FARM TRENDS
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future supply of fertilizer. Natural gas is a basic
component of anhydrous amonia, a key ingredient in
the production of fertilizers. Natural gas supply comes
under the jurisdiction of the Federal Power Com
mission and we have urged FPC to follow our lead in
if cut and ensiled at the right stage of maturity.
Rye silage can be made in any kind of structure
or pile on the ground if treated with
IM-PRUV-ALL No. 303. Fermentation control.
#lOl CORN AND SORGHUM #H44 HAYLAGE
#202 LEGUMES
x #303 GRASSES
717-569-6042 Southern Lane. Co.
717-733-4302 Northern Lane. Co.
717-688-6710 Lebanon County
215-932-3307 Oxford Area
717-252-3114 York County
717-432-3376 Dillsburg Area
717-524-5454 Lewisburg Area
717-567-6764 Newport Area
RYE CAN HAVE AS MUCH AS
24%
PROTEIN
For information call
rour IM-PRUV-ALL Dealer:
#GSS GRAIN
#BT66 BEET TOPS
#DH77 DRY HAY
setting agriculture production as a key priority, along
with national defense. We hope this will assure
adequate supply."
Sawhill also said that he believes the nation can
maintain economic growth and a rising standard of
living without a comparable growth in energy con
sumption.
More Fertilizer on the Way?
Edwin Wheeler, president of the Fertilizer Institute,
told the group that natural gas deregulation was one
of the most important steps to be taken in alleviating
the fertilizer shortage. Nitrogen fertilizers are made
from natural gas, and gas suppliers are not willing to
search for new supplies as long as government edict
holds natural gas prices at an artificially low level.
Wheeler expressed his feeling that it would not be
wise for the U.S. to become dependent on a foreign
source for nitrogen, and cited the recent oil embargo
as a horrible example. He said we’re already
dependent on Canada for about 65 percent of our
potash, and we could easily come to rely on other
countries for nitrogen as well. The other key fertilizer
ingredient, phosphate, is available in great enough
quantities for the foreseeable future, from Florida
mines.
• Boosting Local Government
“We have embarked on a program of new
federalism, where the federal government is seeking
to return local options to local governments," Richard
Fairbanks told the group. Fairbanks is associate
director for natural resources, energy and en
vironment in the President’s Domestic Council.
Fairbanks said that all new programs from now on
would be subjected first to the question: Is this
program needed?; and secondly, “Should it be run by
the federal government or local government?”.
In response to a question from one of the editors,
Fairbanks said he does not see any end to the U.S.
Department of Agriculture in the near future, in spite
of recent rumors to the contrary.
The Income Picture
Dawson Ahalt, a USDA economist, told the editors
that he foresees a period ahead when the economy
will be picking up steam. He said consumers have
been suffering lately from lowered incomes, but those
problems should be over with shortly.
The outlook for beef feeders wasn’t quite so cheery,
Lancaster Farming, Saturday. April 27,1974
Ahalt felt. He said feeders are edgy and they'll stay
that way until they can be assured that they’ll be able
to make a profit in the cattle business. He does expect
feeder calf prices to decline somewhat, and he thinks
feed prices will take a dip sometime soon.
MMTHI
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