MICHIGAN FARM BUREAU ,,- lIicbillan~m8d8pOlato August 30, 1996 Vol. 73, No. 14 eq ui'll18ent aets Rell Itand'apd j J USDA announces date of referendum he u.s. Department of Agriculture has T announced the second referendum on the Sheep and Wool Promotion, Research, Education and Information Order will be conducted Oct. 1. Voters may register and vote in person or request absentee ballots at the County Extension Service office serving the county of voter resi- dence for individuals or the county where the business headquarters is located for corporations. Absentee ballots may be requested in per- son or by mail, phone or fax between Aug. 26 and Sept. 17. All absentee ballots must be received in county offices by the close of business Sept. 27. All producers, feeders and importers who certify they were engaged in the production, feed- ing or importation of sheep or sheep products - with the exception of raw wool importers - in 1994 are eligible to vote. The order must be approved by either a simple majority of voters or by voters who ac- count for two-thirds of the sheep and wool pro- duction represented in the referendum. Voters will cast ballots both as individuals and by a weighted vote on production. Passage of the order would authorize the Michigan potato growers got their first chance to compare Lenco's new eight-row windrower against its compet- proposed sheep industry checkoff, which would itors at the 1996 Spudtacular held at V& G Farms in McBride. The multi-use potato machine not only harvests fund critically needed promotion and research twice as many rows at a time, but has attachable implements to plant and cultivate using the same wheel tracks. effor:tSfor the sheep industry. The checkoff would replace the promotion funding lost with the 1995 phase-out of the National Wool Act - funding that will expire on Sept. 30, 1997. The checkoff would be administered by the Forage testing and COVERSI0RY .'.'~. ~""_'''''* .. w:/(. " ....~.~ -." ..... ~~ ~ 120-member National Sheep Promotion, Research, 1996 Spudtacular high- Education and Information Board made up of 85 producers, 10 feeders and 25 importers. The check- off would assess domestic producers and feeders 1 ration adjustments lighted by new technology he new Lenco multi-use potato machine showcased to potato growers and buyers cent per pound on the sale of live sheep and 2 cents per pound on the sale of greasy wool. Importers also would be assessed for the critical this year at the 1996 Spudtacular, hosted by V and G Farms in McBride, just how innovative and effi- cient Michigan's potato growers are becoming. first time - 1 cent per pound on.imported sheep Silage harvest management this fall Silage Inoculant a Good Bet This Year "The Spudtacular is an excellent demonstra- and lamb and 2 cents per pound on imported will be crudal to getting the most of Although Allen admits that he's not the big- tion for potato producers to analyze different har- wool top and textiles. forages all year long gest fan of silage inoculant in most years, he be- vesting and loading equipment, explained Ben Kud- The checkoff would collect approximately $13 million per year, $7 million from domestic produc- L ate-planted corn last spring, late-harvested alfalfa this summer, and immature corn silage this fall will require producers to monitor and adjust lieves it could help proper corn silage fermentation considerably this year. The combination of wet, immature corn silage and a later than normal har- wa, executive director of the Michigan Potato Indus- try Commission. "They were able to see clod re- moval equipment, washers and load out equipment ers and feeders and $6 million from importers. Meanwhile, USDAhas issued its report on rations carefully over the course of the next year, vest which means cooler temperatures, will make for use in the field." the previous sheep industry referendum that was based on fiber content, not the forage/concentrate proper fermentation difficult. Although filled with exhibits on potato technol- invalidated due to inadequate instructions and ratio, advises Michigan State. University's Dr. Mike "Normally, there are organisms growing in the ogy and other potato harvesting and loading imple- human error. USDA has given assurance that it Allen, dairy Extension specialist. field that takes the sugars in the plant and ferments ments, the focal point of the show quickly turned to will improve the voting instructions to coopera- He expects that dairy producers will need to them to acid') that pickle the forage to make silage," the gigantic eight-row potato windrower as it made tive Extension and farm service offices to facilitate add additional grain to their rations to compensate Allen said. "During cold weather, the population of its inaugural trip across the field of Onaway potatoes. the voting process in the next referendum . for the higher fiber contents associated with late- these organisms will be lower. So producers will "I was a little nervous for a minute," explained It is likely the absentee ballots also will be .harvested alfalfa, and immature corn silage. "That want (Q add inoculant to help jump-start those or- Gerald Johnston, founder of Vestaburg-based Lenco, simplifi~ and the absentee voting period extend- can be difficult in times of high grain prices," Allen ganisms and get the silage fermented well." as he quickly scratched a note to himself. "But it ed to fix some of the issues cited in the report. admitted, "but if we don't, the higher fiber content Anhydrous Not Advised has performed extremely well, with a few minor Continued on page 3 of the diet will limit intake and you'll see a negative Wet corn silage, in general, is very conducive to adjustments." impact to milk production." an organism called clostridia that produces undesir- Powered by a 350 Cummins diesel and over Digestibility of fiber is equally important in able fermentation and ultimately reduces feed in- 200 gallons of hydraulic fluid, the Lenco potato Allen's opinion. He predicts that digestibility of take. To make matters worse, Allen says adding anhy- machine's tower section separates from the rest of immature corn silage will be very high, while the drous to corn silage will raise the pH level, creating the implement, can plant, cultivate and harvest digestibility of late-harvested alfalfa will suffer. That an even more ideal environment for clostridia. eight rows with one pass. means producers will want to utilize their forages "I would eliminate using anhydrous and add "You're looking at what I refer to as Iimited- accordingly, says Allen. the inoculant to get those pH levels down as quick- traffic farming," Johnston adds. "Adevice that can "There's no way to adjust for lower fiber digest- Iyas possible so that you're selecting for desirable plant, cultivate and harvest using the same set of ibility of forages," Allen explained. "Once you've got bacteria to beat out the undesirable clostridia," wheel tracks, reducing the amount of compaction." that, you need to use it with the animal where it will Allen suggested. "Our goal was to limit the amount of travel on do the least damage, such as dry cows and heifers." Continued on page 5 Continued on page 3 News in Brief 2 Cash crop farm returns 7 Interpreting the 1996 MSU state Capitol Corner 3 Weather Outlook 8 wheat variety trial results 11 Survival techniques for feedlots 4 Michigan's apple producers know MIFFS fosters sustainable bobbing for a place in the interna- ag concepts 12 SP~ contract set to launch Sept~ 17 5 tional market isn't "easy as pie" 9 Michigan crop outlook down 13 Market Outlook 6 Guidelines for planting wheat Precision Agriculture 16 in 1996 10 Sell products and services in the Michigan Farm News c/assifieds-Page 14 i~'JI[~~~I~'I:t'~ August 30, 1996 Nevus treats the cost of health insurance. Most businesses provide their employees with health coverage as a Meat inspection announcement Meetings will help calf and stocker producers • tax-free benefit. But the self-employed are forced ro In Brief purchase health insurance with after-tax dollars, deductible only up ro 30 percent. Farm Bureau's message to Congress was specific and consistent: P resident Clinton has announced changes to the federal meat and poulrry inspection sys- tem designed to implement more science-based evaluate their future T he prospects for profits in the ne~r futur~ for cow/calf and stocker producers Willbe diS- fairness demanded that the self-employed be al- inspection technologies that would replace current cussed in four meetings to be held in September in lowed a ]00 percent tax deduction. sight, touch and smell inspections. southern lower Michigan. Again, when a health care reform measure The long-awaited hazard analysis critical con- Meeting registration is $15 per person (checks passed this summer, Farm Bureau members' lobby- trol points (HACCP) regulations would require made payable to Michigan State University). The ing got results. The bill included an 80 percent packers to identify critical control points and act to registration deadline is Sept. 10. Each meeting will health insurance tax deduction for the self-em- reduce bacterial contamination. Government in- run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. ployed, phased in over the next 10 years. Farm Bu- spectors will monitor the process to ensure new The dates, locations and people to contact for reau will continue working to get this deduction standards are met to reduce bacterial contamina- registration are as follows: increased to a full 100 percent . tion of meat and poultry at the packing point. From the I believe there are several lessons to be The new inspection process must be imple- • Sept. 16: Van Buren County MSU Extension, 801 Hazen St., Paw Paw. Mail check to or contact President learned from these legislative accomplishments. mented in larger packing houses within 18 months Maury Kaercher, MSU Extension, 201 W. Kalama- First of all, consistency and persistence mean a lot and, in packers that employ less than 500 persons, zoo Ave., Room 302, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3777; Well-deserved policy when dealing with Congress. Farm Bureau simply within 30 months. (616) 383-8830. refused ro go away on these issues. Yearafter year, Cost estimates from the Agriculture Deparr- victories harvested our members delivered our call for reform. • Sept. 17: Gilberr Steak House, 2332 Shirley ment show the plan will cost up to $89 million per Drive, Jackson. Mail check to or contact Usa this summer Second, it means a great deal for Congress to year for the first four years to implement - about Townson, MSU Extension, 1040 S. Winter St., S ometimes, seeds planted long ago suddenly burst forrh and bloom right before our eyes . know that your organization's positions are backed by member-developed policy. That's imporrant ro one-tenth of a cent per pound of raw meat sold - and will benefit public health by up to $3.7 billion Suite 2020, Adrian, MI 49221; (515) 264-5300. • Sept. 18: Ionia County Farm Credit Services in That was the case this summer when we wit- remember this fall a'i you debate policy recommen- per year in reduced medical costs from treatment of the USDA Building, 1962 South State St. (M-66), nessed Farm Bureau vicrories on two long-sought dations at your county annuals. The policies you food-borne illness. The government estimates more Ionia. Mail check to or contact Kevin Gould, MSU (and hard-fought) issues: reform of the Delaney approve really do get results! than 4,000 people die each year from contaminated Extension, 100 Ubrary St., Ionia, MI 48846-1691; Clause and expansion of the health insurance tax Third, policies gain force and impact when meat and poultry products .• (616) 527-5357. deduction for the self-employed. backed by a expanding base of membership. In • Sept. 19: Brown Bungalow Restaurant, 20430 For several years, your organization lobbied August, your organization set another all-time mem- Norrhland Dr. (Old US-131), Paris. Mailcheck to or our congressional representatives with the message bership total of over 148,000 member families. Law- MCIA hands potato seed contact]oel Cowley, MSU Extension, 817 S. Stew- that federal pesticide regulations, especially the makers respect organizations that project an image certification to MSPA arr St., Fremont, MI 49419; (616) 924-0500 .• outdated Delaney Clause, needed to be reformed- of vitality and growth. or scrapped entirely. This efforr paid off with passage inJuly of significant federal pesticide reform legisla- Finally, I would credit the continuing impact, on the state and federal level, of electing lawmakers T he Michigan Seed Potato Association (MSPA) has officially taken over potato seed certifica- Michigan fruit tion from the Michigan Crop Improvement Associa- tion. who back Farm Bureau's policies. AgriPac plays a vital tion (MCIA). crops short The measure establishes a modern and realis- role in this process by endorsing candidates, from Randy Judd, MCIAdirector, says that among tic safety standard that allows the benefits of pesti- cides ro be considered in the regulatory equation both parries, who have a track record of supporring agriculture. When you vote in the general election the reasons for the change are improved service and greater efficiency. P oor pollinating conditions and a late frost were the primary culprits in drastic declines from the boumiful1995 fruit crop production. The and implements the National Academy of Sciences this fall, remember this summer's policy victories "MSPA\vill focus exclusively on member