D2—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 11,1984
Shorthorn breed makes
performance a requirement
OMAHA, Neb. The new
Shorthorn Performance Records
(SPR) program of the American
Shorthorn Association (ASA)
gained industry recognition as the
ultimate in performance testing
available' to both commercial and
purebred cattlemen.
The computerized program, now
past its infant stages, was in the
spotlight at the Denver meeting of
Shorthorn breeders where
proposals were presented to in
corporate SPR as an eligiblity
requirement in other ASA
programs.
Sheep numbers down
less than anticipated
DENVER, Co. - The USDA
Sheep Inventory Report released
recently shows a decline in sheep
numbers for 1983, but not as much
as had been expected.
“Some industry analysts had
predicted an eight to 10 percent
drop,” says Eldon White, director
of producer services for the
American Sheep Producers
Council in Denver, “but the figures
show a reduction of only five
percent.”
USDA set the Jan. 1, 1984, in
ventory at 11.4 million head and
revised the Jan. 1,1983, inventory
to 12 million head.
“This larger-than-anticipated
inventory will help relieve some of
the pressure on the packing in
dustry,” White said. “Most lamb
packers have been operating about
Swine producers should be
aware of several efficiencies in the
nursery that can save money. In
fact, as much as two week’s time to
market can be saved if the
producer is practicing good nur
sery management. Unfortunately,
nursery management is usually
the weakest link in a hog operation.
How does one determine whether
he is doing a good job in the nur
sery or not? A rule of thumb is that
pigs should weigh at least 40
pounds by the time they reach
eight weeks of age.
There’s some common sense
involved, too. If the pigs are often
huddled together in a pen, it’s a
good indication that they are cold.
In that case, a producer needs to
turn up the temperature, cut the
air flow, or both. Some other ef
ficiencies that can be achieved are
as follows.
The pens in a nursery should be
cleaned out prior to bringing in a
new batch of pigs. This is typically
accomplished by the all-in, all-out
procedure. A primary advantage
is disease control, although there
also is improved performance due
to better sanitation
The event, held in conjunction
with the National Western, was the
annual meeting of the ASA, and the
progressive and innovative at
titudes seen in recent years from
Shorthorn producers was even
more evident. Voting delegates
representing 26 Districts in the
United States and Canada ap
proved two resolutions that in
volved the integration of the
performance program as a
requirement for sale and show
eligibility in events sponsored by
the ASA.
According to Roger E. Hunsley,
80 percent capacity, and some
feared that a drastically reduced
inventory would signal trouble for
lamb packers. Although slaughter
will be reduced from 1983, it won’t
be as low as feared.”
White also pointed out that
concerns about meeting demand in
recently developed Southeast and
Western markets were allayed by
the report.
Also, the USDA report showed an
increase in the average value per
head of sheep from $51.70 in 1982 to
$52.10 in 1983.
“With an increase in dollar
value, strenthening consumer
confidence in the economy,
stronger demand for lamb and a
smaller inventory, outlook for the
sheep industry in 1984 looks
brighter,” White said.
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Livestock Ledger
Chester D, Hughes
Extension Livestock Specialist
Before bringing in a new batch of
pigs, set the temperature at 85 to 90
degrees F. Leave it at that level for
the first two weeks, then work it
down to 80 to 85 degrees by the time
the pigs are getting ready to leave
the nursery.
Allow at least two and one-half
square feet of floor space for each
pig. If pigs are more crowded than
that, they probably won’t gain as
well as those with adequate room.
A common mistake is to put too
much feed in the feeder. This can
result in some of the feed sitting
around for two to three weeks. The
feed can become moldy, especially
if the pigs have defecated or
urinated on it. Fresh feed can
stimulate the pig’s curiosity and
lead them to eat more. That’s
exactly the goal to get the pigs to
eat as much as possible.
The first three weeks in the
nursery are the most efficient tune
from a feed conversion stand
point that a pig has after it has
left the sow For every pound of
feed consumed, a pig at this point
will put on about three-fourths of a
pound of gain
By
executive secretary-treasurer of
the ASA, the move set a precedent
for a beef breed organization in
terms of placing so much emphasis
on economically important per
formance data. To combine data
from a comprehensive program
with the magnitude of SPR, into
other traditional events such as
sales and shows, is a major
breakthrough in making the
Shorthorn breed an industry
leader, he said.
The first resolution, Hunsley
said, provided that owners of
Shorthorn and Polled Shorthorn
cattle consigned to ASA sponsored
sales will be required to have their
entire herds enrolled in the SPR
program and provide SPR in
formation on individual animals
that are consigned. He listed the
National Sale and/or the Denver
Seedstock Special Edition Sale;
the National Shorthorn Range Bull
Evaluation Center Sale; and the
North American Heifer Calf
Futurity Sale as current sales that
would be affected after July t,
1984.
“The Shorthorn oreed has made
tremendous strides in the per
formance of their cattle,” Hunsley
said. “This resolution that in
corporates data on cattle in these
major breed sales will document
the performance proof of the
outstanding seedstock being of
fered. The performance ability,
coupled with other documented
economical traits maintained by
the breed, will definitely be proof
for the entire beef industry to
watch. Never has such a large
group of producers been so
aggressive in making performance
so high as a breed priority.”
Hunsley stated further that the
breed again showed
progressiveness and willingness to
back its performance program by
passing the second resolution in
regard to show ring eligibility at
events after July 1,1985. In a show
where the ASA contributes a
portion of the premium monies, the
owners of exhibited cattle must
have their entire herds enrolled in
the SPR program to be eligible for
that premium money. In addition,
SPR information must be provided
on the individual animal in the
show, Dr. Hunsley, said. The
resolution, he added, would not
apply to 4-H or FFA youth or to
members of the American Junior
Shorthorn Association.
These two resolutions, the breed
executive noted, have set another
new dimension for the Shorthorn
breed. The impact they will have
on Shorthorn and Polled Shorthorn
cattle will contribute greatly to the
continued improvement and
development of the breed and its
influence upon the entire beef
industry, Hunsley stressed.
“It shows a great deal ot
foresightedness on the part of
producers. Their awareness of the
importance of performance data in
events that will catch industry
attention is to be commended and
their willingness to accept such a
challenge in the development of
their cattle is another sign of the
progressive attitudes and in
novative thinking that is seen
within the Shorthorn breed of
today,” Hunsley concluded.
r t— —— —~- r
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Pa. Angus honors
top
; t m
the 1983
Pennsylvania Angus Association's Outstanding Junior Angus
Boy award during the annual meeting in Harrisburg.
Presenting Bill his plaque is Fred Frey, Quarryville,
president.
Year award
went to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Rishel, Glen Rock. Presenting the
Rishel's plaque is Fred Frey, left, Quarryville, president of the
state association.
Lori Cash, Centre Hall, was honored as the 1983 Penn
sylvania Angus Association Outstanding Junior Angus Girl
during the annual meeting in Harrisburg. Above, Lori
receives her plaque from Fred Frey, Quarryville, president.
Restaurants serving
lamb on
DENVER, Co. The number of
restaurants serving lamb in
creased 11 percent in 1963, says
P.J. Cook, president of the
American Sheep Producers
Council.
Cook’s comments came during
an address Wednesday to the
National Lamb Feeders
Association in Minneapolis, Minn.
“In 1982,75,665 restaurants were
serving lamb,” Cook said. “That
number climbed to 83,615 in 1983,
an 11 percent increase.”
The number of restaurants
serving lamb has been steadily
increasing over the past few years.
From 1972 to 1983, the number
went up 60 percent.
Cook credits ASPC’s efforts as a
major reason for the increases
members
r>
the rise
“ASPC staff and merchandising
consultants have focused on
foodservice, and that seems to be
paying off.”
Most of these restaurants are
white tablecloth, but Cook expects
more family-style chains to add
lamb to their menus this next year.
“The new Denver Rib has been
particularly well recieved,” be
said. This cut is part of the “New
Look of American Lamb,” &
alternative carcass-breaking
method developed by ASPC to
more effectively utilize the entire
carcass.
“We’ll be seeing a lot more
Denver Ribs in family-style
restanwmts this next year,” >- ° n
said
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