AlB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 12,1982 Farm groups react to “no” vote HARRISBURG ~ Wednesday was full of shocks and surprises for many farm orgamzatons and dairy leaders as they learned the final decision made by farmers in rejecting for the third tune in several years a milk marketing program in Pennsylvania Just minutes after Secretary of Agriculture Penrose Hallowed made the public announcement that the milk referendum was defeated, State Grange spokesperson Linda Blake con fessed that the news was “gravely disappointing ” This was something we worked very hard for,” she explained, referring to the time spent by the state’s oldest farm organization in helping to develop and promote the proposed milk marketing program. Speaking for Pennsylvania Dairy farmers say “no” (Continued from Page Al) dairy farmers are in fact very “Based on the information they interested in the dairy marketing had, farmers felt it was not situation.” financially the tune or that they In giving reasons why the far mers rejected the milk marketing program, Hallowell cited current economic conditions which are of grave concern to dairy producers. “The promotion program would have been a long-range benefit. It probably could not have turned things around in a month or two. Fanners may be looking at the short-range problem of the need for dollars and putting off in hopmg that something else will happen to help the long-range situation,” he explained. He also listed the proposed national milk marketing referendum as being a factor. "Many farmers expressed concern about our money m Pennsylvania supporting dairy products from other states and other countnes,” Hallowell remarked. Hallowell noted more fanners are opting out of the established federal milk marketing program and requesting a refund of their contributions which he said in dicates their concern about being able to pay their farm bills and stretching their milk checks. One other negative factor Hallowell attnbuted to influencing the dairy farmers’ votes was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture John Block’s May 5 announcement of proposed legislation that “could conceivably, dramatically change the position of the U.S. (dairy price) support program.” ORGAN GRINDER If you're vacuum pump sounds like one, call us for our —JUNE SPECIAL — Direct Drlva Vacuum Rump CFM's From 85 to 130 Models (FR-3A)(FR-4A> CFM'sfromAOto 150 SHENK'S FARM SERVICE 501 E Woods Drive. Bo* 225 Lititz, PA 17543 Ph 1(717)626-1151 — L - ' J I 1 » I * ( ! i » t i n U I 11 vv,».t».i 1, K» ♦’» > Tf ? f * •»»»»* 1 Farmers’ Association president Keith Eckel, spokesman Wilson Smeltz expressed PFA's ‘ profound disappointment” with the rejection vote He shared Eckel’s belief that evidently many dairymen still don’t think the challenges of declining fluid sales, increasing competition, imitation products and imports are as urgent as our organization’s leaders believe However these challenges must still be met and our organization will continue to search for ways to improve the economic position of Penn sylvania’s danymen ” However, one farm organization’s representative expressed his group’s pleasure with the voting results James Graci of the Pennsylvania Far mers’ Union said he “looks at the (referendum’s defeat) as a big had the ability to make that con tribution at this tune,” Hallowell observed. The secretary did not consider the fact that the proposed milk marketing program was limited to generic advertising as a significant reason for its defeat. “Farmers were uncertain of the results of any advertising,” he said, pointing out that milk con sumption has dropped despite federal generic and cooperative brand advertising. “There was not a strong belief that the promotion dollar would buy a dollar and ten cents back.” Hallowell pledged his depart ment’s continuing efforts to work with the dairy industry to seek alternatives and solutions to the problems of increased production and decreased consumption of milk products. He announced he will be calling a meeting of the state’s dairy leaders within the next few weeks. Will there be another attempt at a milk marketing referendum? According to Hallowell, no one within the dairy industry has requested it. However, he in dicated that if the request for another referendum was made, it would not necessarily mean it too would be doomed to failure. He added once the national programs are “settled down” and farmers have “more stability,” it may be appropriate to try again. i M i s CFM's from 40 to 130 1 Usad DaLavol Vac. Pump 78 - Ex. cond. CFM From 100 to 185 victory for Farmers’ Union •There were two sides to the story in this dairy referendum,” said Graci “Farmers’ Union presented farmers with the other side and created conversation ” Graci noted that the real victory was won by the individual farmers who voted “no” on the milk tax question Reasons why the referendum was voted down, said Graci, included the fact that the tmmtnmntin BOTTOM 3 Yaar Warranty Ask Your Cow - She'll Tell You The Difference! I —-Please Clip i Mail Coupon to 1 nrilll niITOU S PENN DUTCH FARM SYSTEMS, INC. LF6/12 I rtnn UUlun I a . aA | □ Huh Moisture Com □ or »n, Staff FARM SYSTEMS, INC.! 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Here in Pennsylvania, Graci said, PFM plans to work toward gettmg rid M bloc voting on future referendums And, he added, the organization will ‘attempt to change the present law that says money can’t be checked back to co-ops foi brand advertising.” Despite PFU’s aggressive stand against the referendum, Graci admitted he was only “cautious!} (Turn to Page A 26) FLIP THE LEVER AND GO FROM OPEN SPREAD TO INJECTION That's right When you buy a liquid manure tanker with an injection system from US Farm Systems of Penn sylvama. you get some very unique features A blower type pump forces the heavy slurry up and out over the tanker against a special spread battle That gives you an excellent open spread pattern to properly cover your fields Or Flip the lever and the slurry is fed into the ground just where you want it In addition, the injecting chisels pull from the axle for great strength So, before you buy any liquid manure tanker, take a look at this new equipment that let's you flip a lever and go from open spread to injection Write US Farm Systems of Pennsylvania, 3053 Barren Road, Oxford, PA 19363. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers