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Show Page . Utah Farm Bureau News 2 June, 1973 By Booth Wallen tine UFBF Executive Vice President Inflation Hits The Farmer Again inflation is taking its toll on farmers. A recent farm parity report shows a decline of three points in the parity ratio between Government-fe- d l. and The index of prices paid by farmers pushed up 1.5 percent during this period to a record of 480. Higher prices for seeds, fertilizer, food, clothing and building materials contributed to the increase in prices paid. These costs showed an increase of 12 percent above a year earlier. This increase was more than the latest rise of the wholesale price mid-Marc- mid-Apri- h 12-mon- th index. The drop in prices received by farmers amounted to 1.5 percent and was the first drop in 12 months. This decline in farm prices emphasizes the economic fact that agricultural prices do move up and down in contrast with wages and the prices of many nonfarm products, which move in only one direction-u- p. The Crop Reporting Board, in citing the drop in farm prices during the period ending April 15, said most of the decline was caused by lower prices for hogs, cattle, calves, lambs, milk and strawberries. Other segments of the economy are suffering from the destructive power of inflation. But unfortunately, too many people are calling for tougher price controls as a means of stemming the upward spiral in the cost of living. Time and time again it has been proven that controls cannot stem inflation-only responsible fiscal and monetary policies can do that. This means drastic cuts in government spending and the achievement of a balanced budget. Government cannot continue to spend money for projects that taxes won't support. Creston J. Foster, Director of Communications American Farm Bureau Federation Chavez Losing Out On West Coast Cesar Chavez is running into problems in California. His United Farm Workers' recent picketing and agitation resulted in 300 arrests, some for acts to commit great bodily harm. He has lost 17 grape contracts to the Teamsters Union in San Joaquin Valley, 8 of 10 contracts in Coachella Valley, and more in other areas. k Former UFW members are promoting legislation. California's Catholic bishops are asking for secret ballot elections, switch from their former position. Chevez wants no part of secret balloting. Congress is pondering farm labor legislation now. The bills under consideration propose these alternatives: Extending the National Labor Relations Board to agriculture. Creating an independent farm labor relations board. (Farm Bureau favors this proposal because NLRB is greatly overloaded.) Extending NLRB to agriculture and permitting secondary boycotts, recognition picketing and other features repulsive to Farm Bureau right-to-wor- .EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of a regular column to be written by Booth Wallentine. Mr. Wa dentine broadcasts a weekly commentary on current events over more than 100 radio stations nationwide. The program recently received an award from Freedoms Foundation. years ago farmers and ranchers Nearly fifty-fiv- e organized Farm Bureau. Half a century later the purposes of Farm Bureau are the same as in the beginning. Its goal is to unite farmers and ranchers to do together what they cannot do alone. Food producers have a reputation for independence. In fact, however, few people are so organized as are farmers. More than eight of every ten farmers and ranchers who belong to any farm group belong to Farm Bureau. Here in Utah the board of directors of Farm Bureau have recently taken steps to. strengthen the organization's ability to serve farmers and ranchers. First, there was the combining of the boards of directors for our affiliated insurance companies. This assured better overall coordination to meet the needs of Farm Bureau members. Now a new staff organization is being developed. The Farm Bureau executive vice president now has overall responsibility for all affiliated companies as well as the Farm Bureau staff. LeGrand Jarman, legislative director, e has been given responsibility for the broad range of public policy issues, including working with regulatory agencies. Neil Sumsion, former information director, moves to field coordination to help county leaders strengthen county Farm Bureaus. Jacob Fuhriman now devotes full time to helping farmers and ranchers in Utah get the most for the dollars they spend on farm supplies. Elwood Shaffer, recently appointed director of at the important communications, will work task of improving agriculture's image in the state. No single challenge is more important than' this. Recent food boycotts provide ample proof of this need. Newest addition to the Farm Bureau staff team is Thomas E. Bingham, appointed director of natural e resources. Food producers need a expert on environmental and natural resource issues. Most of the specialists in this field are employed by the government or universities. The time has come for the farmers' and ranchers' side of the story to be told. So we're gearing up to do the job you folks expect of us. Your suggestions will be welcome at any time. Our office door is always open. long-tim- e full-tim- full-tim- full-tim- e full-tim- 'a members. If you're the writing kind - and you should be - we recommend you creating an urge your Congressmen to support H.R. 4011 (Leggett-Quie- ) independent farm labor relations board. UTAH FARM BUFgAUHMEWS Postmaster: Pitas sand Form Lake City, Utah Midi 2579 to Utah Farm Bureau, 29 East Fourth South, Salt each month by the Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Salt Lake City, Utah. Business Office, 29 East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah, M102. Subcents per year to members Is Included in membership fee. scription price of twonty-flv- SIPubHshod Ask a Friend To Join Farm Bureau fanner complains about farm problems, but Farm Bureau does something about them. Every o Second Class postage paid UTAH FARM BUREAU Elmo W. Nami Iton, R Iv orton S. Jay Child, Clearfield ,C. Booth Wallentlno Elwoed Shaffer at Salt Lako City, Utah. FEDBtATlON OFFICIALS ......................................... President Vice President ..Executive Vice President Editor 'DIRECTORS: Frank Nlshiguchi, Garland; William Holmes, Ogden; Jack Brawn, OranfsvHle; Edward Boyer, Springvilie, Kenneth Brasher, Huntington; Jerold Johnson, Aurora; Kenneth R. Ashby, Delta; Mrs. Willis Whitbeck, Bennion, Stanley Jackson, Combining forces to look after the future of agriculture is what makes Farm Bureau strong. So ask a friend to join now and help protect the right to farm efficiently and freely. Dues are $20 a year. See your county Farm Bureau president to enroll new members. e THEIR FAVORITE SPORT .... |