Too few for comfort
Farms are getting larger and
fewer. So are the firms that supply
them and the firms that buy what
those farms produce.
A tew weeks back 1 wrote about
problems m the meat packing
industry, with a handful of firms
controlling most of the market for
beef cattle in some parts of the
country. That trend is affecting
CASE ENGINEERED
FOR HIGH
PRODUCTIVITY.....
Tractor Specialist technology pays off in the field
Case is the uncomplicated tractor company. We
concentrate our resources on advanced tractor
design... and build the strongest, most depend
able and productive tractors we know how.
The models 209 h
the 2290 with 1
examples. Proc
2290 tractors n
durability and
you produce mi
and service feat
12-speed range
test
'f*
if r o
C. H. WALTZ SDKS, INC.
RDI, Cocan Station, PA
(717)435-2921
ZIMMERMAN’S
FARM SERVICE
Bethel, PA
(717)933-4114
A. L. HERR & BRO. STOUfFER BROS., INC.
312 Park Awe.
QuarryviHe. PA
(717)7*6-3521
Farm
Talk
Jerry Webb
other farm markets.
It’s especially evident on the
Delmarva peninsula, where a
system of integrated broiler
production dominates the area’s
multi-million dollar broiler in
dustry. There isn’t one flock of
broiler chickens grown on the
peninsula that isn’t involved in this
complex system that’s controlled
SShK'' '
See Your Local Case Specialist!
C.&P. FULTZ EQUIP.
RDI,
Spring Mills, PA
(814)422-8805
1066 Lincoln Way West
Chambarsburg, PA
(717)263-8424
by a handful of companies.
And that’s ui contrast to 30 years
ago "when any farmer who wanted
to grow a flock of broilers and
either sold them through the
poultry auction at Selbyvxlle or
directly to one of the many poultry
processors operating in the area at
that time.
But changes in the industry over
the past couple of decades have
ended all that. Now farmers who
want to grow broilers must first
get contracts with one of those
broiler firms. Then they’re told
how many broilers they can grow
and what they will be paid for their
efforts. In fact, the farmers don’t
even own the chickens during their
short visit on the farms.
That’s part of the integrated
system. The baby chicks are
hatched in the company hatchery,
delivered to the farm in company
trucks, fed company feed, and are
gathered up by company chicken
catchers and processed in com
pany plants.
The same thing is happening on
the supply side of farming, with
fewer and fewer firms controlling
those things that farmers need. A
few large companies produce
power shift (optional); diff lock, swing-out battery
platform, elevating hood and easy-off side panels
Comfort features like high visibility styling; easy
Case steering; optional 8-way adjustable Presi
ir optional Silent Guardian cab
dB(A)* inside.
dealer soon. Test a 2090 or
!290 on your farm for first-hand
proof that Case Tractor
Specialist technology
v £l will pay off in the
‘.■t' field, for you.
T \ JI Cat* n
1 \ * r«fmac* CWW»>
S \\ Agricultural Equipment Division
\ U 700 State Street Racine Wl 53404 USA
T&T SUPPLY, INC.
RDS, Danville, PA
(717)275-0927
2 mi. S. off Rte. 54
PEOPLES SALES & SERVICE
Oakland Mills. PA
(717)463-2735
virtually all of the farm
machinery. A handful of com
panies control the various forms of
energy that farmers must rely on.
Chemicals, so essential to modern
agriculture, are produced and sold
by fewer and fewer firms each
year.
Farm pesticides are a prime
example. Only a few companies
account for the lion’s share of the
farm pesticide business. In 1966,
the top four firms in the farm
pesticide industry accounted for
onerthird of total farm pesticide
purchases. But 10 years later, the
top four accounted for two-thirds of
the market.
Two factors are accounting for
most of this increased con
centration, according to a U.S.
Department of Agriculture
economist. Ted Eichers says rising
research and development costs
and increased government
regulations make it virtually
impossible for the small com
panies to hang on. And it’s not easy
for the big companies either. The
PAUL SHOVER’S, INC.
35 East Willow St
Carlisle, PA
(717)243-2686;
E. W. BILEWICZ
EQUIP., INC.
Elmer Rd., Rkhwood, NJ
(609)881-2692
BINKLEY & HURST BROS.
133 Rothsville Station Rd.
Lititz, PA
(717)626-4706
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 8,1981—D1l
costs of developing new pesticides
and getting and keeping label
clearance is astronomical.
Consider this: In the last decade
the number of chemical com
pounds that companies tested to
find marketable pesticide? rose
from an average of 6,500 annually
in 1970 to 84,000 in 1978. During that
same period, the average number
of new pesticides actually
registered for use fell from 10 to
only 2 per year.
Here’s another figure: In the late
1960’s the 30 leading pesticide
manufacturers were spending a
total of about 80 million dollars a
year on research and develop
ment. By the late 1970’s that figure
had increased to 290 million
dollars.
What this means, according to
Eichers, is that well established
companies with marketable
pesticides can continue to make
money while going through the
agonizing process of developing
new pesticides. But it’s virtually
(Turn to Page Dl2)
CUSTOM MADE FEED BINS
• Made of 14 Gauge Steel
• Longer Taper for Easier Flow
• All welded teams which make It water proof
and rodent proof
• Can be installed inside or outside building
• Most installations can be made without anger
WILL DELIVER AND INSTALL ANYWHERE
FOR FREE ESTIMATE CALL
BETZ’S WELDING SERVICE
717-345-4854
Home: 717-345-3212
We Sell, Service & Install
Bucket Elevators, Grain Angers, M-C Grain
Dryers, Distributors, Pipes & Accessories.
Ehrlich
gets the
jump
on fleas.
Reas teed only on blood Prior to
biting humans, they may have fed
on skunks rats or deer Fleas
don t care
Adult fleas can go two years
without a meal. but prefer to eat
often They usually bite humans on
the legs, but will tump onto beds
and chairs if given a chance This
can be more than just irritating
Fleas are among the most
notorious disease carriers in
the world
Allowed to roam your home, one
female flea will lay about 450 eggs
Get the jump on fleas before they
jump on you Call Ehriich for a free
inspection, no obligation
■ The Bug
Stops Here.
Sinrrtaza
Call Collect
717-397-3721
Lancaster, Pa.