A2B-L*ncaster Farming, Saturday, Fabruary 6, 1488 ■ RCMA Begins Milk Diversion (Conllnuad from Pag* A 1) “It is clear that Farmland is working to destroy RCMA,” Wil liam Zuber, a Leßoy, N.Y., farmer who is president of RCMA, said bluntly. In response, RCMA has intensi fied its own recruitment efforts, particularly among independent producers in Pennsylvania, and begun “diverting RCMA member milk that would normally be shipped to Farmland to handlers who are repaying the RCMA prices,” Anna said. Reportedly, two truckloads of milk that formerly went to Farm land from producers in southeast ern New York were diverted both Monday and Tuesday. In addition, the 28-day notice required by Pen nsylvania regulations to shift sup plies from one dealer to another was issued by RCMA in January and will expire Feb. 7, according to Ed Jones, a dairy farmer and RCMA organizer in Wayne Coun ty, Pa. Presumably, that would clear the way for further diversions. RCMA members currently account for more than half of Farmland’s supply, Anna said. Jonas said he and other organiz ers have been on the road talking to Farmland shippers in an effort to enroll in RCMA those who are not now members and to get members ’ consent to divert their milk from Farmland. RCMA is guaranteeing members whose milk is diverted a four-month alternative market at their current prices (plus any over order premiums) and hauling rates, he said. A nine-year Farmland shipper himself, Jonas said he supports the diversion as a means of forcing the dealer to cooperate with the RCMA program, which he views as the only way of avoiding the price declines dictated by national conditions and the recent support price cut. Although Farmland is now offering its own premiums and other inducements on a selec tive basis, Jonas added, these bene fits will cease if RCMA discon tinues its efforts. Marc Goldman, the president of Farmland, declined to respond specifically to these claims in a phone conversation Wednesday. Asked why his business has been seeking dairymen with RCMA contracts, he said, “We’re an inde pendent (dairy) and we’ve always sought an independent supply of milk.” Goldman did say that RCMA’s efforts to prop up Case I prices that will otherwise decline is the wrong long-term strategy for the industry as a whole and for farmers. He attributed the small rise in Class I sales recorded nationally in the last fewyears to declining prices and increased advertising. He said far mers should continue to concen trate on quality and marketing con siderations rather than what he called “price-fixing.” RCMA’s efforts, he added, are akin to those of union members in the steel industry several years ago. In seeking higher prices for fluid milk, RCMA is making “much the same mistake that the union members made,” he said. The agency has set a price of $14.45 a hundredweight on Order 2 Class I milk in "cbruary, the same price it has had «mce Sep tember. This is 76 cents above the $13.69 federal order price. In November, before milk prices began declining, the premium was miums for both September and October milk. This week, it began sending checks for November milk at a rate of 16 cents a hundred WE REPAIR AND REWIND • Fractional HP % , 'A , % HP etc. • Larger Motors 5, 10, 20, 50 HP etc. • AC or DC • Single or Three Phase • Foreign or Domestic Motors • Staalkat and Other Poultry House Motors • Manufacture and Repair of Harvesters®* Motors and Control Panels * Not affiliated with A.O. Smith Harvestore Products, Inc. »uule4W ~ SUYMAKE* ELECTRIC * (PfnnSll «t MS MIUERSVIUE By helping the 4-H andFFA, we’re helping all of us. In the Agri-Finance Department of Hamilton Bank we finance projects for active 4 -H and FFA members That’s because we believe that helping preserve the family farm is one of the best ways to insure a better future for us all And that involves working with our young people It’s important to give them guidance, instill the proper values, and help them acquire the skills they need to be successful farmers Slaymaker Electric - MOTOR SALES AND SERVICE - • SIEMENS ALLIS • VANGUARD • 1/8 Thru 15 HP • Single and Three Phase • Farm and Industrial Duty Motors • Browning Pulleys and V-Belts FEW OF OUR SPECIALITIES: (CASTER * uj Joelle 801 l with her lamb and Jennifer Shellenberger with her steer with Darvm E Boyd Vice President and Director of the Hamilton Bank Agn Finance Department Hamilton Bank purchased these animals at the Southeast Dislnct 4 H Baby Beef and Lamb Show in November 1987 and donated them to the Lancaster County Red Rose 4 H Baby Beef and Sheep Club Banquet held at the Countiy Table Restaurant on February 4 Joelle is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Jay H 801 l R D #2 Mt Joy Jennifer is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Dale K Shellenberger R D #1 2388 Stumptown Road Bird in Hand weight. This amount is less than 48 cents for several reasons, includ ing the fact that premiums apply only to Class I milk while pay ments are made on all milk shipped by producers. However, the diffi- WE STOCK AND SELL • DAYTON • CENTURY • G.E. • LELAND FARADAY MARATHON QUALITY SERVICE REASONABLY PRICED The 4 -H and FFA are working toward these goals And so, we support their efforts If you, or someone in your family needs money for a project, stop by and see us It just might help us all. Core States Hamilton Bank Member fdic culties with Farmland also have had an impact. Anna said the pay ment rate would have exceeded 20 cents if Farmland had reached agreement with RCMA. 146 Ponn St., Washington Boro, PA Phono (717) 614-5050 After Hour* or Emergency (717) 684-5360
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers