C2-UnOf*t*r Firmilig, SMimlfty, May 23,1987 > CAMP HILL American eating habits are going through a tran sition. That change is rooted almost in an obsession for “healthy food.’’ A significant percentage of consumers -have concerns about fat and cholesterol in their diets. Health oriented groups and organizations are encouraging the consumption of high-fiber and low fat foods, such as fruits and vegetables. Americans are eating less red meat and more chicken, turkey and to a lesser degree, fish. Since 1979, nearly a 30 percent decrease in the price of Choice beef at retail has been required to move a constant per capita supply of beef into consumption. In spite of the increased demands for meats in fast foods, the grocery store sales of beef continue to decline. Poultry is now experiencing an upsurge in popularity. Poultry prices have been relatively stable even with the increased demand, making it a good buy at the checkout. Red meat experts predict that poultry consumption will out-pace red meat before the end of 1987. Increased demands for fish are being seen as the news media continues to tell consumers how fish oils, rich in unsaturated fats called omega-3 fatty acids, can lower the likelihood of heart disease. The market price of seafood continues to rise and quantities continue to be scarce. Oceans and other large bodies of water fight man-made pollutants. Commercial fish markets are unable to keep up with the demands. What does all this mean for livestock farmers? Experts say that regardless of the availability of red meats, and regardless of the continuing low retail prices for meat, the American consumer is calling for change. But the pressure for change in the 1980 s is too intense for cattle and hog producers to meet the challenge. There is not enough technology, VZ FS-51 AVE GRASS TRIMMER • Auto Cut Head • Powerful Gas Engine • Anti Vibration • Electronic Ignition • Clutch A & B SALES & SERVICE 2 Miles South of Rt 23Ak>n*772 Thru Monterey RO 1 Ronks PA HOLLINGER'S LAWN & GARDEN EQUIP* Ephrata PA 717 738 1131 Hershey PA 717 533 4060 Lancaster PA 717 656 2710 SHARTLESVILLE FARM SERVICE RDfl Box 1392 Hamburg PA Phone 215-486 1025 STIHL NUMBER ONE WORLDWIDE nor has enough effort been placed into product development. Unfortunately, there will be cattle and hog producers forced out of business. Farmers cannot continue to take low prices at the market with the hopes of changing the consumer trends. Poultry producers, not burdened by the several months feeding and growth periods as in beef and hog production, have already begun to adapt to consumer demands as rapidly as possible. One thing is certain, there must be more research on consumer and consumption patterns and why they are changing. There must also be extensive research on developing new products or restructuring current problems. And most importantly, producers will need to breed and raise meat products that are lean on the hoof. It can no longer be the processors’ responsibility to “trim the fat.” All the solutions to the livestock in dustry’s problem have to be built on a base of understanding the changing consumer and how to get that consumer to buy a product. Probably just as important is the need to have significant progress in product development. In recent years, the consumer has changed in many ways, but there have been few changes in the products offered in the super markets. In an era when more than 50 percent of households have microwaves, we are just now seeing research and market testing of pre-cooked beef and pork products that will work in the microwave. For whatever reason, the packers have not been aggressive in this area and the retailers have not been overly concerned. We have seen other industries remove products from the market because they just did not sell. Yet, meat producers continue to sell the same products, in the same form, as they did fifty years ago. One can only look to others which STIHL tk FS-65 AVR^W« t^«il|]r| Brush cutter • Powerful Gas Engine • Tackles Grass & Weeds with Ease • AV System v • Electronic Ignition • FS-65 AVE Bike Handle SEE YOUR STIHL DEALER NOW GAP POWER EQUIPMENT MARTIN HARDWARE & EQUIPMENT CO. Rt 5011'/} Miles South of Schaetterstown PA Phone 717-949-6817 EBLING LAWN & GARDEN SERVICE Are We Corner of Rt 301 Rt 897 Gap PA Phone 717-442 8970 698 E Lincoln Ave Myerstown. PA 717 866-6720 TAKE ME HOME TOQfff =STIHL- mmsTiHi c*fon cAßomm WTTH SfH'S MSTANT CREDIT The Farmers 9 View Ready For Change? have changed to meet the needs of the consumer. For example, the soybean industry research developed meat extenders, ar tificial dairy products, etc. The vegetable growers have consumers eating vegetables that their grandparents had never even heard of, much less tasted, and they have enterprising farmers raising these products on a year round basis, in controlled en vironments. Obviously, if any one sector is to pressure for extensive research and product development, it is going to have to be the producers themselves. We need products that recognize the concerns over fat and cholesterol. We need products available in a variety of packages and products tailored to the socio economic and dietary profile of the consumer in a particular market area. A MSS- i -s < V^'- THE SERIOUS TRACTOR FOR | *Ta | LAWN/GARDEN V Pi £* Ar / CHORES VENTILATION K X FANS Sizes Available: 12” CFM’s 1050 20” CFM’s 3575 Reg 199 95 SALE $79.95 Reg $169 95 SALE $139.95 16” CFM’s 2175 24” CFM’s 6125 Reg $144 95 SALE $115.95 Reg $229 95 SALE $189.95 We Also Handle Fiberglass, Stainless Steel, Galvanized & Polyethylene Fans, Sizes From 12” to 54” MODERN AG STAINLESS STEEL FEEDERS All Sizes Available • Pre-Nursery • Grower • Nursery • Finishing TRUCKLOADSALE WOVEN WIRE 3 &5 Gauge Sizes: 4xB 5x7 Flattop Up To 10 Year Warranty We must recognize that we are trying to make up for lost time. It will be imperative that we be willing to invest sufficient capital and commitment to this end. Additionally, sufficient funds will be necessary to assure brand name promotion. While there are those who would argue for generic ad vertising, name identification for a brand, particularly if there is something different about the product, creates a strong loyalty with some consumers. An ad vertising campaign for pork or beef would not tell the consumer that this is a new or updated f ? HS^i V'/sT*} ■ -at Galvanized Vertical Belt-Drive Ag Fans Model 3C615 Fan: 36” blade dia gal- vMpa, vanized frame and i ' blade * i 1 Motor HP, 1725 I *, » " RPM, 115/230V ll ■ w V r TENV enclosure, | 4’ J ball bearing, spbt * / phase, automatic thermal protection, rigid mounting 35.. w/ v 2 H .P. Motor base Reg. $249.95 Shutters Anihble $199.95 100% Welded Construction NIPPLE WATERERS Monoflo 3/8”.. $3.99 3/8" . $1.99 1/2” . $4.59 1/2” $2.29 3/4” . $5.99 ■ n r LANCASTER FARMING FOR COMPLETE AND UP-TO-DATE MARKET REPORTS POWER KING... Sg ■ 12,14 or 18 hp Kohler engines ■ Automotive type drive components ■ Up to 300 lbs more working weight ■ Up to 18" ground clearance ■ Smooth no-clutch dual-control dual-range hydrostatic drive Or power saving all-gear drive ■ Rust-free fiberglass hood and body ■ Husky attachments for mowing snowblowing dozing tilling and more Sr**^ rM LAWN & GARDEN Myerstown, Pa. - Rt. 422 East of Myerstown Across From Dutchway 717-866-6720 or 866-5018 ROUND FEEDERS 1800 Lb Capacity ROTARY HOG FEEDERS * iriflT B P$ OURN-CASY INCINERATOR ruf j in-ta > v.av nm uhißsumif DfaLi ammais Model 18 4’x2o” Diam. Reg. |795 Sting 4 Sale product. The emphasis must be placed on nutritional value, ease of preparation and availability on a continuous basis. Whatever the product and, no matter how intensely it is ad vertised, the consumer will make the final decision. Will we be ready for that? Tht Fanners' View is a column that is compiled by the Public Relations Division of the Pennsylvania Farmers’Association IPFAj. It expresses the views of PFA’s policy positions on key issues as adopted by the organization's 23,443 family members. READ ECONOMY EBLING'S Reg $369 95 sale $319.95 -v rT 'C>- Stainless Steel 275 Lbs. Reg. $219.95 SALE $179*95 ;l 24” Circular L Fan Q . w/Grill, J - Motor, BRM 7, ik.. Switch & Plug SALE sale $99.99 Two Sizes Available Model 30 6’x3o” Diam. Reg. $995 1 $895 w/oil Burner >99 w/Oil Burner I Sale *. j % Reg. $129.99
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers