Across the Editor's Desk Editor’s Note: This article by Henry R. Geisinger, executive vice president of the Penn sylvania Association of Milk Dealers, is reprinted in full from the December issue of The Pennsylvania Golden Guernsey News: Pennsylvania’s greatest agricultural enterprise is seriously threatened as the result of new and vicious attacks on the HUDSON PROFI-MATIC I! GAS PIG BROODER j Double the Infrared— Double the Coverage / y ? Twice the infrared heat output of other gas pig brooders —one unit covers two adjacent creep areas. Six times the heat at half the operating cost of two electric heat lamps. Replaceable ceramic radiant; tough, aluminum-bonded-to-steel reflector; non warping, shatter-proof upper chamber. 100 per cent safety shut off. WE SELL and SERVICE - CREEP FEEDERS - COMMANDER - HOG FEEDERS MEDICATORS - TROJAN WATERERS - ENGINEERED - FARROWING PENS VENTILATION REAL KD[s)DKl@'^i?®^ FUN Riding toys are a part of a child’s growing up; and none more so than these John Deere Tractor/Cycles. They’re strong. They ride smoothly. They’re blueprint replicas to scale of real John Deere Tractors in rust-resistant cast aluminum. Come see them today. Wenaer Imolemsntv Inc. M. S. Yearsley & Sons Landis Bros. Inc. Shotzberger's P West Chester 696-2990 Lancaster 393-390® Elm 665-214; milk industry of Pennsylvania. Milk, for decades, has provided more than 40 per cent of the total farm income in the Keystone State—growing every year—and returned $447,304,000 m 1971. In addition, it has provided steady employment for thousands of dairy plant workers dedicated to full consumer service. This money constantly is fed into the economy of the Commonwealth Size L 38V/', W 18’/.", H 26" at all municipal levels, in all 67 counties. The new charges vary. Basically, however, the asser tions are that (1) all Penn sylvania milk prices are higher than the rest of the nation, (2) Pennsylvania farmers are NOT doing as well or at least no better than their counterparts in other states; and (3) Pennsylvania milk price control favors dealer profits and encourages “inef ficiencies ” Most of the price comparisons are made between those charged by a limited service New Jersey operator with non-union help and those charged by fully unionized full-service Philadelphia dealers The former offers some dairy products on a cash and carry basis only. The Pennsylvania operators provide a variety of products for all who need milk— not just those willing and able to run to the store and buy it, where it may be sold on a loss leader basis. Our ‘Crime’ Is Service If Pennsylvania dealers have committed any ‘crime’ it is that " of ‘too much service.’ In this ' * you’ll find ;ycle or chain driven I, adjustable ther loads JOHN DEERE RIDING TRACTOR/CYCLES A. B. C. Groff, Inc. New Holland 3544191 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 18,1971 — consumer oriented era, the Pennsylvania dealers strive to offer a full complement of dairy products in a variety of types and sizes of containers—not just homogenized milk in a bulky gallon jog. And Pennsylvania dealers do not have a store full of other products to help make up any milk losses. The Pennsylvania dealers are willing and DO service schools (at a much reduced price), hospitals, shutms and all others who need it In addition, Penn sylvania dealer—dedicated to service—offer monthly credit with no 1 percent charges for delays in payments so common in other commercial ventures today Few, if any of these ser vice are offered by the dairy store operators They also charge for containers Pennsylvania prices are not established to give any one segment of the buying public a bigger advantage over others They are established so milk may be made available to all at reasonable prices Admittedly, it costs less to bottle large con tainers and sell them at company owned stores, but permitting such low price sales skims off the bulk of the market and puts an even greater burden on the full service operator. As a result, DOMINOR ALFALFA Dominor is a late-maturing long-rotation alfalfa, with excellent bacterial wilt resistance. Very winter hardy. Versatile - develops thick stands over a wide variation of weather and soils. Strongly suggest Vernal users now switch to Dominor. ASK YOUR HOFFMAN SEED MAN FOR DETAILS. A. H. HOFFMAN SEEDS, INC. Landisville, Pa. 898-2261 DEERE RIDING AND GARDEN CYCLE NO. 531 leal auto-type steer ledal serves also as to 3 positions, hitch ion and other loads rl rubber Authentic green and yellow lize 35" x 19" x 34" RAILER NO. 535 iATURES: Hitches to nes play loads, play rea4 packages, too even without tractor :h to other vehicles prices must be raised to com pensate. Pennsylvania prices are not the highest in the nation when all products and all types of services are compared—not just using one product in one area The rest of Pennsylvania does NOT pay the same prices as Philadelphia where in-city deliveries bring considerable problems and high costs. Many products available in various types of containers are considerably cheaper than in many sections of the country The recent statement that Penn sylvania consumers are being “milked” to the tune of some $6O to $BO million annually has no documentation. The figure ap parently was arrived at by taking the total volume of milk sold and comparing the highest price in this state versus the lowest price in another state Dealers May Get Less Here It must be remembered that when milk is purchased in a store that there is adequate margin for the storekeeper, and this is NOT ■ ealized by the dealer at all. Storekeepers are entitled to a profit on milk, the same as for bread, meat and other items sold They have wages, rents and taxes to pay, too. In fact, dealers may get as little as 87 cents per gallon when the store picks up the milk at the plant (the price in New Jersey is 96 cents). Only half truths are given m these attacks. The second assertion is that Pennsylvania dairy farmers are not making out in comparison with other states Since New Jersey appears to be the “per fect” dairy state, let us look at their situation In 1950 New Jersey dairy farmers had a cash income from milk of $59,465,000. Then came the battle of milk control with charges and counter charges one is hearing now in Pennsylvania In 1970 the New Jersey farmers had a milk in come of $46,857,000—0r a reduction of more than $10,000,000 in two decades. And they produced more milk in 1970 than in 1950. In Pennsylvania the income in 1950 was $248,000,000 while in 1970 it was $447,594,000—it nearly doubled. Similar comparisons can be made with other states. Penn sylvania farmers are enjoying a return