Alo—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 21,1982 SOff the SoymVmg By Sheila Miller, Editor If you have any doubt in your mind about the appropriateness of this year's Ag Progress theme: “Agriculture; the growing business,” roll these facts and figures around in your head while you take in the sights and sounds of the largest outdoor agricultural show in the East. For starters: U.S. farmers are producing record crops once again on fewer acres only 362 million acres were planted this year compared to last year's 365 million acres. Even with this reduced acreage, U.S. Dept, of Agriculture statisticians are predicting 1982 yields that will at least equal last year's record crop. Corn output is seen at 8.32 billion bushels this year ~ up one percent from last year's previous record harvest, according to USDA. Farmers will average 113.9 bushels to the acre in 1982 compared to 1981’s 109.9 bushels. This marks the third time in the past four years that corn farmers are “out producing” themselves. When considered with sorghum, oats and barley yields, this record corn crop is con tributing to another bumper crop of feed grains predicted at 252 million metric tons an increase of one percent from a year ago. The USDA crop forecasters see oats production pouring in at 591.5 million bushels for a two percent jump over the July forecast and a 16 percent hike from last year’s harvest. The traditional horse feed is averaging 57 bushels to the acre this year, up three bushels from a year ago and 1.1 bushels from the previous record year of 1971. Barley, so itchy that it’s a wonder anyone could stand to combine the prickly-awned grain, is forecast at a record high of 509 million bushels, up six percent from both the July forecast and last year’s output. It too is pouring out of the gram hoppers at a record yield of 55.4 bushels per acre a record high for the second straight year. Last year's record crop came in 3.1 bushels less per acre. The only crop that has dropped is sorghum which USDA predicts to be at the 829 bushel level, down six percent from a year ago. Wheat came close to topping last year’s record crop of 2.79 billion bushels. Even with the USDA’s "half-hearted” acreage reduction program, increased yields of 35.1 bushels per acre, up from last year's previous high of 34.5 OUR READERS WRITE Hangin ’ I have been reading various farm publications nearly as long as 1 have been able to read, and until now have never felt that anyone really was concerned with the part-time farmers that farm 60 percent of Pennsylvania’s farms. Here in Greene County, part-tune farming has been a necessary way of life for some families tor many years. Although the family farm has been in our family for generations, OTIS BOY OTIS, VO U MODERN FARMERS Proven production in there I had never been too serious about agriculture until I began to face the “real world” in December 1979 fresh out of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. After some thought, ! became a notorious part time farmer that gleefully ruins the marketplace with all the surplus from my operation. Had 1 not known better, 1 would have suspected the editorial in the Aug. 14 issue of Lancaster Farming was / WHAT MORE. \ DECENT PRICES, ) ~~ COULD TODAYS ) TO PAY FOR J \ FARAAEP I ALL THAT . fer<gS FOR ? y bushels, pushed this year's harvest to 2.77 billion bushels. And soybeans are no exception to the rule of record production. This year, farmers will see a record harvest of 2.29 billion bushels, predicts USDA. That’s up 13 percent from a year ago and is one percent higher than the previous record of 2.27 billion bushels set back in 1979. And these “profitable-protein" plants are popping pods at a record rate. According to USDA, soybeans are now seen averaging 32.3 bushels per acre, up from last year's 30.4 bushels and the previous high of 32.1 bushels set in 1979. Even hay can boast a record year, despite the uncooperative weather farmers ex perienced this summer. With average yields of 2.5 tons per acre, USDA figures show hay at a record 155.6 million tons, up six percent from last year’s 143.1 million ton, and five percent above the previous high of 147.8 million tons set in 1979. So what does all this mean? It means that researchers and scientists, engineers and chemists, farmers and advisors keep taking giant strides in the field of agriculture to produce more food and fiber from less land, wasting less fuel, fertilizer, and precious time. Their joint efforts, from laboratory to plowed field, combine all available technology into achieving record breaking yields year after year. It’s no secret the American farmer is the most productive agriculturalist in the world. We continue to prove that with figures like those compiled by USDA. So, as you make your way along rows of shiny new farm machinery, past displays of golden ears of corn and other fat, fertile seeds, and listen to the experts discuss management techniques that are going to increase your yields "100 fold," stop and think of these USDA figures. Then start looking for the minority of-exhibitors who’ll be able to help you market all that production. Perhaps a switch in agrarian priorities could lead to the 1983 Ag Progress Days being dedicated to “Agriculture: the selling business." It's a direction even U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John Block has recognized as essential for farmers to survive. We’ve proven we can produce it...now let’s sell it. about my friends and myself. The old and outdated machinery mentioned sounds terribly familiar. Actually, I have been quite fortunate. With the help of my oldest brother and some friends, 1 was able to obtain an old WO AUis- Chalmers which my brother has since rebuilt. When I was worried about finding enough money for engine parts, a friend showed up with a box of new