn ~ SUN to put suf1SCN~non th~m.ln fact, ~ncour~ otha m~m~rs of your family to ~ it wh~n working or playing outdoors. Sourc(:N"ti~( F.vmM(JicilK C(ntu, Mu-shfi(IJ, WI Proper nutrition Balanced mental attitude Your body can only work with what Athletes in competition know that the you put into it. Nutrition isan important mental game may be up to 80 percent factor in heart health. A good, balanced of their success. A balanced attitude diet will keep your heart healthy. A diet considers the positive outcome of should include the fourfood groups and situations. Television, newspapers and be low in saturated fats and cholesterol. unhappy people expose us to nega- If you have a condition such as hyper- tives. Cutting down on negative inputs tension, or if you have a family history leavesroom for the positive to blossom. of heart disease,your physician should How does this relate to your heart? be involved. He or she will be able to Doctors and therapists tell us that suggest various dietary alternatives, positive people get sick less often. additions, drugs, or supplements. But When they do become ill, they recover most of us will do fine by eating moder- more quickly and fully. Try .someof the ate and balanced meals. There is no following suggestions: need to become a "nuts and twigs" fanatic. It's okay to give in to our vices • Close the door on the negative. from time to time. We're talking about • Focus on solutions and progress lifetime habits. We need to balance toward goals. good eating with reasonable flexibility • Take time to look for the positive. to leave room for socializing and enjoying life. Some people inherit a predisposition to Author Rick Griggs counsels coronary heart disease.In this case,your individuals and businesseson achieve- • fat well. mental attitude is even more important ment and a balanced life-style. He • Don 't !J.e a fanatic; be moderate. in combating the negative pressures identifies four areas of your life-style • Start by shopping well. and feelings of helplessness. that you can control for a more healthy heart: Exercise,controlling life pressures, proper nutrition, and a balanced mental attitude. Exercise An active life-style is a health life-style. Forget reports of athletes who overdo it and have heart attacks. Research proves that people who maintain active life-styles have fewer health problems than people who are sedentary. If a 50-year-old accountant has a heart attack while jobbing, the reasonisprob- Determine your Nutritional Health ably not because he's jogging, but be- cause he hasn't been jogging enough. Warning signs of poor nutritional health are often overlooked. Total Your Nutritional Score. The problem is more in the sudden Use this checklist to find out if you or someone you know is at nature of the life-style change than the nutritional risk. U it's... exercise. • Be active every day. Read the statements below. Circle the number in the "yes" column for 0-2 those that apply to you or someone your know. For each yes answer, Good! Recheckyour nutritional score • Combine socializing with active score the number in the box. Total your nutritional score. in 6 months. events. • Make gradual, long-lasting changes YES I have an illness or condition that made me change 3-5 in activity level. the kind and/or amount of food I eat. 2 You are at moderate nutritional risk. Control life pressures I eat fewer than 2 meals a day. 3 See what can be done to improve Each of us experiences pressures and your eating habits and lifestyle. Your strains in our life. The decision people I eat few fruits or vegetables or milk products. 2 office on aging, senior nutrition pro- must make is whether or not to let the gram, senior citizens center or health anxieties of life take over and control I have 3 or more drinks of beer, liquor or wine almost. department can help. Recheck your them. Every situation can be perceived everyday. 2 nutritional score in 3 months. as either "stressful" or "challenging." Some people see life as a series of I have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard catastrophes.Those who manage stress for me to eat. 2 6 or more best use terms like challenge, adven- You are at high nutritional risk, Bring I don't always have enough money to buy the food I need. 4 this checklist the next time you see ture, task at hand, or some other positive variation. This attitude isone of your doctor, dietitian or other quali- I eat alone most of the time. 1 coping, rather than being afraid of fied health or social service profes- losing or being harmed. I take 3 or more different prescribed or over-the-counter sional. Talkwith them about any prob- drugs a day. 1 lems you may have. Ask them for help • Attach positive labels to tough to improve your nutritional health . situations. Without wanting to, I have lost or gained 10 pounds • Don't feel guilty about relaxing and in the last 6 months. 2 Materials developed by the Nutrition en;oying a healthy life-style. Screening Initiative, a project of the • Think ahead. Visualize pressure I am not always physically able to shop, cook and/or feed myself. 2 American Academy of Family Physi- situations before you have to deal cians, the American Dietetic Associa- with them. tion, and The National Council on the TOTAL Aging. Michigan Farm News Branch Area Career Center FFA Wins Operation Green Stripe Award Deb Laurell The BACC FFA Chapter hosted an Operation Green Stripe field day last summer. •• March 30, 1994 Michigan FFA Chapters participating in .I Operation Green Stripe, a program de- 1994 Participating Chapters signed to protect Michigan streams and wa- terways, sponsored by Monsanto Com- If you're interested in participating in pany; have learned environmentally sound Operation Green Stripe, you can find farming practices, valuable communication more information by contacting one skills and earned money for local chapter of these FFA Chapters below that activities. are enrolled for 1994 In 1993, nine Michigan FFA chapters par- Branch Area ticipated in Operation Green Stripe with a Career Center (517) 279-5718 combined total of 24 new green stripes pro- Hastings (616) 948-4409 tecting waterways throughout the state. Coopersville (616) 837-9753 Lenawee Vo-Tech According to Simone Morovitz, local Mon- santo Market Manager, "Operation Green AM/PM (616) 263-2108 Stripe is an excellent opportunity for FFA Laingsburg (517) 651-5091 members to realize the impact of agrieul- Maple Valley (517) 852-9971 tural practices on environmental quality ... Ionia (616) 527-0600 students can see the impact the world has Centreville (616) 467-521 0 on the environment." Hopkins (616) 793-3070 fices involved," said Earl. "All of these ob- drainage ditches bordering their farms. Harbor Beach (517) 479-3261 Of those nine chapters participating, five jectives are met in Operation Green Stripe Once the stripes are verified by the state recently presented programs on their pro- Marshall (616) 781-1326 and all parties can say it is a success." FFA, each chapter receives $100 per site, ject during the State FFA Convention. North Huron (517) 874-4101 up to five - a maximum of $?OO. These programs highlighted chapter Green Perry-Morrice (517) 625-3104 Stripe activities. According to Carrie Beneker, Green Stripe coordinator, to get involved with this pro- Monsanto Company provides the grant Saranac/Belding (616) 642-9186 gram, FFA chapters recruit farmers willing money, and grass seed'is~donated by coop- Placing first and receiving a $500 award to plant grass filter stripes along streams and erating dealers across the state. was the Branch Area Career Center (BACC). Second place and receiving a $250 award was the Lenawee Vo- Tech Center. Third place and receiving a $150 award was the Hastings FFA. Placing fourth and fifth were the Whittemore- Prescott FF A and the Coopersville FFA each receiving a $50 cash award. Branch Area Career Center Agriscience In- structor Bill Earl said Operation Green Stripe is an excellent hands-on opportunity for agriscience. "As educators, our goal is to build partner- ships with students, community and indus- try. In a project like this, you are able to go one step farther - protecting our right for better water and understanding the sacri- Green Stripe Requirements o Stripe must border a stream or drainage ditch that runs into a main waterway o Must border row crops o Stripe must be 16.5 feet wide and 150 feet long or the length of the field. CASE-International Winner continued from page 1 A panel of national engineering experts chosen by Agricultural Engineering magazine reviewed nominations from component suppliers, equipment manu- facturers and systems developers repre- senting many different industries before selecting the top 50. According to the magazine, the panel chose those devel- opments that would make "worthwhile contributions to the advancement of en- .: " ' .• Member dEmtal'inSlfrance is the affordable way to assure that you and your family' gineering technology." receive the den~al cari"servi~es you 'require- eyen'when"s~dden and costly needs arise. 'O{ .tI. , f • ~ ~ Each of the four models in the 5200 . '~ ... - Measure the rates' against your ctnnual dental Care,bills and con.sider the adv~ntage! Series is designed to offer big-tractor features and performance in a versatile, " ~"Single $18 per mOfltn • Couple $32 per month maneuverable package. The 5220, Member{Cbild $32 permoQth .. Family $41 per month 5230, 5240 and 5250 are rated at 80, 90, 100 and 112 PTO horsepower, respec- .... _ItI,t:"'GIIN" . tively, according to Bonson. , ... ~IIRItI BIJREIII) "Features such as field-proven Case en- TO RECEIVE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND A BROCHURE/APPLICATION, PLEASE FILL OUT THE COUPON BELOW gines and Case-exclusive power-shuttle OR CALL DIRECT '-800-292-2680 EXT - 323& shift transmissions enable the MAXXUM tractors to perform the same Please Print jobs as larger machines," he explained, "but with the versatility and value found Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau Name in mid-size tractors. Membership Services P.O. Box 30960 Address Bonson noted that Case International Lansing, MI 48909 City State ZIP dealerships across Michigan have the award-winning 5200 Series MAXXUM Phone tractors available for demonstrations. Just in time for spring fieldwork! County . Michigan Farm News . MMPA Annual Meeting - "Managing Challenges a Priority" •• March 30, 1994 Michigan'S dairy industry faces a number of new challenges in 1994, including the conclu- I II \ I Clouding GATT's impact on dairy is the, as yet, ~nresolved situation with Canada. Accord- ing to Kirkpatrick, GATT would require Canada sion and approval of GAIT, the implementation to open its tightly restricted market to U.S. dairy of NAFT A, and a shrinking federal budget which products. Canadian dairy farmers are reportedl y means dairy producers will need to look at them- quite upset and clearly against GAIT as it's selves for future solutions said Michigan Milk currently written. Producers Association President, Elwood Kirk- "I've heard from economists that if this patrick. GATT agreement is carried out the way it's in- Speaking during the association's 78th an- tended to be, it will allow the U.S. to pick up nual meeting, Kirkpatrick said Michigan produc- about 25 percent of the dairy business in Can- ers should benefit under the recently completed ada," Kirkpatrick said. "With the signing of North American Free Trade Agreement, since GATT, it appears that, for the first time, the U.S. Canada basically decided to keep their dairy in- dairy industry will be allowed to export products dustry out of the agreement. on a competitive basis in the world market." "Mexico is a milk and dairy product deficit Another .uncertain factor 'facing Michigan country," Kirkpatrick explained. "The initial dairy producers is the reduction in federal spend- agreement which opened their borders to U.S. ing for dairy subsidy programs, which have dairy producers will allow an additional 43,000 steadily decreased from a high of $2.5 billion in tons of non-fat dry milk into Mexico free of the mid-80s to approximately $175 million last tariffs. From that standpoint, NAFTA will defi- year. According to Kirkpatrick, dairy producers Above (left to right) Clinton County dairy farmers Lynette and Jon Miller are presented the nitely be a positive." 1993 Outstanding Young Dairy Cooperator (OYDC) of the Year Award Dy'state board need to be thinking about how they want to The jury's still out on GAIT, however, member Ken Nobis. At right, are the 1992 OYDC state winners Jerry and Sherri Balmer of operate without federal dollars, because the claimed Kirkpatrick, since negotiations aren't Ingham County. handwriting is on the wall. complete on side agreements. Under GAIT, as "We know that in the first six year period, we have export opportunities opened up under "Wisconsin's director of agriculture is call- it's currently written, U.S. quotas on dairy im- the opening of our markets will allow an addi- GATT for U.S. dairy products to more than offset ing for the elimination of the dairy price support ports would be replaced with tariffs, which would tional 1.3 billion pounds of dairy products into those 1.3 billion pounds. The difference is, we system," Kirkpatrick said. "We've already seen be phased out entirely over the next six-years. the U.S.," Kirkpatrick said. "On the other hand, need to go out there and sell it." it happen with the elimination of the wool and honey programs in previous federal budget defi- cit reduction proposals. In fact, Dr. Robert Move Young, of the University of Missouri's Food and Ag Policy Research Institute, predicts that the eare a growing company and we're W looking for ambitious, friendly, hard- working men and women to help us 1995 farm bill may very well be the last farm bill as we know it today." Kirkpatrick said the "Dairy Self-Help" con- ahead cept is one option producers across the country serve the people of Michigan. will be looking at as a replacement to federal dollars. The program, funded by producers, You'll be associated with the fmest agency would be operated by a board of dairy farmers that would use those funds to manage surplus force in Michigan ... professionals like the four dairy products, perhaps overseas to develop ex- • In a new port markets. pictured here, who received major awards at our The continued shift in dairy production from recent annual sales convention. Wisconsin and Minnesota and other midwest career •• • These four, and our 425 other agents in Michigan, are a big reason why Farm Bure~u states will force further change, and require even a closer working relationship between producers, processors and Michigan State University, said Kirkpatrick, adding that the Animal Livestock Insurance is a leading insurer throughout the Initiative's primary objective was to help state producers remain competitive. Join these winners state. To fmd out if you qualify for our winning team Milk production in Wisconsin was down 8 percent, while Minnesota was down 5 percent, as an agent for - and the prestige, unlimited earning potential, Iowa down 10 percent and Missouri was down 11 percent. Meanwhile, Kirkpatrick said produc- tion in Washington was up 4 percent, California Farm Bureau and trusted reputation that come with it - contact your local Farm Bureau Insurance agency up by 4 percent, Texas up by 9 percent and New Mexico was up a whopping 24 percent. Insurance manager or call 517-323-7000, ext. 2355. Calling BST a non-issue in Michigan, Kirk- patrick said that two national tracking surveys of 18 major grocery chains by the National Dairy Board showed that in 16 out of 18 cases, con- sumer purchases had not changed, while one grocery chain in Texas showed a slight decrease, and another in Colorado actually showed an 8 percent increase. Another major change is the consolidation of _ the National Dairy Board, and the United Dairy Industry Association, to operate under one board of directors, and one set of staff. Kirkpatrick said the move will utilize producer promotion dollars more effectively. Closer to home, Kirkpatrick said the Super RUS GAIlDNER TOM CARTER, ClFC, GAYLE FO~ 0lFC, PIDLIP KOLEHMAINEN Pool had "survived the one-year test" and it ap- 1993 Distinguished Sales CLU,ae au, ac, uc, LUTCF 1993 Michigan Farm pears to be working very well. Other 1993 high- lights included the completion of the Ovid proc- Award 1993 Distinguished 1993 Elton R. Smith Bureau Membership essing plant renovation, the introduction of its A former high school Management Award Award Award dried ice cream product ShurBlend, and the con- coach, Oakland County For the fourth time, Tom Gayle Forner, an agent in A company leader in many tinued operation of the Laprino Cheese plant. agent Rus Gardner continues Carter has been named our Oceana County for 27 years, sales categories in 1993, MMPA earned a record $5.4 million, push- to break company records top agency manager in earned this honor for his Ontonagon agent Phil ing member equity to $42.6 million, despite a with his outstanding sales Michigan. Tom, who manages dedication to his profession, Kolehmainen also led the reduction of 30 million less pounds of milk han- and service. For the ~venth 26 agents in Saginaw, Bay, his community, and Michigan state in new Michigan Farm dled in 1993 by the association. According to year in a row, he has earned and Arenac Counties, is an Farm Bureau. Gayle, one of Bureau memberships. As our General Manager Walt Wosje, 1994 producer the Distinguished Sales outstanding recruiter, trainer, the company's most honored top membership producer, pay prices should average $] 3 per cwt. or higher, Award, recognizing him as and motivator. His agency is a agents, is a highly-respected .Phil signed up 361 new mem- thanks to a strong cheese market and relatively our top agent in the state. statewide leader in sales and leader in Farm Bureau and bers last year. He also broke stable production levels over the next two years. service. his community. two company sales records. "The February M& W price was even with January and a $1.67 above February last year," said Wosje. "The March M&W, coming out April 5, is expected to increase. So I think we're Making your future ~. FARM BIJREAIJ going to have very strong prices at least through- out the first half of the year. Even with a down- more predictable ••• @ INSURANCE fAIN. IKJIfAlI MUTUAL • FARM 8UR£AU lift • FUN. BUR£W GEHEIW. • Fe NNJITY turn in the last part of the year, there's enough momentum that 1994 prices will still average quite a bit higher than 1993." .-Michigan Farm News . •• March 30, 1994 III Michigan Livestock Exchange - "On the Move" Member turnout at the recent Michigan Livestock Exchange (MLE) annual meeting and over the past 72 years, plus the recent acquisition of the Indiana Livestock Exchange from Indiana Farm Bureau, for 1993's record year and MLE's Markets Owned and/or Operated by MLE the past year's activities of the cooperative made position in the Midwest livestock industry. their annual meeting slogan of "On the Move," "We have had three meetings down in Indi- more than just a slogan. Delegates heard an ana over the last three months discussing what upbeat report of all time sales figures from MLE we expect of a cooperative, and what's expected President and CEO Tom Reed, took action to of members of the cooperative," Reed said. change bylaws to complete the recent purchase "What it really means to the Michigan producer of markets in Indiana, and heard from Gov. John is that we now have a stronger base of livestock Engler. producers working together to be successful in Total MLE member equity exceeded $7 mil- meeting the challenges that we face." lion in 1993, total members served reached just Two important bylaw changes were ap- over 40,000, while total gross livestock sales proved by delegates. One established two differ- broke the $700 million level in 1993, according ent patronage pools, one called the Expansion to the year-end report. Patronage Pool, for Indiana and Kentucky pro- The Livestock Feeding Program (LFP) set a ducers, while Michigan and Ohio producers will few records of its own as well, with over $60 continue to be paid out of a Historic Patronage million worth of livestock placed through the Pool. program on a combined total of nearly 300,000 , The other bylaw change will increase the head. Nearly 200,000 hogs and another 80,000 number of MLE board members from nine to 11 head of cattle were placed through LFP. to allow for two additional board members from In his report, Reed said that forces challeng- Indiana to be appointed for a two-year term and ing the livestock industry are coming too fast for a three-year term. some to be comfortable with. In the last three According to Reed, the establishment of the years, for example, Murphy Farms of North two pools will allow for tracking expenses, such Carolina has expanded from 100,000 sows to as interest on the recent Indiana market pur- well over 200,000 sows. There are, however, chase, to be tracked separately, and patronage some good reasons for that growth that produc- dividends paid accordingly. ers must look at and understand, he said. In board of director elections, Maple City "Profits usually bring capital to any struc- cattle farmer Glen Noonan was re-elected, and ture," Reed said. "The hog industry has been Stockbridge sheep producer Rex Hannewald, profitable for a couple of good reasons. We have and Archbold, Ohio cattle and sheep producer improved our efficiency and our predictability Ron Stuckey were newly elected. Montgomery of quality." area swine producer William Pridgeon was Reed credited past and current MLE mem- elected to serve as chairman of the board. ber commitment to the cooperative philosophy Pork Industry Approves 10 Cent Checkoff Increase at National Forum Photo: Michigan Pork Producers Assoc. 1. Paulding, MI 15. Sturgis, MI 28. Arcadia, IN ] I 2. RapId River, MI 16. Coldwater, MI 29. Boone County, IN 3. Kinross, MI 17. Archbold, OH 30. Rush-Henry, IN I 4. Alpena, MI 18. Columbus, Grove, OH 31. New Castle, IN 5. West Branch, MI 19. ColumbIa City, IN 32. Centerville, IN I 6. Marion, MI 20. Mentone, IN 33. Montgomery County, IN 7. Cass City, MI 8. St. Louis, MI 21. Wabash County, IN 22. Rensselaer, IN 34. Rockville, IN 35. Greencastle, IN I I 9. Portland, MI 23. Decatur, IN 36. Indianapolis, IN 10. Perry, MI 11. Zeeland, MI 24. Amboy, IN 25. Montpeller,IN 37. Sullivan, IN 38. Seymour, IN I 12. Battle Creek, MI 26. Frankfort, IN 39. Montgomery, IN I 13. Manchester, MI Frankfort, IN (28E) 40. Fulda, IN 14. Cassopolis, MI 27. Winchester, IN 41. Louisville, KY I Discover the Distinct Advantagel Michigan pork producer Chip Ray says the extra funds will be used to increase pork's market share Deb Laurell world. To achieve that, new alliances between Michigan pork producers can expect to pay producers and packers will be encouraged, new products will be developed and product promo- an additional 10 cents for every $100 received per market hog sold as part of an increase in the tion will be carried out on a global basis. checkoff rate from 35 cents to 45 cents. The "Most of the research will be focused on increase was recently approved during the Pork projects that would help improve the presenta- Forum 1994 annual meeting. tion of meat in the case; to find new cuts of meat and new user friendly uses," said Hankes. The proposal now must be submitted to the "There will also be research monies to help with Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA, producer education programs, but the lion share which will begin implementation procedures to of the focus will be on the product - we really be completed by fall of 1995. need to focus on changing the way pork is sold." • 50 Year Protection 1ft. MORTON • 5 Year Protection According to Chip Ray, Michigan pork pro- Against snow-loading dam Other issues such as meat safety, quality and ~ BUILDINGS Against wind load damage ducer and vice president of the National Pork environmental concerns will also be addressed age to the struChl'e with no to the structure with no Board, "It's very critical for a number of reasons through research and education. weight limit wind velocity limit that we do this now ... We project that by 1996, there will be a lot of meat on the market com- Bob Bloomer, Michigan Pork Producers • 50 Year Protection • AUwarranties include materials and pared to what we have today, coming from all Association president, said "This is definitely a Against decay or Insect attack on labor and are not prorated. species. positive thing. We need to keep an aggressive preservative treated colunms and "We need to do proactive things very rapidly role and go after the market ... We can't sit still preservative treated lumber. and say that's all we're going to do." to make our product more consumer friendly to continue to share the percent of market share we According Hankes, Pork Forum is an annual • 20 Year Protection Against red rust Including damage 800-447-7436 currently have, and hopefully, increase our per- meeting of the National Pork Producers Council caused by atmospheric pollutants. ~~MORTON cent of market share to protect producers from low prices in 1996," Ray concluded. The checkoff increase is necessary to finance the proposed research, promotion and informa- and the Pork Act Delegate Body, which was established by the'1985 Pork Act. Its function' is to recommend the rate of the national pork checkoff, to set the amount of the • 10 Year Protection Against wind load dam~e to 011' opUcai AlurnaSteetB' slillng .i. P. o. BUILDINGS Box 399, Morton, IL 61550 doors with no wind velocity limit lD 1994 Morton Buildings. Inc. tion procedures outlined in the new long-range checkoff that is returned to the individual states strategic plan recently adopted by the industry, and to nominate members to the National Pork according to Ray Hankes, president of the Na- Board, which administers the spending of the Adrian. MI (517) 263-0541 • Brown City. MI (313) 346-2702. Kalkaska, MI (616) 258-2580 tional Pork Board. This new plan has a goal to checkoff. • Rockford. MI (616) 874-6400 • Three Rivers (616) 279-5271 make U.S. pork the meat of choice around the Michigan Farm News March 30, 1994 Premium Standard Foods - Lessons for the Hog Industry? PSF Presi- "The producer of the future is going to be business oriented, dent John globally aware, politically astute, technically adept, commu- Stadler nication driven and consumer focused. The question that shared his observa- each of us must answer in our hearts is do we see this tions on the change as a threat to our existence or the opportunity of a changing hog industry lifetime?" John Stadler, president of Premium Standard Foods (PSF). during the recent In just 25 years, the U.S. has gone from a Michigan During a recent meeting of the Michigan million hog producers to just 200,000. Of Livestock Livestock Exchange, Stadler shared his that group, 13,000 or 6.5 percent produce Exchange views as president of PSF, a vertically inte- 60 percent of the hogs in the country. That annual grated 80,000 sow operation that will soon trend has also spilled over into the process- meeting be operating its own processing facility to ing industry, with the number of facilities complete the loop from conception to con- processing over 1.5 million hogs going sumer shelves. from just four to 23. nomic strength of Japan, South Korea, Crediting NAIT A for its benefits to the Saying that continued vertical integration is Employing nearly 700 people in Northwest China and the emerging economies of Indo- U.S. pork industry, he said the sow herd will a reality being driven by consumers who are Mo., PSF, started in 1988, plans to target nesia, Thailand, and Pakistan, you have a have to increase considerably to meet de- demanding a consistently lean and whole- the export market with its finished pork market of 2.4 billion people with the eco- mand. In addition, Mexico's average pork some product, Stadler said the pork industry products. Stadler predicts that China and nomic strength to improve their diet by production cost of 54 cents a pound prom- offers tremendous opportunity for those Mexico present the most exciting opportu- eating more protein from animals." ises dramatic growth in the U.S. pork indus- who want to get involved. "Change is com- nities for pork producers. try. ing, whether we like it or not," Stadler said. According to Stadler, China has increased "Debating change in the industry isn't pro- "With over a billion people, China has had its meat consumption by 2.3 million tons "Last year, the U.S. exported 140,000 tons ductive. Deciding how we respond to that an annual industrial growth rate of 12 per- per year for the last three years. Likewise, of pork, or only 2.5 percent of our total change is the most important decision pro- cent a year for 10 years in a row," Stadler Stadler predicts that Mexico holds great production," Stadler said. "If we have just a ducers will be forced to make. " explained. "When you combine the eco- promise for increased U.S. pork sales. 25 percent increase in Mexican pork con- sumption, and our numbers say it will be higher than that, we'll have to increase our exports just to Mexico by 400,000 tons per year. That's three times more than what we export altogether today." Stadler credits continued economic growth, and unprecedented global population growth, as other reasons for an optimistic outlook. "World population will double be- fore it begins to slow down," he said. "Six people are added to the world population every second. Based on that growth, the world as a whole will have to triple its food output in just the next 30 years." :11111111111, ~ - All is not rosy in the swine industry, how- ....... ever. Stadler said with urban members of Congress currently out-numbering rural members 12 to 1, policies affecting future growth will be made by non-farm interests. Environment, food safety and animal wel- fare will continue to focus more pressure on livestock operations. Stadler said the E-Coli incident in the Northwest has brought consumer concerns over food safety to a new level, bringing with it more questions that agriculture as a whole has not responded to adequately or quickly enough. "We need to develop new answers to these questions," Stadler urged. "And we need to do it, not as packers, or family farmers, or corporate farms, but as a whole industry through our pork councils and through or- While you're busy farming, In the halls of Congress and in ganizations like Michigan Livestock Ex- Farm Bureau is on the job in the Michigan Legislature, Farm change." Lansing and Washington, D.C. Bureau is respected as the voice protecting yourinterests. of agriculture. It's a grassroots Stadler also suggested that producers and Our experienced and highly organization with responsible land-grant universities need to be more ag- respected team of lobbyists are legislative clout, powered by gressive in solving the biggest issue facing there working for you. its members and guided by its livestock producers, odor control. With farmer-developed policies. more urban neighbors, he predicted this is- With the thousands of bills With over seven decades of sue, more than anything else, will prod the introduced on the state and industry to become proactive in manure and experience in the legislative and odor management or risk losing future op- federal level, Farm Bureau regulatory arenas, you can count portunities overseas. lobbyists work full-time on Farm Bureau to get results! aggressively supporting As a testament to his prediction of future legislation that benefits farm Farm Bureau member benefits consumer mandates, Stadler referenced Ja- families while seeking to defeat include: pan's Source Labeling Laws, meaning that measures detrimental to • Educational and leadership to selI pork in Japan, for example, a agriculture. opportunities packer/processor will have to provide certi- • Health care insurance fication of everything that went into those Farm Bureau - always there and proven effective ... animals, including the location of where it • Travel program was raised . • Discount prescription drugs • No/ee VISA card That, says Stadler, will prompt accelerated growth III contract feeding to meet specific • Farm. auto and life insurance consumer demands as evidenced by Con- Agra's recent announcement that it plans to What concerns you contract 75 percent of its purchased hogs by the year 2000. concerns us. "The pork market of the future will be more For your nearest Farm Bureau competitive - there will be no market for a office call 1(800) 292-2680 product that doesn't meet consumer de- extension 3237 mands - non-conformers simply won't sur- vive," Stadler concluded. Michigan Farm News New Vittetoe Drill Conveyor Makes Bulk Seed Handling a Breeze: Available for 1994 Planting Season - The Vittetoe Drill Conveyor is available for the 15-foot Join Deere 750 No- Till Drill and March 30, 1994 Constructed of galvanized steel, the Vit- the Great Plains Drill. It comes complete with all necessary mounting hardware and hydraulic The increased use of bulk seed in farm- tetoe Drill Conveyor weighs approximately hoses. ing operations has prompted Vittetoe, Inc. to 500 pounds. To minimize fill time, the con- create a new method for efficiently transfer- veyer conveniently mounts on the rear of the For further information on the Vittetoe Drill Conveyor or the name of the dealer nearest ring small grain seed into a grain drill. The drill and securely latches into place to ride you, contact Vittetoe, Inc., 2112 County Line Road, Keota, IA 52248 or call 1-800-848-8386. new device moves seed at five to 12 bushels on the drill during drilling operations. The per minute, so a drill can be filled in as little extra-heavy mounting and latching system as five minutes. is made to withstand higher speeds, even "The Vittetoe Drill Conveyor features a under the roughest field conditions. rubber-belted conveyor with rubber paddles At fill time, the drill is positioned near the that gently move the bulk seed from a wagon wagon or bulk seed container. The con- or container into the grain drill," explains veyer is unlatched and rolls off the left side Davit Vittetoe, president. "After extensive of the drill so the large hopper can be placed field testing and hundreds of hours of run- on the ground under the wagon chute. The ning seed through the conveyer, we're con- conveyer is then moved into position on two fident the Vittetoe Drill Conveyor will meet heavy neoprene wheels that run in securely the high standards of our customers. It's very mounted wheel channels. Wheel-channel gentle on the seed. " stops help position the conveyer in the ---------------- proper loading position. Piant Population According to Vittetoe, a heavy-duty tele- Gu,-del,-nes Can scoping spout enables the operator to fill the entire drill without having to move the con- Bene.#l-t All Co"n I~ • I veyer. The Vittetoe Drill Conveyor is hydrau- lically driven by the tractor pulling the drill. A Growers convenient control rod allows the operator to start or stop the conveyer from the ground While corn plant population decisions ul- or from on the drill. timately depend on individual grower op- erations, general guidelines can benefit all growers. Mark Mattingly, Northrup King agronomist for the Northeast, says achieving proper plant populations is essential to reaching other corn production goals. Mattingly suggests that growers match ~RRIED populations to the soil types and fertility of each field. Growers should also choose populations that maximize the hybrid's po- "- tential to reach the yield goal for each field FACES and adjust populations for grain or silage. In addition, growers can base populations on the seed company's recommendations for each hybrid and the expected environ- ment in each field. OF OUR The Northrup King agronomist notes that planter performance methods also can im- pact plant populations. He advises growers INSUREDS. to check and adjust their planter units to assure that the units drop seed at the most uniform spacing possible. Worn metering Worry ? Not them. mechanisms, the lack of calibration and driving too fast can all cause uneven seed And why should you when you can protect your life savings with a drop within the row. In fact, a wide vari- Long Term Care Plan from AMEX Life Assurance Company? ation in plant spacing can make a several- bushels-per-acre difference in actual yield. Regrettably, two in five older adults will require nursing home care. I In addition, Mattingly cautions growers to With costs averaging about $30,000 per year2 it's easy to see just how pay close attention to seed company recom- devastating this can be. mendations. Northrup King, for example, offers a range of populations for stressful, favorable and optimal growing conditions. But it doesn't have to be this way. These recommendations are designed to help growers match each hybrid to the pre- With AMEX Life you can plan on peace of mind. AMEX Life, an vailing planting environment. American Express company, has over 16 years experience in long-term care insurance and is rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best.} CONGRESS URGED NOT TO DELA Y GA TT Don't be worried by the costs of long-term care. Call or write today for more information from your local Farm Bureau Insurance Agent on the U.S. Trade Representative Mickey Kantor said it would be a mistake for options available to you. Congress to delay ratification of the Uru- Representing: guay Round international trade agree- ment. AMEX Life Assurance Company Kantor told a House trade subcommittee a subSidiary of • TRAVEL it is in the best interest of this country RELATED and the GAIT for the agreement to be @ SEIMCES ratified this year. I. Consumer's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance. HIAA 1989 Some members of Congress and some 2. U.S. News & World Report. Aug. 13, 1990 3. Independent analysts of the insurance industry who hase their analysis on finanl:ial strength and administration officials are saying the operating performance. pact approval may be delayed until they can come up with a way to offset the TO RECEIVE ADDmONAL INFORMATION AND AN AIIEX BROCHURE/APPUCATION - ALL OUT THE COUPON BELOW import tariff revenue that would be lost OR CALL DIRECT 1-800-292-2680, EXT. - 3238 through the agreement, an estimated $14 billion over five years. Please Print ~ ItIICHIGAN Pay-as-you-go budget requirements de- • ... FARItI BIJREAIJ Name mand that revenue lost because of GATT must be offset by cuts .elsewhere in the Please mail to: Michigan Farm Bureau A dr budget or by new revenue. The admini- Membership Services stration has considered seeking a waiver P.O. Box 30960 Ci State ZIP of the pay-as-you-go rules and charging lansing, MI 48909 fees for textile and apparel imports to n make up the difference, according to a Knight-Ridder News report. Coun MFN Michigan Farm News . _ March 30, 1994 - Michigan Farm News Classifieds - ............ --- ... 10,000 BUSHEL GRAIN bin, in bin dryer, stirrator, sweep auger. Call 1-61~23-2556. TWO BADGER BLOWERS, $300 each. Badger chopper 12600, both heads, $2,000. Badger manure spreader, NEW AND USED irrigation and manure spreading equip- ment. Pumps, travelers, FORD 3 POINT hay mower, T bar, $300. Electric lhp irrigation pump, lots of plastic ALFALFA nMOTHY round and square bales, first and second cutting. Delivery EASTER COMING: Cocker puppies. One red female, three offlwhite females, one (6) DAWN TRASH row dean- ~itators, PVC and aluminum pipe, $200. Call availablel Call offlwhite male. Papers, 8 149 cubic foot, $1,000. Deutz pIpe. Call for listing. We 1-616-754-7256 evenings. 1-517-866-2301 weeks old. Ready nowl $225 ers. Fits John Deere 7000 or square baler. Excelletn condi- Kinze planters. Used very d9liverl FOR SALE: 1980 John HARDWOOD TREES IE each. Can see mothernather. tionl $3,000. rrtde. Call 1-419-836--8674. 1-616-832-5975 Plummer SuPPlY, Inc. 1-800-632-7731. Deere 4640; 3 remotes plus SHRUBS: For conselVation 1-517-626-6072- 1-616-832-59n. power beyond, 18.4x42 and reforestation. State FOR SALE: Australian Blue ClJals,41 hundred hours. Call inspectedf Order for Spring Heeler/Collie mix pups. r------------------------l I Run your classified ad for 2 issues, 1-517-875-4181 days or 1-517-875-3912 evenings. planting. Price 1-616-624-6054. Conaerv. list, Excellent stock and watch dogs. Born 2-19-94. $35 Ithaca, MI. tion Resource Center, each. Call 1-517-593-2131 get your third issue -.-. 61591 30th Street, Lawton, evenings. FOR SALE: Harely, Model A MI49065. rock picker and 2ft rake. FREE! • Excellent condition! Call HI-MOISTURE 1993 shelled 1-517-874-5408. com, 22-26 moisture. Will FOR SALE: IH 800, twelve deliverl Call 1-517-743-3803. bottom plow. Good condition! $5,SOO. Sackett Potatoes Experienced In Farming Mecosta, 1-616-972-2005 and feed mill. Looking for a Deadline for next issue is April 8, 1994 job with housing. Non- FOR SALE: John Deere smoker, non-drinker. Call 7000, 6 row drill with plateless 1-616-794-0599 after 5pm. units and insecticide hoppers. FOR SALE: Shelled com by ( VISA J Call 1-800-968-3129 _ Call 1-517-453-2383. the ton. Taking orders for seed oats and barley. to Place Your Classified Ad Today! FOR SALE OR TRADE: Approximatley 25 pieces of Charles Behrenwald, Lake- farm equipment due to view. Call 1-517-352-8198 or use the coupon below and mail your classified ad to Michigan Farm News change in farm operation. Sl MICHIGAN CERTIFIED Buy Line/Daily News Johns area. Call for flyer. Kenwood Soybean seed for 1-517-834-2576. sale. 95% germ, high cold ArrENnON DAIRY MEN: vigor. Cleaned, bagged and Now offering management P.O. Box 6 1H-133 CULTIVATOR, like taggedl Call Schmidt Farms grazing services. Terms new, $ " 000. 4-section of Auburn at negotiablel Please call Stanton, MI 48888 harrow, $150. JD 8-20'" culti- 1-517-662-2695. 1-616-734-5447. vator, $600. JD 3-point rotary hoe, $SOO. 1956, 5/6 Ford SHELLED CORN for sale by Classified A d Codes stakes, $600-$900. Don, the ton. Taking orders for BIRD FERTILIZER SERVICES. 1100 N '1IVin~, 1-313-453-6139. seed oats and barley. Greenville. Fertilizer, chemi- Charles Behrenwald, lake- cals, seed, lime, feed. Soil 1. Farm Machinery 10. Work Wanted 19. General INTERNATIONAL vibra view. Call 1-517-352-8198. shanks, wing discs, chissel testing, truck spreading and 2. Livestock Equipment 11. Agricultural Services 20. Wanted To Buy plows, hay bine, balers. Large custom spraying. Call II-. selection of tillage and haying 1-616-754-3684. 3. Farm Commodities 12. Business Services 21. Special Events equipment. Call 1-517-n3-5374 after lpm. EXPERIENCED Michigan 4. Seeds 13. Business Opportunities 22. Recreation Dan Reid. agribusiness attorneys with 5. Livestock 14. Real Estate 23. Financing farm backgrounds. Know- JOHN DEERE 60: Power EMU AND RHEA - the lives- ledge and experience in. all 6. Poultry 15. Real Estate Wanted 24. Investors Wanted. steering, live PTO, new front tock of the future. Now hatch- fann areas; restructure, stray tires. Good conditionl $2300. i~ and taking orders for voltage, bankruptcy, estate 7. Dogs and Puppies 16. Estate Sales 25. Building Supplies Call 1-517-546-n3O. chicks. Mid-Michigan Uamas planning. EAST SIDE: 8. Ponies/Horses 17. Auctions 26. Lawn And Garden LANDOLL SOIL FINISHER: & More. Call 1-517-662-2165 Thomas J. Budzynski, 43777 Fibra Shanks, several Groesbeck Hwy., Mt. 9. Help Wanted 18. Antiques/Collectibles 27. Announcements spreaders, wing disks and FOR SALE: Registered Clemens, MI 48036, large selection tillage and polled hereford breeding age 313-463-5253; WEST SIDE: haying equipment. Call bulls, heifers, cows. Rocky Robert A. Stariha, 40 W. 1-517-773-5374 after lpm. Banner bloodlines. MSU Sheridan, Fremont, MI Name Phone ( )__ -__ Dan Reid. J>Qrformancetested. 49412, 616-924-3760. Call Rye Hereford Farm, BUZZ SAW, 3-point hook up 1-517-734-3005. HONEY BEES: Restock your Address pully-bell New two wheel hives with Nucs. Available trailer, 42'"x6'. 1980 Olds 88, mid April. Full range of pallet- 4-door, 78,000 actual miles, FREE CATALOG: Whole- tized pollination also avail- City State Zip good tires. Runs very goodl sale prices. Broiler and pedi- able. Call 1-616-429-0719 1-517-543-4752. gree laying chicks, turkeys, Classified Ad Code Requested Number of Issues ducks, guineas, goslings. tleich Poultry Farms HONEY BEES TRACTOR FOR SALE: for pollenation. Call White 2-105. 200 hours on Marietta, PA 17547 Desired Insertion Date(s): Call 1-717-426-3411 1-517-872-2914, Cass City. engine overhaul. PTO dutch completely rebuilt. Field POLLENA nON SERVICE: Method of Payment readyl $6500. Call Bees available for pollenation 1-517-561-2242 after 6pm. HAMPSHIRE BOARS: 4H of fruit and vegetables. Club pigs. Delivery availableI Contact Joe at Check $ (payable to MIchigan Farm News Classified) Pseudorabies and Bruoello- 1-517-864-3247 1988 BUSH HOG, 3126 sis. Jerry Roth, mower, 10~' off set model. 5040 Bancroft. Lowell, MI. Visa Card Number Exp. Date Has front chains and air. Tires SAVE MONEY Call 1-616-868-7386. good condition, $2750. Recycle your diesel and Master Card Number Exp. Date Albion, MI. Call industrial air intake filters 1-517-629-6647. QUALITY ANGUS BREED- using the Sonic Dry aean I Classified Rates HAHN HI-BOY: Model 300. ING STOCK Performance System. No liquids or deter- tested, Bulls semen tested. gents used. 50% savings over I Goodl $5200. Owner is Free delivery. Also Border new filters. retired. Call 1-313-439-2nl. I $8 for up to 24 words Collie Stock Dogs. Call today. Recycle Now, Inc. Holland, MI BORtlNER ANGUS FARMS I 30 cents each additional word TWO HORSE BOB SLED: SturgiS, MI 616-651-8353. 1-616-396-n24 Perfect condition I 11.2-38 1-616-396-8102, Fax I Firestone field and road trac- I Write your ad here, including phone number and area code tor tire, 70% tread. Call 1-810-727-2452- I USED VALLEY CENTER I 2 3 4 pivots and other makes with related equipmenl Call any I time, toll free. Place your ad for 6 I 5 6 7 8 1-800-248-8589 % MILE WOVEN FENCE months, get phone I 9 10 11 12 and barbed wire. Five to ten I years old, $500. Steel posts, $l.SO to $2.00 each. Cow number or name in red. I 13 14 15 16 stanchions, $10 each. Call Place your ad for 1 1-810-727-1060. I 17 18 19 20 MANURE SPREADERS: year, get phone number I New and used, Balzer Betten- I 21 22 23 24 Bilt parts. UPS daily. Also grain dryers and handling or name in red and also I 25 26 27 28 equipmenl Hamilton Distributing Co. save $1.00 per ad. I 1-800-248-8070 I 29 30 31 32 SOUD BAR STEEL nursery Call pens, farrowing stalls, free I 33 34 35 36 stalls, flush trays, fann and ranch supplies. Free quotesl 1-800-968-3129 f L J Free catalogl Rettey, P.O. Box 261, Department 119, Colchester, IL 62326. for details Circulation over 46,000 in State of Michigan. _ ' Michigan Farm News -. March 30, 1994 STARTERS, alternators, generators. Rebuilt for cars, --- . DEBT RESTRUCTURING: 8 years practice representing Michigan family farmers. .... .:.:-:.:.:.:.:.:-:.:.:-:.:.:.:.'.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:-:.:.:.:.:-:.:-:.:.:.:.:.:.:. PRESSURE fence posts, hi-tensile fence supplies. Installation crew TREATED Espy Announces Proposal to Improve Poultry Inspection Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy has an- nounced that the u.s. Department of Agriculture D Regular microbial testing will be man- trucks and tractors. Diesel dated on a statistical sampling of product. This and heavv duty work. In Specializing in reorganiza- available. will further enhance and strengthen the poultry tionl Experienced 'in many Nevill Supply will further incorporate science into the system. business SInce 1970. inspection system to include microbial testing Armature Rewind and agricultural issues, including 1-517-386-35f7 D Industry will be required to use FDA-ap- • Rebuilding, Bay City. PA116 r~uests . 1-517-386-2382 and the prohibition of all fecal matter on raw proved rinses that reduce overall bacterial levels 1-517-686-3450 Attomev Daniel Krait, product. 1-517-485-8885. on raw product. As more compounds are devel- STRAW CHOPPERS: We "We have made improving the meat and rebuild and balance. Some oped and given FDA approval, immediate use exchanges. We stock cho~ poultry inspection system at USDA a top priority will be allowed. ENTIRE COLLECTION of Farm 1/16 scale toy tractors. per parts. ENGINE and today's announcement is another move in D A part of the inspection sequence will be Several classicsl Also, REBUILDING our specialty. that direction," said Espy. "We are taking steps Auto-Truck -Tractor-Antique- changed. Currently, the initial inspection of the balanceof ca~ (X)lIection.Roll to further incorporate science and modernize the top desk and TRS-80 compu- Continen tal-Koh Ier-Onan- poultry carcasses is before the internal organs are Handyman Enterprises ter. Call 1-517-269-8895 Wisconsin engine dealer. nation's meat and poultry system." removed. Today's proposal calls for the inspec- Decks, Additions evenings. Hart'a Auto Parta The secretary's poultry initiative includes Pole buildings Cecil, Ohio tion to take place before and after the internal .. Roofing & Siding 419-399-4n7 several major changes that will be proposed in organs are removed. This will ensure that the Quality work at a fair price. FISH FOR STOCKING: the Federal Register. Ucensed & Insured Builder. carcasses are examined after a key point of po- Giant Hybrid Bluegills, Rain- -- Call 1-517-762-5254. bow Trout, Walleye, large- :.: I :.:<.:.:.:.:.:':.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:':.:.:,m:.:.:.:.:.:. The proposal includes: tential contamination (organ removal) and be- WEST MICHIGAN BARN mouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Perch oNo amount offecal matter will be allowed fore the chiller. RESTORAllON. We repair and Fathead Minnows. on raw product. This will formalize the policy in D Fecal-contaminated poul try carcasses will or replace foundations of all kinds, roofs, floors, beams, Laggie' Fish Farm Inc. regulation. When Espy came to office, he rein- be allowed to be washed inside and outside, sidewalls and doors. Structur- 0898835th Street, Gobles, MI forced this policy for red meat and directed the rather than trimmed, if removal is effective; how- 49055. Call 1-616-628-2056 BUYERS OF STANDING al Straightening and Painting. timer and veneer logs. Food Safety and Inspection Service to draft a ever, all birds will be re-inspected after reproc- No Sunday calls. days. 1-616-624-6215 evenings. Devereaux Sawmill, Inc. similar proposal for poultry. Fecal matter will no essing rather than a sampling. This move is based 616-924-4151. Pewamo, MJ. Call 1-517-593-2552. longer be acceptable as part of a finished product on a 1993 study which reconfirms the efficacy of FOR SALE: 4200 bushel standard. washing. " steel storage grain bin. Good CENTRAL MICHIGAN conditionl $800. Handicap lift recliner chair. Excellent condition I $350. Call METALS: Buyers of all grades of scrap metal. Washington, D.C. Trip...continued from page 1 Call Kevin Ferguson, 36% ACRE Christmas Tree 1-616-757-2106. 1-517-386-2409 or "The decision by the Congressional on the food supply. We have in place a Farm, Hillsdale County. 1-800-835-1170. Budget Office to put the cost of health care pretty sophisticated process for determin- Gorgeous building sitesl 1215 East Maple Road, Owner financing. Possible 'on budget' probably has done as much to ing that. We must have the opportunity to FOUR 14.9x26 tires and Clare, MI 48617 splits. $52,000. F-853. kill universal health care as anything," said put this chemical product on the market (for Faust Real Estate tubes, on rims. Make offer. Good treadsl Call Rep. Nick Smith. farmers) at an affordable price in an expe- Adrian INTERNATIONAL corn 1-517-263-8666 1-517-652-2117. Rep. Fred Upton agreed that the presi- dient manner as soon as it has been tested." binders, grain binders, silo fillers, New Holland 402 hay dent's plan is dead. "Consequently, we're Farm Bureau-backed legislation, H.R. 42 ACRES: Private airstrip, highway frontage, mobile crimpers, 455 and 456 going back to figure out what to do. We 967, has been introduced in the House Ag- FRESH FISH: Perch, white- mowers. John Spezia, Jr., home, large pole bam, 3 road fish, catfish, suckers, snioked need reform. I hope to do something con- riculture Committee and currently has over .... !ccess. Hunting, fishing. Leonard, MI. Call fish. Brought in by our own 1-810-628-4147. structive for small business and allow more 120 cosponsors. Similar legislation, S. 985, ,..-ureat opportunityl Call now, boats dailyl 1-616-937-9273. people to have access to decent health care," has been introduced in the Senate and has Bayport Fish Company 80 ACRE WHOLESALE Bayport, MI he said. 40 cosponsors. The legislation addresses WANTED: Old swords, old NURSERY growers of Ever- 1-517-656-2121 handmade knives, antique Michigan farmers also told legislators the minor crop problem by providing incen- greens, Trees, Shrubs, guns, American Indian arti- that the loss of crop protection chemicals for tives to the pesticide industry to pursue Perennials. Complete setup facts, Civil War items. Call so-called "minor crops" like those grown in minor crop registrations, proposing includes house, 3 bams, Air- 1-517-835-4622. trea!1l office, 15 polyhouses, INTRODUCTORY OFFER: Michigan is one of the most serious prob- changes that would encourage third-party .. equipment, nursery stock, $60 per ton; animal bedding lems facing agriculture today . registrations, emphasizing the use of exist- marketing system. Termsl made from recycled news- paper, chopped not shred- Speaking to Michigan radio stations ing authority to expedite minor crop pesti- Great location I Southwest WANTED: Old motorcyles, Michigan for 27 years, major ded. More absorbent-less snowmobileand off roadvehi- during a satellite hook-up from the nation's cide registrations and by providing direc- highways, large cities nearby. flies-less odor. 70# bales. cles. 1965 and older. Call JD, capital, MFB President Jack Laurie said that tion to the Environmental Protection Appointment to see how Clean Future 1-517-676.0583. Agency and the U.S. Department of Agri- 1-517-876-6051 the cost of doing research and developing ~oney grows on trees •. Michigan Farm News, Turner, MI scientific data for registration and reregis- culture for pesticide programs aimed at mi- Nursery Business, P.O. Box WANTED: Tiling machine, tration has become so expensive that many nor crops. 6, Stanton, MI 48888. dual tires (23.1x30), grain crops no longer provide the necessary mar- "Without prompt attention, farmers' ... DAIRY FARM: 277 acres HARDY OUTSIDE hopper tank, 25' culti-mucher, ket and sales potential to warrant the re- ability to compete with foreign growers in farmland. Set up for dairy WOOD FURNACE: 8 or 10" grain auger. Call 1-517-742-3803. search and scientific investment. both domestic and international markets operation. Includes; grain Eliminates fire danger, odor, binS, silos, bams, outl:luild- inside mess. Heats home, "Can we just raise the price of the com- will decline significantly," said Laurie. ings and quality built 4- domestic water, pools. Bums modity to the point where the farmer could "The effects will be widespread, impacting bedroom home. Additional 12 hoursl Stainless steel pay more for the chemical and pay for the consumer prices and the quality of com- acreage availablel $295,000. construction, easy installa- Century 21 tion. 1-800-743-5883. research? Probably not," he said. "We're modities, as well as the local food produc- Czmer Realty Jamboree Acr .. dealing in a world market and we have to be tion and processing infrastructures." Adrian, MI Diatributor competitive. The real issue is to make sure 1-517-263-8855 CALL Home R.finance that all of these chemicals are safe to be used 'TOTAL 20 ACRES, 8Yz PERMANENT STEEL Loan Speciallata LIVE 24 blueberries. Solid set irriga- BUILDINGS No seconds. HOURS. Cash in 7 days. tion, pond, 5 bedroom house, State of the art manufactur- Bankruptcy OK. 2Yz baths, cathedral ceiling, 2 ing. Monthly specialsl Call Call 1-800-223-9699 decks. Near South Haven. Nick, 1-616-754-0643. (616 area only) Call 1-616-253-4569. or 1-616-285-3243. POLE BARN: No size too big HOW TO or small; also postholes dug, 18 years experience. Phone 1-810-793-2735, John Sharp. RAISE K a K AUCllON SERVICES SET OF FIVE TIRES: TROYBILT llLLERS: 20% CROPS Providing auctions statewide for: P235n5 R15 M&S, only discounts. Replacement ANT1QUES 2,500 miles, $300. Two trailer tines, $59. Send stamp: BUSINESSES house axles, one with brakes, Discount Parts Catalog, tires included. $300. Call Kelley's, Manilla, IN 46150. FARM 1-517-839-0059. HOUSEHOLD Call 1-317-398-9012. REAL ESTATE ~ We also purchase Antiques, one piece or full estates. CALL NOW for spring and summer sales. ... . FOR DISPLAY AD 1-810-227-8040. Use the JCB Loadall all around the farm - it's a " WORLD WAR I AND II Mili- INFORMATION 4 WD tractor, a wheel loader and a forklift, all rolled into one. tary Reliea wanted: Leather Right Jacket Samari Swords Squadron patches Metals and badges CALL Call one of these convenient locations Daggers and Kriives Also buying Tobacco, Cigar cutt.ra. Alao any Cigar IMtvwtiaing, Fruit jara, anti- 1.800.292.2680 A18) e lMsing (517) 321-8000 TraY8rS8 City Grand Rapids (616) 538-2400 Decroit Ridlmond (313) 727-7502 ~ W que lelephon .. , oak wall COMPANIES phone. and candlestick phones. Call 1-616-754-8892. EXT. 3201 (616) 267-5060 (313) 437-8121 (51~0090~~ Michigan Farm News . National Dairy Board and UDIA Establish Joint Venture ". March 30, 1994 :.J • enhance accountability by combining the cur- tions including product research and develop- 1993 adult fluid milk marketing plant, selected The National Dairy Promotion and Re- rent staff and program administration of both ment, nutrition education, public relations, mar- a new advertising agency for fluid milk, and search Board (National Dairy Board) and United national organizations. ket research and development of export markets. significantly increased coordination of other Dairy Industry Association (VDIA) have an- Under the new agreement, Dairy Manage- In many respects, the joint venture repre- promotional activities for the current year. nounced the establishment of Dairy Management ment Incorporated will be responsible for devel- sents a formal extension of recent promotion and "The joint venture we've announced is an Incorporated, ajoint venture designed to improve opment and execution of all producer-check- research planning efforts between the two or- important and logical development for our in- joint planning, increase program and cost effec- funded national marketing for milk, cheese, but- ganizations. Over the past year, the National dustry," said Robert W. Giacomini, chairman of tiveness,.improve industry communications, and ter and frozen desserts and other industry func- Dairy Board and UDIA jointly developed the the National Dairy Board. "Over the past year, ~ the two organizations have worked very closely and very effectively together. This an- nouncement represents a formal extension of our current working relationship." Under the new arrangement, the structure of the respective boards of directors for both the National Dairy Board and UDIA will remain unchanged. Both boards maintain responsibility for approval of annual business plans and budg- #r e~, and accountability for results. For purposes of overseeing Dairy Management Incorporated, a 2O-person governing board will be formed by each parent board naming 10 of its members to the DMI Board. Details of the joint venture involving immediate staff assignments, report- ing relationships and other operational issues will be brought to the parent boards in the weeks to follow. "Given the increased demands on the dairy industry's resources, the increasing costs of competing in the marketplace, and the signifi- cant opportunities associated with promoting the benefits of dairy products, the consolidation of these two staffs is both sensible and timely," said Herman Brubaker, chairman of the United $' Dairy Industry Association. "For too long, there has been confusion over which organization was responsible for specific program areas," adds Brubaker. "This is an op- portunity to streamline communications for the benefit of the dairy industry and other organiza- tions involved with the promotion of dairy prod- -If ucts and proper nutrition. Dairy farmers have asked us to do this and we're delivering." The United Dairy Industry Association, lo- cated in Rosemont, Ill., is a member-driven fed- eration which conducts a total promotion pro- gram for U.S.-produced milk and other dairy products. UDIA is the umbrella organization for American Dairy Association, which conducts advertising and marketing services, and the Na- tional Dairy Council, which conducts nutrition education and research programs. The National Dairy Promotion and Re- search Board, based in Arlington, Va., is com- prised of 36 dairy farmers from across the U.S. The organization develops and implements a coordinated effort of promotion, research and communications to increase demand for U.S.- produced milk and dairy foods. , Buy COUNTER@15GLOCK'n LOAD@right now, and you can earn up to $1.00* Calendar of Events an acre, redeemable as cash or other benefits through the Harvest PartnersTM April 8-10, Michigan Beef Expo, Ingham Preferred Customer Program. County Fairgrounds, Mason, call (517) 669- /1 8589 for more information. UnTOUCHABLE PERFORMAnCE. Without question, April 16, Southwest Michigan Polled Here- COUNTER@.15Gsystemic insecticide-nematicide is the best corn protection ford Association Sale, Allegan, noon. you can buy. Year after year, field tests consistently prove COUNTER April 23, West Branch Bull Sale, noon. to be the most effective; .broadest-spectrum insect control there is. No other product can touch COUNTER performance. April 30, 4th Annual Key to Profit Sale, -F Escanaba, 1 p.m. UnTOUCHABLE PROTECTion. Buy COUNTER in the LOCK'n LOAD closed handling June 20-24, Young People's Citizenship system, and you not only protect your crops, you protect yourself. No bags to open. No pouring. Seminar, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, No dust. No empty bags to dispose of. Converting your planter boxes to LOCK'n LOAD is easy, too. 1-800-292-2680, ext. 3234. Just ask your Cyanamid AgriCenter™dealer or call 1-800-942-0500. July 19-21, MSU-AG Expo, Michigan State University. UnTOUCHABLE VALUE. Any way you look at it, this is a great deal. The best insect control you can buy. The best system for delivering it. And an incentive you can't pass up. So, don't wait. July 20, Summerfest, MFB Center, Lansing. Order COUNTER 156 LOCK'n LOAD now and earn up to $1.00 an acre on your purchase. August 5-7, Llamafest, Kalamazoo Fair- grounds, Kalamazoo. Fourth annual meeting includes workshops, demonstrations, show and sale for Llamas. Call Leah Bird (616) 657 -6379 for more information. Nov. 28 - Dec. 1, MFB Annual Meeting, 1. e COUnTER 150 e Westin Hotel, Detroit. LOCH '0 LOAO Mail or FAX information (include contact name and phone number) three weeks in advance to: Michigan Farm News P.O. Box 30960 Lansing, MI 48909-8460 ReslrilIId Use I'tslilide. Always follow label dnIioas. ~ Trademcris. AmeriaIII CJIIIIOIIlid Compauy CI994. FAX: (517) 323-6793 Preferred Customer Program .~. bCIlICIon r--*d lIppimIion rail alll pIMIds per CIl1I at 121 per pound. on. good ~ Ajri 30, 1994.