AlO-Uncasttr Faming, Saturday, Dteambtr 2d, 1 Senate Ag Committee Agenda for 1985 WASHINGTON - Senator Jesse Helms, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, has outlined the likely agenda of agricultural legislation for the first session of the 99th Congress. “The main task, of course, will be the drafting of a new basic farm bill next year,” said Helms. “Obviously, 1985 will be a crucial year for farm policy in this country, given the fact the existing farm policy is both coun terproductive and far too costly. This indicates the necessity for a major reform in farm policy. It won’t be easy, but it will be in the best interest of both farmers and taxpayers if Congress approves farm legislation that is market oriented, flexible, internally consistent, long-term in design and sensitive to all elements of the production system.” The committee will hold hearings on all aspects of farm legislation shortly after the 99th Congress convenes. Following is a summary of legislative authorities expiring in 1985 subject to reauthorization: Farm Bill The expiring farm bill authorities fall into two classifications - (1) those that would revert to existing per manent legislation as established by the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949, and (2) those having no permanent authority and would go out of existence if not reauthorized. Current price support programs for the basic farm commodities, including wheat, feed grains, upland cotton, and rice, expire with the 1985 crop and would revert to permanent law. Other programs in this category are the current price support programs for peanuts, soybeans, sugar, milk, wool, and mohair. Numerous other programs or appropriation authorities passed in previous farm bills would expire if not reauthorized. Among these are Public Law 480 (Food for Peace program), payment limitations, the food stamp program, the dairy I •ha 6 product indemnity pi > > ~ ,,iik assessment authority, Commodity Credit Corporation donations to military and veterans hospitals, the special grazing and hay programs, the Cost of Production Standards Review Board, the Agricultural Export Credit Revolving Fund, the commodity supplemental food program (in cluding payment of administrative costs), and various research and extension programs. Helms emphasized that export programs will also be a major part of the farm bill. “One of the keys to a workable, market-oriented policy is a world market that is- free, fair, and open,” he said. "If our farmers are willing to be price-competitive, then Congress must ensure they are getting a fair shake in world markets.” The Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977 expires at the end of 1985. Helms said soil conservation issues are likely to be considered as part of the farm bill. “The operation of current farm programs has done much to squander our soil and water resources," said Helms. “As we look at a sensible, long-range approach to farm policy, we must be sure our commoditv are woikmg in tandem with con servation programs.” Five nutrition programs which were extended by appropriation in Farm Calendar Hunterdon County Board of Agriculture monthly meeting, Extension Center, 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 3 1985 Farm Income Tax Area Meeting, Arena Restaurant, Bedford, Rt. 220, north of Turnpike Exchange, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., lunch at noon. Let’s ring in I ♦* » o this brand New Year with the promise of peace and brotherly love for all mankind. Other Expiring Authorities Wednesday, Jan. 2 • r T it 1984 also expire. These include the summer food service program, commodity distribution program, state administrative expenses, special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children (WIC), and nutrition education and training. Other appropriation authorizations that expire are those for the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the National Aquaculture Act. Maximum loan limits under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act have expired, and authority to replace stocks of the food security wheat reserve expire in 1985. Kui . indication Act Helms said the Committee may need to amend the Rural Elec trification Act, also. Efforts to amend the Act were unsuccessful in the 98th Congress, and there remains a need to enact amend ments to provide for the future solvency of the electric and telephone revovhng fund. "A great deal of work went into this REA legislation last year, and it is important to keep that momentum going to see this issue resolved,” said Helms. ' Congress must pass an REA bill that will keep the revolving fund self sufficient while providing for the legitimate credit needs of rural electric and telephone cooperatives.” Garrett Co. Crop Conference, Bittinger Community Bldg., Bittinger, Md., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 Farm Financial Management Workshop (Day 1), Cumberland Co. Extension Bldg., 1100 Claremont Rd., Carlisle, 9:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. NOW IS THE TIME To Know Tax Reporting Timetables Farmers planning to estimate what their tax is going to be for 1984 should file Form 1040 ES by Jan. 16. If you file your Estimated Returns by Jan. 16, you have until April 15 to file a complete tax return on Form 1040 and pay any tax still due or request a refund if you overpaid in making the tax estimate. However, farmers who do not file and pay an estimated tax must file the completed 1040 form by March 1 and pay in full whatever tax is due at that time. DO WHAT HE SAYS! December3o,l9B4 Background Scriptures: John2:l-ll,3;l-21, Devotional Reading: John3:l-12. Much of what Jesus says to us in the gospels is rather self-evident. We don’t have any difficulty in realizing that one is likely to reap what they sow, that true piety has little to do with public displays, that we can hardly expect God to forgive us if we refuse to forgive others, and so on. It doesn’t take a mental giant to understand the rationale behind many of his teachings. Nevertheless, there are times when Jesus’ commands seem incomprehensive. Reason tell us to save ourselves, even though Jesus counsels that we can only “save” ourselves by “giving” ourselves away. Reason and tradition both tell us to “get even” when we are wronged, no matter that Jesus counsels us to “turn the other cheek.” WHATEVER HE TELLSYOU So, often, we can follow Jesus with a full and reasonable un derstanding of what and why. But there are also many times when we are called to do what he commands even when we do not understand. It is then, that the life of faith becomes difficult for many of us. It is at this time that we have to decide whether we will trust in ourselves or in Him. John’s story of Jesus at the wedding feast in Cana is a good By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent Phone 717-394-6851 Non-farmers have until April 15 to complete their 1040 and pay any tax due. Farmer’s Tax Guides are available at the Extension Office to assist in filing your reports. to Control Livestock Parasite The winter feeding program is underway and parasite infested livestock are poor money makers. Body lice are often found on nearly all species of livestock; in cold weather the heavy hair coats make it difficult to eradicate these pests. We urge two treatments at 12 to 14 day intervals for best results. . illustration. Distressed for the wedding host because the wine supply is already depleted, Mary comes to Jesus saying, “They have no wine.” The implication is that she expects that somehow he can do something about this. But, instead of assuring his mother that he will do what he can, Jesus rebuffs her, saying, “0 woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come? (Luke 2:4). I don’t know how those words strike you, but if I had been Mary I would not have been much encouraged to think that he was going to do something to solve the problem. I probably would have slunk away, muttering, “Gosh I’m sorry I mentioned it.” Mary’s response, however, is absolutely amazing. Instead of accepting his words as a rebuff, she says to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you” (2:4). If the servants had questioned her about this, saying “What do you think he can do?”, I’m sure she couldn’t have given them a reasonable answer. For, she did not know what he could do or how he would help the host. She had no reason to believe he could turn water to wine-so she had no reason to expect any help. FILL THE JARS But, although she could not conceive of what he might do, she knew her son and was convinced that he would be able to dc something to help their host. So, instead of demanding an ex planation, she simply instructed the servants to act as if he was going to do it. And that’s what faith is: acting as if something is so, even when we can’t prove that it will be. Thus, when Jesus said, “Fill the jars with water,” although there was no evidence this would do any good, they did it anyway on the strength of Mary’s faith. Sometimes, when understanding fails, that’s all that’s left for us to do: what he says. Some cattle operators will have automatic louse control devices filled with an insecticide. This is excellent if materials are kept in the equipment. In milder weather cattle can be sprayed with the material using cold water. Stomach worms should also be eradicated in order to make good use of high-priced feed. The local veterinarian can check feed samples to determine the in fection. Don’t operate with parasite infection of any kind. To Review Your Will With the provisions of the Economic Recovery Tax Act back in 1981, major new benefits are available in the estate planning area. The new laws prompt three major actions. First, you should thoroughly review your wills; second, examine how you own property; and third, check for application of the new tax laws to determine savings. Everyone should have his or her will thoroughly reviewed if it hasn’t been reviewed since Sep tember 1981. One major point of the review should be to determine ways of applying the new (Turn to PageAl2)