Farm equipment sales SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. ~ An increase of approximately four per cent in United States retail sales volume during 1977 is anticipated by farm equipment manufacturers who are members of the Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute (FIEI). This conclusion was announced Thursday before 200 industry leaders attending the Institute’s Marketing and Management Conference being held here. In presenting the State of the Industry report, Harry C. Lusk, general manager of the Agricultural Equipment Divisions of Allis-Chalmers Corporation, noted that FIEI members anticipate demand for equipment will be mixed for 1977, with the strongest sales occurring in the cattle, cotton and soybean markets. The report was compiled primarily from a survey con* ducted by FIEI of its member firms. Lusk said in his presentation that some of the factors which manufacturers feel will benefit the farm equipment sales climate are strong economies, both domestic and foreign; continued levels of exports; stable, high level of farm in come; tax credits; and the need to improve farm efficiency. Negative factors which may tend to offset benefits are an inflation rate that will continue to be higher than farm price increases; rising world grain stocks; uncertainty of agricultural policy; dry conditions in the West; and relatively low hog, wheat and com prices. Two imponderables acknowledged by the survey which could significantly affect actual sales during 1977 were weather and political decisions. The grain export program, it was noted, will be heavily influenced by harvests and actions of the Soviet Union. During 1976, the Soviet Union reported a record harvest of 224 million metric ton crop versus their planned level of 205 million tons. Because of the record crop, Soviet imports for 1976 were reduced compared to 1975, even though it imported its agreed upon grain tonnage. Yield Quotations are expected to continue in Russia, and growing consumer demand for protein foods may likely combine to boost United States exports to 10 to IS million tons." Total agricultural exports are likely to continue at the relatively high levels achieved in recent years, and average in the $25 to $3O billion range by 1980, according‘to United States Department of Agriculture spokesman interviewed by FIEI. Another favorable forecast made by the manufacturers was for a slight recovery in farm income, which is one of the primary indicators of equipment demand. Cash receipts for farmers are expected by farm equipment manufacturers to increase 3.6 per cent from last year. Four wheel drive tractors will lead tractor sales during the year with an anticipated increase of 3.7 per cent. Farm tractors below 100 horsepower are expected to decline by about 4.6 per cent, while over 100 horsepower tractors should only decrease by 1.8 per cent. Sales for all categories of farm tractors in the United States should reach 151,000 units this year, down 2.9 per cent from the preliminary 1976 number. The forecast for self-propelled combines will remain steady at about 32,000 units, compared to the actual sales of 32,700 units during 1976, and 33,084 units for 1975. Tillage Tools Manufacturers responding to the FIEI survey indicate a mixed outlook for tillage tools. Moldboard plow sales, for example, are anticipated to continue to decline to ap proximately 44,500 units, which is a 4.4 per cent drop. One of the reasons mentioned for this reduction in sales was the lack of soil moisture causing a switch by farmers to other tillage systems. One of the types of tillage implements being used instead of moldboard plows are chisel plows, and they are forecast to increase by 2.7 per cent, for a total of 22,500 units. Disc harrows are expected to remain about the same at 74,000 units, along with field, cultivators which will hold steady at 21,750 units. A significant recovery in the baler markets should come about during 1977 with an 8.8 per cent growth in large balers, and a 5.5 per cent increase in the smaller size units. Hay stacker sales should also be up by about 9.5 per cent, with stack mover sales rising by three per cent. Forage harvester STOLTZFUS MEAT MARKET A ATTENTION FARMERS CUSTOM BEEF BUTCHERING iv O OUR SPECIALITY f / —FRESH BEEF AND PORK— fVi OUR OWN HOME MADE b m SCRAPPLE A FRESH SAUSAGE IJJiA Bacon and Country Cured Hams ' 4y Orders taken for freezer Meats PH. 768-3941 Directions: 1 block east of intercourse on Rt 772 • Newport Road THURS. FRI. SAT. STORE HOURS. 9.5 94 g. 5 NO. 1 IN SKID LOADERS A. L HERR & BRO. NO. 1 IN SKID LOADER SALES SEE US AT 312 PARK AVE. QUARRYVILLE, PA PH.: 717-786-3521 Tractor and Combine Sales Forage Equipment Looking Up surveyed 5 sales are anticipated to recover with an increase of 3.3 per cent reported by the FIEI members. Mower conditioners, windrowers and swathers will remain steady at 19,750 units and 10,500 units, respectively. Recovery in cattle markets, along with anticipated large crop harvests in 1977 foretell a good year for grain handling and farmstead livestock equipment. Items such as portable elevators, dryers and grain bins are forecast for sales in creases of 10 per cent. Dairy and beef production equipment, the manufacturers say, should also go up by seven per cent, while hog production equipment remains stable, reflecting lower prices for pork. FIEI companies in the lawn and garden powered equip ment market are relatively optimistic about the sales outlook for 1977. A median increase of eight per cent was reported in the survey. Companies cited factors such as improved consumer income; a strong single family housing market; rural population growth; and a lower expected unem ployment rate, as being reasons for their optimism. On the other hand, they noted that we will probably have a continued high rate of inflation and stable food prices, which reduces the interest in home gardening, both of which will have a negative impact on sales. Government regulations and past product price increases relative to disposable consumer income will also tend to offset the favorable sales climate. The Marketing and Management Conference is a semi annual event sponsored by the Farm and Industrial Equipment Institute. FIEI is among the nation’s oldest trade associations, and serves its 275 member firms by coor dinating industry-wide work in engineering, safety, statistics, and other areas of common interest. referendum clarified NEW YORK, N.Y.-It was explained here on Tuesday, that the issues and effects of the referendum on the amended New York-New Jersey marketing orders had caused some confusion and misunderstanding among milkshed dairy farmers. Since a full producer referendum has not been held on this order since 1967 and because of numerous questions, referendum Agent N. K. Garber said it was necessary to clarify three major points concerning the referendum. Dr. Garber stated that the most frequently asked questions concerned the loss of the marketing order if the referendum' was not ap proved. He reiterated that failure to approve the amended order would result in the termination of the marketing order, and a two thirds yes vote of those casting ballots is necessary for approval. The reason for this is that dairy farmers are voting on the entire order as ami tended and not on an amendment to the order. The Referendum Agent said confusion existed as to whether this referendum was connected with the New York State Promotion Order Referendum which will be conducted later this year. He GLICK'S Distributor for ROOFING t SPOUTING BAKED ENAMEL UN ROOFS Colors: Turquoise, Red, White (only) FULL SERVICE DEALER SALES & INSTALLATION SAMUEL B. CLICK R.D.I, Kinzer, PA Ph.(717)442-4921 Please call before 7 A.M. or after 6 P.M. No Sunday Calls Lawn and Garden Market Milk order stated that the balloting would only be on the amended order regulating the handling of milk in the New York-New Jersey marketing area and had no connection with the State Promotion Order. The changes of certain payment dates in the order. Dr. Garber said, had led some dairymen to question whether the . amendments would alter the date that individual farmers presently are paid. He stated that the requirement that producers be paid by the 25th day of the month following delivery remains unchanged in the amended order. If there _*re further questions' regarding the referendum, Dr. Garber asked that they be directed to the Referendum Agent at 208 East 43rd Street, New York, N.Y. 10017. Over 170 varieties of crops, developed by plant breeders at Penn State University have been released to the seed industry in the past 65 years. Many Crops Developed At Penn State
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