DB—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September 24,1983 Performance tested boars are bargain NEWARK, Del. “If you didn’t make it to the Delaware boar sale, you missed some bargains,” says Umversity of Delaware extension livestock specialist Ken Kephart. Nineteen boars were offered. Seventeen sold for an average of 1357. Ronald Harrison from Lit tlestown, Pa., purchased the top selling animal for $535. This was a Yorkshire consigned by Edwards ' and Edwards of Rich Square, N.C. o "Despite the uncertainty in the market, it’s surprising the boars didn’t sell higher,” Kephart says. Considering the following facts, any of these pigs was a good buy. * The boars had records which were unbiased and impartial. * All were grown out under the same conditions, so comparisons could be made among entries. * The poor performers were thrown out. Forty-four boars started the test. Twenty-five were eliminated. Thai left the top 43 percent for the sale. * The likelihood is these boars will sire pigs that are cheaper to TRACTION MASTERS. INC. Grooving, Grinding and Texturing The TMI “EDGE” provides clean, straight grooves in feed alleys, freestalls, holding lots and corners for improved traction, heat detection and drainage and the reduction of broken bones and splitting. Group rates available! CALL OR WRITE: Merle Becker Dari M. Packard 224 S. Market St. 1514 Hollins St. Ephrata, PA 17522 Baltimore, MD 21223 (717)738-1359 (301)945-7313 raise. “No one can guarantee that a lop performance individual will pul that performance into his off spring,” says the specialist. "But our experience in genetic selection indicates chances are good that he will.” How much can a producer afford to pay for a performance tested boar? Consider just two economic factors-growth rate and feed efficiency. Growth Rate. At a fixed cost of $5 per head to grow a pig, it’s possible to save 50 cents a head with a 10 percent improvement in gain. Feed Efficiency. Feed currently averages $2OO a ton. At that price, a producer can pocket $lO for every 100 pounds of feed saved. Let’s say a prospective buyer has an average herd growth rale (ADG) on his finishing floor of 1.5 pounds per day and a feed effiency (F/G) of 3.5 pounds of feed per pound of gain. He buys a boar with a growth rate of 2.18 pounds per day and a feed conversion ratio of 2.43 pounds of feed per pound of gain. This would have been an average boar in the Delaware lest,” Kephart says. "Because he’s an intact male, that boar will grow faster and more efficienty than a barrow. So we'll adjust his performance down by 10 percent. Adjusting for this, his "true” level of performance-if he were a barrow-would be 1.96 pounds per day and 2.67 pounds of feed per pound of gam,” the specialist says. Compared to the herd’s average daily gam of 1.50 and feed to gain ratio of 3.50, that boar is superior. During growout he put on .46 pounds each day (1.96-1.50 = .46) on .83 pounds less feed (2.67-3.50 = -.83). How much of this superiority will his offspring have? Taking into account the hentability of each trait and the fact that half the genetic make-up of the offspring comes from the boar, a producer can expect an improvement of .07 pounds per day ADG and .15 Central Michigan Tractor & Parts 2713 N. US 27, St. Johns, Ml 48879 SCall The ’ Professionals Toll Free: 1-800-248-9263 Michigan Res.: 1-800-292-9233 voßir- For a savings of 50 % off dealers list on good used tractor & combine parts Morton Buildings designs and erects all types of buildings!! To meet your building needs from farm buildings to those designed for industrial use trust Morton Buildings. You'll recognize our Yes, YEAR-ROUND CONSTRUCTION pounds less feed required per pound of gam, the specialist says. To put a price tage on this superiority, multiply the expected miprovment over herd average daily gam times the fixed cost re quired to produce each hog. This shows a saving of 23 cents per hog, in ADG along. 1 .07 Ib./day x55.00/hog = ,23/hog). 1.5 Ib./day Feed savings can be calculated by multiplying total weight gain times expected feed efficiency im provement tunes feed value. This gives a savmg of $2.55 per hog in feed costs (170 lb. x .15 lb. feed/lb. gam x $.lO/lb. feed = $2.55/hog). Together, these improvements amount to total savings of $2.78 per hog ($.23 + $2.55 = $2.78). Here’s the bottom Ime. If the boar sires 1,000 pigs per year he will save his owner $2,780 (1000 x $2.78 + $2,780) in the first year along. This doesn’t take into ac count any selection in the female line which might also benefit off- Quality... ...forbusiness... quality workmanship, con struction and appearance with a strong, written warranty to back it up in every Morton Building. Bring your building plans to us, we'll show you why ...and farm! Cf d.m. ff " STOLTZFUS & SON, Inc. TALMAGE. PA 17580 CRUSHED STONE ASPHALT PAVING POZ—O—PAC Sf TIT/feSa-'SAII ss spring ‘The key is lo know the per formance level of your herd,” Kephart says. “Buy boars that will improve this performance and they’ll pay for themselves many tunes over.” Performance tested boars-- they’re usually a bargain. a Morton Building is a must for your opera tion. Our sales team will explain in full detail the Morton Building best suited to your farm and business needs. Call or write today!!
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