MORRISVILLE, N.Y. Dairylea Cooperative Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith spoke to 30 members of the SUNY Morrisville’s Dairy Club at the college recently, giving them insight into the future of dairy farming and agriculture in general. “In terms of careers in dairy and agriculture, the opportuni ties are immense,” Smith said. “We need more young people coming up in agriculture, as well as in areas that touch and sup port agriculture.” Smith discussed how Dairylea - through its sub sidiary, Agri-Services, LLC - is providing farmers with an ever expanding array of services that goes far beyond the marketing of milk. “We are providing services related to computers and lab testing, insurance, investing, lending and leasing, as well as the purchasing of inputs and supplies,” he said. “There is a tremendous future in agricul ture for people who are getting Dairylea Cooperative CEO Addresses Future Farmers into these areas.” According to Smith, there is a substantial change occurring in the dairy industry, as a result of mergers and acquisitions. Yet, he reassured the students that that does not equal less opportu nities for the future. “We see mergers and acquisi tions almost on a weekly basis. There is fewer of everything and everything left is bigger. Yet, if you were to graduate and start up a diary farm down the road here, withing a week you’d have ten companies calling you to buy what you make. That’s pretty good. There aren’t too many industries where you can get out of college, start up your own business, and already have sev eral companies waiting to buy your product,” he said. Smith sad that the promising future of dairy and agriculture in the Northeast is evidenced by 'the strong agricultural infra structure in the region, which in turn has brought many national and international dairy compa nies to invest and operate with in the region. “Why are huge processing companies like Bols Wessanen, Nestle, Valio, and Besnier so largely invested here in the Northeast? Because of the growth potential here, our access to a large international customer base, and the land and resources that we have. They have realized that there is tremendous value here they can’t get anywhere else,” he said. Smith also encouraged the students by explaining that those who choose to be involved in production agriculture can have a better quality of life than previous generations on the farm. By specializing in one area, Smith said, farmers can do what they enjoy most and get some time off in the process. “It used to be that Mom and Dad did everything. But going forward, farmers should think more about specializing, and joining forces with other farmers Feeder Wagon with Headlocks Zimmerman adjustable headlocks for animals 10 months or older. Mounted on a 5' x 20' or 24' trough with an adjustable tongue. All headlocks finished with a zinc rich undercoat & TGIC polyester powder topcoat Advantages: Zimmerman Headlocks •2 * - • Spring loaded neck bar for easy removal & adjustment. • Individual lock on each yoke fr *tair> : ' (dividual animals for the betterment of both par ties. Some people are better at some things than others. Why not let someone else worry about the crops while you take care of the herd, if that’s what your enjoy most,” Smith said. In addition, Smith also explained that by expanding an operation, and finding good employees to be part of the farm team, farmers can have more Consolidated Official: AgChoice YORK (York Co.) - AgChoice Farm Credit is official! Extensive planning by 36 farmer- elected directors, stock holder approval by its coopera tive owners, and regulatory approval have resulted in the consolidation of the former Northeastern, Penn West, and York Farm Credits into AgChoice Farm Credit, ACA. Farm Credit Associations are farmer-owned cooperatives that make long-term farm and coun try home loans; intermediate term loans for machinery, equip ment, and building; and short term production loans. Other financial services available through AgChoice Farm Credit are credit life insurance, crop insurance, record keeping and tax services, farm business con sulting, leasing, and appraisal services. AgChoice Farm Credit has an alliance with American Express Financial Advisors, which offers a variety of finan cial products and services. AgChoice Farm Credit pro vides more than $525 million in long- and short-term loans, Added Value With Our 2 Coat Process! —1 Five step metal preparation, including iron phosphate conversion coating, to enhance adhesion & prevent undercoat corrosion .2 Zinc nch epoxy powder undercoat 3 TGIC polyester powder top coat, baked at 400° to fuse coats, ■forming a cross link molecular bond Call or Write For Additional Information & the Name of Your Nearest Dealer Paul B. Zimmerman, Inc. 295 Woodcorner Rd. • Lititz, PA 17543 • 1 mile West of Ephrata 717/738-7365 Hours: Mon. thru FrL: 7-5; Sat. 7-11 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 1, 1999-A4l Farm Credit Is Born Farmco Feeder Wagon • 15" implement wheel (6 bolt) • 2 jacks on front corners for added stability. flexibility and have the opportu nity for more time off the farm. Smith commended programs such as SUNY Morrisville’s Dairy Club and Cornell University’s Dairy Fellows. “This Dairy Club and their Dairy Fellows are wonderful programs. They expose you to more of what is out there - and the more you’re exposed to, the better you’ll do,” said Smith. along with related services, to more than 10,000 customers in 52 counties in northeastern, cen tral, and western Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, part of the nationwide Farm Credit System, the nation’s leading agricultural leading group. AgChoice Farm Credit has 18 branch offices located conve niently throughout its territory. Allyn L. Lamb, Chief Executive Officer of the individ ual associations, now assumes that position for AgChoice Farm Credit. “We are very pleased that our consolidation process is now complete and official” said Lamb. “There has been a lot of preparation for this moment, and it has finally arrived. This consolidation has brought the best of three former Farm Credit associations into a new struc ture that will have the capacity and ability to serve the state’s number-one industry, agricul ture, as it continues to change and grow. As always, our cus tomers come first, and I feel that they will be very pleased with the new association.”
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