Dairy Farmers Can ‘Niche Market * Products to World JOANNE F. MORVAY Adams Co. Correspondent CENTENNIAL (Adams Co.) Niche marketing of specific products such as premium ice cream or blended cheeses appears to be the best way for American dairy farmers to break into the world arena, said Russell C. Red ding, Pennsylvania’s deputy sec retary of agriculture. Redding, a former Adams County dairy farmer, discussed dairy export opportunities and the 1995 Farm Bill with members of the Adams County Holstein Asso ciation at its recent banquet. Redding said he expects the upcoming Farm Bill will “really throw the dairy industry to the free market.” If that happens, dairy farmers are going to have to create an export market for their product with very little help from the fed eral government and they’ll be doing it at a time when dairy far mers and processors from other nations are getting aid from their own governments to expand into the American market Redding said a New Zealand company recently expanded into Pennsylvania, purchasing a pro cessing facility here with plans to move its product through the port of Philadelphia. While the market appears satur ated to American farmers, it ap peals to New Zealand and other countries because it’s a cash market and there are proven con sumers of dairy products here. The United States has an aver age surplus of five billion pounds DANIEL'S FARM STORE 330 Glanbrook Rd. Leola, PA 717-656-6982 FISHER & THOMPSON, INC. 127 Newport Rd. Laola, PA 717-656-3307 GOOD'S STORE, INC. RD #2 East Earl, PA 717-354-4026 HUBER'S ANIMAL HEALTH SUPPLIES 810 Tulpahockan Rd. Myaratown 717-866-2246 J.B. ZIMMERMAN & SONS Dairy Dlv.-Blua Ball, PA 717-354-8030 KAUFFMAN FARM SUPPLY Ml. Plaaaanl Mills 717-539-4871 Bailavillo 717-935-2131 MARTIN KEY AID HARDWARE & ACE HARDWARE EQUIPMENT CO. 1739 W. Mab St. Rt. SOI Ephrata, PA S. of Schaatfaralown, PA 717-738-4241 717-940-8817 of milk annually, Redding pointed out To sustain profitability and survive without government sub sidy, American dairy farmers are going to have to find a market for that milk, he said. The world market is the easiest alternative, though it is not with out risks. Redding said opportunities for exporting bulk commodities seem limited because of stiff competi tion from New Zealand and Europe. But some American companies are finding international success by selling one type of dairy pro- Cooperative Leaders To UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Pennsylvania Cooperative Directors can leant more about their roles as cooperative leaders at die twelfth Director Institute being held at the Nittany Lion Inn at The Pennsylvania State Univer sity, January 17-19, 1996. The Institute is designed tp pro vide support for both new and experienced directors, offering education about communication, strategies, performance evalua tion, financial information, and a variety of other issues facing cooperative leaders. Speakers include University personnel, cooperative staff, and business leaders. In addition to the formal sessions, there is the opportunity to interact with other directors and managers, sharing concerns and challenges. TINGLEY duct. Premium ice cream has found a home in Japan, where consumers appreciate the high quality and taste of the American product, he said. The market for Mended cheeses and yogurt also offers much opportunity, Redding said. “But part of the challenge is getting (American) farmers to focus on the export market,” be said. Many processing lines are not set up to package products for overseas shipping and foreign markets. Redding said. The cost to retool the lines can be consider able and there is no guarantee of Hal Doran, Interim Institute Director, said, “Cooperatives face both rapid change and economic pressure, and the Institute gives directors the foundation they need to provide clear direction. We want to provide information that will allow cooperative directors to be positive, strong leaders.” Over 259 directors have graduated from the Institute in its 12-year history, a)ong with participation by 70 cooperative management people from throughout the Northeast. Secretary of Agriculture Charles C. Brosius, who will be a keynote speaker, encouraged directors to attend, saying, “Cooperative directors in the ’9os face critical decisions about the future of their cooperatives. They must constantly reassess their mis sion. and evaluate the services igh, yet so light-weight you'll jet you're wearing ’em. This tans less work fatigue that can ' to farm accidents. pandabla And Dur •...Tlnglay Works With You iry Stop Of Tha Way! ZIMMERMAN'S REFRIGERATION, jjARIsfESS SHOP INC. RR 2, Box 36 1122 Woodstock Rd. Martinsburg, PA Fsysttsvllis, PA 614-793-3961 717-352-2763 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dacamber 9, 1995-A2l success. But states that have aggressive ly pursued these markets Cali fornia and jurisdictions in the Midwest and the Southwest —are finding it is worth the effort “The greatest opportunity has been and continues to be in Mex ico even with the financial problems there and the devalua tion of the peso,” Redding said. Pacific Rim countries such as Japan and South American coun tries like Brazil, Argentina and Colombia also prefer U.S. dairy products. State agriculture officials Hold Director Institute they provide to their member owners. This Institute will help board members gain the insight they need to fulfill their obligations.” Before his appointment as sec retary of Agriculture by Governor Tom Ridge on March 1, 1995, Brosius served as vice-chairman of the Board of Agway, Inc. He was also a Director of Telmark. Inc. and a Director of The Agway Brown Named Director SOMERSET (Somerset Co.) —Robert Brown has accepted the county extension director posi tion for Penn State Cooperative Extension, Somerset County, effective Nov. 1. Brown has been conducting agricultural programs in Somerset FOWL'S FEED SERVICE INC. Lancaster Pika Peach Bottom, PA 717-546-2376 GERMAN FEED MILL, INC. 44 N. 3rd St., Denver, PA 717-336-5535 PIKEVILLE EQUIPMENT, INC R.D. #2 Olay, PA 610-937-6277 UMBERGER'S OF FONTANA RL 322 at Fontana 717-867-5161 WAYNE FEED SUPPLY STORE 101 N. 2nd SL Dlllaburg, PA 717-432-9623 or 1-600-342-1464 WEAVER'S STORE, INC. 1011 Dry Tavern Rd. Denver, PA 717-445-6791 W.L. STERNER, INC. 516 Frederick St. Hanover, PA 717-637-2159 remain very interested in creating an export market for Pennsylvania dairy products. Redding said. And while some might think such an effort will only benefit Pennsylvania’s dairy industry, Redding offered a sobering statis tic that illustrated how important expanding into the world market could be. Pennsylvania dairy represents about 40 percent of the state’s economy. “What happens to the dairy industry really affects what hap pens as a whole to this common wealth,” Redding said. General Agency and The Agway Insurance Company. Brosius owns and operates with his wife Jane and three sons a commercial mushroom farm in Chester County. For more information about the Institute, please call Kate Smith or Lora Zimmerman at 814-863-0644 or Hal Doran at 814-466-7294. County for the past 22 years.- Agricultural programs have focused on dairy production and management for both adults and youth. Brown has provided strong leadership to the 4-H dairy pro gram and young farmer programs. In addition. Brown has conducted many other educational programs in other areas of agriculture. Most recently. Brown has been working with other agents to con duct Dairy MAP programs that teach business management skills to farmers. He will continue to conduct agricultural programs in addition to his new assignment as county extension director. As county extension director, Brown will provide administrative and programmatic leadership to the staff of Somerset County. He has accepted this position upon the retirement of Marie L. Kieffer, former county extension director and family living agent TOWN AND COUNTRY POURED WALLS • Manure Pits • Retaining Walla • House Basements ••Toil/' • Trench Silo Walls (215) 593-5794 Ask For Ike SCHULER BULK FEED WAGON ~ ' ; vS^^^>" Handles All Feed Material ’ (Equipment Distributors) HHHH FOR OVER 75 YEARS TODD kl FARM FARM Vgg™ EQUIPMENT, i. HAGERSTOWN, MD (301) 791-0422 r?~ s V
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers