—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 4,1978 104 Economic problems face all facets of food chain®) By JOYCE BUPP Staff correspondent YORK - “Where does your food dollar go?” was the question posed to five panelists, each explaining his industry’s unique problems as a part of the food chain, during the recent York agribusiness seminar held at Avalong Dairy Restaurant, here. Speaking for agriculture was East Berlin dairyman, Ralph McGregor, who called himself one of the 2.8 million farmer-producers generati ng 4.4 million jobs in the production segment alone, more than either the automobile or steel industry. McGregor told of his concern that 59 per cent of total farm income is now being generated by off-farm jobs. With only one-third or slightly less of the food dollar coming back to the Milker school slated GETTYSBURG - Adams County dairymen will have the opportunity on Feb. 16 and 17 to attend a Milker’s School, to be held at the New Oxford Fire Hall. If in terested, fanners should make their reservations with the Adams County Extension Service by Feb. 10. The faculty for the school will consist of Dr. Robert J. Eberhart, veterinarian; Dr. Earl Kesler, professor of dairy science; and Steve Spencer, Extension dairy specialist. All are from Penn State University. Topics to be discussed will include Anatomy and Development of the Udder, Equipment Maintenance, Hormones of Milk Production, Cleaning Principles, Physiology of Milking, Cow Psychology, How the Milking Machine Works, Mastitis - the disease, Vacuum and Milking Systems, Milking Routines, and Milking Labor Studies. The registration fee of $lO per person includes two lunches. Men and women are invited Anyone who milks cows will benefit, program Land values soften NEWARK , Del - High yields and favorable prices for crops in recent years have resulted in the bidding up of land by farmers anxious to expand production But the boom may be fading, says University of Delaware Extension agricultural economist W T McAllister. And he urges farmers to assess their circumstances carefully, as they consider acquisition of more land Declining prices, filled storage bins with big carry overs from one year to the next, government acreage set aside programs and target prices are causing farmland values to soften Many things responsible for the in creasing value of land in addition to its value for farming Industrial development, shopping centers, housing develop ments, new roads and other public facilities all compete with farmers for available producer, McGregor sees farmers taking on outside jobs because of the necessity of trying to keep up with escalating mput costs Pointing a finger also at rising costs was food processor James W. Reynolds, general manager of Hanover Brands, Inc., Hanover. With a two year depression in the canning industry, there has been no profit on processing either fruits or vegetables, he said. A mam cost problem comes in the form of escalatmg energy costs; and packaging materials are becoming more expensive, with three price increases for tin cans during the last 14 months. Squeezing every bit of pollution out of the en vironment is also a high priced proposition, with the food industry paying a large portion of the eight to 10 organizers assure. Those who attend both days will receive a certificate of completion. PROTECTION FROM BARNYARD MESS I Quality Standard, all rubber black 6" work shoe, net lined, steel shank, “Cushioned- Comfort" insole, "Royal-Trac” design outsole. Available in plain toe with blue binding, foxing and bumper toe cap, and in steeltoe with yellow binding, foxing and bumper toe cap S MEDIUM WEIGHT WORK SHOE $ | 1 98 Sizes 6 to 13 8B [WAYNE’S ass DRY GOODS 271 W. Main St. Kutztown Phone (215) 683-7686 Free Parking at Rear of Store Kal-Lite® Decatur County Dairy Building are Decatur County Dairy Building million dollar national bill annually spent on meeting government-imposed regu lations Rudolph A. Comchoc is general manager of the wholesaling firm of P.A. & S. Small Co., York. Wholesalers, according to Comchoc, add six per cent to the cost they pay the processor, their fee for providing warehousing, handling and transportation of bulk quantities to food to retailing outlets. He pointed out that this procedure actually saves the con sumer, because retailers do not have to invest ad ditionally in storage of massive purchases, but can instead order for weekly sales needs. A wholesaler also provides smaller retailers the chance to ef fectively compete with supermarket chains which process, warehouse and transport their own store brands. The vice president of sales for Giant Food Stores, George Reynolds, felt that supermarkets bear the brunt of consumer dissatisfaction, J— ■ J |be •« Long continuous sheets, delivered on rolls facili tate installation Ability to be cut in field with electric saber saw means com plex angles and shapes can be fit exactly Matched, tight fitting moldings provide fine finished appearance with proper sealing between sheets and against other walls and the ceiling Kal-Lite is excellent for all-around farm mainte nance and repair jobs It can be worked just like plywood but it s a lot tougher l even though they are only one portion of the food in dustry. No one has yet shown any facts backing up exorbitant profits by supermarkets, Reynolds insisted; and two of the major eight food chains in the nation showed no profit at all last year. Industry figures show that 59 per cent of the expense in running a food retailing outlet goes for labor, including actual wages paid and fringe benefit costs. Utilities ac count for another good-sized portion of about 13 per cent. And, he added, it is the consumer who is demanding increased service, con venience, and variety. Food buyers were represented by York homemaker, Mrs. James C. Mahoney, who warned that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned over USDA ACCEPTED! FIBERGLASS-REINFORCED WALL & CEILING FINISH USDA Accepted - Any room, regardless of age, can be turned into a clean room. HIGHEST IMPACT STRENGTH - Will not shatter or splinter. COMPLETELY PRACTICAL SIZES - Width of four feet; custom lengths available. With four thicknesses to suit your application. Pre-cut ceiling panels in 2x2 and 2x4 sizes. SIMPLIFIED INSTALLATION - Easily installed with a minimum of tools and skills. Professional installation by our experienced personnel available. THATCHER & ULMER the quality of goods they purchase. While many will readily pay 60 dollars for a well-made tennis racquet or $70,000 for a new house, the value of a box of detergent is being carefully weighed. Mrs. Mahoney emphasized that the use of “cents off” coupons increases with the amount of education of the buyer. She pomted out one idythat "half Deal directly with the Distributor Contracting and Supply, Inc. 420 W. Marion St. Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604 717-299-2612 of the nation’s food is lost through storage, spoilage, and waste and felt that cutting down that per centage would help solve the food problem. All five panelists agreed on the final conclusion, summed up by York Ex tension Agent, John Smith, the panel moderator: the ultimate answer lies with the consumer
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