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
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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
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