EB-L>nc—ter firming, Saturday, June S, 1989 Family Farm Cooperative Proves Successful committee, specific carcass qual- The six animals included in the obstacle, ity standards were adopted which table illustrate very well the simi- What Is N «*t. were very similar to the Certified larity and diversity of the carcass After examining the data col- Anuus Beef and Certified Here- traits available during the test lected, the steering committee has Sd Beef standards. market. decided to explore aiWmonal op -They are: Most of the animals graded portumties that have been identi • Quality grade: upper two choice, most were under .4 inches fi®d» as marketing directly to thirds Choice or higher backfat most produced ribeyes selected retail outlets, and explor • Yield grade: 3.5 or leaner within the parameters, most pro- “*8 die opportunities presented by • Ribeye area: 11.0-13.0 square duced under 3 percent kidney, the Pennsylvania Association for inches pelvic and heart fat, most had Sustainable Agriculture Com • Age at slaughter: less than 20 some marbling, but about half munity FARM Initiative, pis op mnnths were above the desirable carcass portumty might include the mar- Vcarcass weight: 600 - 750 weight keting of a branded hamburger All in all. with proper sire selec- product Also, a third goal is to The following table illustrates tion and good management meet- acquire additional data relative *°, Was, some of the data collected from in- ing the desirable carcass quality carcass shrink losses as a result of Hum c dividual animals. standards would not be a major the dry aging process. Fayette C, Keystone Beef Carcass Data Date Caicass Caicass 12th nb PYG Ribeve KPPPc Yield Marbling Quality Number Weight Fat Aiea Grade Score Grade Oct 9 ' Y-3 796 0 05' iI 3 3 0 3_7 Small Ch Lo Oct 15 0-7 704 5 o_-T 3_oo ISO 10 2_6 Small Ch Lo Oct 1? 0-5 669 s O_T 2_23 1 S 5 3 0 M Slight Select Oct 25 74 787 5 OJ_ ]_2s 114 10 3_7 Small Ch Lo Nov 6 7 j 691 5 0 2" 2 5 12 9 2 5 2 0 Mrt Ch Hi Nov 20 1 1 822 2 5 H 9 3 5 2 4 Mst Ch Ave DONALD C. FRETTS Fayette County Extension Agent The first results from the beef test market conducted last fall and early winter of 25 cattle finished to the specifications of the steer ing committee, for the proposed Pennsylvania Family Farm Co operative, were presented to the committee on April 10. While many of the results were positive, additional questions were discovered that need answers before the organization of a new farmer-owned cooperative would be plausible. Following are some of the posi tive results of the test market. Restaurant Market Test The restaurant initiative of mar keting directly to restaurants proved to be a definitive possi bility, but it also brought some ad ditional obstacle to the forefront that would need to be addressed before a commercial marketing program could be profitable. Five reputable restaurants pur chased a variety of cuts ranging from hamburger to filet mignon, which were served to their cus tomers. While not all customer surveys were completed, 86 were completed with 87 percent rating their dinners very good to excel lent, and 79 percent indicating good value for the money spent. Sixty-three percent also indicat ed noticing a difference between Keystone Beef and beef dinners served to them in the past Addi tionally, 72 percent indicated they would purchase Keystone Beef dinners again without hesitation and 15 percent indicated a “may be.” Finally, 73 percent of the re spondents indicated that “locally produced” was a major attribute that could influence the purchase of Keystone brand beef. Beef Market Survey Two other groups were survey ed following the consumption of Keystone brand beef —those who attended the Pennsylvania Asso ciation for Sustainable Agricul ture. Convention in State College, and a random sampling of shop pers at the Uniontown Mall. While each of the two groups of consumers may exhibit different personal values and ideals, the actual product served them was very satisfying to their tastes. Additional conclusions reached include: • “Locally produced,” “raised without growth hormones,” and “no anlibiotically treated feed” were three of the production standards considered to be import ant by the consumers. • Freshness, flavor, and color were important to the consumer groups. • Most of the respondents indi cated they would pay a premium for beef with the qualities of Key stone beef. • To date, most consumers don’t purchase precooked entrees or dinners, but 25 percent of the mall respondents did indicate a once-a-week tendency. Kosher Market All of the animals were pro cessed to meet Kosher standards and approximately half of the front quarters of beef were sold to the ethnic community. The eco nomic result was an increase of about 20-cent per carcass pound of value that could be earned from the specific marketing oppor tunity. Carcass Data Report As part of the proposed quality standards adopted by the steering TANEYTOWN, Md. - The Wills Sprig 4-H and FFA Fair, a one-day show at the Howard County Fairgrounds was con ducted recently. Counties across Maryland meet to show their animals and learn more about their animals and how to show them, so they are a little more prepared when they show it their own county fair. Members of the Progressive Clovers 4-H Club that exhibited dairy goats, poultry, and rabbits were Jason, Amy, and Kevin Ridinger. Jason Ridinger at the dairy goat show had best doe in show, y/ Jason Ridinger best doe in show, grand champion recorded grade, and senior champion recorded grade with “Ridinger’s Easter “EB” Bonnet.” On the left, holding a plate and rosette, is Brad Brauning, 4-H exhibition handler for Jason a the Wills Spring 4-H & FFA Fair. Wills Spring Fair A Success grand champion recorded grade and senior champion recorded grade with “Ridinger’s Easter “EB” Bonnet.” Jason also had reserve grand champion record ed grade, reserve senior champi on recorded grade with “Ridinger’s Magic Elm,” He also had junior champion recorded grade with “Ridinger’s Easter Bunny.” Also shown were grand champion alpine and senior champion alpine with “Ridinger’s Hope.” At the poultry show, Jason exhibited reserve supreme grand champion of show and grand champion large fowl with an Americana Hen. He also exhibited reserve champion featherleg with a Buff Brahma Bantam Hen. Jason entered six dairy goats, 12 chickens and two rabbits. Amy Ridimger jt the poultry show exhibited reserve grand champion egg production and champion heavy weight egg pro duction with a Sexlink Hen. She also won reserve champion American Breed and reserve champion large fowl with a Rhode Island Red Hen. Amy entered six dairy goats, 12 chickens, and two rabbits. Kevin Ridinger at the poultry show, exhibited grand champion production bird and champion light weight egg production with a White Leghorn Hen. Kevin also exhibited reserve champion Bearded American with an Americana Hen. Kevin, first year 4-H’er, entered four dairy goats, 12 chickens, and one rabbit. Kevin Ridinger holds his plate and rosettes for grand champion production bird and champion light weight egg production with a White Leghorn Hen at the Wills Spring 4-H & FFA Fair. His dad, Arthur Ridinger, is holding the hen. Several committees were also appointed, including supply, dis tribution/marketing, capitalization and business plan. Within several months, the ad ditional data will be collected and summarized, the committees will present preliminary reports, and additional decisions will be made regarding the potential of develop ing the cooperative. If anyone is interested in be coming more involved with this beef marketing study, contact Don Fretts at the Fayette County exten sion office, Don Gardner, from Washington County, and Sam Hunt or Louise Dlsidoro, from Fayette County. Amy Ridinger, reserve grand champion egg pro duction and champion heavy weight egg produc tion with a Sexlink Hen.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers