f ‘Decisions 2002’ Seminar Jan. 29 ALLENTOWN (Lehigh Co.) The year 2001 might go down in history as the most traumatic year for many farmers, particu larly those who have not put much emphasis on marketing. Management of farm business es is taking more time and con centration with specialized tal ents. Agriculture is rapidly becoming more specialized in the areas of financial management, agronomics, animal science, and commodity marketing. When will farm prices start back up? More importantly, how can you profit from price moves? These and other questions will be addressed by the “Decisions 2002” seminar on Jan. 29 at the Days Inn and Conference Center on Rt. 309 outside of Allentown. The “Decisions 2002” Seminar will be providing effective market analysis and marketing strategies for all innovative producers. Fea tured speaker, Scott Davis, is in Dec. 1 Cattle Slightly Below WASHINGTON, D. C. Cat tle and calves on feed for slaugh ter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.9 million head Dec. 1, 2001. The inventory was slightly below December 1, 2000 but 1 percent above December 1, 1999, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Placements in feedlots during November totaled 1.91 million, 5 percent below 2000 and 12 per cent below 1999. Net placements 380 SERIES PORTABLE ELEVATOR A Versatile Economical Elevator Contact I s lor Literature Or The Dealer Nearest You! temationally known for his agri cultural marketing insight. Davis started on a progressive grain and livestock farm in lowa and was graduated from lowa State University. He has been with Pro Farmer since 1991 where he is senior market analyst. Davis writes a daily marketing column at AgWeb and Pro F inner Today. Paul Deanno, KYW-TV mete orologist, will discuss the long term weather forecast. Deanno will outline the weather implica tions for this region, the midwest, and the world. Deanno is a Phila delphia native and was gradu ated from Syracuse University. In addition to his award-winning weather broadcasting, Paul pro duces the KYW-3 weathercasts and environmental reports. Contact John Berry, agricul tural marketing agent at (610) 391-9840 or jwbls@psu.edu for additional information. On Feed Year Ago were 1.83 million. During No vember, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 655,000, 600-699 pounds were 588,000, 700-799 pounds were 381,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 284,000. Marketings of fed cattle during November totaled 1.80 million, 1 percent below 2000 and 1,000 head below 1999. Other disappearance totaled 80,000 during November, 24 per cent below 2000, and 4 percent below 1999. Fifty-Eight Counties Eligible For USD A Emergency Farm Loans WASHINGTON* D.C. Agri culture Secretary Ann M. Vene man has named 58 counties in Pennsylvania as eligible for USDA emergency farm loans due to losses caused by very low pre cipitation during the summer of 2001. “Low precipitation during the growing season causes many challenges for producers,” said Veneman. “These loans will help producers minimize the impact of production losses.” Adams, Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Biair, Butler, Cambria, Centre, Chest er, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dau phin, Elk, Erie, Forest, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Red Meat Production At Record High Level For November WASHINGTON, D.C. Commercial red meat production for the U.S. totaled 3.97 billion pounds in November, up 1 per cent from the 3.92 billion pounds produced in November 2000 and a record high for November, according to the National Agri cultural Statistics Service (NASS). November 2000 contained 22 weekdays (including twb holi Ok 'Jrff STOVES ■ " * Heat with Wood and avoid other expensive fuels • Efficiently heat your home, domestic hot water, bam, or shop - all with one stove • Heavy Duty design • Wide range of sizes tup to 1 3 mMou btu rating'.) • Slide-out ash pan provides for convenient ash removal and prevents excessive corrosion • Enjoy the convenience and safety of an outdoor stove , Oak Tree Stove Sales Manufacturer James Sensenig and 632 Elysburg Road, Danville, PA 17821 Distributor Phone: (570) 672-1096 Fax: (570) 672-3221 Jefferson, Juniata, Lancaster, Lawrence, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mercer, Mifflin, Montour, North umberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Somerset, Union, Ve nango, Warren, Washington, Westmoreland, and York coun ties were named as primary dis aster areas on Dec. 5. Also eligi ble because they are contiguous are Bradford, Cameron, Carbon, Crawford, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Lehigh, Luzerne, McKean, Montgomery, Potter, Sullivan, and Tioga counties. This designation makes all qualified farm operators in pri mary and contiguous disaster counties eligible for low-interest EM loans from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility re- days) and four Saturdays. No vember 2001 contained 22 week days (including two holidays) and four Saturdays. Beef production, at 2.20 billion pounds, was 1 percent above the previous year and a new record high for November. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.90 million head, down 1 percent from No vember 2000. The average live weight was up 25 pounds from iorMun. Inknrruriion