Berks County to hold dairy day Wednesday BERNVILLE On February 11, at the Berks Extension Dairy Day Michael O’Connor, extension dairy specialist and Sam Dum, extension farm management specialist, will be two of the mam speakers. O’Connor has been with the Penn State Dairy Extension staff since 1979. A native of Rhode Island, Mike received his B.S. degree at the Umversity of Rhode Island, and his M.S. and doctor’s degrees from Virginia Polythechmc In stitute. O’Connor is responsible for developing and conducting educational programs in animal reproduction. Dum has been a member of the P.S.U. staff since 1967. A native of Perry County, Sam has received his bachelor of science and DENVER, Colo. Regardless of whether the present U S. beef grading system is modernized to emphasize the production of high yielding lean beef without reduction in quality to the con sumer, cattle are due lor less time in the feedlot, says one of the nation’s largest feeders. R.L. “Bob” Bliss, vice-president of the cattle feeding division of Fnona Industries, Inc., Fnona, Texas, told members of Amencan- International Charolais Association gathered in Denver for their 24th Annual Meeting production costs are forcing feedlot operators to change their ways of finishing cattle. “Feed gram prices have in creased 30 percent and we are experiencing the highest rates ever,” he said. “Feeders are going - GOING - GONE If You're Thinking About Buying Any Of The Following Equipment - ACT NOW. It Will Not Be Sold At Auction. Int. Hydro 84 Row Crop Tractor * 13,400°° s l4,ooo°° 884 Int. Row Crop Tractor .... 2250 Quick Attach Loaders Available For the Above Two Tractors At Special Prices 284 Int. Tractor, 28 H.P s s2oo°° 420 Int. 2 Furrow Plow, $OO EOO 3 Pt. Hitch 575 Int. (295 Bu.) Spreaders .. s s4oo°° Spreaders.. Bu > s 67oo°° 720 Int. Forage Harvester sy| AEAOO (less head) 1000 RPM V 830 Int. Forage Harvester S/L/IfiAflO (less head) 1000 RPM Hay Pickups for the Above Harvesters 3 Row - Row Crop Heads Available For 830 Harvester AVVW (weathered but Up-To-Date) 2 Row - Row Crop Available Also At Special Price Samuel A. Oum Cattle due looking for ways to cut costs and the consumer is looking for lean beef.” Bliss, who is president of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, alluded to research that showed cattle, after reaching certain weight levels for then - breed, tend only to lay on costly excess fat that is trimmed and discarded. Increased production of large framed, higher cutting cattle is needed, he said, to provide the kind of cattle that will efficiently produce more quality lean beef in a short time. He told the Charolais breeders they stand to contribute more to the trend toward lean beef production than the other con tinental breeds because of their greater cattle numbers. Bliss cited a special study by Fnona Industries this past year in •1000°°«* Michael O’Connor for less time in feedlot which carcasses from Charolais cross bulls, heifers, steers and Holstems were evaluated at Texas A&M University. He said the evaluation showed only 6.6 percent fat trim from the Charolais cattle, compared to 7.6 percent for the Holstems and 10 percent for the choice carcasses evaluated. Charolais provided 46.9 percent of their initial carcass weight in selected sub-primal cuts. Bliss also pointed out that by “cleaning up the choice grade”, producers would provide the best quality beef with the tenderness and flavor desired by the con sumer. “The only thing we’d be removing from the beef is excess fat, which the consumer does not want,” he explained. At present, he stated, the choice ill: 3588 Int. 2+2 -o*o.l test m\ INTERNATIONAL Trat + or Isssr 1 wSo?* «3a 500°° ■; oversize tires) g COPE & WEAVER CO. masters of science at Penn State in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Economics respect fully. He then received his Doctor’s in Ag Economics at Purdue Umversity. Dum’s duties are the supervision of educational farm management programs in dairy production economics, crop production, and crop storage economics and farm business analysis. The program begins at 9 am and will be held at the Agricultural Center in Bern Township. Topics include: 9:30 Structures for Young Stock (three months to calving - Dan Myer - PSU Ext. Ag Engmeer 10:15 Estrus Synchronizatm and the use of Prostoglandm - Mike grade provides 8 percent of the carcass market, but “there are large numbers of cattle in the choice grade that should not be there.” Bliss suggested that with un proved leanness of beef, more high choice cattle would move into the prune grade, which now utilizes only 6 percent of the carcass market, and provide prune beef with 16-17 percent of the market. On the bottom side, sufficient top good carcasses that are being merchandised successfully under private labels could be brought into the choice grade without sacrificing tenderness, flavor and juiciness. Such a move would permit the choice grade to ac commodate 70 to 75 percent of carcass beef supplies. The balance INTERNATIONAL 3588 2+2 Tractor 150 never been so productive • 2 plus 2—combines row-crop versatility with 4-wheel drive tractor productivity. • International 466 cu. in. turbo diesel engine delivers high-torque performance. • Articulated steering for short turn maneuverability. Oscillating front axle for superior traction. • Standard equipment includes 1000 RPM PTO, swinging drawbar, 3-pt hitch, adjustable axles ana luxurious Control Center. New Providence, PA 17560 717-786-7351 COMPLETE AUCTION SALE Shop Tools, Etc. MARCH 10,9:30 A.M. Sharp Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, February 7,1981—C19 O’Connor, PSU Dairy Scientist 11:00 Emergency Crops Economics and their Uses in Groping and Feeding - Sam Dum - PSU Ext. Farm Management Specialist 11:45 Pesticide Update Training - Clyde Myers, Berks Co. Agent 12:00 Lunch 1:00 Energy Considerations in Dairy Facilities - Dan Myer 1:45 Records Today - for Tomorrow’s Management Decisions. - Sam Dum 2:30 Maximizing .Reproduction Efficiency - Mike O’Connor. 3:15 Question & Answer Period Reservations can be made by calling Clyde A.B. Myers, County Agent at the Extension Service 215/378-1327. of the good grade then would be used for processed meats, flaked and ground. W.T. “Dub” Berry, executive vice president of the National Cattlemen’s Association, told the Charolais breeders about the cooperative efforts of the various segments of the industry to modernize the grading system, and urged their participation in industry affairs. Purebred breeders in this country represent only three percent of the total production, with 97 percent represented by the commercial segment. Yet, each is faced with common problems, he said, urging a continuing breeder participation in NCA affairs.
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