Welcome to the 2010 and Issue 1 (January) of The Agricultural View - Enjoy - Ralph Coffman
If you continue to scroll down..... you can see last year's 6 issues and select agricultural poems as well (posted from 2009). coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
The Agricultural View January 2010 Issue 1
From the View’s Desk
Welcome to year two of the View. I wish to thank those who have made contributions. Please help promote the View by sharing this newsletter with others. Have a great 2010. Any mistakes are all mine – Ralph.
The most neglected nutrient for livestock in the winter is fresh water (water controls feed intake which controls production).
The Waterford FFA Parliamentary Procedure team finishes #1 in Ohio - Congratulations Mr. Hartline and team! Placing first is a monumental accomplishment. Note: Waterford and Warren (Mr. Clark) have been two of the top FFA Parliamentary Procedure teams in Ohio for several years.
FBPA – What’s New? A new name - AgriBusiness Planning & Analysis and working to secure additional funding with the Ohio Young Farmers. 1
Agriculture and FFA Does your local program have a full time annual program with 50 or more days of extended programming? It continues to be a trend in the entire field of agriculture to be whittled away at. I guess food is just too safe, plentiful and overall too cheap. As long as store’s shelves are full of food it seems that nothing will change and that the farmer’s plight will continue. Have farmers simply worked too hard and done too good of a job? I guess so. How many other industries have matched farming’s record of improved efficiency, quality and low costs?
Animal Rights The next time you see a TV commercial featuring movie stars and music that tugs at the heart and pictures of neglected animals enticing you to contribute to HSUS, PETA or another huge multi-million dollar animal rights group - get out your checkbook and write out a check to: Your LOCAL Humane Society (if you want your money to actually help needy animals). 2
A, B, C - I miss! Arnold (Jerry) – I miss my talks with Jerry as he unloaded water at my home. We talked about topics including farming, construction, society’s lack of work ethic and the water table. His wisdom and knowledge was vast and I appreciated the times that I could talk to him. He certainly taught his family the importance of character, working very hard and producing a product of the best quality. Barnett (Ed) – I miss my talks with Ed while riding to county agricultural meetings and in his Ag room. You could count on Ed to be at his best when there were challenges facing the FFA or agriculture. He loved the FFA, agriculture, The Ohio State University and America’s religious and conservative principles. He always talked of his love for his family including two squeezes for I love you. He told me to wear rubber galoshes in the winter, especially when you get older, to keep your feet warm and dry. Combs (Don) – I miss my talks with Don and his huge smile. If he did not see me passing by his house I would honk the horn and once he saw me his smile would beam and literally brighten my day. 3
Don also had enough faith and trust in Alta and I that he (Beverly Citizens Bank) loaned us the money to buy our small home and farm. I also miss his yard signs, belief in good people and the American free enterprise system.
State Issue 2 & HSUS Update 1. Implementation legislation will soon be introduced to provide greater detail as to how the Livestock Care Board will operate. 2. The bill, once introduced, will have hearings over the following few weeks. *HSUS continues to speak publicly about a constitutional ballot measure for 2010. Beyond their public comments there are few other clues that they are indeed preparing to gather signatures. To date no petition language has been cleared by the Secretary of State. Be ready!
A Glance Back – By Hugh Coffman In the early 1800’s one farmer traded 1600 acres of land for a purebred Marino ram. By 1820 hard times for farmers prevailed because there was low demand for their produce (does that sound familiar?). 4
Teenage Corner Teenagers have a need to feel needed. If they do not feel needed in their family they will fill that void elsewhere. I use to tell my students that I had great respect and admiration for them because I could have never dealt with all of the challenges that they face today. The pressure that a significant number of students feel in school between academic and extracurricular demands is, at times, monumental. An excellent obstacles, goals and rewards story is 1st Samuel 17 (David & Goliath).
Student Classroom Greeting As a teacher I always greeted my students daily at the door with a firm handshake, eye contact and a verbal greeting. I knew immediately where they were at mentally that day. The handshake was also great training for future job interviews.
Winston Churchill “Some people regard private enterprise as a cow they can milk. Not enough people see it as a healthy horse, pulling a sturdy wagon.” 5
Wind Chill and Livestock For each 10 degree F drop in the temperature below 30 degrees the wind chill can cause a significant increase in the livestock’s energy needs. The livestock needs to be able to get out of the wind whether that is in a barn or in low areas (valleys) of the field. Even in near zero temperatures if the temperature in the barn is at least 10 degrees warmer then outside temperature that generally is sufficient. Protection from the wind is key as well as the increased energy needs (especially if they are lactating). Livestock can handle low temperatures but not low temperatures with much wind. Side Note: In the most frigid areas of the earth Eskimos have to put snow in their mouth before entering their ice caves so their teeth will not crack. They also build their ice caves with the opening near a tree so when they get buried by several feet of snow they will know where to dig to go outside – up the tree. ---------------------------------------------------------
Ohio’s % of Land Covered by Trees According to Dr. Jack Cline (Retired OSU Professor as stated in April of 1997)): 1788-90% 1900-17% 1940-13% 1997-34% 6
Sunday, January 31, 2010
If you wish to donate or subscribe to assist with the expenses of producing The Agricultural View make your check payable to the View and mail to: Ralph D. Coffman 566 Elk Run Road Beverly, Ohio 45715 If you wish to put an ad (5 issues for $42.00) call 740-984-2567 or e-mail: coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fertilizer Bags The (3) numbers represent: Ex. 19 – 19 – 19 The first number is the % Nitrogen, the second % Phosphorus and the third % (K) Potassium in the bag. Total the three and that is the actual % of fertilizer in the bag. The remaining % is filler. Filler is needed to help spread the fertilizer more evenly and to dilute the nutrients so they can be utilized most effectively. Soil Tests are crucial. The results are only as good (many core samples carefully dried, mixed thoroughly and kept free of impurities) as the samples that you take and send to be tested. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A synopsis of my experiences with the “1970 Riots” at The Ohio State University (Spring 1970) As I attended classes I initially noticed a couple of protesters on the steps of class buildings who were shouting, “Come on strike shut it down!” The next week the numbers on the steps increased- as did their rhetoric. The following week the numbers continued to increase. I also began to notice a small but significant number of a foreign element (non students) who gradually began to appear around campus. Eventually these groups amassed and physically prevented anyone from attending classes. An example of the foreign element was on our street on south campus where my roommates and I lived. We began to notice two guys in the neighborhood who stood out because one occasionally carried a spear (a metal pole about 5 feet long with a point on one end) and they were definitely not students. Within about a week these two guys mysteriously took up residence in the basement of our rental house (our apartment was on the first floor). We discovered that a guy in the second floor apartment had invited them to live in the apartment’s basement. One night about a week later my roommate, who was making a phone call, was startled when there was someone on our phone - we had a private line! He concluded that the guys in our basement had tapped into our phone line and he contacted our Landlord. Together they confronted the two which resulted in an apology with the assurance that they had only made local calls and they would immediately disconnect their phone. They soon vanished, and we never saw them again. When we received that month’s phone bill a month later it was over $125.00 - which was huge in 1970 (our bill was generally about $12.00). Listed on our bill included calls that they had made to many of the major cities in America where the riots were the most violent! Why were they making phone calls and I wonder who might they have been calling? Things had gotten so bad that we were eventually instructed to not wear our (Air Force) ROTC uniforms because it was too dangerous. Also, I witnessed some rioters single out the youngest and smallest National Guard members and get right up in their face and yell and scream at them trying to get them to react (break rank). There were other vicious verbal assaults as well and they were particularly amused when tears would run down the cheeks of the singled out targets. Also, they would run up to them (feign) like they were going to punch them then pull off at the last second. Roads, buildings and offices were blocked. Office takeover, looting, setting of fires and overturning vehicles were also well documented. Even today I continue to be amused, and at times angered, when I see reports summarize those riots as being led by good people, about personal freedom, and that universities were significantly improved.
The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture, however, they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please support them.
(The 5 ads below are merely a synopsis of the hardcopy issue ads)
State Farm Insurance
Coffman Insurance Agency Inc Terry Coffman, Agent 740-373-6399 426 Third St. Marietta, Ohio 45750 terrycoffman.caow@statefarm.com
National Farmers Organization
CUT OUT THE MIDDLEMAN MORE DOLLARS FOR THE FARMER! Southeastern Ohio Scott Upton 740-517-2101 Our packers want your steers & cull cows
Witten Farm Market & Greenhouses
16670 State Route 60 Lowell, Ohio 45744 740-984-4009 6006 Grand Central Avenue Parkersburg 304-295-2326 Julie Witten Beverly, Ohio 740-984-2059 Scott Witten 740-984-8018
William D. McFarland
Washington County Auditor 205 Putnam Street Marietta, Ohio 740-373-6623 Ext. 263 bmcfarland@wcgov.org
The Ohio FFA Alumni Association
Become a member of the Ohio FFA Alumni by contacting Lexie Poulson at: 1poulson@bright.net Anyone can join who support of the FFA. Dues $15 annual $150 Lifetime
80% of livestock’s feed intake is for maintenance. Additional nutrients are needed for: growth, pregnancy, milk production, fighting the elements (cold wind, mud, heat & humidity) and poor health. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Once again, I wish to thank the following who advertised in 2009 for their support - thank youJ” Stacy Family Farm Agribusiness - Washington State Community College Florida Farm Bureau Vlasak Performance Doctors Riestenberg/Lavelle/Welsh D.D.S. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A health update on my dad: On 12/27 my dad (who is 80 and had very rarely been sick in his life, hardly ever took an aspirin, and had only spent two days in the hospital in his life) went to the emergency room with lower stomach pains. He had also been more tired than usual for a couple of weeks. Up to that point he had worked several hours a day on the farm. On 1/1/2010, while having lithotripsy to break up kidney stones, his heart stopped for 21 minutes, and he was flown to Riverside Hospital in Columbus where his condition was called “grim.” After a few heartbreaks and many miracles dad will come home for a trial run 1/29 to see if he is able to live at home. His long term memory is quite good, however, his short term memory is not so good but gradual progress continues. He can now walk with some assistance and is determined to get back to the barn. Two of his nurses are former students of mine at Fort FryeJ. Dad’s nurses comment that he is nice even when he is frustrated. Prayers are appreciated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please notify me of any mistakes or omissions as I have received a lot of mail the past six weeks & after spending many days and nights in the hospital (with my father) many of those days have been somewhat of a blur - Ralph. 740-984-2567 coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fertilizer Bags The (3) numbers represent: Ex. 19 – 19 – 19 The first number is the % Nitrogen, the second % Phosphorus and the third % (K) Potassium in the bag. Total the three and that is the actual % of fertilizer in the bag. The remaining % is filler. Filler is needed to help spread the fertilizer more evenly and to dilute the nutrients so they can be utilized most effectively. Soil Tests are crucial. The results are only as good (many core samples carefully dried, mixed thoroughly and kept free of impurities) as the samples that you take and send to be tested. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A synopsis of my experiences with the “1970 Riots” at The Ohio State University (Spring 1970) As I attended classes I initially noticed a couple of protesters on the steps of class buildings who were shouting, “Come on strike shut it down!” The next week the numbers on the steps increased- as did their rhetoric. The following week the numbers continued to increase. I also began to notice a small but significant number of a foreign element (non students) who gradually began to appear around campus. Eventually these groups amassed and physically prevented anyone from attending classes. An example of the foreign element was on our street on south campus where my roommates and I lived. We began to notice two guys in the neighborhood who stood out because one occasionally carried a spear (a metal pole about 5 feet long with a point on one end) and they were definitely not students. Within about a week these two guys mysteriously took up residence in the basement of our rental house (our apartment was on the first floor). We discovered that a guy in the second floor apartment had invited them to live in the apartment’s basement. One night about a week later my roommate, who was making a phone call, was startled when there was someone on our phone - we had a private line! He concluded that the guys in our basement had tapped into our phone line and he contacted our Landlord. Together they confronted the two which resulted in an apology with the assurance that they had only made local calls and they would immediately disconnect their phone. They soon vanished, and we never saw them again. When we received that month’s phone bill a month later it was over $125.00 - which was huge in 1970 (our bill was generally about $12.00). Listed on our bill included calls that they had made to many of the major cities in America where the riots were the most violent! Why were they making phone calls and I wonder who might they have been calling? Things had gotten so bad that we were eventually instructed to not wear our (Air Force) ROTC uniforms because it was too dangerous. Also, I witnessed some rioters single out the youngest and smallest National Guard members and get right up in their face and yell and scream at them trying to get them to react (break rank). There were other vicious verbal assaults as well and they were particularly amused when tears would run down the cheeks of the singled out targets. Also, they would run up to them (feign) like they were going to punch them then pull off at the last second. Roads, buildings and offices were blocked. Office takeover, looting, setting of fires and overturning vehicles were also well documented. Even today I continue to be amused, and at times angered, when I see reports summarize those riots as being led by good people, about personal freedom, and that universities were significantly improved.
The following advertisers support The Agricultural View and the promotion of agriculture, however, they may not necessarily agree with every point of view within the newsletter. Please support them.
(The 5 ads below are merely a synopsis of the hardcopy issue ads)
State Farm Insurance
Coffman Insurance Agency Inc Terry Coffman, Agent 740-373-6399 426 Third St. Marietta, Ohio 45750 terrycoffman.caow@statefarm.com
National Farmers Organization
CUT OUT THE MIDDLEMAN MORE DOLLARS FOR THE FARMER! Southeastern Ohio Scott Upton 740-517-2101 Our packers want your steers & cull cows
Witten Farm Market & Greenhouses
16670 State Route 60 Lowell, Ohio 45744 740-984-4009 6006 Grand Central Avenue Parkersburg 304-295-2326 Julie Witten Beverly, Ohio 740-984-2059 Scott Witten 740-984-8018
William D. McFarland
Washington County Auditor 205 Putnam Street Marietta, Ohio 740-373-6623 Ext. 263 bmcfarland@wcgov.org
The Ohio FFA Alumni Association
Become a member of the Ohio FFA Alumni by contacting Lexie Poulson at: 1poulson@bright.net Anyone can join who support of the FFA. Dues $15 annual $150 Lifetime
80% of livestock’s feed intake is for maintenance. Additional nutrients are needed for: growth, pregnancy, milk production, fighting the elements (cold wind, mud, heat & humidity) and poor health. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Once again, I wish to thank the following who advertised in 2009 for their support - thank youJ” Stacy Family Farm Agribusiness - Washington State Community College Florida Farm Bureau Vlasak Performance Doctors Riestenberg/Lavelle/Welsh D.D.S. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A health update on my dad: On 12/27 my dad (who is 80 and had very rarely been sick in his life, hardly ever took an aspirin, and had only spent two days in the hospital in his life) went to the emergency room with lower stomach pains. He had also been more tired than usual for a couple of weeks. Up to that point he had worked several hours a day on the farm. On 1/1/2010, while having lithotripsy to break up kidney stones, his heart stopped for 21 minutes, and he was flown to Riverside Hospital in Columbus where his condition was called “grim.” After a few heartbreaks and many miracles dad will come home for a trial run 1/29 to see if he is able to live at home. His long term memory is quite good, however, his short term memory is not so good but gradual progress continues. He can now walk with some assistance and is determined to get back to the barn. Two of his nurses are former students of mine at Fort FryeJ. Dad’s nurses comment that he is nice even when he is frustrated. Prayers are appreciated. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please notify me of any mistakes or omissions as I have received a lot of mail the past six weeks & after spending many days and nights in the hospital (with my father) many of those days have been somewhat of a blur - Ralph. 740-984-2567 coffman_ralph@yahoo.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
