AKHiacMttr Farming, Saturday, Ducambar ft, f 964 ALBANY, N.Y. - With the advent of biotechnology, agriculture is on the brink of a new era. Yet, just what influences new technologies will have on agriculture and society remain to be seen. “Although recent advances in biotechnology suggest the possibility of significant impacts on agriculture in New York State, the nation, and the world, the future impact of biotechnology on agriculture is largely uncertain,” said Robert Kalter, professor of agricultural economics at Cornell University, who prepared a paper for the recent Agriculture 2000 Governor’s Conference in Albany. Kalter’s report, written in conjunction with William Magrath, an agricultural economics researcher at Cornell, was one of 17 reports commissioned by Governor Cuomo to plan for the agricultural future of New York State. The majority of the presentations at the conference were made by faculty in the department of agricultural economics in the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell. In all likelihood biotechnology - the application of chemical, physical, and engineering prin ciples and techniques the biological systems to achieve improved production of food and fiber and to produce biological substances and value in commerce and medicine - will accelerate the rate of agricultural productivity, Kalter said. This will have both beneficial and adverse affects. “The benefits to society are obviously improvements in ef ficiency and product quality, and a higher standard of living,” Kalter pointed out. “A rapid acceleration in productivity, on the other hand, may result in a downward pressure on consumer prices and farm incomes, in fewer em ployment opportunities in agriculture, and in fewer farms.” Farm Calendar Monday, December 10 Annual Seed, Feed, Fertilizer and Pesticide Dealers meeting, Union Hotel, Flemington, N.J. at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December II Winter Forage Meeting, Md. Del. Forage Council, Caroline 4-H and Youth Park, Denton, Md. Southern Md. Crops Conference, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mechanicsville firehouse. Rutgers Annual Pest Control Conference, Quality Inn, North Brunswick. Continues What will be effect biotechnology of Kalter explained that only a tew new commercial products or processes evolving from biotechnology have been proven, and none are in widespread use. “Yet, the possible innovations are limited only by the human imagination,” he emphasized. In plant production, it is hoped that varieties will be engineered to take on new characteristics. For example, the nitrogen fixation capabilities of legumes may be transferred to cereals; crop varieties could take on drought, salt, and cold tolerant charac teristics or be altered to be resistant to pesticides, plant pathogens, and herbicides. Annual crops could become perennials and the photosynthesis ability of plants might even be improved. In food processing, synthetic production of flavors and other constituents of prepared foods could be engineered, as could the production of costly raw materials such as cocoa oil. ' The earliest adoption of biotech’s accomplishments probably will be in animal production. Embryo sex selection, embryo transfer, vac cines and antibiotics for disease control, feed supplements, and the production of hormones and growth regulators are just a few examples of new biological tools that could result in lower production costs and improved animal physiology and health. How quickly innovations are adopted will depend on the profitability of 1 the product or process, farmer perception of the risk involved, the capital in vestment required, and, finally, on consumer confidence in the quality and safety of the new product. Kalter pointed out that major research and development funding will be necessary to continue to support research not only in the natural sciences, but also in the social sciences, to develop policies for the problems and opportunities that may arise. tomorrow Wednesday, December 12 Penn Ag Performance Appraisal Seminar, 10 a.m. to noon. General Sutter Inn, Lititz. Central Md. Forage Conference, 8:30 a.m., Westminster, Md. Milk Marketing Inc. annual meeting, Columbus, Ohio. Financial Management workshop, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Pleasant Acres, York. Thursday, December 13 KW. Pa. Commercial Vegetable r VUP, AQOUT A FOOT Specific objectives must be articulated first. Among these goals could be a reduction in consumer 1 food prices, the stabilization or increase of farm incomes, and the protection of family farming or preservation of farmland and open space, Kalter and Magrath suggested in their presentation. Then, techniques to assess the profitability of potential in novations must be developed. Finally, there is a need to develop a better understanding of the process by which new innovations, spread - theories based on research that predict technology adoption and that will manage the diffusion of efforts from other social goals and objectives, Kalter said. “Biotechnology presents us with almost unlimited research op portunities that could ultimately impact, in far reaching ways, the agricultural sector and the well being of consumers,” Kalter said. “Biotechnology will greatly alter the speed and direction of technological change in agriculture. Farm production, agii business, research, education, and public policy are likely to undergo dramatic changes. Policy makers, industry, and the present institutional structures will have to bend with the forces resulting from the new technology. “What needs to be understood is that biotechnology is beginning to shape our private and public policy making agenda and will do so increasingly in the future, Kalter concluded. Cornell’s Biotechnology In stitute, a collaboration between university and industry scientists, focuses research on molecular genetics, cellular biology, and cell production. It fosters basic technology research with ap plications to benefit agriculture, food, chemical, and phar maceutical industries. Growers £>enunai,tt. JO a.in. to 4 p.m., BradJey House, Wexford. Eastern County Adult Farmer program on tax management, 7:30 p.m., Blue Ball Elementary School. Baltimore County Field Crops Day, 0 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friendly Farm restaurant. Upperco, Md. Vork County Sheep Producers, 7:30 p.m., 4-H center. Friday, December 14 Delaware Council ot Farm (’©operatives THRT /VI EftNS ft LOT OF SNOW j SITTING ON SCORPIONS December 9,1984 Background Scripture: Ezekiel 2:1 through 3:3. Devotional Reading: Jeremiah 7:1-15. In my last pastorate in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, I typed out and placed these words on the pulpit lamp, where every Sunday mor ning as I got up to preach I could see them and be reminded: And you, son of man, be not afraid of them, nor be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns are with you and you sit upon scorpions; be not dismayed at their words, nor be dismayed at their looks...(Ezekiel 2:8) It was a wonderful congregation of people and I never had to be afraid of either their words or their looks. Still, this text was a very necessary reminder to me that my task was to speak, as best I could, for God and not to please my congregation. UPON MY FEET How easy it is to agree that we must speak and act for God and not to please other people. We all know how true that is. But very often it is so hard to do, particularly when it means standing all by ourselves to the disapproval of people whose esteem we covet. NOW IS THE TIME f To Exercise Breeding Animals Many farm animals are kept in close quarters during the winter months. This is fine for animals being fattened for market, but may not be suitable for breeding animals. The flock of breeding ewes should have access to an exercise lot daily; there will be less trouble with paralysis in the ewe flock and stronger lambs bom if ewes are exercised daily. When the ground becomes frozen, or snow-covered, some shepherds will feed hay on the ground out in the exercise lot in order to force the ewes to exercise. Dairy cows need outside exercise to maintain good feet and legs, and to provide opportunity for heat detection. Brood mares need the same daily exercise, if they are to remain in the best of health. To Practice Holiday Safety This is not a new idea but one that bears repeating. With the holiday season approaching, there WNftT'S HE DO. SELL S/VOWL SHOVELS ? _ D Dd ED □□ By Jay Irwin UntMter County Apiculture Afent Phone 717-394-M5l o • o NOPE, HE'S OUR LOCftL CHIROPRftCTOR o o A few months ago I was at, religious meeting in whis something occurred that totally repugnant to my spirit) convictions. I wanted desperati for someone else to do somethl about it. I knew that if I protest) I risked disapproval of peq whose good will 1 valued. I ]j everything to lose and.seemin| nothing to gain - except my m self-respect. I doi.' 1 " nk it is necessary ji me to relate what I eventually