By KENDACE BORRY ATGLEN - Last Wed nesday was a busy day for members of the Golden Fleece 4-H Sheep Club in Chester County. A field day was held at the home of Mr and Mrs William Mac- Cauley, Atglen, where ac tivities throughout the day MILLER DIESEL, INC. 6030 Jonestown Rd. Harrisburg, PA 17112 717-545-5931 Interstate 81 Exit 26 SPECIALISTS DIESEL FUEL INJECTION PUMPS. INJECTORS, GOVERNORS TURBOCHARGERS ETC. We repair all makes such as CAV, AMERICAN & ROBERT BOSCH, CAT, CUMMINS, GM, AC, ROOSA MASTER. IHC, ETC. We have an “EXCHANGE PROGRAM” for most popular makes. As a Bacharach Dealer, we have an inventory of many of the more popular tools. We invite all equipment dealer inquiries. THE NEW ANSWER? —■-■- - - - . j Sheep skills taught at 4-H field day strengthened 4-H’ers skills and knowledge m sheep husbandry. The morning centered around sheep fitting, with everyone having an animal to work on Older members helped younger members as all clipped and learned the correct techniques to get their sheep to look its best and catch the judge’s eye m the show mg. After a picnic lunch, the group gathered again to hear Joe Stncttmatter, manager of the New Bolton Swine Center, speak on genetics and breeding programs for sheep. He told the youths to have a goal in mind when breeding their sheep, to know the type of animal that they want to produce Then he talked of the different breeds, noting some of the advantages and characteristics of each. *1 While members of Chester County's Golden Fleece Club practice their showmanship, Cheryl Morgan, assistant extension agent for the county, In crossbreeding, he told that in the mother breed the things to look for are easy lambing, the milking ability, multiple births and good wool. In the ram breeds, he urged them to look for growth, the size for the age of the animal, the rate of gam per day, and the carcus desirability A good market lamb should have growth (size) and when finished correctly, be trim and meaty. He talked of “FI” generations in sheep crossbreeding, telling that through crossbreeding, one *y s y ***' * 1 •* * ' 4. *4^ ' "S%s* can gain maximum heterosis. That is, that the most desirable traits of both parent breeds are passed on through crossbreeding. Sheep seem to be popular today, and more lambs may be held back for breeding than should be, he added. So that breeders may end up with some “genetic junk”, he cautioned. Don’t follow the fads, he reminded the youthful sheep fanciers, ]ust decide what you want your sheep to look like and strive towards that goal. After the speaker, V *'•'** V( Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 28,1979 . judges them on their skills. The clinic was held as part of the club's field day, held at Breezeview Farms, Atglen. members took to the sheep flock again where each was assigned an animal to show for showmanship. They were then judged on their showmanship abilities, and a workshop on showing techniques was held. Top senior showman was Jeff Barom; Billy Mac- Cauley was top intermediate showman; and Craig Baroni was placed first in the junior division. The youngsters finished up the day with some good old fashioned fun, heading down to the swimming hole and playing softball. 17
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