A
%
RED ROSE FARM
SERVICE INC.
MR. FARMER
Have You heard about The
Red Rose Feed Grain
Exchange Programs?
EXAMPLE
5-Ton's Solonco Feed at $ .
Less VA TONS Formers Grains at $ .
Net 5
To Complete The Above Blank Spaces'
Contact Pete Howard, Ray 8011,
WE OFFER COMPLETE MARKETING PROGRAMS FOR SHELLED CORN, SOYBEANS, ETC.
FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION CONTACT ONE OF OUR CONVENTIENTLY LOCATED STORES TODAY.
MAIN
OFFICE
N. Church Street
Quarryville, Pa.
786-7361
Dick Ibach.
WE ALSO OFFER GRAIN STORAGE FOR OUR MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE
A SURPLUS OF 1972 CORN CROP.
New Providence
GRAIN ELEVATOR
USDA
(Continued From Page 7)
development of a uniform system
of describing hogs that can be
easily understood by all buyers
and sellers.
Under such a system, hogs
would remain on farms or in local
markets. Buyers would bid for
them in national or regional
auctions via telephone or teletype
facilities.
The prk team found a need for
increased use of grading at all
stages of marketing, but at the
retail level in particular. Federal
grades should be established for
all major retail pork cuts to help
consumers select products of an
assured quality. In the past,
retail grading has been minimal,
varying from day-to-day and
from store-to-store, resulting in a
loss of consumer confidence.
APPLES
One of the apple industry’s
biggest concerns has been the
large volume of poor qulaity
apples that are offered to con
sumers, particularly in the fresh
market. In turn, consumers
question the quality of both fresh
apples and processed apple
products.
To prevent inferior apples from
entering the retail market, the
team advised that condition be
made a part of the grade system
(apples are now graded mainly
by color). Decay, breakdown,
786-3427
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 25,1972
and other ' deterioration
developing during storage or
transit would be scored against
the grade—as is now done for
most other fresh produce.
In addition, the team recom
mended that U.S. No. 1 and other
seldom-used lower grades be
abolished. It also urged the
establishment of national con
trolled atmosphere standards for
condition.
The team found that rough
handling during harvesting,
packing, transportation, and
retailing caused substantial
losses in apple quality. It
recommended that the industry
develop and test more durable
polyethylene bags, as well as
rigid or semi-rigid consumer
packages, and suitable shipping
containers.
As another way to keep low
quality apples off the market, the
team urged that the industry
consider a tree removal
program. The program would
encourage removal of outdated
apple varieties, as well as old
trees that produce poor quality
fruit, and trees serving as havens
for disease and insects.
The apple marketing team
advised the industry to prevent
surpluses by expanding exports.
For instance, the industry might
launch a fact-finding team to
explore potential markets in
Latin America and the Far East.
BUCK, PA.
284-4464
The team also recommended
more effective action to deal with
competition from imports. Under
most existing Federal Statutes
industries must first demonstrate
proof of injury before qualifying
for import relief. The marketing
team urged members of the apple
industry to plan a program that is
more responsive to a threat from
foreign imports..
The apple marketing team
suggested that all producing
areas be eligible for marketing
orders for fresh apples and ap
ples for processing. The industry
should consider the usefulness of
marketing orders in:
- establishing grade, size, and
quality regulations
- developing nationwide and
regional, promotion programs;
- overseeing mandatory apple
inspection;
- developing uniform regulations
for containers; and
- funding research programs
POTATOES
The potato industry’s dilemma
of overproduction and low prices
has resulted mainly from in
creased yields in recent years,
and the reclamation of new land
in several Western States. A 1970
report revealed that more than
300,000 acres had been planted to
potatoes in reclamation projects
over the past 10 years.
The potato marketing team
found there was substantial
support among growers for some
form of supply management. The
team recommended that the
Secretary of Agriculture confer
with industry leaders to deter
mine if any particular type of
supply management program
would be feasible.
Meantime, the team urged that
restrictions be placed on
developing new land for
production of potatoes, or any
other crop that’s in surplus
supply.
The potato marketing team
encoutered a deep industry
concern for developing and
maintaining high product
quality, particularly during
transit.
Some of the difficulties:
- Periodic railcar shortages
impede movement of fresh
potatoes;
- Unsatisfactory rail equipment
and shipping practices result in
protato damages;
- Coast-to-Coast transit time has
lengthened to 10 days or more,
upping the risk of quality
deterioration;
- Successive freight rate in
creases are driving up tran
sportation costs.
The potato team prescribed a
joint industry-government study
to determine the industry’s
transportation requirements.
Specific equipment needs should
be identified, and Special em
phasis given to the impact of new,
larger rail cars on potato con
dition and the storage facilities of
shippers and receivers.
In all regions visited, the team
received complaints that potato
purchasers were frequently
delaying payment by as much as
60-180 days.
The delays create credit
problems for producers and
shippers, as weU as violate the
Perishable Agricultural Com
modities Act (PACA), which
calls for payments within 10 days
of delivery. Growers and ship
pers were reluctant to report
these violations for fear of
reprisals.
Among the team’s recom
mendations was that the industry
consider a national credit card
system to be used for all potato
purchases from grower to
retailer. The credit cards would
be issued only to those with good
credit ratings and a PACA
license. Sellers would receive l
payment within a specified
billing period, and current
banking regulations would
eliminate the problem of late
9