--
ItIICHleAN FARItl BIJREAIJ
August 15, 1997
Vol. 74, No. 13
Bil Mar Foods drops
contracts for five
WestMichigan growers
C iting lackluster turkey sales, officials from
Zeeland-based Bil Mar Foods informed five
West Michigan producers in late July that at the
end of this year, their multi-year marketing agree-
ments will not be renewed, The news sends shock
waves throughout the turkey industry and is
prompting growers to question the long-term
plans of the 59-year-old company.
'This wasn't a decision made quickly -
we've struggled for months," explained Michael
Westphal, Bil Mar's director of farm operations, to
a roomful of producers and state legislators at the
Ottawa County Farm Bureau office. "There is a
serious oversupply situation in the turkey market
and consumption has been flat."
"We're reducing the amount we are putting
through the plant and we've decided not to re-
new contracts in 1998," Westphal said. "FIfteen
producers will be impacted for 1998 - five locally
and 10 out of state in Ohio, illinois and Ontario.
The contracts we have in place we will honor. We
have not done anything beyond contracts renew-
ing on Jan. I, 1998."
"This is going to have a rippling effect on
At the recent Wheat 2000 technology tour, Michigan millers, processors and food companies joined together to
many other facets of Michigan agriculture," said
encourage Michigan's wheat farmers to consider planting more white wheat. Premiums have grown to as much as
Michigan Farm Bureau livestock Specialist Kevin
40 cents this year for winter wheat in hopes of promoting an increase of wheat acres for next year and beyond.
Kirk. '~l parts of the system will be affected, from
input suppliers to cash-grain farmers. More than
just West Michigan's local economy will be affect-
ed by this move." Farm Bureau pleased with COVERSTUIY
Wanted:
Last year, Bil Mar processed more than 10
million birds at its plant in Borculo - more than
half coming from Michigan, specifically top-pro-
road funding package Michigan's white wheat
he 4-cent gas tax road funding package ap- and now Washington needs to do theirs," he said. Premiums offered for white wheat
ducing Ottawa and Allegan counties with more
than 270 turkey farms.
T proved by the state Legislature is receiving high
marks from Michigan Farm Bureau, the state's largest
According to Goodrich, the biggest roadblock
to the state-level funding package focused on the
neededln~lndu~
I
nJuly, over 200 wheat producers, univer-
Declining demand? farm organization. In total the package, which includes jurisdictional issue between state and local control of sity experts and industry officials gath-
"Consumption of turkey meat averaged nine the fuel tax increase and several reform measures, is some 23,000 miles of Michigan highways. Althou.gh ered at Stuart Reinbold's 1,300-acre farm
pounds per person in 1980," added Westphal, expected to generate an additional $300 million in the final package approved by the state Legislature near Saginaw to preview new wheat varieties and
who is in chaIge of Bil Mar's farm operations in removed that portion of the original Engler proposal,
revenue for road and bridge repair in the state. the technology being developed to service future
Michigan and Iowa. "That doubled to 18 pounds 'This long-awaited package is definitely good Goodrich says the issue is far from resolved wheat crops - but what everyone really came to
per person in 1990. Everyone thought that trend news for rural Michigan and farmers who depend on 'The Legislature ended up keeping the current hear was how growing wheat in Michigan can be
would continue. It hasn't." formula intact; however, that formula is set to expire
a well-maintained infrastructure to move inputs to profitable to a producer's bottom line.
Michigan State University Agricultural Econ- the farm and raw commodities to processors, and in September of 1998, meaning the state and county The event sponsored by Wheat 2000, MSU
ornistJim Hilker confirmed that turkey ultimately, finished products to the consumer," said road commissions will have to come to an agreement Extension, DuPont, Growers Services, Novartis, Pio-
consumption has slowed and even dropped over on the jurisdictional issue soon," Goodrich said.
Jack Laurie, president of the Michigan Farm Bureau. neer, Michigan Farm Bureau, Star of the West Milling,
the past year. "The USDA estimates 18.5 pounds "It's now time for our U.S. congressmen to deliver, by Several reform measures were included in the Terra International, and Zeneca brought together all
per person in 1996 and is projected to dip slightly getting the necessary reforms to the federal highway final package, including provisions that require levels of the wheat production chain to discuss one
back to 18 pounds per person in 1997. If every- program to improve the rate of return of federal additional audits of county Road Commissions, a 10- simple fact - how can Michigan increase the amount
thing was right in 1996, according to the USDA, highway funds to our state. We're also hopeful that percent administrative cap on all state and county
there was probably a little shift back in 1997." of white wheat produced in the state? In the mid-
legislators will put an end to the 4.3-cent diversion of projects, and most importantly, says Goodrich, 19805 Michigan totaled almost 1 million acres of
"We have not done well in the last four county road commissions can no longer require a
gas tax dollars to use in defidt reduction," wheat, 75 percent of which was soft white.
months and we can no longer take these substan- Officially known as the Intermodal Surface funding match from townships for state highway
tiallosses," Westphal said. "As we look to the "Last year we had about 550,000 acres of total
Transportation Efficiency Act, or ISTEA, the pro- dollars. A 30-percent, across-the-board, truck regis- wheat crop," explains Jim Thews, white wheat coordi-
future, this situation is not going to correct itself tration fee was also included in the package.
gram distributes highway trust funds to states for nator for Wheat 2000. 'There has been a decline in
for a long time. It's a survival issue." Goodrich says that while the typical Michigan
the construction and repair of highways. Unfonu- acreage and in the amount of white wheat that is
Continued on page 7 nately, Michigan is considered a "donor state," with motorist will spend approximately $30 more in fuel grown. The usage of Michigan white wheat is estimat-
an 87 percent rate of return on funds contributed to taxes, it's estimated that they will save $120 in annu- ed at somewhere between 16 to 18 million bushel for
the program. Reform proponents are seeking at al car repairs. Legislators also included a $600-per- end use. Some early estimates for this year are 11 to 12
least a $100 million increase in funding to Michigan. child income tax credit, an increase in the college million bushel. So we are considerably shan there."
Congress is scheduled to reauthorize the ISTEA tuition tax credit from 4 percent to 7.5 percent, and Total U.S. wheat production is forecast at 2.43
this year and, according to Michigan Farm Bureau an increase in the personal income tax exemption billion bushels, up 7 percent from 1996 according
Associate Legislative Counsel Tun Goodrich, passage from $2,500 to $2,800. to USDNs Economic Research Service
of the state transportation funding package should "It's estimated that these tax cuts will cost the Premiums offered for Michigan'. white
send a clear signal to Washington, D.C. "Not only .state general fund about $72 million in lost revenue," wheMcrop
does this package set the stage to potentially attract Goodrich explained. 'Those tax cuts, combined with "Today we have a 40-cent premium on white
more dollars matching-wise, but it also sends a mes- the savings in car repairs, should result in an eco- wheat over red," explains Art Loefler, president of
sage to DC that Michigan's willing to do their part, nomic savings to the average motorist." • Continued on page 8
iNSIDE THIS ISSUE OF THE MICHIGAN FARM NEWS
News in Brief 2 How rotating with a wheat and clover Innovative Farmers tour
Capitol Corner 3 combination benefits you 8 is scheduled for Aug. 28 12
House voting record for transportation- Business Strategies 9 Weather Outlook 14
funding and reform package 4 New apple cider management Potato blight fun~icide
Market Outlook 6 production guidelines 10 receives registration 17
Budget and tax deal good news Michigan Food Safety Portland's Crop Production Services
for state's farmers 7 Awareness Campaign 11 earns environmental award 20
Discussion Topic 21
Sell products and services in the Michigan Farm News classifieds-Page 22
lllJ[~:I~
August 15, 1997
sion and demonstrations on biological control of
diseases and weeds, insect research, putting green Michigan Sugar parent company
quality and precision turf management. merges with Florida business
The spons field and commercial turf tour will
be discussion and demonstrations on biological
control of diseases and weeds, insect research, put-
S avannah Foods & Industries Inc., a sugar
refmer and distributor based in Savannah, Ga.,
and parent company of Saginaw's Michigan Sugar
Alfonso Fanjul, chairman and chief executive
officer of Florida Crystals, will assume the same posi-
tions in the combined company. The merger will
ting green quality and precision turf management. Company, announced in late July an agreement to combine two complementary businesses and inte-
MSU Field Day to focus The spons field and commercial turf tour will
include stops on tall fescue cultivar trials, lawn care
merge with Florida Crystals Inc., which will include grate sugar operations "all the way from the farm to
the Florida-based sugar operations of Fla-Sun Inc. the supermarket," Fanjul said in a statement.
on developments in and soil organisms, irrigation scheduling, nitrogen "The talks that we've had with the officials . 'The merger of Florida Crystals and Savannah
turfgrass management trials on commercial lawn turf, growing sod on plas- from Michigan Sugar are that business will continue Foods makes strategic sense, financial sense and has
T urfgrass management professionals - from golf
course managers to home lawn care specialists
tic, and turf weed control.
A trade show of turfgrass and landscape prod-
as usual," explains Dick Leach, executive vice presi-
dent of the Great Lakes Sugar Beet Growers Associ-
the right chemistry for growth," he continued. "It
combines to complementary businesses, a low-cost,
- will hear about current research on soil and grass ucts and services will accompany the field day. ation. "The contracts for the growers that were raw sugar producer with a low-cost refmer, and
plant care Aug. 28 at Michigan State University. An auction of new and used turfgrass equip- signed for this year and for the next two years will positions us to realize significant operating
The turfgrass field day will be held at the Han. ment and turfgrass management supplies will follow be honored. The merger will produce a new compa- benefits."
cock Thrfgrass Research Center at Farm Lane and the noon meal. The auction begins at 1 p.m. ny with a much stronger financial base and a view of "This merger will integrate operations all the
Mt. Hope Road. The program will run from 8 a.m. Registration before the field day will be $20 the United States sugar policy much the same as the way from the farm to the supermarket," Fanjul said.
to 1 p.m. per personj walk-in registration will be $25. sugar beet industry." The Fanjul family, in its fifth generation in the
The program will be divided into a golf turf To register, send a check payable to the Michi- Fla-Sun, one of Florida's largest sugar produc- sugar business, established its Florida operations in
tour and a spons and commercial turf tour. gan Thrfgrass Foundation to Kay Patrick, Box 80071, ers, will hold 39.4 percent of the equity under the 1960 in the aftermath of Cuba's communist takeover.
Included in the golf turf tour will be discus- Lansing, MI 48908. merger. Other Florida Crystal shareholders will hold The merged company would have estimated
19.1 percent, and the remaining 41.5 percent will be annual revenues of $1.5 billion and assets of more
MEGA Conference adds NobalCRI to its lineup held by Savannah Foods' shareholders. than $1 billion.
M EGA Conference recently 3nnoWlced that
Noba;CRI will be holding its district member-
ship meeting at the annual conference held next Janu-
held Jan. 20 and 21, 1998, at the Lansing Center.
Wmners were Bill Kirk, of Fairgrove; Joan Huhn, of
Dewitt; and Jerry Dinzik, of Climax.
The merger, expected to close in October, is
subject to approval by Savannah Foods shareholders.
Fla-Sun is a privately held diversified agricul-
Savannah Foods, an 80-year-old company that
supplies grocery and industrial sugars, employs
2,000 people. It reported net income of $22.5 mil-
ary. As Noba is a subsidiary of Cooperative Resources A free txx>th at the MEGAConference trade tural, real estate and resort company. Fla-Sun's lion for the 12 months ending March 31.
International (CRI), Noba is pan of the largest member- show was given away to \v.lrd Forquer, of IMCKalium. Dominican Republic operations and other holdings Florida Crystals reported net income of S19.1
owned AI Cooperative in the nation. Noba, 2151 Centu- Newly elected MEGA officers include Chair were not part of the deal. million at March 31..
ry Genetic; and Genex market dairy and beef cattle Pearl Wubel and Vice Chair Chuck Markley. Pearl,
semen in the United States and internationally under who was also recently appointed to the Com Mar-
Stud Code One. At 55 years old, Noba is the oldest keting Board by Gov. Engler, hails from Hope, Mich.
Has PETAfinally met its match?
continually operating AI Cooperative in the nation.
Their meeting is open to anyone interested in
Chuck is a beef producer from Byron and a member
of the Michigan Cattlemen's Association. T he People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
(pETA) has proved in the past that it will stoop
to any level to serve up its anti-meat propaganda.
According to a Washington Post article, chil-
dren at the Oscar Mayer promotion didn't know
how to react. As kids tried to sing, PETAmembers
agriculture and has been scheduled so producers Dates for this year's convention areJan. 20 and
can attend both that and the Professional Dairy 21, 1998. It will be held at the Lansing Center in down- But the radical animal rights group may have bitten drowned them out with bullhorns.
Farmers annual meeting, Jan. 21,1998. town Lansing. For more information, contact the Mich- off more than it could chew during a recent protest The PETAprotestors made the mistake of
During Ag Expo, three drawing sites were held igan Agricultural MEGAConference, c/o Betty Driscoll, at a Maryland supermarket. making a few mothers angry. "Oh, that makes me so
for people interested in winning free registration 1100West Taft Rd., St Johns, MI 48879-9104j phone Oscar Mayer's Wienermobile w~ conducting a mad," said mother Angel Brown. "They're doing
packages to the MEGA Conference, which will be 517-224-0930j fux 517-227-2067.• talent search, hoping to find cute children to sing more harm to these kids than any hot dog could."
the popular "Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle" for up- Brown approached some of the protesters
coming commercials. Kids approached the micra- and noticed many were wearing leather shoes.
Farm Credit Services of Michigan's Heartland phone to sing the song, only to be drowned out by "Wait, wait!" said Brown to the protesters. "I do see
breaks ground for new corporate office PETAchants of "Cruelty we won't tolerate! Get the leather shoes." She wondered whether the protest-
F arm Credit Services of Michigan's Heartland
broke ground on June 4, 1997, for a new 30,000-
square-foot corporate office facility to be located on
peal. "We serve 6,000 farm customers and rural
residents," Bremer explained, "and this site is at the
center of Michigan's agricultural community while
slaughter off the plate."
Other protestors carried signs calling for "Veg-
ers understood the source of the leather.
The protesters backed away' a bit, according to
etarians Attack Wienermobile" and "Company Uses the Post.' But it didn't stop them from hanging
West Road in East Lansing. With 14 branch offices being easily accessible from the freeways." me Children to Promote Cruelty to Pigs." around until the bitter end .•
throughout 40 counties in rural Michigan, Farm Cred- building will be adjacent to a natural pond, with a
it Services is a leading provider of operating loans, 100-foot pedestrian bridge connecting the parking Farm Bureau seeks climate change treaty delay
equipment loans, real estate loans, crop insurance, area and building entrance. Farm Credit plans to
leasing services, country living mortgages, AgBase
records services/software, tax planning/preparation,
occupy 15,000 square feet, with the balance avail-
able for lease.
T he Clinton administration should withdraw its
support for legally binding and enforceable
caps on greenhouse gases in a proposed Global
Kleckner said Farm Bureau and other farm
groups are calling for a public debate involving
agricultural policy makers on the treaty. They also
financial planning, retirement/succession planning, John Peckham, president of Martin Property
Climate Change Treaty, American Farm Bureau fed- want the final climate change agreement, scheduled
and life/disability insurance. Development Inc., is coordinating the development
eration President Dean Kleckner told a House com- for completion this December in Kyoto, Japan, to be
The eight-acre wooded site was selected by of the project for Farm Credit, with architectural
mittee recently. delayed.
the board of directors and James E. Bremer, presi- services being provided by Keystone Design Group.
"Until scientific research can verify the con- 'The administration must not accept a final
dent/CEO for its location and environmental ap- Building completion is planned for early 1998.
nection between greenhouse gases and agriculture, agreement without complete analysis and a full and
the administration should be very skeptical about open public debate which includes agriculture,"
Worker shortage could threaten harvest applying any controls to U.S. agriculture," Kleckner Kleckner said. "This cannot realistically be complet-
A shortage of workers could hamper the har-
vest of high-value specialty crops in Michi-
gan, according ~o Howard Kelly of the Michigan
designation during the first year, which will cut the
number of unemployment claims and reduce labor
costs," said Kelly,Michigan Farm Bureau's legislative
told the House International Relations Committee.
"If such controls are eventually justified, they
ed before the scheduled final negotiations."
Farm Bureau is concerned that the interests of
should be accomplished voluntarily and all coun- farmers and ranchers are not being considered in inter-
Farm Bureau. He said one reason for the shortage is counsel. "Unfortunately, farmers and other businesses tries should be bound by them." national climate change negotiations, Kleckner said.,J.WAYS READ AND FOliOw lABEL DIRECIlONS FOR PERMIT HERBIODE.
azine-resistant varieties), com- or. Bob Boehm says producers using price-later agree-
Yet, Permit does not carry over PemUt" is a registered trademark and used under license from. Nissan
or
OlernicaI Industries, Ltd. Exceed is a trademark Ciba Crop Protection.
ments should also be using security agreements and
mon ragweed and sunflower. from one season to the next. eMonsanlo Company 1!9i Vli
a UCCI form.
perl!l~J
Unlike atrazine or Exceed, Permit "UCCI stands for Uniform Commercial Code.
Stronger, longer degrades in both low and high ... ii1lf It's a form filed at the county Register of Deeds,"
Its unique chemistry and two-fold pH soils. It also does not pose Boehm explained. "It puts on public record that
action allows Permit to move into volatility problems, eliminating you have a secured interest in the grain that you
both the leaves and roots of worries of damage to adjacent ......~~.:..~~
have delivered at that elevator. However, in the
labeled species, attacking weeds . HERBICIDE
crops from vapor drift. event of insolvency at the elevator, all the secured
immediately. Then, its residual Stronger. Longer. Safer. creditors would be paid in the order of the date of
soil activity keeps Permit working the flIing of the UCCI. Unsecured creditors would
all season long. then be paid any remaining assets. So, it puts you
Monsanto
The Agricultural Group
ahead of the unsecured creditors, but it's not a
A Unit of Monsanto Company perfect situation, either."
Price-later agreements are commonly used
Savage on broadleaves, by producers when they want to deliver the com-
modity at harvest, rather than store it on their
own farm, but postpone pricing the crop in antici-
pation of better prices. "You deliver the commodi-
ty to an elevator, and enter into a price-later agree-
ment that simply says that at some point in the
future you are going to price it, but you have no
secured interest in that commodity," Boehm
warned. "So in the event of an elevator bankrupt-
cy, you are treated as an unsecu~ed creditor and
would only have an opportunity to receive pay-
ment after all of the secured creditors' debts have
been met."
Under the Michigan Grain Dealer's Act, li-
censed grain dealers are required to have security
agreements and UCCI forms available at the eleva-
tor for producers who request them. Boehm also
recommends producers keep a watchful eye on
who they're doing business with.
'This boils down to knowing who you do busi-
ness with, knowing the financial condition of the
elevacors and the businesses that you deal with; even
if you have dealt with them for a period of years,
times change," Boehm said. 'There are certain signs
that you want to watch for, such as a late payment,
not following through on payments in a timely fash-
safe on corn. ion or offering prices that are significantly above the
competition without any justification for doing so. In
other words, make sure you're aware of the financial
solvency of the company you're doing business with.
It's just good business!" •
-
MDA's food safety efforts enhanced by
Food Safety Awareness Campaign
Department debuts food safety Green Potatoes Can Be Poisonous." its first Food Safety Issue Update, a regular publi- case our efforts in protecting the state's food sup-
website during kickoff • A special feature on raw eggs, "Why You cation that will feature MDAfood safety initiatives. ply and to forge new alliances to improve commu-
A
ssuring consumers a safe and whole- Shouldn't Eat Raw Cookie Dough or ... What in "The Michigan Food Safety Awareness Cam- nications among government, the agriculture and
some food supply has always been the the World Ever Happened to Eggs?!" paign provides an exciting opportunity to show- food industries, and consumers," said Wyant. •
Michigan Department of Agriculture's • Three years of data from MDXs annual Food
(MDA) number one priority, and with its key role Monitoring Program to detect chemical residues
in a new Michigan Food Safety Awareness Cam- in Michigan fresh fruits and vegetables. Since the
paign, the department will focus efforts on inform- testing began in 1991, the majority of samples
ing consumers what they can do to prevent food- with detectable levels of residues have been well
borne illness in their own homes, announced below the tolerances established by the U.S.
MDADirector Dan Wyant. Environmental Protection Agency.
The campaign, spearheaded by U.S. Sen . • A detailed description of MDXs role in assuring
Spencer Abraham, Gov. John Engler and Wyant, food safety for Michigan's consumers.
in partnership with Michigan State University The theme for MDXs booth at this year's
Extension and the food and agriculture industry, Michigan State Fair is food safety, where fairgoers
will use print, broadcast and Internet communi- will receive vital information about safe food
cation to help consumers better understand the handling practices. MDA will be joined in the
critical role they play in keeping food safe and effort by Michigan's commodity organizations.
wholesome . In September, MDAwill kick off a Food Safe.
"Through inspections, licensing, and educa- ty Consumer Education Program in conjunction •
tional and training programs, MDA helps assure with Michigan Food Safety Month. It will feature
consumers a safe food supply," said Wyant. "But four science-based food safety lessons for elemen-
the consumer can playa pivotal role in prevent- tary school children (grades 4 and 5). The lessons
ing food-borne illness once the food is pur- will stress the dangers offood-borne illness and
chased and taken home for preparation." the responsibility each person has in protecting U.S.Sen. Spencer Abraham and MFB President Jack Laurie teamed up with the Michigan
There are millions of cases of food-borne themselves and their family from getting sick. Department of Agriculture to kick off the Michigan Food Safety Awareness Campaign at
illness reported each year in the United States - In September, the department will also debut numerous central Michigan grocery stores.
occasionally resulting in death. According to the
Centers for Disease Control, 97 percent of all
food poisoning cases are the result of improper
food handling. The World Health Organization
regards food poisoning as one of the most wide-
spread health problems in the world.
According to Wyant, if consumers heed some
basic common sense tips about food handling, the
number of food poisoning cases can be dramatically
reduced. "The goal of the campaign is to reduce the
incidence of illness by informing consumers about
the role they can play in protecting the wholesome-
ness of the food they serve," he said.
"The Michigan Food Safety Awareness Cam-
paign will complement industry and federal ef-
forts to help consumers better understand the
basics of food handling in the home. It will also
strengthen the partnerships MDA has formed
over the years to promote food safety from the
farmgate to the consumer's plate," he added.
Wyant said one of the new ways MDAwill
communicate safe food handling practices is
through a new section on its world wide website
at bttp://www. mda.state. mi. us. From the site's
homepage, consumers should click on "Food
Safety" under "Information You Can Use" to ac-
cess the section. Included in the section are:
• TIps for consumers, including the basics of safe
food handling from shopping for food to clean-
ing up after eating .
.- Stories from MDXs food technologist, including
some of the most interesting tips from his files -
like "Why Crab Legs Glow in the Dark" and "Why
Study shows NAFTA ;s
goodforag
A sserting that the North American Free Trade
~eement has been good for America's
farmers, the American Farm Bureau Federation,
together with other agriculture-related groups and
businesses, recently released a report highlighting
the trade pact's benefits to agriculture in its three-
and-a-half-year existence.
"Farm Bureau strongly supported the creation
of NAFfA," said Minnesota Farm Bureau President AI
Christopherson, who serves on the AFBFboard of
directors and heads up the AFBFTrade Advisory
Committee. Christopherson applauded the trade
agreement for its positive impact on the U.S.agricul-
tural economy, saying, "NAFfA has reduced barriers
and increased our trade with Canada and Mexico."
The report, commissioned by a coalition of
agriculture groups and agribusinesses, showed that
U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico
increased dramatically as a result of NAFTA In 1996
alone, the United States exported more than 16.4
billion in agricultural products to Canada and more
than 15 billion in farm goods to Mexico.
Christopherson noted that some sectors of
lDMI( Precision Nutrient
agriculture have had trouble under NAFTA,but said,
for the most part, the agreement has been benefi-
cial for agriculture and "there are issues that must
-~--- -
;,- ------
Placement Systems
The DMI yleld-tllI~ system... Helping Plants Thrive!
still be addressed" with Mexico and Canada .•
CaU(309)965-2233
Illl~~I~'I~
August 15, 1997
Innovative Farmers tour is Double
trouble may
scheduled for Aug. 28 loom ahead
he Fourth Annual Innovative Farmers Plot At the Voelker Site, tour participants will
for deer tick
T
at 11:30 a.m. A number of activities are taking place
Tour has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. view sugar beets being produced with four tillage and participants will have the opportunity to pick
28. The Innovative Farmers were organized systems. Stand counts were taken on three differ-
four years ago for the purpose of developing alter-
native cropping systems that reduce erosion, im-
ent occasions. The last counts, 40 days after
planting, indicated the average number of plants
and choose which sites to visit beginning at 1 p.m.
In addition to the tiIlage comparison studies,
partidpants will be able to view two white mold stud-
N ature's own fungi and microscopic worms
could help stop black-legged ticks in parks
and backyards before they try to latch onto a hu-
prove soil tilth and increase family farm income. per 100 feet were in the 197 to 206 range. ies. One study is looking at what effect tillage and man host.
The group plans and designs applied research Participants will also view the corn and dry previous crops have on white mold, while the other The ticks can transmit Lyme disease. But sci-
demonstrations for two 40-acre parcels in Huron bean tillage plots along with a dry bean variety plot is looking at the effect of row width and variety. entists at USD~s Agricultural Research Service
County. In addition, the members are involved in that includes kidney and black bean varieties. In The sugar beet tillage demonstration was (ARS) have found that certain fungi and wormlike
evaluating and interpreting the plot results. cooperation with the Sugar Beet Advancement established into three covers this year, including nematodes have potential to thin populations of the
The Innovative Farmers (IF) are aided in Initiative, the Innovative Farmers Site has a sugar soybean residue, corn stalks and a dense wheat ticks, Ixodes scapularis. White-tailed deer often
this effort by 42 sponsoring partners including beet variety plot consisting of nine popular varieties cover. Stand counts were taken in each cover carry the ticks into residerftialareas.
local lending institutions, equipment dealers and planted in strips eight rows wide and 580 feet long. situation and will be available during the tour. Dr. The new approach could offer a natural alter-
manufacturers, agriculture suppliers, and various There is also a seed spacing study at this Richard Harwood, MSU Crop and Soil Science native to outdoor spraying of tick-killing chemicals
governmental agencies. site. The sugar beet varieties were planted with Department, will bring the tour participants up called acaricides. One nematode recruit, Steinerne-
This year, the tour will start at the Voelker the Rally 590 planter; a representative will be on to date on the soil quality taking place at the two ma, wriggles into natural body cavities of engorged
Site south of Pigeon on Caseville Road at 9 a.m. hand to discuss the planter's characteristics. IF sites and provide insight on trends resulting female ticks. Another, Heterohabditis, uses a single
Parking is available at the site, as there will be no The tour will move to the Shaw Site on from the use of the various tillage systems. sharp tooth to gnaw through the tick's cuticle, or
bus transportation provided this year. Wadsworth Road east of M-53 with lunch beginning Chris DiFonzo, MSU entomologist, will be at outer covering.
one location to review corn borer information The nematodes kill by unleashing bacteria that
for 1997 and explain the use of borer traps in liquefy the tick's tissues. But they don't harm pe0-
managing corn borer outbreaks. Chris will also ple or animals - only ticks and specific insects. The
discuss leafhopper control in dry beans. fungi secrete enzymes that eat away the soft cuticles
This year, a series of "Crazy Strips" were es- of immature tick larvae and nymphs. Then the fungi
tablished to evaluate the effect of strip cropping, kill the ticks by growing inside them.
corn with and without in-furrow starter, and im- Ixodes nymphs are the most likely tick stage
pact of planter speed on sugar beet seed spacing. to be the culprit when people contract Lyme dis-
Carrie Andrich, Huron County Extension agri- ease. That's because the nymphs' small size allows
cultural agent, will report on the alternative crop them to feed undetected long enough to tranSmit
garden that was established. Ten different oilseed the bacterium that causes Lyme.
crops were planted to see how they might respond The ARS scientists discovered one of the tick-
to soil and climatic conditions in Michigan's Thumb infecting fungi. They've tentatively identified it as a
area. Fact sheets on each crop will be available. new species of Gliocladium. In lab tests, it killed 60
In addition, there will be equipment on percent of tick nymphs in two weeks. Another fun-
display, as well as an area for equipment demon- gus, Merarrhizium anisopliae, killed 100 percent in
strations. The IF planter will be in operation for one week.
tour participants to view and evaluate. But the nematodes are the quickest, killing
Industry representatives will be on hand, engorged adult female ticks within 24 hours. The
along with MSU Extension and specialists, to dis- researchers plan to follow up their lab findings with
cuss various topics being evaluated at the IF sites. small-scale field studies. These will also help show
Parking will be available at both sites and where, when and how best to apply the nematodes
the meal is complimentary. A registration fee of and fungi to tick-infested areas - and which con-
'5 per person is payable the day of the tour. For centrations work best.
The fourth annual Innovative Farmers Plot Tour will be held Aug. 28 in Huron County. more information, contact the MSU Extension- Toxicity studies, such as tests to make sure the
Featured this year will be tillage systems for sugar beets, dry bean variety plots, corn borer Project Office, 1460 South Van Dyke, Bad Axe, MI fungi's enzymes are safe for humans and deer,
information for 1997, the effects of strip cropping and corn planter speed trials. 48413, phone (517) 269-6099_ would be needed before this approach to tick con-
trol could be approved for use_
A new kind of mosquito repellent Sensing the soil's depth
cuts fertilizer use - MDA announces new
R esearchers in Illinois have developed a prod-
uct that could place bug-zappers in the junk
pile. A soybean-oil-based compound has been for-
ucts. The mosquitoes also die when sprayed with
organic soy compounds.
Bryan Hieser of the Illinois Soybean Checkoff
and pollution risk U.P.State Fa;r manager
mulated that has proved effective in controlling the
pesky mosquito. The product could replace the
Board believes the product would help control the
worldwide population of mosquitoes, the world's U S. Department of Agriculture scientists are
helping Midwest corn farmers take the guess-
work out of using nitrogen fertilizer. Preliminary
M ichigan Department of Agriculture (MDA)
Director Dan Wyant has announced the
appointment of Joseph K. McDonnell as the new
arsenal of insecticides and pesticides in control- top transmitter of disease to man and animal. "I
ling the insect. "In a pan of 100 larvae, we will get think a national product would make an impact, but results of a two-year field study on Midwest c1aypan Upper Peninsula State Fair manager. McDonnell, of
100 percent mortality," said entomologist Robert worldwide the potential is huge for this in develop- soil showed that farmers can maintain good crop Bark River, replaces Richard Ostrander, who will
Novak of the University of Illinois. ing countries," said Hieser. "Hopefully, they'll have yields and still reduce both the use of fertilizer and retire after this year's fair.
The larvae suffocate from the soy oil, just as the wherewithal to use this product." the risk of groundwater contamination. McDonnell was one of five candidates inter-
they do when immersed in petroleum-based prod- Farmers usually apply nitrogen fertilizer for viewed for the position. Ostrander will work with
the best crop yield based on a field's past history McDonnell until the end of August in order to allow
and its average soil condition. Once the equip- for a smooth transition.
SERVING .'DWEST
ment is readied, they spread the fertilizer at a "We were pleased by the caliber of applicants
DAIRY FARJrERS
SINCE
single rate over the entire field. The problem with interviewed for this position and even more pleased
1941 this practice is that all of the soil in one field isn't that a person ofJoe's qualifications and experience has
the same. Soil quality varies from one point to agreed to accept the challenge of continuing to offer a
another within a field. fair that Michigan can be proud of," said Wyant.
To measure this variability, scientists with McDonnell has worked for MDA since 1986 as
USD~s Agricultural Research Service in Columbia, a dairy field scientist, where his duties included pre-
INDEPENDENT COOPERATIVE MILK Mo., tested an electromagnetic conductivity sensor fair inspections of county fairs and working as an
PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION
on 300 acres of c1aypan soil in north central Missou- on-site representative with the U.P. State Fair's live-
ri. The sensor allowed the scientists to measure the stock exhibition. He has worked at the fair over the
topsoil depth - a key factor that controls prOduc- past 11 years ..
tion on claypan soils. The more topsoil, the more As an environmental engineer for Copper Range
productive the soil is because of the soil's increased Co., where he worked prior to joining MDA, McDon-
water-holding capacity. nell managed four of the five environmental programs
The scientists began using the sensor in 1992 at the world" largest underground copper mine and a
and two years later hooked it to a global positioning muIti-million-. V~.
County, near property throughout Kohler-Onan- August 31. Rain or $1200 or best offer.
Tecumseh. 15 acres northwest Michigan. Wisconsin engine Shine! 300 exhibitors. GMC TRUCK. 1973
Call 1-313-439-1744.
wood. many usable Call Ron McGregor dealer. over half under cover. 366 gas. Tandenraxle
buildings. $230,000. at1-616-943-n09 for 70 years of service! Every type of antique. drive. 5x4
(F-161) details. HARrSAUTO Located right in 1989 CHEVROLET transmission. 18 ft.
Call Doug at PARTS Allegan. Michigan at 4X4, 1/2 Ton Pickup. Weber dump. Grain
Lease financing Feust Reel Estate
FARMS AND LAND Cecil, OHIO the fairgrounds. 7:30 Various new parts. and beet tailgates.
1-517-263-8666 am to 4:30pm. $3 High highway miles. ExceBent tires. 61.000
for equipment throughout Michigan, 1-419-399-4TT7
admission. Free $6500 or best offer. miles. $19.500. Call
agricultural and TRAILERS: parking! Call 1-313-439-1744. 1-517-695-9475.
vehicles &: FOR SALE BY OWNER:
Circa 1975. 2 story.
recreational. Large
parcels preferred. We
Complete line of
Avenger enclosed
buUdings 2.688 square foot
remodeled home.
have buyers!
Call Dan
~ urlts avaiabIe at
low prices. Sizes
Upper five room VanValkenburg, range from 5x8 to
• )00% tax deductible income producing Rural Property 8x48.
• fixed payments apartment or reconvert Specialist. TAG-A-LONG
to single family. on Faust R_ Estate TRAILERS
• min advance payment 2.03 acres in Green Adrian 1-eoo.a15.e841
Oak Township. 1-517-263-8666 517-158-3471
1-248-437-6510. Munger, Michigan
~ 1-248-437-4186. SMALL HORSE FARM.
TEIMARKINc. 10-40 Acres of pretty,
I
rolling pasture land.
www.telmark.com FUllY OPERATIONAL House. barn and
working farm. Six fencing must be in
800-451-3322 buildings for raising good shape. House ~ntedTOBuy
cattle, hogs, horses, can be small and
goats .... 29 acres. modest but must be
pond. planted pine nice. Pond. creek.
trees, oozy 3 bedroom some woods a plus.
home outside of Vacant land
Tustin. $189,500. considered. Anywhere
~alEslatll Pioneer Realty in southern Michigan.
1-616-n9-1910 Under $200.000. Call
1-313-878-3153.
Boverand
EXPERIENCED
Michigan agribusiness
114 ACRE FARM:
Three bedroom
OLDER FARM HOME:
Approximately 15
seller 0':
• Cash grains
attorneys with farm house, picturesque acres on main
backgrounds. stream and woods. highway. Reasonable • Feed Ingredients
Knowledge and Near West Branch. terms! Needs • HIRing quality
experience in all 'farm Many extras! decorating, will PTO poMIf em. bott h .
areas; restructure, grains mail auger lIld !he 1ntak81Bed~.
$165,000. (F-145) consider .rent with
stray voltage, Call Dan at option. Close to lakes.
bankruptcy. estate F'" .....e.-. Addison mailing lIcelSlllai ........ No more concem& abed lradDr ~
capecity. Free ~ yaw Jqer hcIlr bohIr MIlk.
planning. EAST SIDE: 1.517.263-8666 address. .... mr 20 JIIII
Thomas J. Budzvnski. 1-810-727 -7290. You can tEe an older or lII'nlIiIer hcb with IiJiaId ,
198 ACRE DAIRY
BEDDING: dry kiln 11.... 11...
43777 Grosebeck
FARM: Missaukee
sawdust shaving. 100 I¥h*~~¥:nconstant~
Highway.
Clemens, Michigan.
Mt.
County, two homes.
and 120 yard loads. ~~&h'labor~~~ .. L~Proflle-
cow/calf operation,
Call for prices. 808-818-8900 desingBd with requied JX86S'ft WeaIIy recb:ed. New Generation MK Series mecharicaI en. !Jail
48036. 1-800-200-3571 8lJl8f'S.
1.810-.483.5253. horse boarding. Michigan And there's more. .... a longer, lower intaIlB hopper
$279.000. (F-100). wilh ~swMI rVrt or 19ft Iide qsaion IIkt In big CIp8Cily W' lJ' 1ft ciarneBs and IengtlS of
WESTSIDE: Agricultural ~veIocity (CVJ PTOshaftbSrooohlr 51,61,71.81 & 91 Ieet. ..m the name)'0u\t8
Robert A. Stariha, 40 Call Dan at HYDRAUUC CYUNDER Commodities, operaIon. pm btust b perbrnmce ...
West Sheridan. F'" AMIEsI8IiI and hydraulic pump Inc.
Fremont. Michigan. 1.517-263-8666 repair. Seal kits and Call for more information Of location of dealer nearest you
49412.
1-816-924-3760.
28 ACRES: Three
bedroom
Hillsdale County. 5
home.
DEER HUNTING
RIGHTS WANTED:
1-94oorridor between
chrome
makes.
Strawchoppers
work. all 445 North Canal
Lansilg, MI 48917
Open 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
..
Place your acres woods. Lots of Ypsilanti and Jackson. balanced and rebuilt. Mon.-Fri.
advertising with
us and see the
room for animals!
$115.000. (F-138).
Call Dan at
Will pay cash and/or
shrinkwrap equipment
and post fines. if
......~
Venture Tool •
Sebewaing, 'MI
/lPl!llIk 13619 S. DeWitt Rd., Lansing, M148906
resultsl F.... Real EstN
1-517-263-8666
wanted. CallAL 1-313-
692-2122.
1-517-883-9121 517-669-8391
800-292-2680, CASt( NOT OPINION for
POTATO BAGS:
ext. 6543 38,000. 5# paper. All
quality tractors,
oombines, heads and
wrapped and on skids.
round balers.
Other sizes; paper •
.". FAR/tIERS PEJROl.ElJ/tI poly. mesh, burlap. All 1-517-439-2440
evenings.
_- COOPERAJRIE, INC. 1/2 price. Best offer
on lot. POST DRIVER:
1-517-857-3051.
is pleased to offer evenings
Hydraulic. tractor
mounted. Also, planet
Direct-to-the-Farm PROFESSIONAL
CATTLE
TRIMMING.Statewide!
HOOF
junior
planter.
vegetable
1-517-339-2550.
Farm Tire Prices Over
experience.
16
start at $8. Call.
years
Prices
STANDINGTIMBER
Blick
AND VENEER:
River
Call
We are overstocked with farm Nonnan Beele Michigan Fann News c1assifieds are 1-800-968-3129
1-616-n~
Herdwooda, Inc.
rears, fronts and implement tires . 1-810-657-9151,days. just the place to advenise your ag and
and are offering special pricing Call 1-517.845-3345
fann related products. You'll reach out To place your ad
SAVE 75% ON evenings.
for Michigan Farm Bureau WORK CLOTHES!
to 46,000 homes and potential custom- today!
WANTED
members. Give us a call today Good. dean. rOOy'ded STANDINGTIMBER: ers by advenising in MFN classifieds.
in very best quality. Buyers of timber of all New, used, large or small - MFN
for a price quote. Money back types. Cash in c1assifieds will sell your merchandise
guarantee. Free advance! Classified Deadline
800-451-6813
Tim Underwood or Carolyn Rhodes
brochure
Suntex Recycling
Toll Free
1-517 -875-4565, ask
for Tim.
Maple Replds
quickly. Call Joann at 1-800-968-3129
to find out more about Michigan Fann for the next issue is
Ext 3307 Ext 4211
1-800-909-9025
Lumber Mill, lne.
News classifieds. Noon- August 21
24 hours-7 days. St. Johns, MI
This is the time of year when most
manure pit deaths occur
M
ore livestock manure pit work-related any part of the ventilating system fails.
deaths occur in july, closely followed Do not allow open flame or smoking in the
by August and September, than at any vicinity of the pit as the manure is being agitated
other time of the year.
and pumped. Methane gas, one of the byproducts
Howard J. Doss, Michigan State University of decomposing manure, can be highly explosive
Extension agricultural safety leader, says the gases under certain conditions.
found in manure pits pose a major risk to humans
Do not enter a manure pit, even if there is a
and livestock.
mechanical failure. It is best to call the equipment
Manure pit gases - methane, hydrogen sul- dealer, who should have trained and properly
fide, carbon dioxide and ammonia - either are toxic equipped service representatives who can correct
or displace oxygen. When suffidently concentrated the problem. The equipment should be removed
in a confined area, such as a manure pit under a
from the pit if repairs are required. Use a gas testing
livestock building, the gases can kill an unprotected meter to detect a lack of oxygen or presence of
person by suffocation in seconds. The gases can toxic gases before working on pumping equipment.
also be explosive, he relates.
No one should enter a manure pit without wear-
'~tation of the manure pit prior to pumping
ing a self-contained breathing apparatus and a lifeline
causes a rapid release of the gases that are formed and harness with adequate retrieval equipment - a
during the decomposition of the manure," he says.
~ - hoist, body harness, lifting tri-pod, lifelines, etc.
Manure pits are dangerous because the gases
There must be enough people available to
tend to hover near the surface of the manure when During the summer months when many Michigan manure pits are emptied, farmers need to
make a rescue if something goes wrong. The rescue
it is agitated prior to pumping. Moreover, the gases be cautious of the dangers of opening and agitating manure management structures.
people should be equipped with complete self-
can linger in lethal concentrations in the pit after it H possible, time the manure pumping so it and away from the structure and the pit before contained breathing apparatus and trained in res-
is partially or completely emptied. takes place when a high pressure weather system starting to agitate the manure. cue procedures.
Manure pits should not be pumped when brings moderate to brisk winds to the area to help H mecrumical ventilation is used in a livestock Farm managers should remember that em-
winds are calm. Doss says that the most recent fatal dissipate the gases. building that contains a manure pit, make sure ployees who are not family members are covered by
accidents occurred when temperatures and humidi- H the pit is near or beneath a livestock struc- backup power is available in case of an electric pow- the confined space regulations that are part of the
ty were high and there was no wind. ture, make sure that animals and humans are out of er failure. Also have a plan for equipment backup if Michigan Safety and Health Act..
Glickman announces new oil
- could lower cholesterol
A griculture Secretary Dan Glickman an-
nounced the discovery of an oil- developed
by agriculture researchers - that is expected to
have significant health benefits for consumers.
The oil is developed from corn fiber, a low-
value by-product of the industrial process that con-
vens com into sweeteners, starch and fuel grade
ethanol. The com fiber is now used in animal feed.
"People frequently ask me why we should
spend money on agriculture research - and here's
just one of the reasons. This oil, the result of agri-
DOES FINDING
culture research, will have a significant effect on
improving our nation's health," Glickman said.
USDA researchers isolated the oil from the
corn fiber, primarily the outer hull or seed coat of
A GREAT DEAL
the kernel. Conventional corn oil comes from a
different part of the com kernel called the germ.
Robert Moreau, Robert Nonon and Kevin
Hicks, research chemists with USDA's Agricultural
Research Service (ARS), discovered the new oil.
In recent animal trials conducted by Roben
Nicolosi of the University of Massachusetts, the oil
significantly lowered the serum cholesterol and IDL
HAVE YOU
cholesterol in hamsters. And researchers believe
this oil could produce similar results for people.
Private industrywill now develop commercial
products from the oil. As with any newly developed food
GOING
or pharmaceutical product, the com fiber oil products
willhave to be approved by the Rxxl and DrugAdminis-
tration. As required by the licensing agreement, any
products must be manufactured in the United States-
IN CIRCLES?
creating jobs and furthering the benefits of agriculture
research dollars for the American people .•
Consumer group: stun gun
JUST ASK ALAMO:M
increases mad cow risk When you travel with Alamo, you'll always get great rates, quality cars, and friendly service
at any of over 270 locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. So, if you've been
A consumer group recently said a stun gun
used on cattle before slaughter can send
brain tissue scattering throughout the animal,
looking for the perfect way to explore some new surroundings, Just Ask Alamo. For reservations,
call your travel agent, access us at http://www.goalamo.com or call Alamo Rent A Car.
Be sure to request 1.0. Number 223212 and Rate Code BY.
providing a route for bovine spongiform
encephalopathy to spread to humans.
BSE can be tranSmitted through brain matter. 1-800- 354- 2322
Although there have been no documented cases of C 1996, AJ.w &..A-~ "" Alamo jtalurt5 jiM Gtntral MOlors cars liIu tht Chtvy Cavalitr. 118&-2.796
BSE in the United States, the Center for Science in -------------------------------------------------T-------------------------------------------------
the Public Interest says it plans to conduct studies to
$10 OFF WEEKEND RENTAL 500A> TOWARDS AN UPGRADE
determine whether their theory on the stun guns is
Certificate is vmd for $10 Off Alamo's low basic rate on a weekend rent2100 to 4 days. Certificate is vmd for 50% Off upgrade charges to any higher car category. Jwt reserve
accurate. Just reserve a compact through a fullsize car in the U.S.A. or Canada .• Car mwt be picked a compact car or above in the U.S.A. or Canada. Valid on rentals of up to 14 days.• Only
Representatives of the meat industry said they up after 9:00AM on Thunday and retUrned before 12:00 midnight on Monday .• Only one certificate per rent21;not to be wed in conjunction with any other discounted or
one certificate per renw; not to be wed in conjunction with any other discounted or promotional rates, or an Alamo Express Plurw or Quicksilver'" renw .• Please make your
planned to join the Center in conducting the studies. promotional rates, or an Alamo Express Plurw or QuiclcsilvefM rent21. • Please make your reservation at least 24 houn before arriv.al.Upgrade is subject to availability at time of
"Some of the steaks and hamburgers reservation at least 24 houn before arrival .• Travel Agents: Please include /SI-C-DH6B rent21.• Travel Agents: Please include /SI-C-U24B in the car seD .• You mwt present this
in the car seD.• You must present this certificate at the Alamo counter on arrival. It is void certificate at the Alamo counter on arrival. It is void once redeemed .• Certificate has no
Americans eat today may contain small bits of brain once redeemed. • Certificate may only be applied toward the basic rate which does not cash v.alue and does not include taxes, govemment21 surcharges, fuel, optional items, or
matter," said David Schardt of the Center. include taxes, governmenw surcharges, fueL optional itenu, or airpon access fees. if any. airpon access fees, if any.• Any unwed portion is non-refundable. Reproductions will
• Certificate has no cash v.alue and any unwed portion is non-refundable. Reproductions not be accepted, and expired or lost certificates cannot be replaced .• Subject to Alamo's
The Center says recent research conducted by will not be accepted, and expired or lost certificates cannot be replaced. • Subject to standard renw conditions at the time ofrent21 .• Offer vmd through December 15,1997.
Texas A&M University and by Canada's Food Inspec- Alamo's conditions at the time of renw. • Offer vmd through December IS, 1997.
tion Agency found that a method of stunning deliv- For reservations, call your travel agent, access w at For reservations, call your traVel agent, access us at
ered such an explosive force that it splattered brain http://www.goalamo.com or call AlamA ~ A Car at 1-800-354-2322. http://www.goabmo.com or call Alan:10 Re,llt A Car at 1-800-354-2322.
tissue throughout a cow's system. Be sure to request I.D. Number'LL. j 'L 1 'L and Rate Code BY. Be sure to request I.D. Number 223 L 12 and Rate Code BY.
Meat industry organizations, including the
National Cattlemen's Beef Association, looked into
conducting studies on stunning methods several
months ago after l~.ming of the research .•
AS FARMERS MONITOR THEIR
SUCCESS IN CORN, ONE NUMBER
KEEPS COMING UP.
RX601 beat the best from DeKalb, N.ovartis and. Pioneer -
for three years straight.* It does it with strong emergence and
early vigor, good leaf disease and stress tolerance, and good
stalks a'nd roots to support its top yield. On top of all that,
RX601 is a unique, great-looking plant that turns heads all
season long. All of which is why it's become a very important
hybrid for a whole lot of growers.
Fifteen years ago, Asgrow made a commitment to
build a corn line on par with anyone's. Today, proprietary
hybrids like RX601 .are the result. So put Asgrow corn in your
lineup. Then watch your yield numbers start going up.
* For proof of Asgrow corn success,
call 1.800.815.4545. Asgrow Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa. www.asgrow.com
, III