The Sidney herald., 1963-12-18
MM&&&AM Cooperative Extension Service
Il - Montana State College, R0xeuaan
- County Agents News
go by
Sharon Fiegle Leroy Luft

foot, and a number of normal
sprout-producing seeds planted
per square foot, and number of
normal-sprout-producing seeds
planted per foot of row for each
drill width.
Farm Assets Increasing
An extension economist at
Montana State College points
out that a number of factors are
responsible for the fact that the
total value of assets used per
farm in the us. increased from
an average of $6,308 in 1910 to
S51,472 in 1863.
For one thing, notes Eugene
Quenemoen, extension farm man.
agement specialist, farm real es-
tate values have increased more
than four times their estimated
1870 value and now total some
SAB billion for all farmland and
buildings per farm this year is
81 times as high as in 1910.
Quenemoen also points out that
the average value of machinery
per farm is now more than II
times as high as in 1910, reflect
ing both higher prices, bigger
and better machinery, and more
machinery.
Average value of livestock per
farm is also greater, being six
times as high as % years ago
as a result of more animals and
higher prices.
The need for operating capital
has also expanded with the aver
age values of all assets per farm
being more than four times as
high as in 1910 for the us. as a
whole.
With the increases in capital
requirements, farmers are using
more credit. 1t is estimated that
the nations farmers now have
$15.4 billion borrowed against
farm real estate as compared
with $6.6 billion in 1910.
In view of these increases thai
have taken place over the las
two decades, Quenemoen believes
farmers should be aware of Ger
tain hazards to which they are
vulnerable.
For example, with land value:
at an all time high any decline
in this sector would seriously
affect the equity position Of in
debted farmers.
Also, the present high level o
cash operating expenses make.
farm operators vulnerable t,
the effects of drouth or price de
clineS, or both.
And even though the averag
returns on owned farm asset
are estimated to be 81 per cen
now as compared to 3.3 per cen
in 1859, this is still under tn
going rate of interest on eithe
long or short term credit.
Quenemoen also cautions farm
ers on drylands in the Plain
area not to let recent years {
high production make them ovel
optimistic. While the use of ere
dit is essential in today's moder
farming, it must have a SCUM
base and take into account tn
possibility of unfavorable year,
Driving Hints For Ice and Sno'
Each year when snow and iC
cover our streets and highway
each of us have to recall II
rules of driving.
/. Remember when driving {
ice Or snow, your braking di
lance may be as much as Il
times their usual length. tt
biggest danger from driving
J these conditions is skidding al
your first skid may be a frigf
ening business.
,. Drive slowly on icy roaC
Any skid will then be so slig
that you can correct it immedi;
ely by removing your foot fro
the accelerator to reduce spe
without braking. If the rear
the car turns to the left tn
the steering wheel also to
left enough to bring on a skid
the opposite direction.
3. On snow or ice, keep the c
in the highest gear consistt
with smoother running. Alwa
allow extra distance between a
car in front of you, to avoid
rear end collision.
4. Hills are a problem in W
ter. Get good momentum befC
you start up. If you need a lC
err gear, shift at the bottom
the incline. Then slow down j
before the crest, because bre;
ing is difficult if there are ST