Alo—Lancaster Fanwfof, Saturday, Wov—bw 20,1982 SS ovndiiing Board By Sheila Miller, Editor Agriculture runs the country “It's certainly a lot easier than shoveling," I As 'four record crop wasn’t bad enough, the thought as I watched the golden yellow ears of slump in export trade over the past year or so corn sliding out of the gravity wagon and onto has created a corn carryover crisis, an elevator. Memories of years past when Economists report stocks of corn spilling over backaches and blisters were the rewards of a from previous harvests in amounts reaching bumper corn crop were gratefully exchanged 2.37 billion bushels as of Oct. 1,1982 that’s for this year’s more modern harvest up *29 percent from the 1.03 billion bushels techniques. held last year at the same time. The result no room in the bin for this year’s corn harvest. As the cobs tumbled and rolled over each Statistics show 61 percent of the carryover other in their rush to be first into the waiting S u' ° n the * arm ’ up 193 percent from bin that was hurriedly makeshifted to hold our ast ctoDer future cattle feed, it was encouraging to watch as the heap of corn grew higher and wider with Looking ahead, some economists predict each rattle of the elevator chain. But, with things are bound to get worse before they get each load that lumbered in from field to ' or corn B rowers - A carryover of nearly waiting crib, the reality of what this record billion bushels has been predicted for Oc crop of corn will mean to farmers across the *°° er a figure far above previous nation was only too apparent. records. The latest USDA statistics show corn at a As US-USSRgrain talks wait to be translated record high of 8.33 billion bushels - two into substantial contracts by diplomats who percent above last year's harvest. The hedge US farmers’ futures, some farmers and nation's 72.82 million acres of corn are legislators are trying to take concrete ap estimated to yield an average 114.4 bushels proaches to softening the corn surplus blow, peracre. Jack Parsons, president of the National Here in Pennsylvania, which historically has Corn Growers Association and a corn farmer been a corn deficit state, the story is not such from Wapello, lowa, encourages fellow farmers a bountiful one, however. The Pennsylvania to sign up in the 1983 production control Department of Agriculture figures forecast program because of the “bleak outlook for corn for grain at 126.04 million bushels which corn prices in the 1983/84 season.” Critical of is six percent below last year’s harvest record. USDA’s 1982 acreage diversion program, An average yield of 92 bushels per acre has Parsons is throwing his weight behind next been predicted on the state’s 1.37 million year's 10 percent paid diversion and 10 acr es. percent acreage reduction plan which he said But, despite Pennsylvania’s cutback in corn will provide more incentive for farmers to sign production, the overall story is one of too up in ‘B3. much corn two years in a row with consequent drastic price reductions not good news for Parsons blamed the 1980 grain embargo for farmers who count on converting their corn about 500 million bushels of lost corn exports into cash directly and not through cattle or to the USSR each year since the ineffective other livestock. trade blockade was attempted by the Carter Late October Midwest corn prices fell to administration. $1.86 a bushel, down from last year’s $2.33 Earlier this fall, lowa Congressman Berkley price and a far cry from 1980’s $3.25 corn. It Bedell introduced legislation designed to help doesn’t take much pencil pushing to realize out distressed corn farmers. His bill, which farmers aren't going to get rich at today’s was signed into law by President Reagan on market prices —in fact, we’ll be lucky to break Oct. 21, provides for surplus "agricultural even. commodities" to be converted into alcohol The financial impact of this year’s bin- fuels. The Secretary of Agriculture now has the busting harvest will be far-reaching. It may authority to make CCC stocks available for trigger overproduction in the already over- processing by alcohol fuel producers, flowing dairy industry. Cheap corn prices may “This legislation allows us to strengthen our find farmers jumping into the hog fattening agricultural economy by removing surplus business which will surely result in the finally stocks as dampers on market prices while at profitable pork prices taking a dramatic the same time producing a usable fuel that plunge when these animals reach market saves the taxpayers’ dollars for storage, weight. transportation and related costs that would Farmers who are looking to export deals to otherwise be spent on the surplus corn cure their ills will likely be suffering from maize modifies,” commented Bedell, migraines for quite some time, finding them as Well, we always knew agriculture is what hard to capture as the elusive butterfly, keeps this country running. Now, if only we USDA’s most recent figures show corn exports could make our prices jump the way the down 16 percent in volume and down 34 gasoline prices escalated over the past few percent in value. years. m WE'VE GOT ALL LCADEO\ S' rtJP.’.GUT LEfS W/SW ALL THE \ TURKEY. THE YAMS. \ UNCLE OHS. / ( BEFORE LANCASTER fA&AINO THE CRANBERRIES, I JJPVr tjgQ READY TO j \ W£ GO- READERS, A VERY THE DRESSING, v. ©Of / > HAPPY, HEAPMY AND J I bt law k{nc; vj Ai T npu>>f isaisiyi ON FINDING THE CHAMPION November 21,1982 Background Scripture: Judgesfl:lthroughB:2l. Devotional Reading: Psalms 105:7-15. The story of Gideon is one of the most popular ones in the Old Testament Even if we’re a bit hazy of the details of the story, we know it is about one of God’s great champions. But despite its great popularity, the story is often not as deeply understood as it should be. We are likely to become so engrossed in the rise of this particular cham pion of God that we miss the real significance of his stray. Let me spell it out: much more than a story about a great champion of God who lived thousands of years ago, this Is a story about champions of God who are present if unrecognized —- today. If The Lord b With Us... In a time when the Israelites have suffered greatly at the hands of the Midianites—a situation they have brought on themselves they begin to grumble that God has failed to send them a-champion as he has in the past. In other words, God is responsible for their plight, as they see it. Thus when a messenger (“angel") of the Lord comes to chat with Gideon and says to him, “The Lord is with you, you mightly NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin UocMttr County A(rfcutturtA(«rt Pham7l7-3944851 To Beware of Wfld Birds No doubt most livestock producers have faced the problem of wild birds during snow covered days. These birds come by the thousands and feed from the liv stock bunks and feeders. They not only eat feed but their droppings present very unsanitary conditions for everyone. Also, since these birds fly from farm to farm, they are a definite source of spreading various diseases. Unfortunately, we do not have a real good cure for the problem. They can be screened out of confinement buildings. There is however, a pelleted feed available at some feed dealers that is effective on starlings. Some fanners suggest using a shallow pan with about a half inch of salt on the bottom with a thin layer of lard over the salt so as the bird pecks through the lard they pick up the salt Also, some builders have a hanging bird perch with a built-in wick that contains bird repellent. Good luck. To Order Small Fruit Plants Early This may strike you as premature, but this is a good time to order small fruit plants for next spring. Although you won’t put them in the ground until April, you should be flipping through catalogs now. Ordering early assures you a wide selection of the best varieties. Companies begin filling orders with their best stock...if you delay you could be stuck with what’s left over. Ordering early also means you’ll get your strawberries or blueberries or whatever at the best time to plant. So, dig out those catalogs man of valor,” Gideon is having none of it “Pray, sir,” he replies cynically, why that has all this befallen us? And where are all his wonderful deeds which our father recounted tons...?” (6:13). ' I think that neither God nor his messenger blinked at the straightforward and blunt reply from Gideon. In fact it might have been that honesty that attracted God to this man (who wouldn’t have won any polls for “Most Likely to Succeed”). Gideon ahnply said openly what lots of other people were thinking. He was honestly, puzzled by God’s ap parent failure to live up to his reputation. 1 think God has a special affection for those of his children who have the honesty to challenge his messengers with “If God is with us, then how come...?” Do Not I Send You? Actually, when we face God and his messengers with that kind of question, it gives him an op portunity to challenge us in turn. Gideon wanted to know where God’s champion was and God countered by asking: “Do not I send you?” Of course, Gideon resisted this as best be could: “Pray, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? -Behold my clan is the weakest in Mannaseh, and I am the least in my family?” When faced with God’s challenge we can always think of lots of reasons to refuse. And the assurance God gives Gideon is also the assurance he gives us: “But I will be with y0u...” It is God who makes ns sufficient for our role as his champion. The next time you find yourself saying or thinking, “Why doesn’t someone do something about that?” take a good look for God’s champion in your own mirror. He’s there, if you really want to find him. now...get your order in...and be prepared for delicious fruit from your planting. To Recognise the Consequences of a Bumper Com Crop The price of com is so low this year many farmers have decided to not sell. They plan to store as much as possible and wait until prices improve. It could be a long wait. Coro prices have fallen steadily for the past 3 years. In 1960 corn sold for $3.25 a bushel...today it’s down to $1.66 a bushel...well below the cost of production. Coro prices are so low because production has been so high. Two bumper harvests, back-to-back, have created the surplus problem. Farmers grew as much as they could because they thought the export market would not be satisfied. But the export market hasn’t responded as expected. In fact, exports are down 15% from last year. The domestic market won’t provide much relief either. Meat producers continue to feed less livestock. This may change though, if producers take ad vantage of the low feed prices and expand herds. But this could put them in the same situation that the grain industry is suffering from now. Today, corn farmers aren’t even thinking about profits...tbey just hope to break even. To Repair Machinery During the Winter Most of the outside field work is (Turn to Page Al 2)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers