Erie Area Dairymen A farm organization representative said in Erie this week that “dairy farmers are subsidizing milk production’’ and urged the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board to hike the Class I milk price by 91 cents to farmers in Crawford and Erie counties. This increase, if granted, would raise the price of milk two cents per quart to the consumer The Milk Marketing Board is holding a hearing to examine the price of milk paid to producers by dealers and the price the consumer must pay for milk. Marion Alsdorf, a dairyman representing the Crawford and Erie County Farmers’ LANCO BEDDING FOR POULTRY & LIVESTOCK WOOD SHAVINGS 8 PEANUT HULLS PEANUT HULLS NOW AVAILABLE. CALL 299-3541 AH. HOFFMAN SEEDS. INQ Associations, said that he was speaking for 606 farm families in the combined membership of the two county units. The local units are affiliated with the Penn sylvania Farmers’ Association. Dairyman Alsdorf said, “This figure may appear shocking, but the facts and realistic assump tions speak for themselves.” Earlier he cited figures which demonstrated “a very strong” demand for dairy products. “On a per capita basis, U.S milk consumption is increasing this year for the first time since 1955,” Alsdorf testified. He pointed to increasing disposable income, relatively stable producer prices and retail dairy F>LU3 Saranac. * Iroquois Hoffman also stocks certified seed of Saranac and Iroquois. Hoffman’s “Big 5” alfalfas pro vide superior yields under the climate and soil conditions of the Hoffman area. PENNSYLVANIA'S NUMBER ONE FARM SEED SPECIALIST LANDISVILLE (Lancaster County), Pa. 17538 Seek Increase of 2° per Quart prices, and higher meat prices as the major factors contributing to increased consumption of milk and dairy products. Alsdorf explained that even though consumption was in creasing and supplies disap pearing the farmer was “moving in an opposite direction from demand Milk production in Pennsylvania during November 1972 was 525 million pounds This was five percent less than in November 1971, and five percent less than October 1972 ” He submitted other statistics showing a 6,000 head decline in the number of cows in the state for the same period, a 35 pound drop in production per cow and an increase cost to replace cows in a herd Also, feed costs have risen as much as 100 percent for soybean meal, and hay quality has decreased because of the adverse weather throughout the country “These factors not only have cut production the past year, but in all probability, will further reduce production in 1973,” Alsdorf predicted. Richard E Denison, manager of the PFA Farm Management and Business Analysis Service N H Promor has achieved a sales record unparalleled by any variety in Hoffman history. It gives Hoffman customers early maturity, with maximum yields on good alfalfa land with heavy fertilization, higher seeding rates and intensive management. Maturing later, Dominor makes an ideal haymate for Promor, with excellent yieldability, hay quality and hardi ness. 919 Brand has a long time record of popularity and consistent performance. Hoffman also has developed three scientifically blended formulas in which alfalfa predominates; Hi- Capacity Formula, Top-Potential Formula and All ’Round Formula. Pre-inoculated, ready to sow. For details see your Hoffman Seed Man or write for a copy of our 1973 catalog. V 4 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 20,1973 — supported Alsdorf’s price in crease request, reporting that “the average farmer will have a cost of $7 08 to produce 100 pounds of milk during the first half of 1973 ” The Crawford County dairyman in his testimony had asked for a Class I price of $7 76 per hundredweight Denison said this request was more than fair, because his data revealed that actual farm cost of producing milk in this area for 1972 would be $6 81 per hun dredweight. compared to $6 55 in 1971 <fnd $5 86 in 1970 He further explained that cost factors for 1971 were derived from the records of 57 area dairy farms which utilize the PFA service The 1972 cost was a preliminary projection based on a random sample from the same farms This sampling projected a four percent rise in cost of production for 1972 “These same farmers face an even more devastating problem the first half of 1973,” Denison said “This is because severe weather conditions this past summer reduced both the quality and quamtity of their forage crops. So, they must buy more forage to maintain their S&s& wm- Wssfi 6^*! r4£t'S isißSSfa mm [off man ED production Alfalfa hay has been quoted at recent sales within the Commonwealth at $BO per ton up $4O per ton over a year ago “The grain and protein sources of feed for dairy cows is con siderably more expensive A recent issue of the Wall Street Journal quoted corn at 87 cents a bushel higher than the same date last year Soybean oil meal was $lOO higher than the same date last year These price increases are a direct result of adverse weather conditions in the Mid west." he said Denison did not see any bright spots for the farmer in the grain situation during the next year, saying grain experts don’t expect the situation to improve Dairyman Alsdorf said he recognized that milk in Crawford and Eric Counties must be “priced competitively with competing milk supplies ” Class 1 prices in the Eastern-Ohio - Western Pennsylvania Federal Milk Order have already pushed over the $7 00 mark and can in crease each month due to the working of a formula Effective Feb 1, a Class I price of $7 51 has been announced by milk marketing cooperatives serving Area 8 (Erie and Crawford counties) Since prices are established by the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board through periodic hearings we not only need to think of today, but tomorrow and the next day “If they (dairymen) are to continue to produce the quality and quantity of milk consumers enjoy purchasing, they must receive a realistic price for their contributions,’’ Alsdorf con cluded ' i (^KdHHl^^pH “Intelligence is the capac ity to wonder.” A MILKMOVER SYSTEM gets you out of I the bam sooner-with more money in your pocket! It saves your lugging heavy pails of milk from bam to cooler. • HAS MORE MILK CAPACITY • PERMITS FASTER MILKING • ELIMINATES EXTRA HELP • PROTECTS MILK QUALITY • IS 100% SELF-CLEANING • HAS ELECTRIC CONTROLS • FITS INTO ALL BARNS • EASILY INSTALLED Available thru your local dairy equipment dealer or call the factory collect to arrange for a free demon stration on your farm Manufactured by d/ouq m industries, inc. WOHNSON I* o BOX BBS. (LKTON. MD. *lO2l 11
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers