Nat’l. farm disaster programs called inadequate ► ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Young D. Hance is sharply critical of current federal disaster programs for farmers and is asking U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Robert Bergland to take corrective action. In a letter to the USDA Secretary, Secretary Hance calls for, “using your in fluence to change the structure and mode of operation of the disaster programs, which frankly are a disaster themselves.” One of the federal disaster poliyy shortcomings Secretary Hance cites is lack of immediate assistance to farmers qualifying for federal help. Saying there is too much red tape involved, Hance asserts that public announcements of disaster loans raise false hopes that relief is available during the critical time when help is needed. In explaining, he adds, “In the last four years, with several disasters we have had, I do not know of a single case where the USDA, through their pupgrams, FALL SPECIAL 3250 CAL CALUMET SPREADER TAMtS OPTIONAL: ★ Full Length Auger ★ 3 Point Hitch 4 Shank Soil Injectors wsksx^c.^ IMEW CALUMET TANKS AVAILABLE SPREADER TANKS 3250 4500 1625 2250 rxsm.x; „-.,, -W «?z £v .. MFW NKOTH K Large Piston Pump ntn ntootm Sjde M rt p s for S | ur rystore EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE W Lagoon Pumps TANKS IN STOCK AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY YOUR COMPLETE LIQUID MANURE EQUIPMENT DEALER F. ERNEST SNOOK CALUMET AND NESSETH DISTRIBUTOR Penna., New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia RDI, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 Phone 717-966-2736 Day or Night have been of any assistance. Deadlines established are arbitrary and unreasonable, and the formula for allotting funds or feed is unreasonable.” To correct this situation, the Maryland Agriculture Secretary suggests Secretary Bergland consider allowing states to indicate counties to be covered for all assistance programs rather than designating each specific county eligible for individual programs. Secretary Hance further contends present federal aid qualifications are too tight. His letter notes that grain infestations and com municable diseases in livestock can and do cause severe _ losses to farmers. However, he says, “When a farmer suffers loss of in come through the failure of a crop or livestock disease, he is met with red tape and formal procedures that result in frustration and little, if any assistance.” Observing that small business and industry seem to have little difficulty in seeking assistance when ★ New 16.5 x 16.1 Flotation Tires VACUUM TANKS 2250 3250 1180 1500 they need it, Hance requests Secretary Bergland give careful consideration to evaluating whether farmers should iiave an opportunity to secure personal assistance even though not living within a “freak of nature” disaster area Secretary Hance also notes that new legislation offers an insurance program covering a reduction of yield or loss of farm mcome, but says this is only in the developing stage and offers no assurance of any quick relief to cover all crops. In expounding on this facet, Hance declares that Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service Committees must develop more realistic yield averages for even an in- Wheat program comments due WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has called for comments concerning determinations the PIT PUMPS 6’ to 12’ USED SPREADER TANKS 1625 Calumet $2400 1500 Van Dale $l5OO 2250 Martin $3lOO suiance program to be ef fective Urging USDA Secretary Bergland to change present disaster program policies, Secretary Hance stresses. Conebella Ayrshires cited ELVERSON - Conebella Farms, near here, owned by Charles Gable, recently earned their 19th Con structiver Breeder Award. This award recognizes herds in which cows bred by the owner excell in milk production combined with superior body conformation. Thirty breeders qualified for this honor in 1976. On a strictly twice-a-day milking schedule for 305 days, the cows made an annual Secretary of Agriculture proposes to make for the 1978 crop of wheat. The determinations the Secretary will consider include: - National Program acreage; the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture (USDA) is currently estimating wheat demand for the 1978- crop marketing year at 815 million bushels for domestic use and one billion bushels for export. Based on these estimates, the 1978 wheat program acreage would be 58.7 million acres. - Program allocation factor; this decision cannot be made until after the 1978- crop plantings have been determined. The department proposes to make this determination following the NOVEMBER TOOL SALE Now in Progress 10% OFF Regular Low Prices See October 29 issue of Lancaster Farming, Page 23, for listing Blue Ball Machine Works RT.322E. BOX 176 BLUE BALL, PA 17506 PHONE: 717-354-4478 i-..: < aster Saturday, November 5,1977 “I know of no one ui agriculture who is looking for a hand out, but this in dustry is affected by con ditions beyond its control. If the programs can not be production average of 14,267 pounds milk and 579 pounds of butterfat, M.E. (Mature Equivalent). The herd was bred by the CBA winner. In addition he also received special certificates for four of his older cows for their lifetime milk production of 100,000 pounds during the year. They are Conebella Tor’s Joanne with 114,018 pounds of 4.2 per cent milk and 4742 pounds fat; August 1978 crop production report. - Set-aside; the depart ment’s intention for a 20 per cent set-aside on the 1978 crop of wheat has been announced. - Whether there should be provisions for land diversion payments and, if so, the extent of such diversion and the payment therefore; the department proposes not to authorize land diversion payments under the 1978 program. -Whether there should be a limitation on planted acreage and, if so, the extent of such limitation; the department proposes not to place a limitation on the made effective and usable, then they should be aban doned, because such a program promotes a sense of relief and security which is not now true.” Conebella Solly’s Paula with 109,772 pounds of 4.0 per cent milk and 4387 pounds fat; Conebella Patty with 108,039 pounds of 4.1 per cent milk and 4376 pounds fat; Conebella Betty Rue with 106,672 pounds of 4.0 per cent milk and 4283 pounds fat. In reaching these production levels, the cows were never milked more than twice-a-day and the records were checked by Penn State University. planted acreage of wheat for the 1978 program. Written comments may be sent to the Acting Director, Production Adjustment Division, Agricultural Stabilization and Con servation Service, USDA, Room 3630, South Building, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, D.C. 20013. Comments, in order to be considered, must be received no later than November 14. The com ments will be made available for public in spection at the office of the Acting Director during regular business hours, 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. For further information contact Bruce R. Weber (202) 447-4351. 61
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