DlB-Lancaster Farming Saturday, December 2,1989 CHICAGO, IL Farmers expect a high-quality product when they purchase seed. They also place a great deal of impor tance on the range of services and information seed dealers provide. Many seed dealers offer services such as providing a weigh-wagon Stockholder Capital Returned By Keystone Farm Credit SHOEMAKERSVILLE. PA Keystone Farm Credit, ACA has returned more than $2,895 to elig ible stockholder/members as part of its Capitalization Plan. This announcement was made by Bruce Hoffman, Chief Financial Officer of the cooperative. The Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 provided Farm Credit associations with the option of operating on a lower base of member-owned cap ital than in the past Because of this legislation. Keystone’s required member capital invest ment in the association is now equal to 2 percent of a members’ total outstanding loan balance or $l,OOO (whichever is less.) Prior to the legislation and the forma tion of Keystone, a member’s cap ital requirement was equal to 5 percent of any outstanding loan balance. One of the first actions of Keystone’s Board of Directors was the adoption of the Capitali zation Plan, which will within five years, retire excess stock. Excess stock is considered to be the dif ference between 5 percent of all of a member's outstanding loan balances and 2 percent of the aggregate of a member’s outstand ing loan balances. In the first phase of the stock retirement, 3,161 eligible stockholder/ members in Keystone’s nine branches received the financial benefits of the Plan. Keystone Farm Credit, ACA isone of 16 ACA (Agricultural Credit Associations) in the Balti more District which serves Penn- We Specialize In Aerial Work Uainf Our Twin Bucket Boom Truck /gP ELECTRICAL \ Extends / CONTRACTING \ 5Ft I Specializing In \ \ / AGRICULTURAL I J WIRING I Also Residential. Industrial J tAnd Commercial Work / Free Estimates We Have Poles In Stock -25.30.35-445' KEN CLUGSTON (717) 665-6775 CRAFT-BILT CONSTRUCTION INC. FARM-HOME BUILDING 1242 Breneman Road MANHEIM, PA. 17545 PH: (717) 665-4372 BUILDING & REMODELING FOR DAIRY . RESIDENTIAL SWINE POL'E BUILDINGS BEEF - STORAGE Seed Dealers Describe Customer-Service Needs to help measure yields, delivering seed directly to farmers and walk ing fields to assess crop condi tions, in order to sell more seed in a competitive marketplace. The importance of service and information in the seed business was highlighted recently when sylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico with agricultural financing, rural property loans and other farm related financial services. The nationwide Farm Credit System is the leading agricultural lender in the country. C. M. HIGH CO. 320 King St Mycratown, PA 270C7 rtwo. 717-WC-7M4 more than 800 top DeKalb-Pfizer dealers were surveyed during the company’s annual “Winner’s Circle” event The dealers, recog nized for outstanding sales in their districts, and their spouses, gathered in Chicago for a weekend of information exchange. On the survey, dealers were asked to respond to a series of activities and policies and outline their impact on dealers’ sales efforts. More than 90 percent of the dealers surveyed rated these factors as somewhat or very important in seed sales: * outstanding product performance; * dealer knowledge of seed products; * providing agronomic infor mation and support; * company product literature; * company-sponsored plot trials and results; * knowing customer needs and PENNING BCB Equipment has a full line of heavy duty Penning for pre-nursery to grower and finishing stages. Except for the pre-nursery model, all styles are constructed using l-5/16”x.l00 tubing top and bottom, securely welded to insure confinement while access to the pens is quick and easy by just removing a gate pin. All Pen ning is compatable with BCB stainless steel feeders and is available black, painted or galvanized. FEATURES • Stainless steel construction • Safety-rolled edges • Deep trough design • 2” feed saving lip ' • Sloped floor for full feed distribution • Adjustable feed gate • Optional crank control • Anti-slip rubber feet • Nursery and finishing styles • 30 models to choose from Bhey equipment COMPANY, INC. Pifijnin if Qiillty Syttmi fir Pmltry, Swku ini Grain Kindling order potential; * quantity and early-payment discounts; * dealer training; * deliver seed to customers; * walking fields with customers. Dealers emphasized the impor tance customers place on informa tion about the characteristics of seed varieties, such as drought tolerance, standability, drydown rate, early emergence and local yield-trial results. In response to the question, “What do your customers expect from their seed dealer?”, the majority of DeKalb-Pfizer dealers listed good service, honesty and product guarantees. Dealers also were asked what they do that dif fers from other dealers to make their dealership successful. The most common responses included sponsoring a test plot and field day, spending time with each cus tomer every year and making each & DRY FEEDERS FEATURES • Full range of sizes available • Heavy duty 1-5/16” round tubing frame • Top quality welding • Fast and easy access with gate pins • Compatible with BCB stainless steel feeders • Available black, painted or galvanized. £®4. l f ■^*-X SYCAMORE IND. PARK 255 PUNE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA 17603 (717)393-5807 customer feel important. The dealers also believe cus tomer service will play an even greater role in the future of their businesses. When asked what plan to change about their ship next year in response to a dynamic marketplace, DeKalb- Pfizcr dealers indicated they will deliver more seed personally, write and distribute newsletters to customers and purchase weigh wagons to help customers mea sure yields. During the next five years to 10 years, dealers anticipate offering customers services such as computerized-information link ages between seed dealerships and farms, more information on the oil, protein and nutritional content of seed varieties, pesticide and fer tilizer recommendations tailored to each variety and improved methods of matching varieties to the conditions on each customer’s farm Route 30 West at the Centerville Exit. €