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Dairy
Business
Newton Bair
There has to be some excuse for
writing this column, so what better
title can I give it than “The Milky
Way”? It is about the heavens and
the majestic phenomenon that
graces the sky on a clear, cold
morning. Of course, the Milky Way
is only incidental to our other
observations, but makes a good
point of coincidence to the Dairy
business.
We (Priscilla and I) have just
returned from an unusual trip that
took us Southeast along the coast of
South America to the mouth of the
Amazon River, and then up that
great river for 1000 miles to the
inland city of Manous, Brazil.
While on the Cruiser on the high
seas, we had the unique op
portunity to study the heavens, far
Ourag
lenders
know
|3oth Sides Because at Common
wealth, we’ve always
|"|f WAIIV* known that south central
VwUl Pennsylvania can only
tanro be as strong as its agri -
Id cultural economy LOVTIVTIOiIVV63Itn
So our commitment to D^ n L
farming continues with IIaUUIKII DdlllV
our pledge to support
the agricultural commu
nity in every way
possible.
away from the glow of city lights.
The main attraction for this study
was Halley’s Comet, which is quite
spectacular as seen from the
Equator.
With four professional
Astronomers on board, the
heavens became a diamond
studded classroom as well as the
most fascinating and beautiful
view of the Space that surrounds
our planet Earth. For an amateur
stargazer like myself, it opened a
whole new spectrum of sights that
a northerner seldom sees. And
some sights can be seen, if we only
take the trouble to haul out of our
warm beds early enough to see
them before the sun rises to block
our view.
To be a good ag lend
er, you have to know
farming as well as you
know banking. And
that's the tough criterion
every Commonwealth
National ag lender must
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Halley’s Comet was only one of
the sights, but since it is a once in a
lifetime experience, it remains the
brightest. Other soul-stirring
sights included the Southern Cross,
visible only from south of Latitude
15 degrees north, and Alpha
Centauri, the star that is closest to
the solar system.
These spectacular objects are
not visible in Pennsylvania.
Neither is the brilliant Megellianic
Cloud, a glowing nebula of
heavenly light visible only from
south of the Equator. The Milky
Way also takes on a new brilliance
when seen from the double vantage
point of a blacked out ship at sea,
plying the waters of the Atlantic
Ocean while crossing the equator.
Now lest you are turning slightly
envious, and beginning to have
regrets at having missed the view
of Halley’s Comet this time
around, ft ft stiff vftfNt fa sovtfwm
fMim/fvMia. As of this writing, I
have observed it as well as tried to
photograph it at 4:30 A.M.
It is low in the southeastern sky,
slightly above a line drawn from
the bright star Vega in the con
stellation Lyra through another
bright star Altair in the con
stellation Aquilla, the Eagle. It is
actually approaching the con
stellation Sagittarius from the
direction of Capricorn. There are
no other bright stars near it at this
time, to relate to its location. The
moon is on the other side of the sun
and does not interfere with the
And that means hav
ing ag lenders in place
throughout our marketing
area.
Ag lenders who know
both sides of your fence
Count on Commonwealth
A
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view.
Don’t expect to see a brilliant
display. A good pair of binoculars
are necessary. It is easily
distinguished from any other body
by its size and character. It ap
pears slightly fuzzy, and the tail is
still visible, although fading fast as
it travels farther away from the
sun on its 76-year journey.
It may also be visible in the
evening sky an hour after sundown
during April. It will be climbing
higher above the horizon then, but
getting farther away from the
earth. Look due south, about ten to
BY ROBIN PHILLIPS
Staff Correspondent
WOMELSDORF - A quota
system for dairymen is being
promoted locally as a better idea.
In the past few weeks a growing
faction of dairymen have been
arguing that the costly herd buyout
plan is not the answer to the
current dairy dilemma.
Although their idea is too late to
the presses to replace the herd
buyout, it is being advocated as a
type of contingency plan after the
initial buyout reduces the surplus.
“We’re trying to work a program
on what is existing now,” states a
spokesman for the group “Quota
A Better Idea.”
“In Order 4, we already do have
Member FDIC
—s •
v
T
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twenty degrees above the horizon,
in the constellation Scorpius. The
sky must be perfectly clear of
clouds and haze, and you should be
away from the glare of the city
lights or even dawn-to-dusk lights
that obscure your vision of the sky.
Looking to the Heavens may be
one of finding a brighter future,
and the Milky Way even gives a
significant meaning to the Dairy
Business. Heaven knows we need
some new insights and inspiration
for the industry. Who knows, we
might even find some Pie-in-the-
Sky!
Better Idea
a quota system, but we call it
base,” states the dairyman who is
acting as spokesman for the group
and wishes to remain anonymous.
‘‘One of the reasons it has failed in
my opinion is because the price
they pay for over-base production
is too great to discourage
production.
“We can do a quota system
without buying and selling quotas.
A quota system would discourage
people from going into business
unless there is a need for it, he
explains.
“Too many farmers always want
a program where they benefit,”
the spokesman continues. “We
have to have a plan that’s fair and
equal for everyone.”
After the introduction of their
plan, these dairymen received
many signed petitions and phone
calls supporting their ideas. A
three-priced dairy plan was for
mulated and presented to
Secretary of Agriculture Richard
Grubb and to Senator Gus Yatron’s
office.
The spokesman is quick to add
that there are still wrinkles to iron
out of the plan, but was encouraged
by the way it was received by
higher officials. According to the
spokesman, Grubb said it was too
bad the plan wasn’t there a year
and a half ago. The group was told
to present it to as many lobbying
groups and fanner groups as
possible and gain support
throughout the state.
The group urges all interested
dairymen and ag groups to call or
write with questions and ideas or
signify support of the plan.
They call the plan the Penn
sylvania Milk Marketing Plan and
it is as follows:
(Turn to Page A3£)
To Lancofttor W