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Show June 1971 Page 5 UTAH FARM BUREAU Firmti Mdlmtiry Fruit marketing in Utah is handled in a number of ways and through a number of different channels. For example, Jess Zollinger of Logan has developed a market where most of his fruit is sold fresh and purchased by local consumers. He has cooling facilities to accommodate his customers who prefeV to purchase and pick up as desired. Most families can only use a part of a bushel at a time. The fruit will not last long enough out of storage. Mr. Zollinger in his "one man operation" also makes apple juice that is sold locally and to the Utah State University. He has planted a good number of trees that will come into production to replace some of the older and perhaps less marketable apples in today's consumer markets. Dwarf trees seem to be a very popular method of increasing production per acre, reducing the need for ladders and accidents as well. On the other hand, the bulkof some orchards is shipped out of state. This only serves to demonstrate that when marketing is the factor every one may be right in connection with what is best for his operation. The rub comes when it is realized that the general level of income to most of the producers could likely be enhanced should more cooperation be developed between growers. More regular communication could be developed between local and regional as well as national producers. It is a recognized fact that quite often one area will be pitted against another area as a method of buying fruit at lower prices. Rowley Brothers in Payson ship most of their produce to the' West Coast. Apples that won't grade for the fresh market are juiced and sold as such. Apple juice makes a very tasty drink and has the benefit of natural nutrients. Various products are beginning toappearthatwill enhance the income of growers. Rowley Brothers ship their produce by means of trucks. Markets are being company-owne- d large developed in all directions from their plant. Realizing the importance of developing the highest quality product possible and then finding the most suitable market available it has become necessary to hire trained personnel in plant management to assist in the economics of the fruit growing, processing and marketing business. The Rowley operation is one that has a good plant facility for handling almost every aspect of the business. They have demonstrated that Utah producers have a quality product and by using the knowledge and skill available it can be sold successfully in competition with fruit from any area of the country. Another development that has taken place in the Utah fruit industry is an Apple Marketing Order for the purpose of procuring funds to advertise the high quality of Utah apples and make buying them more desirable on the part of the consumer. Glade Gillman of Orem, who is associated with the Orde reports that the Order should enhance the opportunity to advertise and sell Utah apples. Some of the majorproblemsobservedwhileMr. Cooper was in Utah includes labor, frost, marketing information, Use of chemicals for pest control and other purposes and a number of smaller items. Almostwithout exception, growers have indicated thatjabor is the most prominentproblem to be solved. It is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain migrant labor. Quite often migrant labor is available but semi-trail- er was reported by one grower that the house he was raised in, along with six other children, is not good enough forthehiredhelp even though the facility has been considerably improved since it wasa family residence. Inside toilet facilitieshavebeenadded along with other improvements without acceptance. It is interesting to note that at this point, according to U.S.D.A. figures, there were in 1970, 196,000 persons listed as domestic migratory workers. This was a decline from the previous year of 257,000 of such workers or 24 percent decrease in one year. In view of the restrictions being placed on migrant workers, the facilities necessary and changes proposed for increases in minimum wages and eliminating overtime exemptions from perishable crop operations, the situation for obtaining adequate labor is becoming the most serious problem to fruit men. Many new mechanical harvesters have been devised for picking fruit. Sour cherries and other crops can be handled with tree shakers or other machines, butit seems to be the consensus that Golden Delicious and a number of other fruits cannot be picked mechanically with anything to be developed in the foreseeable future. The skin on these fruits is so tender that even pickers use soft gloves by government agencies. It SERIOUSLY . . and Otherwise By Harvey Griffin . When you see what some girls marry, you realize how they must hate to work for a living. Sign of middle ago when the phone rings Saturday night and you hope its not for you. She didnt want to marry him for his money, but there wasnt any other easy way to get it A father told his teenage daughter he wanted her home by 11 p.m. But father, complained, the no Im girl, longer a child. I know, said the father, 'That is why I want you home by 11. When a kid misbehaved in the old days to get attention, he really got it to prevent bruising. Often it appears that government agencies have unlimited "rights" on private property when migrant laborers are employed and under some circumstances measurable damage has been done by these "intruders," it is reported. Efforts are going forward at the present time to obtain better weather reporting service forfruit growers and other interests to prevent tremendous losses as have occurred in the pastas a resultof unexpected or unadvertised weather conditions. fruit growers are optimistic about the future of Utah fruit production and are making headway toward solutions to the various problems that have confronted them. Company this year, for example, opened for the first time a CA (controlled atmosphere) storage facility. They report the fruit so stored the conditions under which they must be hired prohibits is in excellent condition. Such improvements in the future their use. Regulations as to housing and sanitary facilities, will continue and Utah fruitgrowers will make the neceseven though acceptable to workers, may not be approved sary changes for success. All in all, Utah Muir-Rober- ts The contented smile on the face of Jess Zollinger of Riverheights near Logan, indicates enjoys his work as a that he |