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ENTERPRISE FARMERS CLUB
JANUARY 10, 1987
MEETING #1407
Hosts: Stanley and Robert Stabler
1401 Brookeville Road
Brookveville, Maryland
The meeting was held in the lovely home of Bob and Betsy Stabler, which is located at the operations headquarters of the Pleasant Valley Farms inc. Members and guests gathered for some hors d'oeuvres and refreshments prior to the dinner. The large, glass porch was cozy-warm with the burning wood stove. This is the only stove around where the flue pipe will outlast the stove. It is custom-made from welded elevator pipe.
Jane Stabler (Stanley's wife), Bob's wife Betsy and daughters Robin and Pam, and friends served a lovely dinner. One could observe how good it was by the number who went back for seconds. After everyone finally finished eating, we adjourned to the family room for the meeting, where the Acting President, Tim Conner, called the meeting to order.
Guests this evening were: Fred Lechlider, Dick Janey, Bob McAlister, Gordon Keys, Joe Hutton, George Lechlider, Mike Bailey, son Randy Stabler (just engaged - and we thought he was smart), Doug Valisek, Hardy Pickett, poor old Sam Riggs, Willard Derrick, Pete Cashell and Chris Stiles.
Members absent were: Rudel Beall, Wayne Burdette, Al Cowell, John Doody, and Wayne Savage.
The Stablers managed about 2500 acres last year and harvested approximately 1100 acres of corn, 350 small grain, 350 soybeans and 300 or so of hay. They also averaged 350-400 head of cattle. Quite and operation amidst the developing community.
Old Business: Tim Conner purchased a fully-grown red oak (well almost 20 feet tall) for the Frank Willson memorial. Tim, along with his cheap labor John Richardson planted the tree in the yard between Friends Meeting House and the Community Meeting House in Sandy Spring. Tim presented a bill for $100 to be shared by all the members.
Robert Riggs was pleased with his formal invitation and thought every member should receive the same each month. The Secretary reminded Mr. Riggs that the dues would have to be increased by $9.11 to cover postage and stationery and the additional labor charge hadn't been computed yet. Since no money came forth, the marvelous telephone system would continue to convey the news.
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Sam Riggs really set up Gordy Keys and Bob Stabler as the local hay ripoff artists. Since Sam was out of hay, he is quoting cheap sale prices the he would sell for, and then refer callers to Gordy and Bob. The callers were upset with their prices when compared to Sam's. Bob said his hay would be cheaper too if he didn't have any to sell.
Crop Prices:
Wheat $ 3.00 Hogs $ .48
Corn 1.75 Feeder Cattle .52 - .57
Ear Corn 12.00 Fat Cattle .60
Oats 1.80 Green Calves .45 - 1.00
Barley 1.75 Cull Cows .33 - .35
Hay $2.75 - 3.00 Dairy Heifers 600 - 900
Straw 1.50 - 2.25 Lambs .63 - .73
Soybean Meal 190 Milk 12.41 Net
Soybeans 5.06
Questions:
○ Bob Stabler wanted to know the general feeling for participation in the Federal Government Program.
- After much discussion, it was the general consensus that most would participate. There is a need to reduce production and stabilize price protection.
○ Robert Beall - Had a soil test that showed a need for 5,000 lbs. of lime. Should it be applied in a single or multiple applications?
- Suggested two applications split 3,000 and 2,000 lbs.
○ Willard Derrick asked what was the effect on the Maryland and Virginia milk producers as the result of the Capital Milk sale.
- After much discussion, most thought it would help them even though some are upset about the sale.
○ Drew Stabler commented that the 200% tariff increase on cheese, wine, gin, etc. may cause some problems, but we should stay with the program.
○ Dick Janey asked if the missing cow noted in the May 1985 minutes was ever found.
- Yes, the next day - cow and calf were fine.
○ George Lechlider commented that the "Sodbuster" Law (erosion control) to qualify for Government subsidy is designed to drive out 50% of productive land by 1990.
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○ Charlie Savage commented on the farmers being blamed for the chemicals going into the Bay. He said you never hear about the state and local governments dumping tons of calcium chloride on the roads to melt snow and ice. It also has a very damaging effect.
○ Tim Conner read a good article from Ann Landers dated October 18, 1986, which defined a farmer. It was a true reflection. Tim also asked what figure is reportable to IRS when you sell an animal at the market for $400 and you receive a net check for $355 reflecting deductions for fees and commissions.
- The net amount is reportable.
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned to meet with Robert Beall on February 14, Valentine's Day.
Respectfully submitted,
John Richardson
John D. Richardson
Secretary
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ENTERPRISE FARMERS CLUB
MEETING NUMBER 1408
February 14, 1987
Host: Robert Beall
Lewistowndale, Maryland
The meeting was called to order by Acting President Stanley Stabler. His son Bob, our leader, was gallivanting around Florida.
Our host this wintery evening was Robert Beall, who become a first time grandfather four days earlier. Son Kevin and wife delivered a nine pound daughter, Kelly Joy, on February 10. Robert's lovely wife MaryJoann, daughter and friends served a bountiful meal. The hors d'oeuvres alone could have sufficed as the dinner. My table was ladened with no less than ten delicious dishes and for the secretary to turn down dessert says something about the meal.
Robert and MaryJoann live in the lovely farmhouse formally owned by his grandfather. Brother Clarke lives next door, and being only a few feet from the barn, neither one has an excuse for not being able to report to work on snow days. The Bealls run a first-class farming operation. During 1986 they harvested 350 ac. corn, 100 ac. hay, 90 ac. beans, 50 ac. barley and 50 ac. wheat. They currently have a 200 head dairy herd and are milking 175. They have an interesting arrangement with Mr. Harry Fraley where he buys all of their heifer calves and the Bealls repurchase back the mature heifers for dairy production. They exchange about 40-50 head a year.
Guests this evening were: Son Kevin, Harry Fraley, Bob DeLauder, Robert Hilton, Hugh Kovachik, Randy Stabler, Bob Watkins, Arthur Johnson, and Paul Letherman - pinch-hitting for John Doody.
Members absent were: Co-host Rudell Beall, Al Cowell, Harry Goff, Mike Morris and Bob Stabler. Three of the missing were in Florida -- must be nice.
Old Business: Two letters were read relating to the donations of the oak tree as a memorial to former member Frank Willson. One letter was from the Willson family , and the other from the Friends Meeting.
New Business: Mark Buxton and Robert Beall were volunteered to chair the Ladies Nite Committee. They promised to do a better job than the previous committee.
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Crop Prices:
Wheat $3.10 Hogs $.49 - .52
Corn 1.90 Feeder Cattle .63 - .69
Oats 1.83 Fat Cattle .56 - .62
Barley 1.70 Green Calves .50 - 1.00
Hay 2.50 - 3.00 + Cull Cows .38 - .43
Straw 2.00- up Dairy Heifers 600 - 1000
Soybean Meal 196.00 Lambs .76 - .79
Alfalfa 3.25 Milk 13.54 Questions:
● Robert Beall told about the time that he asked one of his neighbors for a loan of $20. The neighbor agreed, and Robert said, "What if I don't pay it back". The loaner's reply was, "It is worth $20 to find you out".
● Dick Oursler asked how much clover should be broadcast on top of a grass field which had been no-tilled with timothy and orchard grass.
Answer - 8 lbs.
● Mark Buxton asked for opinions relating to early spraying. Answer - Considerable discussion ensued with actual case experiences. It was a consensus that there are too many variables to give a yes or no answer. Conditions of soil, types of weeds, weather and other factors influence the advantages and disadvantages. It was suggested that Mark experiment by treating part of his crop to get a first-hand evaluation for his situation. Mark, don't forget to report back to us.
Second question - What is a good cover crop for set-aside ground?
Answer - Mr. Fraley has had very good success with lespedeza. He broadcasted 12-14 lbs. on corn stuble ground in early April and had excellent hay.
Drew Stabler said they have had good experience with annual rye grass, and it makes a good base to plant back into.
● Robert Riggs asked if you can store picked ear corn on concretedoesn't have a crib.
Answer- Yes, but try to keep it stacked a little by using snow fence or something similar and don't cover it with plastic or tarp.
● Can you spray a grass killer and liquid fertilizer at the same time using a hydro seeder?
Answer- Do not recommend simultaneous application. Round-up works well to kill grass and should be applied with fine mist sprayer - not hydro seeder. Fertilizer should be applied after the grass kill.