Farming, Saturday, Jammy 8,1983 York dairy farmer (Conti rxwdfrom Pact A2O) storage pit have been added to the stall barn which had been built for his herd by the previous Amlah dairyman. Acreage on the farm totals 50, with about half of that tillable and the remainder in woodland. Corn for silage is the only major crop planted, and additional silage and all other feed components are purchased. Plantings of rye now on die ground will bold the soil against winter erosion and then be chopped for ryelage in spring. Machinery investment is kept to a bare minimum. One small tractor handles the pull-type gutter cleaner mechanism, and a still unused hay elevator will facilitate bale moving if needed. With freedom from equipment upkeep and repairs, McCaffree can direct all his energies toward his most pressing concern: fine-tuning bis high producers with tri-daily milking. “It is a lot of work,” McCaffree says of the 5 a.m., 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. schedule of milking 45 cows. Butin addition to the whopping herd average of 21,580 milk, 759 fat, he sees die added bonus of better udder health as an equally im portant reason for that third round of milking. A high school age assistant handles the milking chores about a third of the time, and extras are kept to a minimum during Mc- Caffree’s late night session in the bam. “We can observe cows more often, and catch more heats. And, if I can get help at the mid-day milking, I have the entire day to buy hay, or haul feed, or work at whatever needs to be dime.” Some of that time has been spent remodeling the farm home for the family, which includes two-year 0 ACID old Jared and baby Jessica. Holly, who also holds a master’s degree in agriculture after studying at DVC and Penn State, could teach if she choae to do so, but says she sees but raising their youngsters aa a far more important full-time Job. Both, in fact, are exuberant that they finally have their own farm on which to raise their yotmgsters. “How many people get to stay home with their kids? ” ponders the dairyman as be hugs a wiggling Jared. “When you work for yourself, you can do what’s most important for you.’* Also important are all those years of studying, teaching, and the wealth of dairy background that McCaffree has acquired through his research and ex periences. To harness and keep fresh that knowledge, he’s set up a private farm management con sulting service, aimed specifically toward boosting production in 9,000 to 12,000 pound average herds, through improved feeding and health management techniques. Should the consulting service needs someday demand it, a computer might eventually be in store for the McCaffree’s herd and management uses. It’s with special pride that McCaffree points out to visitors a picture that hangs in a place of honor on the wood paneled walls of the farm heme. A precious family heirloom, the hand-painted picture shows a herd of Ayrshire cows coming from a pasture. It was painted by his grandmother, and portrays part of their Kansas farm herd, where Jim McCaffree first learned to appreciate fine cattle. “I thank my grandfather for getting me into cows.” Meet the other dairy judges BY DONNA TOMMELLEO tARRISBURG - On Tuesday, the five major dairy breeds (Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Guern sey, Holstein, Jersey and Milking Shorthorn) will have their day in the Farm Show’s large arena. Friday will be a Farm Show first as dairy goats vie for Best in Show honors. Lancaster Farming now in troduces you to the remaining three Farm Show dairy judges. Milking Shorthorn and Holstein exhibitors will get a good look at David on Tuesday and vice versa. An Extension dairyman with the University of Wisconsin’s DHIA program, David is no stranger to the Farm Show tanbark, having judged in the 1982 Pennsylvania All American. David’s judging credentials trace back to 1961. Although he makes his home in the Dairyland, UJS.A., David hails from the Northwest Pacific. His father and brother maintain the family’s Ayrshire farm in Ever son, Washington. David received a B.S. degree in Dairy , Science at Washington State University in 1961 and within the next four years completed his Masters and Doctorate degrees in Didry Science at the University of Wisconsin. This year’s Farm Show judge has done extensive research on dairy cattle behavior. Additionally, be has published guidlines on "Keeping Cattle Comfortable at the Fair” and "Showing Is More Than Leading.” Dickson explains that it is im portant to assure the show string of adequate space. He suggests lining cattle up from the smallest to the largest “It’s necessary to attend the cattle at all time. Don’t just dump them and go to the midway,” he says. A potential buyer may be interested in an animal and it’s a good idea for someone to be there to answer questions. Out on the tanbark, David will be looking not only for a sharp dairy co*, but a knowledgable handler as well. “If a cow is well trained and handled well, she’s really going to geta good lode,’’ he says. “It’s more difficult to evaluate an animal that is not under con trol,” David adds. For potential exhibitors, David offers the following guidelines: where the judge is in the ring; ✓Create a situation where the animal is in the most favorable position; ✓Know the high and low spots in the ring; ✓Never get in a position where the animal’s front feet are in a hole; ✓Get the animal in line in a hurry. “This Is a judging family,” says the Clearbrook, Virginia native. Mike Stiles, along with his brothers Ken, Paul and Tracy have all had an opportunity to tag one grand champion or another. On Tuesday, Mike will have the distinction of choosing the top Guernsey and Jersey. An approved National Jersey judge, Mike began judging about 16 years ago and was a member of die 1967 National 4-H dairy Judging team. As he moves from the Guernsey Show to Jersey com petition, Mike says he’ll be looking for the same type of cow. “In all the major breeds, I look for a good sharp dairy cow with a good udder. She has to show the ability to milk,” he explains. When he’s not on the road judging, Mike can still be found in the show ring leading the family’s Waverly Farm Jerseys. In the past the brothers have competed in the Pennsylvania All- (Turn to Page A3S) #
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