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Show SPECIAL SECTION, LEADER-GARLAN- D TIMES, February 17. 1977. Page S Inrroductbn Commotfs sought on dairy program Mq bit continued, the average market price paid to farmers would be about one percent lower. However, because of expected increases in the farm retail price spread. A average prices, paid by consumers would be about 2.7 percent higher. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today asked for written comments by March 4 on the national Dairy Price Support Program for the 1977-7- 8 marketing year, which begins April wff$ii2 1. Some cynics like to claim that an occupation geared to the pleasures of the flesh is the oldest profession in the world, but a farmer might give you a good argument about that. After all, Adam and Eve had to eat an apple first before getting wise to the ways of the world.. .and somebody had to grow that apple. Farming is one of the most basic occupations since it provides one of our basic needs,-foo- d. But it has become an increasingly complex occupation as well. The stereotype of the "dumb farmer" or the rural "hayseed" is a misnomer today, because dumb farmers don't survive in an economic climate like that facing farmers today. Today's farmer has to be a man of the soil and a man of high finance, a mechanic and, a ; business manager. And, above all, he has to be a man with a resiliant spirit... a man who likes what he does. Because, that may be just the only satisfaction he'll get back. In many ways, an overElview of agriculture-Bo- x der County's biggest indust-ry-a- s provided here will be a pessimistic one Hardly anyone who had provided information for this special section has been optimistic about agriculture's future in the immediate short run. Drought, mingled with sub cost of production prices for their product aren't the type of elements that optimism is built on. Perhaps the most optimistic thing we can say is that farmers have been there before and survived. The condition of agriculture is one that should com cern all of us because it affects all of us. The eastern visitor who is amazed to find out that milk isn't produced in cartons in a factory somewhere has just as much stake in agriculture's future as does the farm implement dealer who sells directly to the farmer. We consumers enjoy such low food prices, compared to much of the world, in part because the American farmer is one of the most efficient in the world and, perhaps, because he hasn't yet managed to control the pricing of his product like the oil industry, for instance. In the long run it is to our advantage to keep the farmer healthy and producing with a fair return on his money, because even then he will still be feeding us better and cheaper than any other fanner in the world. And he would have money to spend in our stores, to pay taxes that benefit us all, and to buy the products that pay our salaries. The farmer is part of the economic system and any time the system takes advantage of one segment to benefit the others--as appears to be the farmer's whole sysplight now-t- he tem is bound to suffer sooner or later. Of course, not all farmers are poor. And farming provides the farmer with a way of life that many find rewarding and challenging. It takes an individual who likes to repond to challenges to be a farmer-- a good one. Perhaps that's why here in Box Elder County farmers can be seen getting involved in challenging projects which benefit our communities, as well. The farmer has traditionally given a stability to America because he has a literal stake in it. He is tied to its soil as his father and his father's father were, in many cases. He has survived good and bad years and. r will continue to do so as long as it is even remotely economically possible. He'll continue to teach his ing children the work which too often appears to be a lost morality. And he'll continue to believe in the values which the left and the right have to come back to, following their wanderings. In this brief special section, we have attempted to give our readers a look inside agriculture in Box Elder County. It isn't a complete look because time would not permit it. It may be an elementary look from the viewpoint of the farmer because we aren't agricultural specialists. But we hope it will describe the scope of agriculture in our county, its importance to us and, above all, say something about the people who ethic-someth- The dairy support level, to be determined by the Secretary . of Agriculture, is achieved by offers to purchase milk and milk products by the government's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). Legislation requires that milk be supported at between 75 and 90 percent of parity to assure an adequate supply of milk, reflect changes in the cost of production, and assure a level of farm income adequate to maintain productive capacity sufficient to meet anticipated future needs. (A parity price is the price that will give a unit of farm commodity (e.g., 100 pounds of milk) the same purchasing power now as in a base period). In making his decision, the Secretary will evaluate such factors as the cost of producing milk, the prices received by farmers for milk, the cost of dairy products to consumers, the volume and cost of xxxxxxxxxx government purchases of dairy products, and the projected supply of dairy pro- Editor's Note: May we take this time to express thanks to all who have sat patiently with us to tell their story. Agricultural people are known for their friendliness and we have been treated in no other way. USDA has also estimated that the index of farm production items, interest, taxes and wage rates will be about five percent higher on April 1 than a year earlier. If the present support price of $8.26 per cwt. were to be are agriculture. At the current support price, milk production is projected to increase about one percent in the 1977-7- 8 marketing year, assuming there is no substantial change in cull cow prices, crop conditions, and subsequent feed prices or the general economy. In the first nine months of 1976-7- 7 marketing year (April-December- ducts. Comments concerning the Dairy Price Support Program should be submitted to the director, Commod1977-7- 8 ity operations Division, P.O. Box 2415, Washington, D.C. 20013. All written submissions will be made available for public inspection during regular business hours at the office of the director, Room 5768 of USDA's south buildUSDA-ASC- S, ing. We salute the farmers i in our area, the backbone of our county ! To better the farmers, we stock a good supply of new and used farm trucks including 10 wheelers and medium to heavy duty single axles. We have excellent mechanics who are familiar with farm trucks and a very good supply of GMC parts ! We invite you to let us give you a bid on your next farm truck CRUMP WHEATLEY MOTOR CO. 695 W. Main PONTIAC Tremonton, CADILLAC Utah ), milk production totaled 91.3 billion pounds, up 4.6 percent from a year ago. Commercial use of milk and dairy products in 1977-7- 8 is estimated to increase about one percent, based partly on expected growth in purchasing power and higher beef prices. 257-332-8 GMC |