Com Growers Oppose Proposed Changes In Missouri River ST. LOUIS, Mo. The Na tional Com Growers Association (NCGA) has re-emphasized its opposition to proposed changes in the U.S. Army Corps of Engi neers Missouri River Master Manual that would harm agri culture because of reduced navi gation and the potential for spring rises. The Corps is considering changes to its operation of dams on the lower portion of the river to raise the water level in the spring and lower it during the summer. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and environ mental activists contend this will protect birds and fish that have been listed as endangered or threatened. “NCGA recognizes the recrea tion and environmental value of the river and will work with oth ers to maintain recreational and environmental benefits,” stressed Paul Bertels, Director of Produc tion and Marketing for the St. Louis-based NCGA that repre sents 30,000 dues-paying farmers nationwide. “However, we want these deci sions to be based on science, not politics. To date, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has faded to produce the scientific evidence that justifies changing the Mis souri Master Manual.” The NCGA continues to sup port the management of the Mis souri River that places priority on economic uses of the river such as flood control, navigation, irrigation and power generation. “Keeping the Missouri River navigable provides competition to rail rates and keeps and main tains farm land value,” Bertels said. “A spring rise could actual ly threaten another endangered species; farmers communities they support.” Feeder Wagon with Headlocks Zimmerman adjustable headlocks for animals 10 months or older. Mounted on a 5' x 20' or 24' trough with an adjustable tongue. All headlocks finished with a zinc rich undercoat & TGIC polyester powder topcoat, Advantages: Zimnierman Headlocks •2' • Spring loaded neck bar for easy removal & adjustment. • Individual lock on each yoke t< -<?tai r ' : idividual animals Call or Write For Additional Information & the Name of Your Nearest Dealer Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc. 295 Woodcorner Rd. • Lititz, PA 17543 • 1 mile West of Ephrata 717/738-7365 Hours: Mon. thru Fn.; 7-5; Sat. 7-11 Dairy Farmers Take Concerns To Washington WASHINGTON, D.C. On Monday, April 23, several mem bers of the Progressive Agricul ture Organization (Pro-Ag) were in Washington to attend a joint meeting with the agriculture aides from the majority of the Pennsylvania and New York Congressional delegation. Vermont’s two senator’s of fices were represented as was Congressman Bemie Sander’s of fice. Aides from Congressional offices outside of the Northeast were also present. The meeting was put together by Sen. Arien Specter, Rep. Don Sherwood, and Pro-Ag. The meeting centered around discus sions of proposed new dairy bills that would be based on the aver age cost of producing milk at the farm level. One proposed dairy bill dis cussed was the proposed dairy bill introduced last year by for mer Rep. Ron Klink from Penn sylvania. This proposed bill would price milk at the average cost of production. In addition, the bill rewards dairy farmers for keeping their production in line with the real market needs. Another key proposed bill was drafted by Gerald Carlin, a Pro- Ag member from Meshoppen. Carlin’s proposed bill is similar to the bill proposed by Klink ex cept the language in Carlin’s proposed bill would not allow imports of dairy products to damage prices received by dairy farmers. Arden Tewksbury, manager of Pro-Ag, said “There are various proposed dairy bills circulating around Washington, but only the bills proposed by Klink and Car lin proposes a new pricing for mula that would give the dairy farmers an adequate price.” Pro- Ag was involved in helping draft both bills. Farmco Feeder Wagon • 15" implement wheel (6 bolt) • 2 jacks on front corners for added stability. Added Value With Our 2 Coat Process! —1 Five step metal preparation, including iron phosphate conversion coating, to enhance adhesion & prevent undercoat corrosion .2 Zinc nch epoxy powder undercoat 3 TGIC polyester powder top coat, baked at 400“ to fuse coats, forming a cross link molecular bond Tewksbury said the two bills will not only give our dairy farm ers a fair price for their milk, the bills are also geared towards sta bilizing prices to dairy farmers and consumers Tewksbury said the majority of consumers are mystified over the present pric ing method of milk and are en couraging immediate action to be taken by Congress. Recently, Pro-Ag cooperated with the Scranton Catholic Dio cese and several Protestant churches to deliver 25,000 con sumer signatures to Sen. Arlen Specter, Sen. Rick Santonun, and Rep. Don Sherwood. These consumers are strongly encour aging immediate action to be taken by Congress. Bishop James Timlin of the Scranton Diocese has taken a personal interest in the dairy farmers’ plight. Bill Reed, a Methodist minister from Tunk hannock, has been very interest ed in the dairy farmers pricing inequities. Reed was a two-term county commissioner from Wyo ming County and he is a former superintendent of die Wilkes- Barre district. Reed was recently quoted by the Scranton Tribune saying “the milk pricing problem is a justice issue.” Reed said the government is systematically robbing the dairy farmers by set ting prices less than their costs. In addition to the 25,000 sig natures sent to members of Con gress, Tewksbury has talked with more than 120,000 consumers in the last two years. All of these consumers strongly support the dairy farmers. Ken Dibbell, a dairy farmer member of Pro-Ag from New York, said “the beauty of the bills proposed by Klink and Car lin is the fact that the bills don’t use taxpayers’ money to compen sate dairy farmers.” Pro-Ag strongly opposes proposed dairy bills that call for any compensa tion using taxpayers’ money. Tewksbury said there is plenty of room in the market place for dairy farmers to be adequately compensated we simply need a new pricing formula to obtain that fair price. 2001 National Junior Angus Show Set For July 9-14 In Denver DENVER, Colo. Junior Angus members from all corners of the United States should be making plans for the 2001 Na tional Junior Angus Show. The annual event, which has become the biggest week of Angus activities during the year, will take place July 9-14 in Den ver, Colo. The western state Angus associations have been planning and organizing the event, “Under the Western Sky” for more than two years. Young Angus enthusiasts from more than 30 states are expected to enter cattle in the show that has grown into the largest single breed beef cattle show in the world. In addition to the show, educational contests and leader ship opportunities will be held for all members of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA). Judges for the cattle show in clude Jack Ward, Lagrange, Ind., who will evaluate the owned females; Eldon Krebs, Gordon, Neb., who will judge the bred-and-owned females and bulls and cow-calf pairs; and Randy Perry, Clovis, Calif., who will select champions in the steer show. A public speaking contest, in cluding both extemporaneous and prepared divisions and team sales competition, along with poster, photography and graphic design contests will be held. The American Angus Auxiliary will once again sponsor the Certified Angus Beef( cook-off. As well, six members will be elected direc X High Quality X Baked on high gloss, high impact and X Affordable Prices acid resistant TGIC polyester X Saves feed by P«^oatln g keeping feed off * Feeder comes disassembled for ease the ground of hauling X High yield steel X ® as,ly reP ' aCed tube construction t . X Pulling lugs to move feeder from one area to another Call Us For Your Nearest Dealer! Lebanon Valley enterprises, Inc. Manufacturing * Powder Coating * Precast RO. Box 187, Myerstown, PA 17067 • (717) 866-2030 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 28,2001-A3l Joining Tewksbury and Dib bell in Washington was Gerald Carlin, Dave Lipe, Kurk Rhone, and Cy Cochran from Pennsyl vania and Fred Matthews from New York. Pro-Ag may be reached at (570) 833-5776. tors of the NJAA board, at the annual meeting of the NJAA, which is held during the event. More than 50 contestants will vie for the coveted title of “Top Showman” during the finals of the 35th National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest held dur ing the week. Showmanship judges include Tim Fitzgerald, Alderson, W.Va.; Andra Camp bell, Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Brian Barragree, Absarokee, Mont. In addition to the week of ac tivities, the Angus Foundation is conducting its first ever golf tournament, July 10. The morn ing-long event will begin at 6:30 a.m., at the Thorncreek Golf Club. Exhibitors and contestants must be a junior member of the American Angus Association, and must be nine years old, but not yet 21, by Jan. 1 to compete in the activities. Applications for transfer of the animal to junior members must be postmarked by May 15. Applications for regis tration of bred-and-owned ani mals and all entries must be postmarked by June 1. For entries or more informa tion about the 2001 National Junior Angus Show, contact the junior activities department at the American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506-2997, access the In ternet at http://www.angus.org/ njaa or www.angus.org/njaa or call (816) 383-5100.
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