—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 29. 1976
active campaigners for a
better understanding bet-
ween producers and con-
Cattle prices unpredictable example, they were telling
JL their side of the story while
housewives were boycotting
meat. Mrs. Marsteller,
who’s rather skilled with a
camera, puts on slide shows
for anyone who’s interested
in seeing a glimpse of farm
life.
[Continued from Page 1J
depressed cattle prices. Two
factors involved are that
meat in storage is being
released to compete with
fresh meat and imports from
abroad do likewise.
eliminated from the scene
over the last few years,
leaving the buying power in
the hands of a few. On top of
that, he says buyers are not
buying large amounts right
now because the markets
have been so uncertain.
The reason for it is that those
buying directly watch the
auction prices as a guideline
for their own quotations.
Danger looms ahead if direct
buying predominates
because then those firms can
set their own prices with
little or no regard to the
open, competitive market.
Dale Marsteller, of
Marsteller Brothers, a York
County feedlot operation,
made the same point when
he was interviewed by
LANCASTER FARMING
this week. He markets about
McCoy described the
present situation as being
“extremely volatile.” In
addition to the above
speculations, McCoy is also
suspicious that there might
be some manipulation of the
markets going on. Many of
the smaller butchers and
packers have been
For the past several years
•Marsteller has steadily been
increasing the number of
sales directly to customers.
He’s sold carcasses to
private individuals as far
away as Philadelphia and
Washington, D.C. and hopes
to establish his own roadside
market someday. How
quickly that happens will
depend on the availability of
credit and prices at the
v auctions. Marsteller does not
believe prices are in proper
alignment with production
costs, and that the retail
route will be pursued if
things don’t adjust and stay
that way. Like his cousins,
he sees 50-cent cattle as the
target to shoot for. LAN
CASTER FARMING will
feature his beef operation in
one of its June issues.
Getting back to McCoy’s
viewpoints, he is a little
more cautious about
predicting prices than some
others in the business.
Across the nation, marketing
reports continue to point to
prices which will come close
to and possibly even exceed
the 50-cent mark. But Mc-
Coy, an experienced and
knowledgeable cattle dealer,
continues to hesitate. He
noted that recent swings in
prices have been “too ex
treme, and depending on
what day a farmer brought
his cattle to market, he could
lose or gain an extra $4O to
$5O per head. Recent
changes in the market have
often come without warning,
(Continued on Page 15]
Another view expressed by
McCoy, now in his sixth term
as the Lancaster Stockyard’s
chief executive, is that
“direct marketing is the
poorest way to sell.” He
explained that “Farmers
should jealously protect an
open, competitive market.”
500 head per year and allows
half of them to go to butchers
directly. The remainder is
sold at auctions to protect
the market there and also his
contacts with buyers. He
stressed the importance of
the competitive market.
Although Marsteller tries
to follow the markets every
day, he commented that “the
way they’re jumping up and
down now, it don’t take long
to lose track.” He’d like to
see cattle prices come up to
50 cents per pound again, but
offered no predictions as to
whether he thought they
would or not. Right now
Marsteller is still making
money on his fat cattle.
That’s because he purchased
the feeders at comparatively
low prices. But with in
coming feeders being priced
higher, that could change.
“This is the problem, we’re
going backwards,” he
quipped. We’ll take a closer
look at his operation in next
week’s issue.
RICHARD R. FORRY
i sJSBIMI
2020 Horseshoe Rd., Phone 717-397-0035
Lancaster, PA
SPECIALIST IN YOUR FIELD
John Marsteller, a cousin
of the Marsteller Brothers,
takes a somewhat different
approach to beef cattle
marketing. He and his wife
Mary are a little more
sensitive to prices and are
QDBQIQI
UFGAS
You Gel
Delivery
When Yon
Need It!
HUSKEE-BILT MAN!
Huskee Gives You More!
• Full 6x6" Poles
• American made steel or alum
• Spacious Doors
• Factory Assembled Trusses
• Top grade lumber throughout
We’ll make sure that you’re
• Have heights to 19'
always supplied, never caught
Also Ask About Our
14
• FURADAN for Alfalfa Weevils
• CHLORDANE for Cut Worms
• TILLAM for Weeds in Tobacco
JONAS S. EBERSOL
I'A miles North of Bird-In-Hand on Stumptown Road
How low cost can
high value be?
Your John Deere dealer
can show you in 40-,
50-, and 60-hp tractors
Everything’s the same except price in John
Deere 40-, 50-, and 60-hp Tractors. Drawbar,
3-pomt hitch, “live” PTO, differential lock,
fenders, lights, deluxe seat—they’re all there
(and more). Only the price has changed. John
Deere value, proved durability, advanced
design. All are present —but the price is lower.
The field-readiness, the adaptability, the ease
and enjoyment of operation —these have not
changed—only the price has been altered in
your favor. If you’re thinking:“This is too good
to last” —you’re right! Now’s the time to slip in
and go home with a top-value John Deere
Tractor—and a big bundle of folding green
change. Stop in and see us— soon!
A new improved
1209 is waiting
for you
Come take a
look at this
improved 1209
a quieter
easy-to-service
reliable mower/conditioner for your next hay
season We can point out such new features
as adjustable roll stops adjustable roll
pressure new platform stabilizer spur-and
bevel gearcase with common oil reservoir
with improved venting improved knife drive
and improved knife head There s more Let
us tpke you on a short walk around the 1209
It could make a difference in your next
hay harvest
Landis Bros. Inc. A.B.C. Groff, Inc.
Lancaster 717-393-3906 New Holland 717-354-4191
Adamstown
Equipment Inc.
Mohnton, RD2, PA 19540
(near Adamstown]
215-484-4391
Pikeville
Equipment Inc.
Oyster Dale Road
Oley RD2, PA
215-987-6277
CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT BUILDING
A Thrive Center controlled environment building means heavier
healthier animals, reduced labor and feed costs and almost no
manure handling or odor. They pay for themselves in no time!
YOUR HUSKEE-BILT MEN
MERVIN MILLER
Lititz, PA
Phone (717) 626-5204
LESTER MILLER
TURBOTVILLE. PA
PHONE (717) 649-5250
short. That’s our guarantee
no matter where you live ... or
what the weather is like. Get
with clean,' economical fuel!
Call for Details
AGWAY PETROLEUM CORP.
BOX 1197, DILLERVILLE ROAD, LANCASTER, PA
PHONE 397-4954
M. S. Yearsley Neuhaus’es, Inc.
o c Glen Rock, PA
« OCHS 717-235-1306
Westchester 215-696-2990 .
Stanley A. Klopp, Inc
Bernville, PA
215-488-1510
Agway, Inc.
Chapman Equipment Center
Chapman, PA
215-398-2553
I. G.’s Ag Sales
Silverdale, PA 18962
215-257-5136
Shotzberger’s
Equipment
Elm, PA
717-665-2141
Kermit K. Kistler
Lynnport, PA
215-298-3270