FEBRUARY 2004 29 Ohio’s Country Journal LIVESTOCK Organic milking improves profits for Martin

BY KYLE SHARP That respect level, along with some was to work ahead and For Mark Martin, producing organic struggles marketing their own organic plan for it. milk on his Richland County farm is as milk, is why Organic Family Farms Overall, his operating much about family as it is business. Two of agreed to produce milk for Organic expenses have increased his brothers, his wife’s brother and his Valley when Organic Valley asked if about $1.40 per cwt. wife’s sister all live on family dairy farms they’d be interested in joining the of milk produced, but that produce organic milk. Three of the national cooperative in 2002. the price he receives for four farms are within five miles of Martin’s “We chose to do it because we were his milk has jumped farm, while the other is in Pennsylvania. interested in producing milk but not mar- more than $7 per cwt., Beyond organic production, the five keting it, and Organic Valley does a good and his production dairies have one other common thread. job of marketing. Our heart just wasn’t hasn’t dropped. They all ship their milk to Organic Valley, really into marketing,” Martin said. Martin currently an organic farm cooperative based in “Plus, they’re a farmer-owned coopera- milks about 42 cows. LaFarge, Wis. So far, it’s an arrangement tive that is still run by farmers. The guys Most of his herd fresh- that has made Martin very happy. on the Organic Valley board still milk ens in the spring. Martin grew up on a Holstein dairy cows and have the same ideas we have of “I enjoy milking less farm in east-central Pennsylvania. In 1993, trying to stay small and be profitable in the winter because of he moved to Ohio to start a dairy on land without expanding to large sizes.” the cold, and the cows Mark Martin, a Richland County diaryman, has been very owned by his father, Alvin Martin, and Organic Valley now has 17 producers are healthier when they pleased with his decision to switch to organic milk produc- began intensive grazing his cows. A year in Ohio and may add more in the com- have spring pasture tion. Since November 2002, he and a group of Ohio producers later, someone suggested that because he ing year. right as they freshen,” have been marketing milk through Organic Valley, an organic wasn’t using any chemicals on the farm, “Everybody who has gone with he said. farm cooperative based in LaFarge, Wis. perhaps he should consider producing Organic Valley here in Ohio has been While he used to be organic milk. very happy,” Martin said. “We were entirely seasonal, he is milking about 12 “I checked into it, but at the time there doing quite well with our grazing, but cows this winter. Organic Valley needs wasn’t anybody interested in buying soon after joining Organic Valley things more winter milk and increases their base organic milk,” Martin said. really improved. Farmers are able to price by 50 cents per cwt. during the win- In 1997, he talked with Horizon make repairs to their operations that ter to encourage winter production. They Organic, a Colorado-based organic milk should have been done a long time ago also lower their base by 50 cents from May company, about producing organic milk because it is sustainable.” through July, again to encourage more for them once his farm became certified The main reason for that sustainabil- even production throughout the year. organic in 1998. But then a local cheese ity is that organic milk brings a consis- Martin bought his farm from his plant switched to organic production, so tently higher price than milk sold con- father in 1996. He and his wife, Martin chose to ship his milk to them, ventionally. Organic Valley’s Midwest Marian, live there with their five chil- because it was a local company. base price for 2003 was $18.20 per cwt., dren: Richard, 11, Carson, 9, Rosa, 7, Unfortunately, things didn’t go well with plus premiums for quality, somatic cell Laurel, 4, and Clifford, 1. Marian helps the cheese plant, so Martin and a group of count and components, Martin said. His milk in the mornings, and the two old- 11 other organic dairy farms in Richland, November milk check was $20.96 per est boys help in the evenings. Holmes and Wayne counties decided in cwt., and October was $21.07. Eventually, Martin may diversify the Martin owns this registered Dutch Belted bull and loans him out to other farms 2000 to form their own cooperative, “Organic Valley sets the price for family operation. Organic Valley also for breeding. Organic Family Farms, and sell bottled their organic milk once per year, and markets organic eggs and beef, and organic milk. the goal is to increase it 25 cents per these could be good projects for the While forming, the group spoke often year, so the price doesn’t fluctuate like children as they get older, he said. But with representatives from Organic Valley the conventional market,” Martin said. for now, he’s happy with things just as on how best to form a farmer-owned His operating expenses have they are. organic milk cooperative. increased since going organic, but not “There are other things I could do, “Organic Valley supported our coop- greatly. Because Martin’s farm was but this is what I enjoy,” he said. erative. They were very open and already grass-based, the only real dif- Milk from Martin’s herd is stored in this answered our questions,” Martin said. ferences are buying organic feed grain, 1,500-gallon tank and picked up three “So we had a lot of respect for them using approved methods of fly control times a week. It’s taken to a transfer and liked their attitude.” and buying organic hay when needed. station in Sugarcreek then sent to the He buys organic corn for $4 to East Coast, a large market for Organic $5 per bushel and hasn’t had Valley products. any trouble finding suppliers. Fortunately, he only feeds 4 to 6 pounds of grain, mostly corn and molasses, per cow per day, which keeps expens- es down. Organic hay is nearly the same price as conventional. “My greatest problem with switching to organic has been fly control, but there are always new products coming out, so it’s getting better,” Martin said. The stone house where the Martin family lives is about The transition period to 150 years old and possibly was used as a stop on the organic, three years for cropland Martin switched from Holsteins to registered Dutch Belted cows in 1996. Today, he only has Underground Railroad. The structures end walls are 3 two Holsteins left in his herd. He prefers Dutch Belted because in his grass-based system they feet thick, and the side walls are 2 feet thick, so it’s and one year for cows, also was produce similar to Holsteins, but with higher component levels. They also don’t need as much smaller inside than it appears, Martin said. challenging, Martin said. The key grain to maintain body condition, have good longevity and reproduce well. Organic Valley expands, adds Midwest dairy producers BY KYLE SHARP “Organic Valley’s goal is to plough our brought 88 new Midwest farmers into the Pam Riesgraf, an Organic Valley farmer By staying independent, going profits back into the earth and our rural co-op (a 21% increase), and added 2,040 in Jordan, Minn., who also serves as a organic and using the cooperative sys- communities. Remaining independent cows and more than 8,000 acres into the member of the co-op’s Board. tem, Midwest farmers can get 60% more ensures our farmers stay on the land, pre- organic system. In the Midwest in 2003, Organic Valley pay and buck the trend that is putting serve the environment and give consumers “Organic Valley’s success in the paid a premium of $7.37 per cwt. and real- 330 U.S. farmers out of business each safe, delicious food,” said Siemon, whose Midwest is due to the fair, sustainable ized an average regional farmer pay price week, said George Siemon, founding cooperative has been 100% farmer owned and stable price we pay our farmers. for milk ($19.68 per cwt.) that was 62% farmer, Organic Valley Family of Farms, since its founding in 1988. Unlike conventional farmers, we don’t higher than the price paid to conventional the only national organic dairy to In 2003, the Organic Valley model gener- have to deal with an abusive price struc- dairy farmers ($12.31 per cwt.). remain independent. ated record success in the Midwest. It ture that fluctuates day to day,” said Organic Valley’s base or farmer pay price, for 2004 is set at $18.45 per cwt., plus standard bonuses for components and quality, said Jim Wedeberg, Organic Valley dairy pool director. “We determine the farmer pay price and then build everything else on top of that,” Wedeberg said. “As long as we can market our milk organically and keep our utilization high, then we can deliver the farmer pay price to the farmers. That’s why as a co-op we practice real strict sup- ply management.” The advantage to producers is a stable price and the ability to budget throughout the year based on that stable pricing, Wedeberg said. Driving Your Business Toward “A really rewarding part of this coop- erative is seeing the growth and how the Financial Success farms are passed onto the next genera- tion, instead of being sold or setting vacant,” he said. One Stage At A Time Organic Valley projects a need for about 60% more milk in Ohio for 2004. That could mean an additional eight to 10 Ohio producers added to the cooperative, Wedeberg said. Although the location of these new producers will, for now, likely be restricted to Holmes, Wayne and sur- rounding counties, where Organic Valley currently operates its milk route. “I’m sure we’ll be spreading out into other parts of Ohio at a later time,” he said. “Organic Valley’s Midwest sales for 2003 increased by 17%. National sales were $156 million, a 25% rise over 2002,” said Douglas Hanson, Organic Valley’s Western Division sales manager. “Sales are expect- ed to keep climbing at this rate due to con- tinuing consumer support for organic.” Wedeberg also expects the organic mar- Achieve your financial goals through leasing for your building and equipment purchases. ket to continue expanding. You may be able to: “Organic is the only category in mass market groceries that’s really actually Reduce your tax bill through accelerated deductions*. growing, and people are becoming more • aware of their food and how it’s pro- Preserve working capital with a low advance payment. duced,” he said. “It’s a growing trend. The • only thing we really have to gauge it off of Customize payment schedules to match your cash flow. is Europe, and the organic marketplace in • Europe for dairy is up to 5% and growing, Save valuable time with our on-site service. and we’re only at 2% in the United States.” • Organic Valley can help answer ques- tions producers may have on the steps for You drive hard for financial success. Give us a call to find out how leasing may help achieve it. becoming an Organic Valley member or gaining organic certification. “We work with producers everyday on the transition process and what’s required,” Wedeberg said. The Organic Valley cooperative today is made up of 633 organic farmers in 16 states and one Canadian province. Organic Karen Holt Jeff Becher Roger Smith Joe Polite Glenn Watts Valley farmers produce 130 organic prod- 740-924-9315 419-739-7526 740-967-1088 724-981-1324 614-863-9816 ucts. Look for their organic milk, cheese, butter, spreads, creams, eggs, produce, juice and meats in food cooperatives, natu- Wells Fargo Financial Leasing, Inc. ral foods stores and supermarkets through- Rural Markets Ask about our out the country. For further information, 800.451.3322 contact Organic Valley, 507 West Main Mortgage Financing Street, LaFarge WI 54639, 608-625-2602, or www.wffleasing-rm.com *Consult your tax advisor. visit www.organicvalley.com.

30 Livestock Ohio’s Country Journal • February 2004 Air quality, CAFO and terrorism topics planned for OLC annual meeting Air quality, the perception of concen- Lingying Zhao, assistant professor of ani- “Terrorism, Radicalism and Populism in Reservations are required for the meet- trated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), mal facilities and environmental specialist Agriculture.” The day will conclude with ing/symposium and are due postmarked and terrorism and radicalism in agricul- at Ohio State University, and Glen Arnold, a panel discussion featuring all program Feb. 16 to the OLC office in Columbus. ture will be the key topics discussed at the OSU agriculture and natural resources speakers and moderated by Joe Cornely, Registration fees are $25 per person if Ohio Livestock Coalition’s (OLC) 2004 agent, Putnam County. OSU rural sociolo- director of corporate communications for received and paid in full by the required Annual Meeting and Industry gist Jeff Sharp will present information the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. postmark date, and are $35 per person if Symposium, Feb. 24 at the Der Dutchman about “Perceptions of Concentrated Additionally, a representative from USDA- received and paid in full after Feb. 16, or if Restaurant and Banquet Center, Plain City. Animal Feeding Operations.” APHIS has been invited to attend the paid at the door the day of the Discussing “Preliminary Results and Wrapping up the presentations will be meeting and provide an update regarding meeting/symposium. The registration fee Analysis of Air Quality Monitoring of OSU professor emeritus of agricultural bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), includes a continental breakfast, speakers’ Large Livestock Farms in Ohio,” will be economics Luther Tweeten addressing also known as mad cow disease. fees (where applicable), meeting/sympo- sium materials (handouts, etc.) and a fami- ly-style dinner featuring Der Dutchman’s famous Amish kitchen cooking. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. To obtain a registration form for the meeting/symposium, please visit the OLC Web site at www.OhioLivestock.org or contact the OLC office at [email protected] or 614-246-8288.

Ohio’s Country Journal • February 2004 Livestock 31 Antibiotic-free pork will bring producers new niche dollars Receiving a $500,000 U.S. Department of free from birth to market, and receive finan- exciting value-added pork production Interested producers should Agriculture grant to create an antibiotic-free cial rewards for their efforts. innovation presents another way for contact Pork Payback’s Mike pork program, National Farmers “If a producer was going to have new farmers to capture their portion of the Petzenhauser at National Farmers, Organization has developed a way to pro- litters of pigs next month, he could start in food dollar. 800.247.2110. vide superior antibiotic-free pork to the program with them,” said Brad Bradley, American consumers, and a method for president of Farm Direct Pork, the pro- producers to reap as much as 8 to 10 cents gram’s consulting developer. It will be nat- per pound above commodity prices. ural pork from the standpoint that it will be NCBA launches www.beefusa.org The National Farmers Livestock minimally processed, by USDA’s definition. Division rolled out the concept at its annual National Farmers Pork Payback pro- Web site for cattlemen convention in Columbus on Jan. 15. Of spe- fessionals consult with producers regard- cial importance is the fact that the antibiot- ing meat attributes, such as leanness and The National Cattlemen’s Beef address producers directly,” said ic-free pork is sold to retailers before color score, production methods and test- Association (NCBA) has built a new NCBA president Eric Davis. “Input National Farmers acquires it from produc- ing. The pork is produced to fit con- interactive Web site specifically from producers across the country ers, ultimately providing secure cash flow sumers’ desires, and even social issues designed to meet the needs of enabled NCBA to create a site essen- for the producer. such as environmental safety and farrow- NCBA members and other cattle tially designed with producers’ In this time when the natural food sector ing space are considered. producers across the United States, needs as its No. 1 priority.” is experiencing rapid growth, pork produc- “Today’s producers are quality www.beefusa.org. The interactive site allows ers in the program will raise pigs antibiotic- producers,” Bradley said. So, this The new site has essentially gath- users to design a custom home ered all the information that cattle page by setting up their own producers have a need for on a daily, user profile. Cattlemen can pre- weekly or monthly basis. This select market reports and weather includes: governmental affairs, U.S. reports for specific locations, Department of as well as get quick access to St. Henry, Ohio • Phone 419-678-4198 Agriculture/Agricultural Marketing discussion topics in which they are Service cattle and beef market data, particularly interested. ® FABRAL Grandrib 3 STEEL ROOFING & SIDING current weather information, NCBA membership details, beef checkoff program news, interactive discussion boards, plus information on upcom- 30'x40'x12' 40'x64'x14' 48'x80'x14' 60'x88'x140' ing meetings and conventions. Previously, this information was car- 1-16'x11' Slide Door 1-20'x14' Slide Door 1-20x126 Slide Door 1-20'x12' Slide Door ried on the www.beef.org site, which 1-30x66 Walk-in 1-30x66 Walk-in 1-24x140 Slide Door 1-24'x14 Slide Door 0 8 was designed primarily for general Rafters 4' O.C. Rafters 4' O.C. 1-3 x6 Walk-in 1-30x68 Walk In Rafters 4' O.C. Rafters 4' O.C. consumers and the news media. $8,10000 Erected $13,40000 Erected “It’s terrific to have a Web site $20,20000 Erected $25,80000 Erected that gives NCBA the opportunity to

MARK YOUR CALENDARS Two great events — One great weekend! Goldrush Swine Camp Goldrush Customer Appreciation Pig Sale Friday, March 12 and Saturday, March 13, 2004 Wayne County Fairgrounds, Richmond, Ind.

Come be a part of the most exciting events of 2004! This is an event you won’t want to miss. A great opportunity to judge and win cash, be educated by the industry’s top individuals and to purchase some of the best show pigs in the available.

The judging contest will feature Team and Individual Competition with $2,000 in cash and prizes.

** This sale will feature gilts for the National Junior Swine Spectacular, purebred barrows and gilts for the new junior show at the ‘04 World Pork Expo, barrows for the U.S. Open Barrow Show as well as, jackpot shows and county fairs.

Shaffer’s Goldrush Visit our Web site at www.ssggoldrush.com or 888-690-2022 call for an entry form or more information.

32 Livestock Ohio’s Country Journal • February 2004 million bushels of Ohio soybeans are States continues to grow, with the primary the increase in poultry exports. While beef crushed for consumption by animal agri- reason being a dramatic increase in poul- and pork exports have shown steady DAVID WHITE culture. By comparison, human food use try and livestock production, which has growth over time, poultry exports grew by Around accounts for only 45,000 tons of meal, less greatly outpaced local corn production, more than a million metric tons during a than 2% of the total used by animal agri- particularly in the southeastern states. four-year period in the previous decade. Ohio culture. Factor in that most of the corn One of the best ways for the United To keep pace with global meat demand, produced in Ohio is shipped out of state, States to add value to corn and soybeans the United States has two choices: produce with OLC with a vast majority of these shipments exported is to feed livestock domestically livestock domestically and export meat, or going to livestock feeding operations in and then export meat. This is why foreign increase grain exports for offshore meat Value-added continues to be a buzz- the eastern part of the country, and you trade, particularly meat exports, is so criti- production. Keep in mind that the domestic word within agriculture, and there are a can easily see how Ohio’s location can be cally important. During the 1990s, U.S. production of meat adds extra value to variety of ways in which this can be viewed as a distinct economic advantage. exports of meat increased dramatically, corn and soybean producers, and the accomplished. However, the best way to Corn demand in the eastern United and nowhere was this more evident than nation. What’s your preference? add value to corn and soybeans remains with the livestock industry. Animal agriculture is the original value-added market. While it’s often under attack by many fronts, it’s impor- tant that corn and soybean producers realize their primary customers are Can feed improve swine, poultry, and beef and dairy cattle. Thus, they should highly consider proac- tively promoting and defending their primary market — the livestock industry. muscling According to a recent study funded by the Ohio Soybean Council, soybeans pro- duced in Ohio were processed into 2.8 mil- in show pigs? lion tons of soybean meal, which required that 129 million bushels of Buckeye beans be crushed to fulfill this demand. The No. 1 consumer/customer of this product was poultry, taking in 335,000 tons of meal. An additional 1.875 million tons of meal are Leanium® show feeds are formulated to optimize lean tissue growth in shipped to other states for poultry produc- tion purposes, accounting for 62% of Ohio fast-growing, genetically superior lines of show pigs. crush, or approximately 93 million bushels ¥ Paylean¨ significantly reduces backfat and improves carcass leanness, I Won With of soybeans. Swine production in Ohio accounted for 100,000 tons of meal, dairy bringing show pigs to their genetic potential. Leanium! production used 75,000 tons of meal, and ¥ Nutrient-dense, complete feed allows hogs to fully express greater potential beef production consumed about 15,000 for growth, efficiency, and carcass quality. tons of meal. ¥ Carnitine, Chromium, and Pantothenic Acid - to reduce backfat, increase On a national basis, broilers (34%) are the leading consumers of soybean meal, loineye area, and improve overall carcass muscling. followed by swine (25%), beef cattle ¥ Chelated trace minerals improve bioavailability, essential in carbohydrate, (14%), dairy cattle (8%), turkeys (6%) and lipid, and protein metabolism. Potassium chloride provides a source of layers (5%). Here in the Buckeye state, electrolytes. broilers (33%) are also the leading con- ¥Yeast sources block colonization of pathogens, allowing microflora balance sumers of this product, followed by swine (15%), layers (14%), dairy cattle in the gastro-intestinal tract. (10%), turkeys (7%) and beef cattle (4%). ¥ Cheese whey, a quality milk protein, is used to improve palatability and pig Corn growers are cashing in, too. performance. According to a recent corn usage report ¥ Appetein¨ provides a source of immunoglobulins with excellent prepared for the Ohio Corn Marketing Program, on a national basis, beef pro- availability of amino acids. duction is the leading consumer of corn, ¥ Micro-Aid¨ serves as an aid in the control of manure and/or ammonia odor. accounting for nearly one-third of the Paylean is a trademark for Elanco’s brand of ractopamine. feed consumption. Poultry (28%) and Appetein is a registered trademark of American Protein Corporation. hog production (25%) continue to be a Micro-Aid is a registered trademark of Distributors Processing Inc. close second and third, with dairy cattle This research-proven nutrition is available at – using about 15%. During the previous decade, Ohio APPLE CREEK BUCYRUS FARMERSVILLE MT. STERLING corn was used in three important indus- tries — livestock feeding, processing and Maysville Elevator, Inc. West Side Feed Service, Inc. Brubaker Grain REITERMAN FEED & SUPPLY shipment to out-of-state markets. 330-695-4413 419-562-6806 & Chemical, Inc. 740-869-3817 Previously, Ohio livestock feeding had 800-328-6564 been evenly mixed between the animal BLUFFTON CEDARVILLE NOVA groups. Consumption by dairy cattle (21 McBee Grain Kent’s Feed Barn HAMILTON Nova Farmers million bushels, 18%) has remained rela- 419-358-5931 937-766-5570 Brubaker Grain Supply, Inc. tively stable, while beef (18 million & Chemical, Inc. 419-652-3200 bushels, 17%) and hog (34 million BREMEN DRESEN bushels, 30%) usage has gradually Rush Creek Feed 800-589-6640 PLAIN CITY declined by equal amounts. By contrast, Dresden Feed & Supply, Inc. poultry (40 million bushels, 35%) con- & Supply Co. Inc. 740-754-2391 HILLSBORO ASE Feed & Supply, LLC sumption has increased feeding and is 740-569-4105 Master Feed Mill, Inc. 614-873-4621 now the leading livestock group for corn 937-393-4424 used for livestock feed. The Buckeye state’s location — Ohio is geographically positioned to meet ¨ Kent Feeds, Inc. other states’ soybean meal and corn for General Offices ¥ Muscatine, Iowa livestock feed demands — is a definite 1-800-552-9620 ¥ www.kentfeeds.com advantage, particularly when you con- Innovation with a Purpose. sider that 2.3 million tons of meal or 104

Ohio’s Country Journal • February 2004 Livestock 33 Evidence slim that livestock DesignedDesigned withwith thethe antibiotic use presents human CustomerCustomer inin MindMind health risk A new peer-reviewed article raises European ban on antibiotics to promote concern that the banning of antibiotics in growth has not reduced antibiotic resist- food animals may harm human and ani- ance levels in humans in Europe, U.S. mal health. The report, published this data shows the incident of antibiotic month in the Journal of Antimicrobial resistant food-borne pathogens is gener- Chemotherapy, found there is little to no ally declining as has the number of cases scientific evidence to suggest that the use caused by food-borne bacteria. of antibiotics in food animals negatively “After examining the extensive sur- impacts human health. veillance data available, no significant “The scientific evidence shows that benefits to human health as a result of the actual risk of transfer of antibiotic the European ban are evident, while it is resistant organisms from animals to clear that resistance in food-borne humans caused by the use of antibiotics pathogens has decreased in the United in food animals is extremely small and in States,” said Ronald Jones, co-author of some cases zero,” said Ian Phillips, prin- the report and principal investigator of cipal author and emeritus professor of the SENTRY Antimicrobial Resistance medical microbiology at the medical Surveillance program, the world’s largest school of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ database of antibiotic resistance. Hospitals, University of London. “The A review of several risk assessments NEW European Union applied the that have been conducted on specific Conventional1159 ‘Precautionary Principle’ and set aside antibiotics used in animals consistently Box scientific evidence, and so made deci- showed extremely low levels of risk. Spr sions about antibiotics that have in fact “We agree with the World Health eader damaged animal health and not provided Organization and the International Office any benefits to human health. We need to of Epizootics that sound policy decisions advance science and risk assessments to must be based on scientific risk assess- help make sound, evidence-based and ments that address the likely future Built for Tough Farm Conditions balanced decisions in the United States human health consequences of proposed and around the world.” risk management actions. In practice, that when Spreading or Stockpiling. The panel of experts, drawn from means understanding and applying prin- human and animal health, found the ciples for prudent use of antibiotics and debate over the potential of antibiotic paying attention to surveillance and • Larger Capacity – 590 Heaped Cubic Feet resistance transfer from animal to humans monitoring data for both antibiotic-sus- • Lower Profile – 83" Loading Height has featured misinformation and a blurring ceptible and antibiotic-resistant illnesses • Double Apron of important distinctions. They critically caused by food-borne bacteria,” summa- reviewed more than 250 studies and avail- rized Tony Cox, co-author and president • Pintle Chain able data in an attempt to draw distinctions of Cox Associates, an applied research • Replaceable Beater Paddles between events that do happen, may hap- company specializing in health risk • Removable Beaters pen, might happen and do not happen. analysis and operations research model- Surveillance data from Europe and the ing. “Legislative and political efforts • Sturdy, Straight Sides United States shows numerous discon- without sound science and quantitative • Two Standard Rooster-Comb Beaters nects in the patterns of resistant bacteria assessment of their possible, adverse • Heavy-Duty, Parallel-Shaft, Apron Gearbox in animals and humans, making it human health consequences are danger- unlikely that there is or has been wide- ous. If the United States follows the • Two-Piece Solid Poly Floor spread transference of resistant bacteria European ban, then both animal and • Hydraulic Swinging Endgate via the food supply. And, while a human health may be jeopardized.” • Bolt-On Clevis • Variable-Speed Control Option New publications, Web site highlight • Lower Spinner Beater Option

Brodhead, WI • Phone: 608-897-2131 small poultry business feasibility Greeley, CO • Phone: 970-351-0444 The National Center for Appropriate ing their birds on the farm and for build- www.kuhnknight.com Technology (NCAT) and Heifer ing and operating a Mobile Processing International have recently completed a Unit (MPU). Also available from NCAT is four-year collaborative project to develop “Small-Scale Poultry Processing,” which educational materials for farmers seeking provides technical information on pro- to expand or establish small poultry busi- cessing in small plants. World-Wide Leader in Innovative Manure Spreaders! nesses and processing facilities. In Kentucky, Heifer International With an increasing number of small worked with the state Department of Archbold (Pettisville) Mansfield Republic poultry producers turning to pasture- Agriculture, Kentucky State University, Eicher’s Repair Shearer Equipment Gary’s Equipment based or “free-range” systems for raising and Partners for Family Farms to build Center, Inc. 419-529-6160 419-585-5391 birds, there has been a growing need for and put into service a cooperatively oper- 419-446-2460 small processing facilities. But consolida- ated MPU. This $70,000 state-licensed Mechanicsburg Spencerville tion in the poultry industry has left few unit is available for rent to producers Ashland Mechanicsburg Max McMichael small plants available. with approved set-up sites that include a Ashland Implement Co. 419-647-4588 To help small producers evaluate and docking pad and the required water, elec- Implement, Inc. 937-834-2307 manage free-range poultry operations, trical and waste-disposal facilities. Wooster 419-289-3610 NCAT developed “Growing Your Range The publications are available on Minster Shearer Equipment Poultry Business: An Entrepreneur’s NCAT’s new Sustainable Poultry Web site, Haviland Prenger Implement 330-345-9023 Toolbox.” This publication focuses on www.sustainablepoultry.ncat.org. These J&J Ag Equipment Store, Inc. economic feasibility and family consider- and more than 230 other free publications LLC 419-628-3045 ations, as well as production and market- on sustainable agriculture can also be 419-587-3200 ing issues. It also discusses meat inspec- ordered by calling NCAT’s ATTRA Project tion and processing, and it includes sam- at 800-346-9140, or downloaded from the ple budgets for small producers process- ATTRA Web site, www.attra.ncat.org.