Dl2—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 3,1982 Dairyman NEWARK, Del. Drive up to Robert Meredith’s farm in Federalsburg, Maryland, and a half-dozen frenetic terrier pups dash in front of the moving car. They seem completely unafraid, confident no one would ever hurt them. Animals are pampered at Meredith's dogs, cats, and especially cows. When Robert Meredith leads a tour of his 120-acre dairy farm, he always starts with the calves and heifers. They’re his pride and joy. The calves are plump and healthy, the well-fed heifers look solid. Says Sussex County Extension agent Ted Palmer, “It’s a pleasure to see calves and heifers in such good shape. They are the neglected step-children on many farms, but Meredith realizes that healthy young animals guarantee the future of his herd.” Palmer regularly visits Meredith as part of the Delaware Dairy Herd Improvement Association testing program. Though Meredith’s farm is ac tually located just over the state line in Maryland, for many years he has belonged to the Delaware DHIA. His herd’s production average has been the highest in Delaware DHIA for the past two years. Meredith’s current rolling herd average is 21,451 pounds of milk. Fat content is 3.9 percent, or more than 800 pounds of fat per cow in 10 months. Palmer says Meredith averages over 70 pounds of milk per cow per day. Most farmers average about 45 pounds. By managing his herd with extra care, he gets as much production out of 50 cows as the average farmer gets out of 70. Del’s top Jersey breeder finds time cow-people, too * BY JOAN EASLEY University ol Delaware NEWARK, Del. - It’s been a winning year for William Gliason of Frederica, Del. He won the silver Hoobs trophy for breeding and promoting Jerseys. He has the highest record Jersey herd in Delaware and Maryland. And if there was an award for generosity of spirit among, dairy farmers, Eliason and his wife Margaretta would likely win that, too. Besides running a 300-acre, 60- cow dairy farm, the Eliasons volunteer their services io the Delaware State Fair and open their farm to FFA students. They’ve also been helping a former employee get started in farming. The Eliasons have known tragedy. A few years ago they lost their oldest son, Craig. He’d been an active 4-H’er wo initiated the family interest in Jerseys when he brought home a calf as a livestock project. Although the loss is something the family will never forget, it has not made them bitter. Instead, jhey honor Craig’s memory by continuing to breed and show Jerseys. While Eliason is a member in good standing with the American Jersey Cattle Club, he’s not strictly loyal to one breed. He says, a “good cow is a good cow” whether she’s blade and white or tan. He isn’t especially moved by a, pair of soulful eyes. Instead, he looks for an animal with sharp shoulders. Delaware Extension dairy speicalist George Haenlein once told him they often indicate a superior producer, and he’s since found it to be true. Until recently, Eliason had almost as many Holsteins as Jerseys, but now has only twelve. Holsteins produce more, he acknowledges, but they also eat more and take up more space. And since Jersey milk is higher in protein, solids, and fat, it brings a better price at- ‘ the - dairy Robert Meredith keeps it simple, productive Meredith achieves this enviable production record without a lot of fancy equipment. His milking parlor is nothing more than a stanchion bam, though it’s swept well enough to walk through in bare feet. ' “His trench silo is about the cheapest and simplest way to feed cows,” says University of Delaware Extension dairy specialist George Haenlein. “But it's a clean and appetizing as somebody’s kitchen.” Meredith's cows are quiet and well-trained. For milking, they enter through the east bam door, find their individual stalls, eat while they’ve being milked, and leave through the same door. Palmer says he’s never seen better trained cows. Perhaps the dairy farmer gets extra performance from his cows because he gives them extra special care. He spends about |3,000 a month on feeds and medicine. He feeds greenchop, corn silage, hay and lots of sup plements. According to Haenlein, Meredith’s feeding program has two outstanding features; He observes each cow and feeds her according to her individual needs, and tie feeds more than once a day. Recent research shows that cows are more productive when they’re - fed smaller amounts at more frequent intervals. - Meredith gives his highest producers an' edible oil sup plement. Haenlein explains that cows producing as much as "Meredith’s often suffer from ketosis a pathological ac cumulation of ketone or their butterfat content may be low. cooperative. All in all, Eliason notes the advantages and disad vantages of the two breeds balance out. It was not dissatisfaction with Holsteins that led Eliason to sell over 20 of them a few months ago. Three of the animals that weren’t producing up to snuff got one-way tickets to the auction at New Holland. Ken Carlisle bought the rest. Carlisle started working for Eliason part time when he was an agriculture student at Delaware Technical and Community College in Georgetown. He moved into a trailer on Eliason's property, and continued living there and helping out even after he graduated and started working for a commercial breeder. Margaretta Eliason treated Carlisle like another son, and Bill came to depend on his assistance with the animals. Eventually Carlisle started to work for the Eliasons full time. Over the years the Eliasons helped Carlisle start a herd of his own, allowing, him to keep up to 20 cows in their barn. They absorbed the costs and kept the milk. At the same time he was building up a herd, Carlisle also was starting a family of his own. His wife Charlene moved into the trailer, and their first child was bom there. The Eliasons are like a third set of grandparents to the boy. The Carlisles are expecting their second child soon, but this one will be a native of Maryland. With Eliason’s help and blessings, the Carlisles have just started their own dairy farm in Chestertown. The littlest Carlisle will be no stranger to Delaware, however. The family makes frequent visits to Ken’s parents in Woodside, Charlene’s in Georgetown, and the Eliasons in between. Eliason speaks of helping young people grow in. whatever The Eliasons like to show their' Carlisle’ get'atartsd' asif’.it'^er^.direcOon r ttiqir.tpi^nfe'Mkn'tbem,v’<nm,aUtle < 'iiot«nly~Bt-HBPringtOH’-- v Cows get top treatment at Meredith’s dairy years. Their current rolling herd average farm, Federalsburg, Md. and to show their stands at 21,451 pound milk, with a 3.9 test, appreciation, they've consistently pumped out and more than 800 pounds fat. Delaware's top DHIA record for the past two Meredith claims that since he started feeding the oil supplement he has bad no further problems with ketosis,. and his herd’s fat percentage has been higher than average. Meredith believes in the im portance of good breeding, but he breeds for production, not for appearance. He has no desire to show his cattle. "One of my cows has an udder that doesn't look good," he admits, "but 1 don’t mind a bit. She sure can milk. ” William Eliason of Frederica, Delaware holds one of his top Jersey cows that helped the entire herd on its way to holding the top production record for Jerseys in both Delaware and Maryland. Although it was nothing more than a business deal But if Eliason had cared only for his own self-interest he might have tried to make it difficult for his herdsman to leave. Eliason’s son Tommy, his other trusted herd sman, has won several scholar ships to Potomac College in Virginia. He’ll be leaving in September. So within a few months time Eliason is losing two seasoned workers. He admits they’ll be hard to replace, yet he wouldn’t think of holding back either one. And though he’s very pleased his son plans to return to the farm in two years, he’s equally proud of -his daughter’s career in state government. The Eliasons enjoy helping A cow doesn’t stay long on his farm if she isn’t a good milker. He culls animals that many other farmers would be proud to own. But he devotes so much attention to his calves and heifers that he always has excellent replacements ready. Meredith keeps his operation relatively small so he can keep a close watch on every animal, regulating feeds and medicine as necessary. It’s strictly a family operation. Meredith’s wife Claire tragedy that led Eliason into the Jersey business, the family dairy operation has taken an active part in helping others find success in dairying. . That’s whythey heIpFFA students from several high schools practice dairy judging with their cows making up the classes. “I was never especially con scious of dairy type,” Eliason admits, “but the kids asked me so many questions that I was forced to learn. Now 1 realize that a good type cow is liekly a good producer, too.” , Another way the Eliasons reach out to young people is through their involvement with the Delaware -State Fair. Margaretta helps train the girls who are candidates for Delaware Dairy Princess. Bill is superintendent of the Jersey and Guernsey exhibit, in which young people and entire families take part. and son R. J. do a lot of the physical work". Married daughter Debbie Hardin comes every morning to help milk, feed the calves and rake up the beds. And .granddaughter Sherrie Greenwood, who has a daytime job as a seamstress, comes every evening to care for the herd. Meredith just can’t keep the family away. They’ve all come to the same conclusion as the cows have the Meredith farm is a good place to be. bat also at Timonium, Md. and Harrisburg, Pa. In 1979 and 1981 they had the grand champion cow at Timonium. In 1980 and 1981 they had the grand champion bull at Harrisburg. Says Eliason, “We show for the fun of competition, but also when a cow places well, her offspring sell fora better price.” Another aspect of the competitions they enjoy is the opportunity it gives them to meet people. They’ve developed m friendships with Jersey breeders from Maine to Alabama. The friendly, outgoing Eliasons also make it a practice to join Delaware Cooperative Extension Service’s' dairy tours and other events like Dairy Day. “I always aide un something that will do me some good,” Bill says.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers