OHIO COUNCIL OF FARMER COOPERATIVES, INC., Hon. CLIFFORD R. HOPE, Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, 83d Congress. GENTLEMEN: It is indeed an honor for our State to have the distinguished Congressmen, members of the House Agriculture Committee, here to get the views of Ohio farmers and farm organizations on the national farm program. In behalf of the 16 statewide groups of farmer cooperatives comprising the Ohio Council, we ask permission to submit the attached summary of recommendations as formulated and adopted in a conference of cooperatives here in Columbus, on February 5, 1953. The conference was held to evaluate USDA services at the request of the Honorable Ezra Taft Benson, Secretary of Agriculture, through the Ohio Agricultural Mobilization Committee. The names of the organizations represented and participating individuals appear at the close of the report. You will please note that the report includes an overall summary as well as the separate recommendations of 12 commodity groups. The recommendations were reaffirmed by the council trustees in quarterly meeting, here on September 17, 1953. Respectfully submitted. OHIO COUNCIL OF FARMER COOPERATIVES, INC. WALTER L. BLUCK, Executive Secretary. A PROGRESS REPORT ON EVALUATION OF SERVICES RENDERED BY THE USDA TO FARMER COOPERATIVES IN OHIO Representative of all major farmer cooperatives in Ohio submit the following progress report to the Secretary of Agriculture with these explanations: 1. Cooperative marketing, cooperative purchasing, and cooperative service organizations (credit, rural electrification, and cattle breeding) sent key leaders to a workshop held in Columbus, Ohio, on February 5, 1953. 2. These leaders represent all of the important kinds of farmer-cooperative associations in Ohio. As officers and directors of cooperatives they are well informed on the policies and programs of their organizations. 3. Harold Hedges, of Farm Credit Research and Service Division, briefed the group on services currently rendered to the cooperatives by USDA. Mr. Hedges made clear the relationships between USDA agencies and cooperatives. 4. J. K. Stern, of the American Institute of Cooperation, and member of the advisory committee on cooperatives received activities leading up to the decision to make surveys of services of the USDA to cooperatives in four States, including Ohio. The Ohio Council of Farmer Cooperatives, represented by Walter Bluck, secretary, and the Ohio State Agricultural Mobilization Committee, represented by Robert Miles, chairman, cooperated in arranging several conferences and in bringing together the workshop group on February 5, 1953, and in preparation of this report. GEORGE THOMSON, Committee To Compile Sectional Reports for Transmittal to the A SUMMARY OF OHIO COOPERATIVES' APPRAISAL OF SERVICES RENDERED BY USDA The commodity sections of a workshop held in Ohio to appraise services now rendered and needed in the future by farmer cooperatives from the United States Department of Agriculture agreed that— 1. Research is the common need of farmer cooperatives and the most productive function of the United States Department of Agriculture. 2. Crop and livestock reports of USDA need constant checking for accuracy. Wider coverage in gathering data is suggested. More detailed breakdown by classes and grades would make the reports more useful. 3. Price support programs have two functions: To cushion sharp drops in farm prices, and to protect consumers from extreme fluctuation in supply. USDA has a responsibility to improve understanding of the latter aspect of price-support programs. 4. Aid of Extension Service in informing farmers about cooperatives is appreciated and additional help with the educational programs of cooperatives is requested. The statement of extension policy on relations with cooperatives should be made available to all extension workers. 5. Advisory committees of USDA are in position to point out the economic effects on agriculture of our foreign trade policies. We urge that the Secretary of Agriculture request the President to direct the State Department to consult these advisory committees so that United States representatives abroad will be informed about the economic effects as well as political effects of foreign trade in agricultural commodities. 6. Regulatory services of the United States Department of Agriculture are the first line of defense against spread of livestock disease. Recent outbreaks of livestock diseases emphasize the need for strengthening these services. 7. Credit needs of agriculture are being met with cooperative institutions tailored to fit farmers' marketing and supply buying operations. Farmer control of these agencies should be promoted. Young farmers need loans for land and machinery purchase. Farmers need more grain storage. Use of Federal funds in both these credit fields under cooperative arrangements is recommended. ARTIFICIAL BREEDING SECTION 1. Research is needed to develop methods and techniques of production testing of dairy cattle with the view to encouraging more producers to participate in the testing program. 2. We request sufficient appropriations to reestablish the DHIA program to prove all bulls and keep proofs current. 3. We request USDA to provide leadership in regulatory programs for control of communicable disease of livestock. 4. We command the broad research program undertaken through the regional research projects covering dairy cattle production, feeding, breeding, health, and sterility. We feel these programs should continue and be expanded as the needs arise. 5. The artificial breeding associations of Ohio appreciate the fine relations which we have had with the State and county extension staffs. We hope that we can so conduct our future programs that we merit their continuing participation from an educational standpoint. CREDIT SECTION 1. We believe one of the major functions of the Department of Agriculture is to help farmers to help themselves. 2. Cooperative credit agencies appreciate the capital and supervision that has been provided and was necessary to the establishment of the credit cooperatives serving farmers. 3. We appreciate the research work of the Department of Agriculture, price and outlook reports, market reports, and other information which is essential to the proper extension of credit to farmers. 4. We favor further decentralization of control from Washington as local credit associations become farmer-owned. This would include farmer representation in control in Washington and on district farm credit boards rather than political appointees. 5. We favor increased funds available for and greater concentration on educational work among farmers, by the Extension Service and more definite working relationships between the Extension Service and cooperative credit. 6. We favor more research and teaching of sound agricultural credit adapted to farmers' needs with the help of the Extension Service. 7. We recommend that more attention be given to providing adequate funds, either through the insured mortgage program or by Farmers' Home Administration loan, to provide an opportunity for young men who are farmers with farm backgrounds to get established on farms. DAIRY SECTION 1. Federal milk marketing orders.-The United States Department of Agriculture should process Federal milk marketing orders with greater dispatch. More speed is necessary to keep orders up-to-date and in line with current market. Delay in scheduling hearings and in making findings and issuing revisions is the greatest problem in administering orders. A direct line of organization from the head of the Dairy Branch to the Secretary is suggested. Organization within the USDA, not legislative provisions pertaining to milk marketing orders, is a fault, in our opinion. It is recommended that the Solicitor's office move more vigorously and speedily in court cases involving Federal milk marketing orders. On referenda: We suggest that the ballot used by producers have a perforated edge on which the producer writes his name, so that the producer's name may be removed from the ballot after proper identification. These suggestions are made with the aim of improving the functioning of Federal milk marketing orders and are not a criticism of persons administering the orders. 2. Price supports for dairy products.-Dairy cooperatives should be given more opportunity and responsibility in purchasing and storing dairy products under the price-support program. It is recommended that loans be made available to dairy cooperatives on seasonal surpluses processed by the cooperatives at 100 percent of the support price. These loans should be nonrecourse advances giving the cooperatives option to pay the loan principal in cash or by delivery of the products to the Commodity Credit Corporation at the end of the loan period. Banks for cooperatives now loan a limit of 65 percent of the value of processed dairy products held for future sale by cooperatives. More orderly marketing and more merchandising effort would result from providing dairy cooperatives with loans on seasonal surpluses at full support prices. 3. Commodity market reports. It is recommended that statistical information on consumption of dairy products be collected in a few key cities. Rapid changes are taking place in methods of milk distribution and in packaging fluid milk. Knowing effects of these changes on consumption would help dairy industry make adjustments in the interest of economy and improved nutrition. We recommend that greater caution be used in collecting, evaluating, and quoting prices on dairy products to make sure that quoted prices are representative of actual prices. 4. Credit for dairy cooperatives.-It is recommended that the proposed loan program for storage of seasonal surpluses of dairy products by cooperatives be coordinated with activities of the banks for cooperatives. 5. Bureau of Dairy Industry.-Due to lifting of the embargo on Canadian cattle on March 1, 1953, additional precautions should be put in force to protect the health of domestic cattle. 6. Production credit for farmers.-An educational program for cooperative personnel is recommended to acquaint cooperative employees with the services of production credit associations. Through contacts with milk producers, these employees may bring about greater use of PCA services by dairy farmers. 7. Research. Further studies to support and reinforce present knowledge of the nutritional values of the constituents of milk are requested. Emphasis in research should be on nonfat solids, with a secondary objective of promoting the pricing of milk constituents in closer relationship to the food values of those constituents. 8. Extension.-It is recommended that the circular on Extension Service policy relating to cooperatives be sent to all Extension administrators, specialists, and County agents. GRAIN SECTION 1. We recommend intensive research to lower costs of processing and distributing farm products to consumers. Less than half of consumers' expenditures for food goes to farmers for production. The farmers' portion of the food dollar should not be lowered. 2. We recommend that the United States seek continuation of the International Wheat Agreement until increases in United States population create a demand for wheat produced in this country. We favor efforts to find more export outlets for grains. 3. If there is need for controls such as marketing quotas, acreage allotments, and price supports, we urge that the United States Department of Agriculture help bring a true picture of the need for such programs to the public. 4. We favor better correlation of all agencies in the United States Department of Agriculture. 5. We commend the work now under way to conserve soil. 6. We ask that inspection service on imports of feedstuffs and livestock be strengthened to prevent outbreaks of disease in our domestic livestock. 7. More storage facilities are needed due to the rapid movement of grain at harvest time. Local grain elevators must keep space for current grain receipts and cannot store grain in quantity. Farmers are investing in terminal storage through their cooperatives. This is a partial solution. We recommend that Commodity Credit Corporation be authorized to help in financing additional terminal storage, and that research agencies be granted necessary funds to study and recommend the improvement needed in terminal, subterminal, and local elevator storage. S. We urge that adequate personnel and travel funds be made available to the Research and Service Division of Farm Credit Administration to assist cooperatives in membership education and to assemble and make available educational materials dealing with the organization, functioning and financing of cooperatives. LIVESTOCK AND WOOL SECTION 1. We recommend that the United States Department of Agriculture sponsor and support more basic research on production, marketing, distribution, processing, consumer acceptance, and all other phases of the livestock and wool industry with the objective of getting commodities to consumers in the best form and most efficiently. 2. We request additional research in wool utilization. 3. We recommend that the United States Department of Agriculture request the President to direct the State Department to consult advisory committees of USDA on problems of importations of agricultural commodities into this country, so that the economic effects as well as the political effects of our foreign trade policies may be understood by all persons representing the United States abroad. 4. We urge that the Office of Experiment Stations and regional research committees evaluate and better coordinate research projects carried on within States to avoid duplication and make best possible use of research funds. 5. We commend efforts being made to establish a central catalog of research information, both public and private, on all phases of agriculture. We recommend that the Office of Experiment Stations resume publication of the Experiment Station Record. All land-grant colleges need a publication that catalogs and summarizes research being done by Federal agencies and all the States so that duplication can be minimized. 6. We ask that more research be carried on in the prevention and cure of livestock disease. 7. We recommend that any future price-support programs be designed primarily to stabilize the livestock industry inasmuch as the major portion of the United States crop production is converted into meat and milk, and their byproducts. Price-support programs safeguard the welfare of consumers by promoting production of adequate and stable supplies of food, and should be so explained to the public. 8. We recommend that the Department make a study of the present livestock and crop estimates and market reporting service from the standpoint of accuracy. There needs to be improvement in the system of getting this information. 9. We commend the Extension marketing committee for their exploratory and advisory work toward getting greater correlation and cooperation in marketing research work in areas including several States. POULTRY AND EGG SECTION 1. We recommend more research on production and marketing for eggs and poultry products. Projects for study should include: (a) Research in production, particularly on disease problems. (b) Studies on marketing; how to reduce marketing costs, more uniform distribution of products going to market, etc. (c) Keeping qualities of eggs and poultry-washed eggs, frozen poultry, etc. 2. We recommend increase in personnel and more efforts on Extension poultry programs, including: (a) Consumer education on value of white and brown eggs, various size and quality grades; differences in kinds and classes of poultry meat. (b) More educational work with retailers. 3. We request continuation of market news reports and improvements in some of the present reporting setups. 4. We recommend that more accurate figures be secured on reports of the number of expected layers, egg production, eggs set for broiler production, eggs set for layer production, number of eggs in storage and better breakdown on poultry storage holdings. 5. We favor limited price supports on a relatively low basis to be used only in periods of temporary surpluses to prevent serious disaster for producers. Otherwise, supply and demand should regulate price. RURAL ELECTRIC SECTION 1. Rural electric cooperatives should have the opportunity of obtaining their proportionate share of electric energy from any public or private power develop ment. 2. Continue loan funds for rural electric system improvements. 3. Retain provisions for loans for generation and transmission when needed and feasible. 4. Provide adequate administrative funds to carry out present rural electric services. 5. We commend the REA for making their supervisory policies flexible enough to allow electric cooperatives to develop a program based on the needs of local farm families. We urge that this policy be continued. This is exemplified by the recent reorganization of REA. However, we feel that there is too great a lapse of time between application for a loan and receipt of the loan contract. 6. We commend the Department of Agriculture for its policy statement concerning the Agricultural Extension Service relationship with cooperatives and we recommend that these policies be effectuated with rural electric cooperatives. 7. We urge adequate facilities and finance for basic research in the field of rural electrification. There is an urgent need in the field of electric house heating, air conditioning, feed processing, irrigation, and many others. 8. Provide adequate loan and administrative funds to improve the rural telephone. VEGETABLE SECTION 1. Vegetable growers and their cooperatives in Ohio are historically opposed to price supports and Government control of production. For our industry we should prefer to forego any support or conservation payments. 2. We believe that young people interested in selecting a profession should be able to secure training in cooperative management. We urge that the Department of Agriculture do all within its power to encourage the development of training courses in that field. 3. We request the help of the Department of Agriculture in changing regulations of other departments of Government which work hardships on some of our cooperatives. Specifically, we refer to the area-of-production interpretation in the Fair Labor Standards Act and to the prohibiting of trip leasing of trucks. 4. We urge research in the field of crop and market news-reporting service in order that this service may be more accurate and useful. More funds are needed to reach out into producing areas for information and to hire competent trained personnel to gather and interpret market information. RECORD OF ATTENDANCE, EVALUATION CONFERENCE-USDA SERVICES, Representing artificial breeding cooperatives: Richard Kellogg, manager, 1224 Alton Darby Road, Columbus 4, Ohio. Samuel B. Rose, director, Findlay, Ohio. Alvin Ruewee, assistant manager, Box 1015, Tiffin, Ohio. Jasper Johnson, director, Route 1, Dover, Ohio. Representing rural electric cooperatives: J. C. Cissner, director, 202 North Downing Street, Piqua, Ohio. W. R. Joslin, director, Route 1, Sidney, Ohio. W. E. Stuckey, manager, 4302 Indianola Avenue, Columbus, Ohio. Everett S. Hoy, manager, Box 115, Hamilton, Ohio. Clarence Eckhardt, director, Route 1, Somerville, Ohio. |