lancastar Farmlna. Saturday. Dac 27.1979 Farming. Saturday. Oac 27.1979 1 This being the time of year for farm banquets and dinner meetings, it seems appropriate enough to describe that aspect of life on the farm Work in the barn proceeds with anticipation of a big meal and lots of neighborly talking. There’s no time to be wasted we have 20 minutes left to wash the milking machines, make sure the cows have enough feed m front of them, give the cats their milk, bed the cows, and get into the shower. Then there’s a half-hour drive to the fire hall, where the ladies auxiliary will serve a meal fit for a farmer’s appetite. The parking lot is just about full by the time I and a few other late-comers get there. As it turned out, we weren’t really late, hardly anyone had sat down yet and the hall rumbled with conversations as though a waterfall was directly beneath us. A few nods, hellos, and handshakes took care of greetings. Most of the talk centered around the fact that we were hungry. And few people get as hungry as farmers if they do, they seldom have the appetite to prove it. Sitting at one of the long tables after a prayer of thanks was spoken, each person begins to help hijnself to one bowl of goodies after another, until his plate can hold no more. Food stores slowing down Editor’s Note: The stories below were prepared by the agricultural extension staff at Penn State University. Food distribution (wholesaling and retailing) has been disrupted over the past three years by a slowdown in teal growth, rapid cost inflation, product shortages, and consumer discontent These factors have contributed to a sharply varying profitability and a few bankruptcies among supermarket firms Net earnings of 53 supermarket chains aver aged two thirds of one percent (0 67) between March 1974 and March 1975, according to Cornell University’s annual study The average return on net worth (stockholder’s equity) dur ing that period averaged 9 61 percent, the high est level m six years However, chains, have beep unable to obtain new capital through the sale of stock Creditors now own a larger prop Critical factors listed Through mid-1976 the outlook for U S agriculture looks strong, although major uncer- Umtics remain Agricultural adjustments, par ticularly m domestic livestock feeding, con tinue to te tied to developments in foreign markets and the U S ei onomy Expanded foreign markets mean favorable returns for grain producers, but the livestock feeding in dustry is based on expectations of consumer demand to support livestock pnees For 1975 as a whole, total cash receipts from farming may be only slightly higher with gross income about SlO2 billion Expenses will be up 3- or 4-bilhon dollars The resulting net farm income m 1975 may total $25 billion down "Help yourself to some more," is a phrase which rings out again and again, because everyone knows there’s plenty more to come and no one will go hungry. Hands are kept busy between ‘‘shoveling’’ food into hungry mouths and passing plates, bowls, and pitchers to someone at the other end of the table. "How much have you eaten so far?" my neighbor asked me, as I reached for the mashed potatoes to fill my plate for the third time. “I'm on thirds of everything," I answered briefly. His wife cautioned me not to forget about dessert, an unlikely possibility. It takes at least 30 minutes before a few of the fellows reach the capacity of their stomachs and begin focusing their attention on the surroundings “Isn’t that a cute waitress over there, Dale 7 " one fellow is heard to say. The young man next to him keeps on chewing on his drumstick, glances in the direction of the waitress, and silently signals his approval to the first fellow by wiggling his thick, black eyebrows. His eyes gleamed and a sheepish grin spread from ear to ear. I was about to ask him if he always dipped his drumstick into his glass of milk, but then I discovered I had put sugar on my mashed potatoes. ortion of chain assets 56 percent than stockholders. Convenience stores continue to show a better return on investment than supermarkets, but higher prices caused by increasing operating costs are expected to reduce their customer appeal and slow down new convenience store openings A recent projection of food distribution in dustry trends for the next five years estimates a real annual increase in national grocery store sales of only 1 Vi percent. Little or no growth is expected in the Middle Atlantic states during these years because most of the population in crease will be concentrated in other regions. Food-price inflation is expected to range from five to eight percent. The proportion of the total food dollar spent away from home will con tinue to increase, reaching 30 percent by 1980. from 1974’s $27 billion, but a net income fig ure still the third largest on record Appraising the agricultural outlook through mid-1976, the critical factors arc grain export levels and the response of domestic livestock producers to expected feed-product pnee rela tionships The best judgment is for a substan tially larger export volume from last year and a pickup m livestock feeding, greatly improving farm -ncomc prospects through the first half of 1976 from a year earlier The livestock sector will then continue to gam and crop prices will case somewhat in the face of record output UNTIL THE ANGELS COME Ix»»on for December 2t, 1975 Background Scripture: Matthew 3 through 4. Devotional Reading: Psalms 18:1-6. A movie fan once asked John Wayne whether he hadn’t been scared in one of his films when it appeared the wagon train was about to be wiped out by Indians. “Naw,” replied the star, ‘Td read the script and I knew how it came out!” Christians are sometimes encouraged to "hold on” in times of trial and temptation because, as it was demon strated in Jesus’ own life, if we preservere, we need not fear the outcome. When Jesus had successfully resisted the temptations of the devil, Matthew tells us that ‘‘angels came and ministered to him” (Mat thew 4:11). That’s comforting, of course, but some of us would like to know what to do until the angels come? While the devil is tempting us with his whole arsenal of lures, what do we do even if we have read the script and know how it will come out? Know who yon are! We can learn much from the manner in which Jesus met his tempter. First of all, he knew who he was. And that was im portant because that was the first place the tempter made bis assault. Many people miss the subtlety with which the devil approached Jesus: ‘‘lf you are the Son of God. command these stones to become loaves of bread” (4:3). Thus, he begins by calling into question Jesus’ identity: “If you are the Son of God ...” There is a' faintly-veiled challenge to Jesus to prove that he is the Messiah. The devil still uses this tactic. He comes to us calling into question our identity, saying, “If you’re really the Christian you think you are then ...” There is nothing he delights in more than causing us to doubt our own identity as Christ’s disciples. As soon as we say to our selves, “Maybe I’m not good enough a disciple of Jesus?”, he’s got his foot in the door. We are not of much use to God if we are not sure who we are. Unless we know that we are disciples of Jesus Christ, not because we are worthy but because of God’s grace, the devil can very easily lead us down the garden path ... and out of toe garden! Know who God Jesus was also able to hold out until the angels came because he knew Who or What God is. So, when the devil tries to tempt Jesus to using the power of God to change stones into bread, Jesus remembers that it is God upon whom he is dependent, not himself. “Man shall not live by bread alone,” he repeats from scripture, “but by every word that procedeth from the mouth of God” (4:4). He is m God's hands, not his own. Once again the devil challenges him: “... throw if Agrnl To Buy Herd Replacements Carefully Too many livestock and dairy producers may be guilty of buying some of their disease problems; extreme care should be used when buying new animals for the herd of flock. Out of State infected cattle have been the sole source of Penn sylvania’s recent brucellosis problems. We are told of the arrest of several dealers in southern states that have been guilty of trying to sell Infected cattle in this part of the country. Those who buy cattle should keep the new animals segregated from the home herd until the new animals are tested and negative for brucellosis and tuberculosis. Insist on ap proved health papers and follow these strict precautions in order to keep down disease problems. To Prevent Fires Most fires could have been prevented, if certain practices would have been done. During this holiday season it is very important for all members of the family and .farm employees to pay strict attention to tire hazards and remove them at once. The over-loading of electric lines is a very common problem* at this time of the year. The drying out of Christmas trees and other evergreen decorations should be prevented. Fire ex tinguishers should be in good' working condition and every member of the family should know how to operate them. Fires do not take holidays and everyone should be alert to the possible causes. To Prevent-Tree And Shrub Damage Wild animals such as mice and rabbits will feed upon toe bark c* : jung and tender fruit trees, and ornamental shrubs, when we get snow cover for any length of time. This damage can be prevented by wrapping the tree trunk for a height of at least 30 inches with hard ware cloth-or aluninum foil; orchard men have a solution of 5 pounds of powdered rosin mixed with a gallon of ordinary alcbohol painted on toe trunks of trees and shrubs; this will keep toe animals from eating toe bark. If the tree or shrub is completely girdled by yourself down ...” (4:5). But again, jesus remembers who God is: the One who is in charge. If Jesus were to “throw” himself down, he would be challenging God to help him, rather than waiting for God to work out his own purposes. Finally, when all else has failed, the devil makes an appeal to Jesus’ sense of mission: if Jesus will wor ship him, the devil will give him all the power he needs to accomplish his purpose. But, once again, Jesus remem bers that there can be but one master. Then the angels came and “ministered to him.” And so they will come to us, if until they come we, like Jesus, presevere. having the bark eaten, it will not survive during' the following summer. Poison bait stations for the mice may also be used in the orchard or around buildings. To Use The “Buddy System” Don’t participate in winter sports alone is the advice of our recreational specialist, Joe Cardenuto, at Penn State University. He gives this advice for two reasons: first, it will save fuel and energy if a group go together in a car or bus, and secondly, in case of injury there will be someone there to help rescue the victim. In the case of jsnowmobiling or skiing, 'mechanical failure or an accident might occur in a very remote area, and the person may freeze before being found. In the case of ice skating, a person may fall through the ice and need immediate help to prevent drowning. We’ve often used the “buddy system” in swimming instruction, but now'it is just as important in winter sports. Enjoy the great outdoors this winter, but be prepared for emergencies; they could happen to you. Farm Calendar January 5-9 Pa. State Farm Show 60th edition - Harrisburg. Tuesday, January 6 Pa. Guernsey Breeders ‘ Association meeting at Schindler’s Restaurant Camp Hill 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 13 Ephrata Young Farmers meeting on dairy herd " management Ephrata Senior High School 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, January 14 Milking School at the Farm and Home Center. Wishing... doesn't moke it so! Birth defects ore forever. Unless you help. March of Dimes THIS SRACC CONTRIBUTED BY THf JEUBLISHER
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