Arizona republican., 1922-05-14
NEED CO OPERATION
IN MARKETING FOR
POULTRY INDUSTRY

PUULlRf I|vUU5lRI
Production of eggs in the Salt
River Valley has reached a point
where more systematic marketing is
essential for further development of
of the poultry industry. In the period
OF greatest production that is during
plus of eggs, resulting in prices
which are too low for any profit.
During practically all the balance of
the year there is shipped into the
district quantity Of eggs that no one
has yet been able to estimate with
any degree of accuracy.
Throughout a great part of the
state there is a demand for eggs dur
ing a greater period of time than in
this valley. and more eggs are
shipped in. To help in equalizing the
load of surplus eggs, a considerable
number are stored each season dur
ing the period Of heaviest production.
The quantity of stored eggs is not
however. nearly as great as the
quantity of stored eggs which are
eggs that are also imported from
other states.
Few Eggs Stored
Eggs are stored by a few dealers
and by a small association of egg
producers, representing some of the
largest commercial poultry farms.
The smaller producers including the
farmers. and the back yard flocks
must market their products as best
they may and that at the present
time usually means through the
grocery stores or through the dealers.
A few Of the dealers pay a premium
for eggs that are produced under the
best of conditions, and which are
brought to market In shape so that
they may be stored.
The total production Of farm and
and other small flocks is probably
considerably greater that the pro-
duction of the commercial farms. in
spite of the fact that the number of
commercial farms is increasing and
that as a rule the production for each
fowl is heavier on the commercial
farms where the best of care is given
than it is on the farms where poultry
is side line. There are q good many
farms where from a few dozen to q
few hundred birds are kept, and the
total production is considerable, but
not nearly as much as it should be.
Increasing production at this time
without providing for marketing will
result as 1t has in the past, with
surplus in the spring that forces
prices down and with out sufficient
storage of this surplus there will
still be a shortage that will have to
be supplied from outside during the
season Of lowest production.
The success Of the poultry indus
try and the future welfare depends
upon successful marketing. Success
full marketing will mean that there
must be closer operation between
the producer and the consumer in
some way. The consumer should un-
derstand that eggs are one of the
most valuable food products, and for
the actual nutriments is generally
one of the cheapest. 1t will be better
for the consumer and for the pro-
ducer as well if the price during the
entire year is more nearly equal. We
cannot hope for this some time to
come but it is one of the things that
being better for both producer and
consumer, should be looked forward
to.
Eggs are a perishable product. and
must be so considered. The producer
must learn that an egg we'll cared
for is of more valuable to the con-
sumer than one carelessly handled
and the consumer must be educated
to being willing TO pay more for such
food. Producers can be made to see
that It is their financial advantage
to produce eggs that are Of the best
quality and to use every possible
means of keeping them so. At the
present time it is unfortunately true
Al. a.. 4l-,-
way of better prices to encourage the
grading of eggs or any special care
other than TO deliver them fairly
eggs should be established similar to
the standards adopted in many other
places.
Lax IN Feeds
Producers are lax in the matter of
feeds, many times, and a lack of
proper feed will produce eggs which
are not as valuable for food purposes
and which will not stand storage
like eggs from hens fed a balanced
ration. There is also a laxity in the
matter OF clean nests and this is a
point that is more important
than many people imagine. AL
together too many are careless in the
matter of gathering eggs. All nests
should be in the shade and if possible
eggs should be gathered twice daily.
The eggs should then be kept in a
cool place and marketed at least
twice a week. If no males are al
lowed to run with the flock, eggs
produced from flocks fed and cared
for in the proper manner should be
worth five to ten cents a dozen more
to the consumer than eggs that are
c9reIpSSlV handled
1t will not be a difficult matter to
increase the activities of the present
organization OF egg producers by
taking in more of the commercial
poultry men. but it will be difficult to
organize the owners of small flocks.
into a workable Organizatio The
chief difficulty where the flock is a
side line. is that there is pretty sure
to be carelessness at times when
other matters are pressing. and the
flock and of course the eggs also
suffer For supplying a steady trade
| this must be guarded against
Paved Roads to Help
The writer believes that it may be
| possible to work this out by means
| Of egg routes. With our paved roads
reaching into all parts of the valley,
| it should be easy for truck to cover
| so to rs miles daily and pick up ten
| or more cases of eggs. These should
| also be time for the driver to make
| an inspection Of each place visited at
| least once each six months and by
| some method OF tabulating such as a