Page 24—Corn Talk, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 14, 1995 WASHINGTON, D.C.— When the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) conceived the idea of Full Farm Flexibility, members agreed it was a great idea. But they knew it would be a tough sell in Washington. Full Farm Flexibility is dif ferent from the status quo. It actually calls for change in cur rent farm programs. And that is the first obstacle to any prog ram that sets out to revamp an institution.»NCGA’s idea is simple. Give farmers the opportunity to farm for the market. Unfortunately, that’s not how current farm programs are organized. The bottom line with the 1990 farm bill is lim ited one-way flexibility for program crop participants. Pro ducers may plant selected crops other than the program crop on up to 25 percent of any participating crop acreage base without losing base. The current message to far mers is this: Plant too much, and you’re out; plant the wrong thing, and you’re out; plant it at the wrong time, and you’re out. Three strikes can be pretty painful to a farmer who’s just trying to make a living. Full Farm Flexibility would correct that situation. To accomplish Full Farm Flexibil ity, simply: •Let producers plant any David Bomberger, a dairy farmer in Lebanon, PA, installed a hammer mill from Automatic Farm System last winter. Already he sees a big differ ence from the roller mill he had before. "This mill does a much better job of cutting the corn - now we can get it fine enough. We're feeding the same amount of corn, but the cows are utilizing it better. You see less grain in the manure. And I really feel it's helped production." Give us a call to learn how an AFS hammer mill will work on your dairy operation, with low initial cost and low maintenance. aFs automatic farm systems 608 E. Evergreen Road, Lebanon, PA 17042 Phone: 717-274-5333 $'"11 Full Farm Flexibility Is Program Option crop on their farm and still receive deficiency payments for the program crop. •Calculate payment acres by taking 75 percent of enrolled base acres. In effect, 25 percent of base acres would be unpaid and would not receive a defi ciency payment. •Maintain current levels of target prices and establish the loan rate at current levels or higher. •The Acreage Reduction Program, 0-85/92 and Normal Flex Acres are no longer applicable. In the comprehensive report, NCGA has compared Full Farm Flexibility, as outline "I really feel it's helped production" David Bomberger above, with baseline and a 25 percent normal flex acre option, which is an extension of current limited one-way flexibility. As the study found, not only does Full Farm Flexi bility afford farmers and con sumers opportunity, it also saves money. Commodity Cre dit Corporation outlays for three major commodities — com, wheat and cotton — would fall by $4 billion over the next five years, as com pared to baseline. That’s less money from the taxpayers. Market prices would rise enough so that farmers would not be hurt economically. Another finding: Full Farm Flexibility does not lead to huge production shifts that some may have predicted. In fact, this study shows that 25 C.B. HOOBEH & SON, INC. Intercourse, PA (717) 768-8231 FOR CASE IH 800/900/1000 SERIES CORN HEADS Longer service life is now yours because of an improved lower bearing. A single, sealed, heavy duty water pump type bearing now replaces the two needle bearings and seal. Greasing is no longer required! CaselH bearings have a full 3/4“ shaft with flat and pilot holes for positive mounting and removal. BENEFITS • Longer bearing life • Reduced maintenance time njsnr PARABOLIC SHANK 4x4 or 4x6 Main Frame WE SHIP PARTS DAILY Via FED. EXP. - UPS - PPSH - BUS - AIR FREIGHT, ECT. HQUBS Mon-Fri 7 AM-SPM; Sat : 7 AM-Noon ftuthovind ups station It Could Be We Have It percent flex would provide enough flexibility in the aggre gate, but it may not address the needs of individual farmers trying to make the best deci sions for their operations. Full Farm Flexibility affords a host of advantages such as increased the crop rotations that will reduce chemical application rates, conserve soil, and provide more habitat for wildlife. The NCGA will be the first to admit that there is no magi cal complete solution. Nothing, including Full Farm Flexibili ty, will answer all of the ques- ■ HOOBEREQUIPMENT,INC Middletown, ■ ■ TWO LOCATIONS (302) 378-9555 The Saving Place STALK ROLL PARTS PACKAGE... NEWSTYLE • No greasing required 09580046 (Doll mi mm PENNSYLVANIA MASTER CORN GROWERS ASSOC., INC. Don't be fooled by light duty look alikes that will appear in the aftermarketl lions or solve all of the prob lems facing U.S. agriculture today. Full Farm Flexibility is about as close to a solution as you will come. Full Farm Flexibility repre sents the evolution of power. Farmers —not Washington— have the opportunity to decide what works best for their farms, whether it relates to the market, the environment, agro nomics, conservation, or man agement considerations. Farmers need the ability to make these decisions. They can have that with Full Farm Flexibility. OLD STYLE <S Pick Up Your / Phone And _/ Place Your ' Paris -~i Order
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