ClS—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 27.1981 The Holstein cow (Continued from Pace 014) long as 15 to 20 years, the normal productive life of a cow is about six years. Cows with physical disabilities or low milk production and bulls not kept for breeding purposes are sold on the beef market. The high level of milk production and prolific reproduction of Holstein cows form a practical basis for the widespread popularity of the breed. Average production for all Holsteins on official U.S. testing programs is 14,664 pounds of milk and 527 pounds of butterfat, higher than the average of all other dairy breeds. National records have been set by Beecher Arlinda Ellen, who produced 55,660 pounds of milk and 1,573 pounds of butterfat, and Breezewood Patsy Bar Pontiac, who produced 2,230 pounds of butterfat and 47,500 pounds of milk in 365 days, twice daily milking. The Holstein has emerged as the major dairy breed in the United States. Holsteins are raised sue cessfully in every state and produce 85 percent of all the milk consumed in the country. Unex celled production, physical adaptability to commercial'con ditions, greater income over feed costs, longer productive herdlife and higher salvage value are major contributing characteristics for the breed’s popularity and dominance. It’s a staggering fact that of the 11 million milk cows in the country, more than 9 million are Holsteins. They are bred, raised and milked by about 300,000 dairy farmers, who use a variety of management systems to improve their herds’ productivity and profitability m each region of the country. Highly automated milking parlors and corrals are prevalent in the West and are gaining in popularity in the East. The strength and ruggedness of Holsteins allow them to adapt easily to a wide range of climatic variations. They produce well in the hot, areas of the Southwest, the tropical climates of Florida and Louisiana, the high altitudes of the Rocky Mountains and the tem perature environment of the Com Belt and Atlantic states. Wisconsin, New York, Penn sylvania, Minnesota and California lead the nation in numbers of Holstein cows. Herd sizes range from 30 to 3,0000, with West Coast herds tending to be larger than average. One and one half million of the country’s Holsteins are registered in the national herdbook of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, allowing their ancestry to be traced back to the original importations. Ibis population is used as the source of genetically superior breeding stock for the entire industry. Development of the artificial insemination industry has exerted tremendous influence on the genetic improvement of the Holstein, allowing wide use of sires with proven performance. Until the late 1950’s and early 1960’5, reliable methods of genetic evaluation of breeding stock were not generally available. Development of an outstanding herd depended upon the ability of the breeder to pick out quality breeding stock based upon past experience, cow sense and in tuition. Since the 1950’5, reliable Jr. Polled Hereford show planned KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The eighth National Junior Polled Hereford Heifer Show and Forum is shaping into a 400-entry event in Hutchinson, Kan., July 19-24. Those attending will find'the show and forum packed with both fun and educational activities. On sire and cow evaluation procedures have been developed and widely used. Dairymen now have technical data available from computer files to help them choose the very best sires- for breeding purposes. By using frozen semen and artificial insemination, a dairyman in Oregon can breed his cows to a top performance bull in Pennsylvania. , Because of their superior per formance, Holsteins have earned worldwide acceptance. In recent comparison tests in Germany, the offspring of UJS. Holstein bulls out yielded offspring of German bulls by more than 2,300 pounds of milk v and 75 pounds of fat per year. In ,the Netherlands, where Holsteins originated, crossbreeding experiments with Dutch Friesians resulted in a 1,625 pound milk increase and 17 pound butterfat increase over the native cattle. U.S. Holsteiris, completing their first lactations in eastern Europe, produced twice as much milk as the native cows. Such convincing evidence of Holstein’s production superiority has created an active export market. Currently, U.S. Holstein females, bulls and frozen semen are being exported to about 50 countries and areused extensively to improve foreign food supplies and dairy farmer income. Sealcrete can paint your farm buildings quickly and inexpensively... all for £ree 'estimate HYDRAULIC AERIAL EQUIPMENT Monday, July 20, interviews for the National Junior Merit Award will begin. Serving as this year’s judges are John' Oswald, Hut chinson, Kan.; Diann Strickland, Mershon, 6a.; and Ollie Reinhart, Lee’s Summit, Mo. The winner of the National Junior Merit Award receives a $750 scholarship plus a week-long stay with a Polled Hereford operation. First and second runner-ups win a $5OO and $250 scholarship, respectively.' Also on Monday, there will be four showing of the film “To Fly” at the Kansas Cosmosphere. A livestock judging contest is scheduled for Tuesday morning, July 21. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with judging to start at 9:30 a.m. There will be six cattle classes with divisions for both youth and adults. Dr. Bill Able and Dr.''Miles. McKee, both of Kansas State University, will officiate the contest Youth nine years and younger can take part in the mini judging contest placing four; cattle classes. That afternoon at 1 pin. the youth forum will be held. As part of the forum, the Government-Affairs Coordinator of Farmland In dustries,, G. Marie Mayfield," will speak on self-motivation and goal setting. Mayfield has spoken before all age groups in more than 35 states and has appeared on radio and television in all sections of the country. The first “Polled Hereford Beef Bowl” is also planned for the forum. Teams made up of-four juniors will answer questions related to the Polled Hereford and beef industries. One team per state will compete. , Following the forum, buses will take everyone to Fun Valley Recreation Cento*. Along with a free picnic featuring buffalo burgers, organized games and the state “fun-rodeo" are scheduled. Wendesday, July 22, marks the first show day. Judging will start at 8:30 a.m. and 10 heifer dasses will be placed. Judging the show is a three-man team consisting of Dr. Ike Eller 'of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Ed Kalianoff of Kal- Kota Polled Herefords, Steele, N.D.; and Gene Wiese of Wiese and Sons Herefords, Manning, lowa. After a long day in the showring, the crowd will be welcomed to “The End of the Trail Cookout and Wild West Show”, 7 p.m., on the fairgrounds. An up-and-coming country western star,' Ed Bruce, will perform at the cookout. Bruce was nominated for the “Newcomer of the Year Award” during the American Country Music Festival. The heifer show will continue on Thursday morning, July 23, at 8:30 am., with 10 more classes. That evening an awards ceremony will be held. The winners of the com puter cow game, the premier breeder, the best state exhibit, the outstanding state exhibitor and the National Junior Merit Award will be announced. Thursday will be topped off with a junior mixer and dance at the fairgrounds and an adult social in the Holidome. Both will begin at 8 p.m. The week’s activities will climax Friday, July 24, with the selection of champions of what has become the largest junior show of its kind in the world. Contact Allen B. Shirk Seal Crete, Inc. RD2, Ephrata, PA 717-859-1127
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