Cooperatives Working Together, (CWT), the dairy industry’s newest self-help program, is quickly gaining ground and has become one of the hottest topics of discussion amosg farmers across the nation. Geared to benefit all producers, this farmer-led and funded economic initiative ad dresses supply and demaiid imbalances that are depressing milk prices. Once 80 percent of the na tional milk supply has signed on board, the Na tional Milk Producers Federation will launch CWT’s three-dimensional assault aimed at reduc ing the national milk supply by 2.7 percent or 4.6 billion pounds of milk. According to organizers, CWT’s highest priority is to ensure that no one region within the country bears the brunt of the program, or suffers a dispro portionate loss of production capacity. NMPF’s Economic Policy Committee has established safe guard levels on a regional basis. Each region is able to participate up to a maximum level equivalent to one year’s growth in milk production or one-half of one percent of the region’s annual milk production, whichever is greater. For example, the most milk that can be cut from Region I is ISO million pounds, or one-half of one Hay & Forage Equipment itwmxum & Skid Loaders Tractors Simplicity J Lawn & Garden ’ DUTCH BROS. Equipment BALE WAGONS »PEGubaw & GEARS HAY RAKES Good Selection of Used Equipment 1* t 5 El§.' : iris ✓ IUIJwI CWT Gaining Ground percent of tbe annual milk production within the region. For members in region 2, the safeguard limit is set at 70 million pounds. Three Dimensional Approach In order to work well, CWT has to be multidi mensional. NMPF has identified three target pro grams to most effectively reduce milk production. Each program is responsible for eliminating a spe cific percent of the 4.6 billion pounds. The Herd Re tirement Program is allotted 45 percent, a Dairy Product Export Assistance Program 35 percent and ten percent assigned to a Reduced Production Mar ketings Program. The remaining ten percent will be applied to the above programs as appropriate, de pending on how the program progresses and how quickly the initial target goals are reached. The CWT program earning the most producer at tention and interest is the Herd Retirement Pro gram. This portion of CWT will call for bids, on a per hundredweight basis, for the purchase of whole herds. Producers will be asked to submit herd records to verify milk production and will be au dited before purchase. Once verified, CWT will take possession of the animals and commit them to Bedding With Sand? KhMilse Sand Traps™!! ‘Call For A Fim ' Vldoo ' Sand Trap™ with Standard 2*A Board MW Bam (2i021/r Stops) From Factory to Farm • Free Stalls • Self Locks • Heavy Duty Gates 175 North Imler Valley Rd. Imler, PA 16655 814-276-3304 or 1-888-605-2422 fTurn to Page 57) Sand Traps™ . • Reduce sand usac up to • Maintains cow comfort • Prevents cows from digging holes • Are easy to install •Tie Stalls • SS Tip Tank Waterers • Bale Boss Hay Savers Installation Available
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