AlB-Lancaster Fainting, Saturday, Fabniary 15, 1992
LINDA WILLIAMS
Bedford Co. Correspondent
BEDFORD (Bedford Co.)—
David Kohl, professor of agricul
tural economics at Virginia Tech
University, brought an enthusias
tic and optimistic message to the
fanners of Bedford County at
Dairy Day held at the Arena
Restaurant
"Farmers should be pulling out
of the recession they began feeling
ten years ago." Kohl said. "The
recession has now shifted to the
rest of the economy.
Kohl predicted that with the
"chip taken off of the baby boom
ers’ shoulders," the economy
would see a shift.
"Future Americans may leant to
Cattlemen Hear Expert
LINDA WILLIAMS
Bedford Co. Correspondent
CHESTNUT RIDGE (Bedford
Co.)— Dr. Mary Beth Bennett,
Animal Welfare Project Associate
of the Department of Dairy and
Animal Science at Pennsylvania
State University, was the guest
speaker for the annual Bedford
Cattlemen's Association dinner.
Held at Amick's Family
Restaurant, Dr. Bennett told those
in attendance of ways they might
deal with the animal rights situa
tion farmers are now facing.
She cited two separate groups.
"PETA (People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals)," said Dr.
Bennett, is, "uncompromising,
educated, well funded, vocal, and
has limited public support"
"It is useless to talk to this
group," Dr. Bennett stated. "They
will not listen to reason and will
not be logical. If they should
attend any of your cattle shows,
ignore them." She said that their
regulations are so strict, they don't
even believe in keeping animals as
pets.
"Although," she added. "I know
many of them who have pets."
The Animal Welfare group,
according to Dr. Bennett, is not as
well funded. They are vocal, but
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live with one car and a lot less
than their parents had," Kohl said.
His statistics included the fact
that 48 percent of the American
farms are debt-free.
"The average American farm
has $2.66 of debt for every dollar
of income generated compared to
$l3 of debt for every dollar of
income during the farm crisis.
"This figure, unfortunately, has
now shifted to the general eco
nomy," Kohl advised.
He noted that while the Japan
ese can compete with America in
building cars, cameras, or compu
ters, they cannot begin to compete
in the world of agriculture.
"Get the government out of
farming and keep it out," Kohl
warned. "Farm programs direct
will compromise. "And," she
added. "You can talk to them.
They ate reasonable."
To overcome all of the objec
tions raised by animal rights activ
ists, Dr. Bennett recommended the
following: Research, identifying
and correcting inadequacies, bet
ter guidelines, public education,
and communicate with who you
can.
She cited one of the best argu
ments against those would say,
"There is too much grain being
grown for animals. The same
grain could feed millions of
people."
"People do not eat com stalks."
Dr. Bennett said. "They don't eat
alfalfa and they don't eat the stalks
of wheat"
Two awards were awarded by
club treasurer, Jim Fisher to out
standing club youth. They were
(Turn to Page A 26)
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payments have been cut in half
since 1986 and most likely will be
cut by 50 percent by 1995. "The
government does nothing but cre
ate false booms," he said.
While 65 percent of American
farms report use of non-farm earn
ings, Kohl did not feel this was
bad. "One of every two businesses
use outside income for support,"
he said.
The average family living and
income taxes for a family of four
on the farm is $26,000 to $30,000
annually. "This is where you must
watch," advised Kohl.
Dave Gordon, Regional Water
Quality Specialist, at Penn State
University, called water quality a
"science," at the annual Bedford
County Dairy Day sponsored by
the Bedford Extension. "The
earth has 326 million cubic miles
of water," he said. "Of this, 94% is
salt water, two percent is ice and
three percent is ground water
which is not usable. That leaves
1/2 of 1 percent of usable water."
Gordon stated that, despite
adverse media reports, farmers
are, in general doing a good job at
managing their water systems.
He said, sink holes are a prime
source of contamination and
advised farmers not to put any
thing in the ground they wouldn't
want to drink.
Along this same line, he told
farm wives that "household chem
icals are a major source Of conta
mination. "Don't throw them away
outside," he said.
Gordon also advised farmers
not to drain antifreeze in the drive
way or to dump oil from the trac
tors or cars into the ground.
"Sooner or later, it will get into the
water."
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ry at the Bedford Dairy Day.
"It's easy for that figure to
climb. You buy Pepsi and Little
Debbie cakes and don't realize
where the money is going.”
Like the rest of the nation, far
mers are finding that medical
costs will be the biggest expense
threat on the cash flow statement
"It's important to have adequate
medical coverage," the advice
continued. "At least 60% of all
medical costs are occurred in the
last six months of life. And this
can amount to thousands and
thousands of dollars."
"Today," continued the profes
sor, "there are twenty farmers over
55 for every one under 35. This is
encouraging to the younger gener
ation. Last year, 2/3 of all ag gra
duates found jobs."
"Prime agricultural areas, like
Bedford County, are experiencing
steady increases in land values,"
Kohl said. "Meanwhile, other
areas are experiencing a steady
decline."
Kohl advised all farmers to
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keep some cash on hand. "Don't
invest your excess money in
another farm. Keep some cash
around to pay for emergencies."
His formula was three to six
months in family living expenses.
"Then, if the truck breaks down or
the furnace blows up, you can pay
cash."
He also advised those with
loans to get a fixed interest rate.
"Interest may go down, but there
is a lot bigger chance it will go
up,”
"Any successful fanner must be
able to cope with a five percent
drop in farm revenue, a five per
cent rise in farm expenses, and a
three percent rise in variable
interest."
To determine solvency. Kohl
used this formula: Take your total
debt and divide by total assets.
Then, divide owner equity by total
assets. Finally, divide total farm
liabilities by total farm equity. "If
equity drops below 40%, you are
vulnerable," he said.
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