Friday, February 14, 1997

Farmers to study ag issues at Carbon meeting

By J.T. SMITH / Farm Editor

Farmers and ranchers will gather at 7 p.m. Monday at the Carbon Community Center to look at a variety of agricultural issues affecting them.

Among the topics will be a discussion of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Right-to-Farm Act.

Producers interested in these agricultural issues are urged to attend.

Among the agricultural leaders expected to be on hand are U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm, State Rep. Jim Keefer, and either Texas Ag Commissioner Rick Perry or a representative of his Austin office.

Farmers and ranchers don't have to pre-register but can simply show up for the meeting.

Custom harvesters to meet

Each year, custom harvesters are crucial to gathering vital U.S. crops such as wheat as they travel the nation.

Safety, regional, and federal regulations - along with new harvesting equipment - will be among the hot topics when the U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc. holds its annual convention March 6-8 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Area Texans Danny Dutton of Brownwood and Shorty Kulhanek of Megargel will be among some 700 USCHI members and others with an interest in custom harvesting who will attend the event at the Sheraton Inn Hotel.

The hotel also will host the annual USCHI trade show, featuring the latest in combines and other harvesting equipment.

State Sen. Don Ament of Colorado will be among the guest speakers, along with Phil McLain, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers, and Robert Ratcliff, president of AGCO, which manufacturers Gleaner combines.

Meetings and seminars will include a discussion on the controversial commercial drivers license and drug testing requirements, along with insurance, business management and safety.

"The annual convention always is a highlight for our organization, which has members in 16 states," says Brent Johnson, USCHI president of Evansville, Minn.

The convention allows the nation's custom harvesters to come together in one location to look at key issues.

"It provides custom harvesters from every grain producing state and other regions with an opportunity to enhance their abilities to become even more efficient in working with grain farmers to achieve a smooth and timely harvest," Johnson notes.

March 6 activities will include a morning combine clinic by AGCO. That afternoon will feature programs from John Deere, Case IH, New Holland and AGCO.

Employee drug testing issue

The March 7 program will include a seminar on employee drug testing presented by Pat Testa of Western Pathologists Consultants Inc.

Other seminars will focus on succession planning, cellular phones and other matters important to custom harvesters.

Keith Kelly of the Arizona Department of Agriculture will report on how Arizona handled its karnal bunt situation in wheat last year. Terry Meedly of USDA also will look at karnal bunt.

Harvester insurance rates and coverage also will be examined.

A March 8 program, on the final day of the convention, will include a review of this past year's wheat crop and what can be expected in 1997.

For more information on the upcoming convention, contact the USCHI office at P.O. Box 33, Tulia, Texas 79088, or call (806) 995-3087.