Herr chosen outstanding farmer Second of two parts By DIETER KRBEG KIRKWOOD - A 31-year-old, conservation-minded dairyman who owns 92 milking cows and operates 506 a eras was recently honored by the Quarryviile Jaycees as that area’s outstanding young fanner. Dale Herr, one of eight finalists in the biannual event, received the coveted prize and opportunity to represent Solanco in state-wide competition, on the basis of his achievements, conservation practices, and contributions to the community. Associated with farm work for all his life, Herr received the honor under some circumstances which seem to buck a few general trends within the industry. Last year, for example, he was farming an additional 205 acres, and nine years ago, when he began farming on his own, he had 128 cows on test. Herr’s present emphasis is more on quality, rather than Quantity, and he claims the move has paid off Jn the dairy bam. One of the major changes Herr has initiated in recent years is his dairy feeding program which now utilizes two Harvestores. At the time of my visit, he kept high moisture ear com in one structure and baylage in the other. Hay hasn’t been a part of the dairy cows’ menu since early this year, and Herr says he’s pleased with results. His fat tests have come up two points. This year. Announcing: a dry pop-up ! Can cut planting time in half! Chevron * Ortho P. L. ROHRER & BRO., INC.] TM's- ORTHO/ CHEVRON DESIGN REG US PAT OFF Herr Hope Farm, between Kirkwood and Quarryville, is the home of Dale and Fay Herr, winners of the Quarryville Jaycees Outstanding he said, he only baled about 2,000 bales of hay while the equivalent of about 10,000 bales went into the Harvesters. Of the 505 acres in the three farms he operates, 312 are tillable. He raises all of his own feed and sells tobacco and potatoes as cash crops. For the nine years he has farmed on his own, he has consistently shipped over a million pounds of mflt per year. Citing a 600-pound butterfat average as a major goal, his present herd average on 92 cows reads 517. Herr’s dairy herd is actually two-in-one, although they’re all in the same barn and taken care of by one management program. Originally an all-Guernsey herd, Holsteins have been taking the stalls of the English breed for the past ten years. The first black-and-whites were purchased in 1965 when the elder Herr was still in charge of the dairy operation. At the present time there are still seven Guernseys in the bam, but Herr expects to have a solid Holstein herd at some time in the future. Although many Ortho Unipel STARTER SPECIAL A starter? As a “pop-up"? It has to be special. It is. STARTER SPECIAL is a completely unique product. Here’s why; Physical Uniformity. STARTER SPECIAL pellets are made to the same shape and density for maximum consistency and control in application. ' Chemical Uniformity. Each and every STARTER SPECIAL pellet has all three primary nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium chemically homogenized in precisely the most desirable ratio; 13-34-10. The nutrients can’t separate or segregate during handling as with troublesome, hard-to regulate “dry blends.” Double-Duty Nutrients. "STARTER SPECIAL has both quick-acting and long-lasting nitrogen and phosphorus for thorough plant feeding. There is no urea or diammomum phosphate that might endanger the seed through liberation of free ammonia. Of course, these features also make it highly effective as a banded starter. But, with only slight adaptation of most planters, it can be applied directly with the seed in exacting measurement for safety and maximum response. With this kind of control, you apply much less material - only 1/3 the amount needed for banding. And the reduced material handling could cut your planting time in half! So, save time, trouble, and money at planting time. See us soon about applying STARTER SPECIAL this spring as a dry “pop-up”. Smoketown, Pa. Phone Lane. 717-299-2571 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dec 27,1975 Young Farmer Contest Herr farms 505 acres and maintains a herd of 180 Holsteins and Guernseys with the help of four full-time hired men. of his animals are purebreds, be and a number of in dividuals from whom he purchased cows did not keep papers. Therefore Herr considers his herd to be about 50 per cent purebreds but not registered. Switching to a registered herd is another one of his ambitions for the coming years. Cows at Herr’s farm are housed in a massive bam which has been remodeled and added onto several times. The chain-tie stalls, Herr admits, are still a bit mmll for Holsteins since they were originally intended for Guern seys, but from a practical viewpoint they’re working out satisfactorily. He tries to keep “smaller” Holsteins than what is generally strived for by most Holstein breeders. Although Herr is aiming to put a 600-pound butterfat production average on his herd, he claims that be does not push for big records. “I draw the line between feeding cows for production and feeding cows for records,” he emphasized, a bit of information which he also reflected in this philosophical statement: “I try to do the most, and the best, with what I have to work with.” A progressive farmer who believes more in quality than quantity, Herr stated he doubts that be will increase the size of his herd to more than 100 cows. Acreage expansion is also doubtful due to high prices for land, he added, although he still “farms” elsewhere as a custom operator. Herr hopes to reach his goal of 600 pounds butterfat through “better feeds, breeding, and management.” He described his present herdsman, Robert Smith, as being very capable and really doing the job. Besides Smith, Herr has three other fellows working for him: Melvin [Continued on Page 59] FLAMELESS CATALYTIC HEATERS AN L.P. GAS BROODER THAT DOES A BETTER JOB ON BABY PIGS & CHICKS ALSO OTHER MODELS IN STOCK FOR USE AS MILKHOUSE HEATERS AARON S. GROFF & SON FARM & DAIRY STORE RD3, Ephrala. Pa. 17522 IHinkletovml Phone 3540741 Store Hours 7 A.M. to 9 P.NI. Closed lues. & Sat. at 5:00 P.M 53 “Your Pigs Will Love Per/'
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