Planning ahead makes sense for Lebanon dairyman
BY LAURA ENGLAND
MYERSTOWN During the
1800’s, Auguste Rodin emerged as
one of the world’s foremost of
modem sculptors. Intrigued by the
human expression, Rodin tried to
mold into each of his sculptures the
emotional character of his living
model. The most famous of his
creations was “The Thinker.”
Expressing more than words
could describe, Rodin’s famous
sculpture depicts a man seated,
slumped over at the waist. The
man rests his chin on his folded
right hand, while his left arm lays
flushed against his left leg. As the
name “The Thinker” conveys, the
man appears to be deep in thought,
possibly contemplating his future.
If Rodin were alive today and
working on a 20th century “The
Thinker” sculpture, his figure may
be standing or moving and not
sitting as his 1800 creation. The
figure would be thinking aloud with
mouth drawn slightly open. The
arms would be extended while a
hand reaches out to plug numbers
into a computer. On the face would
be an expression of excitement
mixed with the serious of a future
plan.
The updated “The Thinker”
could very well be modeled after
Harold Myer, a Lebanon County
dairyman, who constantly
questions, “What’s next 7 What’s
next?”
“I believe in planning your work
and working your plan,” Harold
said of his farm operation. “I plan
five years ahead.”
To do this, Harold spends much
time thinking and planning -
nothing is done without a game
plan. Listed in his game plan are
Computer is hired hand , too
[
%
Dairyman Harold Myer, right, explains his computer
program for feed to Lebanon County extension agent Ken
Winebark.
Hi,
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An open-side calf barn provides a healthy environment for young
such factors as finances, family
and future.
Considering himself a financial
manager, although humbly ad
mitting that he may not be “the
best of farmers,” Harold said the
important thing in a farm
operation is to establish cash flow.
“The idea is to keep the money
going,” he said. “Uncle Sam likes
it (money) and we like it, too.”
To keep his finances in check,
Harold opted to include a computer
in 1981 as a management tool.
Helping to make him “a better
financial manager,” Harold uses
his computer to file monthly and
yearly financial statements. The
computer is also used to develop
feed programs and other farm
needs.
Where finances are concerned,
Harold said the farm budget is
established on a monthly basis.
Both a projected cash flow and a
blank cash flow are determined.
The blank cash flow reveals what
the actual month’s expenses were.
Harold uses a Visacalc system, a
computer program, to set up his
feed, labor and machinery costs in
a “way that I can understand it."
The bookkeeping system,
managed by wife Susan, is
modeled after the Pennsylvania
Farmers Association accounting
system.
Through their financial
management program, Harold and
Susan obtain an itemized monthly
history of expenses and income
They monitor on a monthly basis
what they have
“With the economics and the
cost of money, we have to program
ourselves,” Harold said. “Money
is an important part of our
Open-side calf barn
The Harold Myer farm, with its 1,000 acres and 300 milking cows, supports not only
the Myer family but seven hired hands and their families as well.
operation, and we have to project
the cost of that money.”
Believing strongly in the need for
sound financial management,
Harold said he spends much time
during the winter developing cash
flow budgets. Available cash flow,
he added, is used to make pur
chases.
Through the computer, Harold
projects his cash flow. With
financial records available at the
touch of keyboard, he is able to
compensate on a month to month
basis where money needs to be
spent.
As an example, Harold in
corporated a computer program to
analyze his feeding program.
Listing in his program are monthly
herd milk and butterfat production
records, available feed and
feedstuffs and daily nutritional
requirements such as protein, dry
matter and total digestible
nutrients.
Feeding a total mixed ration
based on Penn State forage test
recommendations, Harold said he
can easily change his feed ration
and get the best feed for the best
cost. The computer allows him to
make these changes readily and
decide on a ration, considering
costs at the same time.
“I like to compare the costs of
feed,” Harold said. “I like to get
the better bargain.”
Getting the better bargain and
the most tor his money is im
portant, Harold contends. This
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on the Myer farm
Farm supports 8 families
Next generation in wings
Like many farm couples, Susan and Harold Myer hope their
sons, from left, Josh, nine, Seth, seven, and Aaron, six, will
continue the family farm.
A one-man team milks a six-hour shift in the Myer's double
eight parlor.
Six - hour milking shift