Firm’s largest mix mill expands , welcomes visitors Lancaster County Poultry Queen Heidi Miller listens as Richard Moore ex plains the operations at Purina's quality control lab. Working in the laboratory is Joan Rentzel. REVERSE CAGE LAYER SYSTEM ★ MINIMIZES FEED WASTE Not only the physical shape of the feed trough, but the operation of the feeder has been engineered to reduce feed waste. The trough shape cuts down on feed loss from “raking” and “billing,” while the feeder has been specifically designed for Chore-Time’s programmed and performance feeding concept. ★ LET US SHOW YOU A REVERSE CAGE SYSTEM IN OPERATION AGRI- cattle HOG - POULTRY EQUIPMENT R.D. 4, EPHRA7A, PA. 17522 PH: 717-354-4271 STORE HOURS: Mon.-Frl. 7:30 to 5:30; Sat.7:3o to 12:00 SERVING PA, N.J. AND N.Y. 1? ★ LESS BIRD STRESS EQUIPMENT,me. jy — W. r n i SHIREMANSTOWN - Who would believe that Ralston Purina’s largest feed mixing plant in the United States is located right here in Pennsylvania and not m a large hog producmg mid-western state? The feed mixing plant is a large mill that grinds, mixes, and formulates pellets for over a hundred different feeds for =cows, horses, hogs, chickens, turkeys, dogs and rabbits. On Thursday, Lancaster County Poultry Queen Heidi Miller, and Alternate Debbie Herr toured the recently expanded Purina facility The complex, which boasts computerized feed for mulation in addition to its 50,000 square feet of warehouse space, has served southcentral Pennsylvania since 1954. Earlier in the month, Ife The system has been design ed for bird comfort! Each bird has her place at the feed trough. Each has easy access to water Obstruction to light and the flow of air have been greatly reduced, providing more uniform ventilation and lighting for every bird Com bined with Chore-Time's auto matically controlled air mlettmg system, you get a layer house environment designed for bird comfort and the resulting better production CLOSED Sat., Aug. 30 Mon., Sept. 1 AGRI-EQUIPMENT INC., OFFERS COMPLETE • SALES • INSTALLATION • SERVICE Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 30,1980-A23 Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowell, Commerce Secretary Geoffrey Stengel, and Ag Planning, Research and Development Director Dan Cook also toured the facility which showed its faith in Pennsylvania agriculture by expanding. Ralston Purina Director of Operations John Zerbe told the state officials that central Pennsylvania is the fastest growing livestock and poultry area in the country. Both livestock and poultry need large amounts of feed grains. He added that Ralston Purina recently increased their plant capacity by 50 percent and that anticipated demand for their feed products in the 1980’s will force them to expand again in the near future. Zerbe explained rising transportation costs are forcing poultry and hog producers to move their facilities closer to their markets. “We expect to see more and more of these industries expanding in Pennsylvania. It is cheaper to produce eggs, chickens, turkeys and hogs in Pennsylvania and ship them a short distance to the large east coast markets than to raise them in the south or mid-west and ship them hundreds of thousands of miles to market,” said Zerbe. “The cost of shipping a dozen eggs from Florida to the north has risen from two cents to over nine cents a dozen. Sells most manure spreaders Jay Meyers, second from right, is congratulated by New Idea’s Tom Cooper for selling the most manure spreaders for the firm’s Eastern Region. Meyers owns Meyers Implements, Inc., Green castle. Looking on are Meyers’ son Kevin, left, and New Idea’s Charlie Bowers. “It is encouraging to see private industry investing large amounts of money in Pennsylvania due to agricultural growth,” said Hallowell. “Secretary Stengel and I are offering our assistance in cutting red tape and providing in formation on development loans for any future ex pansion that Ralston Purina may pursue in Penn sylvania. “Economic development is Governor Thornburgh’s number one priority. Ex pansion not only creates reliable jobs at the plant but increases job opportunities for truck drivers, salesman, warehouseman, stock boys and other jobs at local distributors of the feeds. Plant expansion also creates more jobs on the farm. Most of the grain used at the Shiremanstown plant is purchased from Penn sylvania farmers. As Ralston Purina expands so will reliable market op portunities for Pennsyvlania grains.” When asked why Ralston Purina is so bullish on plant expansion in Pennsylvania, Zerbe proudly replied that July was the 36th straight month that the Shireman stown plant shipped record volumes of feed. About 150 to 200 trucks load processed feeds or unload grains 24 hours around the clock at the mill. “This can be a pretty busy place at five in the mor ning,” said Zerbe.
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