SENECA FALLS. N.Y. 1998 was a period of continuing growth for United Ag Services, according to Robert Nichols, United Ag president, during a re cent annual meeting in Seneca Falls, N.Y. United Ag Services is a federa tion of dairy cooperatives that pro vides management, marketing, ac counting, administrative report ing, and employee and producer payroll to the member coopera tives. The federation also makes these services available to other small to medium size businesses both agri cultural and non-agricultural. United also provides these ser vices to individual farmers to help them better manage their busi nesses. Member cooperatives are located in New Yoik and Pennsyl- PRICES!! SUPER TOUGH STEEL BUILDINGS Factory Direct 800/825-5059 Agri-Ttuck 660™ -‘The Agri-Truck 660 from Ag-Chem is a year-round, multi-purpose vehicle. Use it for spraying, spreading, and hauling. 1-800-760*8800 (prompt #2) • F-550 with 7.3 L turbo diesef ' • 45' or 60' hydraulic boom (3-year/36,000 warranty) • Heavy-dijty flatbed • Choice cl tire sizes • XLT package • 660 p01y or stainless steel tank United Ag Services Leaders Discuss Business vama. Nichols reported that although growth in memberships and mem ber milk volumes did not quite meet goals, the management and accounting services to other busi nesses improved. In spite of the current downward trend in the dairy industry, the programs avail able to members have helped them stay competitive, he said. Nichols, of Addison, N.Y., is also president of Addison Milk Producers Cooperative, an affili ate of United Ag Services. He and his family maintain a herd of 80 cows and youngstock and also produce maple syrup. The family farm was started by his father se veral years ago. His father was a former president of Addison Co op, but has since retired. James Patsos, CEO of United, Av.nlal mi »doK yV <9 left} .VS x<*o (1 lofti 30x4-1 (3 left) 50 x 100 (2 left) 40*1-2 i-t left) 55 x 150 (? left) l -4 11 tOI Ottu-I SIXC I^ • Raven auto-rate control ■ * DICKEY-John radar • Foam marker • Live drive hydraulic system r* J * discussed current economic con ditions. With a strong national economy predicted to continue with moderate growth this coming year, the market for dairy products should remain strong, he said, adding that the price enjoyed by dairy farmers the past few months will see significant downturns in the coming months. Overall he said dairy farmers should see prices below 1998, but not at the disastrous level of 1997. Therefore, he said, it becomes in creasingly important that dairy farmers enlist die aid of their Con gressmen to get the necessary legislation passed which will al low New York and Pennsylvania to join the Northeast Dairy Com pact The Compact will act as a safe- ag-c EQUIPMENT ty net for dairy farmers while not appreciably increasing the retail price of milk for the consumer, he said. Patsos also stated that United was acquiring new, faster comput ers to assist them in their contin ued effort to better serve their members and customers. United is Y2K ready, he said. He also announced a new initia tive to help reduce members operating costs through the ser vice’s Dairylmpact program. Oairylmpact is designed to reduce the cost of input, both in feeds and supplies, through a group buying effort. Volume buying allows for discounted prices. Guest speaker Peter Fredricks, agriculture economist for the Federal Milk Market Administra- EQUIPMENT CO. ■vs 1 -> tT \r FRANK RYMON & TEST DRIVE JKS. ORBTODATI Lancaster Farming, Saturday. April 10, 1999-A2l tor, discussed pricing mechanisms under the present Federal Order 2 system. He also gave insight into the new pricing system being de veloped by the USDA and Secre tary Glickman. The proposed rules are to be im plemented by Oct. 1. There is to be a review by Congress and, if approved, producer referendum during this period. Producers, through their cooperative or indi vidually, are to vote on the pro posed changes. A negative vote would result in the discontinuance of the federal orders. Following the annual meeting, the board of directors re-elected Nichols as president; Douglas Ste wart, Rome, Pa., vice president; and Leslie Gilbert, Pitcher, N.Y., secrctary/trcasurer. MILLER Stauffer Road Bechfefcvffle.PA 19505 (610)845-2911 NORTHEAST DIST. & EQUIP. RllO6 West CtfffOKl, PAJB4I3 (717) 222-9090 (717)222-9020 -.'l As ECKROTH BROS. FARM EQUIPMENT RD #2, Box 24A New Ringgold, PA 17960 4910 Kemsvltle Rd, Oretletd. PA 18069 * (610)366-2095 . 307 Edgar Am : Btoomsburg, PA 17815 (717)784-5217
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers