September 15, 1996 -~ ItI'CH'CJlN FARItI BIJREJlIJ ~IPRlNTED WITH I Vol. 73, No. 15 ~SOY INK Political leaders meet with MFB board P reserving Michigan's farmland resources will continue to be one of the major challenges facing agriculture, according ro Sen. Dick Posthu- mus (R-A1ro),majority leader of the state Senate. Speaking to the Michigan Farm Bureau board of directors, Posthumus said the state should move forward to implement agricultural security zones as a way to enhance the effective- ness of the P.A. 116 (Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act) program. "Obviously P.A.116 has helped, but I think we need to go beyond that," he said. "The problem with P.A.116 is that it involves fairly small blocks of land and if everyone else around you is not in it, it doesn't have the full effect we need of keeping that land in agriculture." He also called for asseSsing agricultural land based on its actual farm use rather than its highest potential market value. "We've got to change that, because it clearly forces land out of agricultural production," he said. Posthumus believes in continuing to fund agriculture research at Michigan State University to help Michigan agriculture keep its competitive edge. "If we're going to continue a viable agricul- ture in Michigan, we've got to compete with every other state and every nation. What we do here In both state fairs held recently in Escanaba and Detroit, county Farm Bureaus rallied together with Michigan Farm Bureau may be different - our land may be different, our and the help of Blue CrossBlue Shield, Michigan State University's College of Veterinary Medicine and the Michigan climate may be different, our capital investments Veterinary Medical Association to present fairgoers the miracle of life that happens everyday on Michigan farms. from processing plants may be different We need At the Michigan State Fair alone, over 375,000 fairgoers witnessed the birth of 26 sheep, 11 calves, 26 pigs and 343 chicks. ro continue to find out what our competitive ad- vantage is over our neighbors." he said. The west Michigan senator also challenged Monsanto to announce new farmers ro continue telling their local school boards how important it is to support FFAand vocational agriculture. Spencer Abraham, Michigan's Republican U.S. senator, also met with the MFBboard. He thanked MFB for supporting the fiscal goals of the Republican Congress and praised Farm Bureau's grower agreement this month regularory reform polides. "Delaney reform is a I £ you're wanting to try some Roundup Ready competitive yields equal ro or better than the cur- six weeks after planting will be a good investment good first step and certainly reflects a growing Soybeans on your operation next year, you rent herbicide programs." for producers. "The beauty of this technology is that awareness of how often regulations promulgated would be well advised to get with your seed Among the bigger lessons learned in the first we know it works and if the weather pattern isn't by bureaucrats really don't end up being useable supplier early this year, advises Doug Uttle, a local year of Roundup Ready Soybeans, was the need to right or weeds do break later, you can go back in when they are applied in reality," he said. market manager for Monsanto, based in Michigan. rethink the controversial grower agreement. Steve with Roundup and be sure that it's going to be safe Abraham told board members that reinstat- He predicts that it will be at least 1998 before the Joehl, Monsanto's market development manager for on the crop and kill the weed," Uttle concluded .• ing income averaging "has a good chance of get- technology is available on a widespread basis Roundup Ready Soybeans, says the company plans ting on the radar screen" in the next Congress. throughout the state. to introduce a new agreement in mid-September. He also described the benefits of what he While the majority of the 12,000 acres planted "We realized that we had to make the agree- hopes \villbe a Bob Dole presidency. "Bob Dole has in southern Michigan this year were primarily ment much easier to understand and that it had to led the fight in the Senate on the agriculture com- Group Ills, Uttle expects that more producers will be more benefit-oriented for the farmer," loehl said. mirtee, as well as on the floor itself, reforming the be able to take advantage of the new technology Although he declined to give specific details, loehl tax laws ro help family farms. He's led the fight for next year with limited availability of Group lIs and said the new agreement would help the producer the Freedom to Farm Act. Clearly, agriculture issues Group Is. {O understand the technology and provide addition- have been at the top of his agenda his entire career. "We benefitted somewhat this past year be- al rate and drift control recommendations. "Don't I'm sure in the White House they will occupy a cause of the additional Group Ills that were left assume what we did last year is what we'll do this uniquely high role, especially in relation to where over from southern states that weren't able to get year," he said. we've been the past few years," Abraham said. them planted in time, allowing more southern The interl'!ational trade issue has also appar- Bob Dole has been endorsed by the MFB AgriPac.• Michigan producers to try them," Uttle explained. ently been laid to rest, Uttle says, with a European Nationwide, there were 1.2 million acres of the new agreement finally in place to accept the soybeans. beans planted this season. He anticipates that the Japanese market will sign a Urtle says most producers used the Roundup similar agreement sometime in September as well. Ready technology on some of their toughest, Monsanto plans to continue charging a "tech- weediest fields, and have been very pleased with nology fee" in the $S range. That will add roughly the resulting weed control. The final verdict on $7.s0 per acre in additional costs and when added actual yield performance, however, will soon be to the cost of the recommended one quart rate, determined. \vill make total weed control costs per acre in the "That's a question that a lot of people have $15 to $18 range, according {O Little. on their minds," Urtle admitted. "Our position all He contends, however, that improved weed along in this technology, is that we would produce control and a wider application window of four to News in Brief 2 Market Outlook 6 Wheat 2000 - Calibrating grain Capitol Corner 3 MSU Telfarm program picks drills for seed population 11 Immature corn for corn farm managers of the year 7 Michigan Professional Dairy silage and grain 4 Weather Outlook 8 Farmers host summer tour 12 MSU Roundup Ready Soybean Alternative feeds for dairy cattle 9 Narrow row corn interest recommendations 5 showcased by tour 13 Planting guidelines for improved wheat fields 10 Precision Agriculture 16 Sell products and services in the Michigan Farm News c/assifieds-Page 14 ~~~I~,~ September 15, 1996 Nevus Rail merger gains final approval Midwest farm economy to' face more changes Farm cooperatives hit revenue record in 1995. • In Brief T he federal Surface Transportation Board has given its blessing ro Union Pacific's proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of Southern Pacific Railroad, T he current farm picture - declining grain stocks, the new farm bill and changes in live- stock production - may force Midwest farmers and F arm cooperatives netted a record-setting $2.4 billion in revenues from a high of $94.3 billion in sales last year, according to the Agriculture Dept. clearing the way for the largest railroad in North food processors to face difficult changes and possi- Total sales rose 6 percent over the previous MDA recruits for America. ble restructuring down the road, according to a record of $89.3 billion set in 1994; net income also Opponents can appeal the board's decision in Federal Reserve Bank economist. increased 20 percent over 1994's high of $2 billion. Michigan pavilion at federal court, but industry experts say such action Michael Singer, a Fed agricultural economist, The records are attributed to the increased market- food show in Chicago would not succeed because Congress gave the said how farmers and food processors deal with ing of grains, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, and T he Michigan Department of Agricuhure (MDA), in conjuncrion wirh rhe Michigan Jobs Com- mission, is now recruiring exhibirors for the Michi- board absolute authority to approve railroad merg- ers. Most judges are relucrant to overturn the decreasing hog production in the Midwest and declining milk processing and cheese production ,viIIhave important implications for jobs and wages higher prices for produce, USDAsaid. Despite 1995 being a record financial year for farm cooperatives, around 11 percent suffered loss- board's rulings. The American Farm Bureau Federa- gan pavilion at rhe U.S. Food Export Showcase tion opposed the merger .• in rural communities. Singer noted a trend increas- es. Losses amounted to around $85 million, down (USFES) to be held in Chicago on May 4-6, 1997. ing the number of large-scale hog facilities in the from S159 million in 1994, according to the agency. "Michigan had a strong showing of 13 food Southeast. Membership totals also dropped 5 percent - to companies in this year's export showcase, and we'll "Ifthis trend continues, the Midwest could lose 3.76 million-from a year earlier. build on that success in 1997," said MDADirecror Sunflowers becoming its dominance in pork processing, similar to its loss Sales of farm supplies also increased by Dr. Gordon Guyer. "Our state has many high-value food products suitable for export markets. And the hot commodity of beef processing in the 1970s," Singer predicted .• 2 percent last year - at $21.2 billion - and com- armers whose wheat crop suffered at the modity sales rose by 6.2 percent - at $69.6 billion, nearby Chicago showcase is the most valuable North American venue for export and domestic F hands of Mother Nature this summer have discovered a viable alternative - sunflowers. In New farm bill a hit? USDAsaid .• sales for many of them." he Agriculture Department reports that 89.1 The U.S. Food Export Showcase attracts about 7,000 internarional buyers, plus 20,000 domestic Kansas, the Sunflower State, sunflower acreage has more than tripled in the 199Os.The seed is valued T percent of all eligible farms, covering 98.8 per- cent of the nation's eligible acreage for wheat, corn, Proposed EPA rule draws fire by food processors as a source of "healthy" vegeta- buyers. USFES is held concurrently with the Food Merchandising Institure's Supermarker Industry Show in Chicago's McCormick Place. Last year Mich- ble oil because it's low in saturated fat. Worldwide demand for sunflower oil and oats, barley, sorghum, cotton and rice, had been enrolled in seven-year production flexibility con- tracts made possible by the 1996 farm bill. S everal scientific societies have criticized a pro- posed Environmental Protection Agency rule that would label and regulate pest -killing substances seeds is rising about 3 percent a year, said Larry igan and 34 other srares organized delegations at Those enrollment figures compared to the made by genetically engineered crops, and the Kleingartner, president of the North Dakota-based USFES. 1990 farm bill, which had only about 50 percent of genes used to make them, as "plant pesticides." National Sunflower Association. The 1997 Michigan pavilion has room for the eligible farms enrolled, cover about 85 percent The scientific groups issued a report that A1rhough Kansas is known as the Sunflower 16 companies showcasing fruits, vegetables, pro- of the eligible cropland. called the plan "scientifically indefensible," The State, North Dakota is the nation's leading producer cessed products, beverages, snack foods and other "For a new farm bill, I believe this has been report said the wording of the plan could call into of the seed, producing about seven times as many export-ready foods. one of the smoothest sign-ups in many years," said question "public confidence in the safety of the seeds as Kansas. South Dakota and Minnesota follow. Booth cost for Michigan exhibirors ,vi))be Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman, speaking food supply by sending the message that all plants For you trivia buffs, Kansas is called the Sun- $1,600. Reservarions and payments must be re- about the one-time farm bill sign-up period that contain pesticides." The report also said the pro- flower State because of the number of wild sunflow- ceived in Lansing by Ocr. 31. Since USFES is now dosed Aug. 1 - not to be reopened for the entire posal would increase the regularory burden for ers that grow in the state .• sold out, Michigan's 16 booth spaces will be distrib- seven-year run of the program. "Everyone working companies developing pest-resistant crops and uted on a first-{ome, first-serve basis. under great pressure and an exceedingly tight could scare off potential buyers. For more information, contact Denise schedule made it possible for the nation's produc- EPAdefended the rule, saying its general tone Yockey, International Marketing Manager, MDA, ers to participate in this program on schedule." follows with the agency's historic definition of a at (517) 373-1058 .• Study: Cow~ milk About 1.7 million farms covering 207.5 million pesticide as anything "intended for preventing, not a diabetes causer acres enrolled in the program. Corn holds the most destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest.". Milk hormone losing fa- vor with milk producers R efuting earlier claims that cow's milk fed to infants could cause the onset of diabetes, acreage at 80.? million acres, followed by wheat at 76.6 million acres and cotton at 16.2 million acres. researchers at the University of Colorado at Denver Farmers will likely begin receiving PFC checks by Mastitis vaccine O ver two years ago, the introduction of the bovine growth hormone Posilac was expect- ed to revolutionize the dairy industry. Cows were found babies under the age of three months who consumed the milk were not more likely to develop a type of autoimmune disorder that is an early pre- the end of next month .• Researchers at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine are working to create a genetically engineered vaccine aimed at stopping expected ro produce more milk because of the dictor of diabetes. Poultry exports two germs that cause mastitis - udder infections- product. And unfounded health concerns among The researchers said their evidence disputed S. poultry producers are expected to export in dairy cows. The infection is estimated to cost consumers because of the synthetic hormone were well documented. previous reports that showed a 60 percent increased risk of diabetes from the consumption of cow's milk. U 5.2 billion pounds of poultry this year worth well over $2 billion. Export levels of broilers, other dairy farmers nationwide up to 11 percent of their total annual milk sales. Today, Posilac does not dominate dairy farms Of the 253 children studied, the researchers found chicken, turkeys and eggs are above last year's num- The researchers have seen "enough of a bene- across the country. In fact, only 10 percent ofthe no connection between milk and autoimmune prob- bers, but the growth is expected to slow in the sec- ficial effect" in early trials of the vaccine to warrant a nation's dairy cows receive the hormone treatment, lems that developed in 18 children. ond half of the year, according to the Agriculture series of meetings with the Agriculture Department according to the Agriculture Department. "Cow's milk has many valuable nutrients and Department. Strong exports to Russia and Hong to initiate the licensing process that would make Economics - not health concerns - is the forms a critical part of the diet of many infants and Kong are pushing up the export forecast. the vaccine available commercially. main reason for the product's lack of appeal. A dose children throughout the world," the researchers Wholesale broiler price increases have been "We saw reduced disease in the vaccinated of Posilac costs $5.80, adding to dairy farmers' al- said. "Thus, feeding practices that exclude cow's sufficient to offset most of the increases in feed animals," said Chester B. Thomas, an associate pro- ready escalating production costs. milk should not be adopted without a strong scien- costs, meaning returns for producers this year will fessor involved in the research. "There was much The Monsanto Co., disappointed by the lack tific indication. In our opinion, such an opinion has likely reflect a profit, although those profits will less inflammation, and the quality of the milk was of sales of its product, is offering loyal BST users a not been clearly established.". likely be lower than last year, USDAsaid. However, better." Approval of the vaccine would help reduce 10 percent discount on Posilac.• the news for turkey producers is not as good with the need to use antibiotics in dairy herds .• turkey prices not rising enough to cover the in- County annual season well' underway creased feed costs. Egg producers have, of late, The county Farm seen a return to profits following negative net re- Domestic sugar pro- Bureau annual meet- turns in May and June, but USDAsaid profit num- duction to continue ing season filled bers are still well below tho~ of a year ago .• with policy debate to fall short on local, state and national issues kicked off in August in a few counties Corn growers secure S ugar producers at a symposium in Michigan predicted the U.S. will likely rely more on for- eign:produced sugar through the year 2002, import~ throughout Michi- research deal ing at least two million tons per year. Speakers at gan, including Grati- ot County Farm Bu- reau under the direc- T he National Corn Growers Association and the Department of Energy signed an agreement last week to conduct research on the feasibility of the symposium also noted that cane output from Florida and Hawaii will continue to be pinched. tion of County Presi- It is a "good possibility" that increases in do- dent john Weller. converting corn fiber to industrial chemicals. mestic output from sugar cane and beets "will ei- If you haven't al- The deal, known as a Cooperative Research ready attended your ther be limited or may even decline," said Luis and Development Agreement, details an arrange- Fernandez, executive vice president of Florida Crys- county annual meet- ing, join your Farm ment between the Corn Growers and the Golden, tals Co. Ine. Fernandez predicted imports may ac- Bureau neighbors Colorado-based National Renewable Energy labora- count for as much as 28 percent of the nation's use in deciding the issues tory to conduct the research using federal funds your county takes in the 1996-97 trade year. a stand on. and corn grower-generated checkoff dollars. An official for a Hawaiian sugar producer said "If we crack just 20 percent of this market, it'll his state's output could drop nearly 150,000 tons consume up to 100 million bushels of corn a year," per year over the next few years due in part to The Mlchigim Farm News (ISSN:0743-9962) Is published twice 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 Fann Bureau. 7373 West said Russell Williams, a farmer from Leaf River, III., the high cost of labor and freight, and the costs Saginaw Highway. lansing. Michigan 48917. Member subscription price of $1.50 Is Induded in annual dues of Michigan Farm Bureau regular members. Additional subsalp1lon fees required for mailing Michigan Farm News to and chairman of the Corn Growers' Research & of meeting environmental rules and regulations. nonmembers and outside the continental U.S.A. Periodical postage paid at Lansing. Michigan. and additional mailing Commercialization Committee. Speakers also said the high market prices for wheat, offices. The research project will examine the conver- corn and soybeans may be tantalizing enough to Letters to the editor and statewide news artides 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 sion of corn fiber into chemicals such as ethylene gly- convince producers to plant those grains on their Box 30960. lansing. Michigan 48909-8460. col, propylene glycol and others. The chemicals, now historic beet acres, which would further curtail Editorial: o.nnls Rudat. Editor and Business Manager; Thomas Nugent. Associate Editor. Design and Production: Jeffrey Rutzky. Staff Contributors: Mike Rogers largely derived from petroleum, are used in a wide domestic sugar production. Officers: President. Jack Laurie. Cass Oty; Vice President. Tom Guthrie. Delton; Administrative Director. Chuck Burkett; range of commercial products such as antifreeze, The Agriculture Department proposed a sugar Treasurer and Chief Anandal Officer. Tom Parker; Seaetary. David VanderHaagen. Directors: District 1. Jim Miller. paint, adhesives, plastics and polyester fiber.• import quota of2.7 million tons for next year, which Coloma; District 2. Blaine VanSidde. Marshall; District 3. Michael Fusilier. Manchester; District 4. Tom Guthrie. Delton; District 5. Alan Gamer. Mason; District 6. Wayne Wood. Marlette; District 7. Rick Johnson. Leroy; District 8. Richard would be reviewed each quarter for adjustment Leach. Saginaw; District 9. Joshua Wunsch. Traverse Oty; District 10. Margaret Kartes. West Branch; District ". Robert Wahmhoff. Baraga. At-Large: Jack laurie. Cass Oty; Faye Adam. Snover; Jan Vosburg. Oimax; Judy Emmons. Sheridan. purposes, while imports for this year were estimat- Promotion and Educ;ation. Brigette Leach. Olmax; Young Farmers. Chris Donbrod. Coldwater. ed at 2.25 million tons .• Ca.pitol Farmland preservation legislation on the move - needs Farm Bureau member action C~ •• ne.J T wo key pieces of legislation to help Michigan fer of development rights programs. Both bills are tant items that need to be returned to the bills after .• ' ... v ,~ ,. "" .... _ .'•. )l farmers and local units of government deal tentatively scheduled for House Local Government being amended in the Senate. with urban pressures are nearing a critical Committee hearings in September. Legislators need input from landowners I For more information on legislative topics in the crossroad: S.B. 112, ttie Land Division Act (formally Both pieces of legislation need Farm Bureau - especially farmers. This legislation will institute a Michigan Farm News, known as the Subdivision Control Act), and S.B. member action to support the entire concept and public policy that allows reasonable development call 800-292-2680. 573, 574, 575, enabling legislation to allow local to write or call their legislator in support of impor- and opportunity to farm. .....• ,.w..•.." ..w.W .••,vN'<" ••_.N.W ••"' ••'.".N"VM.U,W ., .••• ,.,•• ,.,••• ".'.".'.N ..'.".".,.,._ ...,., ....•_"'.,"'.,.," t =w..".,.,.",J units of government to conduct purchase and trans- Purchase of development rights Development rights transfer and purchase S en. Bill Shuette (R-Midland) is sponsoring legislation that would have originally allowed - Permit the local unit to establish an authority for the purpose of purchasing and temporarily A purchase of development rights (PDR) pro- gram is a means of compensating farmers for their \villingness to accept a deed restriction on _ Permanent protection of farmland - community benefits from economic activity generated by agriculture, stable land use patterns, fewer infra- local units of government to set up transfer of de- holding development rights. their land that limits future development of the land structure needs, lower cost of community servic- velopment rights (IDR) and purchase of develop- - Require the purchase and sale of development for non-agricultural purposes. Landowners are com- es and enhanced rural character. ment rights (PDR) programs. However, the IDR rights to be at fair market value. pensated for the fair market value of their land, _ Landowner can access portion of land equity concept was opposed by the Homebuilders Associa- _ Provide that a local unit, by ordinance, could based on the difference between what it could be while still maintaining ownership and agricultural tion and subsequently removed from the legislation authorize the purchase of development rights, sold for on the open market with no restrictions use of land and without having to sell it for devel- prior to Senate approval. The bills (now containing and that the local unit could purchase the rights and what it can be sold for once an easement is opment or non-farm uses. only PDR language) are tentatively scheduled to be by voluntary sale. placed on the land. Independent professional ap- _ Property taxes and inheritance taxes based only on the House Local Government Committee agen- MFB position: Farm Bureau policy specifical- praisers determine these values, and the agreement on residual agricultural value of the land rather da Sept. 18. Iy supports giving the authority to local units of is negotiated on an individual basis with the farmer than the full developmental value. The original bills (including fiR) would government to proceed with both purchase of de- in a willing seller/willing buyer atmosphere . • Farmland is now affordable for younger farmers amend various laws governing local wning authori- velopment rights and transfer of development _ Participation is completely voluntary and land- and eases transfer of property to future genera- ty to do the following: rights programs. owners receive fair market value for development tions. - Allow a local unit (a county, township, city or Action needed: Contact with your State rights. Allprivate property rights remain intact. village) to adopt an ordinance authorizing the Representative is needed. Recommendation: Tell transfer of development rights. your legislator you support Senate Bills 573, 574, - Provide that the ordinance would not take effect and 575 and you want the transfer of development Transfer of development rights until the local unit prepared a report containing rights portion of the legislation put back in. A transfer of development rights (TDR) pro- if development rights are purchased and trans- specific information. MFB contact: Scott Everett, ext. 2043.• ~gram is intended to maintain designated ferred from the sending wne. areas in agricultural use while transferring those • IDR is market-driven and incentive-based. The development rights or housing units to other areas value of the development rights established on a where development is desired. A typical IDR sys- free market basis in a willing buyer/willing seller tem establishes both a preservation area and a de- setting to establish the price. The developer will Land Division Act (Subdivision Control Act) velopment area. Landowners in the preservation pay only what is determined to be the economi- D uring debate on legislation, sponsored by Sen. Leon Stille (R-Spring Lake), the 2.5-acre maximum lot size was amended out of proposed _ Divisions that transfer property from one parcel to another contiguous parcel or lot are exempt and do not count toward the district - or sending zone - may sell their develop- ment rights to landowners in the development district - or receiving wne - who then may use cal benefit to the developer of the extra number of housing units. _ Allows protection of agricultural land while still law. The bill is tentatively scheduled for hearing number of exempt parcels permitted. these rights to build at higher densities than al- allowing development to occur in the communi- on Sept. 18 in the House Local Government Com- _ All exempt divisions shall be approved by a local lowed under current wning guidelines. Developers ty. The housing units are transferred to another mittee. unit of government within 30 days if the follow- provide free market compensation for the develop- area where development would be better suited Revisions to the current Subdivision Control ing conditions are met: ment rights, and after the sale an easement is legally and where infrastructure can best service needs. Act include changes exclusively to address the _ Not be larger than 2.5 acres in size or recorded and placed on the protected parcel. _ The developer benefits because additional hous. 10.01 + acre unlimited exempt divisions. 105percent of minimum parcel size required _ Participation is completely voluntary. ing units can be built on the same land, which Under the current law, landowners are al- by a local zoning ordinance (amended out, Landowners in a sending zone may build at the will help minimize development costs induding lowed four exempt divisions under 10 acres every see action request) density currently allowed or the landowner may lower per-unit cost of roads, engineering and 10 years. Divisions beyond the first four, must be _ have a depth to width ratio 4:1 unless other- sell the development rights to a developer. marketing. Landowners in a sending zone benefit 10.01 acres or laIBer. Mter 10 years, subsequent reo wise provided for by a local wning ordinance Landowners in a receiving wne may build at the from being able to sell the development rights divisions of 10.01 acres may take place. _ have adequate water supply density currently allowed or at a higher density but maintain the land in agricultural use (same Under the proposed Land Division Act: _ have adequate sewage disposal benefits as under a PDR program) . • parcels or "parent tracts" lawfully in existence _ have appropriate easements for utility hookup on the effective date of legislation become _ have approved driveway access "Parent Parcels." _ shall not be sold unless the deed contains a NOVEMBER WILDLIFE BALLOT PROPOSALS Explanation of Divisions Allowed: statement as to whether further exempt divi- • For parent parcel') 10 acres or smaller, 2 exempt sions are conveyed to the new owner. Farm Bureau is supporting divisions. PROPOSALG on Nov. 5. See page MFB position: Farm Bureau policy supports 13 for the Community Action • For parent parcels 80 acres or smaller in size, 2 revisions to the Subdivision Control Act to prevent Visit us on the World Wide Web .t: Group's Discussion Topic. initial exempt divisions (for the first ten acres) 10.01 + acre divisions. http://www.fb.com/mifb plus 1 additional exempt division for each whole Action needed: Contact with your State 10 acres above the initial 10 acres, up to 80 acres. Representative is needed on this issue. Recommen- _ For parent parcels laIBer than 80 acres, 9 initial dation: Tell your legislator that you support S.B. 112 exempt divisions (for the first 80 acres) plus 1 to prevent a policy direction of 10.01 + acre land additional exempt division for each whole 40 acres above the initial 80 acres. divisions. Farm Bureau is also encouraging that (bold above) be put back in. A 2.5-acre maximum We put a lot of energy into farming • For each parem parcel (regardless of size), 2 lot size (unless othenvise provided for by local zon- additional exempt divisions if they each share a ing) with the provision (bold above) to allow divi- Each day we light the way for you and other farmers across common driveway access. sions between contiguous parcels at any time. This the state - providing the power that keeps you in business. _ Divisions creating parcels 40 acres or larger are will maximize farmland preservation and at the exempt (and can be built upon). DiVisions of 40 same time ensure proper equity for Michigan land- We're proud to serve 20,000 farms - more farms than any acres or more do not count toward the number owners. It is important to communicate with your other utility in Michigan - and we're committed to helping you of exempt parcels permitted. representative on this very important issue for succeed every step of the way. Michigan agriculture. MFB cont~ct: Scott Everen, ext. 2043.• For stray voltage questions call 1-800-252-8658 For other service questions call 1-800-477-5050 SO-ACRE PARCEL - 2-ACRE MINIMUM LOT SIZE Current Law - 11 exempt divisions 5.8. 112 - 11 exempt divisions ----...ws __ 4. 60 Acres Remaining No land available for agriculture or future subdivision platting. Remaining 60 acres can be used for: • Agriculture Cu~ntLtlw Assumptions: • One additional 40-acre parcel 4 - 2 -acre parcels SSG,ooo 2-aae lot = S20,ooo = S10,OOOIaae • Platted further in 30 additional 2-acre homesites 7 - 10-aae parcels Slli,Qll2 10-aae 101 = S35,ooo = S3.SOOIaae ms,ooo 4O-aae 101= S80,ooo = S2,OOOfaae Exempf Divisions OR EKempf Divisions 10 - 2-aae parcels S200,OOO 11 - 2-aae parcels S220,ooo 1 - 2O-aae parcel S60,OOO remalling 58 aaes plaited 1 - 4O-acre parcel SlIQ.Qll2 29 - 2-aae parcels S~ S340,ooo saoo,ooo Immature corn for corn silage and grain he following is from a Fact Sheet prepared T stalks, husks and kernels. If the plant is green and balance diets according to recommended optimal for your storage unit (30 percent for bun. by the Cooperative Extension Service of the (not killed), additional dry matter will be stored guidelines. kers or bags, 40 percent to 50 percent for conven- University of lllinois at Urbana.Champaign in the plant by waiting. A five- to ten-day wait • Control and limit green corn feeding as green tional upright silos, and 50 percent to 60 percent and was submirted by Dr. Herb Buckholz, Animal after a killing frost may be needed to reach opti- chop or pasture to avoid digestive problems. for oxygen-limited units). Soybean forage can be Science, Michigan State University. mum dry matter for some storage units. This forage can be very palatable and cattle may mixed with corn silage before ensiling (typically one Corn Grain • Nitrate content should not be a problem if an ear overeat initially . part soybean forage to two parts corn silage on a Immature corn is higher in moisture content has formed. Levels over 4,500 ppm or .45 percent Immature Soybeans for Feed7 dry matter basis). and altered nutrient composition. It also has a low. in the total ration dry matter should be avoided by An alternative for soybeans that will not pro- Check the herbicide label for restrictions if er bushel weight with lower feed value. Table 1 diluting down the high nitrate feed. A frost that duce seed due to late planting, frost damage, weedy soybeans have been treated. Many soybean herbi- compares the nutrient value characteristics of corn kills the leaf material (makes plant nutrients), but conditions or poor yield is to use the crop as an cides do not allow grazing or feeding of the crop. at various kernel moisture levels. not the roots (absorbs nitrate from the soil),.can alternative forage crop. The crop can be grazed, Uvestock will readily consume soybean forage Minnesota and Canadian research data indio increase nitrate content. Test the immature silage green chopped, or harvested as silage or hay. The if it is properly harvested and stored. Calcium (1.2 cate the TON content drops .4 percent points per after ensiling if nitrate levels are a concern (fermen- nutrient profile wiII be similar to legume forages percent to 1.6 percent) and phosphorus (0.20 per- pound of bushel weight decrease from 56 pounds. tation decreases nitrate levels in the feed). (alfalfa, clover or peas). Stage of maturity will affect cent to 0.25 percent) levels will be similar to other For example, if the bushel weight dropped from 56 • Adding 30 to 35 pounds of a dry feed (chopped yield and quality (Table 3) . legume forages. Adjust your mineral program ac- to 46 pounds, the TON value would drop four (4) hay, ear corn, corn cobs, midds, or other dry Based on the data, delay harvest as long as cordingly. A wet chemistry forage analysis should be units or from 88 percent to 84 percent on a 100 feeds) per ton of wet corn silage can lower the possible. But once the lower leaves begin to turn conducted to measure nutrient content. percent dry matter basis. final moisture by one point. For example, adding yellow and drop, harvest must begin to avoid leafloss Another alternative is to harvest the soybeans Preserving wet corn grain above 30 percent 300 pounds of dry corn cobs to a ton of imma- (high in protein and dry matter content). The stems as green seed. moisture through fermentation results in feed high. ture corn silage containing 75 percent moisture will be difficult to dry because of hairs (pubescence) Green soybeans are acceptable sources of er in acid content, soluble carbohydrate and de. would lower the final mixture to 65 percent on the stems and leaves. The hay will be dusty. protein and energy. Fat (19 percent) and protein gradable protein. These changes can result in a moisture prior to ensiling. Silage should be wilted to dry matter levels (37 percent) levels in green seed can be slightly more rapid rumen fermentation of starch and pro- • A bacteria preservative can improve the fermen- lower than mature beans, but can be an excellent tein due in part to finer grain particles during ensil. tation characteristics of wet immature corn silage buy if immature soybean seed is discounted at grain Table3 - Yield and quality of soybean ing and feed removal. by directing the fermentation by providing ade- terminals. forage as influenced by maturity Corn Silage quate numbers of organisms. No urea or ammo- Be sure moisture levels are low enough for The major change in corn silage with increas. D.M. Yield D.M. C. Prot. ADF NDF nia, (sources of NPN are recommended because D.M. D.M. safe storage. The beans may be shrivelled and hard, Maturity (tlacre) (%) (%) ing maturity is an increase in grain level and de- of wetness of the silage (seepage losses), higher Blooming 1.1 18.9 20.1 28.2 38.7 which may require processing prior to feeding. If crease in stalk and leaf content. Typical changes are potential levels of nitrate (source of NPN) and Pod formation 1.7 18.3 18.1 31.9 43.1 the beans are green, they can be heat treated, but listed in Table 2. variation in nutrient content. If added NPN is Seed formation 2.5 20.3 18.2 33.7 45.7 higher temperatures and steeping times may be Near maturity 3.3 34.2 19.2 29.7 40.7 Management Considerations needed after ensiling and testing, add supple- needed to reach optimal undergraded intake pro- (Source: University of Wisconsin, 1987 and 1989) • Immature corn silage can be high in moisture, mental source of NPN prior to feeding . tein (UIP or by-pass) values .• resulting in excessive seepage from upright silos . • Test the immature corn silage after ensiling The initial frosts do not change the composition or dry matter content greatly unless it kills the Table 2 - Composition and dry matter USDA lowers cottonseed estimate again digestibility changes of whole plant Whole cottonseed is an excellent source of Table 1- Changes In nutrient content of corn grain with maturity corn silage with Increasing maturity Milk line-distance 1/3 2/3 from top Black layer T he u.s. lowered Department mate for August by 250,000 tons. of Agriculture the 1996 cottonseed (USDA)esti- production has protein, fiber and fat for dairy and beef cattle, Wede- gaertner notes. As the prices of other feedstuffs Kernel Maturity Composition 32 39 45 Cottonseed production for 1996 is now fore- continue to see record highs, cottonseed will re- Milk Dough Mid-dent Mature Dry matter, % Shelled corn NDF, % 46 44 44 casted at 7.101 million short tons, an increase of 3.7 main an important addition in many rations. Bushel weight, Ib 35 47 0.55 58 ADF, % 27 25 25 percent from last year. Although the USDNs esti- The slightly larger supply this season is ex.' . Dry matter, % 21 36 0.56 77 Starch, % 22 28 31 peeted to increase cottonseed crush from 3.85 mil- mate is still above last year's production level, dairy Crude protein, % 17 12 11 11 Grain, % 32 42 46 and beef producers should remain cautious until lion forecasted tons in 1995 to 3.9 million tons this Crude fiber, % 5 3 3 2 Energy Starch, % 47 55 59 64 TON, % 66 68 68 next month's report is out. year. According to the USDA, other use of cotton- Phosphorus, % 0.47 0.40 0.37 0.35 Net energy-lactation .According to Tom Wedega~rtner, aSsodilte . seed, prim.arily whole. seed feeding,)s f~re~ast at __ Ear corn Mcal/lb 0.68 0.71 0.70 director of cottonseed research and marketing at 3.152 million short tons, up 4.1 percent from the Dry matter, % 24 36 54 73 Dry matter digestibility 1995-96 season .• 51 47 46 Cotton Incorporated, these lower estimates are Crude protein, % 11 9 9 9 Stover, % Crude fiber, % 17 15 9 9 Whole plant, % 60 59 56 largely a result of the questionable Texas crop. Extremely dry conditions have greatly reduced the quality of that state's cotton. A 21 percent abandonment rate in Texas has decreased the harvested area estimate by 700,000 ct MFiiNJ Serving Michigan acres. This brings the predicted U.S. cotton harvest- ed area down to a mere 13 million acres, a 1.2 mil- farm families is lion acre drop from last year. RADIO NETWORK our only business Wedegaertner says, "In some areas of the country, the cotton crop generally looks good, but in others it's fairly spotty, and Texas continues to be objective has been into 1971, nce its beginning serve Michigan Michigan'sFarm farmRadio families. Network's This only a question mark." S dedication i to serve agriculture is shared in Michigan. Through these stations, Michigan Farm Radio Network by 26 local radio stations provides the latest in market analysis, weather and news to Farm Bureau members daily on the following stations: Station City Frequency Morning Report Noon Report WABJ Adrian 1490 5:45 am 11:05-12:00 pm WATZ Alpena 1450 5:30 am 11:30 am WfKA Ann Arbor 1050 6:05 am 12:00-1 :00 pm WLEW Bad Axe 1340 6:30 am 12:50 pm WHFB Benton Harbor 1060 12:15 pm WKJF Cadillac 1370 5:45 am 11:10am WKYO Caro 1360 6:15 am 12:10-1:00 pm WTVB WDOW Coldwater Dowagiac 1590 1440 5:45 am 6:05 am 12:00-1:00 pm 12:15 pm -- ".---. ... is a member of the nation's farming community~ --~:-! "- ~ .... ;---..... WGHN AM Grand Haven 1370 5:45 am 12:15 pm And like you, we've worked hard and are proud of our long history of progress and innovation. 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SLIDING DOORS WHAK Rogers City 960 12:15 pm WITH NO WIND VELOCITY LIMIT. WSJ St. Johns 1580 6:15 am 12:05-1 :05 pm 800-447-7436 WMlM St. louis 1520 6:05 am 12:20 pm STRUcrURE WITH NO WIND VELOCITY LIMIT. WSGW 790 5:55 am WMIC Saginaw Sandusky 660 6:15 am 11:30-12:30 pm 12:45 pm All5 WAIBANTID VEAl PROTECTIIR IfClIliE AGAINST MATEBIAlIWIND LOAD DAMAGE ArIIlABDI AMI AlETOFfJTTHEPRDUTII. • • MORTON BUILDINGS P. O. Box 399, Morton, /L 6/550 ., 1996 Monon Buildings. Ioc. WKJC FM Tawas City 104.7 12:40 pm WLKM Three Rivers 1510 5:45 am 12:15 pm Adrian, MI (517) 263.0541 • Brown City, MI (810) 346.2702 • Kalkaska, MI (616) 258.2580 WfCM Traverse City 580 5:45 am 11:10am Rockford, MI (616) 874.6400 • S1. Johns, MI (517) 224.6892 • Three Rivers, MI (616) 279.5271 MSU Roundup Ready Soybean recommendations T hanks to research, funded in part by pro- "Usually, if you have one weed every 10 to 15 ducers through the soybean checkoff, Mich- feet, regardless of whether it's cocklebur or velvet igan producers already have three years leaf or smamveed, yield loss is below 10 to 15 per- worth of expertise to draw on through Michigan cent," Renner said. "But when you get a velvet leaf State University's Dr. Karen Renner. A professor in every foot of row, yield loss ranges from 23 to 30 the department of Crop and Soil Sciences at MSU, percent If you have a cocklebur every foot of row, she's been conducting field research trial for three yield losses ranged from 25 (Q 60 percent." years, studying various rates and weed control pres- No-tlll Strategies sures associated with the new technology. Renner says the phenomenal growth in no-till Her assessment? "It works quite well," says beans isn't a problem with Roundup Ready Soy- Renner, speaking to producers during a recent se- beans either. Regardless of whether you no-till or ries of field days. "The timing of the Roundup post conventional till, the basic premise is the same - application is generally seven to 10 days later than start with a clean field. That means producers can't you might be using with say a Basagran or Pinnacle, skip an application prior to planting without suffer- or a Pursuit application, and the bean tolerance ing additional weed pressures later on. visually, is good." "If you opt to not burn down, you'll be com- While the label calls for application four to six ing within two weeks of soybean planting and spray. weeks after planting, Renner suggests that produc- ing, and that's not going to hold all year long; ers aim for four weeks as ideal timing, and attempt you're going to be making a second application to get the job done no later than five weeks if possi- anyway, so we suggest burndown prior to planting .ble, using the one-quart-per-acre rate to control \vith Roundup and then spray about four to five most weed species. "We certainly don't want to see weeks after planting," Renner explained. application at six weeks, because in some years Burndown options can include a pint of weed pressure at that stage has already been detri- During the recent Roundup Ready Tour series, sponsored by Monsanto, Michigan Farm News Roundup and a pint of 2-40 Ester applied a week mental to soybean yields," she suggested. and the Michigan Agribusiness Association, Dr. Karen Renner discussed weed control strate- ahead of planting, or a producer may choose the Split application gies in Roundup Ready soybeans. Producers attending the field days got a first-hand look at more costly option and use the one-quan rate of Various application strategies and rates contin- ongoing research trials and test plots of the new soybeans. Roundup and plant immediately the following day, ue to be looked at both by Monsanto and now pro- says Renner. ducers. Renner suggests that producers rely on initial application to help make that decision. Appli- velvet leaf, for example, Renner recommends at Resistance not 8 concern scouting fields approximately three weeks after the cation rates, again, hinge on weed species. With least a quart, while a pint per acre would be suffi- Talk and fears of weeds developing resistance cient for controlling smalllambsquarter. to Roundup are unwarranted, says Renner, adding "In drilled beans, the canopy closes and that the chemical has been used for 20 years with no you seldom see a need for a second application," resistance developing. "We won't see Roundup- Value of corn silage Renner said. "In row beans, probably half the time you'll get some weeds in there and then the pro- resistant weeds all of a sudden on a broad scale basis within two or three years, like we have with some M anyacres of cash crop corn will not reach maturity before fall frosts. Some may be close to you and offer extra high moisture corn stalk silage can assume one ton of 30 percent dry matter silage obtained from each I-foot height of plant, excluding the tassel .. ducer has to make the call as to whether they should spray again or let the weeds head out and other recently introduced herbicides," she said. According to Renner, the development of a produce seed." Roundup-resistant plant, such as the new soybeans, and/or forage for ruminants. The value of corn silage is determined by at Establishing an economic threshold for herbi. is no easy feat. "They had to actually insert a gene Drought-stressed or immature corn silage, least three factors: dde application, in general, is difficult at best since into the soybean plant and they had to also insert even barren stalk silage, has nearly the same nutri- • replacement value in your dairy rations weather patterns and the resulting impact on yield what's called the promoter, which makes that gene ent value as normal well-eared corn silage (see • the price the cash crop farmer can charge, or will vary considerably from year to year, says Ren- turn on to express the resistance," she eXplained. Table 1). The big disappointment is the lower yields obtain cash grain minus discounts, ner. Weed seed production and future weed growth "So it's not a single, simple gene change.". per acre. A rough pre harvest estimate for barren • local purchase pressure from competing live- pressures further complicate the decision . stock farms. Table 2 calculates the replacement value of Table 1 - Influence of kernel drought/Immature silage compared to alfalfa hay maturity stage on whole plant and corn grain. The minimum price is what the moisture, yield and torage quality Maturity Moist. Yield CP ADF NDF Digest seller could receive if marketed for grain, if possible. Stage % ton/a % % % % The maximum is the price of one-third of a ton of Soft Dough 76 5.4 10.3 27 53 77 Ear~ Dent 73 5.6 9.9 24 48 79 alfalfa (corn silage replacing one-third of hay in 1/2 Milk-line 66 6.3 9.2 23 45 80 ration at approximately same energy). Harvest costs 3/4 Milk-line 63 6.4 8.9 24 47 80 and additional storage costs should be subtracted No Milk.line 60 6.3. 8.4 24 47 79 from these prices. Marshfield, WI (1988-1990) The local negotiable price is impacted by the Influence of corn maturity competition for silage versus the supply within sflIge on whole plant moisture, your area. Silage transportation costs need to be yield and tot' age quality con.sidered. Maturity Moist. Yield CP ADF NDF Stage % ton/a % % % Timely harvest is critical so that proper 11 leaf 91 1.1 17.8 28.4 50.0 moisture content can allow for fermentation 14 leaf 89 2.3 14.8 27.9 51.5 and quality feed .• Early silk 84 4.0 12.1 31.4 56.3 Ear~ blister 82 5.3 10.5 33.6 59.0 Arlington, WI (1993) Table 2 - Drougltt-sfresMcl com silage "a/ue tAl Price of corn grain (S/bu) Price of 2.20 2.40 2.60 2.80 3.00 3.20 3.40 alfalfa hay Value of Corn Silage (S/ton) Slton max min max min max min max min max min max min max min 40.00 13.30 11.00 13.30 12.00 13.30 13.00 14.00 13.30 15.00 13.30 16.00 13.30 17.00 13.30 50.00 16.65 11.00 16.65 12.00 16.65 13.00 16.65 14.00 16.65 15.00 16.65 16.00 17.00 16.65 60.00 20.00 11.00 20.00 12.00 20.00 13.00 20.00 14.00 20.00 15.00 20.00 16.00 20.00 17.00 70.00 23.30 11.00 23.30 12.00 23.30 13.00 23.30 14.00 23.30 15.00 23.30 16.00 23.30 17.00 80.00 26.65 11.00 26.65 12.00 26.65 13.00 26.65 14.00 26.65 15.00 26.65 16.00 26.65 17.00 90.00 30.00 11.00 30.00 12.00 30.00 13.00 30.00 14.00 30.00 15.00 30.00 16.00 30.00 17.00 100.00 33.30 11.00 33.30 12.00 33.30 13.00 33.30 14.00 33.30 15.00 33.30 16.00 33.30 17.00 110.00 36.60 11.00 36.60 12.00 36.60 13.00 36.60 14.00 36.60 15.00 36.60 16.00 36.60 17.00 120.00 40.00 11.00 40.00 12.00 40.00 13.00 40.00 14.00 40.00 15.00 40.00 16.00 40.00 17.00 Maximum and minimum prices for drought-stressed corn silage based on prices for alfalfa hay and corn grain. ROW CROP CHALLENGERS BIG TILLAGE CHALLENGERS Usethis table to look up the maximum and minimum values of drought-stressed corn silage. Find the column and row that represent today's prices for corn grain and alfalfa hay, respectively. Find the value of silage at the intersection of 175 PTO HP f.llodel 35 300 Engine HP Model 650 these prices. The variable cost of harvesting would be subtracted from these values, if harvested by the buyer, to determine the net price paid to the seller. 200 PTO HP Model 45 325 Engine HP Model 75C 225 PTO HP Model 55 355 Engine HP Model S5C • Choose from any row crop spacing Low ground pressure, as low as 4.3 psi, from 15" to 40". means less compaction, more yields! International trade group calls for sugar reform • Cultivate with a Challenger to With less than 5% slip and 85% tractive T he International Policy Council on Agriculture, Food and Trade is calling for policy reforms in countries that subsidize sugar, saying present mar- (Q over $2 billion a year," the paper said. The group, which is made up of 20 food and agriculture leaders from both developed and devel. eliminate pinch row yield reductions. • Unmatched row crop turning ability. efficiency, Challenger tractors deliver the power to the ground with great fuel efficiency. • At least 53% more footprint than any ket distortions were unsustainable. The Washing- oping countries, said gradual cuts in domestic sugar mechanical front-wheel drive tractor. Nine years of proven performance. ton-based group said countries would be wise support prices, substituted if necessary by direct to "prepare now" in a paper being readied for payments, with parallel reductions in tariffs will be Timeliness is the name of the game in today's modem fanning operations. presentation at the World Trade Organization's needed to rectify the situation. Challenger tractors will give you the edge in timeliness! first ministerial conference to be held in Singapore The council also predicted the next round of in December. multilateral trade negotiations would have to ad- NOVI (810) 349-4800 LANSING (517) 699-4800 "It has been estimated that the losses incurred by developing countries due to the policies of the dress changes to the sugar trade if the support of developing nations and other farm exporting na. GRAND RAPIDS KALKASKA SAGINAW (616)532-3635 (616)258-8265 (517)752-7300 NOVI ENGINE (810) 349-7050 GRAND RAPIDS ENGINE (616) 538-8070 DIVERSIFIEDPRODUCTS (810) 348-7810 I rMlChiq_11EI European Union, United States and japan amount tions is expected .• SHELBYTWP. (810) 997-5300 FINANCIAL SERVICES (810) 347-6237 Ag Products KAlAMAZOO (616)349-8600 Ma.ke,t Seasonal Commodity Corn Price Trends - f here is not rhat you should necessarily store soy- beans to sray in the market, the basis will determine that, but rhat you should stay in the soybean market will be announced Sept. 5, will approach or exceed the all-time record BFP/MWprice. After several weeks of stability, cheese prices on the National Outlook Soybeans Wheat Hogs Cattle - - f - ~ - f f in some fashion on some portion of your producrion. HOGS' . Cheese Exchange (NCE) resumed their upward trend. During the last two trading sessions in'August, the average price of 40-pound cheddar cheese blocks increased 7 cents per pound. However, not all Index; - prices; TP = stable prices: f = higher prices: ~ = /ower = topping; BT = bottoming; 1 = unsure H as the hog market stabilized after the late August -early September drop-off? If cash hog prices have dropped to the $50 arena or below, of that increase is likely to be captured in the August BFP.Therefore, the August 1996 BFP will probably not exceed $15/cwt. Because of the lag pricing as a good for silage due to late and/or poor develop- there probably are not any good for-vard pricing result of the Federal Milk Marketing Order pricing ment. Other corn, due to late planting, may look alternatives available as futures likely dropped as formulas, mailbox prices to producers will likely not good, but have a very low chance of being ready well. If the futures markets have recovered to or exceed S 16/cwt. for milk shipped during August. by Dr. Jim Hilker, even if the firsr frost is a week or beuer after nor- near their previous highs, then consider pricing a However, $16 mailbox milk prices are a possibility in Department of mal. For those without their own livestock, start portion of your future production. the next several months. Agricultural Econom- looking for a home for this corn immediately, if you This is not a prediction that the Sept. 1 USDA The unusual weather patterns and the result- ics, Michigan State have not already done so. There are livestock pro- Hogs and Pigs Report, to be released Sept. 27, will ing shortage of feed stocks are unsettling to the University ducers out there that can put corn silage to good be bearish, but rather these would be good prices dairy markets. Dairy markets histori.cally have been use and are feed short, allowing for a win-\vin sirua- regardless, and there are downside risks. The report very vulnerable to small swings in the national dairy CORN rion. However, the window for making good silage could be negative to prices. On the other hand, the market supply and demand situation. In the latest passes quickly. report could be positive and the market will offer statistics released by the USDA, milk production in H as there been a frost yet? What did the USDA Crop Report show for expected corn produc- tion? How many heat units have we had since Sept. WHEAT ' . '... : " pricing opportunities \vith a rally. One possibility, if the markets have rallied going into the report, is to buy a put option to provide some downside protec- the first half of 1996 (January through June) was 1.3 percent lower than the first 6 months of 1995. Meanwhile, commercial disappearance, a measure 1when the survey was taken? Has the eastern Corn Belt had any rain in the last two weeks? If not, is it too late to help? And last, but not least, what does F or rhose of you who still have wheat unpriced, there are srill both upside and downside price risks. Demand has fallen off sharper than I expect- tion without giving up all the upside potential. of commercial dairy demand, increased 0.6 percent. These percentages roughly translate into a swing of 1.45 billion pounds of milk that was short your corn look like and what is the best way to ed, partially due to decem crops around the world from the dairy markets during the first half of 1996. move it along in the market? When there are lots of questions, it usually means there are lots of risks still in the market. and partially due to price. The spring wheat crop is coming in good and Canada will follow shortly. On rhe bull side, Canada could still have trouble and, if H oW long will this good cattle market hold? There are still a lot of cattle out there, just not a lot of cattle ready to go to market. These decent Given that there is no government surplus and that commercial inventories of dairy products (especial- ly butter and powder) are exceptionally low, market If the Crop Report was bullish for corn prices corn production drops, we could feed more wheat. prices we are seeing now are due to high corn pric- prices have had to react to the roughly 1.9 percent and the market has rallied significantly, consider That brings us to the Sept. 1 USDAquarterly es and low cattle prices leading to huge negative shortfall in milk supplies. The average blend price some further for-vard pricing - depending on your Stocks Report to be released Sept. 30. Most wheat is returns this past spring and therefore low placements received by producers under the Federal Milk Mar- expected production. Yes, we still have the weather, fed in the summer months when wheat prices tend from March through June. They are not higher pric- keting Order inJuly 1996 was $15.35/cwt. or 26 like a freeze, rhat may cause a further spike, bur lO be relatively cheap compared to corn. Therefore, es due to a change in direction of the cattle cycle, percent higher than 1 year ago. In summary, a rela- there are also some faclOrs rhar could bring rhe the Stocks Report will give us a preuy good idea of although the poor returns to cow-<:alfproducers tively small change of 1.9 percent in the milk sup- market back down in both rhe short run and the how much wheat has been fed. This report could the past 2 years and poor returns expected again ply/demand balance resulted in a 26 percent in- long run. For example, what if rhe first freeze bring a ~;hock to the market in either direction. this fall will make that begin to happen next spring. crease of milk prices. comes late, or the Stocks Report, lO be released The only reason I can think of for holding It is fairly clear that the better returns should All of the historic dairy policy for the price Sept. 30, is bearish? . wheat for the near-term is to be waiting for a bullish cominue through October. How long the stronger support and federal orders have been designed to While r feel there is more upside than down- Stocks Report. If the report is bullish and the market prices remain after that depends on August and try and address the fundamental volatility in dairy side price risk in the near-term, we may want lO rallies, sell it, you win. If the report is bearish, sell it, September placements, after July placements were markets. Without the price support program and consider some downside protection. There are a you lose. If you cannot or are not willing lO take all up 6 percent. A lot of heavy feeders should be government stocks, there is no limit to the upward number of ways to put a floor under your average the downside risk, buy a put with the idea that you available to the market shortly and they will not movement in market prices for the dairy industry in price. The most straightforward is lO have some of can sell it when you sell your wheat, right after the need a lot of time in the feedlot. The message is the short run. An early frost, which further shortens your production for-vard contracted; while this fIXes market move; or sell now and buy a call. Does this to keep current. both grain and forage supplies in major dairy pro- those prices, it also limits how low your average analysis mean that all upside potemial for wheat is Feedlots should be on the lookout for relative- duction regions, will only exacerbate the dairy mar- price can go. Another way is to for-vard contract gone after the Stocks Report? No, but it is unlikely to ly cheap feed sources. There will be a higher pro- . ket supply and demand balances. While Michigan and buy a call; this gives you a minimum price with pay lO physically store it, unless you are after the portion than usual of crop farmers needing to sell mailbox milk prices are poised to go higher over upside potential. In fact, most elevalOrs offer a Mini- lower discoums after the first of the year, and can their crop as silage versus shelled corn due to poor the next several months, how high they go may mum Price Contract which does rhis for you. store it at home. developmem. It will still have the energy if harvest- depend on realized crop conditions. If you are worried abour delivery, which many ed at the optimal time, and could be a win-win situ- The wholesale prices of cheese and butter are Michigan farmers rightfully are, consider the pur- ation for both parties if they can get together. at all-time record highs. To date, the demand for chase of put oprions. Use of put oprions gives you a An early frost or even normal frost date could dairy products has been remarkably resilient to floor wirhout a delivery provision. The biggest con- sideration here is the cost of rhis insurance - re- S oybean prices could go down, and may have, if the September Crop Report was negative, but I see little chance of the bottom falling out. If we bring a lot more silage to the market. Be prepared to take advantage of the possibility, but run your break-evens to determine what you can pay. And significant wholesale and retail p_riceincreases for dairy products. If milk prices continue to rise, even- member you can sell the insurance as soon as you tually demand from consumers will be affected. The no longer need it and may recover some of rhe have tight stocks even when trend yields are used remember to calculate in the lower daily gains use of substitutes for dairy products in food manu- costs. You may want lO use March options in order here and in South America, we \vill obviously still and feed conversions, and therefore more yardage. facturing and food service, along with reductions of lO recover some of the rime value. have tight stocks if our yield is lower than trend, This is not to say don't feed silage, but rather price consumer purchases for fluid milk and soft manu- For rhe longer run, I expecr the 1996-97 crop which I certainly expect. What did the report say? it right. factured dairy products, will take place. Short-run year to behave more like a normal short crop year This will stay true even if South America has a better milk prices will be dependent on feed costs and than the 1995-96 crop year did, especially ifwe have a than expected crop. their impact on individual dairy farm profitability. sharp increase before or at harvest. In other words, If the market rallied on the report, consider However, consumer resistance to higher dairy pric- peak early and have a long tail. An even poorer than pricing more new crop depending on your produc- by Larry G. Hamm es is wairing in the wings. Longer-run dairy price expected crop rhis fallwill drive prices high right away, and rhen demand will adjusr more rhan lOday's tion situation. If the report was price negative, con- sider waiting unless you haven't priced any new crop. While the soybean market may also follow the D airy market prices continue to move higher. How high they will move this fall will depend on when the first frost date is and the impact that is levels will depend on whether consumers will pay these higher milk prices. market expects larer.Is this for sure? No. SlOcks \vill still be tight this spring and therefore subject lOa early peak long tail pattern through the year, there likely to have on feed costs. weather scare. But ir is unlikely that it will pay to are some factors that may counter that pattern. The July Basic Formula Price (BFP) was $14.49/ store. Stay in rhe marker using calls; they will proba- Some of those factors are: srrong demand, cwt. at 3.5 percent butterfat test. The BFP's (the by Henry Larzelere Sourh American wearher, and tight stocks will exten- former Minnesota-Wisconsin price) all-time high was bly be cheaper than storage costs. Some of the corn in Michigan will only be uare planting scares nexr spring. What is being said $14.93 in December 1989. The August BFP,which N ear the end of August, egg prices were 21 cents a dozen above a year ago. During Au- gust, feed ingredient prices were 13 cents a dozen eggs above August 1995. COMMODITY PRICE TRENDS In September, wholesale egg prices in New York for Grade A large white eggs in cartons will be 810" slightly above August levels. These prices in the last d ~tr: three months of the year will be in the low to mid- 80s, with November the high month. I.':: 7YJO The demand side of the egg industry equation 7P seems to continue strong. Egg prices continue to be 710" above last year, while production is above a year 6'J)O ago. For example, the rota I number oflayers in the ............ li1O" . . . . . . . . . .. .............. .. .. . ... .... 4000 U.S. was up 3 percent on Aug. 1 from a year earlier . Corn • Dee. '96 Soyb4Yns • Nov.'96 : &SO" . Wheat. Dec. '96 ... ~ Also, both total and table egg production during Nou DIe .I•• rell liar Apr II&v .... Jlv /luc Sep Nou Jec .I.. rd liar fIpr 1Iq .1 Iv ,.. Sq Nou Dee .I•• ra II&r ftpr II&v 4n Jig _ 5eJ July were up 5 percent fromJuly 1995. Production will continue above last year with July egg type 'H.00 ............... 58.00 chick hatch 14 percent above July 1995 and the number of layer type eggs in incubators on Aug. 1 z.H.00 ~ up 8 percent from last year. The continuing increase ZJ6.00 :; in the egg type chick hatch over last year is unusual, ZZS.OO ~ especially with the higher feed ingredient costs up ~ and not much relief in the near future. 220.00 ~... ............ m.oo .c: .~ zot.oo ~ : Un c.ttle • Oct.'96 58.00 : Soy ... i.' 0Ci. "96' . : : : : . : : : :: l'l6.oo : Un Hogs • Oct. '96 tZ.OO ~:; ... lee Jan relt /Iu fIpr IIq JII• .1111 ~ Sep Ibr DIe .I.. ra /Iu" naw ... .II. llIIg Sq .5t -= Business MSU Te/farm program picks farm managers of the year cows utilizes a nighttime rotational grazing activity DoRM and David Sting - Tuscola County "We are always looking for new enterprises strategies and is credited with improving the herd health. Management responsibilities are shared based on individual strengths, where Gary takes the lead on the dairy herd and Bruce concentrates on machin- that can add more profit to our farm," said Dave. The farm produces several varieties of edible dry beans and now edible soybeans to capture some of the added premium paid for these crops. ery management and repair. Gary says, "Bruce can A leader in the community, Dave serves St. and does fIX anything." They share the management Pauls Church as the Chairperson of the Church John D. Jones, responsibilities for the cropping program. School Board and as a member of the Constitution Telfarm Director and The Nelsen Dairy Farm has been enrolled in revision committee. Active in the local Farm Bu- District Extension the Telfarm program since 1978. Last year, the farm reau, he started on the county board of directors as Farm Management started keeping the financial records on a personal the Young Farmer representative and worked his Agent, Department computer using the MicroTel program. Sheila, as the way up to serving as County Farm Bureau President. of Agricultural primary recordkeeper, accounted for every penny As a long-standing board member of the Sebe- Economics, Michigan State University Extension of the income and expense that flowed through the farm books. Quite a feat for even the most veteran record keeper. N estled in the Thumb of Michigan is a cash crop farm operated by David and Donna Sting of Unionville. A life-long resident of the area, waing Cooperative Elevator board of directors, Dave was asked and still serves as a director of the merged board of directors after the Sebewaing and Pigeon Co- he excellent management skills of five Along with her farm duties, Sheila has also David began his farming career in 1965 after com- ops merged. Taking part in the Michigan Ag leader- T Michigan farm families are recognized by the Michigan State University Department of Agricultural Economics Telfarm Center. Selected as been active in the United Dairy Industry in Michi- gan's Dairy Diplomat program for the past three years where she conducts tours of the neatly kept Nelsen farmstead for elementary students and senior pletion of the Ag Short Course at Michigan State University. Shortly after returning to the farm, Donna and David were married and they began in earnest to build their farm with two sons, Mat and ship Program group number 8 gave Dave a new per- spective on his leadership focus. Donna is a teacher in the Caro Public Schools teaching choir and English. An early adapter to the use of computer tech- the Telfarm Farm Managers of the Year are Dale and Bonnie Brinks, of Falmouth; Nelsen Dairy Farm, of citizens. Sheila also gives weekend dairy promotions Grant, helping out over the years on the farm. nology, the farm converted to the MicroTel program Grant; David Sting, of Unionville; Richard Hale, of at local grocery stores during]une Dairy Month. The farming operation produces a variety of in 1987 after being on the paper Telfarm system for jonesville; and David Klump, of Ottawa Lake. The Gary is a director of ICMPA,MSU's Michigan cash crops, which include wheat, corn, sugar beets, some 15 years. "Adapting to the new technologies has awards recognize the owners' managerial skills and Dairy Memorial Foundation Scholarship Board, and edible soybeans, and several type of dry beans. The been one of the biggest challenges over the past 10 the economic progress made by their farm opera- Ac;,hlandTownship Zoning Board. The Mamrelund bulk of the 660-acre farm is owned with about 80 years. And it looks like this will continue to be a chal- tions over the past several years. Other criteria in- Lutheran Church is a major focal point for the total acres of rented land being part of the farm base. In lenge in the future," Dave commented. They hope clude community service and activities that contrib- family where Sheila, Bruce and Amy sing in the choir order to keep this farm operation more profitable that some day one of the sons may want to return to ute to improving agriculture in general. Congratula- and Amy is the Sunday school superintendent. and efficient, Dave's brother, Tom, combines his take over the farm operation and allow Dave and tions to the following very deserving farm managers. Congratulations to this outstanding farm family 6OO-plusacres into the farming program to make Donna to make that long-awaited trip to Europe. on the receipt of west -central's Telfarm Farm Manag- better use of the machinery and labor force. Continued on page 11 Dale and Bonnie Brinks - er of the Year.It is an exceptional joint family effort! Missaukee County left to right: Dale, Bonnie, Kurt, Gary and Tracy Brinks. D ale and Bonnie Brinks own a 9O-cow dairy herd that is currently producing right at 24,000 pounds of milk per cow. Their high herd average is achieved on two times per day milking. Top Savings on About two-thirds of this holstein herd is registered, with eight cows classified "Very Good" or better and all have been home raised. The Brinks bought the 31O-acre farm from Dale's parents in 1989. The cows are housed in a Top Performance freest all barn and milked in a double-five herring- We're making it easier than ever for you to bone parlor with automatic takeoffs. All of the milk- ing cows are fed the same total mixed ration. The do business with us. In addition to our cull rate averages about 28 percent per year. Crow's Gold corn hybrids, we've added a Dale and Bonnie employ one full-time hired full-line of soybeans and two alfalfa varieties man,joejenema. They have two sons, Kurt, 12 and Gary, 10, who also help out a lot when they are not to bring you a complete, top performing playing basketball or softball, or attending McBain package of seed products for your farm. Northern Michigan Christian Schools. Their daugh- Combined with our excellent discount and payment ter, Tracy, 5, is the youngest. Dale has served on the Council of the Prosper option programs, Crow's is the clear choice for top genetics, Christian Reformed Church; Bonnie is a Calvinette great savings and great customer incentives! Leader. Dale is currently on the Falmouth Coopera- tive Board. Both sons are active in 4-H. Call your Crow's dealer and find out how you can save now Ac;,one of 600 farms enrolled on Michigan on your seed purchases. Or call 1-800-331-7201 for more State University's "Telfarm" computerized farm information or the Craw's representative nearest you . . records system, MSU and MSU Extension are proud to have Dale and Bonnie Brinks as the North Re- gion's "Telfarm Farm Manager of the Year." Neisen Dairy Farm - Newaygo County T • he Nelsen Dairy Farm is truly an outstanding "family" partnership. The farm is located in the west-central part of Michigan near Grant. Formally, the partnership consists of two brothers - Gary and Bruce Nelsen. They have been a partnership Milford, IL• Nevada, IA • Greenville, OH for 10 years and prior to that the farm was operated by a three-way partnership that also included their father, Robert. Informally, there are more family members who are involved in the operation of the dairy farm. Gary and his wife, Sheila, have three sons: Mike, 13; David, 10; and Steven, 5. Bruce and his wife, Amy, have one son and two daughters: Hans, 10; Heather, 5; and Heidi, 2. Gary and Bruce's families and their parents all live on the main home farm. Gary and Bruce ac- It's All About knowledge that even "Mom and Dad" still help out around the farm though they are officially retired. The Nelsen farm has experienced steady inter- nal growth from an original small and diversified farm operated by their father, Robert, and grandfather. They CONfIDENCE currently have 150 cows on DHIA test and 600 crop acres consisting of corn, alfalfa and small grains. The total mixed ration program for the dairy FrobcUl1lny ot Abov. Richer ProbGbiUty of Above Pro~blliW of ~low Rilh.r Probabilit.y ot hlow Pro~bUtty of Nonno.l Hi(lurr Proba.bUUyof Nonnnl EquaJ Olemo .. Weathe. the state. Rainfall totals for the month were less than 50 percent of normal in many areas, and con- tinued a drier than normal trend since late June. nonhern Lower Peninsula to late September/early October in interior sections of the central and southern Lower Peninsula to mid-October in ~ .. .Michigan Weather . Outloak Temperatures during August averaged from near to just above normal, the first above normal monthly temperatures recorded this growing sea- son in most locations. extreme southwestern and southeastern corners of the state .• 811/96-8131/96 Houghton T~~=:?"",~. Obs. Dev. from mean normal 66.0 Actual Normal 2.4 1292 1553 k.r.. Ax.t. Actual Normal fllldt) [tndl) 2.16 3.21 With delayed phenology of most crops this Fact of the day Marquette Escanaba . 65.9 65.3 3.4 1375 1553 0.1 1278 1344 2.25 3.21 0.50 3.14 year, there is obvious concern about the date of first fall frost!freeze during upcoming weeks. It is impor- F arming averages 44 deaths per 100,000 workers per year. Tractors are the No. 1 cause of deaths 'SaultSte.Marie lake City Pellston 63.9 66.7 66.9 0.4 1168 1344 0.6 1546 1744' 2.91555 1744 1.033.14 3.33 2.75 0.64 2.75 t\ tant to note that meteorologically, it is almost im- involving farm activities, with one out of every four . Traverse City 70.5 2.4 1825 1744 1.00 2.75 possible to predict an early freeze more than tractor accidents being fatal. Most tractor accidents Alpena 67.1 1.8 1523 1689 1.61 ,2.74 by Dr. Jeff Andresen, Houghton lake 671 1.1 1600 1689' 3.17 2.74 Agricultural several days in advance. occur between the hours _~ ~ Muskegon 70.9 1.9 1800 1930 0.97 3.15, In order for temperatures to fall to the freez- of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. , THIS Vestaburg 69.3 0.2 1832 2006 3.63 3.1.7 Meteorologist, Department of ing mark or below early in the fall, there must be and can be attributed to I ~ Bad Axe Saginaw 69.1 71.5 0.4 1693 2022 2.0 2062 2022 4.55 2.6i~ 1.15 2.62 Geography, Michigan clear, calm nighttime conditions associated with a fatigue and human pres- I REPIXED ~ ~ Grand Rapids 72.7 3.3 20882228 014 2.75 center of a large area of Canadian-origin high pres- sure to get a job done. \ ~ .OU ~ South Bend 71.8 1.6 2190 2228 0.24 2.75 State University sure. The only way to bring such an air mass into Most of the tractor fataH- ~ Can'!,-.. Coldwater lansing 71.0 70.4 0.6 2059 2182. 1.3 2005 2182 1.29 2.95 3.63 2.95 ofT D rier than normal weather continued through August across much of the state, stressing vegetative to reproductive crops and redudng yield the region is for a nonherly or nonhwesterly config- uration of the jet stream. The mean date of first fall freeze ranges from ties are caused by faulty or" missing safety equipment on tractors including seat belts and ~ Detroit Flint Toledo 731 71.2 72.8 2.5 2327 2193 2.4 2053 2193 1.6 23n 2193 0.39 2.79 0.57 2.79 0.72 2.79 ~ totals acCtiffiUlated fromAprill./bmals are based on cistrict averages. potentials, especially across southern sections of early September in interior areas of the Upper and rollover protective covers .• The cards of choice. Whether you want a PPO, HMO, or Managed Traditional health care plan ... Whether you want dental, vision, or prescription drug benefits ... Whether you want a basic, no-frills plan or first dollar coverage ... You can get it from Farm Bureau and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Choice of plans, choice of doctors and hospitals, choice of coverage and choice of service. With Blue Cross and Farm Bureau, the choice is yours . ~ ~ I BlueCross Blue Shie\d For more information, call your county Farm Bureau office, contact your nearest Farm Bureau Insurance • ,~ , of Michigan agent, or call 800-292-2680, ext. 3240 or 3239. 1111 XYZ 123 456 789 BCBSH 59000 Blue Cross Blue Shield VALUED MEMBER Blue Care Network of Michigan Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association SCHEDULE: EVERY YEAR HISTORY Prior symptoms of transient ischemic attack Dietary intake Physical activity Tobacco, alcohol and drug use Functional status at home PHYSICAL EXAM Height and weight Blood pressure Visual acuity Hearing and hearing aids Clinical breast exam Pelvic exam Rectal exam HIGH-RISK GROUPS Auscultation for carotid bruits Complete skin exam Complete oral cavity exam Palpation of thyroid nodules LABORATORY DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES Nonfasting total blood cholesterol Dipstick urinalysis Mammogram Thyroid function tests HIGH-RISK GROUPS Fasting plasma glucose Tuberculin skin test Electrocardiogram Pap smear Fecal occult blood/sigmoidoscopy Fecal occult bloodlcolonoscopy DIET AND EXERCISE Fat (especially saturated fat), cholesterol, complex carbohy- drates, sodium, calcium Caloric balance T he annual physical examination has long physical examination that measures weight and blood other complications. Balance and gait (manner of Selection of exercise program been a tradition in modern medicine and, pressure. He listens to the heart and lungs, and for walking) should also be checked for problems since SUBSTANCE USE for the fortunate among us, may be the patients age 50 and over, checks the carotid artery certain medications can affect balance and gait. Another risk that begins to develop in older Tobacco cessation only time we see a physician. Yet that tradition is (the main artery to the brain) to listen for any evi- Alcohol and other drugs changing - both in name and in manner. dence that there has been any narrowing in the ar- patients is diminishment of mental ability. A base- What we used to call the annual physical is tery. Women should have a mammogram, a breast line questionnaire at age 60 or 65 might be useful in INJURY PREVENTION now more appropriately known as a "period health exam and a pelvic/rectal exam. Men over the age of ascertaining whether any such loss is occurring. Prevention of falls evaluation," says Grant Fowler, M.D., associate pro- 40 should have a routine rectal exam to check for pros- Given some limitations that may occur as pa- Safety belts fessor of family practice and community medicine at tate, colon and rectal cancer. Lab work is generally tients age, Dr. Fowler suggests screening for depres- Smoke detector the University of Texas-Houston Medical School. limited to cholesterol and checking stool samples for sion in older patients, who generally are at higher risk. Hot water heater temperature Instead of running a battery of expensive tests, the rectal cancer. He includes the PSA test for men, al- Women who are postmenopausal should be DENTAL HEALTH trend in health check-ups these days is to tailor though it remains controversial, as some health care examined for osteoporosis, although this may be Regular dental visits, tooth preventive medicine for each individual. providers believe the PSAmay lead to treatments that less of a problem for patients who are taking estro- brushing, flossing Rather than a standard hour-long, head-to-toe aren't necessary. The American Cancer Society rec- gen supplements. OTHER PRIMARY examination, the evaluation should target risk fac- ommends annual PSA tests and digital rectal exams As a general rule, older patients should have PREVENTIVE MEASURES tors for each individual, with time spent assessing after age 50. Obviously, individual risk factors will flu shots, and immunizations should be kept cur- Glaucoma testing by eye specialist family history and personal lifestyles. Information determine any further tests that may be recommend- rent. Tetanus can be deadly for older patients who ed. Where individuals have a personal history, a fam- have not kept up their booster shots, as levels of HIGH-RISK GROUPS about diet, exercise and stress can pinpoint areas that may need further examination. Aggressively ily history or risk factors for colon, prostate or breast tetanus antibodies decline as people age. Discussion of estrogen targeting risk factors for an individual and following cancer, those screenings may begin sooner. Medications are another area to be examined replacement therapy up where needed may actually yield more helpful By age 70, if a person has not had problems in older patients. Dr. Fowler says many individuals Discussion of aspirin therapy information than generic physical checks. with cardiac disease, cancers begin to have a greater over the age of 65 may be routinely taking eight or Skin protection from The highest risk factor for individuals in their relative risk factor. nine drugs. Oftentimes patients with transportation ultra-violet light first 40 years is trauma. Mter 40, cardiac disease Because falling is one of the major problems difficulties may have a symptom for which a physi- starts to become a risk factor, and by age 50, a num- associated with older age, this risk factor should be cian will prescribe medication over the phone. Or it ber of different factors come into play that should explored with vision and hearing exams. This is an may easily be that visits to separate specialists lead S be examined when patients visit their physicians. example where lifestyle may playa big role. An indi- to a sort of chemical cocktail of drugs that may be Tetanus-diphtheria booster Byage 50, "cardiac disease is number one, two vidual who exercises regularly will likely be stronger helpful individually but taken together may have Influenza vaccine and better coordinated, thus at less risk, than some- serious side effects such as confusion or dizziness. Pneumococcal vaccine and three on the risk factor list for both men and women," says Dr. Fowler. For some men, 40 is the age one with a sedentary lifestyle. A broken bone that "The brain is much more sensitive to medicine in HIGH-RISK GROUPS that cardiac disease becomes the primary risk factor. renders a person immobile also makes the person the elderly," says Dr. Fowler. Medicines metabolize Hepatitis B vaccine Dr. Fowler begins his evaluations with a routine more susceptible to infections, as well as many more slowly and the risk of confusion is higher.. ---------_.--------- .. - -- - - - .. - .. - - - - - - - - .. ___________ H_EA_LT_H_H_AR __ YE_5_T ----.l1 ~ __ PlI '1 " ew parents want to give their babies the l5etfor N formula, breast-fed babies often eat more frequently Eat right, get rest: To produce plenty of very best. When it comes to nutrition, the rates would save consumers money, spent both on than bottle-fed babies. good milk, the nursing mother needs a balanced best first food for babies is breast milk. infant formula and in health-care dollars. It could No supplements: Nursing babies don't need diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and six to More than two decades of research have save lives as wel!. sugar water or formula supplements. These may eight glasses of fluid. She should also rest as much established that breast milk is perfectly suited to "We've known for years that the death rates interfere with their appetite for nursing, which can as possible to prevent breast infections, which are nourish infants and protect them from illness. in Third World countries are lower among breast- lead to a diminished milk supply. The more the baby aggravated by fatigue .• Breast-fed infants have lower rates of hospital ad- fed babies," says Lawrence. "Breast-fed babies are nurses, the more milk the mother will produce. missions, ear infections, diarrhea, rashes, allergies, healthier and have fewer infections than formula- Delay artificial nipples: It's best to wait a and other medical problems than bottle-fed babies. fed babies." week or two before introducing a pacifier, so that "There are 4,000 species of mammals, and they the baby doesn't get confused. Artificial nipples all make a different milk. Human milk is made for require a different sucking action than real ones. human infants and it meets all their specific nutrient TIPS FOR Sucking at a bottle could also confuse some babies The Lactating needs," says Ruth Lawrence, M.D., professor of pedi- in the early days. They, too, are learning how to atrics and obstetrics at the University of Rochester BREAST-FEEDING breast-feed. Breast School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y.,and spokes- Air dry: In the early postpanum period or woman for the American Academy of Pediatrics. SUCCESS until her nipples toughen, the mother should air The academy recommends that babies be It's helpful for a woman who wants to breast- dry them after each nursing to prevent them from breast -fed for six to 12 months. The only acceptable feed to learn as much about it as possible before cracking, which can lead to infection. If her nipples alternative to breast milk is infant formula. Solid delivery, while she is not exhausted from caring for do crack, the mother can coat them with breast foods can be introduced when the baby is four to an infant around-the-clock. The following tips can milk or other natural moisturizers to help them alveoli six months old, but a baby should drink breast milk help foster successful nursing: heal. Vitamin E oil and lanolin are commonly used, duct or formula, not cow's milk, for a full year. Get an early start: Nursing should begin although some babies may have allergic reactions to sac "There aren't any rules about when to stop within an hour after delivery if possible, when an them. Proper positioning at the breast can help nipple opening areola breast-feeding," says Lawrence. 'j\s long as the baby infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. , prevent sore nipples. If the mother's very sore, the is eating age-appropriate solid foods, a mother may Even though the mother won't be producing milk baby may not have the nipple far enough back in nurse a couple of years if she wishes. A baby needs yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid that his or her mouth. breast milk for the first year of life, and then as long contains antibodies to disease. Watch for infection: Symptoms of breast as desired after that." Proper positioning: The baby's mouth infection include fever and painful lumps and In 1993, 55.9 percent of American mothers should be wide open, with the nipple as far bacJ0. redness in the breast. These require immediate breast-fed their babies in the hospital. Only 19 per- into his or her mouth as possible. This minimizes medical attention. cent were still breast-feeding when their babies soreness for the mother. A nurse, midwife, or other Expect engorgement: A new mother usual- were 6 months old. Government and private health knowledgeable person can help her find a comfon- ly produces lots of milk, making her breasts big, experts are working to raise those numbers. able nursing position. hard and painful for a few days. To relieve this en- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is Nurse on demand: Newborns need to gorgement, she should feed the baby frequently conducting a study on infant feeding practices as nurse frequently, at least every two hours, and not and on demand until her body adjusts and produc- When the baby sucks, a hormone called pan of its ongoing goal to improve nutrition in the on any strict schedule. This will stimulate the moth- es only what the baby needs. In the meantime, the oxytoxin starts the milk flowing from the United States. The study is looking at how long er's breasts to produce plenty of milk. Later, the mother can take over-the-counter pain relievers, alveoli, through the ducts (milk canals) mothers breast-feed and how they introduce baby can settle into a more predictable routine. But apply warm, wet compresses to her breasts, and into the sacs(milk pools) behind the areola formula or other foods. because breast milk is more easily digested than take warm baths to relieve the pain. and finally into the baby's mouth. --------- •• a:::::========:::c::1 HEALTH HARVEST Vegetarians vegetate T he number of people who describe themselves as vegetarians has changed little in the last 16 years, according to the U.S. Department of Agricul- ture. Recent surveys show that 2 percent of the population say they are vegetarians and fewer than 1 percent say they eat no meat of any kind. Feeling confident Melatonin not Meat as part about food safety T he government provides a huge safety margin when it comes to pesticide residues permitted Droven safe , T he National Institutes of of healthy diet I you f thought a cholesterol- on our food products. Maximum amounts are Health (NIH) said lowering diet set so that Americans could be exposed only to melatonin has not meant giving up levels 100 to 1,000 times lower than would pose been proven sci- meat, you'll be a health threat over a lifetime. For example, a entifically as either pleased to know ISO-pound adult would have to eat 3,000 heads effective or safe. it's an unneces- of lettuce a day for the rest of his life to ingest Researchers sary sacrifice, Another reason an amount of pesticide found to cause problems in lab rats. at a conference on according to the to avoid stress the use of melato- American Heart nin said wide publicity about the presumed benefits of the hormone ha\.'e created a brisk market at Association. A 3-ounce portion of meat contains about 70-75 milligrams of cholesterol and an accept- N ew research suggests that stress could do more than just cause a headache - it may actually shrivel the brain. health food stores even as scientists are scrambling able level of saturated fats, provided you take cer- "---...- According to a study published in the journal to dete~mine if it has serious side effects. tain precautions. First, look for lean cuts of meat - Science, major emotional upheaval could generate Melatonin is unregulated under federal law those that contain a minimum of visible fat. Second, changes that damage the brain - specifically the because it is a natural ingredient in some trim all outside fat from the meat before cooking. hippocampus, which is responsible for complex foods. But the compound is also a natural hormone memory. put out by the pineal gland in the brain. Studies 20 Biotech advances Separate studies of patients with severe de- years ago showed that the natural levels of melato- nin increase 10 times just before and during sleep. More recent studies have linked the hormone S cientists believe biotechnology will make more foods healthier and more nutritious. Some examples: pression, post-traumatic stress disorder and a con- dition called Cushing's Syndrome all showed high levels of stress hormones called gJucocorticoids. to causing drowsiness in some people. Also, some • New varieties of fruits and vegetables containing Using new, high-resolution scans, scientists were studies have suggested that the hormone can reset higher levels of certain nutrients such as Vita- able to show brain shrinkage in the presence of the sleep-wake cycle, and thus help people over- mins C and E, and beta carotene. These food these hormones. While gJucocorticoids help people come the eff~cts of jet lag or night shift work. components may help reduce risk of chronic mobilize their bodies in a crisis situation, too much diseases such as some cancers and heart disease. of the hormones can be damaging. New milk product • Lower fat french fries and potato chips. A higher The findings on stress and brain chemistry Listen up. Tal(e M ilkmade from non-fat milk and an oatmeal flour mixture is expected to hit some U.S. markets this fall, providing an alternative for those starch potato will mean fries and chips made from these potatoes will absorb less oil when fried. also suggest new methods of treatment. Drugs that curtail the production of stress hormones are care of your ears! who don't find skim milk appealing. The new vari- • Rice with an improved protein profile to include higher levels of the essential amino acid, lysine. already under study as a therapy for depression .• H aveyour ears been ringing lately? Does ety is supposed to look like whole milk, taste like This may help reduce childhood blindness in speech seem mumed after you've been 2 percent milk and lower the cholesterol levels China caused by lysine deficiency. around loud noise? Think earplugs, says in many people. The product will also be available • Eliminating a1lergy-causing proteins from foods. an Ohio State researcher. in chocolate flavor, which will be sweetened with Research to reduce the allergenic proteins in rice 'i\gricultural workers are definitely at a risk, aspartame. will help Asian nations, which have high rates of many at a high risk, for noise exposure," says Chris rice allergy. Eicher, an Extension associate in the Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering. Noise is measured in decibels. Normal conver- sation rates about 50-60 decibels, and the threshold of pain is at 140 decibels. Farm machines and trac- tors emit noise between about 100-110 decibels. In many tractors with soundproof cabs, operators hear only about 85-90 decibels. The Occupational Safety and Health Adminis- tration recommendation permits 90 decibels throughout an eight-hour workday, while the Na- tional Safety Council recommends 85 decibels for the eight-hour time period for farmers. However, up for ew Don't forget physical fitness. It's easy to fit from 20 percent to 40 percent, so it is unlikely that physical activities into their daily routine. Encour- antiperspirants interfere with the cleansing function farmers seldom work only eight-hour days. During school year? a spring planting or fall harvest, the days tend to be age them to walk, bike or jog to see friends. Have of perspiration. Nor do they harm the sweat glands; yf our child's not in the habit already, them take a lO-minute activity break every hour normal sweating resumes soon after you discontin- much longer, Eicher says. . her started each day with a meal. Break- while they read, do homework or watch TV. Sug- ue antiperspirant use. Antiperspirants can cause "We used instruments to do field measure- 'r "empty tank" to get them going after a gest climbing stairs instead of taking an escalator or skin irritation, and if this happens, you can try ments of sound levels on farms," Eicher says. "On long night without food. And it can help them do elevator .• changing brands, or switch to a simple deodorant. one farm, we found a level of 103 decibels all day in better in school. Easy to prepare breakfasts include Antiperspirants should not be used if your skin is the farmer's combine." cold cereal with fruit and low-fat milk, whole-wheat abraded (from underarm shaving, for example). The rate of hearing loss is related not only to toast with peanut butter, yogurt with fruit, whole- We do caution against aerosol antiperspirants. the sound's decibel level but to its pitch and to the grain waffles or even last night's pizza! The long-term risks of inhaling them are unknown, length of exposure to the sound. Snacks are a great way to refuel through the and if sprayed in the eye, they can cause severe "It's very difficult to get a good noise profile on the farm, because there are so many variables to course of the day. Choose snacks for your child er- irritation. Some people avoid antiperspirants out from different food groups - a glass of low-fat milk of fear that aluminum exposure increases the risk take into account," Eicher says. "We recommend that farmers go ahead and wear hearing protection, and a few graham crackers, an apple or celery sticks Ie? of Alzheimer's disease, but there's no conclusive with peanut butter and raisins, or some dry cereal. evidence that it does. In any case, the amount you knowing that noise has been determined to be a problem on farms." If they eat smart at other meals, cookies, chips and candy are OK for occasional snacking. erlere would absorb from a nonaerosol antiperspirant is insignificant .• Farmers can choose earplugs or earmuffs for hearing protection, Eicher says. "For farmers with with t ans- Source: University September 7996. of California Berkeley Wellness letter, employees, buying earplugs is most cost-effective, and there is not much difference between the two ing function of in noise reduction," Eicher says. "The big prob- lem with earplugs, though, is getting people perspiration? to wear them consistently and properly." Antiperspirants do reduce underarm Some warning signs of hearing damage perspiration somewhat, and they also are ringing in the ears, head noise or muffled- u uppress the bacterial growth that causes sounding speech after working around loud underarm odor, as well as masking odors. Deodor- noise. "Hearing loss is cumulative, and ants, on the other hand, mask odors without sup- some is natural," Eicher says. "If you sit in pressing perspiration. Antiperspirants are classified a quiet room your whole life, you will still as over-the-counter drugs, deodorants as cosmetics. have some hearing loss. Some people think Antiperspirants contain aluminum compounds, that since they already know they've lost some which reduce the amount of sweat, but no one hearing, there's no sense in wearing hearing understands exactly how these work. It is nO! true, protection. But what you have, you have, so why as some ads imply, that antiperspirants do away not keep it?" • with all sweating. The decrease in werness rang<;> Auditory speech area Stroke survivors bounce back: Rehabilitation enhances recovery and lifestyle rom the first months of life, when help you communicate in other ways. to them. Activities and exercises that once would one who has trouble communicating. But family a simple "ma" brought a smile to Speech rehabilitation may also help prevent have been easy are now difficult or impossible. members and friends play an important role in the your mother's face, you've trans- depression, a serious condition that affects many Family members may also find it uncomfort- recovery process. lated your thoughts into words stroke survivors. And it may help you regain your able or painful ro watch a loved one struggle to Here are some tips to help you communicate to communicate with those independence. name an object or say a word. Don't take it person- with someone whose speech has been affected by around you. Diagnosing difficulties ally if a stroke survivor becomes emotional or angry. stroke: But imagine waking up in a world where that's Depending on your health, speech rehabilita- Recovering from a stroke can be very frustrating. Stay in touch - Your friend or family mem- no longer possible. Words that once flowed effort- tion may begin very soon after your stroke, maybe Family roles and activities may also need to be ber needs you but might not be able to tell you so. lessly now seem beyond reach. Your mouth doesn't even within a day. Time is critical, because speech modified. Social workers and other members of the Make an effort to be there. seem to work, turning your sentences into slurred, rehabilitation may stimulate the brain as it heals. rehabilitation team can help you find the support Keep conversation at an adult level - garbled sounds. A speech pathologist will typically assist your you need. Address stroke survivors directly and don't talk Each year, thousands of Americans who have doctors in determining what speech or language Regaining your place down to them. Treat them the same as you did strokes find themselves in this situation. Strokes can disorders you may have. The speech pathologist Although stroke-related disabilities can be before the stroke. Just because someone has had a have many debilitating effects, but being unable to may give you a series of tests. For example, you permanent, many people lead healthy, active life- stroke doesn't mean he or she can't think anymore. talk, read, write or understand those around you might be asked to say words, follow directions, styles after a stroke. About two-thirds of stroke sur- Use a normal tone of voice - Unless can be among the most upsetting. name objects, repeat sentences, read and write. vivors are able to resume everyday life and respon- there's a hearing loss, you don't need to speak loud- Fortunately, awareness and understanding of Exercise and homeworlc sibilities. er than normal. stroke's effect on speech and language are growing. Based on this testing, the speech pathologist Medical professionals can't restore all the skills Speak at a comfortable pace - Allow Once, stroke survivors were relegated to silence. will recommend a speech rehabilitation program for a stroke might have impaired or taken away. What time for your words" to be processed. Pause often. Now, improving communication abilities is an im- you. A program typically involves regular meetings they can do is offer techniques, guidance and sup- Avoid distractions - Reduce background portant focus of stroke rehabilitation. with a speech pathologist, either individually or in a port to enhance your recovery. noise from televisions or radios. Damaged brain cells group, and working at home on exercises. Speech rehabilitation is one important rool for Talk one-on-one - A stroke survivor may When you have a stroke, a clot or rupture in Speech pathologists tailor rehabilitation ses- helping you regain your sense of place in family and understand best when the conversation includes one of your brain's blood vessels damages nearby sions individually, but here are some activities and community. just one or two people. cells. When this happens in areas of your brain re- objects you'll likely encounter: Keep caregivers in mind - They need sponsible for speech and language, it can affect Exercise and practice - Exercising weak- Family and friends support and friendship, too. Include them in your your ability to communicate - often without im- ened muscles may help you speak more clearly. thoughts and plans. pairing your intellect. Your therapist might ask you to say words, smile, playa role in recovery Reprinted from August 1996, Mayo Clinic Health About 500,000 Americans have a stroke each close your mouth or stick out your tongue. Lack of knowledge or experience. with stroke Letter with permission of Mayo Foundation for Medical year. Of those who survive, between 25 and 40 per- Practicing words and sentences may help you recovery can make it difficult to be around some- Education and Research, Rochester, Minnesota 55905 cent will have impairments in their ability to speak, retrieve them more easily during conversation. read, write or understand conversations. Some- Picture cards - Cards showing everyday times, a stroke can strip away all of these skills. The three main stroke-related communication disorders are: objects may help you sharpen your word recall abilities and increase your vocabulary. Your thera- pist may also ask you to say the names of objects or Stroke Clubs bi-monthly publication. • Stroke Group Leader Quarterly - Our free publication in which group leaders share ideas Aphasia - (uh-FAY-zhuh) affects the pro- group similar objects together. € ... is a service coordinat- on activities, group development and other cess in your brain that allows you to understand and Picture boards - Picture boards display ed by the AHA National Center. "Stroke issues. use written symbols and speech. When you have depictions of everyday activities or objects. By families helping stroke families in parmer- Stroke Awareness Month media kit and activities. aphasia, you may struggle, or lose the ability entire- pointing to the board's illustrations, you can learn ship with the American Heart Association" is what • Referral of potential new members. ly, to read, write, speak and understand what others to communicate with those around you. Stroke Connection is all about. Stroke Connection Opportunities to educate the public about stroke. say. There are several types of aphasia that can af- Workbooks - Books with worksheets may network partners are stroke suppon group leaders, Stroke Connection provides ongoing suppon fect different language abilities. also help you recall objects' names and help you caregivers, family members and health care profes- for stroke groups through group leader mailings and Dysarthria - (dis-AHR-three-uh) affects the work on reading, writing and listening skills. sionals working with the AHAto fight stroke and to activities, such as Stroke Awareness Month. control of the muscles you use to speak. A stroke Computers - There are many computer pro- improve the quality of life for stroke survivors with Stroke Connection Magazine is the main pub- may weaken or paralyze them, or cause them to be grams designed to help sharpen your speech, read- disabilities. National clearinghouse volunteers pro- lication and one of the benefits of registration. For uncoordinated. This may slur your speech or make ing, recall and listening skills. For example, you may vide hope and encouragement, daily living tips, re- information on ordering Stroke Connection Maga- your voice sound hoarse or gurgly. be asked to identify objects that appear on the screen. source information, and support group referrals zine and subscription rates, call 800-553-6321. Apraxia - (uh-PRAK-see-uh) is best under- Some stroke survivors with dysarthria oraprax- over the toll-free warmline (800-553-6321). A Stroke of Luck newsletter is a free publica- stood as a translation problem between the brain ia may benefit from small, hand-held computers that Stroke Connection networks with over 1,000 tion composed of letters from persons with apha- and the muscles you use to speak. You know what display a message you type. Some computers can stroke groups or clubs and more than 50,000 sia as well as their families and caregivers. It is you want ro say, but can't form the words. provide a mechanical voice output of your message. stroke survivors, caregivers and professionals published three times a year. To be added to the Prices can range from about $150 to about $500. throughout the country. Stroke Connection sup- mailing list for A Stroke of Luck, call 800-553-6321. Stroke survivors can Effort required ports the development of stroke groups and of- Stroke Connection now coordinates the Therapy sessions usually last 30 minutes ro an fers program ideas and activities (such as work- Common Threads PenFriends. Common Threads have a combination hour. Although the activities may sound easy, they shop guidelines) to groups that are registered in PenFriends helps link people in similar circum- of these disorders can be challenging. the Stroke Connection directory. stances, enabling them to support each other in a Enhancing skills When speech rehabilitation begins, you're Stroke groups and clubs may register by way that only "someone who has been there" can. Today, the value of speech rehabilitation for often still adjusting ro the change a stroke has made calling 800-553-6321. Once the group is registered Stroke Connection also has a line of stroke- stroke survivors is widely acknowledged. That in your lifestyle. In addition, exercising weakened or it will receive: related productS available to the public. Informa- hasn't always been the case. Until the mid-1970s, paralyzed muscles, even facial ones, requires a lot of • Opponunities to network with other stroke tion on these products can be found in Stroke speech rehabilitation often wasn't offered after a effort. Sometimes therapy sessions can feel more groups and gain ideas from them. Connection Magazine .. stroke. But many studies have shown that it can tiring than working out in a gym. • A complimentary singJe-copy subscription If you or someone you know has experi- help you improve your quality of life. And even Speech rehabilitation can also be mentally of Stroke Connection Magazine (to the enced stroke firsthand, call the A.l-MsStroke Con- when speech can't be restored, rehabilitation can exhausting for both stroke survivors and those close group leader), an educational, informative nection at 800-553-6321 for more information. ---------rl.--------- Alternative by Craig Burns, MSU Extension dairy agent feeds for dairy cattle little simple sugar (e.g., glucose) in corn and most Corn gluten feed is comparatively lower in Energy By-product Alternatives urrent high feed prices have nutrition C grains. Starch and sugars are fermented by rumen Hominy: There are two types of hominy feed starch and ferments at a little faster rate than corn. consultants and dairy farmers looking for bacteria to volatile fatty acids (VFA'i). The VFAs are available. One contains 4 to 5 percent fat and the Corn gluten feed has twice the protein (25 percent), economical feed sources and substitutes. absorbed and metabolized to provide energy to the other contains 8 to 9 percent fat. Hominy is lower but a little less energy than corn (Table 2). Corn glu- This article discusses the use of some alternative cow and some are converted to blood glucose, than corn in starch content and more slowly fer- ten feed is very palatable with a maximum inclusion and by-product energy feeds that can be substituted which the mammary gland requires as a precursor mented. The fat content of both types of hominy rate of about 30 percent of the total ration OM. for corn. It should be noted that availability and to milk lactose, a sugar. Table 2 lists the nutrient feed is higher than that of corn. Hominy feed can Wheat co-products are by-products of the prices of alternative and by-product feeds vary wide. composition of selected feed ingredients. be included up to about 30 to 40 percent of the wheat milling industry. They are very variable in ly throughout the state. Corn Alternatives total ration OM. Hominy feed prices lag behind, but starch content, which determines the inclusion Corn is the concentrate base of most Michigan Barley has a rapid digestion rate and is high in follow corn prices closely. Therefore, deciding to rates of the different wheat co-products (bran, flour, dairy rations. Corn contains a high concentration of starch. Barley can be substituted pound for pound include hominy feed in dairy rations will require germ and screenings) in the feed. Therefore, starch (carbohydrates; see Table 1). There is very for corn, but needs to be coarsely ground. Inclusion close examination of the markets. Continued on page 13 rate for barley is 20 to 40 percent of total ration dry Table 1 - Starch content and matter (OM). In Michigan, barley is planted in early Table 2 - Nutrient composition rum/nal degradation rate of selected spring and harvested in August and can be used to of selected feed IltfIredlents' feed grains and by-products' extend enelID'supplies until corn harvest, if corn OM CP Fat Ash NFC Umit N~ Feedstuff (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (Mcalllb) Soluble Oegrada- inventories are low. Starch starch tion rate Bakery waste2 <20 0.94 Feedstuff (% of OM) (% of starch) (%/hour) Wheat, like barley, is high in starch and has a Barley 88.0 13.5 2.1 2.6 62.8 40 0.88 Barley 60.4 64.5 24.2 rapid digestion rate. Wheat needs to be rolled or Cereal waste2 10-20 Corn 73.5 27.6 4.0 coarsely ground and should be limited to less than 20 Corn, shelled ground 88.0 10.0 4.3 1.6 76.1 40 0.89 Corn gluten feed 32.4 62.0 10.2 percent of the total ration dry matter because of grain Corn gluten feed, dry 83.0 25.6 2.4 7.5 19.5 30 0.87 Hominy feed 49.5 33.9 5.3 Hominy 87.0 11.5 7.73 3.1 22.7 40 0.91 Oats 47.3 96.1 18.8 density, lack of effective fiber, rapid rumen degrad- Oats 89.0 13.3 5.4 3.4 45.9 40 0.80 Potato 78.1 33.9 4.9 ability, and palatability problems caused by grinding. Potatoes2•3 23.0 9.5 0.4 4.8 20 0.85 Wheat 68.7 69.1 18.2 Wheat prices generally are high enough to limit its Wheat 88.3 12.9 1.8 1.9 68.1 <20 0.94 Wheat flour 83.0 87.2 19.8 use in dairy rations. However, sprouted or out-of-con- Wheat bran 89.0 17.1 4.4 6.9 20.6 25 0.73 Wheat shorts 57.5 86.6 15.7 Wheat middlings 89.0 18.4 4.9 5.2 34.5 25 0.71 dition wheat often is very competitively priced. 'National ResearchCouncil. 1989. Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle. 6th ed. Nat!. Acad. Sei., Washington, O.c. Wheat middlings 29.0 88.5 24.2 Wheat bran 19.1 87.0 20.8 Oats are lower in starch than barley or wheat = = = OM dry matter; CP crude protein; Fat crude fat (ether extract); Ash = = total minerals; NFC non-fiber 'Nocek, J.E. 1995. Characteristics of starch among but have a similar rapid rate of digestion (Table 1). = carbohydrate [100-(neutral detergent fiber+CP+EE+Ash»);and NE, net energy for lactation. All concentrations are a percentage of dry matter. alternative feeds. Page 233 in Proc. 2nd National Alternative Feeds Symposium, Univ. Missouri-Columbia. Oats can be substituted pound for pound for corn lBy-products too variable to list or information is not available. !Varies with processing and source. and be coarsely ground for lactating dairy cows. See Your Local Northrup King Bite Protection™ Seed Dealer Today! Arends Farm Service Conklin, 616-899-2136 James Borgert Burr Oak, 616-432-3865 Gary Cozat Coleman, 517-465-1779 Dull's Farm Service Inc. Clare, 517-386-2192 Keith Edick Coopersville Hardware & Farm Service Gladwin, 517-426-7954 B~tf! Coopersville, 616-837-8051 James Graham Nothing works better Dorr Farm Products Don, 616-681-9570 Rosebush,517-433-2907 Grower Service Corp. S1.Charles, 517-770-4130 throughout the entire season. Jerry Gallagher Belding, 616-761-3243 Grower Service Corp. Merrill,517-643-7293 Birch Run, 517-624-9321 Vestaburg, 517-268-5100 Freeland,517-695-2521 Saginaw, 517-752-8760 Nothing works better Harvey Milling Co. Inc. Carson City, 517-584-3466 IMC AgribUSiness (MC Agribusiness Munger, 517-894-2821 Freeland, 517-695-5440 throughout the entire plant Muir, 517-855-3353 Greenville, 616-754-4609 Holland,616-399-2367 Ittner Bean & Grain Inc. Auburn, 517-662-4461 Mendon, 616-496-2415 Richard Keeler Ron Porter Chesaning, 517-845-7689 Now, European com borer protection can last all the way to harvest. Rockford,616-874-8196 Ron Lundberg Get the season-long com borer protection of YieldGard along with superior N Reister's Grower Service Inc. Pentwater, 616-869-5307 genetics in the most popular, high-performance NK@brand hybrids like these: Conklin, 616-227-9689 Maple Lane Farms Ron-Mar Farms Kawkawlin, 517-684-1581 Lake Odessa, 616-374-8538 McClintic Farms Schutte Farms Alma, 517-463-1140 N4242Bt Alto, 616-868-6004 Michigan Agri Commodities It's time to get excited about Bt corn. High, very consistent and stable yields follow N4242Bt in T & W Hopkins Elevator Middleton, 517-236-7263 Hopkins, 616-793-7262 Keith Parker a wide variety of tillage and crop rotations in our area. This 99-103 RM (MN: 100-day) perfonner Zeeland Farm Services Cedar, 616-947-6990 is perfectly adapted to all areas where N4242 grows - and should become just as popular. Very high E. Brady Salisbury Zeeland,616-772-9042 yield potential, excellent drought tolerance, stalk strength and fast drydown can be expected from Shepherd, 517-828-5102 N4242Bt. It has excellent control of all generations of European corn borer, along with some John Schaefer protection from fall armywonn and corn ealWonn. Stop by to get your N4242Bt. Midland, 517-832-3666 Agri Sales Inc. Grand Ledge, 517-627-4017 Arthur Schmiege Uniorwille, 517-674-2150 Chesaning, 517-845-6557 N4640Bt Unionville, 517-674-8721 Seamon Farms Mulliken, 517-649-8341 Saginaw, 517-777-7708 This Bt corn hybrid is sure to turn heads and stop traffic around here. N4640Bt combines very high, Eastern Michigan Grain Richard Strzelecki stable yields with a most effective control of all generations of European corn borer pressure. It also Posen, 517-766-8266 Emmetl, 810-384-6519 offers some protection from fall annywonn and corn earwonn. N4640Bt will become known for stalk Eaton Farm Bureau Coop. Trinklein Farms strength, drydown and excellent yield stability, just like the very popular N4640. Verygood plant health. Saginaw, 517-781-2786 Bt Charlotte, 517-543-1160 When looking for a Bt hybrid in the 102-106 RM (MN: 105-day), go no further. N4640Bt is the one. Ferkowicz Farms Wagner Farms Silverwood,517-761-7217 Grawn, 616-276-9757 Get your N4640Bt on order. Grower Service Corp. Croswell,810-679-3565 N6800Bt Deckerville, 810-376-2415 Henderson, 517-725-7933 Bidwell's Triple Creek Farms Bronson, 517-369-9194 Here's a Bt corn hybrid that's gaining plenty of attention in our area. High stable yield perfonnance, Owendale, 517-678-4355 D & L Wilkin Farms along with remarkably superior ear retention and late season intactness. N6800Bt demonstrates IMC Agribusiness Britton, 517-451-8268 exceptional season-long control of European corn borer from emergence to black layer. It also S1.Johns, 517-593-2099 Richard He"elfinger North Branch, 810-588-2110 Reading, 517-283-2444 provides control of Southwestern corn borer and supplies some protection from fall annywonn Cass City, 517-872-3732 and corn yeaIWonn. Moderate resistance to gray leaf spot, too. N6800Bt is well suited for early Deckerville, 810-376-3975 IMC Agribusiness Melvin, 810-387-3345 Dundee,313-529-5214 planting and reduced tillage. 110-114 RM. Order your N6800Bt corn seed for next year's planting. Morenci,517-458-2208 Bill Schlanderer Riga, 517-486-2107 Webberville, 517-468-3921 David Labar NOW 11IERE'S B & W Co-op, Inc. Breckenridge, 517-842-3104 Union City, 517-741-3204 Schnierle Custom Harvest Ann Arbor, 313-665-3939 Calvin Smith SEASON-LONG PROTECTION. John Biddinger Ithaca, 517-875-4486 Countrymark, Inc. Monroe, 313-269-2710 Tri-County Agri-Services Homer, 517-642-3196 Traverse City, 616-946-5836 Yie/dGard is a trademark of Monsanto Company. I Planting guidelines for improved wheat fields by Rick Ward, MSU Wheat Breeding rate. Since planting rate matters in wheat, this layed beyond 10 days after the fly free date. Rates Planting Date he old adage that you reap what you sow is T means you are inadvertently losing and gaining could sensibly be increased to 2.6 million seeds per The recent data suggests that average yield particularly applicable to wheat grown in yield potential when you calibrate to pounds per acre if farmers are forced to plant in the latter half of potential generally decreases as plan~ing i~aelayed Michigan. The planting period probably acre instead of seeds per acre! October. Extra seeds per acre help compensate for past the end of September or theJ)~gm:ning of represents the greatest opportunity for Michigan Calculate your pounds per acre requirements lost development time in the fall, and they help en- October. Test weight also genef3}ir:.d~irieCl with farmers to improve wheat yields! by dividing the targeted seeding rate per acre (mil- sure \vinter survival through additional snow trapping. Continued on page 13 ':':~:~~\::. The big message is: wheat performance is influ- lion seeds per acre) by the seeds per pound for your enced very much by 1) how many seeds (not how seed lot. For example, the proper seeding rate for a Results of Wheat SWYer ..... t Survey many pounds) are in a foot of row, 2) how deep the target of 1,800,000 seeds per acre using seed that is Show Weaknesses Plant Populations Pertent of Total seed is planted, and 3) when the seed is planted. 18,000 seeds per pound is: 1,800,000/18,000 = 100 less than 1.49 million plants/acre 39% A wheat planting survey conducted in Seeding lIRe Ibs/acre. Achievement of the same targeted seeding 1995 by MSU Extension field crop agents 1.50 to 1.9 million plants/acre 38°/~ To help assure the best possible yield, winter rate with a seed lot that has 11,000 seeds per acre Greater than 1.9 million plants/acre 23% across Michigan shortly after planting Visual Problems wheat should be seeded at a rate of 1.8 million to 2.1 would require 1,800,000/11,000 or 163Ibs/acre. The on 61 different fields looked at planting No Problems 43 % million seeds per acre. That equates to 24 to 30 seeds difference is a bushel of seed per acre, but both the populations, seeding depths, visual prob- Uneven Emergence 20% per row foot when wheat is planted in 7-inch rows. 100 and 163lbs/acre rates achieve the same plant lems, previous crops and tillage methods. Too Deep 11 % Seed size varies tremendously in wheat. All stands and therefore the same yield potential! Since it's estimated that 60 percent Compaction 11% Michigan Certified seed has that seed lot's seeds- Calibrate drills by following equipment-specific of the wheat yield is determined at the Too Shallow : 8% time the drill leaves the field, some Uneven Residue __ 8% per-pound information on the tag. Seed lots can instruction manuals. Periodic checks of seed place- Uneven Broadcast.. 7% important deficiencies were identified. vary in size from 11,000 to 18,000 seeds per pound, ment and distribution in uncovered furrows is a Unlevel Seedbed 7% Thirty-nine percent of the fields surveyed so the old method of calibrating planters based on good way to ensure accurate seeding. Pull your drills Cloddy Seedbed 3% had plant populations less than MSU pounds or bushels per acre, without regard to actu- out of storage early enough to make sure they are recommendations. Another 28 percent Seeding Depth less than 1 inch 13% al seeding rates, is clearly misleading. doing the job you want them to do. Check within and of the fields had been planted either 1 to 2 inches 72% The point is that using a fixed rate of pounds among row variation in seeding depth and spacing. too shallow, too deep, or inconsistently. Greater than 2 inches : 9% ner acre does nothing to give you a fIXedplanting Planting rate should increase as planting is de- Managing IMI-Corn in 1997 W ith a good growing year of the imida- zolinone-resistant and tolerant corn under their belt, corn producers and consult- ants are looking at their choices for 1997 and how best to manage those choices. Farmers will have more than 130 1MI-Corn .. hybrids (hybrids that tolerate imidazolinone family of herbicides, such as Resolve ,. and Contour'") in 1997 from which to select. Lessons learned last year with 1MI-Corn \vill bear a lot of weight on this year's planting decisions, says Jim Penney, crop consultant for Central of Iowa, a subsidiary of Heart of Iowa Co-op. According to Penney, corn growers in western Iowa have had good results with IMI- Corn, especially in controling problems with shattercane and switch grass. Experience with some genetically im- proved hybrids has shown that yields have dropped off when new traits were added. The first seed company to introduce 1MI-Corn hy- brids was keenly aware of the perception of yield loss. That's why ICI/Garst is pleased with company and university yield results, which place its 1MI-Corn hybrids in as high or better yielding category as their non-IMI counterparts. So confident is the company, that ICI/Garst's most popular hybrid 8481 was released only as 1.888.GO.GARST an imazethapyr-tolerant (IT) hybrid in 1995 and will not be sold at a premium often associated \vith other companies' IMI hybrids. ICI/Garst has the IT trait in more of its leading hybrids than any other corn company. In 1983, American Cyanamid, developer of the imidazolinone chemistry, discovered a re- cessive gene (IR gene) that made corn resistant to this popular soybean herbicide family. In the meantime, a combined team of plant breeders and bioscientists at ICI/Garst discovered a domi- nant gene that gave corn a tolerance or resis- tance to imazethapyr. Because it is a dominant trait, it only had to be put into one parent line, which is the genetic difference between IT and IR corn. What the futu .... holds With new hybrids coming out, ICI/Garst's Alan Hawkins says IMI Corn won't retain its novelty long. "Most IMI hybrids are a copy of another hybrid that is available without the IR or IT gene," he says. "Eventually, I don't expect to see two versions of the same hybrid being released." Looking further ahead, Hawkins says most hybrids eventually will have some kind of herbicide tolerance "for insurance." "Science keeps advancing," he states. "I expect that by the year 2000 there will be some new herbicide family that's even better than the imidazolinones, and plant breeders and biotechnologists will be scrambling to find another gene." • Wheat 2000 - Calibrating grain drills for seed population esearching indicates seeding rate not only R Method 1 - Field Calibration Method 2 - Stationary Calibration Method 3 - Seeds Per Foot affects yield, but also test weight and lodg- • Locate the drill row spacing and corresponding • Raise and block planter off the ground so planter • Locate flat, compacted and straight area where ing. Because of seed variability, seeds per Ytoo acre feet for that row spacing in Table 2. drive wheel(s) spin freely. planter can be driven; i.e. driveway, ete. pound may vary by 30 percent, thus greatly affect- (Example Ytoo acre for 7-inch rows is 746.8 feet.) • Measure the circumference of planter drive tire • Reduce down pressure springs and/or set depth ing seeding rate. Therefore, drills should be recali- • Measure the hundredth acre (feet) in the field. in feet control as shallow as possible. brated when changing varieties and at least annually • Determine appropriate driving speed and • Divide the drcumference into the hundredth acre • Drive planter at the desired speed dropping to assure proper seeding rate . drive planter for that length, collecting seed (feet) (From Table 2). Then divide the number of wheat on top of the ground. Knowledge of the number of seeds per pound from one row. rows seed is to be collected from. This will deter- • Using a yardstick, lay it beside the row and count and germination are critical factors that need to be • Carefully weigh pounds of seed collected, multi- mine the number of times the planter drive tire the number seeds. Do this at least five (5) times. known before the proper seeding rate can be deter- ply by 100, which equals the pounds per acre. will have to be turned. Use the equation (one hun- • Determine average number of seeds per foot. mined (see Table 1). It is recommended that sam- • Multiply pounds per acre by predetermined dredth acre feet divided by drive wheel circumfer- • Consult Table 3 to determine seeds per acre ples be analyzed for germination and seeds per seeds per pound. This equals seeds per acre. ence) divided by number of rows seed collected planted. pound be determined. Michigan Crop Improve- • Adjust planter appropriately to achieve desired = needed revolutions of drive tire; e.g. (746.8 ft. • Adjust planter to achieve desired population .• ment Association, P.O. Box 21008, Lansing, MI seeding rate. + 7.2 ft) + 21 rows = 4.94 revolutions. 48919-1005, telephone (517) 355-7438, can perform • Example: 7-inch rows. 14,000 seeds per pound. • Mark the drive tire, turn the number of revolutions Table 3 - Number of seeds/foot of \ these tests for a small fee. Use the equation (Pounds of Seed Collected x figured in Step 3. Note: Ifcollecting from all rows, row tor different combinations of row Optimal seeding rate for wheat should be in a 1(0) x seeds per pound - seeds per acre; e.g. use a tarp placed under the drill to collect seed. spacing and target seeding rates range from 1.6 to 2.1 million seeds per acre, based on 1.5lbs. x 100 = 150 lbs/acre x 14,000 = • Carefully weigh the sample in pounds and multi- Desired seeding rate Million Broadcast (row spadng in Inches) 90 percent or more germination. Growers should 2,100,000 seeds per acre. ply by 100 to get the pounds of seed per acre. seeds/A seeds/ftJ 6 7 8 9 10 plant 2.5 million seeds when sowing after Oct. 15. • Multiply pounds per acre by the predetermined 1.6 37 18.4 21.4 24.5 27.5 30.6 Calibration Method 1 or 2 (shown below) seeds per pound. This equals seeds per acre. 1.8 41 20.7 24.1 27.5 31.0 34.4 Table 1- The effect of seed size 2.0 46 23.0 26.8 30.6 34.4 38.3 requires knowledge of seeds per pound. Method 3 on seeding rate in pounds per aae • Adjust planter accordingly to achieve desired 2.2 51 25.3 29.4 33.6 37.9 42.1 does not require seeds per pound, but uses seeds at different target seeding rates population. 2.4 55 27.5 32.1 36.7 41.3 45.9 per foot to make the proper determination of popu- Seed size -Seeding Rate, MillionSeeds/Acre-- 2.6 60 29.8 34.8 39.7 44.8 49.7 lation per acre. (seedsllb) 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 Table 2 - Row Length to Equal an Aae 2.8 64 32.1 37.5 42.8 48.2 53.6 10,000 160 170 180 190 200 210 MSU no longer recommends planting rates 11,000 145 155 164 173 182 191 Row Width 1'100th Acre in bushels per acre. The most accurate method is 12,000 133 142 150 158 167 175 (inches) Feet (feet) seeds per acre or seeds per foot. 13,000 123 131 138 146 154 162 6 87,120 871.2 14,000. 114 121 129 136 143 150 7 74,676 746.8 ~~ wheat2000 15,000 107 113 120 127 133 140 8 65,340 653.4 16,000 100 106 113 119 125 131 10 52,272 522.7 17,000 94 100 106 111 118 124 MSU Te/farm program picks farm managers of the year Continued from page 7 Richard Hale Dairy - Hillsdale County Richard believes in "planning your work and then working your plan." like his father, Richard believes in paying attention to detail and that "little things done correctly" add up to a profitable busi- ness. By keeping the Telfarm records himself, he is easily aware of all costs and incomes and is a strong supporter of the Telfarm program. David and Margaret Klump - Monroe County }{LUMP fAI~MS he Hale Dairy Farm, located near Jonesville, T has been successful for many years. The Tel- farm enrollment began with Richard's parents, Kei- th and Betty Hale, in 1967. Currently, the farm con- sists of 270 high producing holstein cows with 300 acres of corn, 120 acres of corn silage, 170 acres of alfalfa, 170 acres of soybeans and 25 acres of wheat. Richard and his wife, Judy, have been married for 28 years and have two children - Christen and Leslie. A son, Dustin, died in 1989. Judy has been a avid Klump, of Monroe County, began Rent or lease (see page F-4): high school English teacher in Jonesville for 28 years. The farm employs three experienced full- D farming in 1953 at the age of 21 after the death of his father, John. For the last 43 years, he a Vehicles, machinery, and equip- time employees who contribute to the success of and his wife, Margaret, have farmed the ground his the business. Each is provided with housing and grandfather purchased and they live in the house ment • • • • • other employee benefits. Richard and his mother, his grandparents built in 1882. They bought another Betty, have a great deal of well-deserved pride in 250 acres, adding to the 100 acres he inherited; their attractive well-maintained farmsteads. altogether he farms about 750 acres, raising corn, Although Richard has always been interested in wheat and soybeans. the farm business, his involvement started in 1968 For several years, they fed our about 150 when he returned from Marine duty in Vietnam; a steers in what had been the cow barn and lot. They formal 50/SOpartnership was formed between Rich- also grew tomatoes for Hunt's, quitting in 1968 in ard and his father, Keith, now deceased. During the order to take their family of seven children on a partnership "era," Richard purchased some land summer camping trip, and never returned to toma- outside of the partnership structure. This helped to grmving. For 10 years, their younger son, Ben, reduce property transfer problems when, in 1991, was involved in the farming operation, while David Richard acquired his father's interest in the partner- worked as a mail carrier out of Lambertville. ship and other real estate assets. David retired from the post office last year The acquisition of assets from his father cre- when Ben took a job with an engineering firm in atively involved both a purchase agreement on the Toledo, Ohio. With some help during harvest from cows and 125 acres along with a lO-year lease/pur- Ben, another son, and a son-in-law, David is able to chase of the machinery and rental of the remaining handle the farming. Some of Margaret's duties in- land. The agreement continues with Richard's clude driving a truck and handling the marketing mother, Betty. and the Telfarm accounting. Richard started entering the Telfarm records David has served on the local school board in 1991 when he became the full owner of the oper- and Whiteford Township Board. He is presently on ating business. In 1994, after some "persuasion" by the Township Planning Commission and on the Area Dairy Agent Ron Green, Richard started using Zoning Board of Appeals. MicroTel,the microcomputer version of the Telfarm Both are active in their church, First Baptist of Brian Tews Luann Kubacki Jim Mac Kay program. Temperance, where David teaches an adult Sunday West Central MI UP & Northern MI East Central MI Today Richard uses MicroTel's Checkwriter, school class and Margaret plays the organ. "We have (616) 754-1792 (616) 929-1723 (517) 743-4630 Accountant and Payroll programs. He says, "I abso- to depend on God in this business," David says. "He lutely love the Telfarm MicroTel system. I do my is the One who sends seedtime and harvest, wheth- Colin Zehr Clem Power Frank Gublo complete payroll including cutting checks in 15 to er it is 100 bushel or 180 bushels of corn per acre. Grand Rapids Area UP &Northern MI Thumb Area MI 20 minutes." He adds, "I enter invoices into Check- He sees us through every year." (517) 731-6300 (517) 652-8507 (616) 281-9745 writer to keep track of unpaid bills and then pay In 1995, David and Margaret participated in the bills usually only twice per month. The Checkwriter FINANfinandal analysis workshop held in Monroe Rob Render Bill Glunt program helps to save time and reduce mistakes." Ann Briggs County. David commented, "The financial analysis Southwestern MI Northern IN Southeastern MI Richard works with Ron Green at year-end to workshop helped us find our we were better off than develop the annual business analysis and utilize the (616) 659-8915 (219) 563-1076 (517) 349-8698 we thought we were." They have been with Telfarm information to monitor business strengths and 36 years and, Margaret adds, "It is well worth the identify potential opportunities. money! The help we get at taX time is invaluable.". Michigan Professional Dairy Farmers host summer tour M ichigandairy producers from across the state had an opportunity ro rour three unique dairy operations in northern Michigan during the recent Professional Dairy Farmers Summer tour. Stops included the ru Benthem Homestead Farm, the John and Bonna Baas Farm near McBain and the Cnossen Prosper- ous Farms near Falmouth. Benthem Homestead Farm This 120-year-old, 135-cow dairy operation has made a transition in the last two years to baleage for the herd's replacement srock. Producing over 400 acres of alfalfa each year, Steve Benthem says the operation was looking for a way ro reduce labor demands, while also improving on harvest time requirements, when they first tried baleage. The operation's labor force consists primarily of Steve, Steve Benthem responds to questions about his recently purchased Harold and Bob Cnossen can access this just-completed manure two full-time hired men and his father, who helps bale stuffer used for bagging up to 38 bales for baleage in a storage structure from all of their livestock facilities, which includes out on calf chores. 15D-foot-long bag. 19Dcows and another 3D head of breeding age heifers. Feed quality, however, has made Benthem an avid fan of baleage. "We started out using baleage as of his machinery inventory and roughly 100 acres of we've got a lot less herd health problems, and we Cnossen Prosperous Farms a laborsaving effort and found out that the rate of owned and rented crop land. He continued, howev- like our lifestyle." Owned for nearly 100 years by the Cnossen gain on our heifers was fantastic," he explained. er, milking 55 cows on the 80-acre main farmstead, Since converting to the rotational grazing family, Bob Cnossen and his wife, Daralee, in part- "We're stuck on it!" relying on rotational grazing, cusrom hire operators, system his biggest herd health headache has been nership with Bob's parents, Harold and Karen, are Crude protein has averaged between 21 and and purchased feed to overwinter his herd. milk fever, and Baas has had to deal with only one the fourth generation to run the farm business. The 23 percent, with an NEL of 0.64 to 0.67, says Ben- "We had all the appropriate stuff - mixer D.A. in nine years. operation has grown over the years to a 190-cow them. The operation uses an all-haylage, high mois- wagons, computer feeding and so on - but we Using 14 paddocks spread over 70 acres, Baas herd, that also raises 350 acres of corn, 420 acres ture corn diet for the herd, which has a rolling herd weren't making any money," Baas recalled. "We uses poly wire to break the paddocks down to even of hay, and 85 acres of small grains and soybeans. average of 30,306 pounds on a three times per day have found this system ro be much more profitable, smaller sizes as needed, and will move the cows as A recently completed 1.2-million-gallon ma- milking schedule. often as four times per day. He uses a stocking rate nure storage fadlity, with a six-month storage capac- Heifers receive only four pounds of shelled John Baas has relied on rotational grazing of 1,000 pounds live weight per acre and harvests ity for a total of 220 head, has made daily manure corn per day, and free choice baleage through self- for eight years to manage his summer 50 tons of excess forage as hay early in the growing handling just a fond memory. Although just com- feeders. Heifers, although ready for breeding at 13 feeding program. A total of 55 cows are season. pleted, Bob says the manure handling facility was months in most cases, are bred at 14 months. rotated on 7Dacres starting in April until Over 50 percent of the Baas herd is now always factored into the location and design of Benthem, who typically bales over 900 round mid to late October. The operation custom jersey, with a rolling herd average of 13,000, a 3.9 other livestock handling facilities. bales annually in addition to putting up haylage, hires any needed mechanical harvesting percent butterfat, and a 5.2 percent protein level. Even though the operation relies on sand for rolled up 240 bales of baleage last year and plans to and buys all of its winter feed supplies. Supplemental feeds include mineral and 14 pounds bedding, the Cnossens plan on irrigating as much of do at least that many bales this year. He traded in a of ground corn for holsteins and 10 pounds of corn the manure as possible. A cement ramp and floor two-year-old 640 New Holland round baler for a 644 for the jerseys. will allow the use of loaders and regular manure New Holland Silage Special this year, and purchased He says the jerseys seem more adapted to the spreaders to haul out solids from the bottom of the the machine needed to stuff the 1,600-pound 4' x 5' pasture and seasonal dairying management scheme pit once emptied. bale into a 150-foot-long silage bag. and expects to continue converting the herd to the A cement wall also borders the livestock facili- He estimates his storage cost per bale at smaller breed. He's also experimenting with some ties to create a push-off ramp for manure into the roughly $4.50, figuring a total of 35 to 38 bales per cross breeding between holsteins and jerseys to 14-foot-deep pit. An earthen bank on the remainder bag. Since Benthem was already using an acid on capitalize on the benefits of both breeds. of the pit will allow for fu'ture expansion as needed. his dry bales, at a cost of 14 per bale, he figures the "Last year the jerseys bred back much better The operation has always expanded and de- baleage is costing him just an additional 50 cents, than the holsteins," Baas said. "Our conception on signed their facilities with the future in mind. When allowing for the cost of the bag and a silage inocu- first service with the jerseys was about 80 percent Harold built a new parlor six years ago, he relocated lant on the baleage. compared to 30 percent on the holsteins." the milking center into a new 40' x 100' building Weather worries this year have really made the Although Baas was close to being considered a that's naturally shaded by a stand of trees. His dou- baleage concept shine in Benthem's eyes. Although seasonal dairy operation, breeding problems have ble-IO parallel rapid exit parlor, considered some- 50 percent moisture is the goal, he generally starts kept him from reaching that goal. Although he finds what of a novelty at the time, has generated a great baling for baleage at 60 percent moisture and srops the idea of four to eight weeks off from milking deal of curiosity and visits to the parlor. at 45 percent. "Third cuttings this year will be light appealing, he's seriously considering a fall freshen- Using a haylage and high moisture corn ration and late and chances of drying it down will be pret- ing herd as well to maximize his labor and fadlities. fed once per day, the operation's rolling herd aver- ty poor," he concluded. Other changes being considered by Baas in- age stands at 24,093 pounds, 893 pounds of fat and clude renting additional pasture land to raise his 779 pounds of protein, with a twice per day milking John and Bonna Bus own heifers, and developing a more site-specific schedule. The Cnossens use another 1,000 round After milking cows for 10 years 'under a conven- forage plan to maximize production and increase bales for heifers and dry cows, all of which are stored tional management system,John Baas made some the stocking rate to 1,200 pounds per acre. inside. A32' x 32' commodity shed, built in 1995, is large-scale changes in 1988, liquidating a good deal used for storing cottonseed and soy meaJ.• Revolutionary ROO~ REROO~ PATCH TRIMMER ON WHEELS! Iti easy to do it yourself with proven SO MUCH EASIER to use than hand-held trimmers OR small-wheels mowers! TRIMS plus MOWS everything from whole lawns (even wet, without clogging!) to tough, waist- high grass and weeds with incredible ease! 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Box 25, Vergennes, VT 05491 Narrow row corn interest showcased by tour C linton County Farm Bureau member Dave look at sugar beets, anywhere from a ton-and-a-half Motz attended an informational meeting to more, depending on how they emerge.:' early this year in Frankenmuth to learn According to Poindexter, many growers are how to plant and harvest narrow row corn and in a rapid phase of adapting to narrower rows de. seven months later found himself hosting the first pending on the crops they are currently planting. of four stops on the narrow row corn tour so more Numerous sugar beet growers adopred 22-inch producers could learn from him about the challeng- rows almost 10 years ago, but strictly soybean and es he is facing going to narrower rows. corn producers have pushed the row widths even Almost 100 mid.Michigan producers attending further to IS-inch rows. "We're looking at a systems the tour stops, coordinated by MSU Extension, approach," he explains. "Whatever you adapt has to Michigan Corn Growers Association and the Corn work out for all the crops." Marketing Board got a chance to literally "kick the Bill Wesenberg's narrow profile tires on his The first of its kind, produced by Rod Van "I certainly believe narrow rows will be the tires" of some of the new equipment each of the John Deere 4455 caught everyone's atten- Middlesworth, this 16-row John Deere nar- standard of the industry at least in the northern producers was utilizing to plant narrow rows or tion on the narrow row tour as a way to row row corn head was originally an eight- Corn Belt states;" states Poindexter. "As you get building to harvest the corn in IS-inch rows. keep the tire's compaction off the plant. row head. Van Middlesworth had to extend further north, you tend to get a bigger yield in- In his first year with narrow rows, Motz plant- the sides of the head by 6 inches to accom- crease as you squeeze rows in. As I look at many ed 600 acres of no-till corn and 150 acres of conven- According to Van Middlesworth, the decision to modate the eight extra rows. He estimates growers, we've worked with them on fertilizer, her- tional tillage corn to IS-inch rows using his White go to narrow rows was a simple one. "We needed to it cost him $2,000 per extra row installed on bicide, and fine-tuning their insecticide program, 6200 eight-row planter with seven splitter units. But get our beans planted no-till and we had been hiring the corn head. and they're doing pretty much everything right. I his biggest challenge is yet to come - harvest. The our beans planted with a drill," he explained. "But can't tell a grower something that will gain 7 per- visitors to his farm got a chance to see the corn the expense of the drill overrode the expense of a 15- "When I had those tires put on I know that a cent just by changing a production pracrice any- head he was building to tackle the narrower rows, inch row planter, which does a little nicer job in my lot of people told me I had a funny-looking tractor," more. And rhat's why this narrow rows looks like as well as a I6-row John Deere corn head fabricated opinion of planting beans anyway. We needed to get laughed Wesenberg. "When I hit a wet spot or any- ir's going to be a real posirive thing in rhe furure." by Rod Van Middlesworth, of Fulton. corn to IS inches to make the whole thing work for thing like that, I couldn't tell any difference; never When will equipment manufaduren "I went to a narrow row day in Frankenmuth us all the way around. The opportunity was there to slowed it down, it even seemed like it might've got make the first narrow row harvestor? this winter that the Extension put on and it sold me get corn into 15 inches, and then we went to Fran. down a little bit faster and grabbed something that "Equipment manufacturers are now catching on everything so I went for it," explained Motz. "It's kenmuth and saw what's been done and the research was solid and pulled right through it. The tractor up to what the growers want," explained Poindexter. been proven you can get better yields with narrow that's been done, and decided to go for it." never got stuck or even got it close to getting stuck "When equipment's not available, growers will tear row corn." The second stop on the all-day tour was Bill and we've had a lot of wet conditions this year." things apart, put them rogerher and fabricate into "Building a narrow row corn head is not for Wesenberg's farm in Southern Gratiot County. He Why go to narrow rows? whar they need. John Deere, for example, now offers everybody and if anybody wanted me to build one bought a new Kinze eight-row planter with seven "Afterthe research was done, we indicated that a 20- or 22-inch row corn head and rhey offer kits ro I'd tell them it's not a simple project - a lot of cut- interplant rows to get down to IS-inch rows for his we'll show a 7 percent or somewhere between a 10 convert a corn head to a narrow row wirh an existing ting and grinding and thought that goes into it," 300 acres of corn. What caught everyone's attention to 13 bushel yield increase on corn," explained Steve one. That was not available even two years ago." explained Motz. "Get your wire welder out and a was the conversion Wesenberg made on his John Poindexter, Saginaw County's MSU Extension agent. "Case International is definitely looking ar torch and start going at it, because it's going to take Deere 4455 to a narrow tire width to reduce com- "You'll also see 2Y2bags on dry beans, you mayor narrow row width equipment," he adds. "So the three guys two weeks to build one." paclion in the row. may not get a yield increase on soys, and when we equipment companies are certainly reacring." • Planting guidelines for Alternative feeds for dairy cattle improved wheat fields Continued from page 9 limited to less than 20 percent of total ration OM Continued from page 10 infected with barley yellow dwarf, powdery mildew knowing rhe exact description of the type of wheat because of high variability, high sodium and fat planting date in recent experiments. Never plant and even leaf rust. co-producr and the nutrient composition is very coment, and low effective fiber content. prior to your fly free date. Though we are generally Fertility important. Maximum ration OM inclusion rate is 10 Potato by-products come from the potato chip free of hessian fly, that is probably largely because ~ Wheat grows best in soi~.with a pH between to 15 percent because of rapid rumen degradability and french fry indusrq'. Starch content is high and of our continued adherence to the fly free dates as 6.5 and 7.0. Soil fertility is critical to good wheat and lower rhan predicred gains of grmving canle similar ro corn. Maximum rarion OM inclusion rare the earliest acceptable planting date. growth as well. Soil with an SO-bushel yield poten- using net energy equarions. for fried by-products is 10 percent because of the Optimal planting dates will vary from year to tial will require upwards of 75 pounds of phospho- Cereal by-products come from the cereal pro- high fat coment and 20 percent for raw by-products year. Planting too late reduces yields by shifting rus and 150 pounds of potassium per acre. cessing industry. They are rapidly fermented and because oflow fiber content Consideration of mois- spring development out of the optimal time frame Apply about ID-20 pounds of actual N pre- very variable in nutriem composition. Maximum ture content is important for raw potato by-producrs. and by reducing the plants' ability to survive winter. plant in most situations, followed by split applica- inclusion rate for lacrating cows is 10 ro 20 percem When comparing alternarive feeds as subsri- Ideally, the crop should develop two to three tillers tion of 90 pounds of N per acre in the spring. of toral rarion OM. tutes for corn, careful nutritional and economic prior to winter. That amount of growth seems to be Miscellaneous Items Bakery wasre primarily consists of stale bakery evaluations must be done. ideal for winter survival and optimal timing of Plant wheat 1 to 1.5 inches deep. Slightly shal- products and some orher bakery wasres. They con- In a £Urure issue of Michigan Dairy Review, spring development. This means the crop needs to lower planting is acceptable as long as this doesn't tain variable amounts of starches, sugars and fat protein commodity and by-product alternatives \vill accumulate enough heat to germinate and produce result in seed on the surface. Have germination The starch and sugars will ferment rapidly. Bakery be discussed .• five to six leaves prior to winter. tests done on any seed lots for which current ger- waste is an effective corn substiture, but should be Planting too early is risky for two reasons. mination information is lacking. Seed treatment is First, plants are more likely to lose their winter har- an absolute must! Ensure that bin treatments are diness because they begin to develop heads too applied uniformly .• early in the spring. Second, early plantings may be DiiSCu:ssi:eul Ballot proposals on bear hunting 'Il. rD- ,,,:;,->p ......""1 .,..,...1£ , "." "Huming and trapping of all game in Michigan require different straregies and huming methods. Farm Bureau supports all currem and legal meth- Proposal G, and a "no" vote on Proposal 0, because rhe proposal that passes with the most vores \vill go into effect. of Michigan's wildlife populations. Public Act 377 of 1996 would: • Grant the Natural Resources Commission the ods of hunting due ro rhe importance of keeping exclusive authority to regulare the taking of game wildlife in balance wirh the general public. Farm PROPOSALD including bear huming. (Currently under the Odobet' '1996 Bureau srrongly opposes a current iniriative rhar A legislative initiative to limit bear hunting authority of rhe direcror of rhe Departmem of A monthly resource will anempt to restricr rhe hunting of bear. We en. season and prohibit the use of bait and Narural Resources.) for the Community courage all county Farm Bureaus to acrivelyoppose dogs to hunt bear. • Require the Natural Resources Commission to uri. Action Groups this precedent-setting issue." The proposed law would: lize "principles of sound scientific managemem" of Michigan Farm Keeping game management under the control • Prohibir the use ofbair and dogs to hum bears at in making decisions regarding the taking of game Bureau of wildlife management experts (rhe purpose of anytime. and to minimize humarvbear encoumers. Proposal G) is crucial if agriculrure is to have any • Prohibit bear hunting during open season for • Require that a public meeting be held prior ro the hope of making progress on rhe wildlife crop dam- deer, bobcat and raccoon if baiting or hunting issuance of any orders by the Natural Resources age issue, said MFBAssociate Legislative Counsel T wo wildlife management proposals will ap- with dogs is permitted during these seasons. Commission regarding the taking of game. pear on rhe Nov. 5 ballot. MFB supports Scon Everett. "Of special interesr to farmers is that • Creare penalties for violations, induding rempo- Should this law be approved? Proposal G and opposes Proposal D. Proposal 0 specifies you can't hunt bear during deer rary and permanent denial of hunting license. Proposal G specifies rhat rhe Commission of season, "he said. "Under the proposal, we couldn't • Allow individuals ro sue for damages caused by ~ yes 0 no the Department of Narural Resources has the sole expand deer huming ro the momh ofSeprember violations and ro seek injunctions. authority to regulate the taking of game in the stare. because bear hunting would be in that same momh." • Allow bear huming by any method by govern- DiSGlSsion Questions Proposal 0, on the other hand, is a radical Everen said rhar passage of Proposal G is ment officials acting in their official capacity and 1. What activities can your group auempr to begin eliminating all sport hunting and importam ro agriculrure because it will reinforce for any person acring in defense of life. undertake to focus attention on the fishing. The animal rights groups rhat are pushing basing huming managemem decisions on sound Should the proposed law be adopted? problem of wildlife crop damage? Proposal 0 don't care abour the problems farmers sciemific principles instead of emorion and sensa- 2. What are some reasons to vote yes face in controlling wildlife crop damage. They jusr tionalism. o yes ~ no on Proposal G? care about advancing their anti.huming, vegetarian Between now and Nov. 5, MFBwill be provid- 3. How will your group help promote agenda. ing additional talking poinrs and a Proposal G acrion PROPOSALG a yes vote in your community on plan for county Farm Bureaus. In the meantime, it's A referendum on public act 377 of 1996- Proposal G? • Farm Bureau's position on these proposals is based in part on Policy.#62 from the 1996 MFB importam ro remember to promote a "yes" vote on an amendment regarding the management policy book. That policy srates: Micllilgan Farm News C.lassirfied Top WHEAT VARIETIES WILL MAKE YOUR FALL 1963 JD TRACTOR: 3202, REGISTERED SCOTTISH BLUEBERRY FARM. Mus- Minerai Owners Gas/Oil: In- wide axle. Excellent shape! $6500. Honda generator PLANTING A SUCCESS HIGHLAND CATTLE, breed- ing stock and semen for sale. kegon County, 53 acres, (42 producing), two irrigation sys- vestor interested in purchas- ing, producing royalty income 30KW continuous, 60 KW Visitors welcorTie!Call 1-517- tems, 2400 square foot proc- for immediate cash. Prefer search. $1500. 543-7979 evenings or week- essing, packing plant. 1142 Antrim gas. Other formations Call 1-517-426-5883. ends. Charlotte, Michigan. square foot three bedroom considered. Call Jay, 1-800- '93 GOOSENECK TRAILER, Red Wheal While Wheal TOP QUALITY HOLSTEIN house. Box 0183 Fruitport, MI 49415. 968-7645. 22', custom made, heavy du- breeding age bulls, from high PROFESSIONAL CATTLE Mendon Diana producing cow family. Top AI hoof trimming: Statewide! ty, w/or without box, two axle CUTE 3 BEDROOM year dually, with oil bath bearings. Brandy A.C.Ron sires, $800-$900. round cottage on Martiny Over 14 years experience. $7200 or best offer. 1-616- Pasch Farms Lake in Barryton, Michigan. Prices start at $8. Call 763-3563. Casey Ramrod 1-517-644-3519 All aluminum vinyl exterior Norman Beale 1-616-n5-0488 BEHLAN continuous dryer. Genesis 9511 Geneva ReSelect with 2 car garage. Water ac- cess to 5 other lakes. Excel- Model 700. Excellent condi- lent fishing! $69,900 with tion! terms. 1-517-546-5280. Please call 1-810-725-1140. FARMALL 560 DIESEL, two Contract Production A"allable point hitch, tricycle, $1500. Also Farmall cub for parts on- ly.1-313-421-2092. SYSTEM INC. ca" ,o1mote '1\\ol11\a\\O" Phone/Fax: 517-887-1684 PO. Box 21085, Lansing MI 48909 FREE HOME DEUVERYI Simply the best! Complete Horse Feed. ... WANTED: Farms and land throughout Michigan, agricul- JO 1.0 I 10 .0 I 60 I 12 50 I 75 I 12 I HERITAGE 8BJ1~~W~~Y~!~t~ Summer _ .- Safe 5 U,927 57,976 511.180 "Designing for Growth" ELITE +,10% or 12%. tural and recreational. Large 60 I 100 I 10 515.957 For information or delivery, parcels preferred. We have 80 I 150 I 14 529.655 Mathie Energy Supply Co., nc. buyers! Call C.ommtrrlal SIft' buildings lta/UriJJg rasy boll up 1-800-467-7340 Faust Real Estate assrmbly lrom Amtrica's Ia/gtsl diSlrlbulor. Wr !la,'t 0'" 10.00051andanl silts 01shop. farm. IndUSlriaI. Dealer InqUiriesWelcome! Adrian, 1-517-263-8666 comllltrdal and min~walthoust buildings. All art romplt1t wkh tnglnttr Sla~ ptnnl1 dr.lwlngs and •................................... l .. 20 ytar root and waD IlISI warnwy. CaD us lodily lor .. IItt Inlormallon pacbgt and a quolt 011our lOp quality buildings or building compontnl pans. ..'ll1l1 ~Iini Warehouse Sale Complete Fann System SH.HHH • Grain Bins USED FARM MACHINERY for sale. Call for complete list. INCUBATINGAND HATCHING '" I'" II • ," I I I' , ... • GSI Top Dry http, Imetalbldg cel.net • Airstream Auto Dryers See at 351 F-41, Uncaln , MI. equipment. For more informa- • Fffd Processing & DelIVery Equipment 1-517-736-8342. tion.1-616-763-3563. • Bucket Elevators ALLEGANANTIQUEMARKET: • Milwright Services LLAMAS: North American Sunday, September 29. Rain • Dryer Repair & Services Sitting Bull and Essex blood- or Shine! 300 exhibitors. A SAVE 75% ON WORK lines. Pet males and weaning FARM HELP WANTED: Full great selection of antiques. JDhnsDn System, Inc. time milking and farm chores, CLOTHESI Good, clean, re- females. Reasonable priced! Don't miss this last big show cycled in very best quality. Marshall, MI Call for more information and leave message on answering of 1996. Located at the fair- machine. Call 1-906-753- Money back guarantee. Free visit. 1-517-645-2719. g~ounds right in Allegan, 616-781-9000 Miller's Uamaland 4540, Stephenson, MI. Mich. 7:30am-4:30pm. brochore Suntex Recycling Potterville, MI Toll Free, 1-800-909-9025 HERDSPERSON WANTED LLAMAS: Your visit to our for 250 cow, Michigan Dairy. 24 hours-7 days. BAYSIDE ALFALFA SEED: Llama Farm is most Prefer individual with milking STOCKGATESANDPANELSfor FARMALL F-14, 1936, steel Dairybrand and Crystal. welcome! Learn about these and herd help experience. and rubber, new valve job, sale. Gates: five 8', ten 10'. B&MSEED fine; easy to care for animals. Excellent benefits package. Panels: four 8", four 12', eight needs paint, $1250 oba. 1-517-463-2846 Woolly pets and halter Send resume and references 1-517-686-4902. 15'. $1200 for all. trained. Weanlings available. to: Herdsperson, P.O. Box 1-616-763-3563. Jack & Barbara Danly 654, Stanton, MI 48888. FORD, NEW HOLLAND trac- MICHIGANCERTIFIEDWHEAT Horton Bay Uamas tors and equipment from Sy- TV ANTENNAS dirt cheap! SEED: Harus, Lowell, 06300 Boyne City Road 1992 DODGE1 TON PICKUP, Save a bundle on Channel mon's in Gaines. For 43 Chelsea, Wakefied. 4X4, duals, Cummins engine, years your best deal for the Charlevoix, 1-616-582-7473 Master and Winegard anten- B & M Seed 75,000 miles, pulls fifth wheel nas and accessories. For a long run! 1-517-463-2846 and receiver. Asking $14,500. Symon's free catalog, call 1-800-528- 616-683-2974, ask about 9984. 1-517-271-8445, Gaines trailer and tools. Denny's Antenna Sales IH 843 CORN HEAD for sale. Four row, 30" spacing, good HOMEOWNERSI 800 ONEBUSHEL APPLEcrates, like new, Also 200 wooded STOCK-UP: Sheepskin mit- CD ~;!eCk to excellent condition, always tens, hats, gloves, slippers, housed. $3250 or best offer. pallets, good condition. Call 1-616-784-2824. woolen garments, yam. Cata- Contact 517-681-4251. log available! JD DUMMYHEADWITHINNES EXPERIENCED Michigan ag- HARDY OUTSIDE Bellair's Hillside Farms pickup. JD 25K-3 PTO gener- ribusiness attorneys with farm WOOD FURNACE and ator, 27', 6" transport auger, paycheck backgrounds. Knowledge and Words #1 seller. Stainless The Sheep Shed 735 Innes bean windrower, experience in all farm areas; steel construction. Heats 8351 Big Lake Road, Clark- ANGUS & GELBVICH Calumet 3250V spreader Breedfng stock-semen. LOANS BY PHONE restructure, stray voltage, home, hot water tank, pools. Eliminates fire danger. 10 ston. 1-810-625-2665. (bad tank), two 8 ton feed Free delivery! bankruptcy, estate planning. Visa/Master Card bins, JD4310A beet harves- Border Collie Stock Dogs. SAME DAY APPROVAL EAST SIDE: Thomas J. Bud- year warranty! Dealerships - Statewide Service, Call Toll Free - zynski, 43777 Grosebeck available. 1-800-743-5883. STRAW CHOPPERS: We re- ter, Speedy beet topper. Call today. Jamboree Acres 1-517-673-7470 or 1-517-673- 1-800-968-2221 Highway, Mt. Clemens, Michi- build and balance. Some ex- Bordner Farms changes. We stock chopper 7171. Sturgis, MI1-616-651-8353 gan. 48036. 1-800-463-5253, HYDRAULIC CYLINDERand hy- AAA MORTGAGE Be parts. ENGINE REBUilDING FINANCIAL CORPORATION WEST SIDE: Robert A. Stani- draulic pump repair. Seal kits KEWANEE 40' ELEVATOR, ANGUS BEEF: Bulls, heifers ha, 40 West Sheridan, Fre- our specialty. Auto- Truck- PTO driven, good condition, III loans by phone II! and chrome work, all makes. Tractor -Antique-Continental- and cows with calves. Per- mont, Michigan, 49412. 1-616- Strawchoppers balanced and 6' heavy duty offset disk, forrmance tested, semen 924-3760. Kohler-Onan-Wisconsin en- good condition. 1-616-784- rebuilt. gine dealer. tested. Free delivery! Call Venture Tool & Metallzlng 2824. anytime. MINI DONKEYS FOR SALE: 70 years of service! Sebewaing, MI HART'S AUTO PARTS UaUIDMANURE SPREADERS: SHAGBARK FARMS Pets and breeding quality. Corrected number, 1-517-883-9121 Alto, Michigan Excellent opportunity to start SAVE MONEY Cecil, OH 1-419-399-4777 New and used. Balzer, Better- Bilt parts. UPS daily. Also, 1-616-868-6040 your herd. Reasonably Recycle your diesel and in- grain dryers and handling priced. Cisco & Sons, 1-313- dustrial air intake filters using FOR CURRENT LIST of 878-6345. eQlJipment. available Angus Cattle, write: the Sonic Dry Clean System. Hamilton Distributing Co. Secretary, West Michigan An- OSTRICHBREEDERSSTOCK, No liquids or detergents 1-800-248-8070 gus Breeders, 585 36th some proven. For more infor- used. 50% savings over new Street SW, Grand Rapids, MI mation call 1-616-763-3563. filters. Place your ad for 6 NEW OAK HAY WAGON Recycle Now, Inc. BEDS. Any size (8x16 with 6' 49509. PIEDMONTESE CATTLE Holland, MI months, get phone back, $299). Oak truck equip- GALLOWAY HERD SALE: Lean, tender, double mus- 1-616-396-n24 ment or semi decking. Instal- lation available! Seventeen head. Reds, blacks, whites and Duns cled, good calving ease. Quality registered breeding 616-396-8102,Fax number or name in red. I Mobile Custom Saw Milling 1-313-587-8431 young herd. Excellent stock I Call 1-616-698-0800. stock. Also available embryos and semen. Place your ad for 1 year, l, NEWSETOFSIXTRASHwheels Redbird farms Lapeer, Michigan get phone number or and quick lift mountings. Fits REGISTERED JERSEYbreeding Deere, Kinze and White age bulls for sale. Top pedi- 1-810-667-7389 name in red and also 6100, original cost $1,700. grees, also registered Jersey PUREBRED BOER GOATS. Best offer. 1-517-356-6038. females, different ages. MlchFlock. 612 North Madi- save $1.00 per ad. 1-517-871-9414. son, Lapeer, MI 48446. Call OLIVER 6150, WF, 3-point hydropower, Above average condition! Low hours, 75% REGISTERED POLLED 1-810-667-0169any time. Call Hereford breeding age bulls, REGISTERED Polled Hereford rubber, sheet metal excellent, new paint. Very sharp. heifers. Also A-1 heifers and cows. Rocky Banner blood- bulls, breeding age, large se- lection, top bloodlines. Cen- METAL ROOF COATINGS: Heavy fibered or white roof 1-800-968-3129 $4750. 1-517-447-3815. lines. MSU performance test- tennial Cloverdale Farm PTO DRIV'EN NEW IDEA manure spreader. $350. ed.Call Rye Hereford Farm Kirk Catey, 1-517-627-6587. Sam Catey, 1-517-627-6248, coatings. H.J. Butcln. Call anytime, early or late. 1-517 -7n -9815. for details 1-313-878-6345. 517-734-3005 Grand Ledge, MI. M'ic:l1igan Farm News Classified •................. .. ---- - -.-- = Deadline for next issue is September 20, 1996 , • 1984.19892.6 MITSUBISHI WANTED: 2"-8" used alumi- •= l VISIlJ Call1-800-968-3129 to Place Your _ •= engine needed for Dodge num irrigation tubing. Buy, Raider. Call Gary after 5pm, 517-831-5548 on weekdays, Sell or Trade! Call = Classified Ad Today! = anytime weekends, Stanton, MI. STANDING TIMBER AND Rain Control 1-800-339-9350 •• • or use the coup,onbelow and mail or fax your I VENEER: Black River Hard- woods, Inc. Call 1-810-657-9151days. WANTED: Old motorcycles, snowmobile and off road ve- hicles. 1965 and older. Call = classified ad to Michigan Farm News = Evenings, 1--517--845-3345. JD at 1-517-676-0583. I I I Buy Line/Daily News FAX: I. I I I P.O.~Box 6, Stanton, MJ 488~8 1-517-831-5063 I, = I All classified ads must be pre-paid by check or VISA/MasterCard i~ • FOR = Classified A d Codes = • 1. Farm MachInery 10. Work Wanted 20. Wanted To Duy I I 2. Livestock Equipment 11. Agricultural Services 21. Special Events • DISPLAY AD I I J. Farm Commodities 12. Duslnoss Services 22. Recreation • I = 4. Seeds 13. Duslnoss Opportunllles 23. Financing I INFORMATION I 5. Livestock 14. Real Estate 24. Investors Wanted •• = 6. Poullry 15. Roal ESlalo Wanled 25. Buildings I CALL = 7. Dogs .md Puppies 16. Est4JloS~les 26. Lawn And Garden • I 8. Ponies/Horses 17. Auctions 27. Announcements I. I • • 9. Help Wanted 18. Antiques/Collectibles 28. To Give Away • 1-800-292-2680 I • 19. General 29. Vehicles • • = Name Phone ( ) = EXT.-3203 . • I I Address • I • = City State Zip = = Classified Ad Code Requested Number of Issues I •• • I Desired Insertion Date(s): • • = Method of Payment = AU5TRALlA*NEW ZEALAND*FIJI 14th Annual Daily Tour, Janu- ary 31-February 27, 1997. : Check $ (payable to MIchigan Farm News Classilied) ; Dairy farming, intensive rota- tion grazing, Research, Farm I I stays, Scenery, Vacation. Tax I Visa Card Number Exp. Date • deductible for qualifying farm- I • ers. Fee $4495 All USA, $4295 LA. Wagner Farm Tours. I Master Card Number Exp. Dale • I • Lease financing for equipment Call 1-612-644-5390or 1-800- 290-1880for brochure. ; Classified Rates - $8 for up to 24 words - 30 cents each additional word = I I -- • .Write your ad here, including phone number and area code vehicles & buildings • 1 2 3 4 •I • 100% tax deductible • I 1994 FORD F.350, 4x4, 460 • 5 6 7 8 • • fixed payments engine, conversion, wheels, crew cab, gooseneck dual I I • min advance payment and reese hitches, 52,000 I 9 10 11 12 • miles, 100,000 mile extended warranty. Asking $28,995 or I • ~ best offer. 1-616-763-3563. • 13 14 15 16 • TElMARKINC. http://www.telmark.com I • 800-451-3322 • 17 16 19 20 • •• I • 21 22 23 24 • • WANTED TO BUY: WWII German and US War relics, • I 25 26 27 26 •• uniforms, flags, helmets, kni- ves, metals, equipment, etc. Bernal Tolan, 1-517-287- 5183. •• • I 29 30 31 32 • • WANTED, STANDING TIM • BER: Buyers of timber of all types. Cash in advance! UP TO 400/0 OFF!!! •• 33 34 35 .36.• • ... ..... • 20 YEAR WARRANTY ~_.._.__ ._ _ .._ ..._ _._._._._ ... = =• _. 1-517-875-4565, ask for Tim. Lu:~~~ St. Johns, MI American Steel Arch Inc. FACTORY 1-800-942-1234 DIRECT Circulation over 46,000 In State of Michigan. Pre~isi'•• GPS-based Agliealt,are soil sal71pling Soil Potassium Levels - 2.5 Acre Grids by Neil R. Miller Many systems are not currently intercompatible, I 1996, n many Michigan farmers will have the and thus your choice of soil testing providers may option of goo-referencing their soil test data reduce your ability to shop around for inputs and with satellite (GPS) equipment. Independent maintain your independence. Contact me if you consultants and elevator personnel are offering grid have questions on intercompatibility. RGURE 1 sampling and other GPS-based services in many What is Your Sampling Approach? GPStechnology pans of the state. Most providers offer grid sampling with 2.5- to is most often used SCALE = 1 : 3670 In addition, this year for the first time, several lO-acre cells (Figure 1). Intensive grid sampling is cer- to produce maps 100 m custom applicators in Michigan are capable of using tainly an improvement over treating an entire field as . with square grids as 500 ft GPS to apply lime or fenilizers at varied rates within a uniform management unit. However, in our highly management units. fields using the computer files generated during soil variable Michigan soils, even 2.s-acre grids are often sampling (known in the industry as VRTapplication). rough approximations of what goes on in the field. Farmers contemplating using such services Some providers can improve on the accuracy of square Soil Potassium Levels - Interpolated Map should ask their service provider several questions grids by "smoothing" their boundaries through vari- at the outset: ous processes of interpolation (Figure 2). Will GPS-BasedSampling Benefit My GPS can also be used to geo-reference samples Operation? taken according to soil texture, topography, field Grid sampling can cost a farmer up to twice as history or other criteria (Figure 3). These boundaries much as conventional soil testing (approximately can serve as the basis for a VRTapplication in some S6.5O-Sl0.50/acre). Sampling alone may give you systems. Under conditions of high variability, I have an idea of the variability present in your fields. found that this approach provides the best correla- RGURE 2 However, unless you are planning to hire a custom tion with yield monitor data and the truest represen- The accuracy of grid applicator with VRTapplication equipment, you tation of the real variability in the field. sampling can be im- SCALE = 1 : 3670 will have little ability to remedy problems caused by Ask your soil test provider whether they are proved by smoothing 100 m 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 325 350 375 l ..... \ . , . this variability. A well-conducted conventional soil capable of goo-referencing more than square grids. boundaries through 500 ft 1 testing approach based on soil textures, topography Some have the capability but don't like the hassle interpolation. K20 ~I~'.x;rc:) and crop history is probably a better buy. of providing other services. Others are limited by If you do have VRToptions in your area, be wary software that only allows them to work with square of providers who claim a predictable dollar return on grids. Since you are paying a substantial amount of Soil Potassium Levels - By Soil Characteristics your soil testing and VRTapplication. '1 am confident money for their service, you should insist on the that some of the GPS-based services we are now of- highes~ quality available .• fering will pay for themselves in the long run. Howev- er, the technology is still largely experimental, and the economics of VRT lime and NPK applications are far too poorly understood to be quoting rates of return i\~~\- (more on that in my next column). \1~~\\\~~~ RGUREJ Who Owns the Data? If you make a substantial investment in soil \. Q\\~~\\~\\\~.\\\". GPScan also be used Specialists in Crop to geo-reference soil testing, be sure that your provider will give you the samples taken by soil Production and Protection results on computer disk as well as on paper. Ask texture, topography, Neil R. Miller Phone: 517-624-6019 for specific details on which software program they E-mail: 73072.1314@compuserve.com field history or other will use and what systems it is compatible with. criteria. ur billboards are bigger than life. So is the service you will get from our agents. For top service for life, farm, home, auto, business, and retire- .ment insurance, see your Farm Bureau Insurance agent today . Making your future ... FARM BIJREAIJ more predictable ,_. INSIJRANCE FARM BUREAU MUTUAL. FARM BUREAU LIFE. FARM BUREAU GENERAL. FB ANNUITY Now SEE YOUR AGENT.