SEGMENT: FARM BUSINESS & CHANGES IN FARMING METHODS

Don (Anonymous)>NIU Collection>NIU Collection, Segment 2

SEGMENT: FARM BUSINESS & CHANGES IN FARMING METHODS,

duration 11:06
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FARM BUSINESS
Changes in Farm Business
FAMILY FARM
Son graduated in 1958. Daughter got married in 1958. Her husband did not like his trucking job, so they both started working for Don. Both son & son-in-law hired on a profit share basis (given wages as advance every month). Son-in-law worked with him 30 years on farm, but son went back to college after getting tired of milking. Discussion of various farmhouses. More land (120 acres) purchased in early 1960's. Making a total of 350 total acres.
FARMING DURING KOREAN WAR
Did not effect farming or Don's family. Son was in college in 1950's.
FARMING DURING VIETNAM WAR
Son took ROTC in college. Son went to Vietnam. Son came back in 1966. Mentions escalation of war. Mentions that he did not have a gun due to difficulties with supplies. Son's job was purchasing supplies.
CHANGES IN FARMING METHODS
Corn productivity increased with fertilizers & use of pesticides & herbicides & hybrid corn. Must use pesticides if you follow "corn with corn." In early 1960's 100 bushel/acre with minimal fertilization, up to 160 later with fertilizer. A big improvement from 1950's 50 bushels to an acre. Prices weren't good in 1960's but improved in 1970's, but inflation also increased.