1§77 ' ' ' r I Mcmj Cfmsimas 1 Agribusiness can speak for farmers | thanks for your support | | We at Lancaster Farming haven’t | | had the thrill of exhibiting the grand I | champion steer at the Farm Show & | harvesting 200 bushels of corn per I I acre, or hitting a DHIA average of i | over 18,000 pounds of milk. Those | i are satisfactions the farmer can ■ I enjoy. I I We at Lancaster Farming have our i Mown special feelings of satisfaction 1 I which should fce recognized No I I matter how long the hours, or how | I difficult the assignment, a week | 1 never goes by that we can’t glow | i inside because of the nice comments | 1 we receive from readers and ad- g I vertisers. You, who read Lancaster i I Farming, are the source of our joys. | S' We’d like to acknowledge that and | I offer thanks. | | Many of you come up to us during | | or after meetings. Others of you call, | | and still more take time to write f f letters and cards. Some have even I | taken the time to stop at our Lititz i | office to say hello These are the | | occasions which really make our | I work worthwhile. We have an ap- I I preciative readership and ad- | I vertising clientele, and we want all of | I you to know we're grateful. | | All of us at Lancaster Farming | I extend warm and sincere Christmas » | greetings to all of you. May your | S holidays be meaningful and filled f | with joy as you unite with friends and | I family to celebrate the most im- | I portant birthday on the calendar. | I And may 1978 bring to you good g | health, happiness and prosperity. | | Merry Christmas! Happy New| I Year! I Farm Calendar Wednesday, Dec. 28 The board of directors of the Berks County Con servation District meets at the Ag Center, 2 p.m. Today, Dec. 24 live Nativity Pageant, Boehm’s United Methodist Church, Willow Street, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 25 Have a Merry Christinas, everyone. WHEN ARE “THE LATTER DAYS”? Lesson for December 25,1977 Background Scripture Micah 2:1-12; Micah 4 through 5. Devotional Readiog;- Micah 7:14-20. TO CONTROL LIVESTOCK PARASITES Colder weather is arriving and animals will be growing heavier hair coats. Stomach worm infestation in the animals and hce on the outside will both cut down on production and on feed ef ficiency. We suggest that both dairymen and all other livestock producers check their animals at frequent intervals during the winter The satisfactions, joys, and even frustrations of running one's own business are prized feelings among Pennsylvania farmers. They value their independence and profits and are prepared to take a financial licking now and then, rather than give, up their independence in favor of some arbitrary profit guarantee. That’s why there are only a handful of farmers in this area who are ac tively supporting the present far mers' strike. The movement is generating a lot of sympathy, and has received high marks for bringing the agriculture’s problems to the at From the Production Staff f’i.'Y -Of The Old Testament prophets spoke of a better day to come, a day when God would save his people and fulfill his covenant with Israel. The prophet Micah proclaimed: It shall come to pass in die lr*itr days that the moun ts. of the house of toe Lord sf i be established as toe highest of the moun tains...and people shall flow toiM 4:1) “In the latter days...” It was a wonderful prophecy, but there was still one problem; When would these “latter days” come to be? The prophets gave clues of various kinds, but no to be certain they are not being bothered with external parasites. Cattle can be sprayed or dusted for hce, or set up an automatic back scratcher that will treat the animals with little effort. Stomach worm infestation can be detected by sub mitting a fecal sample to your local vertennarian. Production costs me high enough without putting up "As long as the North American farmer can supply our food'at a price that allows us to spend the greatest part of our income for our cars and TVs and recreational items, our high .standard of living can continue But, when our farmers can no, longer produce our low-cost food, or when they have no economic incentive or ability to produce this food -- then the grass will grow in the streets of every city in the country ” That statement was made earlier this year by E.T. Evans of Boise, Idaho, in response to a request from Hesston Corporation. It’s a take-off on a remark William Jennings Bryan made in 1896: “Burn down your cities and leave our farms, and your cities will spring up again as if by magic. But destroy Non-striking RURAL ROUTE ONE FEN YOU Et-518 ... IDA... certain answer. Thus, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem centuries later there was no precise way of proving that the time of fulfillment of the promise was at hand. Christian writers and apostles later reflecting upon the birth of Jesus were convinced that in his birth the promise was fulfilled. Paul, writing to the Galatians, says: ‘-...when the time had fully come, God sent forth his Son, bom of woman...” (4:4) So Christmas is a celebration of the keeping of God’s promise that had been long cherished by the people of Israel who walked and with parasites that reduce performance. TO SERVICE FARM MACHINERY By this tim’e we hope that all farm machinery is under roof; it is very poor management to allow the machines to remain outside during the winter months. The ram and snow will hasten the rusting process and the life of the machine will be greatly reduced. our farms and the grass will grow in the streets pf every city in the countiy ” EDITORIAL COMMENTS Dieter Krieg 9 It's significant to note here that this message was brought to the attention of the American public by a farm equipment manufacturer. .Using the recent telecast of the 1977 National Finals Rodeo as their farmers have a good cause tention of the general public, but a sizable segment of agriculture is not in gear with the methods being employed by the strike movement. The non-stnkmg farmers un doubtedly realize that by pressuring* the government for help, they are inviting a government-controlled agriculture which may not only guarantee profits, but tell the farmer “how much profit” as well. Most farmers prefer to keep their in dependence and take their chances on the business side of things, rather than have the government gift-wrap something for them. ARE BESSIE endured in the strength of it. The prophet Micah had seen the little town of Bethlehem .as the focus of that fulfillment: But you, 0 Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are Utile to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler In Israel, whose origin Is from of old, from ancient days (Micahs:2) UntO (he time - Micahpainted a picture of hope, forseeing a time when men would “beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks,” when “nation shall not lift up sword against After the machinery is under that machinery be stored, cover, it is timely to inspect ' serviced, and greased at this the parts and do ary time of the year. Machinery replacing or servicing that is is a huge investment and it is needed. Most farmers will worth attention and have more tune now than the protection, day they bring it out of TO RESPECT WlTH storage next spring. In DRAWAL REGULATIONS addition, the farm Many producers are using machinery dealer, or service a ntibiotics and other man, will appreciate getting materials t treat animals, the work now, rather than in 'These materials are the rush period next spring, developed to prevent and Good management suggests cure many kinds of in- By Editor vehicle for national attention, Hesston Corporation presented above statement on behalf of American farmers and ranchei should be noted that the equipment manufacturer saw fi buy high priced television time to something important about farmer and his business. They di go on the air showing off si equipment. Hesstbn is not alone with < educational and informative not( be they on television, the pm page or automobile bumper sticl The Sperry New Holland Com) has 'an outstanding record bringing agriculture to the publi attention.' A lot of it comes newspapers free of charge. Congressman Robert Walker, visited with Lancaster Cou farmers last week, opinionizes tl the farm strike could serve to sti all of American agriculture in y such a controlled direction. S' folks may. want that. Many do not, believe that the interests of i farmer and. indeed the free won are best se>ved if the farmer stays < independent of governmei bureaucracy as possible. Walker further believes that ti strike might bring about agncultur; conditions which will heavily favor nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree...” (4;3,4) Yet, although Jesus has certahdy come, it is also obvious that the times Micah < forsaw have not. Ibis is why, for some, Christmas is a time of depression for, despite its pretensions, the season of Christmas may seem an empty, false celebration. Christmas' “cheer” may hardly last for the day and the brief “Peace on earth” goodwill is soon Replaced by “business-as usual,” When, then, are those “latter days” (Turn to Page 36) (Turn to Page 36) By Tom Armstro 1 J DANGER.'/ M I didn't (AT. tiS have looked and longed for? Have they come or are they still to come? The answer, I believe, is that in Jesus we see the vision of the fulfillment that began in his incarnation and continues until all persons accept the “Good News” oL Jesus Christ and permit Gc ] to fully live- in them. Christmas is a time when we climb up to the raountaintop to view tiie Promised Land of God’s Kingdom which lies before mankind in “the latter days” when what was begun in Bethlehem will have been completed. .. * fections and insects; they are perfectly safe to use and will give good results when used properly. In most in stances there are directions as to the amount of the treatment and the with drawal period following (TurntoPage39) '