parts for $5O (worth about $300). When I was (Turn to Page Al 2) Board GOD’S OUBLESHOOTE August 22,1982 Background Scripture: Acts 18:1- 5; 1 Corinthians 4:14-21; 16:10,11; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-10; 2 Timothy 3:1-7. Devotional Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16. For every Apostle like Paul there needs to be a troubleshooter like Timothy. Although the New Testament has little to say about Timothy’s work for Christ, it is nevertheless apparent that very often Paul’s success as an apostle depended upon the low-key efforts of the associate whom he called “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord" (1 Cor. 4:17). Timothy’s contribution to the Gospel may have been relatively quiet and unobtrusive, but it was a vital contribution nonetheless. Therefore I Sent Timothy It must be acknowledged that, although Faul was an extremely effective Apostle for. Christ, he was not always the most unifying force in early Christianity. His fiery zeal, so effective with some people, was just as much a barrier for other people. Outspoken, often blunt and adamant in tus pronouncements to people, the explosive Paul sometimes had severe problems with' some of the churches. Nowhere is this more evident than in his relationships with the congregation at Connth. His let- NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent Phone 717*394-6851 To Ensile Corn At The Proper Stage Most of our corn crop looks real good this year and corn silage is an important part -of the feeding program in dairy and feeder cattle. Harvesting corn silage at the right time is very important. I’d like to point out that more feed nutrients will be harvested if the ear can be allowed to mature into the early dent stage. Silage research reveals that corn made into silage in the silk stage will yield only 63%feed nutrients, while corn in the dent stage should give silage with 69%feed nutrients. The important thing is to allow the ear to develop properly before ensiling, if at all possible. Corn silage is a valuable crop; let’s make every effort to harvest the maximum feed nutrients. To Apply For Gasoline Tax Refund i would like to remind our far mers that applications for_ the Pennsylvania Liquid Fuel Tax Refund should be filed before September 30. .Farmers may apply for an 11- cent per gallon refund on all liquid fuels used in non-hcensed tractors when used off the highway for agricultural purposes, or non hcensed power farm machinery used for actual farm work. This includes fuel used in all auxiliary engines on balers, elevators and other stationary equipment. The liquid fuel tax is for all farm production fuel tided between July 1,1981 and June 30,1982. The people who have not already received applications should apply by writing: Board of Finance and ters to this church dearly indicate that his oversight was strongly rejected by some of the Corinthian Christians. “Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Cor. 4). To bridge the gap between Paul and his detractors in Corinth there" was needed someone who could calmly and quietly unify the group. Timothy apparently was the man to whom Paul turned for this vital ministry. In Thessalonians 3:1 we find another occasion when Paul calls upon Timothy to perform a valuable mission. con cerned about the church at Thessalonica, Paul, unable to leave what he is doing in Athens, sends Timothy in his stead “to establish you in your faith and to exhort you, that no one be moved by these afflictions.” Paul could be confident because he knew he could depend upon Timothy. Timothy: Well Spoken Of Even in his first mission with Paul, Timothy’s work was that of a troubleshooter. Acts 16 tells us that Paul was to carry to the various churches the controversial decisions by the Christian leaders in Jerusalem. On the recom mendation of Christian leaders in Lystra and iconium, Paul chose Timothy for this delicate and vital work. No wonder he continued in his letters to refer to Timothy in terms of highest praise and af fection: *’Timothy, our brother and Cod’s servant in the gospel of Christ” (1 Thess. 3:1). Few of us are cut out to be a Paul of Chnst, but there are many of us whom God can use, as he did Timothy, as a troubleshooter for the sake of the Gospel of Christ, bringing people together and overcoming factions and nfts in the life of the church. We need not have the eloquence of Paul, if we share the loving care of 'Timothy. Kevenue, Koom 409, Finance Building, Harrisburg, t A 17120, or by calling 717-787-3365. Remember, applications received after September 30 will not be honored; they must be filed on tune. The tune to do it is now. Keep in mind - this is not money the State is giving you - it’s money you already paid, you are just applying to get it back. It may not seem like much but 11* per gallon on 5,000 gallons is $550.00. To Use Equipment Safely We are fast approaching the harvesting of over 200,000 acres of com in Lancaster County. This harvest is the result of a big in vestment of tune, effort and money. A good yield depends on your farming skills, land resources and a smile from Mother Nature. But whether it’s free from costly mishap depends on how well you prepare your equipment and how safely you and your help run that equipment: 'Operate and maintain all harvesting machines as directed in the operator’s manuals. “Keep all shields in place. •Shut off the power before un clogging or servicing. Wait until all parts have stopped, especially on choppers and blowers. •Adjust ground speed to field and crop conditions. •Use caution on highways with SMV signs in place. - •Keep children and non-workers off and safely away from har vesting equipment. •Look up as well as to the front and back when driving, moving or (Turn to Page Ai2)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers