") Michigan Farm News • • ----------------~~-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- _-_- _- _- _- _-_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ -_ ---< •• "_1 1 ::::::::::::::~~~--------------------------V-OI _ May 30, 1994 •.-7-1-,-1.0 N.o •• Farm Bureau Successful in Passage of 6-Mill School • Onerating Rate for Farmland " It's ~ done de.a/! Below, Go~. John Eng~er signs legislation provi~ing.all farmland with an eqUItable 6-mill tax rate, dunng ceremomes at the Tom Irrer farm m Clmton County. Measure will treat all farmland fairly under new school finance package, saving Michigan farmers over $20 million • annually in property taxes . As of May 11, both houses of the state tafson. "Any two gas stations or hardware stores Legislature approved the Gustafson-Profit bill are paying the same educational millage. It was that provides farmland the same 6-mill school only farm property that was paying different operating status as homesteads for property tax rates for identical parcels, and it was only farm- purposes, with immediate effect, according to ers who were not being treated equally." MFB President Jack Laurie. Agricultural interests need to be protected • "This is a great day for Michigan agricul- ture," Laurie said. "The successful passage of and taxed at the preferable, residential rate, said Rep. Profit. "If you tax farmland at a higher rate, you're going to artificially encourage develop- this measure, especially the provision that pro- vides for immediate effect, is a tribute to the ment of it. It's tough to own agricultural prop- efforts of individual Farm Bureau members erty if you're going to tax it at the 24-mill rate across the state who contacted their lawmakers and not develop it for other purposes," he said. to urge approval. Our farmer members did an Thanks to passage of this measure, farmers outstanding job explaining that this legislation, can expect a significant savings with their prop- far from being a special tax break for agriculture, erty taxes reduced by approximately 50 percent, instead provides for clear definition and equity said MFB Legislative Counsel Ron Nelson. in the taxation of farmland in our state. - "We appreciate.the efforts of Rep. Dan Gus- tafson (R-Haslett) and Rep. Kirk Profit (D- Yp- What the 1995 Farm Bill Debate Means to Michigan silanti), the House sponsors, and of Sen. Joel Editor's Note: This is the first of a series of articles pages that included policy issues ranging from sions made in 1995, regardless of whether they Gougeon (R-Bay City), who led the fight in the prepared by -MSU's Ag Econ. Department and commodity programs to agricultural research to currently participate in farm programs . • Senate, for the successful passage of this meas- ure," Laurie said. the MFB Commodity Activities and Research D~vision on the 1,995 farm. bil~, Specific aspects the Food Stamp program. There are several is- sues t~at will be considered dur~ng t~e 1~95 Will there be m~or changes in com- modity programs? Commodity programs will Rep. Gustafson said Farm Bureau members will be analyzed m upcommg Issues. farm bill debate, and each alternative raises Im- once again be at the center of the farm bill debate, played a critical role in helping to get the legis- By Sandra S. Batie and David B. portant questions for Michigan farmers. with alternatives ranging from continuation of lation approved. "Absolutely, especially at the Schwelkhardt, Department of Agricultural Michigan farmers feel the impact of the farm the current programs to a complete restructuring critical points where the bill needed a few more Economics, Michigan State University bill every day. Farm program payments are a of government programs for agriculture. votes for immediate affect," he said. As 1995 approaches, the political machin- ~ajor so~rce of income (25 percent of net farm Some see the existing programs as having Similarly, Rep. Profit said farmer input was ery of Washington is gearing up to write another Income In recent years has. come from farm been successful, with only minor changes personally very important to him. farm bill to replace the 1990 bill. Writing a farm program ~ayments .- see FIg: 1 on page 5), needed to meet specific policy objectives. The "There are several farmers who rent a lot of bill is now a major policy exercise for Congress, conservatIon complIance reqUIrements are be- minor changes could include changes in "flex their property, and on that issue specifically, I ginning to affect production decisions, and ex- requiring several months of debate. It is a mas- Continued on page 5, see sent them different versions of the legislation to sive document. The 1990 farm bill was 1,200 port programs affect market prices. Every get their input to see what the impact on their farmer in Michigan will be affected by the deci- 1995 Farm Bill operation would be and to see if the measure '. would truly serve the agricultural and environ- mental needs we had hoped to address. The One Down - 2,900 More to Go... Farm Bureau and its members were very helpful More than likely, most of the herbicides The rig, powered by an International Cub, is used across Michigan. The five fire in making sure that the legi~lation that we that you use on your farm have passed extinguisher canisters each hold 2-1/2 gallons and are plumbed into the 4-row sprayer. The drafted achieved its purpose," he said. through this rig at one time or another. This rig also sports a flow track monitor system, and a radar for accurate ground speeds. People who criticize the legislation as being unique sprayer, used by Michigan State According to Powell, the entire rig can be loaded into the back of one of the department's a special tax break for farmers don't understand University's Crop and Soil Sciences Weed trucks for easy transport. the purpose of the bill, according to Rep. Gus- Control Project, applies 600 different regis- tered and unregistered herbicides on nearly 3,000 test plots annually. Each treatment plot measures 10 feet wide, by 30 to 40 feet long, with four to six replications, according to Gary Powell, with the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. "We're looking at different rates, re- duced rates of products, different tank mix- ers, and different adjuvants, as well as new • chemistry in unlabeled products that may be coming down the road, " Powell explained. "All of the research station fields have been seeded to very high weed pressures, and we'll have 10 to 12 different weed species that we'll be evaluating. " Powell said that in many cases, they also work directly with various farmers that •• may have a unique and specific weed prob- lem, and/or a unique commodity. For exam- ple, they have several farmer-test plots in Saginaw and Gratiot counties on sugar beets and dry beans. Michigan Farm News Classifieds - Page 14 Michigan Farm News •• May 30,1994 FJ Farmland In Brief ... Michigan April Farm Prices Unchanged From March Tax Bill- The Index of Prices Received by farmers in Michigan for all products as of April 15 was 131 percent of its 1977 base, according to the Michigan Agricultural Statistics Serv}ce. The The Value of April index was unchanged from March's index, but 2 percent above last year's. Index of 128. The price index for all crops in Michigan was unchanged from last month WIth wheat' Membership prices declining 3 percent. Oat, corn and soybean prices dropped 2, 5 and 3 percent, respectively, from last month, while potato prices increased 7 percent. The livestock and products index was unchanged from March. Slaughter cows and The value of belonging to and being actively involved in Farm Bureau was never more vividly steers/heifers noted increases of 3 and 1 percent, respectively. Calf and beef cattle prices demonstrated than during the successful effort to provide all farmland the same 6-mill school were up 2 and 3 percent, respectively. Hog prices were down 4 percent which balanced the operating status as homesteads for property tax purposes. It should be clear to everyone in livestock index. agriculture that one organization - Farm Bureau - is responsible for the fact that farmers are going to save thousands of dollars each year on their property taxes. Nationally, the April All Farm Products Index of Prices Received was 146 percent of the 1977 base, two points below March. Price gains from March for cattle, potatoes, h~y, and Property tax reform has been a long and difficult struggle that has taken years of steady oranges offset price declines for hogs, corn, soybeans and wheat. The Index of Pn~es by effort to address. Numerous referendums and legislative attempts to change the system farmers for commodities and services, interest, taxes and farm wage rates for Apnl was have fallen by the wayside. But there is something to be said for plain old persistence. Farm 200 percent of its 1977 average. Prices were higher for all input groups except feeder Bureau members never gave up! They kept our policy on this issue steady and consistent livestock, feed, and farm and motor supplies. and kept the heat on the legislators. Finally, the political climate evolved to the point where we could make some real progress. Increased Milk Production Trends Continue Shifting A massive education and get-out-the vote effort by county Farm Bureaus helped pass Milk production in the 21 major dairy states during April totaled 11.0 billion pounds, Proposal A by a substantial margin. But the battle wasn't over yet. A commitment by Gov. according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. This is 0.6 percent more than Engler and legislative leaders to provide appropriate tax treatment for agricultural land had production in these same states in April 1993. March's revised production of 11.1 billion to be followed up on. pounds was slightly above March 1993. And Farm Bureau members did follow up. Now, understand that farmers are not the kind of Recent trends continued in the top five states. California production was up 8.4 percent and folks who are given to doing massive rallies and noisy, emotional demonstrations in the halls New York was up 0.7 percent. Pennsylvania was down 1 percent, Minnesota, 4.9 percent of the capitol. We prefer the quiet, and more effective, one-on-one contacts with legislators and Wisconsin, 7.3 percent. Other states showing large increases in production were Texas that appeal to reason and logic. which was up 10.7 percent, and Idaho, which gained 14.9 percent. , So, legislative contacts were made by Farm B.'Jreau members throughout the state with April, 1994 production per cow in the 21 major states averaged 1,372 pounds, 31 pounds scores of lawmakers. At the same time, Farm Bureau members talked with their neighbors, more than April 1993. Average production per cow jumped 105 pounds in Texas; California distributed information through county newsletters and wrote letters and press releases to cows were up 95 pounds; and Idaho gained 90 pounds per cow. their local media. I've seen a stack of press clippings a foot high that testifies to the effectiveness of these local communication efforts. The number of cows on farms in the 21 major states continued to decline. April's total of 8.01 million head was 138,000 head less than April 1993 but 5,000 head more than March. f Even with the backing of the legislative leadership, obtaining the 6-mill treatment for 1994. Wisconsin lost 98,000 cows for the month and Minnesota 20,000. Meanwhile,-I agricultural land - and, especially, securing immediate effect - was not by any means a California was up 28,000 head, Idaho 14,000, and Texas 11,000 head. foregone conclusion. Again, it took the steady, consistent work of county Farm Bureau members to nail down the victory. Russian Debt Still Inhibits Trade Prospect. It's a proud day for Farm Bureau. There shouldn't be a farmer anywhere in the state who Russia is still piling up more debt, despite some payments it is making on accounts that should have any doubts about the value of a Farm Bureau membership. This organization's have been delinquent. Defaults on U.S. export credit loans have jumped from $2.5 million the small cost of Farm Bureau dues each year :;;Jtoor~ efforts on property tax reform have saved agriculture millions of dollars. I'd say that makes to $5.8 million, keeping Russia ineligible for more agriculture department credit. USDA General Sales Manager Christopher Goldthwait said Russia apparently is making some payments under the GSM-102 program, despite its continuing defaults. ~ Jack Laurie, President Michigan Farm Bureau Goldthwait said the "best case" for the U.S. making more credit available to Russia depends on settlement of the arrears and obtaining a new debt rescheduling agreement that would u.s. Apples One Step Closer to Japan give an indication of ability to repay loans. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries announced that it has resolved differences on inspection of Washington apples, which makes it 95 percent sure U.S. apples Restitution Called for on Overdue FMHA Loans will be sold in Japan before the end of this marketing year, said Tom Mathison, chairman Borrowers who have defaulted on loans to the Farmers Home Administration and refused of the Northwest Fruit Exporters' Apple Committee. to pay may find collectors on their doorsteps as a result of legislation pushed by Sen. Ag Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy and signed by President Clinton. The senator said, I. Japan's apple market was officially opened in 1971, but it has prohibited imports of "American taxpayers should not foot the bill for millionaire farmers who, instead of American apples since then on the grounds that U.S. fruit might contain pests and disease, repaying their FmHA loans, buy beach front homes, vintage airplanes and race cars." particularly fireblight disease. U.S. growers say the ban has cost them $150 million in sales over the past five years, according to the Associated Press. He said until now the government has not been forceful enough in collecting those debts. This bill allows the secretary of agriculture to hire private attorneys who are experienced About 2,200 acres of Washington orchards meet Japanese requirements this year and are at collecting debts -- thus putting American taxpayers on the same playing field as the expected to produce 400,000, 42-pound boxes for shipment to Japan during the first year, millionaire farmers who can afford expensive legal advice. Thomas said. USDA to Help Nurseries Recoup Disaster Losses Health Care Reform on Hold The House Ways and Means Committee, which had planned to vote on the Health Care.~ Nursery owners have a chance to gain assistance in their recovery from weather-related Reform package before Memorial Day, now says it wiII not do so until after the week-long losses suffered in 1993, according to the Agriculture Department's Commodity Credit holiday recess. Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) says he may even put off Corporation. The sign-up period for the USDA's Tree Assistance Program began May 9 unveiling his plan for financing the proposal until more data can be obtained from the and will continue through July 29. Under the program, the USDA reimburses eligible small- Congressional Budget Office. Ways and Means was the only committee that had given and medium-scale commercial growers up to 65 percent of the average re-establishment itself a deadline of Memorial Day to complete work on the legislation. costs for any weather-related loss that exceeds 35 percent. In the Senate, Finance Committee Chairman Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY) already has Nursery stock was not included in the original disaster assistance legislation. The program said his committee, which also is waiting for data from the budget office, wiII not begin was expanded by the Emergency Supplemental Appr?priations Act of 1994 to incl~de voting on the issue until next month. commercial nursery inventory, both annuals and perenmals, that were lost due to damagIng weather or related conditions in 1993, including Midwest floods. The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS (ISSN:0743-9962) is published semi-monthly except in the months of November, To be eligible, owners must have an annual qualifying gross reven.ue of less than $2 m.il~ion December, June, and July when only one issue is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm in the tax year preceding the one in which the loss occurred. ReImbursement for elIgIble Bureau, 7373 West Saginaw Highway, Lansing, M148917. Member subscription price of $1.50 included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau regular members. Additional subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm losses will be limited to $25,000 per individual. Payments will be made through county News to non-members and outside the continental U.S.A. Second-Class Postage paid at Lansing, MI and Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service offices after applications have been additional mailing offices. Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Michigan approved by the local ASCS committee. Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909-8460. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Michigan Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, Lansing, MI 48909-8460. Funding A vailable for Crop Insurance Reform Editorial: Dennis Rudat, Editor and Business Manager. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers; Connie Lawson; Donna Wilber; Henry Huisjen. The House has approved the budget resolution conference report, which allows $1 billion Officers: President, Jack Laurie, Cass City; Vice President, Tom Guthrie, Delton; Administrative Director, Chuck a year for the next five years for crop insurance, which is believed to be enough to Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, Tom Parker; Secretary, William S. Wilkinson. Directors: District 1, adequately finance the administration's proposal to upgrade the crop insurance program. Jim Miller, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Douglas Darling, Maybee; District 4, Tom Guthrie, Delton; District 5, Mark Smuts, Charlotte; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7, Larry Snider, Hart; Provisions in the proposal not supported by the American Far~ Burea~ include the District 8, Richard Leach, Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret Kartes, West suggested eligibility threshold that excludes farms and ranches WIth gross Income of $2 Branch; District 11, Robert Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Jack Laurie, Cass City; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan million or more, and the $100,000 cap on non-insurance assistance payments -- payment Vosburg, Climax; Judy Emmons, Sheridan. Promotion and Education, Paul Swartzendruber, Pigeon; Young Farmers, Andy Hagenow, Rockford. for crops not coyered by the current crop insurance program, according to Hyde Murray, director of governmental relations for AFBF. " Michigan Farm News How They Voted on the Farmland 6-Mill Tax Rate Proposal •• May 30,1994 Farm~rs i.nMichigan won a major legislative victory when Y the ~Ichlgan Senate and Michigan House of Repre- 21 R Wartner, Paul Portage Y 32 R Jaye, David Utica sentatIves gave fi~al and. immediate effect to legislation 13 R Welborn, John A. Kalamazoo Y 96 R Jersevic, Roland Saginaw Y (H.B. 5329) that will tax Virtually all farmland at 6-mills for . school operating. This legislative victory will mean signifi- House Of 41 R Johnson, Shirley Royal Oak N cant property tax savings for the owners of farmland. 70 D Jondahl, H. Lynn Okemos N.V. Representatives 42 R Kaza, Greg Rochester Hills N Below are the voting records of your respectivestatesenator N and state representative on H.B. 5329. If your state Senator Final Tally: Y=Yeas (64); N-Nays (40); 17 D Keith, William Garden City and/or Representative voted " YEA" on the legislation, N.V.=Not Voting (6) 9 D Kilpatrick, Carolyn Detroit N.V. please take a moment to write them a brief note thanking 33 R Kukuk, Alvin Mt. Clemens Y them for their support. Address your letters to: Disl Name Hometown Vote 92 D Agee, James Muskegon N 13 D Leland, Burton Detroit Y State Senator 84 R Allen, Dick Caro Y 65 R LeTarte, Clyde Jackson Y Honorable (name) 103 DAiley, Thomas West Branch Y 100 R Llewellyn, John Fremont Y State Capitol Y It, P.O. Box 30036 108 D Anthony, David Escanaba Y 81 R London, Terry Marysville Lansing, MI 48909-7536 91 D Baade, Paul Muskegon Y 105 R Lowe, Allen Grayling Y 75 R Bandstra, Richard Grand Rapids Y 62 R Martin, Bill Battle Creek Y State Representative Honorable (name) 19 R Bankes, Lyn Livonia N 69 D Martinez, Lynne Lansing N State Capitol 18 D Barns, Justine Westland N 76 D Mathieu, Thomas Grand Rapids N P.O. Box 30014 Y Lansing, MI 48909-7514 87 R Bender, Robert Middleville Y 99 R McBryde, James Mt. Pleasant 14 D Bennane, Michael Detroit N 104 R McManus, Michelle Traverse City Y Senate Votes 36 D Berman, Maxine Southfield N 98 R McNutt, James Midland Y Final Tally: 101 R Bobier, William Hesperia Y 80 R Middaugh, Mick Paw Paw Y Y=Yeas (26); N-Nays (8); 106 R Bodem, Beverly Alpena Y 46 R Middleton, Thomas Ortonville Y E=Excused (4); N.V.=Not Voting (1) Y 79 R Brackenridge, Bob St. Joseph Y 66 R Munsell, Susan Howell Dist. Name Hometown Vote 60 D Brown, Mary Kalamazoo N 7 D Murphy, Raymond Detroit Y 33 R Arthurhultz, Phil Whitehall Y 1 R Bryant, Wm. Grosse Pte. Farms Y 58 R Nye, Michael Litchfield Y 11 D Berryman, James Adrian Y 38 R Bullard, Willis Milford Y 29 D Olshove, Dennis Warren N 16 R Bouchard, Michael Birmingham Y 68 D Byrum, Dianne Holt N.V. 95 D O'Neill, James E. Jr. Saginaw N 9 R Carl, Doug Utica Y 27 D Ciaramitaro, Nick Roseville N 56 D Owen, Lynn Maybee N 29 D Cherry, John Clio N 48 D Clack, Floyd Flint N 59 R Oxender, Glenn Sturgis Y 14 R Cisky, Jon Saginaw Y 45 R Crissman, Penny Rochester Y 24 D Palamara, Joseph Wyandotte N 25 D Conroy, Joseph Flint N 86 R Cropsey, Alan DeWitt Y 3 D Parks, Mary Lou Detroit N • 28 R DeGrow, Dan Port Huron Y 51 D Curtis, Candace Swartz Creek Y 22 D Pitoniak, Gregory Taylor N 30 R Dillingham, Fred Fowlerville Y 90 R Dalman, Jessie Holland Y 6 D Points, David Detroit N 26 R DiNello, Gilbert Clinton Twshp. Y 72 R Delange, Walter Kentwood Y 23 D Porreca, Vincent J. Trenton Y 7 D Dingell, Christopher Trenton Y 25 D DeMars, Robert Lincoln Park Y 43 D Price, Hubert Pontiac N 8 R Dunaskiss, Mat Lake Orion Y 39 R Dobb, Barbara Union Lake N 54 D Profit, Kirk Ypsilanti Y 35 R Emmons, Joanne Big Rapids Y 15 D Dobronski, Agnes Dearborn N 93 R Randall, Gary Elwell Y 12 D Faust, William Westland Y 37 R Dolan, Jan Farmington Hills N 83 R Rhead, Kim Sandusky Y 15 D Faxon, Jack Farmington Hills N 49 D Emerson, Robert Flint N 53 D Rivers, Lynn Ann Arbor N 22 R Gast, Harry St. Joseph Y 71 R Fitzgerald, Frank Grand Ledge Y 30 R Rocca, Sal Sterling Heights Y 6 R Geake, R. Robert Northville Y 34 D Freeman, John Madison Heights N 10 D Saunders, Nelson Detroit N 34 R Gougeon, Joel Bay City Y 107 D Gagliardi, Pat Drummond Island Y 52 D Schroer, Mary Ann Arbor Y 10 D Hart, George Z. Dearborn N 44 R Galloway, David White Lake Y 50 D Scott, Thomas Flint N 19 R Hoffman, Philip E. Horton Y 102 R Gernaat, John McBain Y 61 R Shugars, Dale Portage Y 4 D Holmes, David S., Jr. Detroit E 63 R Gilmer, Donald Augusta Y 74 R Sikkema, Ken Grandville Y 17 R Honigman, David W. Bloomfield E 31 D Gire, Sharon Mt. Clemens N 12 D Stallworth, Alma Detroit N 1 D Kelly, John F. Detroit Y 78 R Gnodtke, Carl Sawyer Y 89 R Stille, Leon Spring Lake Y 38 D Koivisto, Donald Ironwood N.V. 94 R Goschka, Michael Brant Y 110 D Tesanovich, Paul L'Anse Y 37 R McManus, George Traverse City Y 64 D Griffin, Michael Jackson N 8 D Varga, Ilona Detroit Y 27 D Miller, Arthur J., Jr. Warren N 35 D Gubow, David Huntington Woods N 77 R Voorhees, Harold Sr. Grandville N .' 5 D O'Brien, Michael J. Detroit E 67 R Gustafson, Dan Haslett Y 20 R Vorva, Jerry Plymouth Y 18 D Pollack, Lana Ann Arbor E 55 R Hammerstrom, Beverly Temperance Y 57 R Walberg, Timothy Tipton Y 31 R Posthumus, Richard Alto Y 85 D Harder, Clark Owosso Y 5 D Wallace, Ted Detroit N 36 R Pridnia, John Hubbard Lake Y 2 D Hertel, Curtis Detroit N 28 D Weeks, Uoyd Warren N.V. 20 R Schwarz, John Battle Creek Y 47 R Hill, Sandra Montrose Y 97 D Wetters, Howard Kawkawlin Y 2 D Smith, Virgil C., Jr. Detroit N 88 R Hillegonds, Paul Holland Y 21 R Whyman, Deborah Canton Y 24 D Stabenow, Debbie Lansing N 11 D Hood, Morris Detroit N 82 D Willard, Karen Fair Haven Y 32 R Steil, Glenn Grand Rapids Y 73 R Horton, Jack Belmont Y 26 D YOkich,Tracey St. Clair Shores N 23 R VanRegenmorter,W. Jenison Y 109 D Jacobetti, Dominic Negaunee N.V. 4 D Young, Joseph Jr. Detroit N.V. 3 D Vaughn, Jackie, III Detroit N 40 R Jamian, John Bloomfield Hills N 16 D Young, Richard Dearborn Heights N You Can Still Count on School Millages This Summer ~ With the recent passage of Proposal-A, you Property taxes on non-homesteads must be Homestead Non- approved by the voters. That could mean a loss may be shocked to learn that your local school levied at both the state and the local level, with Millage Homestead of as much as $400,000 for the Ovid-Elsie State Levied 6 mills 6 mills district will be holding milJage elections this the state levied portion capped at 6-mills, requir- School District, which is facing a millage elec- ing the local districts to levy the other 18 mills Local Levied o mills 18 mills summer. "Don't be," says MFB's Legislative tion in June, according to School Board presi- Total Millages 6 mills 24 mills Counsel Ron Nelson. as follows: dent and area dairy farmer, Jon Miller. "Voters wilJ be required to vote on renewing "Our foundation grant would be signifi- EXAMPLE the 18 mills which are locally levied on non- cantly impacted if voters reject the millage ques- XYZ School District, in the 1993-94 fiscal school year, levied 36 mills for school operating homestead property," Nelson explained. "When tion," Miller said. "In our local district, that's a under the following schedule: • the current operating millage expires, bringing sum of approximately $400,000 on a $9 million the district below 18 mills, local school districts budget, which would have a very significant School Year For Year School will still be required to hold millage elections. If impact on our district's operation." Operating Voters #I of Operating Millage the local district is unable to pass and maintain Miller pointed out that voters need to realize Millage Approved Years Expires the 18 mills levied on non-homesteads, the 10 mills 1984 10 years 1994 the millage votes are not for new mills, but rather 5 mills 1986 10 years 1996 school district may not receive their entire per a continuation or renewal of existing mills under 10 mills 1989 10 years 1999 pupil foundation grant from the state." Proposal-A. Nelson agreed, adding that the 6 mills 1990 4 years 1994 The amount of the per pupil foundation grant Headlee Amendment limits the total amount of 5 mills 1992 2 years 1994 .~t. reduction will be directly proportionate to the revenues the state can raise. Bec~use all bu! 15.mills of operating millage will expire in 1994, the school district will conduct amount of the locally levied 18 mills that is not a millage election In June 1994, asking for 3 mill school operating renewal to be levied on non- homesteads. Michigan Farm News - II While cool temperatures continued to be 30-Day Forecast - Cooler and Drier Than Normal •• May 30,1994 the rule during much of early May, 30-day MIchigan Weather Summary mean temperatures for mid-April through 4/16/94 Temperature Growing Degree Days Precipitation $. I mid-May are still very close to the clima- tological normals due to the warm weather of late April. to 5/15194 Alpena Observed Dev. From Mean 47.4 Normal +0.7 Actual Accum. 139 Normal Accum. 137 Actual Onch.\ 2.65 Normal (Inch) 2.n Bad Axe 49.0 -1.4 160 202 3.14 2.82 Precipitation totals for the period were Detroit 54.9 + 1.6 273 227 2.60 3.19 -1.2 30 68 2.36 2.89 : ~ highly variable, ranging from below nor- Escanaba 43.7 mal in many sections of the state to much Flint 51.2 - 0.8 205 227 4.48 3.19 above normal. Areas of the central and east Grand Rapids 51.7 .0.6 218 248 3.61 3.42 central lower peninsula recorded very Houghton 43.9 + 0.1 74 125 2.11 2.80 ~ heavy rain (in some cases more than four Houghton Lake 48.9 -0.7 151 137 1.48 2.n Jackson 52.3 -1.1 227 243 2.35 3.32 inches in 24 hours) during the first week of Lansing 50.9 -1.5 217 243 3.14 3.32 ~ May, bringing spring fieldwork to a grind-' ~ ing halt. Marquette 43.4 - 0.3 85 125 2.57 2.80 Muskegon 48.7 -2.5 128 189 2.12 3.09 Pellston 45.8 -0.6 102 150 2.04 2.75 In addition, cool soil temperatures, the re- ~ Saginaw 51.2 - 0.4 190 202 4.11 2.82 ~ suit of nighttime minimum air temperatures ~2.12 Sault Ste. Marie 42.4 -1.9 41 68 '2.89 into the 30s and low 40s, have slowed or South Bend 54.5 + 0.1 281 248 1.33 3.42 prevented seed germination in many areas 139 150 ' 3.40 2.75 Traverse City 48.3 + 0.3 of the state. Vestaburg 49.3 - 2.4 187 -208 3.37 3.28 ~ , :;.; The outlook for the coming 30 days is Observed and growing degree day totals a(e accumulatrtdfforn7M~rch 1. encouraging for those who have been wait- Normals are based on district aVf{raQ.fjs. jeff Andresen,Ag Meteorologist, MSU ing for a break in the weather. The National Weather Service is calling for precipitation mid-June. Temperatures during the same period are expected to average near to slightly to remain at below normal levels through below normal. Planting and Progress Report - Making Up for Lost Time! Michigan and Major Commodity Area Michigan Conditions Extended Weather Outlook Crop Progress Week Ending 5/22 T - Temp. 5/31 6/15 5/31 7/31 Good weather conditions recently have al- fourth leaf stage, while This Last Five Yr. P - preclp. T P T e lowed Michigan farmers to get nearly 80 percent emerging slowly else- Week Year Average Michigan 8 8 8 A of their corn acreage planted as of May 22, 10 where in the state. Michigan (percent) W. Com Belt A N N A percent above last year, according to the Michi- Corn Planted 80 70 75 E. Corn Belt A N N A/N gan Ag Statistics Service. Soybean planting was Corn Emerged 20 20 30 W1nt. Wheat Belt N N BIN A/N Midwest reported 45 percent complete, while sugar beet Oats Emerged 75 50 75- Spr. Wheat 8elt A N B N Conditions Potatoes Planted 65 65 70 Pac. NW Wheat N N N N planting was nearly 100 percent complete and Delta N N Similar Soybeans Planted 45 30 35 N/A N potato planting was 65 percent complete. Sugar Beets Planted 100 96 99 Southeast A/N N A N Most Corn-Belt r Fruit development was slow, with some San Joaquin N N A N states reported good frost damage reported to tart cherries in the West Ohio Central area. Asparagus harvest was well under- planting progress, with Corn Planted 94 84 75 A-Above Average, B-Below Average, N-Nor- mal, MA-Much Above, MB-Much Below, NP- concern over crop qual- Corn Emerged 58 42 42 way and was reported 35 percent complete. No Preclp. Source: National Weather Office ity due to wet and cool Soybean Planting ~ 76 55 46-, Most carrots were reported seeded, while onion conditions, which had Soybeans Emerged ! 22 '6 21 planting continued. Sweet corn in extreme southeastern Michigan was at the third and slowed germination and Indiana appearance of newly Corn Planted 86 76 79 emerged plants. Rotary Corn Emerged 45 rftil 60 43 hoeing was a common Soybeans Planted 55 43 45 practice in many partsof Soybeans Emerged 22 16 21 MICHIGAN FARM Serving Michigan Illinois and Indiana. Illinois Iowa farmers, mean- Farm Families is Corn Planted 87 68 85 ~~~~} Our Only Business while, are enjoying a much better year com- pared to last with record progress reported in Soybeans Planted Iowa Corn Planted 50 98 29 20 50 66 Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only objective planting and crop pro- Corn Emerged 86 20 53 has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- gress. Soybeans Planted 92 15 42 ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- Soybeans Emerged 28 2 16 tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides th~ latest in mark~t ana/~sis, weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the followmg stations: Station WABJ City Adrian Frequencv 1490 Morning Farm Noon Farm 5:45 am 11 :50 am Discover the Distinct Advantagel WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 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 12:15pm WKJF Cadillac 1370 5:55 am 11 :20 am WTVB Coldwater 1590 5:45 am 12:20 pm 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 WBCH Hastings 1220 6:15 am 12:30 pm WCSR Hillsdale 1340 6:45 am 12:45 pm WHTC Holland 1450 12:15 pm WKZO Kalamazoo 590 5:15 am • 50 Year Protection • 5 Year Protection WLSP Lapeer 1530 7:20 am 11 :50 am Against snow-loading d~ Against wind load damage WOAP Owosso 1080 6:15 am 12:30 pm age to the structure with no to the strucbJre with no WHAK Rogers City 960 12:15 pm weight limit wind velocity limit WSJ St. Johns 1580 6:15 am 12:15 pm • 50 Year Protection • AUwarranties Include materials and WMLM St. Louis 1540 6:05 am 12:20 pm Against decay or Insect attack on labor and are nol prorated. WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:20 pm preservative treated columns and WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45 pm preservative treated lumber. WCSY South Haven 940 12:15 pm • 20 Year Protection WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45 pm Against red rust inclUding damage 800-447-7436 WLKM Three Rivers 1510/95.9 6:15 am 12:15 pm WTCM Traverse City 580 5:55 am 11 :20 am caused by atmospheric pollutants. • 10 Year Protection ~~MORTON * Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning farm times change with the sign-on times. Against wind load damge to OlD' optical AlmnaSte~ sliding He BUILDINGS ** Station airs various farm reports between 5:30 and 6:00 am. P. O. Box 399, Morton, IL 61550 *** Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1 :00 p.m. doors with no wind velocity limit.