30-cent average annual profit per cow launched formation of Inter-State Co-op Sixty yean ago a group of Chester County dairy far mers attending a meeting of the Concord Grange were aroused by an article in the Banker Farmer, a periodical published by the Bankers Association, F. Paul Willits read from the magazine that the average dairy cow only produced a profit of 30 cents per year. He noted production costs were in creasing while the pur chasing value of the dollar had decreased. That next year, Willits was named president of a new organization “That shall use all efforts to improve the situation for Ibe dairy far mers in out midst.” That organization was known as Inter-State Milk Producers’ Association, which in 1935 came to be HOG PRODUCERS! Get Top Price for Your Hogs at New Holland Sold in sorted lots the auction way See them weighed and sold and pick up your check SALE EVERY MONDAY 9;00 A.M. NEW HOLLAND SALES STABLES, INC. Phone 717-354-4341 Daily Market Report Phone 717-354-7288 Abe Diffenbach, Manager FARM a known as Inter-State Milk Producers' Cooperative. At the first board meeting 13 dairymen gathered at "The Bourse” in Philadelphia. They had two main items on their agenda: to try and obatin 5-tt cents per quart for their members’ milk (|2.Sfi per hun dredweight); and to send a committee to Lancaster County in hopes of recruiting members. The infant organization was successful on both counts. They got the price th y sought and the mem bership grew by leaps and bounds, totaling over 20,000 members by 1920, many from Lancaster County. Next on their agenda was a widespread program for the improvement of their milk supply. Thus, in 1919, Inter- State organized the Philadelphia Dairy Council for the purpose of working in the schools as it is doing today. Through Dairy Council, Inter-State also initiated on-farm testing - the first such quality control measured tried in the United States. Then came the depression snd farmers, too, felt the effects of a reduced economy and dwindling demand. Income held up fairly well during 1930, but the 1931 and 1932 prices dropped to ridiculously low levels and a wave of dissatisfaction hit agriculture which resulted in stringent price controls. Meanwhile, Inter-State reorganized in 1935 under the new Pennsylvania Cooperative Law. The most important change was the adoption of a new contract with members under which the Cooperative guarantees payment for milk. Since 1936, the Inter-State Milk Producers’ Cooperative had had a program for building up reserves for this purpose. If milk producers lose their market, this kind of insurance is of utmost value. On several occasions, Inter-State has reached into its financial “kitty” and pulled out over $280,000 to help its members reestablish their market. Each year since 1936, Inter-State has been able to refund these reserves to its members. Presently, Inter- State has reserves in excess of $2.3 million, and each year a portion of this is returned to the members. Over the past 10 years, for example, FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL COUNTY OFFICE. over $l.B million has been refunded to the membership. Since Inter-Stale’s reorganization in 1938, the dairy industry in Penn sylvania has gone through radical changes. Instead of nearly 900,000 cows in Pennsylvania, there are now only about 870,000. Instead of 6,500 members, Inter-State now, only has about 3,000 members scattered through Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Virginia and West Virginia, with about one-quarter of them in Lancaster County. Dead birds regulated A change in federal poultry inspection regulations will permit the shipment of “4-D” poultry - Le., birds that are dead, dying, diseased or disabled - to licensed rendering plants, animal disease diagnostic laboratories, research in stitutions or crematoriums, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) an nounced. The amendment, however, will not lessen the strict controls over such poultry, which are designed to prevent its use for human food. The new amendment permits shipment of 4-D specimens to USDA in Washington, or elsewhere for laboratory examination, training purposes or other approved uses. It also sets procedures for the release of condemned or other inedible She has farm needs* too. . A new kitchen, a washing machine, a freezer, fur niture, her own car. Farm needs? They are to her. . .and to us. Farm Credit Service knows that running a farm is more than a man's job. . .and it takes more than seed and fertilizer. For your financial requirements. . .farm or personal. . .see your local Farm Credit Represen tative. He's always ready to help with a Farm Credit loan to fit your needs or hers. But although membership is less than half of what it was 40 years ago, Inter-State members have increased production from 382 million pounds to over 1.5 billion pounds. The receipts for this same period have Jumped from $lO to $l4l million a year. To achieve these results, Inter-State’s management team - at the direction of the dairy - farmer - directors - represent the dairymen on the average of more than materials for educational, research and other non-food purposes. . Officials of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) pointed out that special handling and movement of 4- D specimens under the amended regulation must not interfere with inspection procedures or sanitary conditions in poultry processing plants. Also, persons desiring such specimens must make a written application to the inspector-in-charge. Such approvals are only good for one year and must be renewed. Under the new regulation, dead birds are still per mitted to be transported to official establishments in containers separate from live birds, in order that the You get a lot more than credit from your OWN Form Credit Service. Uncaster Farming, Saturday, Dec 27.1975 once a month at milk hearings and negotiate almost daily with the ap proximately 40 dealers who bottle and process Inter- State milk. Today Inter-State is simply 3,000 dairy fanners cooperating together. These members elect 24 dairymen to the board of directors who, in turn, are responsible for hiring the best general manager possible. Dr. James E. Honan has held that position for eleven years. dead birds can be handled - and disposed of property. Under inspection regulations, 4-D birds - or parts from them - are con sidered inedible and are not suitable for human con sumption. Notice of the new amend ment to the Poultry Products Inspection Act was published in ttie Nov. 28, 1975 Federal Register. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, ly ing in a manger. St. Luke 2:11,12 47
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers