M oeH OGAN+;'FARM N~THE ACTION PUBLICATION OF THE MICHIGAN FARM BURS

---------------------------------- __ ------,1Vol. 47, No. 2 Published Monthly by Michigan Farm Bureau fi 1968

IONIA - this new County Farm Bureau office building ofbrick, with a mansard roof, is located just south of Ionia onM-66. The offices are panelled and carpeted and serv~ both

Farm Bureau Insurance and the county Farm Bureau. The in-surance area can be divided by folding partitions. There isa full basement for group meetings.

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SAGINAW - where a drive-in window is a feature of theFarm Bureau Credit Union side of this modern building whichhouses the county Farm Bureau, Credit Union and FarmBureau Insurance Group. Air-conditioned and panelled, thebuilding contains a full basement and kitchen. It will beoccupied in early February.

GRATIOT - this 48 by 50 foot air-conditioned, all-steel build-ing contains conference rooms and two office areas, one forthe Gratiot County Farm Bureau - the other for the Federalland Bank. One block from downtown Ithaca, the site waspurchased from the city. More than 500 persons visitedrecently during an Open House.

NEW COUNTY FARM BUREAU OFFICESBRIGHT NEW OFFICES- owned by county Farm Bureaus, dotMichigan. Presently, 23 counties own their own \\homes" withseveral more in the process of building. Most recent of thegroup are Ionia, Gratiot and Saginaw, with Kent county lookingto a new office sometime in spring. The Ingham county FarmBureau - which now owns its own office, is planning an im-proved one to be completed soon. Shortly, the Macomb FarmBureau will enter a new rented building.

OWNED OR RENTED- county Farm Bureau offices are farm-service headquarters. Of the 71 county Farm Bureaus in Mich-igan, 35 now maintain offices, with related agriculturalservices often found in the same building or nearby. Immediate\\neighbors" include Farmer's Petroleum, Farm Bureau Insur-ance Group, Farm Bureau Services, and such farm-relatedgroups as Federal land Bank, P.C.A. Farm Bureau credit Union,Soil Conservation Service and ASCS.

ON THE INSIDE: Roll-CallGoal Nears

Page 3

MoneyFrom Pork

Page 5

'VashingtonAir TourPage 6

DiscussionTopic

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EggMarketingPage 10

THE ACTION PUIIUCATION OP THE MICHIGAN "ARM IIURI!AU

February 1, 1968

MICHIGAN'FARM NEWS

Elton Smith

URBAN SPRAWLHow fast is land changing from "rural" to

"urban" in h1ichigan?How much land has gone into highway

expansion and out of rural use, or is this ah. ?problem in Mic Igan.

Are there any specific examples of commun-ities in i\fichigan working together to save an

b ~area of pmticular eauty ...These are questions wInch came m a letter

the other day from a Farm Bureau member, oneof the many farm people in Michigan vitallyinterested in what is happening to farm land.

How we use our land today and how weplan to use it in the future presents us witha real challenge, not only from the fact thatwe must have good agricultural land in orderto produce the needed food and fiber for. ournation but also in order that we can contmuet~ provide the open spaces ?r "green areas"around our growing metropolItan areas.

It's pretty hard to see any possibilities foravoidina the increased use of good farm landfor SllC!l things as our super-higl~ways, ~utthere do appear to be some solutlOns takmgform across the country to c?m~at some of th~other problems associated WIth urban sprawf,this rapid spreading out of our cities.

Of course, one of the biggest problems forfarmers and one that has caused many farmsto be taken out of agriculture much soonerthan they should, is the problem of extrem~lyhigh taxes on lands immediately surroundmgour larger towns and cities.

It is the opinion of hlichigan Farm Bureaumembers that everyone, both on farms and incities, has a vital interest in agriculture and inopen spaces around our towns and cities.

At least 14 states have taken steps to solvethis problem in one way or another and we inMichigan Farm Bureau feel that it is time wetook such a step here.

New Jersey, for example, has what they calltheir "Farm Land Assessment Act" which re-quires that qualified farm land be assessed onthe basis of its productive value in agriculture,rather than its speculative or market value.Land "qualifies" as long as it is at least fiveacres in size and has been used for agriculturefor the past two years, with at least $500 insales of farm products.

At our national convention in December, wediscussed this law with Chuck Fields, executivesecretary of the New Jersey Farm Bureau.

"'Ve've had this program for three yearsnow," he said. "We have about 8,000 commer-cial farming units left in the state of New Jersey,and I personally know of hundreds of farms thatwould have been sold in the last two or threeyears if it had not been for this program."

One of the objections often voiced to legis-lation like this is that it keeps land from beingdeveloped into residential, commercial or in-dustrial areas when really this is where itshould go. Fields pointed out this was not aproblem.

"It will not stop - and we don't want it tostop - agricultural land being developed forother uses. \Ve have to allow the normal growthof these things. But this law does let theproperty owner himself decide when he wantsto sell, rather than being forced to sell to payhis taxes," Fields said.

One of the realities we have to face in gettingsomething like this through the Legislature, isto remember that there is no reason farmersshould get by without paying taxes. If theland use changes to a more productivc use tothe landowner, then the tax should be paid.

The New Jersey plan, for example, includeswhat they call a tax "roll-back." When the landuse changes, the difference between what taxwas actually paid on the land during the lastthree years and the tax that would have beencharged if it had not been under the farm landprovision, would become due. Most farmerswho live in areas whcre high taxes on theurban fringe have hecome a problem, wouldhe happy to settle for this. Several states al-ready have.

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

President's Column

DIRECTORS AT LARGE: WalterFrahm, Frankenmuth; Dean Pridf;teonMontKomery, R-l; James Thnr, Deca~tur, R-2.

DIRECTORS: District I, HarryNye, St. Joseph, R-l; District 2, Nich-ola-; Smith, Addison, R-I; District 3,Andrew Jackson, Howell, R-I' Dis-trict 4, Elton R. Smith, Caledoni~ R-I'District. 5,. David Morris. 9rand Led~e:R-3; DlStnct 6. Jack Laune, Cass CityR-3; D~ri.ct 7, Kenneth Bull, Bailey:R-l; District 8, Harvev Leuenher~erSnf;tinaw, R-6; District 9, Eugene Roh~erts, Lake City, R-l; District 10R~ch.'\rd Wieland, Ellsworth. R-I: Dis~tnct 11, Clayton Ford, Cornell.

The MICHIGAN FARM NEWS ispublished monthly. on the first day,hy the Michilran Farm Bureau, at itspublication office at 109 N. LafayetteStreet, Greenville, Michigan.

Editorial and l'eneraI offices at 4000North Grand River Avenue, LansiDl(,Michi~an 48904. Post Office Box 960.Telephone, Lan.dng 485-8121, Exten-sion 317. Subscription price, .sO; peryear.

Established January 12, 1923. Sec-ond Class Postage paid at Greenville,~fichiltan.

EDITORIAL: Editor. Melvin L.Woell; StaH PhotoJlrapher. CharlesBailey;

OFFICERS: Michigan Farm Bur-eau; President. Elton R. Smith. Cale- WOMEN OF FARM BUREAU' Mrsdonia. R-l; Vice President, Dean Jerold Topliff. Enton Rapids.' R-I:Prid~eon. Montswmery, R-l. Secretary- F~RM BUREAU YOUNG FAR~fERS;Mana~er. Dan E. Reed, Lansinr;r. Michael Satchell, Cara, R-4.

POSTMASTER: In using form 3579, mail to: Michigan Farm News 4000 NGrand River, lansing, Michigon 48904. ' .

Second dass postage paid at Greenville, Michigan

A PERSONAL WORD FROM ...

Farm Bureau WomenA committee of Fann Bureau women has just completed

a study of ways to involve all Farm Bureau women in theactivities or projects of the county Womens Committee.The Study Committee presented its recommendations tothe Michigan Farm Bureau Women's committee when wemet early in January.

These recommendations include the request that eachcounty Farm Bureau Women's committee evaluate itselfthis year, to study any problems they may have, and tocarry out projects and activities that will help make theircounty Farm Bureau an effective organization.

The Women's district chairman, vice-chairman, somestudy committee members and staff had a training sessionin January, so they can meet with your county Women'scommittee as needed, to help with the evaluation of youractivities, and assist in finding ways to make improvementsso your activities involve more Farm Bureau women.

Another recommendation from the study committee isthat we make a real effott to increase our attendance atthe Women's spring district meetings.

Now just a little on a "sticky" subject: would you believecandy? The Farm Bureau women in the counties adjacentto Lansing have made candy from Michigan grown prod-ucts. Sugar, eggs, honey, potatoes, mint, grapes, .maplesyrup, cherries, applies, beans, nuts, milk, cream and butterare most of the commodities we used. You wonder why?'Vell, it's this way ... one box (150 little trays inside) wassent to California, after the Michigan Agricultural Confer-ence asked the Farm Bureau women to make this as a giftof the Michigan legislature to the California legislature.

California raises a variety of commodities as does Michi.gan, so this was a little challenge. The other box went toWashington, D. C. to be used at a reception for the Con-gressmen, held on the opening day of Congress. Each statewas asked to contribute something for this receptiou. Thisbox goes as a gift of the Michigan Farm Bureau, made bythe Farm Bureau women. It was work, but is was "sticky"fun too. Mrs. Jerold (Maxine) Topliff

M. W.

One of the best reasons to sign up new FarmBureau members is the fact that 1968 is anelection year and the cry of the politician isheard over the land.

A strong, growing, county, state and nationalFarm Bureau membership is the best evidencefarmers can offer to show they understand thatminorities which stick together remain effective.

Politicians of both parties cannot ignore theimplications of 49,624 new Farm Bureau fam-ilies gained in recent months, bringing an all-time high of 1,753,532 families into the AmericanFarm Bureau Federation. Such growth is sureto attract the attention and respect of mostpoliticians.

And the political signs are everywhere-although it is early enough in the season thatnot everyone recognizes them. Unfortunately,many farmers remain unpolitically oriented,with the very nature of farm work tending tokeep them out of touch of the political main-stream.

'Vhat are some of the more obvious earlypolitical signs? 'Vouldn't it be fair to list suchthings as the "resignation" of Defense SecretaryRobert hlcNamara and his replacement by thePresident with a person much more acceptableto both sides of Congress - and to the voters?

Political maneuvers which farmers can expectin the months ahead would appear to include:much more talk, and perhaps some constructiveaction, to gain a settlement in Viet Nam, andto simmer down, or settle this costly and un-popular war before election time this Fall.

Farmers can expect: much more talk andperhaps minor action, to curb non-defensespending and to check inflation. We can ex-pect the President to continue to push for a10 per cent incom~ tax surcharge, more aspolitical evidence of an attempt at fiscal re-sponsibility - than in the true hope of balanc-ing an impossibly unbalanced federal budget.

Farmers can expect: some form of announce-ment from the Secretary of Agriculture andUSDA officials of a scheme to bolster shatteredwheat and feed-grain prices, prior to theelection.

Farm Bureau members can expect to hearmuch more from farm organizations with small,or "secret" membership and not-so-secret am-bitions. Alert to the politiall opportunities ofan election year, and anticipating the rise offarm prices which usually occurs at this time,there will be much talk of "withholding" andprice bargaining.

Unfortunately, not every Farm Bureau mem-ber and fewer politicians fully realize that fourout of every five farmers who belong to anygeneral farm organization, belong to Farm Bu-reau. The one farmer remaining, has his voicesplit between the Grange, the Farmers Union-and in some parts of the country - by the NFO.

And if this divided voice happens to be sayingwhat the politicians like to hear, who can reallyblame them for paying attention, even if com-mon sense tells them that they are not trulyhearing the voice of organized agriculture?

Now, right now, is the time for Farm Bureaumembers to buome truly involved in programsof political education and participation.

Now is the time for Farm Bureau membersto become fully active in the political party oftheir choice, giving freely of time, money andmanpower - to make that party and its candi-dates responsive to their thinking.

Now, BEFORE the election, is the time tobe heard effectively, the best time within thenext four years.

Now is the time for farmers to work at thejob of securing "candidate committment" toFarm Bureau "policy BEFORE that candidatebecomes a full-fledged legislator.

I\'ow, right "now, is the time for all goodFarm Bureau members to come to the aid oftheir political party.

TWOEditorial

GETTING SET FORPOLITICAL YEAR

THREEFebruary 1, 1968

"CONGRATUlA TlONS MR. CHAIRMAN!" Saginaw Farm Bureau president Rudolph Reinbold (right) congratulates MembershipChairman Elmer Rusch on the success of his committee. The biggest Farm Bureau in Michigan, Saginaw, reached its goal of2,273 about noon on January 19; so they held their "Victory" party the same evening.,

UNUSUAL APPLICATION - is this membership agreement, written by District 7 Director, Ken Bull, when he ran out of theconventional kind during Muskegon county's Roll-Call drive. The "solid pine" agreement helped the county become No.2 inthe state to reach goal. Receiving the unusual application is Mrs. Pat Reynolds of the MFB member.records section.

State•Nears

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

Roll-Call Goal

By: Larry EwingManager, Field Services Division

~lichigan Farm Bureau will make a membership gain t1lisyear. As of mid-January, with over 50,000 members, we're92% of goal. 'Ve have more renewals than last year, and aredoing well on new members. \Ve'll beat Ohio.

Six counties - Baraga, 1\[uskegon, Charlevoix, ~1ontmorency,Benzie and Saginaw have already exceeded their goal. Countiesthat have increased members over last year are Antrim, Che-boygan, Chippewa, Clare and Otsego. Many other countiesare within 10 memberships of making an increase.

Currently, the Ohio Farm Bureau memhers11ip is about36,000. \Vhile this figure is considerahly behind ours, theOhio Group has not officially launched its membership drive.

This contest is one we in Michigan want to win. It shouldbe pointed out that the real winner of the contest is the fannerin Ohio or ~1ichigan. By having a larger and more' effectiveorganization, he will be able to actively tackle the problemsfacing him.

At the first official 'Victory Party of the year, Elmer Rusch •of Saginaw County was asked to explain the success. 'He said«"le had lots of help from people who "'ORKED. We made.calls on prospects and called on members to urge them to renewtheir membership".

The truth of this statement is the 122 new members signedin Saginaw and a cancellation of less than 4 per cent. Peoplewere asked to join and they did!

Fanners are seeing the value of Farm Bureau when they arecontacted this year. Have you contacted any non-member andasked hjm to join with you? It takes time and effort on yourpart. Is it worth it? Is iCworth having an organized farmvoice speak for you in the legislative halls in this county? Isit worth having an organized approach to marketing? Is itworth having an organization to obtain services and fringebenefits? 'Vhat's the future of agriculture worth to you?

A few calls on your neighbors encouraging them to belongto your Farm Bureau is a small investment to protect thatfuture. 'ViiI you help your county and ~{ichigan make a mem-bership increase this year?

"'hen those JIJI'~emedi&IJJ biJJs &I'Op up...

95 cents in benefits for every dollar received, you can besure that you're getting the greatest value for your money.

The deadline for enrolling in Blue Cross and Blu~ Shield isMarch 15. For more information, contact your Farm BureauCounty Secretary.

. . . you'll be able to handle them if you're protected by Blue Cross and Blue Shield.And the best way to get the most Blue Cross and Blue Shield protection at the lowestcost is to join through your Farm Bureau group. Because your Farm Bureau grouphas made wise use of benefits, Blue Cross and Blue Shield can offer the best coverageat lower rates than previously possible for most Farm Bureau members.

Blue Cross pays your hospital bill with no dollar limit ... forup to a full year of care. The average Blue Cross paymentfor hospital care is about $40 a day. But your hospital billcould be higher than average; if it is, you're covered, never-theless ... including in-hospital drugs and laboratory services.

On the other side of the coin, Blue Shield pays realisticfees for surgery-up to $450 and more if your case requiresspecial consideration. Blue Shield covers expensive X-rayswith no limit as to number. These, plus laboratory services,are covered even when you're not in the hospital.

You certainly wouldn't gamble with your crops, yourbuildings or livestock; so why gamble with even more preciousstakes-your family's health?

When you consider that Blue Cross and Blue Shield return

What f{ind of benefits? Well ...

MICHIGAN (~1BLUE CROSS AND • BWE SHIELD

GROUP TO EXAMINE MEAT MARKETS

Busy Time For "FREEDOM TOUR"Pub lie Affa irs FLIES TO SHRINES

February 1, 1968KENi\ETI-I BULLPresident

February 1, 1968DAVID MORRISPresident

Attest:N. L. VEH~IILLIONSecretary

Attest:N. L. VERMILLIONSecretary

Legal Notices!

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGCOMMUNITY SERVICE INSURANCE COMPANY

The annual meeting of the stockholders of Community ServiceInsurance Company of ~lichigan, a corporation, will be heldat its Home Office, 4000 North Grand Hiver Avenue, Lansing,Miehigan, on ~Ionday, February 26, 1968, beginning at 1:30p.m., for the following purposes:

1. To reeeive reports from offieers alld management.2. To eleet directors.3. To consider sueh other matters as may properly come

before the meeting.

The annual meeting of the stockholders of Farm Bureau LifeInsurance Company of Miehigan, a eorporation, will be heldat its Home OHiee, 4000 North Srand Hiver Avenue, Lansing,Michigan, on Tuesday, February 27, 1968, beginning at 1:30p.m., for the following purposes:

1. To reeeive reports from officers and management.2. To elect directors.3. To consider such other matters as may properly come

before the meeting .

Policyholders may obtain a copy of the Annual Report fromany County Farm Bureau Office or from the Home Officein Lansing.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGFARM BUREAU LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF MICHIGAN

Policyholders may obtain a copy of the Annual Report fromany County Farm Bureau Office or from the Home Officein Lansing.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETINGFARM BUREAU MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

OF MICHIGAN

The annual meeting of the policyholders of Farm Bureau MutualInsurance Company of Michigan, a corporation, will be heldat its Home Offiee, 4000 North Grand River Avenue, Lansing,Michigan, on \Vednesday, February 28, 1968, beginning at 1:30p.m., for the following purposes:

1. To receive reports from officers and management.2. To elect directors.3. To consider such other matters as may properly come

before the meeting.Attest: February 1, 1968N. L. VERMILLION KENNETH BULLSecretary President

Policyholders may obtain a copy of the Annual Report fromany County Farm Bureau Office or from the Home Officein Lansing.

FARMERS ARE PLEASED - with a recent, significant report from the Food andDrug Ad~inistration which states "There is every reason to believe the Am~rica~food supply is free from harmful pesticide residues, and has been for some time ..The reassuring evidence included testing of 49,000 food samples by FDA. ~hlSstory, of how American has one of the world's most wholesome food supplies,must be told and re-told by farmers.

February 1, 1968

Michigan Farm Bureau's Free-dom Conferenee has a new lookthis vear. III \'ears past we havebeen' eontent t~ talk abollt demoe-racy and government; this yearmembers of the eonferenee willbe able to see how our govern-ment operates.

The 1968 Freedom Conferencewill be a classroom on wings. Itwill be operated as a part of theannual "'omen's Heritage tour of'Vashington, D.C. Leaving De-troit's Metro airport on the after-noon of March 11, the conferencewi11 visit 'Vashington for threedays, returning to Metro on theafternoon of March 14.

In addition to seeing the oper-ation of the Congress and someof its eommittees, there will bean opportunity to visit many of theNational shrines of this country.

One of the highlights of theConference wi11 be a conductedtour of the offices and laboratoriesof the Federal Bureau of Investi-gation. Here conference memberswill have an opportunity to seehow the nation's safety from fifthcolumnists is assured.

Shrines which are on the agendainc:lude the historic capitol andits surrounding buildings. Avail-able for visits will be the nationalarchives building where most ofthe historic documents of theAmerican republic are on display.

Then too, there are such plaeesas the Lincoln and Jefferson Me-morials, the tomb of the unknownsoldiers, the grave of PresidentKennedy, and the SmithsonianInstitution.

One of the most visited shrineswill be Mount Vernon, homeof George and Martha 'Vashing-ton. Here, one gets the feelingthat the owners are simply awayfrom home for a few hours. Thebeautiful old home on the bluffsabove the Potomac is so well pre-served and so well furnished thatone gets the feeling of living inthe 18th century with the 'Vash-ingtons.

Current plan.~ call for usingonly one bus, with seats reservedon a first-come basis. Those in-terested should contact the MarketDevelopment Division, MichiganFarm Bureau - and do so soon.

FREELARGE BLACK SWEET CHERRY TREE

WITH $5.00 OR MORE PURCHASE OF .STRAWBERRY OR RASPBERRY PLANTS.

ENCLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT WITH YOUR ORDER.FREE COMPLETE PRICE LISTS ON REQUEST.

FRUIT HAVEN NURSERY, KALEVA, MICH. 49645

Seminar Schedule. A series of Legislative Seminars'will be held in mid-Febmary andearly March, by the Public Affairsdivision of the Michigan FarmBureau.

The schedule calls for eightmeetings held on the basis ofFarm Bureau regions and with allmembers of each county's StateAffairs committees expected to at-tend along with members ofcountv Executive committees andother ~ounty Farm Bureau leaders.

All Seminars wi11 be held atthe Y'VCA in Lansing, locatednear the Capitol and each beginsat 10:00 a.m .... (coffee and rollsat 9:30) and conclude with groupattendance in the Capitol at ses-sions of the House and Senate.

At a noon-time luncheon, mem-bers of the legislature are guestsof their eonstituents, and it isduring these sessions and theCapitol tour later, that countyleaders beeome better acquaintedwith those who represent them inLansing.

All Seminars begin with an out-line of Farm Bureau legislativeprograms and include a progressreport. Future legislation is oftendiscussed and action-programsoutlined.

Attendance at the Seminar is(onsidered a duty of all membersof State and National Affairs CO]11-

mittees.Seminar dates by regions in-

clude: Febmary 13, Saginaw Val-ley; February 14, Northeast,Northwest and Upper Peninsula;Febmary 20, 'Vest; Febmary 21,Thumb; Febmary 27, Southwest;March 6, Central; March 12, 'VestCentral and March 13, Southeast.

FOUR

By: Robert Smithl\fFB Legislative Counsel

These are especially busy days for members of the PublicAffairs Division of the ~1ichigan Farm Bureau. Now is thetime when those policies developed and approved by themembership must be placed into effect.

On those matters requiring leg-islation, sponsors must be foundfor potential bi11s, and this workdone before a deadline date.

~leanwhile, Farm Bureau hasbeen working at many levels. Forexample, it is not generally knownthat Furrn Bureau is representedon an advisory council to theState Department of Education.This council is made up of peoplerepresenting many different kindsof organizational interests. It isat these meetings that many im-portant decisions are made, suchas those affecting state-aid, schoolreorganization, and special educa-tion programs (among many) arediscussed and direction given tothe Department.

Just how important is this en-tire area can be seen by figuresshowing that over half of the statebudget goes to education. Thisfigure tends to grow rapidly eachyear, and presently about 529mi11ion dollars are spent for edu-cation in Michigan. Add to this$109 mi11ion, which goes to theTeacher's retirement fund. Thisdoes not include higher education,but only kindergarten through12th grade.

How should schools be fi-nanced? This question is morepertinent these days in view ofthe "Thomas Report" - over 500pages long and only recently re-leased. It is the result of a$200,000 appropriation made bythe legislature for an in-depthstudy of l",lichigan education.

Currently, there is a great dealof discussion concerning newstate-aid programs, probably tobe introduced in the 1969 legis-lature.

Another in the popular series of Livestock Marketing Tours that will allow Michig-an livestockhas been arranged by the Market Development Division of the producers an insight concerning~1ichigan Farm Bureau - according to Noel Stuckman, Division the.ir product .and what happensManager. to It after leavmg the farm.

The dates of February 27-28-29 have been set for the tour Toyr costs for the rOllnd-trip ,bywhich will cover almost 1000 miles and besides one important hilS are $50. per person, which

. ,[.,. '11' ~ . f k' .. h includes transportation, hotelstop m H IC llgan, WI VISIt pomts 0 mar etmg mterest m t e d Is 0 'tt df Ill" d HT' , rooms, an some mea. ml e

states 0 mOlS an n lSconsrn. from the meals included in thePurpose of the tour, according to 'Vm. Byrum, livestock basic costs are two breakfasts, two

specialist with the Division, will be to allow Michigan producers luncheons and the final eveningto see where the marketing-action is, and <'to do so as part of meal enroute home to Michigan.a group of /vI ichigan fanners with the same basic interests". Stops in the order they will be

Byrum points out that the tour made are: Spartan Stores, Grandinvolves a wide range of meat- to Chicago the same evening, and Rapids; Chicago Stockyards; Os-marketing experiences, including will visit the exciting Mercantile car-Mayer Packing Company,visIts to a major meat packer, Exchange the following morning. at Madison, Wisconsin; Mercan-in Madison, Wisconsin - head- Another Chicago highlight will tile Exchange; National Livestockquarters of a quality meat pro- he a stop at the Merchandise and Meat Board and Americangram, and the meat counters of Mart, the world's largest office Farm Bureau offices.one of the larger chain retailers. building, and visits to the Ameri-

can Farm B.lIreau Federation of-The somewhat misunderstood fices there.

area of livestock futures will be According to members of thedealt with during one session with Farm Bureau Market-Develop-the National Livestock Producers ment staff, the tour is packed within Chicago, the kind of informative material

The group will make two stopsin Chicago during the three-daytour, and one evening will be leftopen for a «night on the tpwn",

The first Chicago visit willinclude a stop at the InterstateLivestock Producers at the Chi-cago stockyards, with the tourmoving on to Madison, Wisconsin,the next morning. They wiII return

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS February 1, 1968 FIVE

TOWARD MORE MONEY FROM MICHIGAN PORKThe term "quality" deserves

darifieation, and refers to thealllount of firmness of the lean,degree of marbling (intramuscularfat), eolor of the lean, and tex-ture (firmness or coarseness of thefibers in the lean).

"Meatiness" refers to theamount of external finish on acarcass or cut and the generaldimension of red meat in thevarious area of a carcass such asloin-eye area, lumbar-lean areaand total dimension of the ham.

One of the big tasks confront-ing producers, animal breedersand packers is proper communica-tion with the consumer. Theremust be a common language inthis area with all parties em-phasizing the highly heritableeconomic traits from the pro-ducers' standpoint and then theone big item of production, satis-fying the consumer with a juicy,tender, tasty cut of pork.

Grade and yield selling is abig topic thcse days and has everyright to be, since 200/0 of allhogs are marketed by this methodin Iowa alone. Grade and yieldmarketing has many good pointswhich include paying the pro-ducer on the actual yield of thehog, therefore rewarding the pro-ducer for the "right kind" of hog,but at the same time protectingthe packer from the very wastefulkind. Carcass data is availableto the producer, hence he has abasis for selecting herd sires andreplacement gilts.

Big question marks concerncarcass purchasing on the rail, in-duding who is to represent theproducer in grading of the car-easses and how the base price isto be determined, so that theprodueer is properly paid ordocked, depending on the kindhe produces. Often the animalsare moved great distances and alarge amount of shrink results,raising the question of where theIiveweight should be measured.

The possibility of a completeproduction-marketing program de-serves consideration for the future.A possible program looks likethis: a central coordination cen-ter manages a production testingprogram for the sow herd andoperates a herd boar directoryfor the producers of availableboars that meet standards estab-lished by the organization.

A feed service is involved inthe "package" and offers a rationprogram involving feedstuffs, bal-anc:ing rations, and a completepremix offering. The feed servicealso manages the herd health pro-gram and offers advice on build-ing and purchasing.

From the marketing standpoint,the coordination center managesthe movement of feeder pigs andorganizes and sorts the supply ofmarket hogs to the packer. Thisalso involves representing the pro-ducer, if selling on the rail.

There are many new areas ofinterest that have a place in anexpanded hog market, such as thefutures trading service, increasedspecialization in finishing, feederpig production, and many newideas in marketing for increasedprofit. Production testing, car-cass educational programs andretail promotional campaigns ona pilot basis may play a big role.

The need to breed, feed andconstructively market a qualityhog is the order of the future.A joint cooperative effort shouldbe a means to offer a larger num-ber of lean, quality, meat-typehogs for more profit and con-sumer satisfaction.

In[.LANSING, MICHIGAN

producers and packers today. Lowquality pork, often called P.S.E.(palc soft exudativc) appcars vcrypale colored, and watery, lackingthe firmness and eye appeal neces-sary in a quality product.

Some research work indicatesP.S.E. pork to be less tender andjuicy with 3 to .5(~ greater lossin proeessing due to loss in tissuefluids. The researeh indicatespork quality traits are highlyheritable and that by applyingselection pressure, quality can beimproved.

How can Michigan swine pro-uucers regain more of this avail-able pork market? A lot of ideasare being examined, with muchdiscussion about such things asquality pork, selling on carcass-values rather than on the basisof live-weight, and a "completemarketing plan" to coordinate theefforts of producers, feed com-panies, marketing exchanges, pac-kers and retailers, to shape theproduce to needs of the market.

The quality of pork is one ofthe most emphasized topics among

NO OBLIGATION

4000 N. GRAND RIVER

As part of a long-term expansion program, and to better serveMichigan farmers with high-quality made-in-Michigan feed prod-ucts, Farm Bureau Services, Inc., announces the spring-time, 1968construction of the state's most up-to-date feed milling andformulating center.

This million-dollar plant will be financed by public sale of 6%interest-bearing, 15-year maturity Farm Bureau Services, Inc.debentures, now offered. Interest will be paid from purchase dateannually on September 1.

Advantages of this sound investment opportunity (backed byFarm Bureau organizational know-how)-include the solid satis-faction of helping build another much-needed cooperative produc-tion and service center for Michigan farmers. Mail this coupon.

FOR ALL FARMERSAND THE PUBLIC

r--~~--~---~---------~,I For a copy of the prospectus and a call by a registered salesman, complete II and mail to: !I FARM BUREAU SERVICES, INC. I

Securities Promotion DepartmentI P. O. Box 960, Lansing, Michigan II NAME: II II ROAD: R.F.D. I II CITY: PHONE: II

Farm Bureau ServicesDebentures are Availablein Multiples of $100.00

*This advertisement is neither an offer tosell nor a solicitation to buy any of thesesecurities. The offering is made only bythe prospectus.

.1

If you took $1,000 and invested in 6% interest-bearing, 15-year debentures,you would find, at maturity, that you had received $900 in interest and youstill had yo.ur original $1,000 investment, or a total of $1,900.00.

Your interest is computed annually and if you reinvested this amount eachyear, at the same rate, your original investment of $1,000 would be worthmore than $2,200.00 at the end of 15 years and your reinvested interest wouldstill be growing. In other words, you would more than double your initialinvestment. Many families use this means to provide for future expendituressuch as a college fund for the children.

By: Wm. ByrumMarket Development Division

Almost two million hogs were slaughtered in ~lichigan in1965, the most recent year-end figure available. This amountedto just over 1.3 percent of all hogs slaughtered in the UnitedStates, and falls far below the amount of pork Michiganresidents buy and cat.

Michigan pork needs are growing much faster than is theMichigan hog industry, and it is predicted will require theimportation of 50,000 feeder pigs per year by 1980. At thesame time, Michigan farmers are exporting about 40 percentof their corn production to nearby states, where it is largelyused to feed out hogs!

SIX February 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

Exciting Jet Trip to Washington'

"RETIRING" - off the Michigan Farm Bureau board, are (fromleft) Robert Zeeb, Mrs. Maurine Scramlin and Raymond laun-stein. They were honored recently, and shared a cake bakedby state Women's Chairman, Maxine Topliff. Not present wereformer board members Francis Finch, and Frank Smith, Jr.

Mrs. Loa D. 'Vhitfield, head of extension family livingprograms since 1965, died December 24 at her home inOkemos. On sick leave since major surgery last summer,Mrs. Whitfield was a victim of cancer. She was 57.

!'tlrs. Whitfield worked closely with Farm BureauWomen in a number of impOltant pro;ects, among themplans for the coming ACWW Triennial Conference, tobe held in East Lansing, on the campus of Michigan StateUniversity, September 3-14, 1968.

A native of Nebraska, she began her extension careerin her home state in 1940. After service in Maryland andFES, she was a home economics consultant for the FordFoundation in Pakistan from 1952-54. Upon her returnfrom foreign assignment she became extension specialistin consumer marketing for the Ohio Extension Service.From 1955-64 she was state leader of extension homeeconomics programs at Ohio State.

Mrs. \Vhitfield came to Michigan three years ago as aleader of special programs in the U.P. In February 1965,sh~ .was named to head family living education, succeeding1'1lflam ]. Kelley who joined the MSU Nigeria Project.

Funeral services for Mrs. \Vhitfield were held in EastLansing December 27 with burial in Plattsmouth, Ne-b.raska. She is survived by her husband, her father, aSIster and two step-children.

Return by February 26, to: Information DivisionMichigan Farm Bureau, Box 960,

Lansing, Michigan 48904

Selected Legislative Leaders - about 35 of them, will againbe invited to represent Michigan farmers and Farm Bureau,in Washington as a featured part of the annual Air Tour,March 11-14.

Sponsored by Farm Bureau Women, the tour includes bothmen and women and will have two sections - the LegislativeLeaders, and the group which will be visiting Washington tosee first-hand the many freedom shrines of our country, andto see our government at work.

Legislative Leaders will take part in a number of specialactivities exclusive to them, including a breakfast plannedwith the Republican delegation from ~1ichigan to Congress anda noon luncheon with the Democrat delegation.

Omitted from these activities, the "Freedom Tour" groupwill spend time instead in guided tours, including a visit toFord's Theatre where Abraham Lincoln was shot and the houseacross the street where he died. A highlight of the touring willbe an afternoon spent in the FBI offices, as well as visits tothe Archives building, the National Gallery of Art, and Smith-sonian Institute. For more details of the "Freedom Tour"-see page 4.

On separate occasions, both groups will be guests of theAmerican Farm Bureau Federation in their \Vashington officesand benefit from briefings concerning legislation of concern.

Working independently, both groups will spend considerabletime in the Capital building where they may attend scheduledpublic hearings and attend sessions of Congress. NeededHouse and Senate gallery passes will be arranged.

Although both hotel and sightseeing costs have risen, ithas been possible for Farm Bur~au Women to arrange thethree-day excursion at the low price of $112. per person. Thisincludes round-trip air fare from Detroit, three nights in thefamed \Villard Hotel in Washington (near the White House)group breakfast, lunch and sightseeing on the first day. Thecoupon will bring an itemized itinerary, or may be used toreserve a seat on the jet plane.

-------------------------------1WOMEN'S WASHINGTON AIR TOUR

March 11-14, 1968

Send me a day-by-day schedule:

Reserve __ places on the Air Tour. Enclosed ischeck for ($112. per person, makechecks payable to the Michigan Farm Bureau).Name:

Address:

County:

Telephone:

~-------------------------------

The Women's district vice chair-men make up the State's Women'sState Program Planning commit-tee. Those who met with theWomen's Committee on January9 and 10 include Mrs. Alice Bur-andt, Mrs. Wilma Olney, Mrs.Lottie Koppelman, Mrs. LeoraSmith, Mrs. Maud Bristol, andMrs. Martha Baker. Mrs. Flor-ence Carpenter serves as chairmanof the Program Planning commit-tee.

BUSY SESSIONMany other important items of

business were discussed at thisState Women's committee meet-ing. Mrs. Francis (Ann) Campauof Ada, Chairman of District 4women, was selected to serve oneyear as the third member of thestate women's executive commit-tee.

Announcement was made of astate-wide Safety workshop forCounty Farm Bureau Women'ssafety chairmen and others inter-ested in safety, to be at Cen tralMichigan University in MountPleasant on February 28. Thisworkshop will emphasize fire pre-vention in the home and on thefarm. It is to give those who workon safety some workable projectsin which their County Farm Bu-reau women can participate.

Mrs. Margaret Kartes of Oge-maw County was elected to serveas chairman of the Women,"sState Safety Committee. She re-places Mrs. Lou DeMatio of WestBranch who has served so effec-tively as chairman of this com-mittee for several years. UnderMrs. DeMatio's leadership, FarmBureau women won special recog-nition from the Farm Bureau In-surance companies last Novemberat the annual meeting for theirexcellent promotion, sale and pub-licity of the slow moving vehicleemblems. This distinctive plaquehangs in the lobby of Farm Bu-reau Center in Lansing.

ing with County Farm Bureauboard of dire<:tors in county pro-grams

Attending this State Farm Bu-reau Women's Committee meetingwere Mrs. Maxine Topliff, chair-man; Mrs. Florence Carpenter,vice chairman; Mrs. Vida More-house, Mrs. Dorothy Kramer, Mrs.Mary Edith Anderson, Mrs. AnnCampau, Mrs. Jeannette Babbitt,Mrs .. Marie Swindlehurst, Mrs.Dorothy Hendricks, Mrs. Mar-garet Kartes, Mrs. Doris Wieland,Mrs. Hattie Lockhart, all districtwomen's chairman; Mrs. MargaretWelke and Mrs. Grace Greenhoe,district vice chairman.

keeping in step vvithmodern agriculture

Farm Bureau women's leaders in Michigan has accepted thechallenge of change and are making plans to program theiractivities to keep step with modem agriculture. The decisionwas made by the State Women's Committee at their regularmeeting in January.

This committee adopted recom-mendations to the county women'scommittees for their program ofwork for 1968. Action projectsthey suggest include the follow-ing:

(1) Carry out recommenda-tions of a state committees study-ing Farm Bureau Women'sactivities in Michigan

(2) Associated Country Wo-men of the World activities

(3) Political Education andAction projects

( 4) Implementing Farm Bu-reau policies for 1968 and work-

Goal

Minimum

SEVENFARM BUREAUSCHOLARSHIP

THERMOMETER

$12,000

$11,500

$11,000

$10,500

$10,000

$ 9,500

$ 9,000

$ 8,500

$ 8,000

$ 7,500

$ 7,000

$ 6,500

$ 6,000

$ 5,500

$ 5,000

$ 4,500

$ 4,000

$ 3,500

$ 3,000

$ 2,500

$ 2,000

$ 1,500

$ 1,000

$ 500

January 1968

DEAR EDITOR ..Goal: 25~ per member

I am now in Mahalapye whichis twelve miles north of the tropicof Capricorn. I am the YoungFarmer Advisor of Botswana. Iwill be here until August 22nd.

I stopped in Uganda and Kenyaon mv wav here and was in Gab-erone's f01: three weeks, which isthe capital of Botswana. I havea house and a house boy fromMalawi.

Botswana is a semi arid desertland, the main crop is sorgham,maize, and beef cattle. The cattleare five to six years old beforebeing sold. The people's wealthis determined by the number ofcattle which they own. Cattleare not given any grain, only thepasture on the desert.

~lost of the people own cattleand have a cattle "post." Thepeople live in a village for fourmonths of the year, then on thefarm land for another six months,and on the cattle post for the re-maining two months. At thecattle post, there is a hut andwater; and someone is alwaysthere.

'Ve have had rain here justonce this season. After the rainthe people move from the villageto the land and start plowing withoxen. Some of the people havetractors to use but most peopleuse oxen. Land is free if you area member of the tribe. 'Vater isthe main problem, and lack offarming skills is an additionalproblem.

My main job is to set up theorganization. At the present, Iam in an office three fourths ofthe time.

Lyle Murphy

(former Ionia county fanner andmember of Farm Bureau's StateYoung Farmer committee).

ing in agriculture, or Journalismas related to agriculture, Foodpackaging, Horticulture, Veterin-arv medieine, ~ledical Technol-ogy, Nursing, or the field ofteaching.

The Scholarship will be a gift,not a loall.

Students interested in this schol-arship may eon tact Helen Atwood,Coordinator of \\'omen's Activi-ties, at the ~lichigan Farm Bu-reau office, 4000 North GrandRiver Ave., Lansing, Michigan48904. Completed applicationsshould be retllmed to this officeby March 15.

LANSING, MICHIGAN

FARMERSPETROLEUM

February 1, 1968

WOl71en'sScholarship GiftThe 'Vomen's Scholarship Com-

mittee reports $5400.00 receivedto date in the ~large Karker-FarmBureau Scholarship. Applicationsare now /wing rcceived for stu-dcnts attending Michigan StateUniv('rsity for a tuition scholarshipto he given for the 1968-69 ycar.

Student requirements include:a member of a Farm Bureau fam-ily; must be prepared to showfinancial need; must be enrolledat Michigan State University inany of the following areas of edu-cation: field of Agrieulture orrelated fields of Food Seience,Food ~larketing, Leadership train-

Your Farmers Petroleum man can show you the easyway to have dual wheels ... in a matter of minutesyou can snap the wheel on when you need it ...snap it off when you don't.

This mean,s that after you buy the tires, we'll deliverthem and even mount them on your tractor, if you sodesire! Do it now before the big rush starts and savemoney.

Yes, with Unico tires you get a full guarantee againstfield hazards, and WE PUTIT IN WRITING!

4000 N. GRAND RIVER

Get in the Field Earlywith EASY-ON ... EASY-OFF

DUAL WHEELS! !

Get On-the-Farm Service!

Full Field Hazard Guarantee!

...

Ask your local FarmersPetroleum man about ourbig oil and grease sale!

THE SALE IS ONPUL-N-GRIP TRACTOR TIRES,WAGON ROATAnON TIRES,AND ALL OTHER FARM TIRESI

HOLIDAY CAMP!The "Holiday Camp" for Farm Bureau women in the

counties of districts one and two is scheduled for 'Vednes-day and Thursday, ~tarch 27 and 28 at Wesley 'VoodsCamp, which is located near Dowling, Michigan.

Farm Bureau women from all eOllnties as well as non-members, are espeeially invited to partieipate in thisholiday camp.

The "camp" program eommittcc is planning an interest-ing and valuable program. Plan to mark these dates onyour calendar.

~'Iore details and an enrollment blank will be includedin next month's issues of the FARM NEWS.

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

EIGHT February 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

THE CHANGING ROlE OF lOCAl GOVERNMENT

The township dump has gone the way ofiust about every other area of authority oncevested in township government.

A new state law, passed in 1965, gave con-trol of all dumps in Michigan to the state healthdepartment. Regulations issued by the depart-ment in recent months have gradually clampeddown, adding stronger and stronger require-ments until many smaller units of government,including townships, villages and some smallcities, have found it difficult to meet them.

As a result, many of them have taken a goodlook at their dump operations, tcith some ofthem being closed completely.

Some townships have combined their dumpswith those of a neighboring township and thetwo or more units working together have beenable to maintain an operation acceptable tothe Health Department regulations.

At best this has resulted in an added incon-venience ' to many citizens, lzaving to haullonger distances, and to otlzers, the dump isjust no longer available.

Of course, in some cases, the closing of aparticular dump was a desirable result in orderto eliminate some of the many problems in-volved in the operation of poorly managed oruncontrolled dumps.

One of the big problems to farmers is notthe fact that he no longer has a convenientdump site because most farm have a place ortwo where this can be done. The problem forfarmers is that non-farmers with no place todump things, all too often use the roadside,fence-rows, or even the edge of a corn-field.

This public defiance of new dumping lawswill probably decline as new methods of handl-ing wastes are developed and put into effect,but for the present, littering along roadsidesand in rural areas remains a serious problem.

Public Act 87, enacted in 1965, forbids dis-posing of any refuse at any place except adisposing area licensed by either a local healthofficer or the state Department of Health. Itdoes not prohibit a farmer from disposing ofhis own refuse on his own property, as long asit does not create a nuisance or hazard to health.

The Department of Public Health, actingunder the law, has issued regulations govern-ing the licensing and operation of public dumps,both by units of government or private oper-ators.

About the only practical approach under theregulations is the sanitary landfill. Open dumpsare expressly forbidden except for special cases.

The sanitary landfill is also an expensiveoperation. Requirements are that it have anattendant on duty at any time the site is openand that the site can be adequately closed whenno attendant is on duty to supervise unloading.Refuse must be spread and compacted intolayers of less than two feet and must be covereddaily by at least six inches of usllitable materia!",with a final cover at least two feet thick tohe placed over the entire area within one week.

Under present regulations, no burning ispermitted at all, however, there is a bill pendingin the Legislature which would void this regula-tion in townships with under 50,000 pormUztion.

!/II//?-S/ffC/IJSffl

BYSTATE lA/,./

••The new edition of the World Almanac in-

cludes news that there are now 81,253 units oflocal government in the United States. This isa decrease of approximately 10,000 units in thelast five years.

Although the number of units of local gov-ernment are decreasing, and many of theiractivities are being taken over by state govern-ments and the federal government - be itgood or bad - there remains a great and grow-ing need for good local government.

County government, township officials, vil-lage trustees, town councils - these units havenew and important roles to play. Among these,and taking a more prominent position, is thearea of planning and zoning. Every day, theUnited States is converting about 11,000 acresof valuable farm land to urban uses - some300 farms are going under the bulldozer daily.

Proponents of community planning and zon-ing programs say that with this much change,there must be some planning involved in orderto avoid trouble in the future. If such plansare going to be done, farmers had better beinvolved in making them.

There have been problems attached withplanning and zoning programs of the past, andthere has been a great deal of effort to avoidthe teeth that are necessary to make planningand zonin~ work; however, many feel that itis about the only possible way to protect andencourage good community development.

As one farm writer put it, "The question iswhat KIND of zoning ordinance to have,rather than SHOULD we have it."

Farmers and landowners in and near largerurban centers have already felt the effect ofplanning and zoning, or at least, are awareof some of the possible values or dangers itcan have to them. Realistically, some of theselandowners recognize that the most profitableand final crop which can be cultivated on theirland is building sites.

Because of the fact that a land sale at somepoint in the future - for some non-agriculturaluse - could bring some beautiful capital gains,landowners should watch very carefully to seethat zoning restrictions don't lock the gate tootightly. Nothing about zoning should be de-signed to be completely rigid. If a farmerwants to be rezoned at a later time, he shouldbe able to get the rezoning, unless it wouldsubject the area to unreasonable costs anddestroy value of neighboring properties. Somegood planning and zoning programs are re-viewed on a regular basis.

Any plans, whether for a farm operation orarea-wide land use, should have good long-range goals. Several have been suggested forplanning-zoning:

1. Improving the tax base.2. Preserving recreation lands.3. Keeping the area beautiful.4. Encouraging tourism and industry.5. Preventing conflicting uses of land.6. Giving each acre its best possible use.Like any law, zoning restricts people. The

idea is to make it work only to keep peoplefrom being destructive or offensive to others.

By: Steve Van SlykeDirector, Education and Research

FARM BUREAU POLICYWe believe that the maintenance of strong, independent,

and responsible state and local government is imperativeto the preservation of self-government and individualfreedoms ..

Public functions should be performed by the qualifiedunit of government closest to the people without coercionby administrative agencies of the federal government.

We favor the assumption of responsibility by state andlocal units of government for the exercise of their appro-priate functions. 'Ve urge State and County Farm Bu-reaus to study the modernization of local governmentand take an .active role in making~their local governmentseffective.

Sewer Line Battle!Last month's "Discussion Topic" dealt with problems

of high taxation on farm lands near urban centers andsome of the special assessments placed on farmers forsuch things as sewer lines, water mains, storm drains, etc.

A Circuit Court injunction reported on January 9 bythe Grand Rapids Press, is an effort by a farm couple tostop the installation of a proposed sanitary sewer ontheir farm.

In the suit filed by the farm couple, they charged thata sanitary sewer is being planned to be built on theirfann, without their consent, and will bring with it aninstallation assessment of $36,734.00 against them.

They contend that the sewer was originally intendedto cross their property to a high school adjacent to theirfarm. A change in plans now call for it to dead end ontheir property, they say.

They also contend that the proposed sewer wiII be ofno benefit to them, since they have no plans for plottingand developing their land.

A local farm voice!Farmers and Farm Bureau have always been stalwart de-

fenders of the principles of local government. They have saidthe best government was that one close at hand, under thewatchful eye of the taxpayer-voter.

Today, this principle has eroded to the point that manycitizens of this country no lon~er feel a keen interest in thefunction of government at ANY level. Most voters appear tobe apathetic, in all points concerning government with thepossible exception of taxes.

Included under the definition of "local government" aremany different groups - including everything from the countycourthouse to mosquito-control and hospital districts.

Even though the actual number of local governmental unitsis decreasing, the cost of operating them is on the increase.Alarmed by the lack of funds, many local officials are turnin~more and more to state and federal treasuries for help, andmany times by doing so, they have given up some of the dutiesand responsibilities which really should be done at the locallevel.

Any discussion of problems of local government would notbe complete without a thorough review of the chief sourceof funds, the property tax. Nationally, this provides more than$58 out of every $100 raised by local governments.

As the economy of our nation has changed from a predomin-antly agricultural society to one where the vast majority ofcitizens live in cities, with many owning no real property, anytax method taking no account of income is an unfair tax.

Dumps •••

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS February 1, 1968 NINE

ANNUAL MEETING AWARDS

BIG BUSINESS-BIG INVESTMENTCOMMUNITY GROUP AWARD, given to Ottawa County for outstanding performance in the area of Community Farm BureauGroups, was accepted'by Mrs. Hilbert Holleman, chairman of the Ottawa County Community Group Committee, and ArthurLucas, county president.

ACHIEVEMENT IN YOUNG FARMER activities brought awards to two county Farm Bureaus. Wexford (left), represented byRobert Benson, past president, and Larry Luther, chairman of the Young Farmer Committee, received the award because theiryoung farmers became involved in the total Farm Bureau program. Ingham County, represented by Harold McMichael,chairman of the Young farmer Committee, and Stanley Fay, past county president, did an outstanding job in developingand implementing the Young Farmer Program.

This giant 7V2-ton Ford 8000 tractor, with its401-cubic-inch diesel engine, is symbolic ofthe massive power needed in today's modernfarming. Big power calls for big investment,and the kind of accurate farm records vital togood farm management. That's where FarmBureau's new Farm Records Service fits in ...

IT MAKES AVAILABLE:

Income Tax ReportsCredit SummariesManagement RecordsEnterprise AccountingPersonal Income and Expense Records.

Enrollment for 1968 is now underway. Formore details, contact your county Farm Bureauoffice, or write: Market Development Division,Michigan Farm Bureau, Box 960, Lansing,Michigan 48904

FARM BUREAU MARKET PLACESPECIAL RATE TO FARM BUREAU MEMBERS: 25 words for $2.00 each edition. Additional words, 10 cents each. Figures such as 12 or $12.50 count asone word. NON-MEMBER advertisers: 15 cents per word one edition, two or more editions, 10 cents per word. Copy deadline: 20th of the month.

8 FARM EQUIPMENT 14 FOR SALE FARM PROPERTY 22 NURSERY STOCK 26 POULTRY

Departing-March 2-June 15-August 3-

October 26

Heritage 1968

IIIlWlliill1l 7CUI*J

Visiting 4 Islands-Oahu-Kauai-Maui

and HawaiiFOR DETAILED FOLDER: Contact

Inforr:lation Division, Michigan Fan:1 BureauBox 960, Lansing, Michigan 48904

(2-2t-14p)

WANTED34AGE~TS - Fanners. dealers. ~fakt' extramOlll'v in spare tiull'! Sl,lI fann l'quipment.Soml: tl'rritory open. \Vrite: Ottawa-Hitch,F~32I. Holland. ~li(:hilt;m 49423.

(2-3t-20b) 34

(2-4t-15p)

36 MISCELLANEOUS

KLAGER'S DEKALB PROFIT PULLETS- Order your started pullets that havebl'l'n rai'l'C1 on a pro\'en !!:rowing proJ,!ram.The growinc; hirds are inspected weeklybv trained staff, \'acdnated, debeaked anddelivered hv us in clean crates. If youkeep records. yon wiII keep KLAGER DE-KALRS. KLAGER HATCHERIES. Brid!!:e-watt'r, Michil!an. Telephones: 313 429-7087 and 313 428-3034.

(Washtennw County) (9-tf-50b) 26

\\'AXTED: Lar~e used poultry house inJ,!ood <:ondition. Mmt he Jllovl'ahle in~e('tions. About 30' x 250'. Fmit Haven:'-:nrsl'rv. Kaleva, Michigan 4964.'5.

.(Manistee County) (2-2t-25p)

"ZIPCODE DIRECTORY" - (All 35.000postoffices): $1.00 ~fAILMART, Carroll-ton 72, Kt'ntucky 41008. (3-tf-llb) 14

ILLUSTRATED WHOLESALE CATA-LOG. Imported Merchandise. 2.5t. Sampleitl'm included! Imports. 2506 West Lloyd,l'em;\{'ola, Florida 32505.

OVERSEAS JOBS - Australia, Europe,South Ameri{'a, Far East, etc. Openingsin all trades and professions. $400 toS2,.';00 monthly. Free Infonnation ...write: Xation;11 Employment Service (For-eign Division) Box 2235 A.M.F. Miami,Florid.\ 331.59. (2-lt-33p) 36

WHOLESALE CHAIN SAWS. Chains,bars and sprockets for all saws. New.Buaranteed. MfJ,!. Supply, Box 157, Dor-{'hester, Wisconsin 54425 (1-4t-19p) 36

POULTRY26

STARK BRO'S ALL XEW 1968 CATA-LOG FREE! Spectacular full-color dis-play of Giant-sizt' Applt's, Peaches, Nec-tarines (Fuzzless Pt'aches), Pt'ars, Cht'rries,Aprkots, Plums from D\VARF, Semi-Dwarf, Standard Size trees. Ornamt'ntals.Rost's, etc. GUARANTEED. STARK,Dept. 30.'508. Louisiana. ~fissouri 633.'>3.

(12-4t-39b) 22

(2-12t-30p)

BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDE~ with plantsaud trl'l'S from "Michigan's Fastl'st Grow-iug Nursery". Strawlll'rry plants, fruittn'es, bramhles, asparaJ,!us crowns. Sendfor a fn'e prke list. Fruit Haven ~urscry,Kalt'va, MichiJ,!an 4964.5.

600 ASSORTED SWEET ONION PLANTSwith free plantinJ,! guide $3.00 postpaid.TOPCO. "home of the sweet onion,"Farn1ersville, Texas 7.'503 I.

(1-4t-20b) 24

FAMOUS SHAVER STARCROSS START-ED PULLETS. Top rated layer byU.S.D.A. - 1964 thrOUlI:h 1966. Deliveredto your tann in dl'an t'quipment. \Ve havepullets available every month. May beSl'l'n by appointnwnt. MacPh('rson Hatch-l'ry. Ronte ::3. Ionia, MichiJ,!an 48846.Phone 527-0860. (6-tf-36b) 26

DAY OLD OR STARTED PULLETS-The DeKalb profit pullet. Accepted bythe smart poultryman for high egg pro-duction, superior egg quality, greater feedefficiency. If you keep records, you'llkef'p DeKalbs. Write for prices andcatalog. KLAGER HATCHERIES. Bridge-watt'l. ~fichigan. Telephones: Saline HAzel9-7087, Manchester GArden 8-3034(Washtenaw County) (tf-46b) 26

160 ACRE STOCK FARM NEAR GLAD-WIN, ~f1CHIGAN on Little Su~ar River.Larlte, four bedroom. I 16 bath brick andaluminum home. Two larJ,!e barns. foursilos with automatic fecd, 1.000 bushelsteel J,!rain bin, nowin~ well. artificiallake, etc. $80,000 - $2.'>,00 down. WriteSpartan Rt'altors for (h.tails. G-3145 F1ush-inJ,! Road, Flint, MichiJ,!an 48.'504.

(2-lt-.'>3p) 10

FOR SALE: CLARKSVILLE - 143 acres.20 miles east of Grand Rapids. Clayloam, 2 family house, 2 barns, silo, roomfor .50 head feeder cattle. 20 acresalfalfa, ahout 100 acres workahle, 20 acrestimber, flowinJ:: well. $27,.'>00 terms - willconsider trade. Edward Tanis. Route #1.Jt'nison, Michiltan

(Ottawa County) (2-tf-45b)

ARKANSAS: LIVESTOCK FARMS,ranches, land. Reasonabll' prices. Yearround J,!razinJ,!, mild winters. Free lists,photos. FAR~f AND RANCH LANDCOMPANY, Box 383~'FN, Fort Smith. Ar-kansas 72901. (l-4t-25p)

20 LIVESTOCK

22 NURSERY STOCK

HARDY MUMS. 20 varities $3 prepaid.Free catalo!!: of 500 varitit,s. Huff's Gar-deus, Burlington, Kansas 66n39.

(1-3t-16b) 24

HEREFORD BULLS-pure bred herdsires. Ready for service. Also, re!!:isteredheifers and calfs. EJ:Ypt Valley HerefordFarm. 6611 Knapp St .. Ada, Michigan.Phone OR 6-1090. (Kent County)

(11-tf-25b) 20

:'-:lGHTCRA WLERS AND RED WIG-GLERS. "B & W" \Vonn Ranch, Route#1. Stt'ele. Missomi 63877. Phone 695-J~)84. An'a Code 314.

OLD STYLE SLEIGH BELLS: 20 heavynickel platt. new 1 %" diameter 7' strap'SlO; 30 bells $15. Colored Spreadt'rStraps. Alfred Jensen, Littll' Falls, Minne-sota .'5634.'5. (2-1 t-24p)

CALIFORNIA SOUVENIR GOLD DOL-LAR S 1..'50, Half .7.'5t. Old Silver DollarS1.98. EiJ,!ht different Indianhead Centsor V-Nickels S1.98. Free Pricelists. Edel's.Carlyle, Illinois 62231. (2-2t-23p)

FOR SALE: OLD STYLE SLEIGHBELLS. \Vritc or call: Alfred Jensen,Little Falls. Minnesota .'>634.'5.

(1-tf-15b) 14

FARROWING STALLS - Complete-S24.H5. Dealership available. Free Liter-ahue. Dolly Enterprises, 2 I 9 Main. Col-chester, Illinois 62326. (l1-tf-15b) 8

FOR SALE: International H Tractor;J. D. 2 Bottom Plow; J. D. Power Culti-vator; J. D. Corn Planter on rubber;Grain Drill, Hay Rake-4 bars; Hay \VaJ,!onon rubber 7'x14'; Grain Elevator Card-inal; I ton Chain Hoist; Cement Mixer-portahle on rubher. \Vrite: Kass, 13.'>10HorninJ::, Brooklyn, MichiJ::an

(2-1 t-45b)

CALF CREEP FEEDERS - 30 hushelcapacity $88 ..50. Dealerships available.Free Literature. Dolly Enterprises, 2 I 9Main, Colchester, I1Iinois 62326.

(1l-tf-18h) 8

TEN February 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

EGGS"A Clouded Picture"There are few smiles today among Michigan's egg pro-ducers, caught as they are between higher costs anddepressed prices. For almost the entire past year, eggprices have ranged within a few cents of actual cost ofproduction. In typical years, lower summer prices havebeen followed by some months of fall and winter strength-

• ening - nat true at the present.Helping cloud-the picture has been chain stores andindependent companies entering large scale egg pro-duction for a variety of reasons. In no other agriculturalcommodity, unless it would be the broiler business, hasvertical integration made such inroads.Michigan farmers formed the Egg Marketing Division ofFarm Bureau Services in 1959 to give the professional eggproducer a substantial market for a quality product.For a status report, the FARM NEWS questioned ClydeSpringer, Manager of the Egg Marketing operation. Thequestions - and his replies, follow.

PRICE BARGAINING POWERFOR MICH. EGG PRODUCERS

Today, over 70 percent of eligible Farm Bureau familiesin Michigan have Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverageand, in coming months, that number may increase.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage is available toFarm Bureau members at special group rates, and aprogram has been devised in the best interests of farmers.

A good health care protection program is basic tofamily security. You cannot use the Fanners' Almanacto forecast future medical care needs, but Blue Cross andBlue Shield is the best way to defend yourself and yourfamily against catastrophe.

Could your family carry on if you became seriously ill?It would be difficult, but knowing that medical costswere covered would ease the burden, and assure you ofthe means to pay for the best hospital-medical-surgicalservices.

Go ahead and experiment with crops; but don't experi-ment with your family's health; choose the safest, mostpopular kind of health care protection there is - BlueCross and Blue Shield.

Have you thought about your senior years? FarmBureau has. A special Blue Cross and Blue Shield coveragegoes into effect when you reach age 63.

Coverage can be transferred from one Blue Cross andBlue Shield Plan area to another or on a County toCounty basis. And, no deposit is needed in participatinghospitals (nearly all of Michigan's general hospitals).

Your local country Farm Bureau secretary will assistyou with Blue Cross and Blue Shield enrollment. YOll

have a choice of comprehensive or $50 deductible; wardor semi-private accomodations; and one of four incomeclassifications (A, B, C, D).

Remember the deadline for enrollin~ or making changesin your contract if you are now enrolled, is MARCH 15.

Act now to insure your health care future.

CLYDE SPRINGER - (right) Manager of the Egg Marketing Division, Farm BureauServices, makes a point with the editor, in the question and answer interviewprinted on this page.

Health Security

Elton R. Smith, President of the ~1ichigan Farm Bureaureaffirmed the voice of the voting delegates eluring his annualaddress when he said «effective membership participation isessential for total Farm Bure<lu action, and that members areoffered a better opportunity to guide and support their FarmBureau when they participate in Community Farm BureauGroups". The Michigan Fanll Bureau Board of Directors isgiving priority to this important part of our organization.

A plan has been developed to organize new CommunityFarm Bureau Groups and {eill be presented to County FarmBureau Board of Directors during January and February. Theplan involves the use of a "County Community GroupOrganizer" .

An organizer is a person or couple who has the responsibilityof organizing new Community Farm Bureau Groups. TheMichigan Farm Bureau will sponsor a s,tate-wide workshop forGroup Organizers in late February. By adopting this planCounty Community Groups Committees would have moretime to work on improving existing groups.

More. Community Groups

Price is the key - and we knowthat egg prices have been down... How does this depressedmarket price affect your oper-ation?

about 17 per cent of all eggsproduced in the state. They owntheir facilities - with an averageflock size around the 10,000 birdmark.

Besides quality supervision andmarket-outlets, what are someother advantages these producersgain?