grow- FederailState Michigan Agricultural Statistics Service proposals ro provide added safeguards ro protect and vote for candidates who will help us achieve er services, and that arrangement alone will help ful- (MASS) forecasts the apple crop at 825 million the health of women and children. Of special im- porrance ro r-.fichiganfarmers, the bill also stream- mOg";jri1ah:,m:to come fillgrowers' expectations for the future," Judd says. The MCIAwill continue to provide seed cerrifi- pounds, nearly a third below last year's output. The reductions are particularly high in processing variet- lines the registration process for pesticides used on cation services for small grains, seed corn, soybeans, ies. Development is a week behind normal. Color- our specialty crops. dry edible beans and other field crops, Judd adds. ing has begun. The August 1 grape production fore- Another long-term Farm Bureau goal has been The MSPAis under the direction of Jeff Axford, cast was 62,000 rons, down 12 percent from 1995. to change the way in which the federal tax code Jack Laurie, President who has more than seven years of potato seed cerri- Coloring of Concords has yet to begin. MASS Michigan Farm Bureau fication management. Axford was the MCIApotato placed potential plum production at 3,500 tons, division supervisor. down from 8,000 tons last year. A decrease in yield Michigan Department Monsanto purchases The Michigan Deparrment of Agriculture, the will be compounded by a decline in bearing trees. of Agriculture names Agripro Seeds wheat Michigan Potato Industry Commission and the Michigan peach poundage rebounded from the July dairy division director interests MCIAwere involved in helping create the newasso- 1 forecast to 45 million pounds, still 25 percent less ciation,judd notes .• than a year ago. The quality of the peaches, for A Ppointment of Thomas Whalen as director of the Dairy Division of the Michigan Deparr- U nder an agreement with Monsanto, Agripro has sold all assets of its hybrid wheat breeding growers who have them, is very good. Picking of Red Havens, the major fresh market variety, will ment of Agriculture (MDA) has been announced by program ro Monsanto. The agreement includes Food prices Keith Creagh, MDAdeputy director. transfer of germplasm, facilities equipment and commence this week. Pears defied the production \Vhalen, 5], ha'i served as deputy direcror of expected to r.ise trend. Output was set at 6,000 tons, up from 5,500 intellectual properry to HybriTech Seed Internation- MDA's Laboratory Division for the past six years. He succeeds William McCarrhy, who retired in March. al, a unit of Monsanto. Agripro will continue selling hybrid wheats through a distributor agreement with I will t cost consumers more at the supermarket line this year. An average household with $50,000 in disposable income currently spends about $109 tons in 1995.• The appointment was effective July 29. HybriTech. Michigan Apple Production per week on food, according to the Agriculture "]n addition to his extensive technical back- The agreement is expected to streamline re- M,I,on Pounds Deparrment. 1400 ground, Tom brings strong managerial skills and ex- search operations and consolidate breeding efforrs 1200 Below average harvests because of weather perrise to the division," Creagh said. "We are pleased of both companies. Agripro's hard red winter wheat, 1000 problems, and high dairy and pork prices could he has agreed to join our management team ro lead hard white winter wheat and hard red spring wheat 8DO lead to escalated prices at the grocery store, accord- 600 the Dairy Division into the 2]st century." varietal research program will continue. HybriTech's ing to some economic forecasters. 400 His responsibilities a'i director of the Dairy hard red winter wheat breeding program as well as While some experrs are predicting a 5 to 6 200 Division will be to protect the health of dairy cattle its foundation seed activities will also continue. All percent increase in prices in 1997, Don Ratajczak, 7578 77 78 798081 82 8J 8485888788899091 92938485 98 on Michigan's 4,300 dairy farms; oversee the licens- germ plasm designated for variety development will of the Economic Foreca~ting Center at Georgia ing and inspection of 45 dairy plants; check bulk milk be owned by HybriTech and license back ro Agripro State University, says the hike will probably be haulers for sample and delivery procedures; and for use in the variety breeding program .• around 3.5 percent. require that all segments of the industry follow sani- Next year's crop will be a big factor in food price tary, temperature and drug residue standards, which increases. "Any problem with next year's crops and help ensure that consumers have only wholesome, Farm wages up Bacon prices go prices could move up dramatically," said Ratajczak. safe and nutritious dairy products to purchase. A state employee for nearly 30 years, Whalen T he Agriculture Deparrment reporred farm wages averaged $6.55 per hour inJuly for hired He added that the Agriculture Department's hog wild joined MDA's Laboratory Division in 1966 after re- ceiving a degree in biochemistry from Michigan workers, up 11 cents from last year. Field workers averaged $6.16 per hour in July, up 7 cents from corn crop projection of 8.69 billion bushels would mean high corn and livestock feed prices will per- T he recent cereal price wars led Americans to believe they were getting a break in the cost of sist well into 1997.• breakfast. Before you plan a EuroPean vacation with State University. Whalen is married, has two grown 1995, while livestock workers averaged $6.20 per all your breakfast savings, you had better check the children and resides in Haslett. • hour, up 26 cents, USDAreporred. price of bacon. The reporr said there were 1.35 million hired .Kansas cattle co-op Ifbacon is a staple on your breakfast table, workers on U.S. farms and ranches during the sur- vey period between]uly 7-13, down about 5 percent forming u.s. premium expect to pay more for "the most important meal of from a year ago .• beef brand the day." Bacon prices are soaring in supermarkets across the nation, with prices rising as much as 60 K ansas cattle ranchers are organizing a cooper- ative under the name of U.S. Premium Beef to compete with the nation's largest beef packing com- cents a pound over the past year. Bacon in stores retails at around $2.04 a The Michigan Farm News (ISSN:0743-9962) Is published twice per month except in the months of November. December. panies. The burgeoning co-op already has commit- pound, compared to SI.47 a pound this time last 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 S1.50 Is induded in annual dues of ments for 700,000 head per year and the organiza- year, according to the Agriculture Deparrment. Pric- Michigan Farm Bureau regular members. Additional su~lption fees ~ulred f~r mallin? Michig~n Fa~ News t.o tion's leaders expect that number to climb to at es at the end of June were around $1.98 a pound. nonmembers and outside the continental U.s.A. PeriodIcal postage paad at lansmg. Michigan. and addItional mailing offices. least 1 million head per year. Low supply, attributed mostly to last summer's Letters to the editor and statewide news artIdes should be sent to: Editor. Michigan Farm News. Post Office Box The co-op would allow its Kansas members ro intense heat, is blamed for the escalating prices. 30960. lansing. Michigan 48909-8460. POSTMASTER - Send address changes to: Michigan Farm Bureau. Post OffIce Box 30960. lansing. Michigan 48909-8460. share in the profits of the packing as well as earning "We're headed into August with historically low Editorial: Dennis Rudat. Editor and Business Manager: Thomas Nugent. Associate Editor. a premium for raising cattle that are above average stocks," said Chuck Levitt, an analyst with Alamn Design and Production: Jeffrey Rutzky. Staff ~trlbutors: Mike Rogers in quality. A similar venture is being planned by Trading Corp. in Chicago. "The big question is, what Officers: President. Jack laurie. (ass Oty; VIce P1esldent. Tom Guthrie. Delton; Administrative ~rector. Chu~ Burkett if we continue to see lower stocks?" Treasurer and Chief Ftnandal Officer. Tom Parker; Secretary. David VanderHaagen. Directors: District 1. Jim MIller. farmers in Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota and the Da- Coloma; District 2. Blaine VanSickle. Marshall; District 3. Michael Fusmer. Manchester; District 4, Tom Guthrie. Delton; kotas, where the producers would open a packing Speaking of bacon, McDonald's Corp. expects District 5. Alan Garner. Mason; District 6. Wayne Wood, Marlette; District 7. Rick Johnson. Leroy; Distr!ct 8. Richard Leach. Saginaw; District 9. Joshua Wuns<64(2 lell) TV ANTENNAS dirt cheap! Save a bundle on Channel UP TO 400/0 OFF!!! Master and Winegard anten- 20 YEAR WARRANTY nas and accessories. free catalog, call 1-800-528- For a American Steel Arch Inc. FACTOR Y DIRECT = Method of Payment = 9984. Denny's Antenna Sales USED OIL WELL PIPE: Approximately 90 joints of 2 1-800-942-1234 •• = Check $ (payable to MIchigan Farm News Classified) = 3/8 by 30' ..33'. ~Iso approxi- mately 60 joints, 2 7/8 by I Visa Card Number Exp. Date I -'-1• 30'x33. $10 per joint. 1-616-763-3563 . = Master Card Number Exp. Dale = • Classified Rates - $8 for up to 24 words - 30 cents each additional word • • 1966 FORD F-700 flatbed truck. 22,000 GVW, neweT = 'Write your ad here, including phone numtler and area code = STANDING TIMBER AND starter, brake cylinders, and VENEER: Black River Hard- woods, Inc. Call 1-810-657-9151 days. Evenings, 1--517--845-3345. engine electrics. $3700. Con- sider trade for Allis Chalmers 0:17 or 0-19. 1-517-291-3044. ••= • 1 5 2 6 3 7 4 8 = • 119• 10 11 12 • I • Place your ad for 6 • 13 14 15 16 • months, get phone !, •• number or name in red. f Place your ad for 1 year, i , •• • 17 16 19 20 • get phone number or • • 21 22 23 24 • • name in red and also save $1.00 per ad. Call •• • = 25 29 26 30 27 31 20 32 • = 1-800-96~3129 I • ~ M ~ ~ •• •= for details . •I ~------_._._...._._ ...._ .... Circulation over 46,000 In State of Michigan. _.-----_ .... I j~'jl~ August 30, 1996 In Agriculture'. package, the PCcard is the "vehicle" cal equipment. Using that delivers geo-referenced information collected in prescription data on the the field to a personal computer for processing and PCcard, the variable rate analysis. The PC card also carries data back into the equipment applies differ- field to implement the cropping prescription devel- ent amounts of seed, oped by a Terra cropping systems advisor. fertilizer or crop protec- Here is how that process works. As an "event" tion chemicals at differ- (fertilizing, harvesting, grid sampling or scouting, for ent locations - all with example) takes place in the field, a Rockwell Vision computer-controlled System ,. Computer Display in the applicator, com- precision. bine cab or tractor stores details on a PCcard ~uch as PC card technology fertilizer volumes, yields or weed populations. At the makes precision agricul- Perry M. Petersen, same time, a global positioning system (GPS) receiv- ture data transfer - from CP. Ag.-CCA, er uses satellite signals to pinpoint the event's loca- the field for detailed Corporate Manager, tion in the field. The location information is digitally analysis and back to the Precision Agriculture, married with the collected data on the PC card. The field for implementation Terra Industries Inc. farmer removes the PC card and delivers it to one of - relatively simple and Terra's cropping systems advisors who downloads convenient. The PC card Data collected by yield monitors can be transferred on a PC card for T hanks to computers, a farmer can easily the data to a personal computer equipped with geo- is a small, totally elec- mapping on home computers. This data becomes' the key to utilizing carry around a credit card-sized device that graphic information ll1'stem(GIS) software. The tronic storage device site-specific farming technologies for future crop production decisions. holds the equivalent of more than 1,000 software processes data from the PC card to create with no moving parts pages of information about his crop production detailed maps, graphs or reports that allow the farm- and about four times the data storage capacity of a appropriate capabilities. system. This ability to digitally collect, store and er and the cropping systems advisor to see, and ana- diskette. All PC cards measure the same length and The Personal Computer Memory Card Inter- then conveniently transport large amounts of data is lyze the variables affecting crop production in the width. They easily plug into a slot found on most . national Association (PCMClA) sets international one of the key technologies associated with preci- entire field or just a small portion of the field. portable personal computers and on increasing standards for PC cards and ensures their interchan- sion agriculture. The advisor, working with the farmer, creates numbers of desktop personal computers. Users also gability between computers. The computer hardware that helps make this site-specific management plans with tailored crop- can pull them in and out of their slot while the com- Next month's column \villfocus on development possible is the PC card (formerly called the PCMClA ping prescriptions designed to m~mize production puter is running without endangering the integrity of precision agriculture information centers that card after the Personal Computer Memory Card and precisely manage crop inputs for a field. The of data on the PC card. provide service, training and support to farmers .• International A~ociation).lt's a device no larger advisor loads the prescription from a personal com- Some PC cards do more than just store data. than a credit card that plugs into a personal comput- er (desktop or portable) and serves as removable puter onto a PC card. The farmer takes the PCcard back into the field and inserts it in a controller unit Portable computer users can connect to computer networks, fax documents, check e-mail and ~Terra data storage. In the system Terra uses for its Precision that drives variable rate planting, fertilizer or chemi- much more just by inserting a PC card with the PRECISION IN AGRICULlURE- Perry M. Petersen, c.P. Ag.-CCA, Corporate Manager, Precision Agriculture 1995 fruit chemical usage summary released cide on the state's cherry acres. It was used on 42 Terra Industries Inc. T he National Agricultural Statistics Service through the Federal/State Michigan Agricultur- water quality issues. There were six fruit crops in Michigan in 1995 percent of the 7,300 bearing sweet cherry acres and 40 percent of the 30,000 bearing tart cherry acres. Azinphos-methyl (Guthion) was the most Phone: (800) 831-1002 & (712) 277-1340 Fax: (712) 277-7383 al Statistics Service, has released its third Agricultur- that were targeted for data collection. These includ- al Chemical Usage Fruits Summary publication. The ed: applies, blueberries, sweet cherries, tart cher- frequently used in apple, sweet cherry, tart cherry ment. Sulfur was the most often used fungicide on survey was funded by the U.S. Department of Agri- ries, grapes and peaches. and peach orchards \vith 93 percent, 87 percent, 79 sweet cherries and peaches with 88 percent and 67 culture's (USDA) Pesticide Data Program (POP). The most frequently used herbicide in apple, percent, and 65 percent of their respective acreages percent of their acreage receiving applications. The The purpose of the POP is to upgrade the grape and peach orchards was Paraquat (Gramoxone). receiving treatment. Malathion was the most used most widely used fungicide on tart cherries was Chlo- reliability of pesticide use statistics and the quality Paraquat was applied to 37 percent of the state's insecticide on blueberries \vith 82 percent of the rothalonil (Bravo) with 82 percent of the acreage treat- of information on pesticide residues in food. Data 54,000 bearing apple acres, 73 percent of the 11,800 state's acreage treated. Methyl parathion was the ed. Mancozeb was the most often used fungicide on collection began in October 1995 and continued bearing grape acres, and 36 percent of the 5,500 bear- most often used insecticide on grapes with 52 per- grapes with 92 percent of the acreage treated. through December. This data series addresses the ing peach acres. Simazine (Princep), at 34 percent of cent of the grape acreage receiving applications. Trade names (in parentheses) are provided as increased public interest in the use of agricultural the area applied, was the most often used herbicide The most widely used fungicide in apple and an aid in reviewing pesticide data. NASSdoes not chemicals and provides the means for government on the 16,300 bearing blueberry acres. Glyphosate blueberry orchards was Captan with 89 percent and mean to imply use of any specific trade names or agencies to respond effectively to food safety and (Roundup, Rattler) was the most often used herbi- 73 percent of their respective acreages receiving treat- products .• is(ount rugs e ivere to your oor. Mail Order Pharmacy Discount Program Helps You Save Money P rescription drugs often play a crucial role in our everyday lives, even though health care costs continue to escalate and pharmacies are not always located conveniently nearby. Michigan Farm Bureau's pharmacy discount program is only a phone call away. Heartland Prescription Service, located in Omaha, Nebraska, can service all your pharmacy needs. They carryover 5,000 prescription, non-prescription, diabetic, ostomy and incontinent supplies, and durable medical equipment. Heartland not only helps you to lower your pharmacy costs, but also provides the convenience of having the order delivered to your door. The next time you need a prescription filled, take advantage of this member benefit by calling Heartland Prescription Service for a free price quote. Also, make sure you ask for their free catalog that contains coupons for additional savings. 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