ASMancaster Fanning, Saturday, February 27, 1993 LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) Convinced that the only thing certain about the future is change, Hamilton Bank, during an agri cducational seminar, tackled the economical, technological, and emotional issues that change in the ’9os entails. While the seminar focused on the positive aspects of change, Dr. George Conneman ; associate dean of Cornell University, said that he is not suggesting that one should adopt every change because not everything works out With witty ancedotes, he described how many quotes from people in the past seem ridiculous now that megachanges have taking place in society. He emphasized the perspective gained by by reviewing the trends of agriculture within the past 20 years and the technologies that will shape the future of agriculture. While change often brings crisis to people, Conneman said that cri sis signifies both danger and opportunity that one needs to look at with vision to survive. “Smart farming works a lot like smart baseball,” he said. “Always be ready for a curve; keep your eye on the ball; coverall bases; back up the play, and be a team player,” he said. H. Louis Moore talked about the good and bad points in the eco nomy that sets the stage for change in agriculture. When you look at both factors, the positive is greater than the negative factors and that will help agriculture as well as the rest of the economy, Moore said. His analysis of production shows that grain inventories will result in cheap feed for ’93. “That’s good for users, but bad for those who sell,” he said. For survival in self-help market ing, Moore encouraged farmers to David Kohl Panel members answer impromptu questions from the audience. From left, Jolene Brown, Dr. Louise Moore, Dr. George Conneman. Bank Seminar Focuses On Progress Through Change look for niche marketing. “It doesn’t have to make sense. It’s what the consumer perceives of truth,” said Moore. To describe how ridiculous a consumer’s con cept may prove. Moore told of the woman who pays more for brown eggs than white because she thinks they look better in the refrigerator. “Celebrate change,” said Jolene Brown, a professional speaker and farmer from lowa. She said that the alternative to celebrating changeis to have ulcers, live in fear, and be a victim of circumstances. Brown said that many people in agriculture have the disease of per fectionism and want everything to be done exactly right according plan and often refuse to adjust to change. According to demographics, she said, that out of 30 people chosen at random, four will emerge as leaders, about 10 will follow the leaders, and the others will com plain about life being unfair and be victims of circumstances. She stressed the need for far mers to listen to the marketplace and adapt to the changes neces sary. Victims of circumstances blame the economy, the weather, the consumer.... she said. They depend on others such as Exten sion agents, banks, and the govern ment to fix it “We live in the worst of times or the best of times, depending on what you are looking for,” she said. To rekindle self worth, Brown said, “You must separate your self worth from your net worth.” Self worth can be enhanced by drawing on eternal values, caring for health, and taking care of the mind, she said. While it’s scary taking risks, she said that a quote from I. Paul Getty reminds people that not taking risks can result in disaster. Getty said, “In times of rapid change, experience might be the worst enemy.” For the first time at the annual seminar, the audience had the opportunity to ask questions dur ing a panel composed of Moore, Brown, Conneman, and David Kohl, professor at Virginia Tech. In the discussion, the panel agreed that they believe that the family farm will survive. “I believe the family can do bet ter than a corporate farm,” Conne man said. Moore said the family farm in the next 23 years will probably be more business oriented, larger, more specialized, but still a family farm. Panel members also said that dairy farms with 65-head can make it financially in the ’9os if they pay attention to details, keep debt mod erate, and are modest in spending money. “Some farmers with 60 head Speakers at the Hamilton Bank Seminar emphasize the positive points of change. From left, Jolene Brown, David Kohl, Dr. Louis Moore, Darvin Boyd, and Dr. George Conneman. make more money than those with 125,” Moore said. Some with a 17.000 rolling herd average also make more money than those with 20.000 pounds. “Some farmers suffer with ‘biggness on the brain,” Conne man said. As with any other business, far mers must adjust to change and not be scared of financial analysis. Donald Cooper, president of Hamilton Bank, told the 350 per sons who attended that economists forecast that the prime rate will likely stay at its current level of six percent for the first half of the year, and may even go lower. From a mega perspective, Kohl said that most farmers are in better shape financially this year than last Fifty percent of farms are Dr. George Conneman 0^ Joseph Del Tito debt-free and others have reduced their debt ratio. While an average family of 3.8 needs $36,000 to $40,000 annual income, Kohl said many families are reducing medical insurance because of skyrocketing prices. He reminded the audience that farming in the second most hazard ous occupation “so don’t dump insurance.” The seminar was the 12th annu al one that Hamilton held for the agricultural community in an effort to better serve the needs of the bank’s customers. “We care and want to continue Family Spirit Awards At Poultry Progress Day LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) The Poultry Family Spirit Award has been established to re cognize Lancaster County fami lies that have owned a poultry business for at least two genera tions. These businesses may be farms or marketing, feed, poultry supplies, or seryice businesses. These multigenerational busi nesses will be recognized at the Cattlemen’s Meeting Set MERCER (Mercer Co.) The annual meeting of the N.W. Penn sylvania Cattlemen’s Association (NWPCA) will be held at the Mer cer County Extension Center, on Monday. March 1. There will be a braised steak dinner starting at 7 p.m. The cost for members of the NWPCA will be $2.30 a person. The association is picking up part of the cost for the dinner and one other (spouse, herdsman, friend or family mem- 1 1 Jolene Brown to be leaders in agriculture,” Dar vin Boyd, Hamilton agri-finance director said. 1993 Lancaster County Poultry Progress Day on March 4 at the Lancaster County Farm and Home Center. Lancaster County is one of this country’s top poultry producing areas. This is the result of many poultry operations being in the same family for several genera tions. ber). Cost for non-members will be $4 a person. (Ivomec is picking up part of the cost of the dinner for all individuals.) The program for the evening will be presented by Shawn Mc- Kee. representative for MSD Ag- Vct Division of Merck & Co., Inc., Grove City. McKee’s discus sion will deal with “Parasite Con trol Programs and Products,” sponsored by Ivomec. Hope to see you on the Ist
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