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Show Page July, Utah Farm Bureau News 2 1973 Export Limits Test Our Principles Principles are always easier to support when they dont interfere with our own private activities. For an example of this, the recent export embargo on soybeans, soybean feed supplements will serve well. meal and other Protein costs have been climbing sharply in Utah. So most dairymen, poultrymen and livestock producers here must have breathed a sign of relief when President Nixon said: Limit the exports." It was an attempt to hold down some feed costs and keep food production costs a little more in line. That, he reasoned, would keep the supply of some e food items from dwindling because of the squeeze on growers. But two wrongs don't make a right, not even for Utah farmers and ranchers. Utah Farm Bureau policy resolutions contain this statement drafted by elected representatives of most of the farmers in the state: We believe in a competitive business environment in which supply and demand are the primary determinants of market prices, the use of productive resources, and the distribution of output." That and other Farm Bureau policy statements mean that government limits on exports are contrary to our belief in a free marketing system for food and other commodities. Another key reason for not limiting farm exports is this countrys balance of payments situation. It vitally needs the income from export of farm products to help balance our spending for imports. The export embargo is one wrong. The other is government limits on food prices which prevent farm products from bringing a price that returns to the high-prote- in cost-pric- farmer all his production costs plus a fair profit. Sure it hurts to pay several times the former price for a hundred pounds of soybean meal - especially in Utah where we grow almost no protein supplement But it wouldnt hurt, if we could get more income for our farm products to cover that increased cost. Left to themselves, the feed and food market prices would soon strike a balance determined by demand, supply - AND that greatest of all incentives for our wonderful system: financial benefit to farmers. food-produci- ng United Action: Heart of Farm Bureau Farm Bureau members have a history of working together. Thats not surprising, though, because that is the purpose for which Farm Bureau was organized, and that is what keeps this organization strong. Especially in this day of government by regulation as much as by legislation is united action vital to protect the interests of agriculture. (Consumers realize that unless farming is kept strong, their supply of food is unsure.) The other day, a bit of Farm Bureau action took place in Millard County that reaffirmed the value of people working together. On the same night that the county Farm Bureau board was meeting, city, county and school officials got together to discuss the recently announced completion of property reassessment in Millard County. So many complaints were being registered about taxes by property owners that, as one item of their business, the public officials decided to reduce the Maintenance and Operation budget for the schools but to leave the capital outlay taxes as they were . . . higher than recommended by the Utah Taxpayers Association. Hearing about this decision, the Farm Bureau directors attended the budget hearing the next morning. Austin Lovell, county Farm Bureau president, spoke for the group, which included Phil Smith, Elwin Johnson and Howard Johnson, plus LeGrand Jarman, Utah Farm Bureau Public Policy director. Pointing out the heavier tax load because of reassessment, Lovell urged that the officials reduce the capital outlay budget for schools. .To make the story short, the school board went along with the suggestion, mills - and snared the taxnavers reduced the school budget bv an additional UTAH BARM BUREflJINEWS u.u " t 1 Postmaster: Pitas sand Form Lako City, Utah M102 1S7V to Utah 'w ! -- u KLmw Farm Bureau, Ul East Fourth South, Salt O Published each month by tho Utah Farm Bureau Federation at Salt Lake City, Utah. Editorial and Business Office, East Fourth South, Salt Lake City, Utah, 14102. Subcents per year te members is included in membership fee. scription price of twenty-Av- o at Salt Lake City, Utah. UTAH FARM BUREAU FEDERATION OFFICIALS Second Class postage paid Elmo W. Hamilton, Riverton Jay Child, Clearfield C. Booth WaHontino Elwood Shaffer S. DIRECTORS: Frank Nishiguchi, Garland; William Holmes, Ogden; Jack Brawn, Grantsville; Edward Boyer, Springville, Kenneth Brasher, Huntington; Jerald Johnson Aurora; Kenneth R. Ashby, Delta; Mrs. Willis Whifbeck, Bennion, Stanley Jackson, Ogden. Ask a Friend To Join Farm Bureau fanner complains about farm problems, but Farm Bureau does something about them. Combining forces to look after the future of agriculture is what makes Farm Bureau strong. Eveiy 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 member! VIEWPOINT By Booth Wa Dentine UFBF Executive Vice President Farmers Facing Price Freeze Woes The Nixon Administration price freeze is viewed with much apprehension by farmers and ranchers. Although the anfreeze is not supposed to cover raw nounced agricultural commodities at the farm level, farmers are feeling the pinch from buyers. Among those hardest hit at the time the freeze was announced were vegetable growers and poultrymen who market eggs. The new crop of vegetables in Utah fields was very near harvest when the freeze was announced. This crop was produced with the highests production costs in many years, perhaps highest in history. But retail chain stores and produce brokers are telling growers they will not buy at the price growers ask to meet their production costs. So the squeeze play is on. Egg producers are even harder pinched. Feed costs have risen so sharply that egg producers are forced against the wall with a ceiling on retail egg prices. The result of all this will inevitable be shortages of these commodities. Egg men will probably move first to fight costs by culling flocks earlier and reducing brooder input. Simply put, that means fewer eggs. Vegetable growers will turn to other crops for the remainder of this season or let the land stay idle. For some no doubt, the price freeze will freeze them right out of business. The situation is not all that much different for other farm commodities. Feed costs make dairy production a tight squeeze. Production costs for all commodities continue to rise. Prices freezes, at best, can only be temporary solutions. And even then they are somewhat akin to putting a band-ai- d on a broken leg. It only covers the injury surface for a while. Congress is looking at appropriations legislation for the fiscal year beginning July 1. If we want to fight inflation, Congress has the best possible opportunity at hand. The primary cause of inflation is government spending beyond revenues. Farm Bureau has detailed an list of recommended budget cuts which would allow a balanced budget for the 1974 fiscal year. With increased revenues to the Federal government, balancing the budget wont be too hard if our lawmakers will put their minds to it. And if farmers and ranchers, and other citizens will work at it, we can convince Congress that it is time to tighten the government belt and cut spending. Hope youll take the time to write your congressmen and senators to tell them just that. 60-d- ay item-by-ite- Its m Time to Launch 'Talent Find' Plans Farm Bureau are again organizations County moving into the season for locating and judging formance ability in per- the annual Talent Find. Winners of county competition in three age brackets will compete for state honors during the Utah State Fair, Possibly the largest talent contest in this state, the Talent Find annually involves several hundred local performers. Any kind of performer may enter. Readings, comedy skits, and instrumentalists vie with singers and dancers. Age divisions are 10 and under, 11 through 16, and 17 and over. Besides cash prizes for the Junior and Intermediate Division winners, an expense-pai- d trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Atlantic City, N.J., next January awaits the Senior Division winner. Contacts for entries are county Farm Bureau officers. |