SW^-rWuHWKBIiy IfcM" /OL. 33 No. 35 The way they used to do it is the way it’s still done on some Lancaster County farms. Here the wheat shocks form a picturesque scene along Rt. 772 south of Brownstown. Grain harvest and making the second cutting hay has been easy in the dry, hot weath er. But corn, soybeans and tobacco show definite signs of drought stress as farmers pray for rain. Convention Sale Prices Down; Grade-Up Debate Begins Top Bid At $50,000; Sale Average At $6,913 §y FAT PURCELL SAN DIEGp, CA—The Holstein Convention Sale held in San Diego may have lopped last year’s sale in lot numbers, but was nearly s2,ooobelow last year’s sale average. “I really believe it was the widespread concern over the drought and the concern over feed prices that may have contributed to the drop in prices this year,” said Vice-President of the National Board of Directors, Donald V. Seipt of Easton, PA. This year’s top bid in California was $50,000 compared to the top bid in Indianapolis last year 0f5140,000. Even 1987*s second highest top bid was $lOO,OOO. Sale entry num bers were up a bit in 1988 to 130 lots from 126 lots in 1987, but more importantly the sale average for 1988 was down to $6,913 from last year’s $8,872. Taking the top bid in 1988’s National Holstein Convention Sale dubbed New Horizons was Bos-Sellers Clete Jet Setter-ET which sold for $50,000 to New Horizons Bull Syndi cate #2 of California. Jet Setter-ET sold with an open end A.I. lease available. Consignor was Edmond E. Fellers, Jr. and Tony Bos of Mira Loma, CA. BY LOU ANN GOOD MAN HEIM (Lancaster) Pack your suitcases, it’s vacation time. Ask any farmer and he’ll tell you that vacationing takes lots of planning and trust in letting some one else care for their dairy herds. Said Manheim dairy farmer, Dave Martin, “When it comes to vacationing the biggest asset a far mer can have is an extended fami ly. Knowing you can rely upon them makes you feel more com fortable when vacationing.” Joe and Beulah Snavely count themselves fortunate to have a friend who grew up a dairy farm. When they vacation at the shore or at a ski resort during the winter, their friend takes charge of the Snavely’s 55 dairy cows on their 100-acre Manheim farm. Beulah said, “We don’t worry about a thing when we go. We know we have good reliable help.” Not everyone is so fortunate. Robert and Ruth Kulp did not take even a one day vacation for 16 years. Today, things have changed. Their three sons have grown up and two sons are now farming with them on their 105-acre Manheim farm. “But,” (Turn to Page B 14) Four Sections (Turn to Pag* A3B) Dairy Farmers Pack Their Bags For Summer Relief Just back from vacationing at their hunting camp in Tioga , County, the Martin clan is all smiles. Dan, the family pat riarch, said to keep the dairy operation running smoothly, the family often takes shifts by traveling four hours between Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 9, 1988 Price Cut May Be Cancelled BY KARL BERGER Special Correspondent The widening, worsening drought of 1988 could have one favorable consequence for dairy men. As much of the country, par ticularly the Midwest Farm Belt, continues to suffer from lack of rain, talk of foregoing the 50-cent milk support price cut tentatively scheduled for January 1,1989, has risen in the nation’s capital. Wire service reports out of Washington last week indicated Secretary of Agriculture Richard Lyng has told at least one Midwest governor that he no longer favors a price cut even if the size of the milk surplus warrants it. There also are reports that Congress will consider legislation to that effect as well. Delegate Interviews Reveal Concerns LITITZ (Lancaster) Although the dust haa nnlgfringan Diego since the National Holstein Association bid goodbye to the Pacific Coast, the dust may just be beginning to stir throughout the country on the number one convention topic. The national delegates have returned home to report to their members on the conven tion proceedings and while stories and opinions may differ, one message comes across loud and clear: the National Holstein Identification Program Proposal (NIP) is not a dead issue. It is alive. Add it will reafits head again, as it has for the past decade, whereever and whenever Holstein breeders gather. The NIP would permit grade animals to gain entry into the herd book by following the 4-step grade-up program proposal. Although the proposal to change the association bylaws for the grade-up program was defeated at the National Convention by a narrow margin, 126 to 116, many members believe it will come before delegates again for the vote. -the cabin and their two adjoining Manhelm farms. Pictured from left: Dan and his wife Grace, son David and children, Joshua, Laura, Abigail, Carla, Robbln (Dave’s \vife) and Melissa. 50t Per Copy 50-Cent Milk Support BY PAT PURCELL (Turn to Pag* AM) $lO.OO Per Year If accurate, the reports are the first indication that the powers that be in Washington are reconsider ing the policy that, left unchanged, would seem to lead to a repeat of the January 1, 1988, price cut this coming January. However, lobbyists for the National Milk Producers Federa tion, a Washington-based trade organization that represents most of the nation’s dairy cooperatives, are not celebrating yet. The federa tion, which in May launched a campaign to avert the cut, is continuing its efforts, according to a spokesman. ‘There’s a great deal of atten tion being paid (to the possibility of cancelling the support price cut) (Turn to Pago A 26)
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