OCR Text |
Show n iflirritr1'1'' 5B i iVii The SunNews. Tuesday. December 24. 1991 Utah's agricultural picture looks fairly favorable Considering the present bleakness of the U.S economy, Utah agriculture for 1992 looks fairly promising, said a Utah State University Economics department head. In general, improvement in this sector should continue through most of 1992, said Donald Snyder, USU Extension marketing specialistand economics department head. The professor was one of eight speakers during a special meeting Utahs agriculture forecasting condition for 1991 at the State Capitol Building, in SLC. The meeting was sponsored by the Utah Bankers Association, Western Farm Credit Bank and USU. The program, was repeated the same day over the states microwave educational network (EDNET), and was attended statewide by farmers and ranchers at more than a dozen locations. During his presentation, Snyder said areas of concern which could hamper Utahs agricultural outlook for the coming year include lingering drought problems, the controversy surrounding grazing on public' lands, wilderness issues, and the U.S. economy in general. Snyder noted that even with extra moisture this season, it will take several years of above average moisture to replenish depleted water supplies throughout the state. He questioned the impact the newly declared wilderness areas will have on the ranching industry in the state. What will be the status of grazing in those areas, he asked. What about areas adjacent to wilderness lands - the so called buffer zones. Will grazing be allowed to con Humor tinue under a grandfather clause or will the establishment of wilderness areas effectively exclude grazing activity? Following is a brief summary of how the U.S. and Utah agriculture are expected to fare in the coming year. -- While crop production is the U.S. and worldwide is lower than last year, livestock and poultry production is expanding and will reach new record levels for total meat production in 1992, according to James Donald, chairperson of the USDAs World Agricultural Outlook Board. -- The USDA projects U.S. agricultural exports will increase from about $37.5 billion in 1991 to about $39 billion in 1992. -- Crops will depend on weather conditions, however forecasts are that U.S. wheat prices should remain relatively strong in 1992, said DeeVon Bailey, USU Extension marketing and outlook specialist. --The USDA predicts milk prices will increase by about 5 in 1992. -- The USDA projects total U.S. farm receipts will be slightly higher next year. However, farm expenses will also be higher due to higher prices for fuel, fertilizer and pesticides. -- Almost 70 of cash receipts received by Utah farmers and ranchers are derived from cattle, milk, sheep and hay. The USDA forecasts for 1992 suggest that profits will be equal to or slightly lower for most of these commodities in 1992 compared to last year. Consequently, one must conclude that net farm income for Utah farmers as a whole, will be slightly lower in 1992 than in 1991. However net farm income in Utah has been at a relatively high level since 1988 and farming and ranching will remain only slightly less profitable in Utah in 1992 than in 1991. -- The dairy industry has suffered through unstable prices for milk at the farm for the past few years, said Jay Andersen, USU Extension public Recent price policy specialist. increases since mid-199- 1 probably will lose their punch by early 1 992, so prices for 1992 may be near the average for 1991. About 60 million acres of 300 million cropland acres in the U.S. have been removed from crop production. --Cattle prices in 1992 are expected to be slightly lower and production costs about equal to those experienced in 1991. While competition between meats for consumer dollars will be intense, John Ginzel, agricultural economist with the USDA, predicts the keenest competition will be between pork and chicken. Per capita beef consumption is expected to remain relatively constant in 1992. Utah sheep herders have experienced one of the least profitable years in the industrys history. As a result a number of operators have gone out of business. Despite a large reduction in supply, an increase in lamb prices is not expected due to an increase in the supply of other meats, said Bruce Godfrey, USU Extension farm management specialist the turkey industry continues to experience strong growth in production and consumption, this does not bode well for turkey producers in Utah. INcreased meat production in all sectors, coupled with a record setting volume of turkey on cold storage, will have a chilling effect on turkey prices during most of 1992, Godfrey added. -- Prices the past three or four years have been very good to cattle producers. However, there is some evidence that the expansion has reached the point where prices may be adversely affected, Snyder A What do you Personal Choice... know about impaired driving? How much do you understand about impaired driving? The average persons' knowledge of alcohol and other drugs is clouded by myths, . half truths, and misinformation. The following are some of the more popular misconceptions. Myth: Coffee, fresh air or a cold shower will help a person become sober. Truth: None of these remedies will decrease the effect of alcohol. The body must be allowed time (one hour per average drink) to eliminate the alcohol. Myth: Alcohol is a stimulant. Truth: Alcohol is a depressant. It acts on the central nervous system like an anesthetic to lower or depress the activity of your brain. Myth: Like other food and drink, alcohol must be digested. Truth: Alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream, where it is carried to all parts of the body. Twenty percent of the alcohol consumed goes immediately into the bloodstream. Since the brain has a high water content and a rich blood supply, it is quickly affected by alcohol. Myth: You cannot tell that a driver is impaired unless he or she is weaving or swerving. Truth: These clues can help you spot the driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs: unusually wide turns, drifting, inconsistent signals, straddling the center line and excessive or very slow speed. watch out for drivers who are Joyous Tidings Experience all the delights that this holiday brings. Youve been a delight to know and serve. Thanks, friends. Melroy, Keith and Dale Gunnison Plumbing & Heating Gunnison, Utah fol- lowing too closely, responding slowly to traffic signals, accelerating or slowing down rapidly, driving with the headlights off at night or driving with the window down in cold weather. Myth: A couple of beers won't affect a person's ability to drive. Truth: Every person reacts differently to alcohol. "A couple of beers" will probably affect a 125 pound person more strongly than a 200 pound person. Alcohol concentration depends on several factors: amount of alcohol consumed, body weight, time elapsed since drinking began, amount and kind of food eaten, physical or mental condition of persort;' presence in the body of other drugs and even mood or individual temperment. Snooze Control -- g Sleeping Sheep - Problems finding your own snooze control? the best medicine A young sentry, on guard duty for the first time, had orders not to admit any car unless it had a special identification seal. The first car the sentry stopped contained a general. When the officer told his driver to go right on through, the sentry politely said, Im new at this sir. Who do I shoot first, you or the driver? especially when the folks you treasure bring you so much pleasure. Thanks! Johnson Feedlot Aurora Counting sheep may actually help, according to a recent Harvard University Study. Imagine sheep leaping over fences really may be an effective way of tricking your brain into letting you nod off. Counting sheep apparently keeps both sides of your brain busy, leaving you unable to think of other things. .erry Thank you for your continued support. Big A Auto 156 West Main - Salina It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself. Emerson An optimist goes to the window every morning and says,k Good morning, God. The pessimist goes to the window and says, Good God, Mountain Fuel wants to reduce rates Mountain Fuel Supply Co has asked the Utah Public Service Commission to approve a $3.3 million decrease in its Utah natural gas rates. If approved, the adjustment will result in an annual decrease of about $4.63 for the typical residential natural gas customer. The decrease primarily is caused by a change in the annual amorti- zation of the companys 191 or balancing account. This account is used to balance actual gas costs against gas costs included in rates. The balance of the account shows whether gas costs recovered in current rates are more or less than actual costs. If the account balance shows a surplus, as it does this year, rates are reduced the following year. 0B8 A Lang Cheers to you with our warmest regards. Barney Trucking 195 South 800 West - Salina |