Fall Conference Emphasizes Quality
DAVID BIGELOW
Training Coordinator
STATE COLLEGE (Centre
Co.) Technicians from all over
the service area of Pa. DHIA con
vened upon State College to
attend each region’s scheduled fall
conference Oct, 13-17, at the Penn
Stale Days hm from 10:30 a.m. to
S p.m.
Quality of the workmanship
Minnesota
(CondniMd from Pago A 1)
pay prices in certain areas of the
country. Senator Patrick Leahy,
Dem -Vt., called the decision a
“runaway ruling” that could jeo
pardize the incomes of dairy far
mers by effectively creating a
single milk price.
Historically, the milk pricing policy ensured
an adequate supply of fresh, wholesome milk in
areas of the country where milk production could
not keep up with consumer demand. The diffe
rentials pay producers sufficient money to cover
transportation costs when shipping their milk
into deficit areas.
“Currently, law directs the Secretary of Agri
culture to determine supply and demand condi
tions in different areas of die country and consid
er feed and other production costs when deter
mining the local market price. The federal milk
order system, before the judge’s ruling, was a
positive partnership between consumers and pro
ducers, because dairy areas with an over-supply
could bolster their prices by being paid to move
milk into areas where consumers needed it the
most,” Paul said.
Already USDA officials have gone on record
opposing Judge Doty’s ruling, and this week
political and farm leaders were commending and
supporting U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan
Glickman for saying the national ag department
will appeal the decision.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s president, Guy
Donaldson applauded Glickman for responding
quickly to a situation which has taken the dairy
industry by surpise. “Farm Bureau is very con
cerned about the immediate effect of this deci
sion on Pennsylvania dairymen, as well as for
producers across the country,” Donaldson said.
“Without putting a hold a hold on the judge’s
decision, we will be facing immediate negative
consequences for an already struggling dairy
industry in Pennsyvania.”
At the direction of Congress, the Agriculture
Department was already working on a new prog
ram and this spring offered six possible plans to
the industry. Joel Rotz, PFB’s dairy specialist,
said US DA is now in the midst of reforming and
restructuring the federal order system, including
pricing.
“We have been very involved in the process,
submitting comments and participating in an
American Farm Bureau order reform working
group,” Rotz said. “USDA is about to issue its
first proposals next month. Those proposals may
address some of the complaints raised by the
Minnesota milk producers group. Inany case, we
should not let the Minnesota judge’s decision
throw us off course toward a responsible and
carefully thought out federal order reform.”
Rotz said it’s hard to determine exactly where
milk prices would be for Pennsylvania dairymen
without the Class 1 differentials in place. The
most likely effect will be price volatility and pos
sibly a dwindling base of milk producers within
Pennsylvania’s borders.
Other officials believe the loss of dairy pro
ducers would be nationwide. Carl Baumann,
Mid-America Dairymen,lnc. president, said we
are losing an avenge of6.ooodairy farms a year.
In the past five years, nearly 25 percent of die
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was stressed throughout the prog
ram, which included select speak
ers from the staff at Pa. DHIA.
A round table discussion con
ducted by Dean Amick, director of
field operations, proved to be veiy
beneficial in addressing several
different issues. Processing update
which included the breed DHIR
rule changes were addressed by
Jim Boyer, processing manager.
Judge’s Order
nation’s dairy fanners went out ot
business either because they
couldn’t make ends meet, or they
retired tfnd the next generation
decided not to go into an industry
with such a bleak future.
“This ruling will only hasten the
demise of dairying in the United
States,” Baumann said.
Technicians received computer
cleaning and maintenance tips
from Randy Mayes, Helpdesk
worker, as well as received audit
ing tips from Gary Homan, mem
ber services supervisor.
Dave Slusser, general manager
of Pa. DHIA, gave an updated
report on the activities of Pa.
DHIA which included a financial
report
Larry Markel, director of
finance and human resources,
explained the different health
plans that are now available to the
technicians. Dixie Burris, lab
manager, reported on special
issues involving the lab as well as
answered questions.
Marketing and retention was
the emphasis placed on the pre
sentation by Tom Smith, Market
ing manager region four.
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Bigelow, training coordinator,
entitled “Welcome to California”
was viewed and ideas were shared
on different ways to service larger
herds in the Pa. DHIA service
area.
The fall conference is just one
of the many ways Pa. DHIA con-
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A great harvest begins with a great seed.
Hybrids with higher yields and resistance to
insects, herbicides and diseases are just some
of the ways we make your hard work pay off.
Real people working real hard.™
tinues to keep the technicians
abreast of changes and issues that
are taking place in the dairy
industry.
Please feel free to contact Pa.
DHIA at 1-800-344-8378 if we
can assist wilb your dairy manage
ment record system.
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