WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. farm cooperatives’ 1979 combined business volume of nearly $56.3 billion was a record high, even though the number of cooperatives continued to decline, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture official. Randall Torgerson, ad ministrator of USDA’s Agricultural Cooperative Service, said the business volume was 29.1 percent higher than for 1977 and resulted from higher prices for many farm products marketed by cooperatives and for certain farm production supplies sold by cooperatives. He said the number of cooperatives dropped from 6,736 to 6,445 and memberships declined from 5.8 million to 5.7 million. Torgerson said beginning with this 1979 report, USDA will com pute annual figures on a calendar year basis. In the past data were collected for cooperatives’ fiscal years ending between July 1 and June 30. Figures in the 1979 report are compared with 1977 figures for three reasons: The change in reporting years caused some 1978 figures to be omitted; a new computer system allowed USDA to gather 1979 figures more quickly than those for 1978; and because 1977 is the latest year for which there are published figures. Total cooperative business volume consists of three com Sia Putcbman.- Big Dutchman cage systems are the "standard” by which all others are measured. So why not start your cage shopping with the No. 1 company in the field. We can provide "all” the components that make up a complete cage system and therefore are able to guarantee reliability, control, cost savings and one-source service. And remember, once your Big Dutchman system is completed, the competently trained staff of Hershey Equipment Company will continue to service it and provide spare parts at DISCOUNTED prices as it has been for over fifteen years. HERSHEY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, "Wi Sill THE BEST I SERVICE THE REST" of QuiUfy Systems hr Mfiy, Sme *nd Gain Hauling. Farm co-op business at record high ponents: marketing (the value of farm products sold); farm sup plies (sales of fertilizer, chemicals, fuels, feed and other inputs to members and patrons j; and receipts from related services such as trucking, storage, ginning, and drying. Marketing volume, up 29.7 percent from 1977, totaled $41.7 billion. Marketing of all farm products increased with grain, the leading farm product, stock and livestock products, up 63 percent; miscellaneous products (hay, forest products, etc.), up 56.7 percent; and fruit and vegetables, up to 37.7 percent Farm supply volume of $13.5 billion increased mainly from increased sales of petroleum products, feed and fertilizer. Petroleum products rose 52.2 percent, to $3.8 billion; feed, up 12.5 percent, to $3.2 billion; and fertilizer, up 13.5 percent, to $2.8 billion. Other supplies (small hardware items, etc.) and farm machinery and equipment both showed an increase .of 37.7 per cent; and farm chemicals went up 36.8 percent. Volume of other services related to the farm business rose to nearly $l.l billion, an 18 percent increase over 1977 volume. The leading state in combined marketing, farm supply, and related service volume handled by cooperatives was lowa with nearly $4.9 billion, or 8.6 percent of the STILL # I the Original HEY EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC. SYCAMORE IND. PARK >5 PLANE TREE DRIVE, LANCASTER, PA. 17603 (717)393-5807 Route 30 West at the Centerville Exit total. Minnesota ranked second, with nearly $4.3 billion and 7.6 percent. California followed closely with $4.2 billion and 7.5 percent. The decrease of 291 cooperatives between 1979 and 1977 reflects the continuing trend of merger, consolidation, and acquisition, Torgerson said. This decline also resulted from an intensive effort to contact cooperatives that had not HARRISBURG April 1961 egg production in Pennsylvania totaled 356 million, according to the Pennsylvania Crop Reporting Service. This was one percent above the 535 million eggs pro duced in April 1980. outsi responded during recent surreys, of U.S. farmers amp In many cases, these organizations farmers belong to two or more had been discontinued or no longer cooperatives. The 1979 mem were operating as a cooperative, bership total was down 1.2 percent he said. from 1977 membership, reflecting Minnesota continued to have the in part the continued reduction in most cooperatives with 741. Other the number of farms and farmers, states, in order, were North Minnesota bad the mn»t co-op Dakota, 431; Texas, 411; and members with 551,666. Other Wisconsin, 410. states, in order, were Wisconsin, The national membership total 347,965; lowa, 322,759; and Illinois, of 5.7 million exceeds the number -311,663. Pa. egg production up The April average of 16.4 million layers was one percent above a year ago. Egg production per 100 layers was 2,174 compared with 2,167 in April 1980. The nation’s laying flocks me on the Designed to Yoor KeedsJo Your Specificatioos” • Poie Barns • Poultry Houses • Dairy Barns • Horse Stables To help you plan your building and write your own specifications, a professional Snavely field representative is ready and willing to assist you. He can help with ,everything from selecting the site, determining the size, and drawing the plans, to selecting materials, figuring costs, and scheduling delivery. Snavely's has been doing business for over 100 years and has satisfied thousands of area farmers. And their factory fabricated panels, walls, trusses, etc. not only make erection easier and faster but also save you considerable money. For a no-charge, no-obligation consultation on your building require ments, phone, visit or mail the coupon below. w Landisville. PA 17538 150 Main Street 717/898-2241 Lancaster, KA17603 351 W. James St. 717/394-7277 laminten monbuildii Name _ Address City State Phone Number / - Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 30,19*1—A13 'luwdpa Smuely Says... Make ARM BUILDINGS • Riding Arenas • Utility Buildings • Hog Houses • Cold Storage Snavely ■ .v -M-: * *Sqns, lnc.j#:, .SINCE 1878 ted in (Type of Building) produced 5.72 billion eggs during April 1961. Less than one percent above a year ago. The numoer of layers for April averaged per 100 layers during the month was 2,018 compared with 2,023 a year ago. • Equipment Sheds • Storage Buildings • Workshops « Residences (Date) County _Zip_
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