Elo—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, January 10,1981
HARRISBURG - Lam
bing percentages in Penn
sylvania increased sub
stantially in 1980 according
-o Penrose Hallowell,
Secretary of Agriculture for
the Commonwealth
The increase from 102
percent m 1979 to 119 percent
in 1980 stills falls well below
the percentage required to
make sheep keeping
profitable, Annette
Menhennett, ovine medicine
chairman of the Penn
sylvsma-Maryland Shrops
hire Association says
When David C Petntz of
Purdue University studied
the money-making poten
tials of the sheep industry he
found that a lamb crop of 125
percent from a 100 ewe flock
and lambs marketed at $65
per cwt would put the
shepherd in the red to the
tune of $Bl9 25 Petntz found
that lamb crops of 150
percent were necessary to
break even and crops over
175 percent for profit
Conte, Inc. loses
its produce license
PAIJVI A Pennsylvania
firm, Conte, Inc of Palm,
has become ineligible to
operate in the produce in
dustry under the Perishable
Agricultural Commodities
Act and had its license
suspended for failing to pay
a reparation award of
$34,470
U S Department of
Agriculture officials said the
award was in favor of a New
Jersey shipper for 55 loads of
tomatoes sold between
August 14 and September 5,
1979
The Palm firm had an
opportunity to answer the
shipper’s charges However,
the firm did not respond, and
USDA ordered payment of
the amount claimed
The action affects the firm
and also its officers and
Sheep growers to discuss
three
This year the profit
squeeze for Pennsylvania’s
shepherds will be even more
severe with the high cost of
feed In the past year corn
has risen in price from $2 83
per bushel to $3 74
Hay prices have soared too
with alfalfa reaching $lOO
per ton or more
Despite the difficulties
Menhennett says the
potential for profit in the
sheep industry exists
One item that must be
amortized into production
costs is the expense of
replacing ewes Under
present sheep husbandry
systems, the life expectancy
of a ewe is only eight years
Her productive years
average between six and
seven
Extending the productive
life of the ewe may be one of
the most important factors
in improving the profit
picture Many ewes have
been known to remain
major stockholders,
American Speciality Foods,
Inc , James L Price, George
H McLaughlin, Samuel J
Schreffler, and Lilly M
Minotto, who may not be
employed by or affiliated
with any PACA hncesee
without USDA approval.
Charles Brader, an official
with USDA’s Agricultural
Marketing Service, said the
act provides for damages to
be paid by those who fail to
meet their contractual
obligations in buying and
selling fresh and frozen
fruits and vegetables
He said interstate traders
must be licensed, and the
law requres that their
licenses be suspended if they
fail to pay reparation
awards
Annual meeting Sunday evenin ,
way research funding
productive up to 12 years of
age
However, disease
problems like chornic
pneumonia, mastitis, and
nutritional deficiencies like
molybdenum and selenium
contribute to the shortened
lifespan of the ewe
Veterinary scientists could
do much to help the sheep
industry if they would study
these problems
Breeding ewe lambs is an
absolute essential to make
the flock profitable
Early breeding is
necessary to off-set the
carrying costs of
replacement ewes It also
adds another year to the
productive lifespan of the
ewe Therefore by breeding
the ewe so that she produces
a lamb crop during her first
year and keeping her alive
and producing in the flock
until she is 12 or older, the
shepherd can add five years
to the normal seven
productive years of the ewe
The problem is keeping
her alive and healthy, and
that is where veterinary
scientists are so desparately
needed
The Pennsylvania-
Maryland Shropshire
Association has been urging
Secretary Hallowell to help
them get an ovine specialist
assigned to the faculty of the
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary
Medicine
These sheep producers
would like veterinary
students to be taught more
about sheep health
problems They also hope
that through research,
problems like extending the
productive life of the ewe
can be solved
Dr Robert Marshak, Dean
of the Veterinary School,
repeatedly has told the sheep
producers that there are no
Specializing in Grain Drying & Storage Systems.
Commercial & Industrial Buildings
SEE US AT THE PA FARM SHOW -
BOOTHS Pill, 112, 131, 132 IN THE POULTRY BUILDING
Us About The Last Chance Special Discounts On
The New Energy Efficient REDEX Continuous Flow Dryer.
FINANCING & LEASING
PROGRAMS
AVAILABLE
funds available for an ovine
program
One recent suggestion for
funding the program will be
discussed at the Penn
sylvania Sheep and Wool
Growers’ meeting during the
Farm Show
The proposal calls for a
tripartite financial
arrangement wherein the
Department of Agriculture,
YOUR MILK QUALITY GUARDIAN...
. It ' I
Mueller HiPerForm - is *
pletely automatic milk cooling If
system for progressive dairymen
Durable HiPer-Form Model "OH”
and “MHL" Milk Coolers feature large-radius corners and smooth stain
less steel welds for easy cleaning Cooler capacities range from 300 to
6000 gallons With the flip of a switch, Mueller-Matic' Automatic Washing
System cleans the cooler interior with jet-spray wash and acidified rinse
Ask us for details on FliPerForm s *' -
milk coolers
MARTIN’S REFRIGERATION SERVICE
1122 Woodstock Road Fayetteville, PA 17222
Phone: (717) 352-2783
SALES & SERVICE
ERNON MYERS, INC.
STEEL BUILDINGS &
GRAIN STORAGE «CeQP|
R.D. 4 - Box 845 mm '
Lebanon, Pa. 17042
Ph0ne:(717)867-4139 A\£SCO
the Extension Service and
the School of Veterinary
Medicine would share the
costs
The Department of
Agriculture would basically
pay for the research part of
the program The Extension
Service would fund the costs
of seminars and workshops
for sheep producers and
practicing veterinarians
'*HM?*crß3amv^ a ‘^
USED TANKS
300 Gal. & Up
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
( Coupim Today! I
J n SEND STEEL BUILDINGS LITERATURE J
IL SEND GRAIN STORAGE LITERATURE *
® NAME ®
-ADDRESS
B
| CITY
| TELEPHONE
■ ■ ■ ■ m m ■■■■mamiii
The Veterinary School would
pick up the tab for classroom
instruction for veterinary
students and facilities
The Pennsylvania Sheep
and Wool Growers’ meeting
will be heldjsunday, January
11 at 7pm in Room B of the
Farm Show’s Main
Exhibition Building All
sheep producers are urged to
attend
&
i*.v
‘ OH”
"Mhl"
STATE.
ZIP.