—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 4,1978 36 Choice cattle By DIETER KRIEG LANCASTER - Meat production is an efficient way to make protein, cattle feeders were told here last week. To capitalize on it, farmers have to know what kind of cattle are in demand, and they have to be sure to market their animals when they make grade. Cattle that _are fed too_long cause sharp reductions in potential profits. According to experts in the industry, the choice grade of cattle is the one to go for, rather than prime. Even with relatively low feed costs, the extra feed isn’t usually worth the expense since buyers aren’t showing much demand for the prime grade of cattle. The specialists who ad dressed themselves to these questions last week were Dr. Dan Fox from Cornell University and Dr. Les Burdette of Penn State. Both took part in the annual Cattle Feeders Day program held at the Lancaster Farm and Home Center. The event was attended by nearly 200 people. According to figures and facts released by Burdette, beef consumption in this country is leaning heavily Apples up HARRISBURG - Penn sylvania apples in cold storage on December 31, 1977 totaled 161,973,000 pounds. Apple holdings are up 60,471,000 pounds, 60 per cent from a year ago. The total holdings convert to 3,857,000 boxes of apples weighing 42 pounds each. Gardeners! Thinking of buying a gardening machine of any kind this year?... ,'sbk- Before You Buy... I Please send NOW for your FREE copy of this im portant New Report- WHICH Gardening Machine Should I Own? 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What the cattleman should be zeroing in on, however, is to make sure his cattle" receive- enough protein and minerals. This is the critical point about the business. Fox noted that a high silage ration can be a very good feeding route, but he recommends that farmers treat their silage crop with a preservative which simultaneously boosts protein levels. This he says, gives the feeder a safety margin in assuring that the feed has a uniform and somewhat higher protein content. “Protein supplementation has a big impact on profitability,” Fox em phasized. He advises feeders to make their decisions based more on their total farming operations, rather than any one segment. The key, he says, is to take ac count of the farm’s poten tials and easily achieved inputs. What remains then is for the operator to market what he can grow to his best advantage. It’s up to him to, decide whether that’s growing beans or meat. Fox further believes that a farmer can maximize his feeding efficiency through the use of corn silage. But he’s not advocating that as WHICH Gardening Machine Ghoyjd I Own? ) Uwn rr«cl,„ I m, - ji ** .State. cattle went through marketing channels as ground beef, says that if cattle are slaughtered at the same percentage of fat in the jS * carcass, there’s little dif- ZJg ference in average rate of ’ daily gain and feed ef , ficiency. That goes for both JL the small and large-framed W 'W., ’ cattle. w Burdette also says that vVA .3 boned beef will be in short Lesfer Burdette su PP J y for th e next few Lester Buraette years . That--should mean Oie only way. It depends on that those farmers who can individual circumstances. At furnish the supply will have any rate, he advocates that a an edge on the market and farmer spread his risks, subsequent profits. The using his best options. That price spread for that type of could mean growing com beef will not be very great and utilizing both silage and compared to fed cattle he high moisture com, for added example Burdette, who pointed out that consumers will go back that close to half of 1977’s to steak and roast kind of O V I & Everyone wants' to be sure of balanced nutrition. After all, it’s the performance of your herd that means profits for you. 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RD #3, Box 314 Manheim, PA 17545 (717)665-7356 Net Weight 50 lbs. St" * 'isSi/hJZrL. BALANCED NUTRITION VS. HIGH SUPPLEMENT COSTS we got licked. demand today 6) Burdette is not optimistic beef. The demand for such cuts will continue,- but growth in the area is questionable. The economy has changed and shows no signs of reversing. The Penn State specialist says cattle put on fat when they reach 70 per cent of their mature size. Then feed efficiency slows down. Bigger cattle can be kept longer on a finishing ration for the hamburger market, Burdette continued. He says that marketing these kind of cattle at 70 per cent mature size is efficient, espcially if they’re on a forage program. High energy feeds are better suited for the small Clay S. Mumma, Jr. HUBBARD FARMS Telephone 717/569-2654 Evenings 717/653-2397 LANCASTER. PENNSYLVANIA 17604 a good investment toward the performance and prof its you will receive in the future. Mol-Mix liquid supplements JOHN L MARTIN NORTHAMPTON FARM BUREAU New Holland ROl Tatany, Pa. 18085 Phone 717-354-5848 Phone 215-258-2871 RED ROSE FEED & FARM SUPPLY MAIN OFFICE: 27 N. Church St. Quarryville 786-7361 breeds of beef cattle, the specialist affirmed. Commenting that not all cattle have the same kind of potential, Burdette recommends that cat tlemen feed their animals only to their contained potential, which is exactly what Fox emphasized in his talk. Both also noted that the farmer does not have to go to a roughage program in order to have the hamburger'type beef. It’s more a question of watching weights and correspondinggrades. In concluding his talk,- Burdette said “Buy cattle to fit your market and ability. Know something about your costs.” Div. of Carnation Buck, Pa. 284-4464