DlO—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 5,1983 Production is a factor For years we in Extension have been guilty of praising, promoting, and rewarding production levels. I am using the word guilty with reservation because high production levels are a necessary factor in bottom line profits. However high production without good cost control can be just as unprofitable.as low production. Of what value is a 17,000 pound herd average if it costs $l5 per hundred to produce milk selling for $l3. Or how can a 150-bushel com yield be profitable if the cost per bushel is $3 with a $2.50 com market price. CALL US FOR FREE ESTIMATES on TOP QUALITY BARN SPRAY & BRUSH PAINTING Try Our New Concept In Penetration And Adhesion. To earn a dollar - give a dollars worth of service and work. Pay only $750 for the best kind of barn painting on an average barn - if you pay more you paid too much On.barn siding painting - temperature and timing are factors as well as penetrating kind of quality for adhesion are helpful guides for long lasting under average conditions of siding type and age. I will share helpful guidelines on roof maintenance of steel roofs by brushing on the primetime. The farmers in Lancaster Co. are lucky because of the amount of competition in barn painting. Check with us for the best deal! PHARES S. HURST Years of experience plus self Rd 1, Box 420, Narvon, PA 17555 employment gives you quality 215-445-6186 work for less expense. FILLIPPO, INC. DISABLED & CRIPPLED COWS, BULLS & STEERS Compe jj Slaug 0 governm 0 B 1 Residen Elam Gin CL. Kin Brockett’s Ag Advice By John E. Brocket! Farm Management Agent Lewistown Extension Office Constantly asking the government for increasing price supports is not a solution. I believe that we (including farmers) should be more aware of costs and returns. If DHIA used standardized feed costs based on forage test analysis and market prices, the return above feed cost would be a far more indicative figure as a measure of profit. If actual returns per acre were the criteria for winning a com or alfalfa contest. Production - Profits High production per unit is a factor in the profitability of a farm. In 1982 FRANK A. WANTED Fr BRUNING It would not take very many farm analyses to convince any one of this. The red question is how high should it be to reach the maximum profit level using available resources under your management? This will vary from one farm to another due to a number of environmental factors as well as to the farmers ability to make sound decisions. For dairy operations a very critical factor in economical production levels is forage quality. This effects the total ration feed conversion into milk. For hog operations the genetic level of the animal plus the ability of the farmer to feed enough without wasting feed is a deciding factor. For crop programs, knowledge of soils, well documented records, soil tests, and a continual ATTENTION POULTRYMEN AND POULTRY HOUSE OWNERS! Are your manure scraper paddles corroding through and wearing out? Cefli us for a replacement price for STAINLESS STEEL SCRAPERS! END THE CORROSION PROBLEMS ONCE AND FOR ALL!! Call NAS Machine Co. 717-898-0188 Ask for Norman Sauder Generator Sets Manufactured for Agriculture •Air Cooled Units; 2 -20 KW Maxi-Power Generator has over 325 automatic units in South Eastern Pa. Why not check with the leader before buying! Sales Service Rental Used Units Trade In Allowances Switch Gear THE ORIGINATOR OF AGRICULTURE SWITCH GEAR - I tVIAXI I - ' ■ MAXI-POWER GENERATORS > V ( ) 330 FONDERWHITE RD.. LEBANON. PA 17042 I VjCr-' LEONARD MARTIN CO. 717-274-1483 I POWER ★ RADIO DISPATCHED TRUCKS *24 HOUR SERVICE - ' J 00^ monitoring of crop needs (pest problems, mineral deficiencies, etc) is essential. The most important tool of all is a complete set of good records that are used. A farm manager must decide (1) what is the most economical production level for my operation, (2) what are my costs and returns at that level of production and (3) what management tools do I have available to do the best possible job. Perhaps the connotation of the Journal’s question “are there too many fanners” is right. Perhaps a lot of farmers will be going out of business before things turn around. Will you survive to prosper or go out of business to survive? To some extent it is your choice. The POWER Survive to Prosper «D.M. ff STOLTZFUS & SON. Inc. TALMAGE. PA 17580 CRUSHED STONE ASPHALT PAVING POZ—O—PAC » 717/656-2411 ff •Water Cooled Units: 7.5 -1000 KW decisions you make in the next three years will help you move in one direction or the other. Remember love of farm life and willingness to work hard are rather minor considerations in the success of a modern farm business. ■SAD LANCASTER FARMING FOR COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE MARKET REPORTS