1l'Jl[1l:1@J::fi!ID~~I'13 ~1~~3~'~~ F~RMNE: ~;;;~::::;::::;::;.~:::::::::o- -::;':::;::~;':"::~~' .;.;:;:;:::;:::::::::::?<..;o.. ;::::~~::~ .•:.::<~ ~~::::::::::»x.1iL':t.::.x~:~ ~;;. ~::::=~.::;~u.:::::: w' :;.::::;:;. ~:I@ill] i :'i/.::i::';':;;'b:~ ~ J [ill):~ MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU January 15, 1996 -- Vol. 73, No. 1 Isolated cases of TB confirmed in Michigan white-tailed deer fficials from the Michigan Depanments of O Natural Resources (DNR), Agriculture (MDA) and Public Health (MDPH) are working together to determine the extent of tuberculosis which is known to have infected 15 Michigan white-tailed deer, located in a small area on pri- vate land in nonheast Michigan, and to take ac- tions to prevent further spread of the disease. Officials stressed that it would be very un- likely that a person field-dressing or eating ade- quately cooked venison from a deer infected with TB could become infected. It is very rare for free-ranging wildlife to contract TB, with only two recorded cases in Michigan; one about 20 years ago, and one in 1994. The Mycobacterium bovis TB strain is main- ly spread through repeated or prolonged direct exposure to bacteria that are coughed up or ex- haled by infected animals. In November of 1994, a wild white-tailed buck shot during the firearm deer season in the "Club Country" of nonhern lower Michigan, near Alpena, had internal lesions that clearly showed the animai was sick. The hunter alerted the DNR, the deer was examined and the disease was con- firmed to be bovine tuberculosis. MFB's 1995 Young Farmer Achievement Award winner, Andrew Barbott, was named runner-up in national In the spring of 1995, the MDA tested live- competition at the recent AFBF annual meeting in Reno, Nev. Andrew and his wife, Miriam, who recently stock and the DNR tested deer in the Alpena area. celebrated the birth of their first child, Matthew, operate a 35D-acre vegetable and greenhouse retail No livestock or deer tested at that time were operation selling flowers and bedding plants in southwest Michigan. found to be infected. In the fall of 1995, a cooperative program between DNR, MDA, Michigan State University's (MSU) College of Veterinary Medicine and deer Court case challenges COVER STORY sk Andrew Barbott what his biggest hunters yielded samples from over 300 deer from I!A. 232 commodity challenge has been and he'll surpris- the nonheastern lower peninsula area. This ingly tell you his age. Just 25 years old, round of testing, so far, has revealed the presence this modest, quiet-spoken young farmer from of bovine tuberculosis in 15 white-tailed deer from private hunt club lands. DNR Director Michael Moore noted that, "Though this appears to be an isolated situation checkoff programs Baroda has had problems with hired help and equip- ment dealers taking him seriously. There's little doubt, however, just how serious Barbott takes his Michigan lawsuit questions consti- asked that an escrow account be established to hold 350-acre vegetable, greenhouse and retail operation. in an 8 mile by 12 mile tract of private land near tutionality of commodity checkoH assessments umil the lawsuit is settled. Named as Michigan Farm Bureau's 1995 Alpena, we nonetheless view this situation seri- programs, based on recent court U.S. District Court judge Roben Holmes Bell, Young Farmer Achievement Award winner, Barbott ously. I'm confident that the actions being taken decision In California. however, denied the Dukesherer request. The and his wife, Miriam, raise 125 acres of winter by this multi-agency team will ensure the contin- Grand Rapids Federal District Court will likely state's attorney general office, which is serving as squash, and 75 acres of zucchini and summer ued health and safety of our citizens, our livestock and our white-tailed deer herd." A decide the fate of two P.A.232 checkoff pro- grams for Michigan cherries which could have rami- anorney for the MCC, RTCIPand MDA, has since filed a motion for dismissal, according to MFB's squash, in addition to bell peppers and eggplants. Barbon expects to add cucumbers to his list of MDA Director Gordon Guyer said that, from fications for all commodity checkoff funded pro- Commodity Division Director Ken Nye, who also produce, all of which is marketed through a broker an agricultural perspective, "We will primarily grams, including corn, soybeans, livestock and serves as administrator of the RTCIPprogram. The to stores based primarily in the Miami, Fla., area. focus on livestock testing and a surveillance and dairy. A late-December hearing was just the first of anorney for Dukesherer has 28 days to respond, The operation also includes over 20,000 inventory program for livestock within an appro- what could be several hearings regarding the check. before the judge takes further action. square feet of greenhouse space for raising bedding priate radius from confirmed, infected deer. off programs. Despite previous legal attempts by the Duke- plants, including tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers "We have requested assistance from the Dukesherer Farms Ine., located in Berrien and sherer operation to avoid paying the assessments, and hanging baskets for their own operation and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Van Buren coumies, has filed a lawsuit against the this is the first time the arguments have questioned three other neighboring vegetable farms. The to conduct risk assessment programs to help us Michigan Cherry Comminee (MCC), the Red Tart P.A.232's impact on rights of free speech, freedom young couple also operates a retail store for selling determine transmission rates and health implica- Cherry Information Program Committee (RTClP), of association, and violation of civil rights. Easter lilies and bedding plants in the spring, and tions. We have maintained our USDAAccredited the state of Michigan, and Dr. Gordon Guyer as direc- Nye says the current case in Michigan is pat- poinsettias and other Christmas flowers in the fall Continued on page 10 tor of the Michigan Department ofAgriculture (MDA), terned after a similar court case in California, which of the year. saying the programs violate rights guaranteed under challenged the constitutionality of a Federal Market Time and progress have earned Barbott the the First, Fifth, and 14th Amendments. Dukesherer Order that allowed a commodity organization, respect he's needed with his hired help, which can Farms lne. also claims that they could better spend known as CaI.A1mond to conduct "generic promo- be as many as 35 employees during peak season. the approximately $20,000 collected from their oper- tional activities." "When you've got workers coming in here and they ation under the P.A.232 checkoffs. "In chat situation, however, you had one domi. see a 25-year-old kid running the farm, the biggest According to pleadings it filed in U.S.District nant handler of almonds that was receiving credit for challenge is to get them to respect you and to do Coun, the Dukesherer operation is also seeking a brand advenising that was being conducted," Nye the work that you want them to," Barbon said. "I've refund of any and all assessments made under the explained. "The court's decision in that case struck ended up with a pretty g00d work crew - they've checkoff programs plus interest as well as compensa- down the generic promotional activities only, leaving been with me now for at least four or five years - tion for court and attorney fees. During a preliminary the research and informational programs in place." and we work together real well." injunction hearing held on Dee. 21, the Dukesherers Continued on page 3 Continued on page 5 Y ou've no doubt noticed that your Michigan Farm News looks a little different. After nearly .a year of asking and showing Michigan Farm Bureau We've also made a few editorial changes in recent months based on reader suggestions. This issue features the first installment of a new column letters to the editor on a regular basis. We're more than happy to oblige - so let us know what's on your mind and how you like the new look of your members different design ideas, which included written by Michigan State University's Dr. Jim Kells publication, Michigan Farm News! Send your com- reader focus groups, county Farm Bureau presidents and Dr. Karen Renner, dedicated to providing readers ments to: MichIgan Farm News, P.O. Box 30960, and county Farm Bureau office managers, we've with the latest in weed management strategies. lansing, MI 48909-8460, Fax: (517) 323-6541. implemented several changes (finally!) that we hope Last but not least, several of the comments we E-mail: mfblnfo@aol.com or meet with your approval. received over the past year suggested that we run uvcq3 la@prodlgy.com. Sell products and services in the Mich!gan Farm News classifieds-Page 13 ~~ll'I:i~ January 15, 1996 1111I NeMis USDA announces changes in repayment USDA announces date for sheep checkoff USDA: OK to plant soybeans on optional in Brief options A griculture Secretary Dan Glickman has an- nounced changes in deficiency repayment referendum J Ust one week after USDAissued a proposed rule to create a National Sheep and Wool Pro- flex acres in '96 P roducers will be able to plant soybeans on optional flexible acres (OFA) in 1996, accord- options for wheat, feed grains and upland cotton motion, Research, Education and Information Or- ing to Agriculture Deputy Secretary Richard MFB President Jack der, it also announced a Feb. 6, 1996, referendum Rominger. growers who are obligated to reimburse the govern- Laurie undergoes ment for 1995 crop advance payments. date for (he sheep industry. The order outlines a The Agricultural Act of 1949 forbids the plant- heart bypass operation Under the new rules, Glickman said, produc- program designed to strengthen the position of ing of soybeans on OFA if, on Jan. 1 of the new year, ichigan Farm Bureau President Jack Laurie ers who pay the full amount owed within the first sheep and sheep products in the marketplace. the estimated price of soybeans is less than 105 M underwent a successful heart bypass opera- tion Jan. 3, after he had experienced chest pains 45 days of the billing date will not be charged inter- est fees. Growers also will be able to payoff their All producers, feeders and importers who certify they were engaged in the production, feeding or percent of the loan rate - $5.17 per bushel. Howev- er, since soybean prices are predicted to be greater over the New Year's weekend. Jack is expected to debt with money due to them through participation importation of sheep or sheep products - with the than this threshold, the crop can be planted on OFA return home by Jan. 7, for an anticipated four- to in the Conservation Reserve Program or other pro- exception of importers of raw wool only - between in 1996.• six-week recovery period. Jack and his wife, Betty, grams, with the exception of crop insurance and Jan. 1 andPec. 31, 1994, are eligible to vote. have asked that no flowers be sent. Cards, however, farm loans. If producers begin their repayment after Voting will be held at the county Cooperative New beef steam are encouraged and can be sent to Jack ar 5440 N. the 46th day, interest will then accrue at a low rate. Extension Service offices. Voters may register and Dodge Road, Cass City, MI 48726. In addition, growers will be allowed to repay vote in person or request absentee ballots. Absen- pasteurization process Michigan Farm Bureau Vice President Tom their debts in installments over a three-year period, tee ballots must be requested from the office serv- approved by USDA Glickman said. Interest will be waived if producers ing the county of voter residence, for individuals, or new beef pasteurization process has been Guthrie, of Delton, Barry County, will perform any necessary duties during Jack's recovery. Guthrie, who owns and operates a cash crop farm and custom received compensation under either a "buy up" or catastrophic crop insurance coverage for the crop the county where the business headquarters are located, for corporations. Absentee ballot requests, A approved by the Agriculture Department. The process, developed by Cargill Inc. and Frigos- harvest service, has represented District IVon rhe or if they provide sufficient evidence that they are filed in person or by mail, may be made between candia Inc., kills germs by applying blasts of steam MFB board of directors since November of 1988.• unable to repay the amount in full.. Jan. 16 and Jan. 26,1996. to the beef carcasses. Absentee ballots must be received in the The treatment lasts for at least six seconds, county Extension office by (he close of business on and can only be applied after the washing, trimming "Dirty dozen" draws Breaking up ishard to do Feb. 2,1996. The Farm Service Agency (formerly and inspecting of carcasses. The steaming destroys considerable response he United Soybean Board is breaking away s you may recall, we ran an article in the Dec. T from the American Soybean Association, leav- ASCS) will count the ballots, determine eligibility of voters and tabulate results. germs, but does not affect the appearance or quality of the meat, USDAsaid. A 15, 1995 issue of Michigan Fann News under the "News in Brief" section called "The dirty dozen ing board members in search of new contractors for its multi-million dollar domestic marketing, domes- For the order to go into effect, the proposal must be approved by either a simple majority of Cargill's Excel Corp. meat packing plants, located in Wichita, Kan., will employ the new tech- of fruits and vegetables?" In that article, we reported tic production and new-uses programs. voters or by voters who account for two-thirds of nology in the near future .• that an organization calling itself the Environmental The ASAhad previously operated all programs the sheep and wool production represented in the Working Group, or EWG, had released a list of the funded by checkoff funds and will now be left to referendum. so-called dirty dozen of fruits and vegetables that only implement the board's $9 million international If approved, the program will be funded by a Price hike not so sweet supposedly represents over half of the healrh risks marketing program. The three programs ASAwas in mandatory assessment on domestic sheep produc- merican sugar farmers want to make it clear from pesticides. It was our intention to alert readers to the charge of have a total budget of nearly $15 million. ASAPresident John Long said his group "will still ers, sheep feeders, and importers of sheep and sheep products. Domestic producers will be as- A that a recent price increase announced by Hershey Chocolate U.SA. is not due to the price of kind of absurd thinking and reports that are gener- havt' a good working relationship with the USB.". sessed l-cent per pound on sales of live sheep and sugar, which has declined in price the past five ated on a regular basis that can negatively impact 2 cents per pound on sales of greasy wool. Import- years. Hershey's price hike will amount to about 5 the agricultural industry. We thought we had pre- ers will be assessed a 2-cent-per-pound equivalent cents more per candy bar at the grocer's counter. sented rhe information in a way that questioned the Revised census would on imported degreased wool and wool products. The 11 percent rise was due to the cumulative im- validity of the report, but apparently several readers mean fewer "farms" Imported raw wool is exempt from assess- pact over these past five years of increased costs for took our article to mean that we endorsed the re- ecause of congressional budget cuts, the Cen- ment. USDAwill announce when collections begin packaging, fuel, transportation, labor and benefits, port. Rest assured, that's not the case! EWG is notorious for distorting government B sus Bureau has proposed revising the num- bers used to survey America's farms. The new plan if the proposal is approved by referendum. It is proposed that the program be adminis- as well as rising costs of materials, Hershey said. Charles Thibaut, a sugarcane producer from data to further their cause. Ken Cook, executive would bump the threshold for recognizing farms in tered by a 120-member National Sheep Promotion, Louisiana, emphasized that sugar was not among director for EWG, has been active and vocal in op- the U.S. to operations that sell $10,000 or more Research and Information Board, comprised of 85 those ingredients costing more. "Cane and beet posing agricultural pesticide use and government worth of crops or livestock per year, up from the producers, 10 feeders and 25 importers .• farmers have also been subject to higher costs of farm programs. In addition to this report "AShop- current $1,000 threshold. fuel, transportation, labor and materials, but we per's Guide to Pesticides and Produce," EWG has If the plan holds, the number of American haven't had a price increase in 10 years, and in fact, also released other anti-pesticide reports including farms would shrink from the current 1.9 million USDA food stamp have had to cope with a drop in the price we re- "Weed Killers by the Glass" and "Tap Water Blues." recognized operations to nearly 1 million. Under ceive for our product," he claimed. In this report, they were attempting to imply investigation finds According to figures from USDAand the Bu. new census guidelines, farms would be viewed as a that any trace level of pesticide reported somehow business rather than a way of life. Using the $10,000 few criminals reau of Labor Statistics, the wholesale sugar price n investigation of stores accepting food paid by Hershey and other food manufacturers has correlates to a health risk - which was a blatant misrepresentation of the data. Unfortunately, EWG's irresponsible exaggera- threshold would save the Census Bureau approxi- mately $3.6 million in operating costs - Congress approved $10 million for-the 1996 farm census A stamps, originally called an attempt to rid the system of fraud and abuse, has come up short of plummeted 16 percent since 1990.• tions do nothing but create uncertainty and confu- operations, in contrast to the $13 million approved meeting the intended goal. sion among consumers about the safety of their for 1995. According to USDA,instead of Operation Global farm product Checkout stopping food stamp abuse, the investiga- food supply. As a columnist in a recent issue of According to an Associated Press report, the tion merely highlighted the large number of stores demand to rise in Forbes magazine put it, "It's time for us to recognize revised threshold would most affect farms owned that a whole industry exists to invent, propagate by minorities and women - shrinking the number who accept food stamps without offering enough of next millennium the required foodstuffs for sale. About 10 percent he global demand for agricultural products is and then aJleviate health scares." For those wishing to express their dissatisfac- tion directly to EWG over the report, we thought of black-owned operations by three-quarters to 4,567 farms and those owned by women to 50,292 of the original 753 stores kicked out of the food stamp program were actually found to be accepting T expected to increase by 2010, which should provide the United States, the European Union and from 145,516. you might find the following infonnation helpful: Farm Bureau "supports the definition of a food stamps in exchange for cash or drugs. Most of the Commonwealth of Independent States with the Environmental Working Group, 1718 Connecticut farm as at least $2,500 in gross sales for the purpose the stores, including an additional 681 stores in Los potential of an export boom, according to a new Ave. N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20009, of conducting the agricultural census.". Angeles County, were kicked out of the program for independent French study. Phone: (202) 667-6982, Fax: (202) 232-2592 .• being ineligible, not participating in fraud. The study, administered by the BIPE Conseil To defend the investigation of the food stamp for the French Sugar Beet Planters Association, program, Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman's showed that the steadily growing demand for farm Baucus urges cattle pricing investigation press secretary, Tom Amomree, said the govern- products from Asia, Africa and Latin America will ontana Democratic Sen. Max Baucus urged matter to sell cattle at bargain basement prices ment loses up to $900 million per year because fuel export growth. M the Senate Judiciary Committee to examine t e current livestock price discrepancy situation. "Current feeder cattle prices are at a W-year low," when the wholesale-retail spread and packer profits are approaching record levels," he wrote. Baucus said he has heard reports of market of food stamp fraud. He said the department will continue its investigation and search for fraud and abuse of the food stamp system. By 2010, international demand for grain is expected to jump by 38 percent, sugar demand should rise by 41 percent, soybean demand should Baucus wrote to Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch manipulation by packers and has fielded com- "We want to send a message to people out increase by 44 percent and meat demand should (R-Utah). "While market fluctuation is expected in plaints that antitrust legislation is not strong there who continue to rip off the food stamp pro- rise by 46 percene, according to the study. a cyclical business ... producers have lost confi- enough to protect independent operators. He said gram that the Clinton administration is determined Due to the increased export potential of the dence in the market." a pending bill (S. 1340) would create a commission to put them out of business," Amontree said .• U.S., EU and CIS members, especially Russia and "It's one thing to sell your calves at 65 cents a of producers, antitrust experts, economists, corpo- Ukraine, BIPE said, the burgeoning demands should pound if you're certain that's the true value reflect- rate financial officers and corporate procurement be easily met by the available supplies. However, ed in market conditions. It's an entirely different experts to analyze the situation .• farm product prices, the study said, should "at best remain unchanged in real terms.". The Michigan Farm NfIWS (ISSN:0743-9962) Is published twke per month except In the months of November, December, June and July when only one Issue Is printed, as a service to regular members, by Michigan Farm Bureau, 7373 west Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Michigan 48917. Member subscription price of $1.50 Is Included in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bur.au regular members. Additional subscription fees required for mailing Michigan Farm News to Pilot crop insurance program tested in Florida nonmembers and outside the continental U.S.A. Second-class postage paid at lansing, Michigan, and additional mailing offices. pilot crop insurance program, developed to bola and mango growers in five Florida Letters to the editor and statewide news articles should be sent to: Editor, Michigan Farm News. Post OffIce Box 30960, Lansing, Michigan 48909-8460. POSTMASTER - Send address changes to: Michigan Farm Bureau, Post Office Box 30960, lansing, MichIgan 48909-8460. A safeguard citrus and other tropical fruit grow- ers from disaster due to inclement weather condi- counties. If the program is successful, USDAofficials Editorial: Dennis RudM. Editor and Business Manager; Thomas Nugent. Associate Editor. tions, will be tested in Florida, according to the said, coverage could be extended to a variety of Design and Production: Jeffrey Rutzky. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers Agriculture Department. growers throughout the nation. The deadline for Officers: President. Jack Laurie, Cass Oty; VICe President. Tom Guthrie. Delton; Administrative Director, Chuck Burkett; Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Tom Parker; Secretaty, William S. WilkInson. Directors: District 1, Jim MUler, The new program is designed to help growers purchasing insurance was Dee. 8. After that date, Coloma; District 2, Blaine VanSickle, Marshall; District 3, Michael Fusilier, Manchester; District 4, Tom Guthrie, Delton; replace or rehabilitate trees damaged by weather. coverage will not be active uneill5 days after District 5, Alan Gamer, Mason; District 6, Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7, Rldt Johnson. Leroy: District 8, Richard IAach. Saginaw; District 9, Joshua Wunsch, Traverse City; District 10, Margaret ~rtes, West Branch; District 11, Robert Coverage will be available to citrus, avocado, caram- approval of an application .• Wahmhoff, Baraga. At-Large: Jack Laurie, Cass Oty; Faye Adam, Snover; Jan Vosburg, Oimu; Judy Emmons, Sheridan. Promotion and Education, Brigette Leach, OimCUl;Young Farmers, Chris Donbrodt. Coldwater. ~@ili!]~I~'I::t'~ January 15, 1996 the $12.3 billion earlier approved by Congress. STATE ISSUE STATE ISSUE Where the original $12.3 billion in cuts would be scaled back to reflect the new CBO projection or Legislation amends the Environmental what changes might be made in farm program poli- Youth Employment audit privilege cy is not known at this time. Standards Act and immunity Finally, dairy leaders have reached a compro- egislation recently signed by Gov. John Engler B. 728, sponsored by Sen. Loren Bennett mise on the dairy program. The dairy title was dropped from the budget reconciliation bill earlier L will allow minors to work extended hours in agricultural processing operations. Specifically, the 5 (R-Canton), would amend the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 1995 farm bill update because the dairy industry and Congressional lead- bills provide for: to provide for environmental audits, and provide hen Pres. Clinton veroed the Balanced W Budget Act of 1995, also known as the bud- get reconciliation bill that would balance the federal ers could not agree on a program. Following are provisions in the compromise dairy program: I. Permanent provisions effective upon • The legal employment and protection of minors; • The issuance and revocation of work permits; • The regulation of hours and conditions of disclosure protection for individuals. "Environmental Audit" would mean a voluntary evaluation of compliance with state, federal, regional budget in seven years, the fate ofthe 1995 farm bill enactment: employment of minors; or local laws or ordinances of an activity, or of a spe- was also left in question . 1. Allbudget assessments would be repealed. • Prescribed powers and duties of the departments cific instance of historic or current noncompliance of Several commodity titles, export assistance 2. The price support for butter and nonfat dry of labor and education; environmental law. The report would be labeled provisions and some conservation provisions were milk would be discontinued. • The enforcement of this act; "Environmental Audit Report, Privileged Document." included in the bill and together they were referred 3. The price support for cheese would be • Prescribed penalties; An environmental audit created by an owner or to as the 1995 Farm Bill. continued . • The repeal of other labor acts. operator or their employee -oragent can be devel- The president cited his opposition to capital II. Provisions in effect for two years from The act now allows a minor 16 years of age or oped at any time. Generally, an environmental audit gains cuts, estate tax cuts, windfall payments to date of enactment: older to be employed in agricultural processing for report created under the bill would be privileged and farmers when prices are high, cuts in export fund- 1. The floor for Class I prices would be the Janu- a period greater than the periods otherwise legally protected from disclosure. Persons involved in the ing, and reductions in CRP environmental benefits ary 1996 price levels in each order. (This pro- allowed if all of the following conditions are met: audit are not compelled to testify, and the report as some of the reasons for the veto. vision is designed to bring additional revenue • If the minor is a student in school and school is cannot be used as evidence in a civil, criminal or The veto has thrown the budget reconciliation into the system and cover the pooling costs not in session. administrative proceeding. Knowingly divulging package back to Congress where negotiations with proposed in the sections below. It represents • The minor is employed for not more than 11 privileged information is considered a misdemeanor the White House are underway to reach a compro- a partial decoupling of the fluid price from hours in 1 day. punishable by fines of not more that $25,000. mise. Shortly after the veto, the president released a that paid for manufacturing milk. The January • The minor is employed for not more than 62 If individuals make a voluntary disclosure to seven-year balanced budget plan of his own. For agri- 1996 price is estimated to be about $1 per cwt. hours in 1 week. the appropriate state or local agency, the bill clearly culture the plan includes the following provisions: higher than the overall average price for 1996 • The minor is not employed between 2 A.M.And spells our what constitutes a voluntary disclosure • Agriculture spending would be cut $5.2 billion. and would increase net income to dairy'farms. 5:30A.M. and indicates, unless shown otherwise, the disclo- • The current 15 percent of base acreage ineligible Milk processors are expected to oppose this • The minor is working in 'J\gricultural Process- sure is voluntary . for subsidies would be increased to 21 percent. provision.) ing," which means the cleaning, sorting, or pack- The bill provides that immunity will not be • The 11.25-cents-per-cwt. assessment on milk 2. One-half of the amount by which the Class N aging of Fruits and Vegetables . granted in cases where the person seeking immuni- would be continued. price falls below the support price at the na- Processors indicated they had a severe short- ty has been found to have committed a series of • Subsidy payments would be eliminated to pro- tional average Class N utilization (approxi- age of available labor last year, and needed these serious repeated violations of environmental laws. ducers earning more than $100,000 per year in mately 10 percent) would be pooled. (This changes to recruit younger people. The bill also provides that a grant of immunity off-farm income. provision is an effort to share some of the Some opponents of the law have expressed does not relieve a person of the responsibility to • The tobacco and peanut programs would be lower price associated with removing the fears that this law will create "sweat shops" where correct violations to current law standards. converted into no-net-cost programs. support price for butter and nonfat dry milk children will be working below the minimum wage MFB Position: Farm Bureau supports • Existing CRP contracts would be extended, new powder while helping to move these products of Michigan, which is $3.35 an hour, and will not S.B. 728 as a voluntary compliance enrollments would be offered and targeted to in export markets in a GATTlegal manner. receive overtime or unemployment pay. method to environmental laws. acres of higher environmental quality. Prices nationwide would benefit if additional Michigan Department of Labor Deputy Direc- MFB Contact: Scott Everett, ext. 2046 .• • Marketing loans would be available at not less product moved into the export market. With- tor Dr. Kalmin Smith calls such statements an than 85 percent of the simple average price re- out this provision, there would be a strong attempt to embarrass legislators who voted for S.B. ceived by producers. incentive to move milk out of the butter and 542 and Gov. John Engler who signed the bill. "Im- STATE ISSUE • Target prices would be maintained at the current powder market and into cheese or other plications are that the industry wants to pay less level. products. If more milk moved into cheese, Elimination of no-fault than minimum wage and that the bill would allow • The honey program would be terminated. overall prices would drop.) them to do so," Smith said. "Michigan law does not auto insurance • Payments under the Emergency Livestock Feed- 3. 80 cents per cwt. of all Class I prices at the require payment of the state minimum wage of territorial constraints ing program would be eliminated where crop national average Class I utilization (approxi- $3.35 to minors; nor does it require time-and-a-half ouse Bill 51n, sponsored by Rep. Gerald H. insurance is available. • The Farmer Owned Reserve would continue. mately 40 percent) would be pooled. (This provision addresses the upper Midwest's de- for overtime." Smith went on to say that Michigan minimum H Law (R-Plymouth), would eliminate current state mandates constraining auto insurance rating . • The milk price support would continue at $10.10 sire for sharing a portion of the Class I differ- and overtime provisions are irrelevant to this law Currently, an insurance company must comply with percwt. ential and covering a perceived drop in price because most fruit and vegetable processors in Mich- the following restrictions: • Farm program payments to farmers would be associated with the pooling of Class N. Freez- igan are covered by federal law. Federal law requires 1) an insurance company's lowest territorial base rate limited to $50,000 per individual. ing the Class I prices (see item 1 above) pro- employers to pay the federal minimum wage of$4.25 can be no less than 45 percent of its highest rate. • The permanent Agricultural Acr of 1949 would be vides extra income to offset income loss in ro 16-and 17-year-old minors. 2) contiguous (errirories can differ by only 10 percent . repealed. high Class I areas.) Federal law also requires time-and-a-half to 16- 3) insurance companies are required to have 20 In the budget reconciliation bill vetoed by the III.Within two years from date of enact- and 17-year-olds for overtime. According to the territories. president, agricultural spending was cut $12.3 ment, USDA is directed to administra- Michigan Food Processors Association, all food and These legislative constraints were enacted in billion to help balance the budget by 2002. The tively make the following changes in vegetable processors currently pay $5.00 or more the early 1980s in an attempt to ensure equity and Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has released a federal orders: per hour in order to attract and keep workers. accessibility of auto insurance to Michigan citizens. report acknowledging a more significant improve- 1. Consolidate all federal orders into not less Unemployment compensation is not an issue These measures have had the opposite effect, how- ment in the outlook for farm markets over the next than eight or more than 13 orders. as high school students have never been entitled to ever, as insurance companies have left Michigan. In seven years than previously forecast. The CBO said 2. Create a stand-by pool to facilitate milk supply unemployment benefits either, says Smith. 1983, there were 216 insurance companies writing the earlier $58 billion cost of farm programs over movements to deficit markets. MFB Position: Farm Bureau supported in Michigan. In 1993, there were only 125 compa- the next seven years would fall to $48 billion be- The dairy compromise is being presented to the bill. nies in Michigan .. cause of higher market prices. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) said he was optimistic Republican leaders would scale back proposed farm program cuts to just $4,5 billion over seven years rather than Congressional leaders. If accepted, it is not known whether it will be included in the overall budget reconciliation bill now being negotiated or treated as separate legislation later. MFB Contact: AI Almy, ext. 2040 .• _. MFB Contact: Howard Kelly, ext. 2044 .• State Issues continue on page 6 MICHIGAN FARM BIJREAIJ In addition, these measures have caused rural subsidization of urban areas and good drivers to subsidize bad drivers. House Bill 51n would allow insurance companies to determine auto rates based on each community's experience, which will elimi- nate these subsidies. House Bill 51 n has passed the House and is For more information on legislative waiting action on the Senate floor. topics in the Michigan Farm News, MFB Position: MFB supports H.B. 5177 - call 800-292-2680. MFB Contact: Tim Goodrich, ext. 2048 .• Court case challenges RA. 232 commodity checkoff programs Continued from front page been overwhelmingly approved in past grower ref- ing and bargaining activities. The RTCIPassessment passed the Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act. Phil Korson, recording secretary of the Michi- erendums by as much as a 90 percent margin. The for the 1995 crop was set at S2.75 per ton on red Michigan Farm Bureau and the Cherry Market- gan Cherry Committee, speculates that another referendums are scheduled every five years. "Once tart cherries only, says Nye. ing Institute have both filed amicus briefs with the California court case involving another tree-fruit programs like these are developed and overwhelm- Another $800,000 to $1 million collected an- Grand Rapids Federal Distric( Court in support of order's generic promotion program will eventually ingly approved by the grower community, everyone nually under the MCCcheckoff, which has been in the P.A.232 programs, according to Nye. He's hope- go to the U.S. Supreme Court, adding tha( a lot of should contribute and we should do all that we can existence since 1972, are used for generic promo- ful that all producers look at the big picture and commodity groups are keeping an eye on the out- to reduce the 'free-rider' concept," Nye said. tional activities, product development, and research take this threat to commodity promotion programs come of that case as well as the Dukesherer case "The cherry industry has voted to institute activities. The MCC assessment is set at $10 per ton seriously. here in Michigan. these programs to benefit everyone," Nye contin- for red tart cherries and $5 per ton for juice cherries. "Other commodity groups and producers, "I always have concerns when we're dealing ued. "We currently find ourselves with some serious Nye says that PA 232 programs are governed should keep a close eye on the outcome of this with self-help programs for growers," Korson cau- over-production problems that necessitate the de- by producer boards of directors and regulated and court case, and make sure that our P.A.232 pro- tioned. "In today's environment, we've got many velopment of new products and market develop- monitored by MDA.The programs also have built-in grams are strongly supported in the state," Nye said. challenges and opportunities that require we have a ment, both domestically and internationally." accountability measures that allow interested pro- "I (hink (he commodity groups are pre(ty well vehicle in place so that growers can come together Funds from the RTCIPcheckoff, in existence ducers to see just how their checkoff monies are armed with the necessary arguments and past court to address common problems and work on new since 1979, total approximately $350,000 to being spent, Nye added. The structure for the decisions to uphold P.A.232 programs, but produc- product development in a collective manner." $400,000 annually and are used for cherry industry state's PA 232 commodity promotion programs er support is crucial.". Nye agrees, saying that both programs have informational and statistical programs and market- was created in 1965 when the Michigan Legislature um~~~ W.allier 1J ,,-.., Michigan January 15, 1996 O.tl'••. k 1211/95 to 12/31/95 Weather Summary Temperature Observed Dev. from mean normal Predpltation Actual Normal (inch) (inch) Houghton 19.2 -1.1 2.82 2.11 Below normal Marquette Escanaba 17.4 18.8 -0.3 -4.3 2.48 4.53 2.11 2.11 temps expected SaultSte.Marie LakeCity 17.1 20.0 -3.0 -3.3 5.82 1.41 2.11 2.15 to continue Pellston TraverseCity 20.4 23.5 -2.3 -3.2 2.55 4.36 2.15 2.15 Dr. Jeffrey Andresen, Extension agricul- Alpena 22.0 -2.2 1.33 2.06 tural meteorologist, Department of Houghton lake 21.0 -2.8 1.32 2.06 Geography, Michigan State University Muskegon 24.6 -4.0 1.79 2.49 D ecember averaged colder and drier than Vestaburg 21.4 -5.3 1.06 2.11 normal over much of Michigan with the BadAxe 23.1 -3.9 0.78 1.93 exception of lakeshore areas where lake Saginaw 23.5 -3.3 1.44 1.93 effect snowfaJl was much heavier than normal. The Grand Rapids 24.6 -2.7 1.53 2.71 most spectacular snowfall so far this winter (Ook South Bend 27.6 -1.3 1.73 2.71 place Dee. 8-11, when arctic -origin air persisted Coldwater 25.9 -2.0 0.63 2.11 Lansing 24.1 -3.0 1.15 2.11 from a west-northwesterly direction over the open Detroit 26.1 -2.0 0.81 2.31 water of Lake Superior for more than 72 hours. Flint 23.8 -3.6 1.13 2.31 This resulted in a paralyzing 61.7-inch snowfall Toledo 26.4 -2.2 0.43 2.31 event for the Sault Ste. Marie area (more than dou- Observed totals are accumulated from April 1. Normals are based on district averages. bling the old record for a single snowfall event), with more than 40 inches reported across other sections of the Upper Peninsula. While the latest National Weather Service 30- Beef production FCIC expands crop insurance day outlook for January continues to call for near equal chances of below-, near- and above-normal expected up again he National Cattlemen's Association said do- for several Michigan counties temperature and precipitation, I personally think T mestic beef production will be up again in 1996, by Eric Fischer you f happen to be a corn producer in Iron he said. For more information, call Young at (517) 337-6659. that the northwesterly flow aloft that has been re- sponsible for the colder than normal winter thus far will likely continue for a significant portion of Janu- meaning continued good deals for consumers and continuing trouble for the nation's cattle producers. "Ayear of slim returns for cattle feeders and I County or if you raise barley in St. joseph County, you will be pleased to hear that the Federal Crop The list below shows the crops which are now eligible for crop insurance in the corresponding aryas well, resulting in a continuation of generally substantial losses for most cow-calf operators is ex- Insurance Corporation has expanded crop insur- counties .• colder and drier than normal weather. pected," said Bob Drake, NCApresident. NCAsaid ance for a number of crops in various counties Crop County The exception to this trend would again be beef production will be up 3 percent in 1996 - up around Michigan for 1996 and beyond. Barley Berrien, Lake, Macomb, Midland, the lakeshore areas, where lake effect snowfall will from 25.1 billion pounds in 1995 to approximately According to Lonnie Young of the USDA State Monroe, Oakland, Oscoda, bring precipitation (Otals closer (0 normal. 25.9 billion pounds. Consumption also is expected (0 Consolidated Farm Service Agency in East Lansing, St. joseph, Wayne Looking further ahead, the 90-day outlook for be up (0 nearly 69 pounds of beef per person. the expansion will allow wheat producers in coun- Corn Iron january through March caJls for better than normal NCAsaid the cattle herd expansion will likely ties such as Dickinson, for example, to be eligible Oats Wayne chances of below normal temperatures and near curtail this year, with herd thinning taking place in for catastrophic crop insurance, regardless of acre- Soybeans Menominee, Missaukee equal odds of below-, near-, and above-normal pre- 1996 and the cattle output peaking in 1997. Cattle age. "In various pans of the state, certain crops just Sugar Beets Genesee cipitation. Preliminary indications for the late win- numbers have risen from 95.8 million head in 1990 aren't produced at the same level of acreage as they Wheat Alger, Benzie, Chippewa, Crawford, ter/early spring period favor the below normal pre- to an estimated 105.5 million in 1996. Production of are in other partS of the state. This expansion will Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, Kalkaska, cipitation scenario with equal odds of all scenari- other meats, including poultry, is also expected to allow as many of those areas to be included in the Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon, os for temperatures .• increase in 1996.• program as possible," he said. Oscoda, Schoolcraft, Wayne "Before 1996, crops would've been covered under the Non-insured Assistance Program (NAP) and would need a certain area loss in order to re- Plastic golf tees make ceive any insurance benefits," said Young. "With the good compost fodder rfilMFRA1 Ll!J RADIO NETWORK Serving Michigan Farm Families is Our Only Business catastrophic insurance coverage, if your crop hap- pens to get wiped out by hail and no one else's in the area does, you are still eligible for insurance benefits, regardless of how much you produce." Young says that many USDAprograms require C an refuse from starch-based plastics be con- verted into compost for farms and gardens? In most cases, no - not until the current biodegrad- able formulations change. But in the case of plastic golf tees, yes. at least catastrophic crop insurance on crops of In a project conducted by ARSand Rodale Since its beginning in 1971, Michigan Farm Radio Network's only objective economic significance. "Because crop insurance is Institute researchers, plastic golf tees were found to has been to serve Michigan's farm families. This dedication to serve agricul- necessary for participation in USDA programs, there be indistinguishable from the decayed leaves, used ture is shared by 29 local radio stations in Michigan. Through these sta- has been a push to reestablish crop insurance avail- paper plates and poultry litter with which they were tions, Michigan Farm Radio Network provides the latest in market analysis, weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: ability in as many counties as possible," he said. com posted for 11 weeks. Young predicts the expansion will be a more Other items, such as plastic forks and other Station City Frequencv Morning Farm Noon Farm efficient and convenient way of getting insurance to starch-based plastics, and the pellets used to manu- WABJ Adrian 1490 5:45 am 11:50 am producers. "It's a little better way of doing things," facture them, failed to decompose sufficiently, even WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 am 11:30 am after a year .• WTKA Ann Arbor 1050 6:05 am 12:05 pm WLEW Bad Axe 1340 6:30 am 12:50 pm WHFB WKYO Benton Harbor Caro 1360 6:15 am 12:30 pm 12:15 pm MORTON BUILDINGS ••• 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 WLSP Lapeer 1530 7:20 am 11:50 am WOAP Owosso 1080 6:15 am 12:30 pm ... is a member of the nation's WHAK Rogers City 960 12:15 pm farming community. And like you, we've worked hard and are proud of our long WSJ S1. Johns 1580 6:15 am 1,2:15 pm hisrory of progress and innovation. Today we lead rhe timber column construction industry WMLM S1. Louis 1540 6:05 am 12:20 pm wirh rhe besr buildings available. WSGW Saginaw 790 5:55 am 12:20 pm And, rhat's why every Monon building comes with more than a signature weathervane or WMIC Sandusky 660 6:15 am 12:45 pm "lvt" sign. It comes with the strongesr warranties in the building industry! WCSY South Haven 940 12:15 pm SO YEAR PROTECTION AGAINST SNOW-LOAD DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE WITH NO WKJC Tawas City 104.7 12:45 pm WEIGHT LIMIT. 50 YEAR PROTECTION AGAINST DECAY OR INSECT ATTACK ON PRESERVATIVE WLKM Three Rivers 1510/95.9 6:15 am 12:15 pm TREATED COLUMNS AND PRESERVATIVE TREATED LUMBER. WTCM Traverse City 580 5:55 am 11:20 am 20 YEAR PROTECTION AGAINST RED RUST ON PAINTED STEEL PANELS INCLUDING DAMAGE CAUSED BY ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTANTS. Station signs on at different times during the year. Morning fann times change 10 YEAR PROTECTION AGAINST WIND LOAD DAMAGE TO * 800-447-7436 - OUR OPTIONAL ALUMASTEELIIl SLIDING DOORS WITH NO WIND with the sign-on times. Station airs various farm reports between 5:30 and 6:00 am. VELOCITY LIMIT. S YEAR PROTECTION AGAINST WIND LOAD DAMAGE TO 6A. MORTON *** Station airs various farm reports between 12:00 and 1:00 p.m. THE STRUCTURE WITH NO WIND VELOCITY ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDE MATERIALS AND LABOR LIMIT. ~BUILDINGS r. U. Box 399, Morton, n 6/550 Some stations carry additional market reports throughout the market day. AND ARE NOT PRORATED. o I Y'lS MOIlOl1 BUIId,"~\.In< Adrian, MI (517) 263-0541 • Brown City, MI (810) 346-2702. Kalkaska, MI (616) 258-2580 Rockford. MI (616) 874-6400 • Three Rivers,MI (616) 279-5271 I~'JI [II: I @'l!i!] ~ I~'I ~'ill January 15, 1996 Sugar beets and site specific - convincing precision till question the wisdom and potential re- and the resulting increase in impurities causes sugar S . turns of Site Specific Agriculture? A project by Ag-Chem Equipment Company and the American Crystal Sugar Company offers some pretty loss to molasses. As a result of the company's find- ings, farmers reduced their average nitrogen use from 170 to 120 Ibs./acre. convincing real-life statistics to suppon predictions The lower rates, geared toward sugar instead that site specific or precision farming will allow of root yield/acre, helped farmers increase recover. more cost effective and environmentally beneficial able sugar by 50 lbs./ton. The combined input (ni- use of inputs. trogen) savings and the increase in recoverable Using Ag-Chem 's Soilection technology to h sugar/acre is worth approximately $76 million annu- apply variable rates of fenilizer and herbicides across ally to Crystal Sugar growers. a field to meet the nutrient and herbicide rates in Crystal Sugar didn't stop there. With grid sam- each part of the field, fenilizer dealers commercially pling and Soilection equipment and software, the treated 13,000 acres for Crystal Sugar growers in company used variable rates of nitrogen and phos- 1995 in Minnesota. This is expected to grow to phorus to meet the needs of each pan of the field 150,000 acres (35 percent ofthe total crop) in 1996. and compared it with a standard nonvariable applica- American Crystal Sugar Company has made tion. Again, the results demonstrated fenilizer sav- the commercial advantages of this technology clear ings and a significant increase in recoverable sugar/ by demonstrating that a crop can use fenilizer more acre wonh an additional S141 of net profit/acre! efficiently. American Crystal also changed its sugar While the benefits of variable rate technology beet payment system from total root yield/acre to for sugar beets are clear, the practice is also catch- pounds of recoverable sugar/acre. ing on in the Midwest where variable rate technolo- It did so by showing farmers that the excess gy was used on 1.3 million acres this year. That nitrogen they were applying for root yield/acre did could grow to 3 million acres in 1996 as more bene- Andrew Barbott wins! So what does the future hold for this enter- not translate to sugar yield/acre. The company fits are demonstrated for corn .• Continued from front page prising young farm couple? "Our goal, long-term, is found that excess nitrogen reduces sugar content Barbott has also won the respect of two local not to necessarily add more acres, but to increase equipment dealers who, in Barbott's words, "will yields every year by 10 percent for the next five have all of my business in the future." That's pretty years," Barbott says. "I think it's a pretty good goal significant considering that vinually every piece of to have.". equipment on the farm has been replaced during the last three years. "I went to three or four differ- ent dealers and most of them just kind of laughed and downplayed the whole deal," Barbott explains. JUST PLANT YOUR CORN Shonly after graduating from high school, and while he was enrolled in greenhouse management classes at Andrews University in nearby Berrien Springs, his father, AI,was diagnosed with cancer, meaning that Andrew got a crash course in running the family's vegetable operation while his father spent ------------------, a great deal of time in Ann Arbor. "It was pretty hard because we fought it for over two years straight," Barbott reminisced. "Trying to spend time with him and yet keep the operation going was pretty tough." After Barbott's father passed away in 1991, Andrew managed the operation for a year before purchasing it from his mother. Since then, the oper- ation has doubled its greenhouse space, built a new THEN APPLY THE PROWL packing facility that more than doubled capacity, and added a second produce grading line. "We've been pretty aggressive in the green- house aspect of the operation over the last few years," Barbott explained. "We're just getting started in the bedding plants." Cropping enterprises have consistently fo- ~----------------- cused on vegetables, with conventional crops of corn and wheat being planted only when necessary for rotation. In addition to adding cucumbers to the produce list for next year, Barbon plans on growing plum tomatoes as well. Barbott bases most of his cropping decisions on his broker's needs. "We just picked up some more sales for next year for another 20,000 to 30,000 bushels of different AND GET ON WITH crops, just because the market was there and the brokers were looking for somebody to produce it. If you're in vegetable production, before you grow it you ought to have it sold," Barbott cautioned. 'i\bout 90 percent of our stuff is sold even before I buy the seed." Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, has also ----------------~ played a big role in the Barbott operation, with chemical use now down to 10 percent of what it was just six years ago. "We've virtually eliminated the use of pesticides," Barbott said. "We do a lot of scouting and we don't use pesticides until we have to." While Andrew handles the crop management chores, wife Miriam is primarily responsible for operating the farm's retail store and managing the greenhouse labor, in addition to taking care of the accounting and payroll responsibilities. The opera- You DON'T HAVE ANY TIME TO WASTE. THAT'S WHY YOU USE PROWL- HERBICIDE AS PART OF tion is also considering expanding the retail facet of YOUR CORN WEED PROGRAM. GET YOUR CORN PLANTED EARLY.THEN BEFORETHE CORN COMES the operation by adding a second location next year. up, COME BACK WITH PROWL IN A TANK-MIX WITH BICEp,1BLADEXz OR ATRAZINE. YOU'VE GOT Barbott credits retired Andrews University YOUR CORN OFF TO A GOOD EARLY START WITH AFFORDABLE RESIDUAL CONTROL OF TRIAZINE- Professor Arthur Brown for getting him interested RESISTANT LAMBSQUARTERS,VELVETLEAF AND FOXTAILS. Now ynu HAVE MORE TIME FOR OTHER and staned in the greenhouse business. When THINGS. THAT'S IT. WE'RE HERE TO CONTROL WEEDS, NOT WASTE YOUR TIME. Barbott finally decided to take college courses in agriculture after high school graduation, he settled FOR MORE INFORMATION, SEEYOUR CYANAMID AGRICENTER TN DEALER on Western Michigan University. As fate would have OR CALL 1-800-942-0500. it, that was the same year that the ag program at Western was discontinued. ~ Barbott then heard about a new ag program being developed at Andrews University in nearby Berrien Springs, where he met Brown. "The profes- sor and I got to be good friends, and he actually talked me into building the first greenhouse, and it's Always follow label directions. -f'''Trademarks, American Cyanamid Company @1996. just kind of kept growing from there," he explained. 'Trademark, CIBA Corporation. 7rademark, DuPont Company. llill~:I ~ ~ I~'I :t2f) January 15, 1996 ations and with climate comrol buildings. Also, Capitol Corner. Seasonal Commodity Price Trends there continues to be liquidation in some Corn Belt continued from page J states, including Indiana and Illinois. Corn - t Soybeans - t In Michigan, the numbers were down sharply. Wheat - t The report showed the breeding herd down 6 per- STATE ISSUE Hogs - t cent and market hogs down 8 percent. We expect to Cattle - t farrow 5 percent fewer hogs in the December-feb- Insurance anti-fraud bill OUseBill 4682, sponsored by Rep. Eric Bush Jim Hilker, Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University Index: - .. stable prices; t = higher prices; 1 = lower prices; TP .. topping; BT = bottoming; 1 .. unsure ruary period, but be equal to the previous year this next March-May period. Average pigs per litter H (R-Battle Creek), has passed the Senate and the House and is awaiting Gov. Engler's expected stayed at 8.0 for last fall, but increased in the first approval. The legislation will make insurance fraud CORN SOYBEANS and third quarters. a felony punishable by imprisonment of up to four nless the two reportS showed otherWise, the years and/or a $50,000 fine. Anyone conspiring to W hat corn price will it take to Start rationing use? Hopefully, the final 1995 Crop Produc- tion Report and the Stocks Report released Jan. 11 U situation in soybeans is not as tight as corn, but nonetheless it is tight, especially in light of the CATTLE commit fraud will be guilty of a felony of no more than 10 years and/or a ~50,OOOfine. In addition, it will have shed some light on that question. At this tightness in the other grains. Again, we do not have he cattle just keep coming and the feed prices will allow insurance companies to share information point, exportS continue strong, running ahead of last year when we had low prices. The Hogs and a lot of history at these stocks-to-use ratios to base our fundamental analysis on, but it is clear prices T just keep going up. The December Cattle-On- Feed Report showed November placements up after about insurance fraud with law enforcement offi- cials. Finally, it will provide immunity from civil Pigs Report discussed below shows no large herd will remain historically high through next year, giv- taking some time off in October. Marketings were liability for persons or organizations providing infor- liquidation, and the cattle already here have to be en trend yields. That does not mean the market strong, but placements more than offset them, in- mation regarding fraudule~t acts. fed sometime. Is $4.00 corn a real possibility? We cannot go down, but rather there are some limits to creasing inventory 2 percent over the previous year. The National Insurance Crime Bureau esti. have very few historical points at prices this high to how far it will go down. This suggests first quarter marketings will be above mates that 10 percent of all casualty insurance guide us. Face it, prices are good and we need to be year ago levels. And, while prices are expected to claims are fraudulent. These acts cost policyholders If the reportS were bullish for prices, we may taking advantage of them to some degree, no mat- work their way up a little, they will still be way be- nearly $20 billion annually nationwide. Insurance go to new historical highs. If the reports were bear- ter what prices may do. This is not to say we low last year's price of over $70/cwt. fraud includes, but is not limited to, incomplete or ish, it may temper prices until we get to weather shouldn't try to take advamage of further possible Weak cattle prices, along with high feed pric. misleading claims for insurance benefits. scares. In either case, remember these are excellent price increases with a portion of out production. As es, have driven down feeder prices to disastrous MFB Position: Michigan Farm Bureau prices, both old and new crop. Consider keeping with corn, basis tightening will not likely cover stor. levels. And the picture is not likely to get better supports H.B. 4682. some portion (not large) of your 1995 production age, especially off-farm. Therefore, consider moving until feed prices come back down, which will be MFB Contact: Tim Goodrich, ext. 2048 .• for a further ride; but if the reportS were bullish, we your old crop and tying your prices to the futures next fall- at the earliest. The other problem is, we may see most of the ride fairly soon. Consider tak- with basis contracts, calls or MPC. Also, be watching will likely have a bigger calf crop this year than last, ing advantage of spring weather scares using new those new crop prices; they are not too shabby. postponing good calf prices at least 1 year, if not 2. crop versus carrying a lot of old crop into late spring. Isn't it fun to have potential weather scares all year The Jan. 1 Cattle Inventory Report is to be released Ifyou do decide to hold some portion of 1995 long when you consider both the Northern and Feb. 2. It should give an indication of how long it Wetlands program production, how you hold it is critical. No one should Southern hemispheres. will take to turn this shipwreck around. runs out of money be paying commercial storage or DP payments; use a basis contract, a call or MPC.There is no room for basis tightening to pay commercial storage. Even for HOGS _ A n emergency wetlands reserve program, which was intended to turn farmland into wetlands, will not be able to accommodate the EGGS those with corn in on-farm storage, returns from amount of land enrolled in the program because basis tightening are questionable. Look at the he Quarterly Dee. 1 Hogs and Pigs Report, by Henry Larzelere administrators said there is not enough money. spreads, or lack of, in the futures. While I feel there is more upside potential, it would still be completely T released Dec. 28, was a shocker - to say the least. The futures were limited down in the nearbys E gg prices at the end of the year were about 17 cents a dozen above last year's levels. These The program, offered to farmers in Missouri who were flooded in the spring of 1993, became rational to sell everything at today's prices. for 2 days before they started trading. The report prices were partly offset by higher feed ingredient too popular after many farmers were again flooded shows we have 2-3 percent more pigs out there prices which were about 9 cents per dozen eggs last year. With the original offer, farmers submitted than the trade expected. And, even if the USDAnum- above last year. 12,826 acres of farmland to be eligible for the one- bers turn out to be a bit high, it is not likely we will It is expected that wholesale egg prices in time conservation easement, but more than 37,000 go back to the recent high anytime before next fall. New York for Grade A large white eggs in cartons acres were offered after last year's flooding. The heat is showing signs of topping, which The report shows we have slightly more hogs will average in the mid- to upper 80s during the first inrerest was so high that enrollment in the program W would be normal for this time of year. Con- sider finishing up any remaining old crop sales and than a year ago. Breeding numbers are up 1 percent and market hogs are even. Hogs over 180 pounds 3 months of 1996. During the second quarter, these prices will likely range in the upper 70s to low 80s. had to be canceled one month before the Dec. 31 deadline. concentrating on new crop pricing. If the reportS were down 2 percent, those 120-179 pounds were Prices in the second quarter will probably be affect- "It far, far exceeded our expectations as far as are bullish, consider pricing some new crop on the down 1 percent, those 60-119 pounds were even, ed positively by the fact that Easter is about 2 weeks the level of interest from producers willing to take rally - how much would depend on how much you and those born this past fall were up 2 percent - all later this year than in 1995. their land out of production, restore it to wetlands have priced up to this point. If you have priced very from a year ago. Pigs per litter continues to grow at The number of hens and pullets on farms and have a permanent easement placed on their little and you planted a significant amount of wheat, a record rate, with an average of 8.34 pigs saved per Dee. 1, 1995, was about the same as it was Dec. 1, land," said AIGreen, wetlands program coordinator consider pricing a significant amount of your ex- litter. On top of this, December-February planned 1994. Total egg production in November was 1 per- for the Missouri Natural Resources Conservation pected production. farrowings are up 1 percent, and March-May farrow- cent less than a year ago, but table egg production Service office. Wheat exportS continue to run ahead of last ing intentions are up 2 percent. was about the same as in November 1994. These Green said he can only be certain that year and demand in general is good, but there is a The report fits fairly well with fall sow slaugh- figures, plus the relative retail egg movement and NRCS can pay for about 10,000 acres signed up good chance that it is already priced in the market. ter, which was down. But it doesn't fit with the hot commercial egg movement, explain the higher for the program this year. Buying easements on This is not to say there is not upside potential; summer potential breeding problems or the low prices than last year. the remaining acres would cost about $27 million, weather scares for either wheat or other grains hog-corn price ratios. And at least part of the an- Changes in future egg production seem to be and those acres would have to compete with could take it higher, but there is also down-side swer to this puzzle is seen as you look at the indi- inconsistent. The egg-type chick hatch in Novem- easement applicants in Iowa, where the program potential and delivering some wheat out of the field vidual state numbers. In general, the expansion is ber was 12 percent above November 1994. In con- also was very popular .• over $4.00 will not hurt a whole lot. coming in the states which tend to have large oper- trast, the hatch in October was about the same as a year ago.• COMMODITY PRICE TRENDS House Ag Committee approves Farm Credit System reform bill he Agriculture Committee has approved a bill T to reform the Farm Credit System intended to make the lending system more competitive. .......... U~ "Enacting this measure will save money by .......... :no- eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens on 'l!J1- :Mj.:.' ................ ........ 310" lenders ... and ultimately benefit American farmers Com • March '96 . ZJO- Soybeans • March '96 Whe.t • March '96 'B1' and ranchers who are financed by Farm Credit," n.r Apr .,.. .... Jlv Aut Sep Oct lbI Dee J.n said BillWeber, Farm Credit Council head. The Farm Credit System Regulatory Relief Act SJ.OO would extend the current 12-month minimum ex- amination period of institutions to 18 months. It ~ also would reduce the cost of Farm Credit participa- ~ tion in secondary markets. ~ In addition, the bill would reform the Federal ~ Agricultural Mortgage Corporation ("Farmer Mac'') ~ by allowing it to purchase agricultural mortgages .2' directly from lenders and incorporate them into flZ.50 ........ ~.oo ~~ securities, terminate the requirement for maime- . Live C.ttl. • Feb. '96 &1.50 Soy Melli • .Mn. '96 . l'n.oo Live Hogs • Feb. '96 37.00 ~ nance of a minimum 10 percent cash reserve, and n.r ~ I\q J.. JIg All s., Oct lbI ~ J.. IIIr .. n.. Ju .lit _ Sef Oct IbI Illc Ju V\ stall the pending increases in regulatory capital requirements for three years. Action on the Senate version of the bill is still pending .• 1"ll[If:I~ ~:~"l~ ltJ~ January 15, 1996 Weed Roundup-Ready soybeans S::=rJ.,~r. y •• Y"" •• ~I I',.~.I":,-11_ f,2 .... ~,' •• .w .... op/ '. ' .... J Roundup should be applied for annual weed control when the weeds are 4 to 5 inches in height. Do not let the weeds compete with soybeans for plants have emerged from all the 'pieces' of the underground root system. In a no-till system, the emergence would be more uniform than in a con- The label will suggest sequential applications of Roundup in 30-inch-row soybeans if needed. Drilled soybeans will close the canopy faster and longer than five weeks or soybean yield may be ventional till system. If making a single application fewer weeds will emerge following the Roundup reduced from the early season weed competition. of Roundup for control of both annual weeds and application. In university research, weed control Always add nonionic surfactant at ~ percent v/v perennial broadleaf weeds, don't delay the applica- was better in drilled soybeans when compared to with Roundup. The addition of ammonium sulfate tion longer than 6 weeks after soybean planting 30-inch-row soybeans because Roundup, like many or 28 percent liquid nitrogen has improved control because: 1) the annual and perennial weeds will other postemergence soybean herbicides, does not of crabgrass, lambsquaners and velvetleaf in already be competitive with soybeans and 2) some have soil residual to stop later germinating weeds. by Karen A. Renner, university research. The new Roundup formulation, annual weeds such as crabgrass, lambsquaners, OIlIer Iss8es Department of Roundup Ultra, contains nonionic surfactant, black nightshade and velvetleaf are more difficult to It is critical that Roundup drift not occur. Crop and Soil and Monsanto does not recommend adding control when they exceed 4 inches in height. Apply Roundup when winds are below 5 mph. Sciences, Michigan additional surfactant. However, a nitrogen source "Iaak aatxt..tes ...... Roundap Corn and sugar beets are very sensitive to off-target State University can still be added. The Roundup Ready label will not recommend Roundup. Be sure that sprayers are cleaned out Perennial Weed Control tank mixtures. In university research, tank mixtures thoroughly following Roundup applications. Be he recent development of the Roundup- Roundup is labeled for control of many peren- of Roundup with other postemergence herbicides sure fields are well marked where the Roundup- T Ready soybean, genetically engineered to be resistant to postemergence applications of Roundup, will expand the utility of Roundup in nial weeds. Perennial grasses like quackgrass are controlled by Roundup at 2 to 4 pints/acre. Yellow nutsedge will be controlled for one season by appli- sometimes increased and sometimes decreased velvetleaf control. Velvetleaf control was improved by the addition of Basagran or Resource but was not Ready seed is planted. Roundup will provide soybean growers a new postemergence weed control option in soybeans. conventional and no-till soybean production. cations of Roundup at 2 pints/acre. Perennial broad- improved by the addition of Pursuit, Pinnacle, or It is the best option growers have for managing Annual Weed Control leaf weeds, such as Canada thistle, field bindweed, Classic. Michigan State University suggests applying perennial weeds in the soybean crop. Roundup Roundup at 1 pint/acre provides excellent and hemp dogbane, require higher application rates Roundup at 2 pt/Acre plus a nitrogen source to 4 applications in Roundup-Ready soybeans will be control of cocklebur, jimsonweed, common rag- of Roundup, applied when the plants are in flower, to inch velvetleaf. Resource can be applied sequential- a cost-effective weed control program with no weed, wild mustard and the foxtails. Roundup at 1.5 effectively control the underground root system of Iy for velvetleaf control, if needed. concern for groundwater or surface water contami- pints/acre controls redroot and smooth pigweed, these weeds. Therefore, applications of2 pints/acre The lIoImdap-ReadJ Label nation or toxicity to humans or animals. smartweed, black nightshade, large crabgrass and of Roundup in Roundup Ready soybeans willcontrol Roundup can be applied from soybean crack- The soybean varieties with the Roundup-Ready barnyardgrass. Roundup should be applied to black these perennial broadleaf weeds for one season, but ing through full flower in Roundup-Ready soybeans. gene must have the yield potential and imponant nightshade, barnyardgrass, and large crabgrass be- do not expect eradication into the following years. Roundup can be applied more than once during agronomic characteristics of the elite lines growers fore they exceed 4 inches in height. If perennial broadleaf weeds are a problem in this time period, but the total amount of Roundup are currently planting. If these varieties are available, Common lambsquaners and velvetleaf are the field, apply 1.5 to 2 pints/acre of Roundup when that can be applied during this time period is 2 Roundup-Ready soybeans will be adopted by many more difficult to control. Two pints/acre of Round- annual weeds are 4 to 5 inches tall. Then make a quam/acre. The label will suggest 1.5 pint/acre on farmers for weed management in soybeans .• up has provided more consistent control than lower second 2 pt/acre application of Roundup a few weeds less than 6 inches tall with a footnote to application rates. weeks later when most of the perennial broadleaf apply this rate to 4-inch black nightshade. Comparisons with New Zealand dairy production of the world trade in dairy products. The N.Z. dairy Calving usually stans about 4-6 weeks before industry is therefore very vulnerable to changes in Production Statistics the main flush of spring growth and the aim is to the world market price. N.Z. u.s. have all cows calve within 8-10 weeks. By building The industry is a cooperative one, with farm- Land Area (mil. sq. m.) 0.10 3.62 up a bank of feed from pasture grown during the John D. Jones, Telfarm Director and Dis- ers supplying milk to their local dairy companies. Milking Cows (mil.) 2.7 9.5 late winter, it should be possible to feed fresh cows trict Extension Farm Management Agent, The New Zealand Dairy Board, which is owned by Herds (x 000) 14.5 117.6 on grazing alone, although many farmers may use Department of Agricultural Economics, the companies, exports milk overseas as a single Cows/Herd 188 81 nitrogen fertilizer in early spring to boost pasture Michigan State University Extension desk seller and returns a payout based on prices Milk (mil. lb.) 19.8 153.6 growth. When pasture surpluses begin to appear in he following article was taken from a received on the world market. Individual companies Milk/Cow (lb.) 7,250 16,130 early summer, paddocks are removed from the T paper written by Dr. Ian M. Brookes, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Dr. Brookes is just completing a pay farmers at a level based on this return, adjusted for product sales on the deregulated home market and their production costs. Most companies now Milk/Herd ... (mil. lb.) z.~ d P.~""'" S.. ' • 1.36 1.31 grazing rotation to be conserved as silage or hay. The final decision to dry off the herd is based on a combination of factors - the current milk yield, the body condition of the cows, the pasture sabbatical with the Department of Animal and pay on a milk fat and protein basis less a volume Over 90 percent ofN.Z. dairy farmers calve their Food Sciences, University of Vermont and pre. cost. No subsidies in the form of Government, price herds in the spring (July and August) and produce cover over the farm and the time until next calving. sented the paper on Jan. 3, 1996 at Michigan support or export incentives are received. milk for manufacturing into exported products. The Most herds are dry for three months or more over State University. Since every farm and country The U.S. has 3.5 times as many cows and pro- remaining 10 percent (approx. 1,400 herds) have winter. During this time, cows are fed restricted have differing circumstances, this is nor to be duces 8 times as much milk as N.Z. Yields per cow winter contracts to provide liquid milk for domestic amounts of fresh pasture together with supplemen- considered prescriptive, but rather information are over double but herd size is less than half the consumption from fallcalved cows. The choice of tary feeds - usually silage or hay. Feed budgeting is to help avoid misunderstandings and to aid in N.Z. average, so that milk production per herd is seasonal spring calving is an attempt to match the often practiced to help plan the winter manage- future management decisions. similar. This is achieved in N.Z.\vith a much lower herd's pattern of feed demand with pasture growth. ment, so that cows calve with adequate body condi- To learn more about grazing systems in the labor input - one person being responsible on New Zealand has a temperate climate, with 80 per- tion and with sufficient pasture cover to allow full Great Lakes area and to talk with current graziers, average for 135 cows. cent of the country receiving over 40 inches of rain pasture feeding in early lactation. you are encouraged to attend the tri-state "Great The following table shows the number of per year and with a temperature range of 25-90~. In Continued on page 13 Lakes Grazing Conference" on Feb. 19 and 20, cows and milk production for the N.Z. and U.S. the North Island, where almost 90 percent of the 1996, at the Stouffer Hotel, Battle Creek, Mich. dairy industries. herds are located, grass can grow 365 days of the year. sponsored by Ohio, Purdue and Michigan Coop- erative Extension Services. For more information about the Great Lakes Grazing Conference and registration material, caIl (906) 439-5880. Dairy Production In New Zealand: A Comparison with the U.S. The New Zealand dairy industry is internation- NuVlSion is pleased to announce a vision care plan for your entire famil~ ally recognized as being a low-cost producer of milk products. This is because production systems are based almost entirely on grazed pastures which, The Importance You Can Expect through favorable climatic conditions, are available Personal ~ervice. ince T954,'NuVisionhas been provid- year-round. Nevertheless, the success of any busi- UViSiO~!S~¥~~~~he prin- ness venture should be judged by the margin be- l\T ciple that great eyewear starts with ~ ing quality eyecare and fashionable tween costs and returns. Production levels on a per ~f(~eSSiOnaleyecare. That's why you'll find ¥wear for families like yours. We staff cow basis are low by international standards. Feed- an independent licensed Doctor of each office with dedicated professionals ing and management strategies, which can increase Optometry in every NuVision office. and a team of highly trained associates farm productivity without a proportional increase in Comprehensive eye examinations and committed to providing the very best costs, are thus of great interest to the dairy farmer. contact lens fittings are easily arranged. personal service possible. The following thumbnail sketch is designed to Simply call ahead for an appointment. provide a basis for comparing N.Z. and U.S. dairy Once your eyes have been examined Familv Plan Benefits. • 20% to~O% ol'l1rames systems and indicate possible directions in which by a Doctor of Optometry at NuVision, they may develop . your vision records will be maintained on • 20% off lenses and lens treatments TIle ... Ze.,.... Dally 1Dd8dly New Zealand is a small country, approximately file for your convenience. We invite you to compare our service. • 10% off contact lenses • 15% off non-prescription items 100,000 sq. miles in area (about the size of Colo- You'll find that what others • FREE UVprotection on plastic lenses rado). 65 percent of the land area is devoted to call special care, NuVision provides agriculture, in particular, pastoral farming. Almost as standard procedure. half the total value of traded expons is derived from animal products, with dairy accounting for about 20 percent of the total. New Zealand produces less than 2 percent of the world's milk, but 90 percent of the total produc- nulhSIDn. OPTICAL tion is exported and this accounts for 20-25 percent $500 CASH BACK TO FARM BUREAU@MEMBERS. As if our Magnum@ engine series, overall the most powerful line of pickup engines on the planet, wasn't enough incentive for Farm Bureau members, now there's an extra $500 in the deal. includes all 1996 Ram Van and Ram Wagon That's $500 back on all 1996 5.9L Magnum models, too. V-8 Ram and Ram Club Cab pickups, $500 That's on top of any other national Dodge back on all 1996 Cummins diesel-powered cash back offer.* All you need to do is get a Ram and Ram certificate from your state's Farm Bureau Club Cab validating that you've been a member for at pickups ... and least thirty days. Then stop by your Dodge $500 back on dealer. Where you'll discover it pays to be in select mid-size the Farm Bureau. 1996 Dakota *This cash back offer is valid for members of participating Farm Bureaus, expires pickups. 9/?IJ/96, and may not be used in combination with any other Chrysler Corporation certificate program or certain other special programs. Ask for restrictions and details. The offer Farm Bureau~ is a registered service mark of the American Farm Bureau Federation. . • , ;:t•• ~{ Amencas Truck Stop";.",,, .• The New Do e " A DIVISIONOF THECHRYSLER CORPORATI09g or many people who are nearsighted, the dream of waking up in the morning and reading the clock without having to put on glasses or contact lenses is a powerful one - so powerful, in fact, that they are willing to let a surgeon operate on their otherwise- healthy eyes to gain sharper vision. For the last 15 years, the procedure of choice for those wanting corrective surgery has been radial keratotomy (RK), in which an ophthalmologist makes a series of cuts arrayed like spokes in the cornea, the clear covering of the eye, to flatten it and bring distant images into sharper focus. In late October, the Food and Drug Administration approved a laser that gives ophthalmologists a new approach to vision- correcting surgery, called photorefractive kera- tectomy (PRK). In this procedure, a surgeon uses the laser to vaporize a microscopic layer of the cornea, about one-third the thickness of a human hair. Like RK, this too flattens the eye and improves its ability to focus. Some researchers who have worked with the laser technique say that it is safer and more precise than RK and produces better results. Although it is not yet widely available, clinics nationwide are poised to launch a major effort promoting PRK. ~ ~ to scarring should not have either'Rf or laser kera- starhursts around lights at night. With PRK,a small In considering either type of surgery, an im- jJiJu~ tec£Omy.Clinical trials are underway £0 study the number of patients may experience glare caused by portant caveat is that up to 30 percent of patients effectiveness of the laser procedure for moderate- a fine haze in the cornea, which usually clears up in may still have to wear their glasses for distance. phyeltcllflo\s £O-severe myopia, but so far it appears that it is less predictable for treating serious nearsightedness. three £0 six months. There is also a risk with either procedure that Furthermore, because refractive surgery changes the shape of the cornea, people who could wear rfBtiIrgpilcthl& For those who are eligible for refractive sur- gery, there are a number of factors to consider. One vision may become worse after surgery. A recent study showed that about one in 250 patients who contacts beforehand may no longer be able £0 get lenses to fit properly afterward. by Anthony P. Adamis, MD of the potential benefits, certainly, is that both RK had PRKcould read one less line on a standard eye Choosing between RKand the laser proce- I you're f nearsighted, how do you decide be- and PRKhave been generally successful at freeing chart. No-one lost the ability to read more than two dure is a complex decision. While laser keratectomy tween keeping your corrective lenses, having many patients from having to wear corrective lens- lines. In a lO-year follow-up of 435 people who had appears to be equivalent to RKin cost, safety, effec- radial kera£O£Omy(RK), or trying the new laser es. Recent studies show that 91 percent of people RKin 1982 and 1983,43 percent reported that their tiveness, and side effects, it has the clear advantage procedure? who have had the laser surgery obtain visual acuity vision continued £0 shift so that they became more that it doesn't weaken the eye or cause vision to First of all, it's clear that eyeglasses and con- of 20/40 or better after one treatment - in many farsighted (unable to see close objects clearly) over shift over time. However, unlike RK, which has been tact lenses work extremely well £0 correct myopia, states, good enough to drive without glasses - and time, and in about 13 percent, vision shifted be- used on thousands of patients over 15 years, what or nearsightedness, with relatively few problems. about 65 percent end up with "perfect" 20/20 \~sion. tween morning and evening. \X'ithboth procedures, we know about laser keratectomy comes from stud- Some people who develop an allergic reaction £0 RKhas had similar success, with 88 percent of pa- there is also the chance that the surgeon will under- ies involving fewer patients iollowed for less time. their conracts may be unable £0 wear them. For tients achieving 20/40 and 60 percent 20/20 acuity. or overcorrect so that a person remains nearsighted . Laser keratectomy is a promising alternative to those patients, glasses are always an option. But Although costs may vary from doctor to doc- or becomes farsighted. corrective surgery for nearsightedness. It's too early there will still be some people who prefer not £0 £or,the two procedures cost roughly the same, Because there is concern that the cuts used in to tell whether overall it's clearly superior to RK. wear glasses, or can't for occupational reasons, as about $1,500 to $2,000 per eye, and are not usually RKmay weaken the eye and in rare cases cause it to Thus, except in cases where RK's eye-weakening well as others who are able to wear contacts but covered by insurance. Both take about 30 minutes, rupture, people who might be at risk of occupation- effects make it unacceptable, the choice is largely don't like the time and money it takes to maintain and patients can go home immediately, though al or recreational eye trauma (professional athletes one of personal preference. I'd advise patients £0 thein. For them, surgery may be an option. \~sion can remain unstable for up to three months. or those who play racquetball or tennis, for exam- talk with one or more ophthalmologists who have Not everyone who is nearsighted is a candi- It's importanr to remember that no surgical ple) should generally stay away from this proce- experience with both procedures before making date for refractive surgery - that is, surgery to cor- procedure is risk-free. As with any surgery, both RK dure. These patients may be better candidates for a decision. For more information, contact: Ameri- rect how the eye focuses light. People who are very and laser keratec£Omy carry a small risk of postoper- laser keratectomy, which is less invasive - that is, can Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, nearsighted, whose vision is constantly changing, ative infections. In addition, with RK,scarring from no incisions are made in the cornea. Therefore, the (415) 561-8500 .• who have a coexisting eye disease, or who are prone the incisions can cause some people to see halos or eye is less vulnerable to trauma-related injuries. HEALTH HARVEST Use this test to After you've calculatedyour current life expectancy, tryrecalculatingitto see how much longer you could expect to liveifyou improved estimate your life your health habitsor your riskfactors.Note that improved habitsalso have certainbenefits- expectancy - and such as keeping you physically,psychologically, and even mentally fit- that won't show up on any discover ways to live longevity test. a longer ..healthier life. How to figure your H more - and each time a new record is umans have livedas long as 110 years or set,everyone person managed wants to know to do it.limiting how that riskfactorssuch as smoking, weight and cholesterol,as well as main- lifeexpectancy I fyourof riskscore top a column, matches simply look one down untilyou findyour lifeexpectancy, or probable of thethatcolumn scores at the taininga well-balanced dietand exercisingregularly years leftto live.Ifyour score fallsbetween two of are the basics to leading an extended lifespan. the column-header scores,you can estimate your What ismore interestingto note isthe in- lifeexpectancy by finding the column-header score crease in the average human lifespan since the end that'sclosestto your own score and extrapolating of the 1700s. At that time, the average lifespan was from there.For a more precise estimate,follow the 35 or 40 years of age. Today, the average lifespan steps below. (The example isbased on a 55-year-old has more than doubled to over 75 years of age. The woman with a riskscore of 16.) number of Americans over the age of 65 doubled in 1. Subtract your riskscore from the next highest the 30 years between 1950 and 1980 -largely be- score in the headers at the top of the column. cause of continuing advances in medical science, (Example: 20 - 16 = 4) education and nutrition. 2. Divide the resultby 10. (4 + 10 = 0.4) The following testwillhelp provide an estimate 3. Find the row for your age. Look across that on your lifeexpectancy by incorporating many fac- row untilyou hitthe two lifeexpectancies torsthatinfluence male and female lifeexpectancy. under the two column-header scores closest to (Note that the testisnot intended for people who your own score. Find the difference between currently have coronary heart disease or cancer.) those lifeexpectancies. (41- 31 = 10) A few items that may affectlongevity,such as 4. Multiply that difference by the resultof step 2, family history of premature death and regular use of rounding to the nearest whole number. low-dose aspirin,were not induded in thistest (10 x 0.4 = 4) simply because there isnot yet enough data to mea- 5. Add that resultto the lower lifeexpectancy. sure theirimpact on totalmortality. (31 + 4 = 35) • Reprinted with permission from Consumer Reports on Health, oecemb~r 1995:' !," ". )fl'U: ;-1-1';1 .! j' .j' :"ll'~" . -10 0 10 20 3D 40 50 60 W W W W W W W W 77 71 73 62 65 51 55 40 44 29 34 20 24 12 16 7 The test, based on the best available studies of mortality rates, was created for us by Ted Pass, Ph.D., 76 70 72 61 64 50 54 39 43 29 33 19 23 12 15 6 president of StrateCislon Inc., a Wellesley, Mass., firm specializing In medical-risk assessment. 75 69 71 60 63 49 53 38 42 28 32 19 22 11 14 6 74 68 70 59 62 48 52 37 41 27 31 18 22 11 14 5 • Add or subtract points for every "yes" answer to Items 1-8. Women Men 73 67 69 58 61 47 51 36 40 26 30 17 21 10 13 5 1. Exercise 72 66 68 57 60 46 50 35 39 25 29 16 20 9 12 5 00 you get little or no regular exercise? ............................................................................................ Plus 3 Plus 3 71 65 67 56 59 45 49 34 38 24 28 16 19 9 12 5 70 64 66 55 58 44 48 33 37 24 27 15 18 9 11 4 2. Weight 69 63 65 54 57 43 47 33 36 23 27 14 18 8 11 4 Calculate your body mass index (BMI) with the following formula: Multiply your weight in pounds by 705. 68 62 64 53 56 42 46 32 35 22 26 14 17 8 10 4 Divide the result by your height in inches. Then divide by your height in inches again. 67 61 63 52 55 41 45 31 35 21 25 13 16 7 10 3 Is your BMIless than 22? .................................................................................................................. Plus 4 Plus 5 Is your 8MI greater than 3D? ............................................................................................................. Plus 1 Plus 3 66 60 62 51 54 40 44 30 34 20 24 13 16 7 9 3 65 59 61 50 53 39 43 29 33 20 23 12 15 6 9 3 3. Diabetes 64 58 60 49 52 38 42 28 32 19 22 11 14 6 8 3 00 you have diabetes? ...................................................................................................................... Plus 7 Plus 7 63 57 59 48 51 38 41 27 31 18 22 11 14 6 8 3 4. Smoking 62 56 58 47 50 37 40 26 30 18 21 10 13 5 7 2 If you're an ex-smoker, did you Quit in the past five years? ................................................................ Plus 1 Plus 1 61 55 57 46 49 36 39 26 29 17 20 10 12 5 7 2 If you smoke, do you smoke fewer than 15 cigarettes a day? ............................................................ Plus 3 Plus 3 60 54 56 45 48 35 38 25 28 16 19 9 12 5 6 2 Do you smoke 15 to 24 cigarettes a day? .......................................................................................... Plus 6 Plus 6 59 53 55 44 47 34 37 24 27 15 19 9 11 4 6 2 Do you smoke more than 24 cigarettes a day? .................................................................................. Plus 8 Plus 8 58 52 54 43 46 33 37 23 27 15 18 8 11 4 6 2 57 51 53 42 45 32 36 22 26 14 17 8 10 4 5 2 5. Estrogen 56 50 52 42 45 31 35 22 25 14 16 7 10 4 5 2 If you're a postmenopausal woman, are you currently taking estrogen? ......................................... Minus 3 55 49 51 41 44 30 34 21 24 13 16 7 9 3 5 1 6. Alcohol 54 48 50 40 43 29 33 20 23 12 15 7 9 3 4 1 If you're a man, do you consume some alcohol, but less than three drinks per day? .......................................... Minus 1 53 47 49 39 42 29 32 19 22 12 14 6 8 3 4 1 Men and women: Do you consume more than four drinks per day? .................................................. Plus 7 Plus 3 52 46 48 38 41 28 31 19 22 11 14 6 8 3 4 1 7. Dietary fat 51 45 47 37 40 27 30 18 21 11 13 6 7 3 3 1 Do you eat a low-fat diet, minimizing your intake oi fatty meat, full-fat dairy products, 50 44 46 36 39 26 29 17 20 10 12 5 7 2 3 1 and other high-fat foods? ............................................................................................................... Minus 2 Minus 2 49 43 45 35 38 25 28 16 19 10 12 5 6 2 3 1 48 42 44 34 37 24 28 16 19 9 11 5 6 2 3 1 8. Total cholesterol 47 41 43 33 36 24 27 15 18 9 11 4 6 2 3 1 If you're a man over age 65, is your total-cholesterol level less than 160 mg/dl? .................................................. Plus 2 46 41 42 32 35 23 26 14 17 8 10 4 5 2 2 1 If you're a man under age 50, is your total-cholesterollevel greater than 240 mg/dl? ............................................ Plus 2 45 40 41 31 34 22 25 14 16 8 10 4 5 2 2 1 • Add up your points so far................................................................................................. Sublotal_Subtotal_ 44 39 40 31 33 21 24 13 16 7 9 3 5 1 2 1 • Now do the calculations in items 9-12, rounding to the nearest whole number. 43 38 39 30 32 20 23 13 15 7 9 3 4 1 2 1 42 37 39 29 31 20 23 12 14 6 8 3 4 1 2 <1 9. Walst-to-hip ratio If you're a woman, divide the circumference of your waist at its narrowest point by the 41 36 38 28 31 19 22 11 14 6 8 3 4 1 2 <1 40 35 37 27 30 18 21 11 13 6 7 3 3 1 2 <1 circumference of your hips at the widest point on your buttocks. Multiply the result by 22.4 ..... Plus_ 39 34 36 26 29 18 20 10 12 5 7 2 3 1 1 <1 10. HDl cholesterol 38 33 35 25 28 17 19 10 12 5 6 2 3 1 1 <1 Multiply your HDL cholesterol level by 0.28 if you're a woman, 0.14 if you're a man. 37 32 34 25 27 16 19 9 11 5 6 2 3 1 1 <1 If you don't know your HDL level, simply insert the following points in the spaces 36 31 33 24 26 15 18 9 11 4 6 2 3 1 1 <1 at right: Minus 16 points for women, minus 7 points for men. (Numbers based on the average 35 30 32 23 25 15 17 8 10 4 5 2 2 1 1 <1 HDL values of 56 for women, 47 for men.) .............................................................................. Minus_ Minus __ 34 29 31 22 24 14 17 8 10 4 5 2 2 1 1 <1 11. Fruits and vegetables 33 29 30 21 24 14 16 7 9 4 5 2 2 1 1 <1 Multiply the number of servings of fruits and vegetables you eat in a typical day by 0.7 ......... Minus_ Minus __ 32 28 29 21 23 13 15 7 9 3 4 1 2 1 1 <1 31 27 28 20 22 12 14 7 8 3 4 1 2 1 1 <1 12. Blood pressure 31 26 27 19 21 12 14 6 8 3 4 1 2 <1 1 <1 Multiply your systolic pressure (the higher number) by 0.15 for women, 0.14 for men .............. Plus_ Pius __ 11 6 7 3 4 3D 25 26 18 20 13 1 2 <1 1 <1 • Add up your points for Items 9-12 ................................................................................ Subtolal_Sublolal_ 29 24 26 18 20 11 13 6 7 3 3 1 1 <1 1 <1 • Add subtotals to find totalscore, then see table at right. ............................................. Total_ Tolal_ 28 23 25 17 19 10 12 5 6 2 3 1 1 <1 1 <1 ••• --' HEALTH HARVEST Women who drink When exercising outdoors on a cold day, two or more cups don't overdress. Exercise raises body temperature of caffeinated coffee significantly - even a moderate workout can make a day throughour you feel that it's 300f warmer than it really is. So, their lives have when you're abour to run on a 250f day, dress for an increased risk about 55Of. In orher words, dress so that you're of developing slightly chilled when you first go out - once you osteoporosis (brittle stan e.xercising, you'll warm up. And layer your bones). Bur the risk clothing - that allows you to unzip ancl!or remove appears to be cancelled if a woman also drinks at clorhes in order to lower your body temperature least one glass of milk a day. during strenuous exenion. Why are so few "The message is: If you're going to drink your organs available coffee, drink your milk, too." Soothing irritated eyes Women should try to get 1,200 mg. to 1,500 Here are tips for managing minor eye prob- for transplantation mg. of calcium a day. One cup of nonfat milk lems: in the United States? supplies 90 calories and 300 mg. of calcium . Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, • For irritated and teary eyes - Apply a warm It had been thought that Vol. 271, No.4. compress four times a day for 10 minutes. Don't doctors were simply neglecting rub your eyes. For allergic irritation, a prescrip- to ask surviving family members To keep your hands tion eyedrop, such as naphazoline (Naphcon-A) for permission to use organs and warm in icy weather, or ketorolac tromethamine (Acular) may help. tissues. A new study indicates that wear mittens, nor gloves. Mascara can become contaminated with skin when families are asked, most Mittens are warmer be- bacteria transferred by the applicator. To mini- refuse - even when the deceased cause they keep your mize risk, replace mascara every six months. had signed an organ donor card . fingers together and have • For dry eyes - Use an anificial tear prepara- Family members have the last say. Lesson: Be less surface area from tion. Choose a preservative-free product such sure your family knows your exact wishes, and that which heat can escape. as Cellufresh, Tears Naturale Free or Bion they agree to carry them out. The added warmth is Hypotears PF. Some over-the-counter eyedrops Source: Dr. Laura Siminoff and Dr. Robert Arnold, wonh the loss in dexterity. You can also wear spe- contain vasoconstrictors and can cause funher University of Pittsburgh. cial inner liners made of polypropylene or another drying. Use these products no more than three Placing infants on material that draws sweat from your skin. to five days. Don't smoke; avoid tobacco smoke their backs or sides and other air irritants. Don't direct hair dryers to sleep is an important toward your eyes. Wear glasses ~ on windy days and ~ way to help prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant goggles when swimming. ==----- Death Syndrome). Babies who are pur to Keep your sleep face down have home hu~idity nearly four times the between 30 and 50 risk of dying of SIDS -likely due to suffocation . percent. Ifyou have a "spiny baby," tuck a rolled towel • For blepharitis- behind the infant so he or she sleeps slightly on his To soften scales, or her side. hold a warm In the United States, about 6,000 infants die compress on from SIDS every year. It's the No. 1 cause of deaths your dosed for babies under age one. eyelid for Source: National SIDSFoundation. five minutes. Using a magni- fying glass, gently scrub the lid edges with a cotton-tipped swab dipped in warm water or a solution of one capful of baby shampoo to one cup of warm water. Commercial cleansing pads are also available .• ~re 'Y surg;ca~ons for treatment of procedure in the United States. Recent evidence be intense over the next few years. Discuss these indicates that funher follow-up studies regarding options carefully with an ophthalmologist who is nearsightedness, long-term safety needs to be done before this doing these types of procedures to help you evalu- procedure can be highly recommended. ate which is the best surgical option for you .• astigmatism, and Excimer laser technology should be available within one to two years in the United States. This is Dr. Moore is an ophthalmology farsightedness? a new technique involving laser energy to shave off specialist with Lansing Ophthalmology by Thomas K. Moore, MD a central ponion of the cornea to reduce or elimi- with an office located at 2001 A There are several options available now nate nearsightedness. This technology was invented Coolidge Road, East Lansing. ~ nt of nearsightedness and astigmatism. in the United States and is now used in many coun- t0 surgical options that are now available tries throughout Europe, South America and Canada. for treatment of farsightedness have shown a There is not enough good long-term data regarding significant incidence of complications, and chey are the laser; however, within the next one to two years, procedures that I do nor currently recommend. this data may be fonhcoming. As excimer laser sur- The most thoroughly evaluated procedure for gery becomes refined, it may become the preferred treatment of nearsightedness is radial keratotomy. technique for treating highly nearsighted patients. This involves making peripheral incisions in the For people in the mild to moderate range of ~ cornea to flanen the cornea and eliminate near- nearsightedness, some people may be good ~~ sightedness. There is good long-term safety data candidates for laser and others may be better regarding this procedure, and it is currently the candidates for radial keratoromy. Exdmer laser tech. standard by which other techniques should nology also holds promise in the future for people be measured. who are farsighted. Correction of vision disorders, For people that have a high degree of using surgical approaches, is a rapidly changing nearsightedness, beyond the range of what radial -area of medicine. keratotomy can correct, automated lamellar kerato- I think it is imponant to be aware of advenis- plasty (ALK) can be used. This is a relatively new ing claims, as the marketing of these techniques will , •• _r ------' • Immobilize the injured area - One way to stop the pain is to wear a splint rhat prohibits the aggravating movement. For carpal runnel syndrome, you can purchase a splint that holds your wrist steady while allowing you to keep up with most of your regular tasks. Even The best cure for an overuse strain injury if you don't need a splint all day, wearing a splint at is to avoid initial injury: night may help hold your wrist in a neutral position that relieves the pressure on your median nerve. Stretch - Before beginning a repetitive task, If you have tennis elbow, a special pressure stretch the muscles of your shoulders, arms bandage purchased from a medical supply store and and hands. Slowly bend your wrist back and worn over your forearm can relieve symptoms. forth. Or roll your shoulders in small, gentle If symptoms persist despite rest and self-care: rotations . • Talk to your doctor - A prescription analgesic Exercising can also prevent reinjury. or antidepressant can help manage persistent pain. Your doctor may also want to exclude the Adapt - If you're using awkward movements possibility of other joint problems such as os- or positions, find new equipment or ap- teoarthritis. proaches. For example, buy a table specially • Take advantage of physical therapy - Cold designed for comfortable use of your home and heat applications, ultrasound or electrical computer. stimulation to block nerve pathways can relieve persistent pain and help restore normal muscle Alternate - Rotate repetitive tasks with function. arher jobs. 'eorge is in charge of his family get carpal tunnel syndrome. But it can affect people A physical therapist can also show you exercis- reunion. Suddenly, the computer who spend long periods with their wrists in flexed es and proper movements that can improve Pace - Take a break at least once an hour. usually reserved for keeping track of or extended positions, especially strength and flexibility. Learning simple range-of- his finances and writing an occasional if their movements include pinching or gripping. marion activities can reduce the likelihood of ten- Stop - You can avoid many overuse strain lener is doing overtime. In one week- People who work as grocery clerks, factory dinitis progressing to frozen shoulder. injuries by simply stopping at the first sign end, George spent 12 hours working at employees or mechanics may be prone to this • Consider surgery a last resort - A corticoster- of pain. his computer researching sites for the injury. But hobbyists like Maria can develop carpal oid injection may relieve severe pain that doesn't gathering, writing a newsletter and tunnel syndrome through activities such as playing respond to traditional treatments. In rare cases compiling a family history. certain musical instruments, needlework and when it doesn't, you may need surgery. Reprinted from October 1995 Mayo Clinic Health Maria is an amateur musician, bur canoeing. The combination of pressure and vibra- Carpal tunnel surgery involves dividing the Letter with permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minn. finding time to practice is difficult with her tion such as using an electric drill, lawn mower or carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median 55905. For subscription information, call 800-333-9037. busy schedule. She's been asked to play her snowblower can also cause carpal tunnel syndrome. nerve. Similarly, surgery for trigger finger violin at a friend's anniversary parry. So she • Tennis elbow - You don't have to spend time on relieves pressure by making an incision decides to spend most of the weekend the courts to have this condition. Any combina- in the membrane, sharpening her skills and expanding her tion of rotating your wrist and using force - allowing the tendon . repertOIre. from playing golf to using a manual screwdriver to glide freely. ~ . What do George and Maria have in - can cause a form of epicondylitis (ep-ih-kon- ; common? Both are at risk of overuse duh-D-tis). strain injuries - painful but often prevent- The pain begins near your elbow and may ~ able conditions. move toward the outside of your forearm. The actu- You may associate overuse injuries with the al injury may be tiny tears in the tendons that attach workplace. Factory employees, keyboard operators the muscles of your lower arm to your elbow. and meat cutters are among those most commonly • Tendinitis - The cause of an inflamed tendon affected by injury. But the marions required for their near your wrist, elbow or shoulder is most often jobs are imitated in many of your daily activities. excessive exercise, beyond what you're used to. Most obvious symptom is pain Repeated movements such as using a paintbrush An overuse strain injury results from overus- above shoulder level contribute to this type of ing muscles and tendons. Most of these injuries injury. occur in your hand, wrist and arm. The most narice- When tendinitis affects your shoulder, pain able symptom is pain. But an overuse injury can can cause you to limit range of marion. In turn, also cause tingling, weakness, numbness, swelling tendinitis can progress to a "frozen shoulder," in and stiffness. Injury may be caused by more than just repeti- which ligaments and tendons near the joint contin- ue to stiffen until the joint barely moves. Whats bothering you? tion. You're more likely to become injured if you aren't conditioned for prolonged activities or your movements are combined with forcefulness or an • Trigger finger - A popping or catching sensa- tion when you bend your finger is the source of the nickname for this type of renosynovitis We would like to Know awkward position. (ten-o-sin-o- VI-tis). However, tenosynovitis can H ealth Harvest is designed to educate to-read, nourishing "Healthy Bites:' Common conditions also affect your wrist or shoulder. Michigan Farm Bureau members Please take a moment to fill out and send Overuse strain injuries include a variety of When it occurs in your hand, tenosynovitis about personal well-being, nutrition, in to us your ideas on what you would like to injuries to tendons and muscles. These four are results from swelling of the tendon sheath in your physical fitness and improved family wellness see in future installments of Health Harvest. It among the most common: finger or thumb, preventing the tendon from glid- and we'd like to hear from you. We constantly can be a health topic, new medical practice, a • Carpal tunnel syndrome - The carpal tunnel is ing easily through the membrane lining. Countless look for new health topics to research, ques- question to be answered in "Office Calls" or a passageway under the carpal ligament in your repetitions of the same hand movements can cause tions to be answered by doctors in the "Office something you've always wanted to find out wrist that contains the median nerve and the the inflammation. Calls" section or new medical procedures to more about. rendons that bend your fingers. Overuse can Early treatment means early cure spotlight in "Medical Focus:' Health Harvest Editor cause swelling of the membrane linings (sheaths) Treating an overuse injury can be as easy as We hope you have enjoyed an improved Michigan Farm News surrounding the tendons. Swelling raking over-the-counter pain relievers and stopping lifestyle from the over 100 articles and self-tests P.O. Box 30960 compresses the median nerve. for rest breaks at the first sign of pain. The further that we've published - from nutritional plan- Lansing, M148909.8460 The result is numbness, tingling an injury progresses, the more aggressive rhe care. ning, being "heart smart;' exercise tips and easy- or pain starting in the wrist and moving To prevent an overuse injury from getting down into your thumb and first three worse: fingers or back toward your elbow. • Treat the pain - Apply heat or cold (0 ease the ~ . Symptoms may be worse at night. pain. As tolerated, take nonsteroidal anti-inflam- Computer users like George are matory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, ibupro- the sterearype of people who fen and naproxen scxlium. ........................................................................................................................................ • Rest - Don'r keep pushing yourself in spite of your pain. Overuse injuries usually heal if you ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• '0 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• stop the activity that's aggravating rhe condition. ........................................................................................................................................ It may take several weeks for the pain to go away . completely . ........................................................................................................................................ ---------11.--------- i .. Each day vye light the way fo~ you and other farmers across the state - providing the power that keeps you in business. But our commitment to you doesn't stop there. ;~ We have a 24-hour, toll-free number to answer your energy service questions. Plus, we've established a dedicated, toll-free number so oj:: ... we can respond to your questions about stray ¥~~I,ag~.~~~d,with 39 Customer Service Centers state-wide, we're ready , to.senieytiu., .. '~or stray voltage questions call1-800-252-VDLT . Ear other service questions call 1-800-477-5050 ~ ConsUIDIlIS ~ power I'IIWUIIII& JIIICIIIIiAII'S fIIl8&JIESS fLYJt~~I~ January 15, 1996 Managing multiple components: Reduce your somatic cell counts to increase your bottom line F or three months, Michigan's dairy farmers of blood. "IfI take the same needle from cow to have experienced a larger milk check due to cow and I get some blood from the first cow that's multiple component pricing (Mep). Unfor- 0.12 got leukemia, I take it to the rest." tunately for dairy producers, MCP itself does not add 0.10 "So many farmers have a needle stuck in the any additional money to the milk marketing system, c:: top of the bottle on the window sill," says Mellen- 'Gj 0.08 berger. "You've got yeast and fungus that live in dust rather the checks themselves have been increased +J o in size to handle the extra information used in cal- Q. 0.06 and all kinds of organisms that can survive under culating the dairy producer's final milk payment '0 those conditions." "C 0.04 There are five major components used in c:: ::l Maintaining _ balaaced ration calculating the farm price paid to Michigan's dairy o Q. 0.02 Nutrition can also playa factor in maintaining a farmers: butterfat, protein, fluid carrier, producer ~ healthy cow herd with lower bacteria levels. Main- 8. 0.00 o o o price differential and a somatic cell count (SeC) +J o o o o o o taining a balanced feed ration keeps an individual ; -0.02 adjustment. ci ci ci cow at her best to defend against harmful organisms. E +J o N II'l N o Specifically looking at the single see adjust- -0.04 "If your nutrition gets messed up you get into III ::l ~o 6 6 ~o ment component, there are many things a dairy :c III -0.06 q ° q ° o. q all the metabolic disorders - milk fever, ketosis, farmer can do to reduce their see. Many of the u o II'l o II'l and displaced abomasums," continues Mellenberg- U N N V\ -0.08 suggestions aren't new to Michigan's dairy produc- er. "The rate of clinical mastitis that follows those ers, but for the first time dairy farmers can lose -0.10 events is extremely high. When she goes off feed, money if their see levels aren't held in check, advis- -0.12 the organisms are there - it's not that the exposure es MFB's livestock specialist Kevin Kirk. see levels see level isn't there, it's can the cow fight them off." above 400,000 reduce the see adjustment per According to the dairy extension specialist, pound of protein, he adds. How to reduce your see levels tions, keeping milking equipment clean, and pre- the only thing that specifically has a relationship to According to Gary Trimner, Michigan Milk "There are a lot of options for producers (to and post-dipping are also extremely beneficial. reducing infection is adding small amounts of sele- Producer's director of member services/quality reduce their see levels)," explains MSU Dairy Ex- "If you're going to treat cows," suggests Mel- nium and vitamin E to the dry cow ration, directly control, the reason for the transition to payment on tension Specialist Roger Mellenberger. "The major lenberger, "my recommendation is very simple: if I impacting the immune system. milk quality, specifically the see adjustment, is the ones are what is the cell count of each individual put something in the mammary gland, get some "In a nutshell, the basic things needed are cell composition of milk proteins and the effect high cow in your herd on a monthly basis and what are individually packaged syringes. If I use a multi-dose counts on individual cows on a monthly basis, so- see or mastitis plays on the protein in milk. the organisms that are causing the problem." bottle to treat a cow, I use disposable needles and I matic cell counts by day four on fresh cows and "That's what the whole Multiple Component "If it's contagious, I have to do something at only treat one cow with the same needle." culture information to tell me which organism is Pricing is based upon - paying for each part of the milking time - segregate cows, teat dip, dry cow Mellenberger explains the need to use individ- causing these problems," states Mellen berger. milk and how it is used," said Trimner. treat - anything that's involved with the individual ual needles simply through how leukosis (a form of "Then I can define my management style to fit what Milk naturally separates into caseins (which cow and sorting her out so she can't spread it at milk- leukemia) can be spread with only a small amount the data's telling me," ., form cheese-making curds) and whey proteins. Milk ing time to somebody else," continues Mellenberger. with a high somatic cell count has an increase of "IfI have an environmental infection, now I whey proteins and a decrease of casein, therefore must do something with the housing starting with reducing the cheese that can be produced from the higher see milk. the dry cow area into the pre-calving and postpartum areas," states Mellenberger. ''I'm still doing all the Farm emergency Trimner adds that an average see is used in calculating the see adjuster, based upon five or more tests during the month. The average see other things, but now I'm focusing in on the cows and heifers in that last month before they calve. Potential- ly,you have an organism that does not respond to response placards level is then multiplied by a constant that estimates the change in cheese yield and the current month's Green Bay Cheese Price to give a final adjusted antibiotics and that's why they're living there." Maintaining a clean and dry bedding area has long been one of the best ways to reduce your lev- available price per pound of protein. els of somatic cell counts. Regularly changing infla. Who do ~ CIIII? they didn't want to adhere to the law, they simply by Eric Fischer didn't know what to do." Although postage costs make mailing the W hat do you do in the event of an agri- Dairyland cultural pollution emergency such as a chemical spill, a fertilizer spill, fuel spill, or a manure lagoon breach? The answer could plastic signs unfeasible, producers can get them at no cost through different organizations such as their county Farm Bureau office, county Extension Seed be as close as your telephone thanks to the Emer- gency Response Placard, which resulted from a office, DNR office, and at any major organizational meeting in their area. Kirk believes the placards will help ease ten- Company collaborative effort of the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA), Michi- gan State University Extension, and the Department sions between farmers and their neighbors. "We hope people see this as another example of what agriculture's doing to make the industry aware of of Environmental Quality (DEQ). pre.JentJ The placards, which are printed on weather- what's going on and be conscious of what they're resistant durable plastic that can easily be cleaned, doing out there," he said. "We believe it's a positive are intended to be posted near the telephone in step in the right direction." STEALTH 1407 milk parlors, nurseries, or farm shops. Producers can use one of two 24-hour emergency response 800 numbers to the MDAor the DEQ for assistance For more information, call Kirk at 800-292- 2680, ext. 2024 . ., 3 - 1st in 1994 MSU Trials in an emergency situation. The guide also 3 - in Top 10s In '95 MSU Trials contains basic manure management recom- Stealth Corn 14 in Top 15s mendations such as Basic Recommendations for in '95 MSU Trials making sure manure Livestock Manure Management handling facilities are • Know approximately how much manure will be produced annually. designed with the envi- • Design and operate a manure handling system that minimizes any negative effect on the environment. ie. prevent manure runoff to surface water. aSH 250lSTS - Highest yielding herbicide tolerant soybeans ronment in mind, as control odors. protect groundwater. 2 year average well as keeping accurate • Control manure runoff from open lots so that it does not leave the facility or farm property. aSH 277 - First in Central region - 2 year average records of manure • Determine the nutrient cont~nt of the manure by laboratory analysis. aSH 345 - First in Hillsdale County application dates . • Soil test at least every three years for row crops. annually for vegetables According to Kevin and other specialty crops. Since 1977 Dairyland's alfalfa led hy Team Magnum has won Kirk, EnvironmentaV • Apply manure at agronomic rates necessary for growing the next crop. according to current soil test recommendations and using manure analysis Commodities Specialist, test results. twice as many state university plots than our closest competitor Michigan Farm Bureau, • Avoid manure spillage on driveways. roads. etc. Magnum III - First - East Lansing - 1993-94 the placard will help • Keep records of the manure application dates and rates for individual fields. MagnaGraze - Tied first - Lake City Grazing Trial - 1994 producers contact the • Bea good neighbor. • Follow Right To Farm Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Magnum III-WET - Fourth - Lake City - 1993-94 proper authorities in a Practices for Manure Management. timely manner while also Newly introduced ForecastTW 1,000 & 3,000 Sequential MaturityTM Alfalfa In the event of an agricultural pollution emergency such as a chemlcall fertlllnr spill, fuel spill, manu ... lagoon breech, etc., the Michigan making sure that proper Department of AgrlcultuN andtor the Michigan Department of Natural procedure is followed. Resources should be contacted at the following 24 hour emergency Call your local Dairyland Seed dealer or your district manager. telephone numben: "Individual producers West Bend Gary Freiburger may not know which Michigan Department of Agrlcultu ... 800-405-0101 Michigan Department of Natural Resources 800-292-4706 Home Office Fort Wayne, IN agencies to contact for (BOO) 236-0163 (219) 639-6927 help or know the proper If there is not an emergency, but you have questions on the Michigan Right to Farm Act or items concerning a farm operation. please contact the Michigan way of notifying the Department of Agriculture, Right ToFarm Program, P.O.Box 30017, lansing. MI Department of Agricul- 48909,517.373-1087. Dave Dickerson Paul Buehler Jim Patnaude Larry Sumerix SpoflS(Nr!J by: Adrian, MI St. Johns, MI Lapeer, MI Lachine, MI ture or DNR," he said. Michigan Farm Bureau Farm Buruu Insurance (517) 265-2255 517-224-2246 810-664-9934 517-379-4073 "Worse yet, an individual Michigan Department of Agriculture Michigan Department of Environmenllli Quality DairylatUJ SeeiJ Co. Inc. - A Growing Force producer could be pe- nalized, not because Michigan State University Extension Natural ReiOUrCeiConservation Service I!J= FAR'" BVREAV ~G'I:iW January 15, 1996 Farm Bureau hosting campaign manage- Proof of our ment workshop performance keeps pouring in. State Rep. Mike Green (R-Mayville) c5h..~7~~~~ ~ ~ f~ T j'C--.r'~~"'-<.k 1 't' -- \~~ says the workshop provided some ~~~~~41('AJ~~ ", -:4 -.._. ~ helpful tips in his successful bid to be a state representative. 'I'~~~J -A " ' :;-..' T Y"o. LrY, ~ _ \.)_ ~7~ I 1996 f is the year you decide to fulfill your political aspirations by running for political ~~ ~~~~ office, whether it be township, county, state or ~ ~,.(:r~' ~ national level, make Michigan Farm Bureau's "How to Win an Election" campaign management work- ~~.IJ~."t; . 0 ~~~ shop the first step in getting started. The workshop is scheduled for Feb. 20 and 21 at the MFB Center in Lansing. A- ~~ J1 ~ 11 yo- (row's S10 156.4 ~~~ rz~ ~J}"P' ,~~~ ~ ~t1 The two-day workshop covers a full range of campaign topics, says MFB Public Affairs Director AIAlmy, to help first-time candidates make sure ~~ ~ II ~~~' ~ ~ 0 Dea. K Ib 471 120 3 ~~~""'.Jz ~~~~J~ ~ ~ ~ -;) they're covering all of the basics. He says the phase- }(')I~~ J~-,,-'" v ~ in of term limits will create new opportunities and openings for would-be office holders. "It's estimated, for example, that term limits " ~. "£TY'~~ will open up 80 new state House seats providing candidates some exciting opportunities," Almy ex- plained. "In past elections, many Farm Bureau ~~~Iot Average 130.1 2Yr{,~~ members have been candidates for office and have learned that a well-planned and executed campaign ~ff~~~ ~ij;:-f( ,( r~~lL. ~~ "~..<~ is critical. They have also learned that campaigns require a great deal of time and money, meaning that it's not too early to get started." ~~ '-"'j ~ Crow's hybrids are topping the plots once again for our customers. ~ \k This is the second such campaign manage- ;;; ...-\~ Across the Corn Belt and in your backyard, you'll find proof that U ~ ment workshop sponsored by MFB and conducted , Crow's hybrids pour on the yields. They can do the same for you. ~ by American Farm Bureau Political Education Direc- ~ With over 25 new hybrids in the last three years, your local Crow's 0( tor Brad Eckart. State Rep. Mike Green (R-Mayville) A dealer is ready to put together a package of Crow's hybrids that -- attended the first MFB campaign workshop and says .-Ik ,<......:) will help you spread risk and increase your odds for a big year! that, despite several years of experience in the polit- ical arena as a county commissioner, the workshop provided some helpful tips in his successful bid to be a state representative. ~~&b "Even though my background was a county commissioner and I was involved in politics and cjP government, coming here was certainly an eye- opening experience," Green explained. "They tell us - that our scope of knowledge has to be an inch thick and a mile long - we have to know a little bit about I~K - --- everything." Milford, IL • Nevada, IA • Greenville, OH Green says the advice he valued the most 800-331-720 I from the first MFB campaign management work- shop was the recommendation to have someone other than yourself manage your campaign. Ii\!- though there was a lot of material and topics dis- LES SIELER ROBERT MOLYNEUX GOLDEN ACRES JAMES F. CREW cussed, that one piece of advice was the one thing ADRIAN, MI COOPERSVILLE, MI JASPER, MI QUINCY, MI that really stood out from that school," Green said. 517-263-2458 616-837 -8710 517 -443-5526 517 -639-4854 Campaign management workshop topics for this year's program include: GREG PARKHURST JEFF CONKLIN RICHARD ZENNER BILL MORGAN • Campaign Laws and Reports ARMADA, MI DECATUR, MI KINGSLEY, MI SHERWOOD, MI 810-784-5894 616-423-8351 616-263-5339 517-741-3698 • Selecting the Campaign Issues • Handling the Aggressive Interviewer WENDELL NORDER LARRY ROBERTS LOREN CLEMENCE JOE BENNETT • Campaign Budget Preparation BATTLE CREEK, MI EDMORE, MI lAINGSBURG, MI THREE RIVERS, MI • Raising Campaign Funds 616-965-4034 517-762-5480 517-651-5409 616-279-2117 • Campaign Structure • Role of a Campaign Manager RON WENGER DENNIS lASCESKI RICHARD STANK RICHARD SUTHERLIN, JR., DSM • Promotion Activities BELDING, MI FILION, MI LAKE ODESSA, MI THREE RIVERS, MI • Identifying Voters 616-897-8958 517 -269-7980 616-374-7394 616-273-3621 • Targeting Precincts and Special Interest Groups • Using Polls MICHAEL OBERT ALAN HEEG FOUR B PARTS EDGAR MILLER BIG RAPIDS, MI FOWLERVILLE, MI LAWRENCE, MI WHITE PIGEON, MI • Election Day Activities 616-483-7284 616-796-3063 517 -546-4339 616-674-4303 Enrollment will be limited to the first 24 regis- trants, and Almy encourages the candidates to con- STEPHEN SMITH, DSM ANDY SPARKS ADDISON BROOKS sider bringing their campaign manager as well. For BLISSFIELD, MI FREMONT, MI LITCHFIELD, MI more registration information, contact AI Almy at 517-486-2854 616-924-5945 517 -542-3273 (517) 323-6560, prior to the Feb. 5 registration deadline .• LANCE KALBFLEISCH DALE THORNE GENE BROST BROWN CITY, MI HANOVER,MI MONROE, MI 810-346-2332 517 -563- 2683 313-241-9451 Price spread summary ED GROHOLSKI HERBERT HAIGHT JAY GOULD Beef BURLINGTON, MI HOMER, MI MORENCI, MI Choice beef retail prices increased slightly 517-765-2111 517 -568-4072 517 -458- 2573 more than the farm price from Sept. to Oct. result- ing in a one cent il}crease in the beef farm-ta-retail JAMES D. CROW MARK HILASKI RON GUDAKUNST price spread to $1.51 per retail pound. CAMDEN, MI HOPKINS, MI ONSTED, MI 517 -254-4512 616-793-4541 517-467-7041 Pork Retail pork prices increased while the farm DON HASSEVOORT DANIEL GUST CARL F. SPARKS price decreased from Sept. to Oct. 1995 resulting in CASSOPOLIS, MI HUDSONVillE, MI OTTAWA LAKE, MI an increase in the farm-ta-retail spread of nine cents 616-445-3195 616-875-8403 517 -486-2237 to S 1.30 per retail pound .• Il'll[It:I@Jli!l~~ January 15, 1996 Isolated cases of TB confirmed in Michigan white-tailed deer Continued from front page come infected wi(h TB. You should call your local Should 'a hunter see something unusual while received tha( infec(ion from other people. A posi- Tuberculosis-free Status in caule since 1979, and we veterinarian, or (he Michigan Department of Agri- field-dressing a deer, they should stOp field-dressing tive skin tes( indica(es only tha( the micro-organism will take the necessary steps lO ensure that Michi- cu\(ure, (517) 373-1077, if you believe you have and contact the DNR. is presem and (he body has developed an immune gan agricul£ural products cominue lO meet the reason to worry about your animals' health. It is possible lO transmi( tuberculosis from response. It is importam to note that (he risk of highest quality standards." What are the signs and symptoms animals to people, and from people to animals. developing TB disease from an infection is small. Officials stress that, to maximize safety, if any of tuberculosis? This is extremely rare, and there are no records of The lifetime risk of developing disease for of the deer's internal organs (e.g., heart, liver, The signs of disease depend on what part of a person ever catching TB from a deer in Michigan. people who are infec(ed and who have a healthy lungs) look abnormal, then the meat should not be the body is mos( affected; usually this is the lungs. Is deer meat safe to eat? immune system is abom 10 percem. People who eaten. Otherwise, cooking the meat until it is not There may be coughing and difficulty breathing. Cooking the meat until it is not pink and no have been exposed lO mher people or animals with pink and no red juices flow out should make the Overall, infected animals will lose weight and appear red juices flow om should make the meat safe to eat. suspec(ed or confirmed TB should be (ested. meat safe lO eat. In fact, this process is recommend- to be in poor condition in later stages of (he disease. In fact, this process is recommended for all meat If I shoot a deer and field-dress it, what ed for all meat (including beef and poultry) lO make Early in the disease, the animal may look normal. (including beef and poultry) to make it safe from should I be looking for in a TB-infected it safe from other bacteria, as well. How is the disease spread? other bacteria, as well. To maximize safety, if any of animal? Cooperative efforts will cominue between Tuberculosis is primarily spread through the the deer's imernal organs (e.g., heart, liver, lungs) Small ran or yellow lumps may be presem DNR, MDA, MDPH, USDAand MSU, including col- air. When an infected animal is in close comact with look abnormal, then the meat should not be eaten. lining the ches( wall and in (he lung tissue. The lecting samples of deer lO be taken in 1996 through- other animals, comamination from coughing and Are any tests being conducted to lungs will have these nodules throughout (he tis- om the state, bm concemrating in Akona, Alpena, sneezing can spread the disease. Repeated or pro- determine if anyone has contracted sue. If you see lesions like (hese, contact (he DNR Mommorency and Oscoda counties. State officials longed exposure is often a faclOr. T8 from infected deer? so tha( (he head of the deer can be examined. will meet with club managers and members lO edu- Why is tuberculosis prevalent at this The Michigan Departmem of Public Health is Will screening for T8 in deer take cate them about tuberculosis. Clubs will also be location? coordinating with the local health department to test place next year? strongly discouraged from maimaining artificially Artificial concentra(ions of deer in the impact- persons who were exposed to the diseased deer Yes. There will be a sta(ewide surveillance high deer concentrations. ed area, due (0 winter-long supplemental feeding through field-dressing or processing the carcasses. program and a more concemrated effort in (he WIud Is h£_-A ••Is? was very likely a major factor in TB infection. We Can I be tested to determine if I have four-county area of Alcona, Alpena, Mommorency Tuberculosis is an infection with any of the know that the disease is most likely to spread in caught T8? and Oscoda. following Mycobacteria: Mycobacterium bovis, My- situations where animals are overcrowded. You can receive a TB skin test at your local What is going to be done to stop the cobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium afri- Could a hunter who shot and gutted a health department or a private physician's office. possible spread of TB to other deer? canum or Mycobacterium microti. M. bovis (a type deer in northeast Michigan contract TB? A positive skin test means that you have TB Decreasing (ransmission of TB from deer to commonly found in cattle in the early part of this It is very unlikely that a person field-dressing infection, but it does not mean that the infection deer is essential, and can be accomplished by de- cemury) and M. tuberculosis (a type most associat- a deer infected with TB would become infected. came from exposure to diseased deer. creasing the density of deer and eliminating supple- ed wi(h humans) are (he mos( important in (he Prevention is always the best policy. To minimize The small percentage of adults, abou( 5 per- memal feeding in (he 8 mile by 12 mile area where United Slates. Though i( is very rare, pets can be- risk, wear heavy rubber gloves whil<:gutting deer. cent in the Uni(ed Stares, who are infected wi(h TB TB was found. A combina(ion of a volumeer elimi- nation of wimer-long feeding and an increase in deer harvest will decrease deer-to-deer conlaCts, and lessen the possibility of (ransmission. What will be done to determine if livestock have been infected? As a follow-up (0 (he infec(ed wild whi(e-railed deer found in northeas( lower Michigan, the De- partment of Agricu\(ure (es(ed lives(ock in the local vicinity. No infected animals were found. Within the next few weeks, MDAwill be starting anmher test- ing program. Uves(ock within a 5-mile radius of each infec(ed deer found this year will be (ested. I own cattle in northeastern lower Michigan. What will happen to them? Domestic lives(ock wi(hin 5 miles of where a deer has been found (0 tes( posi(ive for TB will be TB-tes(ed by USDAor MDA. This will primarily af- fect caule herds and cap(ive deer/elk herds. Animal owners should u(ilize managemem prac(ices (hat promote good general heal(h of (heir animals. Animals tha( are well-fed wi(h nu(ri(ious ONCE AGAIN, food, appropria(ely vaccina(ed against ocher diseas- es, and maintained in clean, uncrowded condi(ions, THE CREAM RISES TO THE TOP. will be healthier and better able to resist infection from diseases in general. • Marvin Dane - Albion, MI (Jackson County) What does it mean that Michigan is Planted: Harvested: 10/11/95 a USDA accredited tuberculosis-free state for cattle? DK471 Brand-Hybrid #2 Yield Harvest Moisture S Return Per Acre* Ir means tha(, (hrough an ac(ive surveillance DEKALB--DK471 140.9 17.2% $389.73 program, which includes extensive multi-year (es(- DEKALB--DK493 140.8 17.8% $387.76 ing and removal of infec(ed cattle, Michigan is offi- Pioneer--3723 138.4 18.1% $380.32 cially recognized as being free of tuberculosis in Pioneer--3733 125.5 18.9% S342.87 caule. Michigan atlained this status in 1979. Will the current situation affect the ex- portation of cattle or deer from Michigan? • Sheridan Farms - Fairgrove, MI (Tuscola County) At this time, the exporlation of livestock is DK493 Planted: Harvested: 10/10/95 not affec(ed, as long as (he state maimains its ac(ive Harvest S Return surveillance program, and its Slatus as ruberculosis- Brand-Hybrid #2 Yield Moisture Per Acre* free. DEKALB--DK493 168.8 24.2% $443.27 Great Lakes--GL471 150.7 24.2% $395.74 Pioneer--3769 143.9 25.2% $375.00 Timber rustling becom- ing expensive problem • • Vern Nauta - Ada, MI (Kent County) DK 527 Planted: 05/03/95 Brand-Hybrid #2 Yield Harvested: Harvest Moisture 10/06/95 $ Return Per Acre* T he days of widespread caule rus(ling in Texas are gone, bm a new, expensive rype of rustling - timber thef( - has come to the forefront The DEKALB--DK527 130.4 22.2% $347.65 problem is so widespread in the south and sou(h- DEKALB--DK442 123.5 21.3% $331.47 western part of the coumry, tha( some estimates DEKALB--DK493 115.2 20.7% $310.58 show annual losses of S75 million to raw timber theft. DEKALB--DK471 108.1 21.4% $289.92 In (he somh, where about 58 percem of all DEKALB--DK512 109.1 23.9% $287.15 (imber produced each year in the U.S. now comes Pioneer--3573 112.6 25.5% $292.76 from, the problem is rampam. The offending log- Pioneer--3751 100.2 22.8% $265.93 gers of(en (respass or ignore neighboring property lines (0 cut down (rees because the price of logs has nearly doubled over (he last two years and (he num- ber of absentee landowners also has increased. A1(hough s(ealing trees is a crime, some say the road lOjus(ice is often rough. Unlike ca(tle, (rees are nm readily idemified and catching a tree rustler, who FOR THE NAME OF YOUR NEAREST DEKAL8 DEALER of (en performs his work late at nigh(, can be tough. "If you have good documenla(ion of wha( CALL l-BOO-B-DEKAL8 happened ir's not hard, bur a lot of (imes people .Return Per Acre Calculated @ $2.80 per Bushel and $.02 Drying Cost per Point of Moisture just go in the dead of nigh( and cut down limber above 15.5%. withom a (race," said Assislam Dis(rict Anorney Art Bauereiss. 1~'JI[~~I~'I:tW January 15, 1996 Comparisons with New Zealand dairy production Should you vigor test your seed? Continued from page 7 Economics of Production stocking rates to ensure pasture does not go to waste. In turn, this has resulted in cows rarely being E xtremeweather conditions this past growing seasoncould impact the vigor of seed lots from tions, the seedlings are evaluated to determine if they are normal or abnormal. Resultsare reponed acrossthe state, according to the Michigan Crop as a cold germination percentage. USS/100 lb. milk N.Z. U.S. fed to achieve maximum intakes - a situation de- Improvement Association (MCIA). A hot and dry Accel.b.. .Ied AgIag 'Iests Income scribed by some observers as"controlled starva- growing season,combined with later heavy rains and Accelerated Aging (M) is another test to be Milk 8.42 13.23 tion." Consequently, lactation lengths have been an early frost, contribute to lost quality due to me- used asa management tool in determining seed Q1hgr 1.29 1.97 decreasing- the 1993/94averagefor herd tested chanical damage, temperature and moisture stress. performance and storability. In this test, the seeds Total 9.71 15.20 cows was 221 days in milk - and cows are not given MCIA is advising producers to test the vigor of are stressed, prior to germination, with high tem- Expenses the opportunity to reach their genetic potential for seed asan inexpensive, rapid way to estimate actual peratures and high relative humidity, and then ger- Feed 0.80 3.86 milk production. field performance. MCIA conducts three vigor tests mination percentage checked. Fertilizer 1.04 0.44 Much attention is therefore being focused on in addition to standard germination tests. MCIA recommends that M germination levels Other 1.84 6.55 providing supplementary feed for grazing cows. TZ 'ft!st of 80 percent or better be considered as high vigor Direct 3.68 10.85 Pastureby itself does not provide an ideal balance The Tetrazolium Chloride staining test, or seed. According to MCIA, research shows that AA Overheads 1.69 2.70 of nutrients for the high yielding cow. Useof appro- TZ test, is valuable in determining seed viability and testing can help predict the swrability of seed, Total 5.37 13.55 priately formulated supplements may increaseboth quality in a 24-hour period. Basedon the staining which can be critical in caseswhere seeds will be Net Surplus 4.34 1.65 feed intake and nutrient utilization.' Where this can patterns, soybeansor dry beans are classified into carried over from one year to the next. AA is avail- be shown in practice to provide an economic re- four categories,high vigor, medium vigor, low vigor able for small grains, soybeans,corn and drybeans. Despite the 50 percent decrease in income turn, then farmers may be prepared to adapt their and dead seed.MCIA recommends that seed lots The results of these tests can help in selecting earned by N.Z. dairy farmers through their almost management systems to accommodate regular feed- haveat least an 80 percent combined high and me- seed lots based on quality of seed. Vigor testing is total reliance on world market prices, their expens- ing of supplements. However, the reliance on world dium vigor to be considered as high quality. also imponant for carryover seed aswell as new es are substantially lower, largely becauseof the milk prices will preclude systemswhich involve Cold "... Test crop seed. much lower requirements for purchased feed. This high levels of capital investment and costly rations The cold vigor test is another valuable tool in For more information on seed vigor testing, results in a net surplus 2.5 times greater than that of such ascereal grains. High quality foragessuch as helping to decide the quality or vigor of a seed lot. contact MCIA's Seed Laboratory at (517) 355.7555. their UScounterparts. Given that the averageherd corn and grasssilages,green-feed crops and indus- This test subjects seed to a cool temperature of If you're interested in submitting samples to MCI produces a similar amount of milk in each country, trial by-products are more likely to be used asan 500Psoil conditions to see how well the seed per- for testing, you can send them through the mail the NZ. farmer received the equivalent of US$58,000 adjunct to the basaldiet of grazed pasture.• forms in adverseconditions. After appropriate time, to: P.O. Box, 21008, Lansing, MI 48909 or by UPS to pay interest, managerial rewards and living ex- exposure in the cold, and then in optimum condi- to 2901 W. Jolly Road, Okemos, MI 48864 .• penses,compared with US$22,000in the U.S. Uk .. FIIt.re Deuelaplllellts For the USdairy farmer, given the continuing Michigan Farm Bureau farm employee safety meetings set move to deregulate the industry, it is highly unlikely that milk prices will remain at the present level, let alone rise. The alternatives therefore are to try to D ates and locations have been set for a series of 12 MFB safetyseminars that have been developed under a safetyeducation grant from the Here oftlle~ Me tile Utes ..... IoGdIoIIs • Jan. 26, 2-5 p.m., Kalamazoo Valley College. • Feb. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Summerset Township Hall (Hillsdale/Jackson). Contact Dave Pratt, 517- 788-4292. increaseproduction per herd without increasing costs,or to reduce costs without a marked decrease SafetyEducation and Training Division of the Michi- Contact Lyndon Kelly, 616-467-5511. • March 6, 1-4 p.m., Detroit Edison Service Cen- in production. Both these approaches are being gan Department of Labor. • Jan. 30, 6-9 p.m., Mt. Clemens Extension of- ter,CassCity. ContactJim LeCureux, 517-269-6099. adopted and hence the debate regarding the useof Panicipants in these seminars will learn how fice. Contact Hannah Stevens,810-469-6440. • March 12, 1-4 p.m., Monroe County Exwnsion new technologies to improve production (e.g. BST) to reduce the time and cost of employee and family • Feb. 1,9 a.m.-12 p.m., Ithaca Community Office. Contact PaulMarks, 313-243-7113. versuslow input systemssuch asintensive grazing. protection, and will better understand the numer- Center. Contact Dan Rossman,517-875-5233. • March 14, 1-4 p.m., Allegan County ISD office, In New Zealand, the competitive advantage for ous and sometimes duplicative provisions of the • Feb. 14,9 a.m.-12 p.m., Lake Michigan Col- Allegan. Contact PaulWylie, 616-673-0370. the dairy farmer will continue to be based on mak- Environmental Protection Agency's Worker Protec- lege, Benton Harbor. Contact Mark Longstroth, • March 19, 1-4 p.m., Crystal Mountain Resort, ing the maximum use of grazed pasture. The em- tion Standard, the Michigan Occupational Health 616-657-7745. Thompsonville. Contact Andy Norman, phasis is on production per acre rather than per and SafetyAct and Workers' Compensation Insur. • Feb. 20, 1-4 p.m., Shelby United Methodist 616-882-0025. cow, as land is the most limiting and expensive ance.An added benefit of the seminars for Certified Church. Contact Norm Meyers,616-873-2129. • April 3, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Delta County Service resource. In the past, this has meant increasing Applicators will be the availability of recertification • Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Alpena Commu- Center, Escanaba.Contact Warren Schauer,906- credits for participati~n in the program. nity College.Contact PaulWegmeyer,517-354-3~36. 786-3032.• .. .. ... .!I.iIIJ..• ~~.!QI:I:.:. 1440 IH COMBINE, $3800. HESSTON TUB GRINDER TRACTOR CHAINS: Large ALFALFA HAY, all cuttings, ANGUS BEEF: Bulls, heifers 17 GRADE HOLSTEIN heif- 1512' grain head, 843 corn for sale. like new! $5,200. selection! Baled wheat straw. square bales, no rain, large and cows with calves. Perfor- ers for sale. Nine due in head. Completly recondi- Gehl flail chopper, 6' cut. Several spreaders and grin- quantities at discount. Straw, mance tested, semen tested. January, six in February, two tioned, maintenance records, Good condition! $750. der mixers. Stored inside! Call wheat, clean square bales. Free Delivery! Call anytime, in Apnl. Have been vacci- extra rotor Baxter. One Call 1-810-657-9087. 1-517-773-5374 after 1pm. Call evenings or leave SHAGBARK FARMS nated and had all shots. owner, always housed. St. INTERNATIONAL corn Dan Reid. message. 1-517-496-3527, Alto, Michigan 1-517 -725-8227. Loui s, Mich igan. Call planter. John Deere offset 1-517-496-3536. 1-616-868-6040 1-517-681-4251. FOR CURRENT LIST of disk, 12'. Van Dale gutter BAYSIDE SEED CORN: available Angus Cattle, write: 1938 ALLIS CHALMERS cleaner, 222' chain . Patz Topped MSU County exten- BEEFALO: Registered cows, heifers, bulls and Secretary, West Michigan Model-60 combine. 5' cut, gutter cleaner, 270' chain. sion Plot in Isabella and ~s Brooders, 585 36th original paint, owners Call 616-734-2532. others, for about $50 per bag. steers. The healthy red meat! Also, registered Texas Long- Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI manual. $1000 or best offer. JOHN DEERE 7200, 4-row Check your local trials or call, 49509. Call 517-726-1322 or B&M SEED horns. All beautiful animals. no-till corn planter, plateless, BUZZ SAW: 3-point. Several Shamrock Beefalos REGISTERED POLLED 517 -676-5827. finger pickup, monitor, less 1-517 -463-2846 stock trailers. 20' flat goose St Clair County hereford breeding age bulls, 1978 MF 10850, CAH, multi- than 2,000 acres. Excellent neck. 16' bumper car hauler. EXCELLENT QUALITY dairy 1-810-765-8122 heifers. Also AI bred heifers power, power adjust rear condition! lilliston 13 hole Two horse trailer, dressing. hay for sale. Delivery avail- and cows. Rocky Banner wheels, 75% rubber, 3-point, no-till drill, 2,000 acres. Call 1-313-461-1414. able. Call 1-517-864-3180. bloodlines. MSlJ perfor- 2 remotes, housed. Excellent Excellent conditionl Call EMU FIRST CUTIlNG and second Chicks, yearings and breed- mance tested. condition! 3200 hours, $8000. 1-517-734-4000 for Call Rye Hereford Farm, information. CONVEYER for sale. Single cutting hay, square bales. ers. Great birds! Reasonably Deerfield, 1-517-447-3361. chain, 50'. New motorl Star- Shelled corn and 570 New 1-517-734-3005 priced. Microchippedmd Vet 6000 JD HIGH CYCLE KINZE FOUR ROW, double line shuttle feeder, #85. Star- Holland square baler. Brand certified. Boarding available. HERD DISPOSAL SALE: sprayer with cab for sale. Air frame, three Coulter Rawson line 20' silo unloader for parts. new, $10,500. Call Support before and after sale. Beef herd, cows to be four and 60' hydaulic boom. Brand (new coulters), dry fertilizer, Two self-unloading forage 1-517 -766-2446. Exeaulaita Emu •• years old and down to this new! $39,900. High bin loader plastic cross auger, monitor, wagons. 1-517-642-8414. Belev(elle, MI 48111 year's calves. All females. FIRST, SECOND and third for 1640, 1660, 1666 or 1680, planter mounted liquid 28 cutting alfalfa hay for sale. 1-313-461-1362 Call 1-517-352-8254 $275. 8 row IH 20" bean tank, John Blue pump, trash FOR SALE: Semen tank; 75 Delivery available! Call planter with plates, cylinders wheels, planted 1300 acres. straws Melwood, Kemper, 1-517 -864-3402. and hoses, 28" rows where Excellent condition. $8500. Rex, Secret; DeLavai mIlker the tractor runs, $200. 1-517 -654-2531 with electronic pulsators, GIANT SQUARE BALES of 1-616-756-9368. 1-517 -654-2425. glass line, large claws, Surge hay and straw and small cube cooler, 500 gallon Craft square straw bales. Delivery Place your ad for 6 ATTENTION FARMERSI NEW HOLLAND 270 hay available! Custom built free stalls. baler with thrower. Field bulk tank; Cablevey for Edward Kalis Example: New York style 72:' ready I $1800 or best offer. double 1-517-639-4739. four parlor. Leave Winn, 1-517-866-2540 months, get phone ~ stall, $32 complete. Also, Also 1st cutting hay. Call custom built farm gates. Call 1-616-754-6969. message. MICHIGAN CERTIFIED number or name in red. i 3(;h.Mtider Fabrication 1-517 -593-2684 PLATFORM SCALES: SEED: Newdak, Porter, Prairie oats. Bowers barley. Place your ad for 1 year, i MANURE SPREADERS: 7'x10', 40,000 pounds, digital FORD, NEW HOLLAND trac- read out and hand held New and used, Balzer, Better- Felix, Conrad, Century 854, Vinton 81 soy beans. Chinook get phone number or Bilt parts. UPS daily. Also tors and equipment from remote. Also can be hooked Symon's in Gaines. For 43 to a printer. Excellent condi- grain dryers and handling light reds. Also Dairy Brand and Crystal alfalfa. name in red and also tion! 1952 John Deere equipment. years, your best deal for the long runl combine. Heath bean puller, H8millDn Distributing Co. B&M SEED 1-517 -463-2846 save $1.00 per ad. Symon •• Tractor 6-row. 517-693-6695. 1-800-248-8070 Gaines, 1-517-271-8445 RETIRING FROM FARM: OSWALT 230 MIXER QUALITY ALFALFA mixed hay. Almont Michigan. and Call GRAIN SEED BINS: All Tools, 8 tractors, 90hp or less, w/scale, $5000. Jamesway ferauMn F..... sizes, $100, up. Brower mixer, $800. Elevator legs, tillage, harvesting, planting. Heavy duty steam cleaner, 2 120 belt cable feeder, $1500. Vandale 20' conveyor, $400. 1-d'l0-395-7512 1-800-968-3129 $400, up. Other seed water preasure cleaners and processing equipment. Stanton, 517-831-8317, many 3-point tools. Call between 6pm-8pm, Vandale 20' silo unloader with motor, 1-616-642-9835, $1000. STRAW FOR SALE: 2000 bales of clean wheat straw. Call 1-517-684-3575. Even- for details 517-831-5589. 1-517 -279-1762. 1-616-642-6328. ings best time. ~~I~'I=l'~ January 15, 1996 11-.-1 '.iB LLAMAS ARE GREAT, and now they're affordable! These docile, intelligent animals .:. '.' I BORDER COLLIE PUPPIES ;. for sale. Traditional and tri- colored, ABCA registered. .... .fI\ :.:.:.:.:.:.:::.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.: ,' ".W." •••••• ':~"""" ...:,:.::: be discussed). Bonus plan based on perfor- mance, profit and :~, ............................................... :':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':':': :ijijjjijillljijlljijljliljiill:~~~~~~~' :.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: RAISE HERBS, live healthier and wealthier. Huge market! Growers needed. Free infor- "I':::::::::::~:::~:~:::~:~::::::~:~:::~:~~:::::~:::::~:r~t:t .. ..111.:.:...:.:.:.:.: ' .;.:.:.:.:.:.: . . •• . ,: ...:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.;.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.: . • IIII: • SIMPSON HAS MONEY TO LOAN No credit, bad credit, low _. .,:::,:,:::::,:,:::,:::,:::::::,::.::,:::::,:::::::::::::::::::::::'::::::-1 MORTAGE .::~.:,::::.:::t::::}::::::}:.\},:: ' .......... ...................... ...................... ...................... .1:i:":I:I.:I:' "Beal'Estate' ................................. 157 ACRE FARM in south- western lenawee County. 101acres tillable, 40 wooded, .. .... .. . ::I:~:il:.:i::::.':~jl::::':::::I:::::.Iahtea::::j::::::l ...•.•...........••.•..••.••.......•.••...•............•...• .... . ,- make wonderful pets for Both parents on site. Bred for contribution. mation. Send L.S.A.S.E. to income, no income verifica- custom built ranch. $295,000. hiking, packing, plcnickin~, work or trail. Excellent eyel Annual compensation Herbs, Depl E, 1910 Chocti- tion. All O.K. May be splil pulling carts, or to just plam Call 1-517-379-3918, contract paid monthly, long- mar, Fort Wayne, IN 46808 Faust Real Estate enjoy. Their wool is valuable Lachine. term employment desirable, GET CASH FASTI 1-517-263-8666 and they also make outstand- based upon successful For home improvements, bill ing guard animals. Call for a visit today! 1-616-677-3309. BORDIE COLLIE pups. Registered parents work cattle and sheep. Ready for performance. Housing on farm negotiable in '-FA-.MER.' • Uvestodc commodity prices too law? •& consolidation, taxes, payoff land contracts or money for WANTED: Farms and land Ron and Nancy laferriere. the compensation package. your business. Christmas. All necessary eqUipment to throughout Michi9an, agricul- Laferriere llamas Call 1-517-592-4064. • - Cash flow too slow? • tural and recreational. Large Marne, Michigan run and maintain the opera- - Mortgoge payments and bils over- SIMPSON MORTGAGE tion added as recommended • whelmil¥il? - • parcels preferred. We have (Just northwest of Grand ENGLISH SHEPHERD Sable COMPANY buyersl Rapids). colored puppies. Born August and mutually agreed upon by - Wont someone who lIJderstands •. We can unlock the equity in farm manager and • lenders? Faust Real Estate LLAMAS: North American 25, 1995. Some with tails your residence, vacation 1-517-263-8666 bobbed. managemenl - Wont someone to tolk to your lender? • home, rental property or any Sitting Bull and Essex blood- Would consider contracting • - Do you ooderstand yotJ opftons with lines. Pet males and weanling Call 1-517-522-8501. real estate you own. any services in the farms best • P.A. 116? • females. Reasonable prices! interests. - Do you need to restrudure your 20 TO 80 ACRES of mixed Call for more information and SIMPSON MORTGAGE wooded hunting land. Year Should you be selected for • forming business? • LOVES TO SAY YES visit, 1-517-645-2719. consideration, an interview - Do you need to consider changing your • round, road accessable. Miller'. lIamaiand WHEN THE BANK North of M-46. No swamp with you and later your family • vocation? SAYS NO Potterville, MI and a visit to the farm would W, all, w, ",", 11IIIIw, do aM • land or long narrow strips. • of tIN ar..".,liS ",., tmJ 1-800-314-1000 Offering cash. Call be arranged. LLAMAS: Visit our farm and get acquainted with llamas. All responses acknowledged. will be • ,OW III, III""" • Flint, 810-239-3131 Bay Ciy, 517-892-9099 1-810-727-1060 evenings. Useful petsl Also, sound Owner's achievement goal: ~~ ~!!-~~~7.J Jackson, 517-784-7n1 WANTED for long term lease. breeding stock available and SUPER HEAVY STEEL Ann Arbor, 810-995-1488 Approximately 100 acres of handspun llama wool. Call 25.30 (2len> 40.50 (1 len) 50.100 (tlen> An excellent profitable farm lansing, 517-487-1762 pasture or grassy hay, with 1-616-582-7473. Horton B~ llamas 30.40 (3 len> UP TO 400/0 OFF!!! 42x604 (2 len> operation. A happy place to live, work, and raise a family. HOMEOWNERs! Grand Rapids, 616-774-0124 Kalamazoo, 616-382-4439 house. Call 1-517-694-0798 evenings. .~l~~eck Jack & Bamara Danly 20 YEAR WARRANTY Traverse City, 616-933-4603 Charlevoix, MI American Steel Arch Inc • Send personal resume and DetrOit, 810-967-8900 .' references including your Dearbom, 313-730-0611 FACTORY DIRECT thoughts and suggestions if •......... . " ...................................... mml . ....•.........•.•...•.......•..•.....•.•...•.........•.................... .H )HJ'\SUN SYSTEM INC. 1-800-942-1234 NATIONWIDE ............... ..... .... ...................................... - - - ... the opportunity were yours to: Marlene Savlne, 100 West long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304. LOANS BY PHONE paycheck Call Simpson from anywhere in Michigan toll free at 1-800-314-1000. Mortgage il1ill'nllll "Designing for Growth" " .", ......................•....•.•.•....•.....•••.•...... TRAVERSE CITY: If you Herin Auction Service: INDIVIDUALS for custom SAME DAY APPRO)/AL wish to buy or sell farm or Hesperia, Michigan. All types harvesting operation. Texas 'i..lli!.:!.il:II~~:lli.l:aIID;.lil.:llj!I:I.:: through Montona, 1996 -Statewide Service. Call Toll Free-- recreational property in north- of auctions! Farms, estates, season. Must be clean, 1-800-968-ZZ21 west Michigan, we can help. household, liquidations. OPPORTUNITY honest, hard working, with Call Ron McGregor, North- Honest, dependable, reliable. Position open for a hands-on farm background. Full time AllSTATE MORTGAGE ern Michigan Land Brokers, For more information, call working farmer (preferably work possible. !!!loans by pho~e! If 1-616-929-1515, 1-616-854-8151. with family) to manage and 1-402-364-2468. 1-616-943-n09. Larry Herin, Auctioneer farm 691 acres of Produc- tive, quality farmland and forest in Redmond Town- Complete Fann System -- ship, Good Hart, Michigan. • Grain Bins Approximately 400 farmland • GSI Top Dry acres owned and leased, 200 • Airstream Auto Dryers • Feed Processing & Delivery Equipment acres under irrigation. New • Bucket Elevators farm machinery and equip- • Milwright Services ment, plus new 43,000 POSITION WANTED exper- • Dryer Repair & Services square-foot hay storage barn, ienced farm manager looking handling facilities, equipment for a position in management Johnson System, Inc. storage barns and repair or a related position. Exper- Marshall, MI shop. ienced in sales, in growing all Must be experienced and types of vegetables. 616-781-9000 knowledgeable in running a 1-517-561-2333. fine horse hay (alfalfa-brome) Lease financing farm. Someone who knows the earth, preparation, fertili- for equipment .'tilitl OSTRICH CHICKS zation, seed, growing, cutting, baling, storing and marketin~ of fine horse hay for discrimi- nating buyers. Must be Willingand capable of EXPERIENCED Michigan vehicles & buildings providing: agribusiness attorneys with Exceptional South African farm backgrounds. Know- • 100% tax deductible bloodlines available in all Daily management of general ledge and experience in all ages. Let us introduce you to business activities including farm areas; restructure, stray • fixed payments America's newest agricultural contract and hourly employ- voltage, bankruptcy, estate industry. • min advance payment ees and services. planning. EAST SIDE: Blue Water Ostrich Ranch Clear, accurate recordkeep- Thomas J. Budzynski, 43n7 Charlevoix, Michigan ing and accountability. Groesbeck Hwy., Mt. 1-616-547-1139 Daily accounting - payables/ Clemens, MI 48036, ~ao PIEDMONTESE CATTLE: receivables - cash flow records - material receiving 810-463-52~; WEST SIDE: TElMARKINC. Call Man Homann at MAC lor more Information Lean, tender, double Robert A. Stariha, 40 W. and shipping records, general muscled, good calving ease. Quality registered breeding stock. Also available embryos purchases. Provide monthly statement of Sheridan, 49412, 616-924-3760 Fremont, MI 800-451-3322 800-878-8900 above to management SAVE MONEY and'semen. Recycle your diesel and Redbird Farms (General Manager), general bookkeeping offsite. industrial air intake filters Lapeer, Michigan using the Sonic Dry Clean 1-810-797-4701 Work from mutually-agreed bu~et. System. No liquids or deter- QUALITY ANGUS BREED. Advise and counsel manage- gents used. 50% savings over ING STOCK Performance ment in the best interests and new filters. tested, Bulls semen tested. welfare of the operation, Recycle Now Inc. Free delivery. Also Border including capital equipment, Holland, MI Collie Stock Dogs. Call today. buildings, maintenance, 1-616-396-n24 BORDNER ANGUS FARMS operations, crops, and land 1-616-396-8102, Fax Sturgis, MI 616-651-8353. development and improvement. REGISTERED TEXAS long- Coordination of crop market- ing, with knowledgeable hay horn bulls. Available at wean- ing.Diamond 6 Ranch, brokers, or direct. .:".:.: ..:.:.::.:: ..:.::::.:.:.:.:.::/8u810ess:{:: Saranac, Michigan. Call Take orders-follow orders- 1-616-642-9042. give orders. :~I~.i...:!I::':i:'..i!i:'.i:.!..!i'!.:..'..i:s~lic.::iiili': Leadership. Interfaceand communicate at METAL ROOF COATINGS & REGISTERED Scottish High- all times with everyone repair - paint coatings. 25 land cattle, breeding stock involved inside/outside the years in business at same Whether you're looking for a small, rustic cabin Of' a large Call Of' write today. and semen for sale. Vistors welcome! operation. address. spacious home, an HONEST ABE lOG HOME is fOf' you. o Send me your FREE fulk:olor brochure explaining Good character - honest, Call 1-517-777-9815 early or Our log homes are special, one of a kind, homes. let us your log homes. Call 1-517-543-7979 evenigs or weekends. Charlotte, trustworthy, loyal, with integri- late. help you create your own special home. Our company has o Enclosed is $10.00 for your color catalog, which in- ty, ethics and compassion. TOM'S OVERHEAD DOOR many years of experience and hundreds of homes as a tes- dudes 40 standard floor plans. Michigan. Caringfor people, equipment, Sales and Service, Inc. timony to this fact. o Please send DeaJer Information ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK: land and nature. Must recognize and accept Commercial and residential. • Free design services Jet you create your dream home. ~ N~~- -- ------------------------------~ Doors and openers. I I "Uvestock of the Future". TB responsibility to provide and Call 1-517-681-2185 or • Construction service to make it easy for you and assure : Address : accredited herd. Animals of maintain a profiCient level of 1-800-783-8752 you the highest quality job. : City State : all agesl Traverse City, current and advancing tech- • Large, massive logs accuratety pre-cut and numbered : Zip Phone : =- '::t;ou Michigan. nology pertaining to farm and Universal Farm Account at our plant to provide the highest quality materials. L- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - :..l Book & Income Tax Record Im~ Elk Ranch 1-616-946-5922 its requirements. Owner provides: A handy means for keeping complete records of your ~~:c Please clip and mail to: ntt Hvty. Health benefits - major income and expenses. ~~ Moss, Tennessee 38575 TWO HOLSTEIN BULLS for U.F.A.B., 2472 North Harbor, ~ Dealerships Available. 1-800-231-3695 medical. sale. Service age.& Workman's compensation, P-1, Bay City, MI 48706. Call 1-517-637-4271 liability and life insurance (to 1-517-667-4937. I~'J I(~ ~ I~'I::t'!'..@ January 15, 1996 ... COLLECTOR'S Restored Adams road grater #3. Horse or tractor drawn. ITEM: . BtB(_ ..................................... ..................................... .......................................................................... ..................................... SOFTWOOD WANTED: Sawlogs and pulpwood. White, Red, Jack, Austrian . ....................................... "'~'JI HUDSON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES All types of agricultural, FOR DISPLAY AD Also, other graders for sale. and Scotch pines. Also, comme rcial, residential Call 1-517-834-5187. Balsam, Spruce and construction. Steel, bricks or Hemlock. Especially White sticks. licensed and insured Pine sawlogs; standing or with certified engineers. Call •--- roadside. Lower Peninsula 1-616-785-9704. onlyl Northern Timberlands, Inc. INFORMATION In business over 35 years. EXCELLENT EXTRA Call 1-517-356-9759 Income! Assemble simple for pricing and specifications. craft products at home in your spare time. Easy world Fun to dol Program guaranteed! Call WANTED: 2"-8" used alumi- num irrigation tubing. Buy, CALL now, 1-800-377-6000, ext. ABSOLUTE TOP CASH for 9780. Sell or Trade! Call Rain Control land contracts. Up to 95ct on FARMERS, ARE YOU 1-800-536-7246 the dollar. Best offer guaran- FRUSTRA TED? Do you teed. Same day close. have a need to: Increase WANTED: Hydraulic steer- 1st National profitibility of your farm! ing unit and steering wheel for 1-800-879-2324 1.800.292.2680 Improve soil condition? 504 International. Call Increase crop yields? Conserve and use water more efficiently? These are RODE08~~ just some of the many possi- ble benefits w,e can provide. We have a solution! EXT. 3203 Call Mr. Bielas today at 1-616-463-4602. HAPPY JACK MACHINE promotes healing and hair growth to severe mange and hot spots on dogs and horses without steroids! MANGE IILDWEST , ~a~~/e u€ an~ ~erience ProSoy@ PS ABLE Contains NO Benzyl Benzo- ~ die unique~ fbmerican ate! Availabe at your nearest TSC Store. Minerai Owner. Gas/Oil: ~ S€6rt 6{ r~e6. ~ee &111 V ri~n8' ca/{ r6€in8. steer wrest/in8' 6r6nc ri~n8 an~ m6re. PSMYRON r---------------------------------, Run your classified ad for 2 issues, Investor interested in ~earn a&ut 1Jative fbmerican ~ Yield • Stands get your third issue FREE! purchasing, producing royalty culture an~ see ~ist6ric reenact- A.. White Mold Tolerance Income for Immediate cash. Deadline for next issue January 19, 1996 ero~o DDn.C!rrl1@ Prefer Antrim gas. Other ments at t~e ~a~a'JJ ~tam€e~e formations considered. Call 6r ~~e.!Jenne