AI2-UncMt«r Fannins, Saturday, June 1,1985 Pa. state fairs get improvement funds HARRISBURG - Sixty Penn sylvania agricultural fairs will receive matching fund payments totaling $120,183 for capital im provements tips year, according to Acting State Agriculture Secretary George F. Grode. Grade said this is the first time in six years that funding has been available for ca'pital im provements at the state’s 105 fairs. “Each year, $2.5 million is ap propriated to our fairs to reim burse their costs of events, WASHINGTON - There’s no doubt the strong U.S. dollar has hurt American exports, but the dollar may sometimes get too much of the blame, says a recent issue of the Agriculture Depart- meat’s FARMLINE magazine. According to economist Mary Ponomarenko of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, a rising dollar does not necessarily price our products out of the market. Ponomarenko points out that high inflation rates in many importing nations have partly offset, or even com pletely overshadowed, the effects of the dollar’s climb against these currencies. Take the case of U.S. :om to Mexico. The iverage U.S. Gulf port trice for American com ise 15% between 1980 id 1984. But the ap- eciation of the dollar ainst the Mexican o raised the price of '. com in pesos by r e than 700% .uugh, probably, to iscourage any pur hases had it not been or Mexico’s runaway nflation. Inflation aises the prices of all oods and services in die economy, so a 700% increase in the price of mported corn is high only if other prices in Mexico rose by a much smaller amount. After adjusting the U.S. corn price for changes in both the exchange rate and inflation, the “real” cost to Mexico for U.S. com rose by 30% from 1980 to 1984. Or consider the Korean example. Again, he U.S. dollar price for ;om rose 15%, but the ippreciation of the loUar jacked up the orice in South Korean currency by slightly nore than 50%. When nflation rates are also aken into account, rowever, the “real” nice of U.S. com to Corea rose by only 10%. Jouth Korea’s inflation ate had, in fact, more han compensated for he dollar’s climb. Trade analysts do not •laim that we shouldn’t vorry about a strong lollar. Even in markets rith high inflation ates, costs of U.S. •roducts would be much nore attractive without he sharp appreciation f the dollar. That, in am, might encourage .lore imports, and it rould almost certainly mprove America’s exhibitions and premiums,” Grode said. “Matching funds for capital improvements become available when a balance remains after other Fairy Fund obligations have been met.” Grode said that a committee established to consider the mat ching funds payments had given approval for priority payments to 20 fairs which have had matching funds requests on file the longest. These payments range from $723 to $3,500. Another 40 fairs will each Strong dollar competitive position vis a-vis rival suppliers. Instead, analysts point to the Mexican and Korean examples to show how the price of impact of the strong dollar can be greatly \bung or old, dairy products make our lives a little better. So, on behalf of the millions of people who enjoy the results ofyourtabors without understanding the problems and stresses of producing dairy products, we would like to thank you. \bu deserve it. ££) young’s LIVESTOCK NUTRITIONAL SERVICES Roaring Spring, PA 16673 814-793-3701 1-800-323-1037 (PA) 1-800-323-1038 etsss YOUNG’S The Limitation of Warranty and ramady appearing on the label la part of the tarma of aala •Registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Bred international, Inc. Dee Moines, lowa, USA receive equal payments of $1,665. “This system was determined to be the most equitable,” he said, noting that the 60 fairs had ap plications on file for $781,395 in matching funds. “Our local, county and regional fairs are unique to Pennsylvania, providing a great opportunity to promote a better understanding of agriculture, while giving the farm community the chance to compete and improve the quality of Penn sylvania crops and livestock,” exaggerated if inflation rates are ignored. Both exchange rates and inflation rates must be considered, they say. The dollar’s rise may have hurt more in some countries with Available From; Your Pioneer sales representative. relatively strong currencies but low in flation rates, such as West Germany, than in many less developed countries with weak currencies but high inflation. \ PIONEER. SILAGE INOCULANT MAKES GOOD SILAQE EVEN BETTER Grode said. The Acting Secretary said ap- remain on file, and receive further plications for the balance of these consideration in the future when funds are available. Farm Calendar (Continued from Page A 10) continues through June 15. Call 814-865-6301. Cumberland County dairy princess pageant, Embers, Carlisle. Perry County dairy princess pageant, Newport Fairgrounds, Newport. Saturday, June 15 York County Farmers Association, free farm tour, Hellam area, 10 a.m.to4p.m. Junior Livestock Day, Ag Arena, Penn State University. Adams County dairy princess pageant, Biglerville High School. Franklin County dairy princess BRAND matching funds requests would pageant, Kauffman Community Center, Chambersburg. Huntingdon County dairy princess pageant, Shaver’s Creek Community Building, Peter sburg. Lancaster County dairy princess pageant, Farm and Home Center, Lancaster. Sullivan County dairy princess pageant; Main Street, Dushore. Sun Area dairy princess pageant, Boscoe’s, Susquehanna Valley Mall; Selinsgrove. Washington/Greene County dairy princess pageant, Washington County Fairgrounds, Washington. 1177 (E). PIONEER. MINO SEEDS and INOCULANTS