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
<i
tatic
fer
State
itrol
ogic