26 —Lancaster harming, Saturday, January 20,1979 Farmers will need increase HARRISBURG - With farm operating costs currently running 11 per cent higher than a year ago, the inflation rate being predicted at somewhere between 7 and 10 per cent, and an OPEC oil price in crease near 15 per cent, U.S. farmers will have to get 1979 price increases running from 12 to 15 per cent just to stand still incomewise, Reuben L. Johnson said at a luncheon session at the annual convention of the Pennsylvania Farmers Union on January 16. Head of the Farmers Union’s Washington legislative staff, Johnson told the convention, being held at the Penn Harris motel, that USDA economists are saying that “1979 may be a carbon copy of 1978 for the American farmer.” “While there was some improvement for some commodities in 1978, it was still a difficult year overall and it is hardly reassuring for farmers to hear that 1979 will be no better,” Johnson said. The Fanners Union of ficial pointed out that dairymen have been somewhat better off than other commodities because they had a mandatory 80 per cent of parity support level, which escalated along with rising costs. “However, the legislative authority for 80 per cent of parity supports expires this year and the support level »,could drop as low as 75 per cent of parity next October 1,” Johnson explained. “We will work for a support level at 90 per cent of parity because we think it is fully justified by dairy farm operating costs.” Johnson said that Farmers Union and several other farm organizations would push for adoption of a proposed “National Agricultural Bargaining Act,” which would require handlers of agricultural commodities to bargain m good faith with associations of farmers on prices of farm commodities and terms of sale. Farmers Union will also press for approval of a proposed “Fair Meat Trading Act,” which would provide for licensing of commercial meat pricing reporting services and seek to assure that such prices are honestly reported and not subject to manipulation to the detriment of farmers and consumers. “It is now clear that more than 70 per cent of the meat supply is being formula priced, either on the basis of Drink Mik fori to BORN! the ‘Yellow Sheet’ or the per cent of the livestock ‘Meat Sheet,’ and that these slaughter volume,” he prices reflect as little as two reported. electric company. When the power lines go down, the chances of crippling financial losses skyrocket. Why risk it when you can own your own electric company ... a Winpower tractor driven alternator. It provides immediate electrical power for feeding and watering poultry and livestock, for milking machines and milk cooling equipment, for heating and ventilating systems, and for household and other electrical needs. Your Winpower representative has a wide variety of tractor and engine driven models to choose from. And, if you’ll provide the tractor, he’ll show you a Winpower unit in action ... on your farm. It’s easy, convenient, and there’s no obligation. MARVIN HORST AL MAURER 1950 S. sth Ave. Box 78 Lebanon, PA 17042 Cambra, PA 18611 717-272-0871 717-864-3135 WAYNE OLVER JAY RICHWINE Damascus, PA 18415 528 Hogestown Rd 717-224-4169 Mechanicsburg, PA 17236 717-766-4382 808 SWANSON Kennett Square, PA 19348 215-444-5610 Ask the powerhouse. 5 ——— I -gW IN POW E Rlgl I llcon i j E-
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers