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Show UTAH FARM BUREAU Page 6 May, Congress Hears Predator Testimony note: Tho following represents excerpts from e Editor statement to the Environmental Sub- committee of United States Senate Committee on commerce, presented by Utah Farm Bureau Federation, about S.887, Federal Animal Abatement Act of 1973." Today, the importance of a program to reduce predator damage is understandable difficult for most citizens of this nation to appreciate. The basic problem is that residents of the United States have grown up in a culture of food and fiber abundance. To many, predator animal losses is not a priority issue. Nevertheless, predator animal damages to private property is a significant loss in Utah and creates problems for many Utah citizens that constitute a threat to their agricultural survival. Among the studies completed on predator animal damages is a report issued by the U.S. Division of Wildlife Services in May, 1971. Analysis of Statistical Data on Sheep Losses Caused by Predation in Four Western States During 1966-6This study found the average predator losses of the West at 5.3 percent of the total sheep inventory. This means a loss in the Western states of ap-- . proximately $17 million dollars a 9. year. Scientists Study Losses Utah has a team of researchers and scientists at Utah State University who represent the various disciplines essential to a balanced study. These scientists have been working for a number of years on predator control problems and losses. One of the recognized authorities on predator animal loss is Dr. Darwin Neilsen at Utah State University. Through his leadership, a comprehensive study of predator losses to the sheep industry in Utah was made in 1969. That study established the sheep losses in Utah in 1969 due to predators at 6.2 percent of the total sheep inventory. The study covered 20 percent of the range sheep ranches in the state of Utah. The loss was 48,035 ewes and lambs. Of this total, lamb losses were 34,270 head and ewe losses were 13,765 head. Predator Control Cost In addition to the value of the sheep lost, we must also consider the cost of control programs paid for by the sheep men themselves. In Utah a 65 mill levy (sixty-five- ) has been placed on the assessed value of sheep to provide funds for predator control. In fiscal year 1969 this amounted to $152,781.00. This is a directout-of-pockcost to ranchers. The study also shows that ranches in addition spent et $56,330 for hiring professional hunters and paying private bountys for predators killed on private ground. The total of these three items, or $1,318,485.00, is the amount of direct loss that Utah sheepmen had because of predators. ; Loss to Economy There was a second serious loss which Utah State University research groups identified. This was to the economy of the State of Utah. The act of spending money is not an isolated or terminal event. A dollar spent by one unit or sector of the economy will have a chain effect. Remember children are great so be sure to set a good mimics, example for them. Have children been taught how to cross the street properly? Do you have safety discussions at home? large farm and th? mortgage is 185,000 dollars. His long range plan is for one son to take over the farm and the other son wants to go to medical school. His daughter has a physical handicap and may never marry. Mr. B is also married with no children and most likely will never have any. He is employed by a large company in the shipping department. He rents a nice apartment and his wife is a clerk in a local department store. She has a large sum of cash, stocks and bonds which her father left her on Applying this principle, the study reported, If predation were eliminated from the industry, exports range-shee- p from the livestock sector of the economy of the state could be expected to increase by $1,109,374 annually. If one uses the type II multiplier for .the livestock sector, reported Bradley (1968), the .loss of Utah economy could be as high as $5,014,313 annually. Figures recently published by the U.S.D.A. also show some alarming trends in connection with lamb death losses. This study of Sheep and Lamb Death Losses, Migrator Sheep Ranches, Utah-Nevagives losses for the years 1960 through 1972. In 1967, the year when the use of chemical toxicants in predator control began to be restricted, the lamb losses were down to 6 percent. Since then these same figures show a steady increase in losses, reaching a figure of 10 percent in 1972. The increase was especially sharp from the end of 1971 until the end of 1972, amounting to over 2 percent. In connection with this, it is in- Planning Your Estate da teresting to note that the presidential order banning the use of all chemical toxicants went into effect on January 1, 1972. The ban on chemical toxicants has also increased the cost of predator animal control programs. Utah Farm Bureau is also disturbed by reports from the field across the state that th damages to wildlife (deer and game birds) is on the increase as predator number increase. Information is widely circulated that the nations food and fiber abundance is achieved by the destruction of vital ecological sysems. Charges are made that the use of chemical toxicants to abate animal damages produces 'irreversible losses to the environment. The thought is propounded that the death of a wildlife species signifies the eventual eternise of the human race. Proponents of this rationale usually espouse a return to some mythical Shrangri-l- a where nature will provide a natural balance. Improved Environment What these people conveniently overlook is that a return to this type of an environment would mean that 95 percent of our population would have to return to struggling for a meager living from the soil to obtain the food and fiber necessary to maintain life. Our abundant food supply is only possible because we have learned to control and improve the natural environment. We have supported, and continue to support, governmental regulation and strict control of the use of chemical toxicants in animal predator programs. However, we do not support the approach of a total ban in the use of chemical toxicants on federal lands or on nonfederal land resources. We firmly believe that over time, the total-ba- n approach which has been established by executive order as a national policy will prove to be damaging to maintenance of a quality environment. Utah Farm Bureau Federation believes that adequate federal-stat- e controls could be established that would permit the use of chemical toxicants on a This approach basis. restricted could permit the professional government handlers to use toxicants in those situations where their use is the wisest and best method of animal management. We predation believe a modification of the total-ba- n apin be would the interest best proach of all the citizens of this nation. his death. As you can see other than the fact that both mem are the same age and are married, they have little else in common. Mr. A probably needs to have enough Life Insurance to protect his mortgage in case he does not live to pay it off; enough life insurance to insure money for income for his wife and children to live on until the children are grown and his wife thereafter; enough to sustain his physically handicapped daughter; also, the education for his son who wants to become a medical doctor. Then there is his last expenses, funeral and outstanding debts and of course the ever present taxes that must be paid along with the legal fees to settle his estate. As you can see, he needs a great deal of life insurance. B is very differnt. No Mr. children to raise and educate, his wife is wdl off in her own right and he has very few debts. However, he will have the last expenses which no one can avoid. So as you can see, there is no simple answer to how much life insurance is enough. A good life agent can help you analyze your recomestate and make mendations. No one can tell you without your help. What was enough yesterday may not be adequate today. So a periodic By John S. Young CLU Director of Agencies Country Mutual Life Editors note: Information in this column is no way intended as legal advice or as Any specific recommendations. legal question involving your estate should be directed to any attorney of your choice. Quite often Im asked How . much Life Insurance is enough? Well, thats somewhat like asking how much grain do you harvest per acre. Is this your top producing acre or is it an acre that is tough to grow even salt grass on? Lets take a couple of examples: Two men age 38, lets call one Mr. A and the other Mr. B. Mr. A is married and has two sons and a daughter. He is buying a Dairy Princess Festivities June is usually designated Dairy month. In preparation for festivities during June each county will hold a Dairy Princess contest. The winners in these county contests will reign for one year in the county and then be a contestant for the state Dairy Princess the . review and is to Take time a always good thing. do it. Even tomorrow may be too late. 1973 Natural Resources Dept. Established Plans have been approved . to establish a full-tim- . natural e resources department in the Utah Farm Bureau as soon as a qualified specialist can be employed. The new department is being developed to assist Utah farmers and ranchers in meeting the increasing challenge to maintain a quality maintaining productive agriculture. One of the most serious deficiencies in the private sector today is the lack of well trained, articulate spokesmen on the en- said C. Booth Wallentine, UFBF executive vironmental subject, vice president. Most of the environmental specialists are employed by government agencies or universities. While their jobs may be important, there is a critical need for a qualified Natural resources specialist in Utah representing the sector, private agricultural Wallentine added. Farm Bureau is the logical to provide such a representative of the agricultural industry, Wallentine said, since more than 8 out of 10 farmers who belong to any farm group are members-o- f Farm Bureau. The new natural resources department will conduct research and give leadership to action programs designed to increase of public understanding in agricultures role preserving a wholesome environment. And the department director will maintain contact with regulatory agencies which affect agriculture. organization Eating For Virtue? In Hong Kong many Chinese still believe that with every meal they not only stave off death but increase their virtue. They eat with a gusto that leaves the table looking like a battlefield. following year. The state contest will be held this year in the LaFayette Ballroom of the Hotel Utah June 9th. The contest will be televised in color over Channel 2. Any young ladies interested in entering a contest in their respective county should get in touch with county dairy leaders. If this method cant be determined readily the Utah Dairy Commission invited you to contact them at 1213 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah and they will direct interested parties to the right people. 'is ??? x s f . . . f i - f ; 4V fr. v. v v.- it ,v Who pays the. taxes? Representative Ed Foreman of New Mexico came up with statistics which give us a better idea of who is really paying our federal governments tax bills. His statement is as follows: If our nations millionaires were taxed 100 of their income each year, the revenue would run the federal government only 29 hours. "If all the income from individuals making over $25,000 per year were taken as tax, it would run the government for less than three days. In fact, if all personal income over $10,000 were confiscated, it U. S. would run the government only 18V& days. This might be one reason why the majority of Americans, at least those who are paying the bill, want to reduce the size, cost and control of federal government." f while environment a r Creston J. Foster, director of Communications AFBF. Foster Cited For Excellence PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS, April 24, 1973 . . . Crestqn J. Fqster, director of communications, American Farm Bureau Federation, was honored atthe annual spring meeting of the Newspaper Farm Editors of America with a plaque and honorary membership in the association. The citation stated: The Newspaper Farm Editors of America designates Crestqn J. Foster of the American Farm Bureau Federation an Honorary Member in Recognition ofhis many years of excellent service and cooperation to press representatives. Mr. Foster is only the fourth man to be given an honorary membership in this professional organization during its twenty year history. The award was made at the annual meeting dinner in the National Press Club, Washington, D.C., April 16. i |