Angus AHIR Figures Reveal Weight The top 25 per cent of all Angus 526 pounds at weaning, 963 bulls measured in the American pounds as yearlings and 1,183 Angus Association’s Angus Herd pounds at 550 days of age, ac- Improvement (AHIR) program cording to Lloyd D. Miller, through April 1972 have averaged executive secretary of the AERIAL LADDER EQUIP!. FARM PAINTERS BRUNING QUALITY PAINT WE SPRAY IT ON AND BRUSH IT IN. Call Now for free Estimates HENRY K. FISHER 2322 Old Phila. Pike Lancaster, Pa. 17602 Phone 717-393-6530 All the question-asking has ended. Every strong opinion has been heard and noted And now our directors and manage ment are planning the future based on the recent findings. Those findings i.inged fiom the friv olous and funny to the emotional and serious. The intern iewees told us, not only about hanking here, but about banking there and e\ei\uhere. “Twenty-two,” one fellow responded when asked his number of children. Then he grinned expansively, and so did the questioner. ‘ Pay higher interest on savings,” said a woman, who didn't know our rates .ire among the highest And we breathed easier upon learn- ing that a complaint about drivc-in services concerned another drive-in window—not ours. Before some nctual changes are in stituted by Farmers National Bank of Quarryville, we’re making a pledge about the future: To be a little belter, a little faster than before. To remember that people’s lives sometimes depend on their fi nances, and so to willingly ad\ise when requested. To realize that jesteiday's banking won't always do for today, but to build on the best policies of the past In even wa\, to put ouisehes in \our shoes Because ue think jou want us then'. Farmers National Bank of Quarryvilk Banking the way you’d do it. Membei, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation American Angus Association. “The figures, taken from the 272,472 weighings reported to the Association since the AHIR program started, show vast differences in growth rate within the breed and point up the out standing gaining ability of the best Angust cattle,” Miller said. For example the top 25 per cent of yearling Angus heifers averaged 717 pounds at 365 days of age and 854 pounds at 550 days. “This means,” Miller em phasized, “that these Angus females were large enough to breed at a year of age and could calve even before they were two years of age. This kind of growth rate and early maturity can help them produce one or two more calves during their lifetime.” On the other hand the low 25 per cent of the Angus heifers < > i « , 3 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 24,1972 Gains averaged only 517 pounds as yearlings, 198 pounds less than the top 25 per cent. The spread at 550 days was about the same, 854 pounds for the top 25 per cent and only 650 pounds for the bottom 25 per cent. “These ranges occur in most Angus herds and easily pinpoint the animals that should be culled,” Miller commented. The spread between the top and bottom 25 per cent of bull calves at weaning (205 days of age) was less but still of major propor tions. The top 25 per cent averaged 526 pounds compared with only 393 pounds for the bottom 25 per cent. At today’s feeder cattle prices that’s a difference of more than $53 per head. These figures indicate two major things the difference in mothering ability of cows as well as environmental differences within a single herd and between herds. Yearling weights are probably the best indicator of a bull’s ability to grow fast and ef ficiently, and the top Angus bulls were at or near market weight at 365 days of age and were well into the most desirable weight range at 550 days. At 365 days of age the top 25 per cent of the Angus bulls weighed 963 pounds compared with only 675 pounds for the bottom 25 per cent. At 550 days of age, which is the minimum age that most finished steers are slaughtered, the top 25 per cent of Angus bulls measured in AHIR averaged 1,183 pounds compared with only 847 pounds. “AHIR figures like these,” Miller explained, “are a useful tool for any cattleman who wants to improve the growing ability of his calves, whether they are registered or commercial.” “Participation in the AHIR program continues to grow,” Lloyd Miller reported. “And the Association has made changes to simplify the program and en courage even more Angus breeders to measure the production of their herds.” “Only recently,” he said, “the Association announced a new national Angus Sire Evaluation program. In line with this, the AHIR program was modernized, the report forms simplified, and new ones were added. The forms will be used both for the sire evaluation program and regular participation in the AHIR program.” Record Wheat Yield Forecast The Pennsylvania winter wheat yield is forecast at 37 bushels per acre based on the June 1 condition of the crop. This would be a record high yield, one bushel above the previous record yields set in 1966, 1967, and 1971. Production is expected to be 11.211.000 bushels, up eight per cent from last year’s estimated 10.296.000 bushels. Below normal spring temperatures retarded initial spring growth, however the crop made good growth during May. •MORE MILK •MORE MEAT • MORE PROFIT Madison Silos Div. Martin Marietta Corn. 1070 Steinmetz Rd. Ephrata, Penna. 17522 Ph. 733-1206 LOCAL DEALERS Frank Snyder Akron 859-2688 Caleb Wenger Quarryville 548-2116 Landis Bros. Inc. Lancaster 393-3906 Carl L. Shirk Lebanon 867-3741 Sollenberger Farm Supply 11
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