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PA Preferred

Farm Show Epitomizes “PA Preferred”

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Walking through the 97th Pennsylvania Farm Show, it’s hard not to notice the vivid blue and gold signs boasting “PA Preferred” products.  From blue ribbon-winning veggies to the pork barbeque being served up for lunch, PA Preferred products are all around you.  When you see that logo, you know you’re purchasing a product that was made or grown in the Keystone State.    

“When you purchase local products, you’re helping strengthen our economy,” explains PA Preferred Coordinator Bryan Keister.  “If every household in Pennsylvania spent $10-dollars a week on PA Preferred products, $2.9-billion dollars could be reinvested back into the state.” 

First Lady Susan Corbett – a familiar face at the Farm Show this week – was slicing up some Pennsylvania mushrooms on the Culinary Connection stage, as she and Governor’s Residence Chef Barry Crumlich prepared tarts at one of 50-different cooking demonstrations on the schedule.  “I strongly feel that it’s best if we buy fresh, buy local,” Crumlich told the Farm Show visitors who crowded in for a better view.

Each day is themed at the popular PA Preferred Culinary Connection, located in the Farm Show’s Main Hall.  Thursday is Apple Day, as PA is the fourth biggest apple producing state (439-million pounds), and Friday is 3-Every Day of Dairy, as PA ranks fifth in the nation for milk production (1.2-billion gallons).

Dairy Farmers in Pennsylvania Say They Still Need Some Breathing Room

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Dairy farmers are still dealing with tight margins and they’re asking the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board to continue the current Class I over-order premium price for milk for another six months, starting January 1st. 

Feed prices are the main issue, due to a combination of local and national issues. This year’s Midwest drought coupled with last year’s weather conditions in Pennsylvania have kept farms operating on tighter margins. 

Mark O’Neill of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau says if the Class I over-order premium for milk stays at $1.95 per hundred   for another six months, consumers shouldn’t notice any difference at the grocery store.  

Dairy farmers are also asking the board to retain the current fuel adjuster premium.

Putting the Showmanship in the PA Farm Show…

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Friday is chock-full of dairy judging at the 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show.  While the state’s youth make it look easy to Farm Show visitors, dairy showmanship is actually hard work.  “They can be stubborn at times, but usually just by making some noises or getting their attention… they’ll usually go,” Stephanie Stahl of Somerset County says of maneuvering her dairy cows for the judges.

Working with Stephanie is Chelsea Berkebile of Somerset County, who stresses the importance of keeping your eyes on the judges at all time.  “You always want to move out of the way as they’re moving around, so they can see the animal at their best.”  Hopefully, all of the hard work they do with the animals at home will pay off in the arena.

Some dairy showmen are better than others, however.  “I’ve learned a full appreciation for those who raise the animal, and take care of the animal seven days a week,” says Columbia County State Rep. Dave Millard, a three-time participant in the Farm Show’s Legislative Dairy Showmanship Contest.  “I do my best at it, but I’ve never come away with a first, second or third place.”

State Rep. Mike Tobash of Berks and Schuylkill counties took home top honors in the 2012 legislative showcase.  Farm Show judges will wrap up their evaluations of hundreds of dairy cattle later this afternoon.  You’ll be able to look up the Supreme Champion, and check on all of the results at the Farm Show’s website.  The 96th Pennsylvania Farm Show will come to a close at 5pm Saturday. 

Farm Show, Cow, Milk

Kids can even try milking a cow at this Farm Show display.

Milk Marketing Board Maintains Current Dairy Price

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The Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board has acted on a request from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau to maintain its current over-order premium price for Class I milk. The board agreed to keep the price at $2.15 per hundredweight for the six months beginning July 1. In addition, the board will keep its current premium price add on for fuel costs in place.

Farm Bureau President Carl Shaffer says improved milk prices this year are bringing some relief to dairy farmers, who are using any net profits to pay down debt accumulated during 2009, a devastating year for most milk producers.

The Bureau asked the board earlier this month to maintain the price levels, citing the volatility of milk prices over the past three years along with consistently higher fuel, seed, fertilizer and feed costs. Dairy farmers are also concerned about the rain this spring, fearing delays in planting could affect the yield of feed crops. Pennsylvania had its wettest spring on record this year. A lower yield could force dairy farmers to buy additional feed from other sources, further increasing their costs.

Dairy farmers whose milk is produced, processed and sold in Pennsylvania for Class I fluid milk  receive the over-order premium and the premium add on based on the price of fuel.

Consumer should see no change in milk prices as a result of the action.

June is National Dairy Month.  According to the Farm Bureau,   the dairy industry produces over 40 percent of the Commonwealth’s agricultural receipts.