El—Liwcirtf Fwrin, Saturday, January 8, 1983 Wolfskill (Continued from Page E 2) months also helps in his successful battle against mastitis. Not a fan of over-the-counter drugs, Wolfskin relies on his veterinarian to supply him with mixtures of antibiotics to treat cows. Three different teat dips are used on the Wolfskill herd ac cording to udder condition. On his heavy milkers and those leaking milk, Guardian teat dip or Seal Tight dip, latex dips that form a seal on the teat end, are used. On the remainder of the herd, Wolf skill uses Nolvasan dip. Com are grouped in the stan chion barn according to produc tion. Any cow showing signs of mastitis is milked last to prevent any spread of infection. Wolfskill uses Boumatlc bucket milkers and religiously follows his schedule of milking at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Another management practice which Wolfskill attributes to bis success is to fully utilize your feed salesman and your veterinarian. “We’re lucky in this area to have a feed salesman who is genuinely interested in your herd and knows what he is talking about,” Wolfskill explains. “When I have a problem, one call, and he is out here that day.” Wolfskill feeds a 20 percent complete feed and top dresses with a 38 percent protein to cows milking over 70 pounds. Milking cows also are fed 55 pounds ol corn silage, 15 pounds of baylage (stored in two stave silos) and 0 pounds of hay. Wolfskill feeds his cows five times a day, stating that smaller feed amounts stay fresh longer and cows will cat better. Once a day all leftovers are swept up and fed to heifers. Fresh cows milking 90 pounds and better, are pampered with special hay racks made to fit in the front of the stanchions in which Wotfskill offers these high producers prime quality hay-bee choice. Stating that he does not “play vet,” Wolfskill relies on his veterinarian for sound advice and in emergencies has service in less than an hour. Herdcbecks are held every two weeks and recom mendations carefully followed. Cows are bred back at 45 days and the cut off point for service sires is +lBOO milk predicted difference. Wolfskill picks his bulls from the top-50 TPI list of the breed and rates popularity of a sire first—looking forward to bow marketable a heifer will be. Production is second in priority, but type and fat are not forgotten depending on the individual cow. Hie current service sires being used by Wolfskill include: Chairman, Spirit, Bell, Lance, and Mars. In order to develop a fully registered herd, Wolfskill raises no heifers bom his grade cows. If a dam of a newborn heifer does not meet his expectations, be does not raise any daughters from that cow but sells them immediately after birth. Wolkskill, says his first-calf heifers to milk around 16,000 pounds on their first lactation. If any of his older cows drop to 16,000 to 17,000 pounds, they are given their first “notice” and are put on a “potential cull” list. If they have any other problems such as in fertility, mastitis, etc., they are sold. “I treat all my cows as my employees,” Wolfskill states. “H they work hard for me, they get all the Christmas bonus they want; it not, they are fired." One of the top cows in the herd is a third-generation “very good” daughter of Elevation. Purchased as a bred heifer at the annual Sire Power Sale, her credits include a a* year-oM record of more than 28,000 pounds milk and 800 pounds fat,' and a S-ycar-old record more than' 25,000 pounds milk and 900 pounds fat She is currently dry and due in February to Chairman. A top grade in the Wolfskill herd is currently projected to milk more than over27,ooopounds. Wolfskill credits wife Robin with doing much of the work and being Just as conscientious about good herd health and management to achieve high production. Daughter Abby also is interested in the family "breadwinners” and the whole family looks forward to the time when she can start showing some of the Wolfskill stock in 4-H, at least another three years for the six year old to learn her parents' dairying skills. Looking forward to 1983, Wolf skill has some excellent replacements coming up and continues to artificially inseminate all his heifers to top bulls. When asked if management will make the difference between solvency or bankruptcy in 1963, Wolfskill says that management alone may not be enough. Paying attention to little details in operation, though, can often make a big difference and he will con tinue to use all the available aids to help his operatioo-his nutritionist, veterinarian, accountant, and his DHLA records. PROVEN PROFIT BULOERS FOR YOUR DAIRY COWS Are Scientifically Blended To Assure You Of High Quality Formulas That Get Results! Fortified With Vitomins and Minerals For Fast, Healthy Growth, and Top Milk Production FLORIN FEEDS WOLGEMUTH BROS., INC. MOUNT JOY. PA PH: 717-653-1451 ' ■ P.0.80x 56, Ephrata. Pa. 717-738-424* A RED / ROSE BUILDING SYSTEMS FARM & COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS SPECIALIZING IN: Form. Commercial, Horse Barns and Garages sV? f See Us j For I Money | Name Saving J Address or RO Discoveries! [ Town i Zip Owned & Operated By Local People Please contact me with information on the following: □ FARM BUILDINGS □ COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS □ DO-IT-YOURSELF BUILDING PACKAGES □ HORSE BARNS Fill out and mail to; RED ROSE BUILDING SYSTEMS. P.O. Box 56. Ephrata, PA 17522 State Phone( ) M i County
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