014—Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, October B, 1983 3 Daily ms*' f •. ! ' i Pipeline •agf*, By j Glenn A. Shirk j Extension M Dairy Agent j 88SSM»Sg8^S^»SSSS^B«SMMSCTBSgsy The present dairy and feed situation is forcing many dairymen to change gears. When feed prices, and other costs are going up, and when milk prices decline, adjustments have to be made. One place we can start is to look at where we can cut costs. With feed being the largest single item of expense, that's a logical place to start. If this is an area for im provement ask yourself the following question; what is the cheapest feed 1 can feed the most of - safely? What supplements do 1 need to purchase to balance the ration when I use this "cheap” feed. If the cost of the added 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! Merle Becker Dari M. Packard 224 S. Market St. 1514 Hollins St. Ephrata, PA 17522 Baltimore, MD 21223 (717)738-1359 (301)945-7313 T3sP< <*' - ’V'fr's CONSTRUCTION FARM BUILDINGS - EXCAVATING MANURE PITS - SEPTIC TANKS SPECIAL FARM PRICES DYNAMIC MASONRY CONTRACTORS Mike Fisher (717) 687-6801 After 6 PM, Coll (717) 687-7217 supplements, or the risks associated with the change, are too great, the change may not be worth considering. Chances are, the cheapest feed on most farms is home grown forages. Generally, when the milk to grain price ratios narrow, as they are presently, doing - and rapidly, it pays to feed more forage and less gram. True, you might lose some production and have a smaller milk check, but you might have more returns over feed costs, and that’s what pays the bills. In addition, as a bonus, you might eventually discover that you have a healthier herd - less vet ex penses, less culling, and possibly a CALL OR WRITE: Ks>WbS SPECIALISTS IN: • RESIDENTIAL SEPTIC SYSTEMS • FARM WASTE SYSTEMS • COMMERCIAL WASTE SYSTEMS -FREE ESTIMATES Gordonville, PA Septic Tanks Larry Herr higher fat test. Some cows that had been overfed gram - and we seem to have a lot of them - might ac tually end up producing more milk because they are healthier. Remember, recovering six points on fat test will offset the two ac cent milk price deductions. If you can keep those good cows in your herd longer, that’s worth a lot - especially now! It used to take almost two lactations for a cow to break even in her lifetime. Good cows will do it slightly sooner. With the margin of profit shrinking, it may now require three lactations. - The important point to remember is, every lactation you can keep a cow beyond her break even point is an extra opportunity for her to return a profit to you. So, take the time and effort necessary to keep those good cows healthy. It might mean feeding more forages or paying attention to all those little, but important, details such as observing heats, keeping records, preventing mastitis, treating infections, providing good ventilation, vac cinating and dewormmg, im proving sanitation, caring for feet, etc. The list goes on and on. Look for good buys in feed, consider alternative feeds, and avoid unnecessary frills. But make any changes carefully and slowly, and know what you are doing. Keep the ration properly balanced to keep yourself out of trouble and to help you make most efficient use of the feeds you have or purchase. ssow rs a Schoessow’s Versatile SLANT Bar Feeder Bunks ; ■ - •• ■ ....-vavJsa a ■- : h*t- :~T‘* y , y ; y Full Sized Bunk Gat Provan Daalgn and tha Ruggad, Waldad Slaal Construction IN BRIARTON iT~ n from tha Laadara In Faadara ROUTE 2 I g Schoessow, Inc. Distributed By: CUMMINGS & BRICKED 100 Stover Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013 *' 717- 249-6720 ' (Save the best feed for the best i her stall, and that lost income is producers, and don’t waste feed on! probably the larger of the two cattle that aren’t worth keeping, or costs. on extra heifers. Keep fewer heifers, and feed them better. Look at what cows are filling your stalls. It’s expensive to feed a low producer, or a cow that will remain dry for a long period of time, especially if you can find a better cow to fill her stall. You not only have the cost of feeding her, you also have the loss of income when you deny a better cow to fill NY Holiday Heifer Sale Dec. 3 ITHACA, NY Nominations for the Holiday Heifer Sale Dec. 3, co sponsored by the New York Hereford Association and the New York Polled Hereford Association, are now being accepted. The sale, which will be at the Livestock Pavilion on the Cornell Campus, Ithaca, will feature registered Polled Herefords and Herefords. It will include heifer calves, open and bred heifers, and a select group of steer calves. Performance requirements have FEEDLOT USE BY ALL LIVESTOCK SIZES V'* •••• -* - - - - ■ FARMERS’ FAVORITES Schoessow’s SLANT BAR FEEDER WAGONS Will feed chopped green feed, large round or square bales, regular bales, silage, haylage, chopped hay or ground feed. 40, 30, 25, 20, 15 or 10 foot lengths. Schoessow’s SLANT Bar Feeder Panels Pick a feeder panel to fit your needs ... % 1 f> T. V' |.jW| FEED EFFICIENT i* m ALL PURPOSE FEEDER WAGONS Easily Movable Trailer Bunk When gram was cheap, it was profitable to "push” cows, as long as it didn’t result in excessive herd health problems and cow turnover. When the price of gas skyrocketed, it became more efficient not to push the pedal to the floor. The same may be true of cattle now that the price of their fuel is on the increase. Push the pencil carefully to decide what is best for you. been established and all heifers consigned that are more than 15 months of age will be guaranteed safe in calf. Nominations will close Nov. 1 and entry forms may be obtained from Robert Generaux, Rt. 9 County Road 18, Canandaigua, N.Y. 14424 or from Raymond Clark, Box 123, Clinton N.Y. 13323. Working with Generaux and Clark on sale arrangements are Theodore Kriese, Cato, and Montie Soules, Millbrook. ' I Mini Bunk For Calves and Sheep /nt feeder panels as a wee line f eeder OR
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