New dairy group stresses higher standards BY ROBIN PHILLIPS Staff Correspondent HAMBURG The idea was voiced several times last summer. “We need a joint organization of owners of “high solids” breeds of dairy cattle so that we can work together on some of our problems,” was a statement frequently made at Southeastern Pa. fairs and shows when breeders got together. Recently, Dr. Robert Dreisbach, R 3 Hamburg; William Zollers, R 2, Mertztown; and Robert Smith, Rl, Annville, met and initiated the first organizational meeting with breeders of Holstein, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Jersey cattle. With no official name yet, the joint organization met at the Indian Fort Inn, Hamburg, on Wednesday, April 25th. Thirty-eight breeders from Berks and Lebanon counties at tended. Pleased with the interest shown, Dreisbach, a Jersey breeder, opened the dinner meeting with introductions around the room. 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It is an excellent product,” Crews stated. “If we’d raise our standards to those of California, we’d use 500 million pounds of powder a year.” The biggest opponent to higher standards are the milk processors, according to Crews. Saying that it will raise the price to consumers, the processors do not want to test the results of a better bottle of milk. According to Crews, it has been proven that raising the standards will increase sales. He stated that one processors has revealed that since he raised the solids not fat in his product there has been a steady growth in sales. “SNF affects the taste buds three times as much as butterfat,” Crews told breeders. Fifty-nine percent of milk samples taken from grocery shelves do not meet the minimum standards, according to Crews. Currently at 8.25% in Penn sylvania, the SNF percentage in milk is below what is naturally produced. “There’s not a breed of cows or goats that has an average of 8.25%, they’re all higher,” Crews stated. “The national average is 8.6%.’’ “It doesn’t make any difference what breed of cows you have. I don’t draw the line at any breed,” Crews continued. “If you have a feeding program and a breeding program that makes a better product, this will help the problem,” he said. With Holsteins producing 90% of the milk, Crews added, “we need the support erf those people.” “I’m afraid too many of us have let others do our thinking for us,” he stated. He avidly encouraged each breeder to write their congressmen about these problems and push for legislation for higher standards and end product pricing. “I’m fearful that the next move in congress is going to be one that hurts pretty bad,” he continued. “If there is not a bill pending in Pennsylvania, there ought to be, We owe it to our selves.” “Get the bills in troduced,” he told the dairy far mers. We must get somebody’s attention and push for a uniform, better tasting product. Crews repeated throughout the evening. Crews spoke to breeders on the renewed “push” of the American Jersey Cattle Club to implement higher standards of milk and a component pricing system %% v!t nationwide. There are several bills supporting higher standards in the legislature now Boxer HR 3178 and Harkin HE 4441, which he urged breeders to support. Following the talk from Crews, Dr. Dreisbach initiated the elec tion of officers. Bill ZoUers, R 2 Mertztown, was elected president with Robin Phillips, R 1 Mohrsville, vice president and Robert Smith, R 1 Annville, secretary-treasurer. A committee of directors with each breed represented was also selected. They are: Heather Hemley, R 2 Lebanon - Ayrshire; Clarence Mase, Lebanon - Brown Swiss; Carol Hollenbach, R 1 Bernville - Guernsey; David Bitler, Fleetwood - Holstein; Gary Kurtz, Fleetwood - Jersey; and Phyllis Yoder, Shoemakersville - Milking Shorthorn. Bill Toilers concluded the meeting by asking breeders to think of a name for the organization. “We will begin with Lebanon and Berks (counties) and try to extend to southeastern Pennsylvania,’’ he stated of the new association. The possibility of a future calf sale of all the colored breeds to be made available for 4- Hers looking for project animals was also discussed. Any breeder wanting more in formation on the new organization and the next meeting date should contact Bill Toilers, R 2 Mertztown. PROWL*. 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