Dl4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 27,1984 Heifer AI is needed on every dairy farm BY GEORGE F. W. HAENLEIN Extension Dairy Specialist University of Delaware Tight economic times like those the dairy industry is currently facing, generally lead to cut-backs on out-of-pocket expenses and a reevaluation of current practices. Many dairy farmers have responded to this situation by discontinuing artificial in semination (a.i.) of heifers and have reverted to breeding them by natural service. This is a false economy which will come back to haunt you for years to come. Of all the animals in your herd, heifers are the best to breed a.i., especially with higher prices semen. Sound management decisions require full understanding of both the advantages and disadvantages of the alternatives. The ad vantages commonly given for using a.i. in the milking herd apply equally to heifer a.i. These ad vantages include: 1) a wider selection of genetically superior sires, 2) more complete knowledge of the genetic value of bulls, 3) knowledge of exact breeding dates, 4) easier control or prevention of reporductive diseases, 5) screening of bulls for fertility, 6) screening of bulls for genetic defects, and 7) the safety of a.i. over handling bulls. Besides these general ad vantages, there are some which apply specifically to heifers. The major benefit from using a.i. on heifers is that this practice increases the genetic progress of your herd. Progress per year is WOOD/COAL STOVES AND INSERTS Let Our Pest Experience Sew You Pollers In Meeting Costs • COLUMBIAN COOK STOVE PARTS AVAILABLE • BUCKET A DAY STOVES Put This Combination Together . FUELMISER... • RETROFIT Over 50% CATALYTIC Of Stack BURNERS... Temperature Solves The Reclaimed Cresote Problem On Wood Burners CONTACT HIESTAND’S SUPPLY CO. R.D.#l, Marietta, PA (717)426-1921 SEE OUR DISPLAY BETWEEN MAYTOWN AND BAINBRIDGE - MON.-FRI. 9-5; SAT. 10-2 (EVENINGS BY APPOINTMENT) Ford 201 and 202 mounted harrows... economy models that do the job • Flexo-hitch lift-type follows ground contours like a shadow Widths 6V: to 10-feet 16 or 18-inch notched or plain blades White iron oranti-fnction bearings 6t030 ft Lift & Pull ALLEN H. MATZ, INC. 505 E. Main St., New Holland Ph; 717-354-2214 Tr.jL for s Equipment SERVING THE COMMUNITY I [ THIRTY-FIVE YEARS LANC. CO’S OLDEST FORD DEALER determined by dividing genetic progress per generation by the number of years in a generation. Heifer a.i. affects both portions of this equation since it increases genetic progress per generation and shortens the generation in terval, thus increasing progress per year. It’s well known that heifers often have more calving difficulties than older cows. Extensive “calving ease” information has been collected on bulls in a.i.. This has led to calving-ease summaries which allow dairymen some genetic control over calving problems. This won’t eliminate all calving difficulties, since these can be due to many causes, but it will reduce their frequency. Heifer fertility is another argument in favor of a.i. As cattle age, fertility and conception rate decrease. Thus heifers are the best animals to breed a.i.-especially when you’re using expensive semen. Finally, heifer a.i. will increase the number of herd replacements available for culling or dairy sales. Some dairy farmers breed their heifers to beef bulls with the idea this will reduce calving dif ficulties. In my experience, the facts don’t support this theory. What’s more, this practice results in offspring unsuitable for dairy herd replacement. And under less than ideal calf raising conditions, this means the number of replacements available each year may not be enough to maintain herd size. So you could end up having to buy replacements at a Chester-Del. Pomona installs first woman as Master WEST CHESTER - New Of ficers were installed at last week’s meeting of Chester-Delaware Pomona Grange #3. Mrs. J. Edwin Cook of West Chester was installed as the first woman Master in the 110-year history of the county organization. Other officers are Overseer-David Wanner, Honey Brook; Steward- Harold Rennard, Goshen; Asst. Stewards Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hook, Russellville; Chaplain - Mary Jane Pennoyer, Mar shallton; Treasurer - C. Wilmer Supplee, Goshen; Secretary - Mrs. Henry Huber, Goshen; Gatekeeper - Kelvin Spotts, Russellville; Ceres - Mrs. Carroll Pratt, London Grove; Pomona - Virginia Buf- Armstrong WE GO THE EXTRA MILE Loader-Dozer ★ TUBELESS * 16 9x24 8 ply - 16 9x24 10 ply - 17 51x24 6 ply 17 5x24 8 ply - 15 5x25 12 ply - 17 5x25 12 ply- ★ TUBE TYPE ★ 14 9x246 ply- $200.00 149x248 ply- $220.00 16 9x24 6 ply - $220.00 16 9x248 ply- $235.00 16 9x24 10 ply - $280.00 17 5Lx24 8 ply $240.00 16 9x28 8 ply - $260.00 18 4x28 10 ply - $340.00 20 5x25 12 ply- Call For 23 5x25 16 ply - Quote 1300x24 10 ply- $225.00 1300x24 12 ply- $245.00 1400x24 10 ply - $255.00 1400x24 12 ply- $280.00 8 3x24 $95.00 9 5x24 112.00 14 9x24 6 ply 195.00 16 9x24 6 ply 210.00 18 4x16 16 ply 245.00 18 4x26 6 ply 340.00 11 2x28 4 ply 152.00 13 6x28 6 ply 225.00 111x15 8 ply $BO 1 ILxl6 8 ply *92 111x16 10 ply *9B 750 800x16 10 ply 111x16 12 ply *l3O 145 75 16 1 10 ply *225 $265.00 $330.00 $240.00 $270.00 $320.00 $445.00 Used Grass Tires In Our Stock cost higher than home-rasing. Those purchased replacements may also be of poorer genetic merit than calves you raise yourself from heifers. Artificial insemination of the heifer herd is a management tool which should be used on every dairy farm. The many advantages easily justify the added work. If fington, Kennett; Flora - Mrs. Harold Rennard, Goshen; Executive Committee member - Terry Murray, Russellville; Finance Committee member - Robert Chambers, East Lynn; Lecturer - Mary Sproat, London Grove. Judging was held for the photography contest. Winners were Deborah Warren, Chris Morris, and Karen Prints of Chester Valley, Mary Sproat of London Grove, Elaine Reiter of Brandywine, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Hook of Russellville. Mrs. Chester Warren won first prize for her oil painting. Junior photography winners were Andrew Huber of Goshen and Mark Morris of Chester Valley. Contractor F-3 Skid Loader i Tires 700* 15 6 ply *65 00 750*15 6 ply *6B 00 10 16 5 6 ply *BO 00 12 16 58 ply *l2O 00 Steel Shield 10 16 5 6 ply *95 00 Above Tires Shipped To You FREE Ask About Our 4 Year Guarantee On Rear Tires Strongest In The Country We Install Tires On Your Farm • Centre Hall * Williamsport •Sunbury •Allentown * North Penna. • New Jersey * Northern Maryland you're ttuniung or dropping your current heifer a.i. program, think again. If you don’t have one now, seriously consider adding one. The result will be a genetically superior herd that produces milk more efficiently and progresses faster genetically-both factors which will increase the profitability of your dairy operation. Winner in the fudge contest and tatting contest was Mrs. Raymond Earnhart of Oxford. Winners of the Pumpkin- Growing Contest were Mrs. Lynn Spotts for oddest shape and Charles Harris for the largest. Grangers are promoting the use of smoke alarms in cooperation with the Jamesway Store at New Garden Shopping Center. Chester-Delaware Pomona Grange #3 will celebrate its 110th Anniversary with a banquet and program May 18. Committee chairmen for the event are Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harris of Russellville. Seventeen new members were initiated into the Fifth Degree. Front IVactor 400 12 $22.00 400 15 $24.00 500 15 $31.00 550 16, 4 ply $33 00 I 550 16, 6 ply $36.00 I 600 16 4 ply $37 Q 0 J 600 16, 6 ply $41.00 650 16 6 ply $42.00 I 75L 15. 6 ply $50.00 F 750 16 8 ply $54 00 750 16 6ply $5O 00 750 18 6 ply $64 00 95L15 6 ply $55.00 95L 15,8 ply $60.00 1000 16 6 ply $BO 00 11 Lx 15,8 ply $75.00 1100 16 Bpiy $llOOO 14L 16 1 8 ply $l6O 00 Wagon Tires 26 1200x12 4 ply 49 00 8 5Lxl4 6 ply 41 00 9 5Lxl4 6 ply 44 00 9 5Lxl4 8 ply 49.50 11Lx146 ply 4900 9 5Lx156 ply 42 00 9 51x15 8 ply 44 00 111_x 15 6 ply 4300 11 Lx 15 8 ply 47.00 We Ship To You UPS! • No Charge 11LkI5 8 ply tubeless $5O 00 111*16 8 ply 58 00 111*16 10 ply tubeless 74 00 12 5L*1510 ply 12 5L*l6 14 ply 141*16 1 12 ply 14000 16 5U161 10 ply tubeless 160 00 75 00 85 00
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers