Archers named Md.’s first SPF swine producer DARLINGTON, Md. - John P. Archer and Sons, Darlington, Md. recently became accredited as secondary Specific Pathogen Free SwineJProducers. This is the first swine herd in Maryland to qualify for this designation. This SPF Swine health program was started several years ago in the midwest hog belt. The theory embodied in production of SPF pigs is to eliminate and prevent certain growth retarding diseases. This is ac complished by s’irgically removing pigs from the sow - rearing them in isolation to a suitable age and then placing them on farms for normal growth and reproduction. The offspring of these hogs can be used to repopulate other farms. Archers have been in the swine business since 1968. John tried dairy farming in the fifties but after about ten years decided that this was not for him. John, an individual of high standards, passed this trait on to his sons - which they demonstrated by their many blue ribbon ac complishments with their 4- H sheep and swine projects during the sixties. It was during this period of tune BROWNSTOWN AGRI LOAN CORP. FARMERS ARE OUR ONLY CUSTOMERS SO WE TREAT THEM WITH SPECIAL CARE! • Exclusive Lending To Farmers • Dependable Source Of Funds • Personal Service On Farm Or In Office • Confidential Service • Terms To 7 Years • Repayment Schedules To Meet Farm Income BROWNSTOWN AGRI LOAN CORP. Call or Visit. Brownstown Natl. Bank Building 808 ZOOK Main & State Sts., Brownstown, Pa. 17508 717-656-2951 Morton buildings 'mar Winter Season Discounts MORTON BUILDINGS OFFER QUALITY MATERIALS, EXPERIENCED CREWS, AND NOW WINTER DISCOUNTS. Morton buildings Serving Central Pa and Maryland RD4, Box 34A Gettysburg, PA 17325 Ph 717-334-2168 W Serving North Central Pa Area PO Box 937 • State College, PA 16801 0* T Ph: 814-383-4355 that the Archers were learning and developing their goal and standards as swine breeders and producers. Archers started with eight Hamp-York cross bred gilts obtained from two different nearby breeders who had a few excess gilts. John now states that “this was one of las big mistakes - as he should have started with select animals, however, no one told him this at the time.” The boys 4-H projects were instrumental in-up-grading their stock. John recalls the time when his son, Stephen, and a neighbor 4-H member talked him into driving to Missouri for a pair of Duroc bred gilts which the boys used as 4-H projects. These gilts proved to be foundation animals in their herd and for several years this influence could be seen. In 1973, Archers’ feed representative advised that he observed evidence of Rhinitis in a group of 100 feeder pigs that he helped the Archers place with a feeder in an adjoining county. John states that it was down hill from there on. Herd health problems in TO FIND OUT ... WRITE OR CALL TODAY! Serving Eastern Pa. and New Jersey Box 126, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Ph 201-454-7900 creased while feed and production efficiency decreased. John and his wife were combining work and pleasure by attending the 1975 National Feeder Pig Show, Wess Plains, Missouri. While there they attended some of the in formational seminars. It was at one of these sessions that he first en thused about Specific Free Pigs. Fur ther inquiry and study brought the Archers to a point about a year later where they were ready to make the move arid in then case that meant travel to Ohio in search of SPF Breeding Stock. Initially they were looking for cross bred ready to farrow gilts. However, bred gilts were not available so they contracted to purchase 35 head of 4 month old certified gilts from a certified SPF Ohio Producer. At the time of purchase the boys influenced their father to get necessary certification papers so they could become SPF Certified Producers at a later date. Thirty Yorkshire gilts and a boar along with five Duroc gilts and a boar were scheduled for delivery in October. During the Spring | | | Send information on MORTON Square Post Buildings I {□ 1 Have your salesman phone me for an appointment I NAME | ADDRESS I Telephone No. Z v. / the farm was depopulated and for 90 days the farm was void of all hogs. A sub stantial clean-up campaign was conducted in and around the hog facilities. Upon arrival the gilts were placed m clean surroundings where they were to finish growing and be bred. Archers were so enthused with the large, vigorous, healthy pigs that they returned to Ohio the following Spring and pur chased eleven more gilts. The quality of the initial pigs received from Ohio and their performance in Maryland convinced the Archers that this SPF Health Program did in fact contribute sub stantially to improving production efficiency. They contacted the National SPF Office in Conrad, lowa for in structions on how to become a certified producer. They found that certain requirements are specified regarding six major swine ailments - (Mycoplasma Pneumonia VPP, Atrophic Rhinitis, Brucellosis, Lepto, Enteric mfections-swine dysentary, and External Parasites - hce and mange). In order to maintain animals clear of these ailments quarterly inspections of the facilities are conducted by a veterinarian, blood testing is done and slaughter examinations are made of specific parts. Archers are convinced that this is the way to produce quality pigs. A recent group of eleven sows weaned an average of 11.3 pigs per litter. They feel that to get this kind of success you must first start with quality breeding stock and maintain a quality health program such as SPF offers. They are so sure of the value of this program that they say if something should go wrong and they should lose their certification that they would depopulate and do it all over agam. .. V» JW Lancaster Firming, Saturday, November 4,1978 John Archer checks one of the signs posted on his SPF swine disease control area. The Archers are very satisfied with their operation since its start and have been named Maryland’s first SPF swine producer. Archers feel they have pigs going to nearby now arrived in the swine producers. Some of the more industry. They are doing a promising gibs are being quality production job and held for breeding purposes, are in a position to share this The John Archer family, with their neighboring swine Darlington, Md., will be producers. They are happy to talk with anyone primarily feeder pig interested in learning more producers with most of their about 1116 SPF Program. WHAT'S NEW v NEW AUGER A two-year warranty and heavier materials and components are the prin cipal features of the new auger introduced this year by Allied Farm Equipment. The units are from 35 feet to 61 feet in length with tube dimensions of 6 inches, 7 inches, and 8 inches. Allied has produced augers for over 20 years and the new machine is the fourth major development in the line. The two-year warranty on the complete auger is beheved to be a first in the industry. Tins is in addition to Alhed’s regular five-year warranty on the gearbox, which has also been technically improved HOW YOU CAN VOTE REPUBLICAN AND STILL VOTE FOR ED ARNOLD THE PEOPLE’S CANDIDATE FOR THE ST A TE SENA TE. Using the voting machine: After you have pulled the lever marked Republican, go to the section marked state senator. Push the lever over the name of the Republican candidate back to its original position. Then pull down the lever over the name of EDWARD L. ARNOLD. Using the paper ballot: Mark an X in the party box and an X behind the name of EDWARD L. ARNOLD. Paid for by the Bi-Partisan Committee to Elect - Ed A mold to the State Senate, Jackie Tavlor, Manager Alex Croce, Jr , treasurer fttlp ai pxivtnt^diS*ai* J Ptkm \ EEP OUT « p ® ■ ,ASE COITROL .REA— r* One of the auger’s features is full safety guarding, built to ASAE standards on the driveline and gearbox for protection against moving parts. Guarding is hinged at key points for easy access without removing the guards. Materials are now made of DuPont polyethylene for toughness, durability and weather resistance, Allied says. Improvements have also been made in the un dercarriage structures by using stronger frame tubing - 2 Vi inches on the six and seven inch augers, and 3% inches on the eight mch units. Undercarnage mast is bigger and has been revised for better operation. Information on the new Allied auger can be obtained from the company’s authorized dealers, or from headquarters at 35 E. Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60601; or 50 Panet Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba R2JOR9. Coconut Hunting 9 A fresh coconut should sound full of liquid when you shake it Grated coconut is sold dry or moist Moist coconut tastes more like fresh coconut 89
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