Heavier lambs and uniformity in marketing called for By JOAN LIESAU STATE COLLEGE The pooling together of producers to sell uniform lots of lamb and going towards the trend of heavier lambs was stresed by Walter Streightiff at the April 23, Pennsylvania Sheep and Wool Growers Association annual banquet here. Streightiff, who is the North East Director for lamb marketing with the American Sheep Producers Council, said that m 1977, for 19 weeks the 55 to 60 pound dressed lamb dominated the market. In 1978 this trend increased for 27 weeks. “I have no doubts that the 60 pound dressed lamb will-be the top priced and demanded lamb on the- New York market” he said. Here in the East, Streightiff explained we have the capability of short shipping runs with our lambs. We can save one half days life on a carcass giving the meat' one to two more days of bloom. Also we save extra dollars from two way freight charges (which comes oat of the producers pocket). “There is no way you are going to turn out over night a truck load (about 700) of uniform lambs.” The lambs dressed in abattoirs in the west can be picked for consistant size, quality and uniformity” because of the large number of lambs these slaughterhouses have. Freight, warehousing, and distribution costs are some of the greatest expenses a retailer has. Streightiff cited that in long distance freight, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 28,1979—15 Walter Streightoff “every carcass has a $5 to $7.50 freight charge. You have access to abattoirs that is not enjoyed in any other part of the United States” he empabsized. You don’t have the large freight expense”. Right now, we have to sell lambs to Detroit or Chicago packers. The lambs, are then shipped back to the East Coast, skyrocketting freight costs. Streighiff suggested that several producers combine or pool lambs togehter for uniformity, equal size and quality to make up a load of at least 50. “Packers will take 50 to 200 lambs” this way, but, they must be uniform when marketed. He said that there was a ship pment of 60 pound lambs from Pennsylvania but they were discounted. “The slaughter customers were not used to handling the heavier lambs mixed in with lighter lambs.” “The slaughterer doesn’t want such a mix because he doesn’t have the customers. The retailers first rule is don’t confuse the customer, A 60 pound dressed lamb will! sell on sight through Imagine mixing, in the same store, 38 to 60 pound dressed carcasses, The customer would wdnder what it’s all about,'"especially when all the prices are the same. Even the American and imported"" price difference has consumers on guard. Sfreightiff said “I think xnarketiggjias to be one of New BanvcT herbicide 2-step overlay program... Now you can lay-by corn BEFORE it’s 5 inches high! The Banvel early lay-by program works 1 Apply pre-emergence herbicide to control grasses 2 Apply Banvel before corn is more than 5 inches Result: Banvel early lay-by'controls broadleaf weeds when weed control is most needed And you probably won t have to go back into the field till harvest l Call about the Banvel herbicide 2-_ step overlay program from Velsicol Before using any pesticide read the label pennfle d corporation 711 Rohrerslown Road Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17604 717/299-2561 your main objectives, so you can get together and market lambs in a single size.”lf you have your lambs mixed “it will discount every lamb in that pool.” Because we see the lamb prices in the paper so high “we think that’s where our lambs belong.” Streightiff suggested we follow our lambs through the dressing rail at the abattoir and see if we get tlie same picture as what we thought our lambs looked like. “Learn by comparison” he em phasized. “We have to start at the grass roots. We need all the lambs we can get. Let’s produce what we can, to the best market finish we can. Pool together and keep uniformity in the market and you’ll have more dollars in your pocket. You have to start out on a good base and follow the lambs through.” Streightiff stressed “you have to get together on the market, as well as a state, to increase production. Don’t worry about the slaughter capability because we do have slaughter capability.” Discussing feeder lambs, Streightiff said that in late August, western producers are force to market feeder and fat lambs together because grass is a limiting factor. Forty per cent need furthur feed finishing. “With forage here at that time of year, there is no reason that the dollars couldn’t be kept in the hands of the producers.” Streightoff felt these western iambs would finish off beautifully with good forage and perhaps a small grain supplement. ; It was suggested by Fred Lloyd, National Blueprint fpr Expansion Coordinator frith the Sheep Industry Development program, that if the producer is interested in shipping in western lambs, to check into the shipping cost. Lloyd felt that the feeder could do a better job of buying lambs locally. “Lambs are available in Pennsylvania but are being shipped out.” Banvel
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