LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.) Jim Sumner believes that con sumption of poultry has peaked in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean there is no room for expansion in the poultry industry. “Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers are outside of the U. 5..” said Sumner who is president of the US.A. Poultry & Egg Export Council with head quarters in Georgia. At the Producer Day held Thurs day at the Northeast Poultry Show, Sumner said, “Poultry exports have tripled in value in the last five years. Exports will support conti nual expansion if we are prepared to battle politics, to provide a qual ity product, and to make a commit ment to marketing,” he said. ‘This year’s totals are right on target to hit an all-time high of $2.6 billion,” said Sumner. Exports mean mote dollars in poultry producers pockets even if they aren’t personally involved in the export business, according to Sumner. A three percent increase in egg exports results in IS cents per dozen more for egg producers because of the increased demand. Without exports, the U.S. would have over production, according to Sumner. He reminded producers that leg quarters had been selling for 18 cents per pound and are now at S 3 cents a pound. Sumner attributes that price Cuts Mote Than Hay Cuts Tine New Idea 5209 modular disc mower conditioner designed to cut hay fast. ■ Simply designed for reliability. New Idea disc mowing system gets you out of the field fast. Glides through heavy, tough conditions. ■ Conditioning rolls gently crimp hay to speed drying. Yet, treat nutrient rich leaves gently. ■ Designed and made in America for North America's farmers and ranchers. ■ Encased disc gearbox design elimi fe- nates the need for daily fluid checks and assures consistent lubrication ttfil cvsn when cutting at extreme angles Poultry Exports Triple And increase to the overwhelming demand for leg quarters that pri marily comes from Russia, which, last year, imported 674,000 metric tons of leg quartos. Because of exports to Hong Kong, poultry producers arc being paid 45 cents a pound for chicken feet compared to only one to two cents a few years ago. “We’re setting the pace for the world,” Sumner said of the U.S.’s export expansion. The U.S. is the lowest cost producer of poultry in the world.” While some people blame the U.S. for putting Russian poultry producers out of business, Sumner refutes that by pointing out that the Russians bought their own demise upon themselves during the Com munist regime when facilites became outdated and over staffed. “We supply the lowest price protein their (Russian) money can buy. If the U.S. wasn’t supplying them, another country would be,” he said. Even if the Russians were given the money to update their coun try’s poultry industry, Sumner said that it would take at least 10 years before they could meet their own » demand for poultry. However, Sumner concedes, that it is a bit unnerving to have Russia and China as the U.S.’s largest poultry importers. Last year 60 percent of imports went to Russia and China, which are known for their volatile natures. He referred to Russia’s ban of imports from the U.S. earlier this Tit 'Hf 4 - ■ Power out plug removal system allows you to remove plugs without leaving your tractor seal. ■ Three-point flotation moves disc cutterbar in all directions to follow ground contour. ■ Ask about competitive financing plans through Agricredit Acceptance Company. A New Idea year. The ban lasted only a month despite Russian threats, but Sum ner said that a mistake on the part of this country gave the Russians an opportunity to complain about everything. Sumner explained that impro perly frozen poultry was shipped by mistake. When the meat arrived, it was spoiled. A U.S. task force of processors was immediately formed to resol ve the problem. Although Sumner said, that he isn’t a Democrat, he believes that the problem wouldn’t have been resolved as quickly if any person other than Clinton had been in office as President. It helps that Clinton is a personal friend of the poultry industry in Arkansas, he said facetiously. Sumner believes that politics plays a definite role in marketing and exporting. The trade problem with Russia showed some positive signs, according to Sumner. These included the government asking the poultry industry how to handle the problems instead of dictating what should be done. It demon strated an increased awareness of the export business upon the eco nomy. the need to take quality con trol seriously, and it made the gov ernment better negotiators. Turkey and egg exports are growing but not as quickly as broiler exports. About 60 percent of egg exports are in processed form rather than table eggs. Many countries are astounded by pow- UhcMtw Fanning, Saturday, 'SapMibar 21,' 18M-A27 During Poultry Days, Jim Sumner, right, talks about poul try exports with Poultry Federation president John Hoff man, center, and Dr. Norman Stern, who spoke about research on eliminating salmonella. dered eggs and the many egg pro ducts available. In five years, turkey exports have grown from 31,000 to 122,000 metric tons. Mexico is the number one market for turkey exports. Although the market has steadily grown, the collapse of the See Your AGCO - New Idea Dealer Listed Below. Delaware Georgetown Baxter Farms Maryland Dayton J.D. Mullinix Lineboro Wertz Farm Equipment New Jersey Bridgeton Leslie G. Fogg Shioh Farm Rite Pennsylvania Becktelsville Miller Equipment Bethel Zimmerman’s Farm Service Bloomsburg William F. 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