They are guided toward soundhealth, sanitation and manage-ment practices, and quickly real-ize that management ability hasa direct bearing on their income.\ Ve make use of an efficienttransportation system and exten-sive advertising and promotioncampaigns. By working together,we gain a substantial marketingvolume which has increased stead-ily as profitable outlets are gained.

For one thing, they are re-quired to market all eggs pro-duced - or a specific minimumnumber of cases through FarmBureau Services. Also - specificpractices dealing with feeding,frequency of egg gathering, re-frigeration and. flock separationare required. Those who wish toshare a portion of the productionrisk, may enter into an egg pro-duction participating agreementwith Fann Bureau Services.

What are some of the conditionsimposed on Farm Bureau Serv-ices by such agreement?

'Vhat are some of the "strings"placed on producers in the eggm~rketing program?

Services agrees to receive andmarket all of the eggs, make alltransportation arrangements in-cluding farm pick-up, supply allpacking cases and packing ma-terials, pay for eggs on the basisof quoted prices established byFarm Bureau Services within 10days after receipt, and providecompetent and trained field serv-ices personnel.

I said that our egg account for17 per cent of the total eggs pro-duced in the state - and it be-comes obvious that prices paid toproducers on our program mustbe based on supply-demand re-lationships involving the other 83per cent ... this, plus our re-lationships to the dominating NewYork market.

Supermarket studies show thateggs contribute nearly 2 per centof gross tore sales and a corres-ponding share of the profit. Oureggs must compete with' over7,000 items in the modem store.Further, good business methodsdictate our sales and merchandis-ing practices with buyers, butalways with the farmer's interestsin mind.

'Ve've been real proud thateven as the total egg price picturehas been depressed, Farm BureauServices has squeezed its ownoperating costs to a newall-timeefficiency record. We have chartsto show that the "difference" be-tween the price we pay for eggs(per dozen) and the price we sellthem for, is at an all-time low.

\Vhat about the eggs producedwithin the program, but whichfor one reason or another fallunder these standards?

A lower price is paid to pro-ducers whose eggs fail to come upto these standards ... and thisquality of egg has a correspondinglower price in the market-place.Merchandising emphasis is placed(at retail store level) on the qual-ity difference between the USDAFresh Fancy egg and the morecommon-place A-Grade eggs.

Earlier, you said that this high-quality egg must be backed by aneffective marketing program -how has this been done?

Retail outlets recognize theneed to sell only top quality eggs.They have had considerable ex-perience with consumer reactionto, anything less, and have beensearching for just the type ofproduct Farm Bureau Servicesoffered. As a result, several chaingrocery stores and both cooper-ative and conventional wholesalershave turned to. Farm BureauServices for an assured volumeof high quality eggs. We havebuilt a reputation that attractsthem.

Would you name some of thesestores?

'Ve mean an egg that meets therigid requirements that allow itto be placed in a "Fresh, FancyQuality AA Grade" "'carton. Itmeans that each lot of eggs mustbe inspected by a full-time resi-dent USDA inspector in eachFarm Bureau Services plant, andbacked by a program of qualitycontrol extending from the pro-ducer's farm through the retailstore. It means supervision andinspection throughout the supplyline.

They include Meijer Markets("Thrifty Acres") Polly's MasterMarkets, Spartan Stores and theGreat A & P Tea Company. Toshow how much contacts develop- Farm Bureau Services dealtwith the Spartan Stores generaloffice in Grand Rapids. Then,contacts were made with individ-ual Spartan Stores to explain theegg marketing program only ifthis was requested by the generaloffice.

Farm Bureau Services did notnegotiate with individual storesto replace some independent,local, egg producer's business,rather we dealt with an eggmerchandising program that hasstate-wide distribution with inde-pendent retailers.

How many egg producers doyou have on this quality program?

At the moment there are ninetvindependent producers on th~Services program. They supplyall of the eggs marketed by FarmBureau Services and account for

\Vhen we talk about a qualityproduct - what do you mean?

You imply that Michigan eggproducers were losing out ... inwhat way?

\Ve simply weren't producingenough eggs to meet our needs,and other states were steppingin to caphlre our egg markets. Itlooked like we were going tohave to take drastic steps toregain and expand production,and backed by Farm Bureau-the most influential farm organi-zation in the state, we knew wecould do it. We chose our ownform of integration, built aroundan unusually high quality prod-uct, the "Fresh Fancy Quality"egg.

What did the Farm Bureauresearch show?

Doesn't it seem strange to youthat a fanner's organization - theMichigan Farm Bureau, throughits Farm Bureau Service affiliate- should itself engage in verticalintegration in the production ofeggs?

Not at all, since through thismethod we have secured far great-er price-bargaining power forMichigan egg producers. 'Vehave retained and increased theshare of Michigans egg marketfor Michigan producers, and FarmBureau Services has provided amuch more desirable fOlm ofintegration - owned and oper-ated by the farmers themselves,and with the welfare of farmersas the primary interest.

What kind of market researchdill you do - to make sure thatthis was the right way to go?

Enough time has gone by sothat many of our newer FarmBureau members may not knowthat the Michigan Farm Bureaudid the original research, andworking closely with MichiganState University poultry special-ists, actually designed the egg-marketing program now in oper-ation. The original research workwas done by the Market Develop-ment Division of the MichiganFann Bureau - which later rum-ed the project over to FarmBureau Services, to operate asa relatively complex, long-termbusiness enterprise.

It showed that two require-ments were prime - and thatthey must be met if a larger shareof the Michigan egg market wereto be gained, and retained, byMichigan farmers. First, highquality eggs were necessary. Sec-ond, that this high quality - andBRAND NAME product had tobe backed by an effective market-ing program. It was clear fromthe start that individual producerscould not do this job alone.

MICHIGAN FARM NEWS February 1, 1968 ELEVEN

Farm Bureau Services NEWPlan -A - Yield ProgramCan Give You Higher Yieldswith Less Cost and Labor!

Here Are Your RowStarter Production CostsIn-Season Delivery-Cash

Yield Fertilizer Bulk Bagged

100 bu. per acre 110 Ibs. per acre $5.44 per acre $5.72 per acre

150 .. 150 .. 7.43 .. .. 7.80 .. ..200 .. .. .. 200 .. .. .. 9.90 .. .. 10.40 .. ..

ORDER EARLY AND SAVEl

Pre-Season Delivery Discounts-Cash

Yield Fertilizer Bulk Bagged

100 bu. per acre 110 Ibl. per acre $S.OOper acre $S.28 per acre

150" 150 6.83 7.20 ..

200" 200 9.10 9.50 ..

The Plan-A -Yield program can helpany farmer who wants to get a more ro-- ..~.,--- ----profitable yield. It doesn't matter if .~ 7.r----...... __ ....... -.

you're a corn grower presently get-ti ng 80 bushels or 150 bushels peracre, under ordinary conditionsour program can help you increaseyour yield and increase your netincome by lowering your cost ofproduction. This plant food pro-gram is tailor-made for eachfarmer, farm, field, crop and yield.The Plan-A -Yield program givesyou recommendations on rates,methods and time of fertilizerapplication; specific fertilizercarriers; type of hybrid; plantpopulation and planting pat-terns; and controls for weedsand soil insects. As the plantsdevelop there will be tissuetests to determine nutrientlevels. At harvest time you'llhave total cost per acre, gross and netincome, cost per bushel and most important, your income com-parison with your present program.

This Is A Complete Programfrom SoiI Test to HarvestOur trained specialists assist ~ou from beginning to end so that youget more profit with less labor. Produced in Saginaw and Kalamazoo,our fertilizer is quality controlled throughout its mpnufacturingprocess, to assure you of getting the most from your money. Seeyour local dealer for details or send a post card and our specialistswill show you the whole program.

If you want bulk blend fertilizer at a low price per ton contact ouroutlets at Remus, Coldwater and Marcellus.

*pecial Corn Starter Fertilizernow has 2% zinc guaranteed.

4000 N. GRAND RIVER

_~~EfllJ~

IRE.LANSING, MICHIGAN

TWELVE February 1, 1968 MICHIGAN FARM NEWS

TOMORROW .. EVEN BETTERPROTECTION WITH AGROPLANA Total Farm Insurance Program .... . . is a necessity for today's complex commercial operations, large and small.Today, hazards exist which a farmer cannot protect himself against financially.Tomorrow, AGROPLAN will meet this need.

Through Study and Research .... . . Farm Bureau Insurance specialists are re-evaluating the future needs ofMichigan farmers. Personal farmer interviews are being utilized to develop atotal modern farm protection program.

Providing New Coverages .... . . for modern farmers ... like livestock mortality, business interruption and apersonal umbrella program. And worries about crippling financial loss throughtransport accident and possible liability will be eliminated by AGROPLAN.Farm Bureau Insurance Group was built by the farming community and remainsMichigan's largest farm coverage writer. So, the leader should pioneer the mostcompletely modern farm insurance program possible. And we are.

FARM BUREAU---INSURANCE

GROUPFarm Bureau Mutual- Farm Bureau Life. Community Service, LANSING