Agricultura by Greg Coffta If you visit one of New York’s mid- to large-size dairy herds, you would see many employees in the milking parlor who are immigrants of Hispanic descent. This isn’t a news flash — these employees have been working on some dairies for more than 10 years now. In recent years, the increase in immigrant labor from Mexico and Central America has become a hotbutton political issue achieving national attention.
People make many assumptions about this workforce: It’s uneducated, unskilled and suitable for only the most routine, tedious tasks such as milking. A closer look at our dairy farms proves those beliefs to be misconceptions. The Hispanic workforce on New York dairy farms is being promoted to higher positions and given more responsibilities. New tasks and responsibilities Responsibilities vary
from dairy to dairy, but in general Hispanic employees complete some of a herd manager’s responsibilities. Dairies’ reproduction programs have benefited greatly from Hispanic employees’ taking on additional responsibilities. Heat detection and the delivery of ovulation synchronization injections are now popular jobs for Hispanic employees. On some dairies, Hispanic employees are also performing A.I. And they’ve been trained to identify
lameness and often trim hooves. The calf barn has probably benefited the most from Hispanic employees being trained to work outside the milking parlor. Caring for heifers from their first day to their first service is an important job that many Hispanic employees now perform. There are many reasons why Hispanic employees are diversifying in their job duties, but two of the biggest reasons for this change are:
A. The quality of the Hispanic workforce. That is to say; the dedication, responsibility and effort that most exhibit. B. The decline in the number of trained herd managers. Dairy managers and owners are having more difficulty in finding trained herd managers, and vacancies can be empty for months. A dairy can’t stop operating, so many managers have decided to fill the gaps with current Hispanic employees who have a record of
competence and high performance. Dedicated, skilled employees are valuable not just in the milking parlor but everywhere on a dairy. Many dairy managers have learned that Hispanic employees aren’t an unskilled workforce but simply an untrained workforce. They have discovered that these employees are a valuable resource beyond their traditional role as milkers. Source: Dairy Pipeline, November-December 2011
World crop production records help ensure needs are met Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer. “When our production is reduced, we appreciate that other options are available for some of our end users. We live in a diverse and global marketplace and it’s important to support and expand trade, whether through pushing for beneficial trade agreements or improving outdated transportation infrastructure.” In its monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates Report, USDA notes that global corn production this year is projected at a new
record high of 867.5 million tons. A 3.5-million-ton decline in the United States was more than offset by a 43.4-million-ton increase in foreign corn production. Global wheat production this year is projected at a record 689 million tons, up more than 37 million from last year, and rice production worldwide is projected at a record 460.8 million tons, up 11 million tons from 2010. Source: NCGA News of the Day: Monday, Dec. 12
Capital Tractor Carries All The Parts, Equipment & Service That You Will Need www.capitaltractorinc.com
CAPITAL TRACTOR, INC. 1135 State Rte. 29 Greenwich, NY 12834
Since 1966 www.capitaltractorinc.com
(518) 692-9611 FAX (518) 692-2210
TRACTORS 2001 NH TN70 w/32LA Loader, 4WD, ROPS, 2018 Hrs. . . . . . . . . $22,600 1997 NH 8770 4WD, Supersteer, Mega Flow Hydraulics, Rear Duals, 7,164 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$53,750 2009 NH TD5050 4WD, Cab, 90 HP, 2683 Hrs., Excellent Cond. . $29,750 2000 NH TS100 4WD, Cab, 32x32 Shuttle, 2 Remotes, 2,135 Hrs. $39,995 1995 White 6215 Cab, Tractor, 4WD, Duals, 215 HP, w/Degelman Blade. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P.O.R. 2007 NH TL100A 4WD, Cab, w/NH 830TL Loader . . . . . . . . . . . . $43,795 1988 Ford 1720 4WD, ROPS w/Loader, 12x12 Shuttle Transmission, 3,140 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,995 2011 Mahindra 1816 4WD, ROPS, HST, Loader, 52” Mid Mower - 90 Hrs., Like New. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,750 2011 Mahindra 3616 4WD, Cab w/Heat & AC, HST Trans, Loader, 4 Hrs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $24,375 2010 NH TD5050 4WD, ROPS, w/Warranty, 480 Hrs. - Excellent. . $31,875 2010 NH TD5030 4WD, ROPS w/New 825TL Loader - 495 Hrs. - Excellent Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $37,800 Yamaha Rhino UTV, 4WD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,995 AGRICULTURE EQUIPMENT Alamo Rear Mount Boom Mower w/60” Rotary Head . . . . . . . . . . . $2,100 2001 Gehl 1075 Forage Harvester, 2 Row Corn Head, Hay Pickup, Metal Stop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,700 2009 NH 74CSRA 3Pt Snowblower, Like New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,450 2000 Gehl 1287 Tandem Manure Spreader, 287 Bushel, Slurry Sides, Hyd. Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,495 1987 NH 790 Forage Harvester, Metalert, 790W Hay Pickup . . . . . $4,995 2003 Challenger SB34 Inline Square Baler w/Thrower, Hyd. Tension Like New. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,375 2000 LP RCR 2584 7’ Rotary Cutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,540 2005 H&S ST420 Rotary Rake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,900 WIC Cart Mounted Bedding Chopper with Honda Engine . . . . . . $1,450 2008 Cole 1 Row 3pt. Planter with multiple Seed Plates . . . . . . . . . $1,195 1981 NH 320 Baler w/70 Thrower Hyd. Bale Tension . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995 Gehl Forage Box, on Dion D1200 Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,895 JD 336 Baler w/Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,200 2010 NH H7230 10’4” Discbine, Roll Conditioner, Like New, Demo. . $24,900 1987 NH 326 Baler w/70 Thrower, Hydra Formatic Tension, Hyd. Pickup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,700 2010 E-Z Trail CF890 Rd Bale Carrier/Feeder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995 1989 NH 570 Baler w/72 Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13,300 2003 NH 1411 Discbine, 10’4” Cut w/Rubber Rolls, Field Ready. . $15,950 Woods B60C 60” Brush Bull Rotary Cutter w/New Blades . . . . . . . $1,195 Deutz-Fahr K500 Tedder, 4 Star, 17’ Working Width . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,260 Pequea HR930 Rotary Rake, Excellent Cond.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,400 2002 NH FP240 Forage Harvester, w/ met alert, Crop Processor, 29 P/U Head, 3PN Corn Head. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $39,995 NH 824 2 Row Corn Head for a NH 900. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,250 2008 Taarup 8011T 8 Star 32’Tedder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,995 2008 H&S RT5200 HYD Hydraulic Fold Tedder, Like New. . . . . . . . $4,995 Smoker Solid Bottom Elevator 20’ on Chassis w/Elec. Motor . . . . . . . $995 Kuhn GF5001TH 4 Star Tedder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,850 2009 NH BR7060 Twine Only Round Baler, Wide Pickup, Like New. . $24,500 2001 LP PD15 3Pt. Post Hole Digger w/12” Auger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $695
JD 127 5’ Pull type Rotary Cutter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $725 1995 Vicon H1050 9 Wheel Rake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,195 Kverneland 2 Bottom Spring Reset Mold Board Plow. . . . . . . . . . . $1,795 NH 519 Manure Spreader, T Bar Chain, Hyd Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $950 Gehl 940 16’ Forage Box on Tandem 12 ton on Gehl Gear . . . . . . . $2,995 Wooden Hay Rack on Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $595 Wooden Flatbed on Gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350 2008 Agway Accumul8 AC800 Bale Accumulator & AC8006G SSL Grabber, Like New Package. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,700 2002 NH 570 Baler w/72 Thrower - Excellent Condition. . . . . . . . . $19,600 2001 NH 163 Tedder, Hard Fold . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,600 Knight 3300 Mixer Wagon - Good Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,600 Valvec Steel Hay Wagon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,100 NH 716 Forage Wagon on NH Gear w/roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,250 NH 273 Baler w/54A Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,995 2008 Knight 8118 Pro Twin Slinger Spreader, Tandems w/Flotation Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,250 1998 JD 3970 Forage Harvester w/7’ PU Head, 3 Row Corn Head, Good Cond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14,000 Knight 3300 Mixer Wagon, Good Cond.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,200 1993 Wil-Rich 3 Point 10 Shank Chisel Plow w/Gauge Wheels. . . . $2,600 NH 415 Discbine, Good Condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,900 NH 315 Baler w/70 Thrower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4950 CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT 2007 NH M428 Telehandler 42’ Reach - 1050 Hrs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $66,250 2008 NH M459 Telehandler 45’ Reach - 420 Hrs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $84,500 2008 NH W50BTC Mini Wheel Loader, Cab w/Heat/Air, Bucket/Forks, 375 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $69,500 2007 NH E70SR Excavator w/Blade, Steel Tracks, Car w/Heat/AC - 400 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $69,500 2009 NH E135B SR Excavator w/Cab, Dozer Blade, 36” Bucket, 1,600 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $128,500 2009 NH E50B Cab w/Heat & Air, Blade, Rubber Track, Hyd. Thumb, 725 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $41,250 2010 NH E35B Excavator w/Blade, Rubber Tracks, Cab w/Heat/Air. $33,750 2010 NH L170 Skidsteer, Cab w/Heat, Pilot Controls, Hyd. Q-Attach Plate 72” Bucket - 100 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,875 2007/08 (2) NH C185 Track Skidsteer, Cab, Heat/AC, Pilot, 84” Bucket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Your Choice $46,250 Mustang MS60P 60” SSL Pickup Broom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,650 1999 NH LX865 Skidsteer, OROPS, Bucket, Hi Flow Hyd., 1,202 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,250 2008 NH L160 Skidsteer, Cab w/Heat, Hyd. Quick Attach Plate, 72” Bucket 3476 Hrs, New Tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $16,250 2005 NH LS180.B Skidsteer, OROPS, Hyd. Q-Attach, 84” Bucket - New Tires - 4601 Hrs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,650 1998 Scat Trak 1300C Skidsteer OROPS, Bucket Grouser Tracks, Boom Hyd’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,250 ATTACHMENTS 1999 Mensch M1100 6’ Sawdust Shooter, SSL Mount, Good Cond.. $3,150 2002 Mensch M1100 6’ Sawdust Shooter, SSL Mount, Like New . . $3,640 1999 Coneqtec APX400 Adjustable Cold Planer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,995 2008 NH 96” Hyd. Angle Dozer Blade, Demo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,875 2010 NH/Bradco 6” x 4’ Trencher, Skidsteer Mount, Like New . $3,995 2009 Virnig HD Hyd. Drive SSL Post Hole Digger w/ 9” Auger .$2,195
December 19, 2011 • COUNTRY FOLKS New England • Section A - Page 27
While U.S. corn production this past year was impacted by several major weather-related events that cut acres and yield, taking a broader look shows how grain demands can be met by taking into account overseas production. This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is reporting record global corn, wheat and rice production. “We always hold that, no matter the challenge we face, the global marketplace will respond to make sure all needs are covered,” said National Corn