Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, August 04, 1984, Image 1
VOL 29 No. 40 Hog producers trying to form packer co-op Signing pledges to form hog producer packer co-op are, seated from left, Sterling Zimmerman, Werley’s Corner; Earl Wessner, R 2 Kutztown; and Henry Gruber, R 2 New Tripoli; standing from the left, Carl Wessner, R 2 Kutztown; Harold Handwerk, R 1 Kempton; Harry Gruber, R 1 New Tripoli; Butch Wessner, Kempton; and Herman Oteftrjgj**2 Breinigsville. 1250-sow unit under construction BY DICK ANGLESTEIN SEVEN VALLEYS - A 1,250- sow farrow-to-finish complex, believed to be the largest in Pennsylvania, is under con struction in Seven Valleys, York County. The operation, in which initial gilts and boars will be brought in late this month, will be marketing some 25,000 hogs a year when in full operation. The complex will be managed by Providing higher k Research iFroduction V Marketine AG PROGRESS FARMERS: Mark your calendar for Aug. 21-23 to visit Penn State’s outstanding agricultural extravaganza. ADVERTISERS: Next Friday, Aug. 10, is the deadline to contact us to be included in the big Ag Progress Issue on Saturday, Aug. 18. Four Sections In Seven Valleys, York County Pennfield Corporation, which now has some 7500 sows in its system of major complexes with which it is associated, according to Ray Lehr, manager of the Feed Marketing Division. The multi-million-dollar com plex will contain two large buildings connected in an “off-set - H” format. Under construction now is the first building measuring 490 feet long by 106 feet wide. It will con- For Farming Lancaster Farming, Satarday, August 4,1984 tain gestation, farrowing, pre nursery and nursere facilities. It is expecffd breeding operations will get under way about the end of August. The second will measure 594 feet long by 106 feet wide and contain grower-finishing facilities. It will be completed in time for the first hogs to be grown out and finished for market. At any one time some 12,500 hogs Pa. Food Products Month proclaimed BY SUZANNE KEENE HARRISBURG - At special ceremonies in Strawberry Square in Harrisburg Wednesday, State Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowell read Governor Thorn burgh’s proclamation designating August Pennsylvania Food Products Month. Farmers, producers, processors, grocers and restauranters throughout the state are joining to pay tribue to Pennsylvania food products during August, the traditional time for peak harvest of fruits and vegetables in Penn sylvania. Hallowell said Governor Thornburgh has set the month of August aside to recognize agriculture’s contribution to the state’s economy. Through events like the one at Stawberry Square, he said the governor hopes to make consumers realize the im portance of having a strong apiculture in the state. Hallowell noted that naming August Pennsylvania Food Products Month should help Pennsylvania products to be used to «n even greater degree. “We (Turn to Page A3O) (Turn to Page A 33) Would buy and operate A & B plant at Allentown BY DICK ANGLESTEIN WERLEY’S CORNER - An effort was launched among hog producers in several parts of Pennsylvania this week to form a packer co-op to buy and operate the idled A. and B. Packing Plant at Allentown. Spearheading the effort to enroll some 200 hog producers at $l,OOO each to get the program rolling is Henry Gruber, of R 2 New Tripoli, hog producer, buyer for A and B and well-known livestock judge. An initial meeting of hog producers was held Tuesday night at the Werley’s Corner hotel of Sterling Zimmerman - another well-known buyer and trucker in the state’s hog industry. Gruber also made additional contacts among beg industry leaders and producers in Lebanon and York counties this week. On Tuesday night a number of hog producers from the Lehigh and Berks county areas became the first farmers to purchase $l,OOO shares of common stock to provide the seed money in the effort to buy and take over the A and B plant. The effort is aimed at enrolling a minimum of 200 hog producers at $l,OOO each to provide a $200,000 fund to apply for low-interest state and federal loans to make an offer for the plant. Gruber told the approximate 30 hog producers on Tuesday night it is hoped that arrangements can be completed to make the offer for purchase as soon as possible, hopefully during the coming week. Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Penrose Hallowell enjoys a fresh mushroom from 1984 Mushroom Queen Angela DeProspero at the kick-off ceremonies for Penn sylvania Food Products Month in Harrisburg. $7.50 per Year “If you want to stay in hog production,” Gruber told the producers, “you must look over the horizon at the future of your in dustry. “There’s a real concern about maintaining packing plant capacity in Pennsylvania. “The industry needs additional capacity and competition to make your hog product a viable com modity. “We need this plant and others to make the hog business flourish in Pennsylvania. “We don’t want our business to have the problem facing beef in which there’s essentially only one packer. “But we need a sincere interest shown by hog farmers.” In addition to the initial $200,000 goal to get the acquisition ball rolling, an overall amount of $4 million to |6 million would be needed to purchase the plant, make some renovations and establish a line of credit to begin operation. Working with the hog producer group is the PACMA unit of the Pennsylvania Farmers Association to coordinate legal and loan efforts to apply for state and federal low-interest monies and a line of credit. While PFA is assisting with the acquisition effort, the plant if purchased would be run entirely by participating hog farmers through a board of directors who would (Turn to Page A 37)