A32-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 10,2001 Editor: Despite what some people may say, the large majority of consumers are very concerned about the continuation of our family dairy farms. Naturally, these concern runs extremely high in towns such as Tunkhannock, Montrose, Wells boro, Berwick, Carbondale, and Honesdale. In areas such as Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Pittston, the concern also is very real. However, it may be a surprise to some people, but our contacts with several consumers in New York City (especially Brooklyn) clearly indicate that many con sumers in the big cities are knowledgeable of the severe problems being experienced by area family dairy farmers. Many consumers show some of the greatest concerns from New Jersey. These consumers are very concerned and upset as they wit ness so many farmers being forced out of the Garden State. (Less than 200 dairy farmers left in New Jersey). During the last 26 months we now have talked to 110,000 con sumers, and only six have disa greed with us concerning the dairy situation. In addition, Pro Ag cooper ated with the Scranton Catholic Diocese in the late fall of 2000 and delivered 12,000 signatures of consumers to Senator Specter’s office, Senator San torum’s office, and Congress men Don Sherwood’s office in Scranton. Backed by 20 years of research, field trials, and 2 U.S. patents, Nutri-Drench™ is a liquid supplement precisely formulated for the special needs of livestock off feed. In The Bloodstream In Minutes! Fast response has a big impact on bottom line profit Livestock off feed results in costly treatment or death loss Nothing is more important than getting back on feed fast by correcting nuti itional balance. taiga KM fell! In Stock for... DAIRY, SHEEP, K Ik T s * VEAL BOVIDR LABORATORIES,INC. Huber's Animal Health Supplies 810 Tulpehocken Road, Myerstown, PA 17607 717-866-2246 Mon. 7:30 o.m. to 6 p.m.; Thurs. & Fri. 7:30 o.m. to 8 p.m, lues. & Wed. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. - V * ■* C ' ? im Forum ♦ Since that time, several Prot estant churches are now cooper ating with Pro Ag and we have obtained about 7,000 more con sumers names. All these con sumers are strongly urging congress to take immediate action to alleviate the inequities facing dairy farmers. The consumers ask me vari ous questions, but probably the three most dominant questions are: 1. In a supermarket, why does a gallon of milk with a nonmajor brand name sell for $2.87 per gallon and three-feet away a gallon of Deans Food milk sells for $3.25 per gallon (38 cents a gallon more). The $2.87 is the minimum price set by the Penn sylvania Milk Marketing Board. (Guess who bottles the non- NITRO" BIG WHEEL SPRAYER 1000 & 1600 GALLONS High performance Demand Driven Product Pump - 200 gpm demand helps eliminate wear Insta-Reponse Monitoring - senses changes in ground speed and flow requirements Demand Sensing Boom Control Valve - efficient constant boom pressure with minimal pressure loss 90’ Hydraulic Boom w/Nitrogen Accumulator Suspension -lift and tilt wing suspension combinations give the boom a very stable ride Raven SCS 450 Controller w/5 section boom [MILLER |fr Mnim since 1899 major brand milk?) 2. With the crash in the wholesale price of butter, then why is Land O’Lakes butter sell ing for $2.89 per pound and butter at Aldies selling for $1.69 per pound? 3. Why are the consumers in some stores paying $l5 for a five-pound block of American cheese, when you can buy a five pound block of cheese in Marty’s store in Meshoppen for $8.50? ■tar* Consumers are really shocked when I tell them that the price farmers received for the milk used for cheese all across the U.S. in November was $8.57 per cwt. (74 cents per gallon). This was the lowest price since 1977. It’s no wonder that consumers are upset and are demanding changes. I’m going to list some of the comments by consumers. • Mark Abushady-Queens, N.Y. People in New York City are becoming well aware of the plight of our dairy farmers. We must keep our family farms in existence, and not allow cor porate farms to take over our food supply. West of York, PA on rte 30 Abbottstown, PA 17301 717-259-6617 888-285-0225 • Jack Coslett, Trucksville, Pa. It’s unbelievable what’s happening to our dairy farms. It’s nowhere near right. • Sandra and Denise McCof fey, Brooklyn, N.Y. Saving our family dairy farms is a worthy cause. Let’s not industri alize everything. God bless our family farms. • Kathy from Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Many people keep paying higher prices for cigarettes. Why can’t dairy farmers get a fair price? • Robert Becker, Philadel phia Even in Philadelphia we know that dairy farmers are hurting, and something has to be done. • Robin Warner, Montrose, Pa. Where do they think America started? • Nancy Clark, Lake Winola, Pa. I love milk, and I want my milk produced locally, I’ll pay any price for milk, and I drink three glasses a day. • Evelyn Van Fleet, Barton ville, Pa. What’s happening to our farmers is incredible. It’s terrible. I get very upset about it. • Kay Veirds, Scranton, Pa. 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Finally, 6-year-old Sara Mat tina said, “Daddy, how can we help save our family farms?” These are just some of the comments made by consumers. I hope our senators and congress people are listening! Arden Tewksbury, Progressive Agriculture Organization Meshoppen Rheems Exit - Route 283 Elizabethtown, PA 17022 717-367-1319 800-222-3373 Tmiller ygSSSS
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