In no instance encountered was there a specified penalty against the 

 producer because of inconvenicence to the feed dealer in making deliveries. 

 It is known that such a policy has been tried in other areas. In one instance, 

 10 cents per 100 pounds was assessed for second-floor deliveries. The general 

 approach of New Hampshire outlets has been to work with the producer 

 to improve the arrangements for receiving and handling at the farm, 

 and/or to explore possibilities for using auxiliary unloading equipment, it 

 being held that "competition" forces dealers to countenance many incon- 

 venient or inefficient situations. 



Steps by Companies to Promote Efficient Handling. 



A series of questions was asked feed companies relative to steps they 

 took to promote efficient handling at three stages: from the mill to the 

 retail outlet, in retail outlets or warehouses, and between retail outlets or 

 warehouses and the farm. Inquiry was also made relative to their policies 

 on routes and making suggestions to producers on improved handling of 

 grain feeds at the farm. 



The steps listed, as adopted by various companies to promote efficient 

 handling from the mill to the retail outlet, were as follows: all rail ship- 

 ments; use of milling-in-transit to the maximum and over quickest routes; 

 local trucking by dealers near mill; carload orders must be received 24 

 hours before manufacturing run is established; advance orders and car- 

 door service; grouping localities for combined shipments; all carload ship- 

 ments; loading according to approved methods to insure safe delivery; load- 

 ing so car can be unloaded in proper sequence for delivery; prompt ship- 

 ments to dealers; ship same day order received; feed made today, shipped 

 tonight; belt conveyor from mill to car. 



Some companies indicated they had no control over and/or informa- 

 tion about what dealers did in outlets or warehouses and between these and 

 the farm. The following were given as promoting efficient handling by re- 

 tail dealers: determining best location for stock; handling and piling in 

 groups; encouraging quick turnover of stock; following iirst-in - first-out 

 policy on stock; advance orders and car-door service; use of fork-lift 

 trucks, chutes, elevators. 



Steps to promote efficient handling between the retail outlet or ware- 

 house and the farm were listed as follows: regular scheduled weekly de- 

 livery routes; advance orders and cardoor service; deliver as much as pos- 

 sible from car to farm; set up routes on systematic basis to save mileage 

 and time; prompt delivery; promote bulk feed; portable labor-saving devices. 



Of 16 companies reporting, 7 indicated some to extensive participation 

 by main or district offices and/or fieldmen in studying delivery route re- 

 arrangement. An additional four indicated knowledge of extensive study 

 of the subject by retail outlets. These studies were described as "periodic", 

 "every six months", and "annual". 



Three companies indicated they refused business where purchases were 

 too small to justify route operation. Four others indicated that they could 

 usually work such business in on established routes or make other arrange- 

 ments. Three companies indicated they had upon occasion refused business 

 because producers refused to cooperate relative to convenience of unloading 

 and handling at the farm. 



About all of the companies indicated they made suggestions to farmers 

 to promote more efficient handling of grain-feeds upon arrival and after 



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