•r•<s <’ 0 ' 1 fnv r 1 Vlf rl' 1 ( Imjncastef Fanning, Saturday, October 19, 1996 COLUMBUS, Ohio Mid western farmers shouldn’t bet their mortgages that China will become a big buyer of U.S. farm products, at least not quite yet, said an Ohio State University agri cultural economist. According to Allan Lines. Chi na’s leaders intend for that coun try to become self-sufficient in food production, rather than become a long-term player in international markets. China’s leaders consider its recent purch ases of U.S. grains to be a tempor ary phase to meet short-term shor tages, he said. However, China’s toad to self sufficiency could result in consid erable environmental damage if marginal lands are brought into production, Lines said. He thinks China would-be better off relying on the world’s grain markets, rather than trying to expand crops into fragile ecosystems. “Farmers should be cautious and wary,” Lines said. “Take advantage of short-term opportun ities, but be careful about making strategic plans based on the idea that the U.S. will become the breadbasket for China.” Lines came to those conclu sions after a visit this summer to the world’s most populous nation. The Chinese Academy of Sci ences invited a team of seven OSU “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie” Call for this amazing free Cassette tape, that could Save your life, your money, and change the way you Think about todays doctors 1-800-944-8107 OR L 610-346-8107 J • Made of 13 gauge Steel • All welded seams • Gravity Flow or Auger Free Estimates Also - Steel Roof Trusses for Buildings - Portable Hog Buildings - Bucket Elevators - Grain Augers Distributors - Flow Pipes & Accessories We Sell, Service & Install Phi 717-345-3724 Fax: 717-345-2294 STOLTZFUS WELDING SHOP Owner - Samuel P. Stbltzfus RD 3, Box 331 Pine Grove, PA 17963 Economist: Chinese Ag Trade Not A Sure Thing researchers to study China’s pros pects for sustainable agricultural growth. The team logged 1,500 miles visiting rural areas and con sulted with Chinese scholars. The trip opened Line’s eyes to China’s great strides in improving agricultural production since the Communist-ruled government abandoned collectivization more than 15 years ago. However, far mers have probably maximized their output from the existing land base, Lines said. For example, additional appli cations of synthetic fertilizers would not increase yields that much. Lines said. Since 1981, far mers have at least doubled nitro gen and phosphorous use, and have nearly tripled potash use, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organiza tion, as cited by Lines. Farmers have also maximized use of subsurface, ground water and impoundment sources for irri gation, Lines said. China’s grow ing industrial and consumer sec tors are also pressuring water resources, he said. As a result, China is looking to expand crop production to high, cool, drier areas, such as the Tibe tan Plateau, Inner Mongoloian Plateau and Manchurian valleys, Lines said. China would have to impound surface waters to deve lop massive irrigation systems to water these areas, he said. “If you start putting a plow to these extensive grasslands, you create wind erosion and soil ero sion problems,” Lines said. China’s food needs are being driven by an expanding economy that is putting more money in the hands of consumers, Lines said. Consumers are using their higher incomes to buy more meat, which is putting pressure on feedgrains production. “As their income increases, they want to eat better, so they change their diet,” Lines said. “They want to eat more and use more edible oils.” Lines recommended that China integrate its food production sys tem and internal food demand with the world markets. That would mean business for the world’s farmers who crop less fra gile environments, such as the Midwest However, Midwestern farmers wouldn’t necessarily reap a wind fall, Lines said. Competitors "With Milk Master it's great because you've got measured milk yields every day." "MilkMaster'" is easy to operate and saves time,” says Brian Allen, dairy producer from Wellsboro, Pennsylvania “We tried others, but Milk Master has a lot more features, like automatic take-offs ” Milk Master is the world's first totally integrated portable take-off unit J.B. Zimmerman & Sons, Inc. P.O. Box 337 Lancaster County Blue Ball, PA 17501 717-354-8030 A Alfa Laval Agri ■rim Allan, Walbboro, Fanniyfvanki Erb and Henry Witmer Implement People Sales Equipment, Inc. Service and Service 22-26 Henry Avenue 1896 Bedford Rd. Oakland Mills, PA 17076 New Beiiinville, PA 19545 Shippensburg. PA 17257 717-463-2735 610-367-2169 717-532-6139 717-436-2735 Franklin Hess Ent., Inc. Rt. 2, Box 130 Orangeville, PA 17859 717-925-6939 include grain farmers in Central and Eastern Europe, South Ameri can, Australia and Africa, he said. Nevertheless, the United States’ new farm policy puts Midwestern fanners in good shape to respond to any changes in the world mark ets, Lines said. Looming in the balance is what China will do if its Greenhouse WILKES-BARRE (Luzerne Co.) The Northeast Green house Seminar will be held Wed nesday, Nov. 12, at the Luzerne County Community College Con ference Colter in Nanticoke. The day’s program will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at 3:15 p.m. Highlighting this year’s prog ram are Mark Adams of Mark Adams Greenhouses “The Art of Growing Perennials;” Gary Moorman. 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Patrick St. 11606 Greencastle Pike Frederick, MD 21701 Hagerstown, MD 21740 301 -662-1125 301-223-6877 Out ol Stall; 800-423-4032 11100 N Congress Ave , Kansas City Missouri 64153 C 1996 Alfa Laval Agri Inc ALAA-023-96 food demand outstrips its ability to produce. “It’s very difficult to say what is going to happen in China,” Lines said. “You have to realize it’s a centrally planned. Communist state that is reluctant to turn loose and let the market economy grow as fast as it will grow.” Seminar Set Pieczarka, BioWorks, Inc. “T-22 Trackadermia;” and Jim Garrahan of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture “What’s New in Pesticide Regulations.” To see what’s new in the indus try, visit the commercial exhibi tors who will have displays set up exhibiting their company’s products. The deadline to register is OcL 31. Cost for the day is $l2 per per son which includes coffee, donuts, and lunch. For more information and/or a registration form, contact your local county extension office or the Luzerne County Coopera tive Extension Office at (717) 825-1701. H.B. Duvall, Inc.
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