BlB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 5,1982 Pa. FFA names Kline tops in dairy proficiency BY DICK ANGLESTEIN REISTVILLE The past year has been a busy and eventful one for John Kline, youthful Lebanon County dairyman Last year at about this time, he had just finished up his senior year in EL,CO FFA and was in the beginning stages of converting a general purpose tarm into a dairy operation. And now, he’s not only a fulltime dairy farm operatoi, but he’s been selected as being tops in dairy proficiency among Future Far mers of America members throughout the state. "John’s first-place dairy award was the highest of three statewide proficiency honors we’ve received,” Gerald Stnckler, ELCO FFA advisor, explained “He has done an outstanding job in dairy projects ever since his first heifer in eighth grade and this statewide honor is well deserved.” Other statewide ELCO proficiency honors received by the chapter in the first tune it has entered into the statewide com petition with FFA’ers throughout Pennsylvania included a second for Joel Fahnestock in ag mechanics and a third for Ed Kegereis in swine production. As the top dairy winner, Kline will now move into regional and possibly national proficiency competition. in addition to steadily expanding his dairy projects during his FFA career at Eastern Lebanon County High School, he was active m a number of chapter activities and received several local honors. He was chapter dairy proficiency winner for two years and was named both Star Greenhand and Star Chapter Fanner as he progressed through the FFA program A Keystone Degree holder, he participated in parliamentary procedure and numerous dairy judging contests. From his first heifer in eighth grade, his dairy project grew to nine head in his senior year. Of the milking string of 61 in the operation along Ramona Road, near Reistville, Klme currently owns 10 cows and 26 heifers. Milking began Sept. 14 with 32 head and the herd size has been increased gradually to its present bl Cousin Ken Heisey, who also just completed high school last Individual attention and familiarity with each animal are hallmarks of John Kline’s dairy management program. year, pnmanlj handles the milking "Individual production is averaging about 65 lbs a day," Kline said "We had live cows milking over 100 lbs during the past month, with the top one peaking at 115 lbs ” The guiding philosophy ot Kline’s feeding program is based on individual attention and per sonal familiarity with many ot the animals out of the family herd that he has grown up with 1 feed according to three mam factors,” Kline explained "They include the level ot milk production ot each animal, body size and stage ot lactation ” The ration includes silage, high moisture corn and hay Right now, 1 want to work to improve the butterfat,” Kline said. ‘The amount of hay is being increased from about 15 to 20 lbs a day.” While the majority ot the herd is home-grown, Kline has purchased a few additions to the string Three head - an Elevation daughter, a Job daughter and a Conductor heifer - were purchased at the Hubie Miller dispersal at Myer stown in March. A few others were found at Maryland dispersals. Older brother, Leon, a Carnation Genetics distributor, helps with the breeding program “The top two-year-old has peaked at 80 lbs and many are milking around 70 lbs.,” Kline said "These are the first ot the Caranation-bred heifers milking in the string and the benefits ot the breeding program are already beginning to show ” One of Kline’s goals tor the near future is taking an A-l technician course Gradual additional im provements to the tarm will continue. Ot initial concern is a tarm shop. 1 Yes, the past year has j been a busy and eventtul one for John Kline. That all-important transition trom handling an KFA dairy project to becoming a full-time dairy operator has been taken in stride by the Lebanon County youth. Despite his relatively young years, it’s easy to see why he could. *• Herd records for milking string of 61 are operator during the past year. Lebanon examined by Gerald Strickler, left, FFA advisor County youth has been named the first-place for ELCO Chapter, and John Kline, who has winner in dairy proficiency among FFA'ers made transition from dairy project to fulltime throughout the state. With a background ot increasing FFA achievement and growing responsibility in the family dairy UNIVERSITY PARK - Some 1800 rural youth of Pennsylvania will take part in the annual FFA Activities Week June 15 to 17 at Penn State. This year’s theme will be, "Growing for America.” Highlighting the annual event will be 24 state FFA contests in which membes demonstrate their agricultural skills and abilities New state officers will be an nounced on June 17. Co-chairman for FFA Activities Week are Edgar P. Yoder of the Department of Agricultural Education at Penn State and Charles F. Lebo of the Penn sylvania Department of Education, Harrisburg. Participants will be involved m a STRASBURG - Come help celebrate Strasburg Railroad’s 150th birthday, June 5 and 6. Railroad buffs from all over the United States will flock to the Red Caboose Lodge and the Strasburg Railroad properties for a weekend of Special Steam events and a two acre Railroadiana and Toy Train Flea Market and show, here in Strasburg, Lancaster County. It all starts Saturday, June 5, at 9 when railroad antiques such as bells, whistles, lanterns, railroad china dining and car appointments from a bygone era will be sold at auction, one item per minute for 8 hours. In the big hospitality tent, operating train displays and exhibits plus thousands of toys and trains will be offered for sale or trade. To add to the excitement Strasburg’s special steam locomotives will pass the exhibit area every 15 minutes. Strasburg RR is the oldest inland railroad, celebrating their 150th birthday since their 1832 charter as a railroad 'X < »• \ ' ■* A 1929 Antique Station Hack and Stanley Steamer will shuttle people from Strasburg railroad to the two-acre flea market every 30 minutes Old fashion pop corn machines, refreshments, and band organs, and calliope will operate both days. Saturday night railroad movies, FFA Week opens June 15 Strasburg Railroad celebrates operation, going out on hit. own wat> a natural step. Once you make that decision, variety of educational demon strations and contests. The Farm Management contest will involve the use of a microcomputer. Special tours will include visits to a modern dairy farm where an embryo transplant will be per formed. The FFA members will also have an opportunity to discuss agricultural careers and college programs with personnel from the College of Agriculture. Doug T. Hershberger, State FFA President from the Solanco Chapter at Quarryville, and ten fellow officers will preside over the daily business meetings and and general sessions of the Penn sylvania Association of FFA. The State FFA Band, directed by Ned 150th birthday door prizes, and an all you can eat reservation feast will be served in two 80 ton Don’t miss this gala celebration Victorian Dining coaches, at the m Strasburg. Free souvenir with Red Caboose Lodge. There will be each $2 admission, good for both two servings, 5:30 and 7 by days. Children under 10 years free. you don’t look back, ” he said "We’re just looking ahead.” C. Delhi of Penn State, will present concerts at general sessions each day. FFA Activities Week will be sponsored jointly by the Depart ment of Agricultural and Ex tension Education in Penn State’s College of Agriculture, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Harrisburg. Contest winners will be an nounced at the final general session on June 17 in Eisenhower Auditorium. Awards will include expense-paid trips to national and regional FFA contests. Presenting the awards will be Charles F. Lebo, State Advisor of the Penn sylvania FFA, from Harrisburg. l sSpTv' v " Ih.
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