Dl4— Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 17,1984 COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Government commodity plans keep the country’s larger farms afloat but also play an important role in Maryland agriculture, according to an agricultural economist at The University of Maryland. “Most of the information available suggests big farms get the most benefits from commodity price support programs,” Dr. Bruce Gardner says. “But I think we can make the argument that such programs make a real dif ference for small farmers,” he says. To benefit from commodity programs, farmers must plant many acres. On smaller farms, with less defense against loss, such programs can mean the difference between financial success and bankruptcy. Crops without sup ports are, therefore, forced to confine their operations to levels at which they can stand the risk, Gardner notes. Although the idea is a novel one. Compare the Steltzf us Woodwork Calf Hutch Lilting Hook Simple, efllclent (or ea«y handling One Sheet eyebolt and pin Rear Yen' (QpUonl , G.lv.nlzed comttU) r (Option) \ Metal Roof I s Sturdy Zztcouitraction Tilt Out Feeder for/ Treated tUds eaiyaccee*. exterior plywood Lancaster County: JOHN LANDIS 1801 Colebrook Rd., Lancaster, Pa. 717-898-7689 Lebanon Couni UMBERGER'S MILL Rt. 322, RDR4 Lebanon, Pa 717-867 5161 Perry County. MELVIN STOLTZFUS Blain, Pa. 717-536-3554 STOLTZFUS WOODWORK MFD. BY: Commodity supports affect Md. farmers Gardner says basic observation ot the size of the state’s fulltime farms, and what they produce, supports the theory. “Look at the areas where we have no price supports,” he says. “There are fewer farms or we see small farms that require large amounts of labor only in certain seasons.” There are exceptions. Gardner says tobacco farms are examples of small-scale commodity producers without price supports in Maryland. The economist notes Maryland tobacco farmers gave up federal support plans about 10 years ago when they decided to market their own product. They feel they can do as well without the support plans, he says. Vegetable farms in the state are examples of intense labor operations that Gardner says are also exceptions. Poultry, another Maryland commodity without government .support, tends to operate on a larger scale in the JOE RUTH RO R 4133 Fleetwood. Pa 19522 215-944-7571 RO 2. Box 2280, Gap, PA 17527 36” or SO” high wire enclosure I Option) ALSO AVAILABLE: TRACK FOR FASTENING CALVES' CHAIN TO CEILING OF HUTCH Berks Count] Maryland: LEROY HILDEBRAN Woodsboro. Md 301-845-8929 state, he says. Even without supports, tobacco, poultry and vegetables are financially inviting here, Gardner says. Their small land com mitment or close management and high labor needs make them work without government help, he says. The Maryland economist also says other issues ■ affect state farmers as much or more than commodity pricing plans. He says farmers here seem more con cerned with what they can do with their land. Rising land values in the state make zoning and land use laws more important to Maryland farmers. Gardner says they ap pear more concerned with how the government says they can use their farmland and pass it on to their children than with price supports. All these are important to both During Massey-Ferguson’s November Off-Season Sale Start saving with BIG factory discounts There's never been a better time to buy a new MF tractor. Thanks to big factory dis counts direct to us from Massey-Ferguson, we re offering you the best deals of the year on all new MF tractors. Check out our prices on the model you want, from compact all the way up to our biggest model Hurry! These offers expire December 1,1984. ARNETT’S GARAGE Rt. 9 Box 125 Hagerstown, MD Ph: (301) 733-0515 ABRACZINSKA’S FARM EQUIP. INC. WEB $ N ydER inc. S. G. LEWIS AND SON RDI, Catawissa, PA nn« West Grove PA T^h’o^a 3 Watson, PA 17777 PhgSsi^MO (South on Rt. 42) " p l h; (7 l l 7) 533.5555 869-2214 small and large operations, Gardner says. He also notes that the ways farmers can use their resources often determines their participation in commodity programs. A 1983 report by the council for Agricultural Science and Technology which reviewed economic policy options, suggested several alternatives to increase small farm commodity support programs. Target prices for grain could be adjusted to different levels for different sized operations, the LEBANON VALLEY IMPLEMENT CO. 700 E. Linden St. N. Groffdaie Rd. Richland, PA Leola, PA 17540 Ph: (717) 866-7518 Ph: (717) 656-2321 R.W. KEUER SALES GUS FARM EOWP. HC. Perkasie, PA 18944 ,nt - R*,? - pf Ph- <2is) 257-0101 Seven Valleys, PA 17360 Pn. (Zl!»*»/-oiUi Ph; (717) 428-1967 N.H. FLICKER & SONS, INC. MARLIN W. SCHREFFLER DAeffifwK’Sw Pitman. PA Ph: (215) 683-7252 Ph: (717)648-1120 report said. Also suggested was the possibility of a direct lump sum payment to all producers if the commodity price falls below a given level. Since Maryland farms are not normally large-scale operations, Gardner says such plans would benefit the state’s farmers. Views on whether commodity programs affect the number and size of farms are not normally supported by studies, Gardner says. However, he believes such effects should be taken into con sideration in implementing price support plans. SNi CWANTIC * 9 SIUCTIOM ... Lancaster Farming's fgPIV CLASSIFIEDS And keep saving with our flexible financing plans! Along with big factory discounts, you’ll save even more with Massey’s special financing So make your best deal now on a new MF tractor (34 PTO hp and higher) and take your choice of 9.9% APR MF Financing or Waiver of Finance Charges ’til June 1,1985 Down payment and qualified credit required M. M. WEAVER ft SON
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