* L A36-Lancast»r Farming! Saturday’ January 27,1990 Sire Power Gains Strength VERNON ACHENBACH, JR. Lancaster Farming Staff NEW CUMBERLAND (Cum berland Co.) The past year has seen a financial turn-around for the East Coast dairymen cooperative, Sire Power Inc., according to officials. Following a devastating 1987- fiscal year, in which the bull semen processing operation saw its first loss, officials report a 1988- rebound of some $1.3 million dollars in sales. The year ended with a net income of $427,459. The previous year, the company had shown a net deficit of $273,757. Sire Power Board President Gary Rickard said the turn-around is directly attributable to two changes in business; reducing the amount of surplus inventory and a large increase in overseas sales. Futhermore, expense only rose .025 percent, keeping the profit margin in the black. Rickard said that, while the financial turnaround should be applauded, “ ... we need to be concerned to a degree . .'. ” about the heavy reliance on sales CHOOSE BROCK MORE /O OFF THAN 1/3 LIST 1 7 w PRICE ...and get a Com | Yes, I want to know more about Brock Bins & about your other i I grain handling services. I understand there Is no obligation to I I buy. I i l (NAME I | ADDRESS, j CITY I PHONI »__ _ _ _ ________ __ __ __» _ ______ __ ___ _ _ _ .«_ BROCK. Mako BROCK your tint cholca CALL: 717-432-9738 VWB 301-429-8960 “Grain drying, storage A/nPM and processing the ||7|—l ( 11/1/ agri-industry trusts” T“TsJ|QJ 1248 SOUTH MOUNTAIN RD. • DILL! overseas. Adding to his concern, Rickard said sales within the four-state Sire Power membership area dimin ished 3.5 percent Overseas sales increased 19 percent. Rickard said members should be concerned about the ever-decreasing cow population within the United States which would directly affect demand for the semen. Rickard also cautioned that, while overseas sales were good last year and brought the coopera tive out of the red, depending too much on a potentially-unstable foreign market to maintain a cost effective operation could result in trouble. Especially, he said, if trade relations, political changes, or dairy cattle improvements over seas, decrease demand for Ameri can bull genetics. According to figures provided, part of the reason for the loss of income in the previous year was due to overprocessing of semen in relation to sales. This past year, management emphasis was placed on trying to more closely match supply with demand; thus, the overall number of semen units pro cessed was down, but the number ain Bin Only BROCK offers you 18 needed features as standard equipment all extra-cost options on other brands, if available at all These give you first-rate bin quality for unsurpassed crop security for top returns from your gram Examples our unique Latch- Lock Bin Door (see at left) Grade #8 2 bolts throughout for added strength . super strength roof for durability See us now for other features that make BROCK Bins your best buy. And get a free quote. ST. of units sold broke records, official said. Also shown was a decrease in the number of first-time services and an increase in follow-up service. Rickard said that earlier projec tions that foreign sales would probably decrease soon have change toward optimism. “With changes in communist bloc coun tries, (foreign sale are) not as cer tain to decrease,” he said. “It will take awhile to develop those markets.” Also announced was the startup of a computerized cow-mating ser vice that officials said “without a doubt” will revolutionize breeding programs. According to Dwayne Kutz, manager of Sire Power, specifica tions of about 36,000 cows are included on the computer program already. Two-thirds of the cows are now being done with computer mating. Sales and service representives said the program works by work ing out each dairyman’s require ments for his herd and with the computer information on each of the cows, matching up suitable lete “LET S TALK ABOUT IT!” IBURG, PA 17019 ANIMAL RIGHTISTS HIT PENNSYLVANIA FAIRS Pennsylvania and New Jersey producer William Gostkowski reported to the American Sheep Industry Association that animal rights advocates approached youngsters at county fairs in that area with anti livestock materials and photographs. ‘They dispersed and talked to children about rais ing animals for slaughter, telling sSBO# M O VIN G We offer solid prices and uncompromising service as the oldest Deutz/Deutz- Ailis dealership in south central Pennsylvania. * DEUTZ - ALLIS FUEL LINE * DEUTZ ENGINES * PARTS & SERVICE * KARCHER PRESSURE WASHERS HOLTRY’S WELDING & REPAIR SERVICE Roxbury, Pennsylvania 17251 Franklin Co. (717) 532-7261 532-7954 Located at the Junction of Rts. 641 & 997 Sire Power Inc. President Gary Rickard (right) presents a plaque of appreciation to outgoing director Marlin Hoff. bull semen to turn the future herd into what each dairyman requires. In other business, the board of directors was confirmed by mem bership. All except one director has retained a seat. Directors are: Gary Rickard; Stanly Dunn Jr., West Virginia; William Terhune, of New Jersey; Richard Remsburg, of Maryland; John Epler, North /n/ /A/ Umberland; Frank Gromlich, Hamburg; Clifford Sands, Tunk hannock; Ralph Shank Sr., Hager stown, Md.; and newly-appointed Arthur Rhoderick, of Maryland. Rhoderick replaced Marlin Hoff, who resigned his position because of a scheduling conflict with a position he has with the Holstein Association. them they should keep their sheep as pets,” he said. To combat the negative impact, producers talked to the 4-H members about realistic aspects of livestock production practices and benefits to the American public. This year, Gost kowski said, they are planning ahead to provide educational dis plays on production for the gener al public and will prepare their young 4-H members in advance to avoid negative reaction. Large quantities of oil # in stock |]J NOW 19 *>«S£>o 90 DEUTZ ALUS
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