Sheep industry working* towards f* species With a detailed ten-year plan for expansion, the American Sheep Industry has applied the brakes to a 30-year decline in sheep numbers during an historic meeting at Winrock Farms, near Morrilton, Arkansas on June 22 and 23. Heads of the major sheep industry organizations banded together in a joint commitment for growth of the sheep industry calling for at least 50 percent increase in the numbers of breeding ewes by 1985. The meeting was jointly sponsored by the Sheep Industry Development 1 BIG TRUCK . jg| | | HAULING r 111 1 | WITH YOUR > — | 2 PICKUP Two-speed landing Easy hook-up with 2j S * 1 gear provides wide-opening jaws S E T||E easy hitching. of Pin & Plate E E _ _ Hitch this versatile trailer to your truck for § E road travel, switch it to your tractor for field E 2 w walmlwCO^mUU•' loading The Winnebago Agri-Trailer can carry 2 E A/iri Troilnr as much as a 3-ton truck. It can haul over Vh E 2 AAyri” I ■ OllCiT m tons. Or 285 bushels of grain. 2 S Winnebago's sth 2 2 _—-- ——-- - " wheel design gives E if ~ : unique stability. It 2 ~ j __ turns short, backs up S yV ■ --- W,t *’° Ut IS * ,ta,,,n 9- S W KAUFFMAN'S AGRI-TRAILER SALES , BOX 655, RDI ELIZABETHTOWN. PA 17022 717-367-3550 FARM i IF FARMING IS YOUR BUSINESS, WE LL HELP YOU GRO It takes money to run a successful farming operation, and Farm Credit has it money for production &. livestock, new equipment and modernization. Our interest rates are the lowest possible our terms the longest around, and we’ll go out of our way to help you increase Program, Inc., and the Winthrop International Livestock Research and Training Center. The sheep industry is the first major livestock interest to use the Conference Center in developing a “Blueprint for Expansion of the American Sheep Industry.” The two-day meeting in cluded representatives of every facet of production, research and marketing. Richard D. Biglin, Executive Director of the American Sheep Producers Council, Denver, Colorado, combined with Dr. Hudson Glimp of the MONEY FOR EVERY FARM NEED COME IN, LET’S TALK IT OVER! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY OFFICE. Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, in coordinating the historic meeting. The meeting was broken down into six separate groups on discussions of marketing, predator and land use, production goals, research and education, organization structure and labor. Of particular interest to the future of the American Sheep Industry were the specific goals outlining the future development until 1985, including a 50 percent increase in replacement ewe numbers, a 25 percent in crease in the percent of lamb crops weaned and 15 percent increase in the average market weight per lamb. The plan will allow a doubling of lamb without doubling the numbers of sheep. However, these goals were based on the overriding assumption that an effective means of predator management would be in- troduced soon. Highlighting the recom mendations from the predators and land use committee was the request to sponsor a national con ference on the predator to present factual data to all interested parties; to also organize and publish factual materials for the benefit of all interested parties and to develop educational and training programs for ap propriate control agents. In a committee concerning organization structure, it was recommended that the American Sheep Industry strive for a unified direction with a single voice and work for a possible consolidation of organizations represen ting the sheep industry. In addition, better com munications were urged for all areas, and an industry leadership development program was strongly en couraged. The national presidents of the four major sheep organizations were charged with the respon sibility of continuing the momentum to develop the new suggested sheep organization structures. In the area of marketing, it was recommended that a formation of a complete business organization be set up to trade domestically and internationally in sheep and sheep products in such a way as to maintain a strong and consistent market for sheep in the U.S. In addition, it was encouraged that the sheep industry establish sheep and lamb tele-a-auctions, recommending eventually no more than four regionally in the United States. The ASPC and SIDP were charged with the respon sibility of developing a method for analysis and an information source for keeping producers and marketing agents informed relative to wool market developments and outlook. Among the most progressive advances made 3 VI at the meeting were done In the area of labor. A com mittee named by the president of the National Wool Growers Association was formed with the purpose of developing a labor policy to cover all phases of the sheep industry, working in cooperation with established organizations concerned with the problem. This labor committee will meet as soon as possible to define the standards for industry jobs, such as range livestock employees and shearers, and will attempt to meet with the Department of Labor as soon as possible to bring about workable labor programs. In addition, the committee will take the initiative to work with Oc cupational Safety and Health Administration, and to act as a representative of the American Sheep Industry to the Department of Labor. Among the most significant advances made in the Research and Education field was the recommendation to develop a research program adapted to a regional concept in the United States. These research centers would utilize existing facilities but require additional staffing and funding. The group also endorsed the establishment of an international sheep and goat coordinating council to coordinate and develop support for research and training programs for sheep and goats in the arid and subtropical regions of the world.' The Winthrop In ternational Livestock Research and Training Center will help provide the leadership in developing this program. In the educational Reid, it was recommended to develop a better system of informing sheepmen, the financial community, allied industries and the business CREDIT Lancaster Firming. Saturday, July 12.1975 aector concerning the profit potential and overall future poisibllltiea for the American Sheep Industry. Dr. Richard 0. Wheeler, Director of the Winrock Center, expressed the desire of the foundation to assist the industry and provide leadership in those areas of research and training programs that will both improve livestock produc tion efficiency and improve human nutrition. After completing all of the recommendations, the final task for the group was to outline a blueprint for im plementation of such recommendations. Probably the most significant aspect of the meeting was the establishment of specific names, dates and procedures to be used in follow-up work. Richard D. Biglin, com menting on the success of the meeting, said, “Now that we’ve completed one of the most successful meetings in the history of the sheep in dustry, we must be com mitted to carry out the suggestions and recom mendations made at this meeting.” “All organizations in the American Sheep Industry are already making a unified effort to begin the great upward trend of this in dustry,” added Biglin. In addressing the group, Dr. Hudson A. Glixnp said, “None of us really know what the future role of this industry in meeting world food and fiber needs will be, but it is our belief that the industry is in a better position to determine its own destiny than anyone else. The important point is, if you as an industry do not do this, then it will be done by others that may not understand or care about your situation or the industry’s potential for progress and contribution to society.” v-< -i 1 ' /s*>• 57
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers