AlD—Lancaster Faming, Saturday, Howwnber 13,1982 Cattle feeders in Pennsylvania had somewhat of a surprise this fall as they traveled out of state to buy their feeders. What they found out was that various livestock auctions, in particularly Virginia markets, were telling Pennsylvania buyers they could no longer buy feeder bulls and heifers and bring them back across state lines. Blaming it on a new law that somehow was sneaked through during the pre-election flurry, several farmers questioned how such a law could have been pushed through un beknowns to them. We were curious, too. Checking in with the state's Bureau of Animal Industry, we learned from Dr. Max Van Buskirk about a letter sent out to the ag departments of other states notifying them of a change in policy in Pennsylvania, effective Oct. 1. The letter read; “Cattle, except feeder steers and spayed heifers and those for immediate slaughter, imported into Pennsylania must be ac companied by an approved interstate health certificate and meet the Pennsylvania import requirements. "It has been the policy of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to permit the importation of ‘feeder’ heifers and bulls without health certificates or identification. "Because of the USDA-APHIS regulations that permit the interstate movement of heifers and bulls from quarantined herds and the difficulty in maintaining surveillance of those imported feeders, it has become necessary to enforce our present regulations so that feeder heifers and bulls must meet the same requirements as breeding animals as stated in the Pennsylvania Code, Title 7, Sections 3.21 and 3.22.” When asked why the state decided it was time to toughen up on imported cattle, Van Buskirk pointed out that Pennsylvania is within a few months of being designated brucellosis-free, a major landmark in our state's animal health history. And rather tharv risk the chance of possible carriers coming into the cattle herds of Pennsylvania through the purchase of feeder bulls and heifers who might later be saved for breeding, Van Buskirk said the decision was made to enforce the law which has been on the books for quite some time. In order to be imported into Pennsylvania, the law states that cattle, goats, and even buffalo must meet the following criteria; Cattle that originate from Canada or from any other state shall be from a herd that is negative to a brucellosis blood test conducted within 12 months of-but not less than 90 days prior to entry; or shall originate from a herd that had a negative milk ring test conducted within six months of but not less than 90 days prior to entry. ... In addition, the individual Saturday, Nov. 13 oaie, juugmg m iuonua b) acu<_ ia. otaie Beekeepers Assn, annual Southeast District 4-H Beef Show & at 1:30 p.m., New Holland Sales meeting. Green Gables Motor Stables. (Turn to Page Al 2) Off the Sovmdtmg Board By Sheila Miller, Editor Tougher border patrol Farm Calendar animals to be imported shall have a negative brucellosis test conducted within 30 days of entry for all animals except steers, official vaccinates under 14 months of age, and unvaccinated calves under six months. No test is required if the animal originated from a certified brucellosis-free herd. The law also covers tuberculosis requirements and applies to cattle, goats, and buffalo as follows: v* No test is required if the animals originate from tuberculosis accredited-free herds: All other imported cattle, goats, and buffalo except those for immediate slaughter and feeder steers are required to be tested with negative results within 60 days of entry. There is no age exemption. Pennsylvania’s efforts to control the spread of contagious diseases,' like TB and brucellosis, will affect breedable cattle being shipped in from certain states generally those that are more lax or even negligent in their disease eradication efforts. But, there are reputable herds in reptutable, brucellosis-free states who will be happy to sell feeder heifers and bulls to those Pennsylvania farmers who wish to raise them. Running down a federal list of each state's brucellosis status, the PDA veterinarian cited the following “free" states: Alaska, Con ' necticut, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, and Rhode Island. Those states which fall into the same category as Pennsylvania with “low-risk" infections of brucellosis include; Delaware, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, and New Jersey. States with an "intermediate risk" rating are; Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, Tennessee, parts of Texas and parts of Florida. And several states with "real problems" and “higher risk” statuses are: Mississippi, Louisiana, and the remaining portions of Texas and Florida. Van Buskirk mentioned that for those Pennsylvania breeders who wish to continue buying feeder heifers and bulls and who operate strictly a feeding operation, it will still be possible to import animals from out of state. However, the entire herd will be placed under quarantine either until it is tested disease-free or until the cattle move to slaughter. Some may call this “border-protection” aggravating; but in the fight to stamp out brucellosis and other diseases in Penn sylvania, it's an asset. And, although it may cost cattle producers a few cents more now in disease-prevention "insurance," it will save the industry hundreds of dollars in the long ‘ run. cause the sajarranty EXPIRES O/ MO/MD«y RAISING UP JUDGES November 14,1982 Background Scripture: Judges 1 through 2. Devotional Reading: Joshua 24:19-29. We often have a hard time people, everything was all right, deciding what we really want from But when the Israelites decided God. On the one hand, like the that they wanted to worship the Israelites of old, we pray fervently Baals of their neighbors and were that God will “raise up among us opposed by their judges, that is leaders as of old.” We ask the Lord when the people decided they did to send us godly ment who will lead not want their judges and their us as Moses and Joshua led the judgements. people of Israel. Yet, nothing so disturbs us as a leader who does not say and do what we want him or her to say and do. Yet They Did Not listen That’s one of the themes evident in the Book of Judges: the people want a leader sent from God, but frequently they refuse to follow that leadership when it is given. As the writer of Judges tells us, “Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the power of those who plundered them. And yet they did not listen to their judges" (2:16,17-italics mine). We need to remember who these “judges” were. Essentially, they were not judges in the judiciary sense, but military heroes who, in recognition of their deeds in time of national crisis, were entrusted with governmental powers during their own lifetime. Because they appeared to be gifted by God to sov«* the people of Israel from NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin Uncnter County Agriculture A«ent Phoo* 717-394*651 To Appreciate Farm-City Week Each farmer is a very important person. While we have fewer farmers than ever before, the growing population demands more food. Never have so many persons been so dependent on so few. Farm-City week is being ob served November 19-25 to bring a better understanding of problems existing between the rival and urban segments of our society. Some people may think that agriculture is a diminishing in dustry, but this is not true. There are fewer farmers but each farmer is now producing enough food to feed 67 people. In Russia that ratio is one to seven. Over one-fifth of the state’s work force is employed in agriculture related manufacturing, wholesale and retail trades. Even more workers are employed in the industries providing seed, feed, fertilizer and other supplies used m farm production. We urge you to take part in FarnirCity Week events. To Excercise Dairy Cows I know that many of our dairy farmers keep their milking cows confined to the stall barn much of the time. This is easy to do when you are short of labor during the winter months. In order to have a healthy bend, the cows should be allowed outside to excercise daily unless severe weather conditions exist. The excercise will not only keep their feet and legs in better condition, but will permit the cows in heat to be detected: this is often a problem when cows are kept confined too much of the time. If the herd is turned out for 15 to enemies, this special endowment was honored. And it seemed to work reasonably well. When the people followed their leadership, things went pretty well with the Hebrews. Unfortunately, there were many times when people didn’t follow their leadership. Sometimes they followed the judges until they died and then “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,” but other times they did so even while the judge was alive. So long as their judges saved them in times of crisis and so long as their government did not in- terior with the desires of the Their Stubborn Ways Is that not true of us as well? We pray God to send us leaders to save us in tunes of national peril, but when things have returned to what we call “normal,’’ we want to do, things our way. The writer of Judges says, “whenever the judge died, they turned back and behaved worse than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them; they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways” (2:19). People want God to save them, but not govern them. They want their leaders to speak for God but do what they want them to do. The ,reason: they do not want to “drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.” There is nothing wrong in asking God to raise up leaders for us, so long as we remember that we may get what we ask for. 30 minutes each day, the time involved will foe very worthwhile. You’ll find very few days when the weather will interfere. To Call the Veterinarian Cattle feeders should not wait until the last minute or until a calf is down to call the veterinarian. This practice greatly reduces the chances of that calf's survival, lowers your profit potential and disturbs every veterinarian who has handled such cases. The weather this year has been ideal so far for importing cattle into the county and sicknesses have been minimal. But poorer weather conditions are ahead and many cattle are yet to arrive in local feedlots. By using your eyesight, a beadgate (yes, a headgate) and a rectal thermometer, you can reduce sickness problems, death losses, and a frustrated veterinarian. Observe cattle at least twice daily and if possible move them from one pen to another. You can easily pick out the stragglers, the heavy breathers, and the coughers, all of which are possibly sick. Work these cattle through the headgate and record a rectal temperature. Treat according to your veterinarian’s recom mendations. Remember to call the veterinarian early'. Team work is the key to saving young feeder cattle, claims Chester O. Hughes, Extension Livestock Agent. To Mulch Strawberries Winter injury has been a (Turn to Pace AI2)
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers