124
-4*frost«rFanamc, Saturday, January2o,l979
Dechant sa
(Continued from Page
Proclaiming that American cattlemen struggled
through 36 straight months of production at a loss before
their economic catastrophe was turned around last
Spring, Dechant scorned the Carter Administration for
having allowed beef imports into the country at that time.
Their effect, despite the Administration’s arguments to
the contrary, was that beef prices tumbled. The message
cattlemen received, says Dechant, is that it’s not going to
pay them to expand their cattle herds. Hence, the supply
of meat will be scarce, and prices high. Dechant in no
uncertain terms blames government strategists for the
dilemma.
Touching on fuel supplies, Dechant said:
“A couple of years ago, when supplies were scarce, we
were told that if prices went up, there’d be plenty of
energy to go around. Well, back home I paid around 33
cents for a gallon of gasoline back then, now we’re up over
70 cents a gallon, and how much more fuel have we got?”
he inquired.
“Interest rates,” Dechant continued, “are at their
highest level in years; if they continue to climb like they
are, they’ll soon be at their highest point in 100 years.
Inflation and unemployment are also increasing.”
“What’s it going to take to get America back to work’”
is his underlying question.
As far as the farm economy is concerned, Dechant
believes it can be improved with the simple stroke of a pen
to increase commodity loan rates. A healthy farm
economy, he argues, would lead to greater stability and
productivity in other segments of business as well.
“The essence of free enterprise is consumption,” the
NFU chief went on. We produce and we consume. Our
economic decisions have to relate to that, he said.
Considered to be one of the leading spokesmen for
family agriculture, Dechant warns that dairy farmers in
Pennsylvania and the rest of the country will face souring
payments if support prices are allowed to dip below the 80
per cent level, as prescribed by law. Legislation to that
effect comes to an end this Fall, and in view of that,
Dechant urges dairymen to work towards continued price
supports at 80 per cent or higher. The National Farmers
Union, be added, favors dairy support prices at 90 per
cent
Another important legislative item is the Meat Import
Act which Dechant says will ba reintroduced in Congress
this year. Jimmy Carter vetoed the measure during the
previous session of Congress.
While blaming the Carter Administration and meat
imports for a portion of the ills in the agricultural
economy, Dechant says even more can be done for cat
tlemen if the “Yellow Sheet” meat pricing formula “is
brought out on the table where people can see it and un
derstand it and those involved can be held accountable for
it Dechant charges that a few men determine meat prices
across the country, but that their methods and reasons,
artin
LIMESTONE
77
Apply lime otten for best results
To keep your soil neutral liming every 2 or 3
years is recommended because of the new
higher analysis fertilizers being used today
MARTIN LIMESTONE, INC
Blue Ball Pa 354 412 S
Pa 442 4148
MAMMOTH
JACK I®|
STUD SERVICE ] j\
*5O WITH RETURN PRIVILEGES
Stands approximately IAVz hands.
Will take draft horse mares and
riding mares.
Big demand for riding mules and
draft mules, occasional Jacks &
Jennetes for sale.
DONALD J.NEIDIGH
7 Golf Road
Lebanon, Pa. 17042
(717)273-3025
. which are finalized on yellow paper, are not fully un
derstood.
“I urge you to send letters to your congressmen, asking
them to oppose “Yellow Sheet” pricing. That’s one of the
key places where we lose our shirts,” he affirmed.
Nearing the conclusion of his remarks, Dechant took a
direct stab at the heart of the nation’s government.
“We’re the oldest democracy on Earth,” he said in an
emphatic tone, “and I think democracy is a god system,
but we haven’t been able to make it work in peacetime.”
Then he added: No other nation has been as richly blessed
as the United States. Having been given so much, we have
a responsibility of meeting the challenges of sufficient
food production for ourselves and our neighbors.
Morton buildings
1 ■ s
Serving Central Pa.
and Maryland
RD 4, Box 34A
Gettysburg, PA 17325
Ph: 717-334-2168
Serving North Central Pa. Area
P.0.80x 937
State College, PA 16801
Ph: 814-383-4355
jagUBT
Standard 14’ elevator will unload control for operating from tractor
up to 21' high and can be equipped seat. Boom elevators up to 19’ long
with traps for mixing and remote are available to unload to 26’.
Dealerships Available
Contact
Territory Manager
Monroe Z. Stoltzfus
49 Wolf Road
Akron, Pennsylvania 17501
Serving Eastern Pa.
and New Jersey
Box 126,
Phiflipstxirg. NJ 08865
Ph: 201-454-7900
Manufactured by;
NAMCO INC.
Will America toe able to meet the challenge?
Despite his negative observations, Dechant says he is
confident the country will get off “dead center.” He is
encouraged by the amount of interest that is being shown
for agriculture by religious, civic, and womens
organizations. Also, consumers want to know more about
farming and farmproblems. Dechant says.
The farm leader cautions farmers, however, about
becoming complacent with their increased spotlight. He
encourages them to continue to work collectively for
better farm prices and fair trade legislation. “We need an
energy and food policy that makes sense for those who are
intimately tied to the soil because it’s the right thing to
do,” he concluded.
\r- J'*
| | I Send information on MORTON Square Post Buildings.!
□
Have your salesman phone me for an appointment.
I NAME
| ADDRESS
No.
r— *
Name
Address
City
State
Phone
NOTJUST
A WAGON...
IT'S ANOTHER
MULTI-PURPOSE
GRAIN-O-VATOR
• HAULS
• UNLOADS
• ELEVATES
• MIXES
Zip