Dl2—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 3,1980 Triplicate For the third consecutive month you gave yourself a blend price in Order 2 so nearly the same that it almost looks like you don’t want to get any more money for your milk. Even though Class I prices have improved nine cents in those three months and Class II prices have remained very nearly the * * M Youth attending the State Capital 4-H days were; Joe Angelo, Gwynedd Valley; 4-H Coordinator, Nancy Kadwill, Collegeville; Jeanne Underland, Philadelphia and Beverly Jones, Collegeville. Back row: State 4-H Program Director, Maurice Kramer; David Anderson, Hendricks; and Coleen Kinsky, Lansdale. same, you always increase production just enough to wipe out the different and wind up with the same blend price. It was $12.25 in December and January and now it’s $12,24 for February. Allowing for the 29 days in February you still jumped your average daily production by 700,000 over January to drop your Class I utilization to a new low in Order 2 of 45.8 per cent the worst for any February in the last 30 years. If that’s a sample of what you have planned for this Spring you may beat your all time record low of 38.6 per cent made last April during the New York Teamsters Union strike. Your Class I sales have stayed the same during this period, around 13 million pounds a day, but your increasing production in the last three months, a total of 2.6 million pounds a day, has dropped your Class I utilization from 51.2 to 45.8 per cent. Of course, all this isn’t necessarily bad. If you feel you’re making money at these pnces, and from the increasing production most dairymen must feel that they are, then produce all you can. However, just be sure that your operation is on sound financial ground or you may be digging your grave with a feed scoop. Certainly, handlers and some co-ops are looking for more milk. But their reasons for wanting more may be different from your reasons for producing more. And it isn’t only an Order 2 problem. Production is increasing nationally at a rate that may put you, this year, within two billion pounds of the all time record made 16 years ago. It’s causing industry-wide concern and meetings are already being held to decide how to handle the problem if the flood develops as ex pected with the coming of Spnng. ~~«a ~ Today, wherever modernization with Free Stall Housing provides a very satisfactory day-to-day operation, Rigidply Laminated Rafters are the preferred choice. They provide much more space for the money plus fast, economical erection. Proper ventilation is provided without fans, pre venting condensation and helping reduce odors. Sunlight and ventilation combine to provide a de sirable working environment, heat and light for winter months and a healthy place for animals.
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