A26-Lancaster Famine, Saturday, Ftbruary 23,1985 Pork Congress (Continued from Page Al) during the day simply because they were more active during daylight hours, Dr. Curtis reversed the procedure so that the lamps burned constantly and were turned off by depressing the switch. He found that his subjects adapted easily to this procedure and in creased their paddle pushing at night in order to maintain the cooler 60-degree temperature. Most important of all was the fact that these educated pigs averaged a 53-percent fuel cost savings over those housed in conventionally heated areas. “On one farm we’ve studied, the savings actually ranged to 60 percent,” notes Curtis, adding that on-farm research is continuing at two Illinois locations. Applicable at the nursery and early growing stages, this technique may prove to be beneficial from a humane stand point as well. “We think we’re being kind to the pig by fully controlling its environment,” Dr. Curtis said, “but we might actually be stressing it.” In an effort to find out what other “hobbies” might interest pigs, the animal behaviorist is also ex perimenting with toys. Though placing a ball in the pig pen to alleviate boredom and reduce fighting has met with some suc cess, Dr. Curtis notes that pigs are more likely to turn their attention to suspended toys that remain manure-free. So far Illinois studies indicate a preference for cloth strips over chains and hoses. Future research will deal with the effects of such diversions on behavior, health, growth and feed efficiency. “I still feel that the animal whose needs are best met is going to be the most profitable,” said Dr. Curtis, adding that in years to come behavioral studies such as this project will be as widely ac cepted as nutritional studies are now. Briefing Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council members on the National Council’s activities was NPPC assistant vice president Russ Sanders. Noting that the pork industry is, “in a state of upheaval” Sanders pointed out that Canadian as well as European pork exports are teaming up to rob U.S. producers of profits. Sanders stated that hog farmers typically spend 99 percent of their effort producing pork and only one percent in sales and promotion. The NPPC, whose 110,000 mem bers produce about three-fourths of the nation’s pork, is well equipped to make a significant impact in the promotion area, he said. Citing the Council’s new three tenths of one percent checkoff schedule going into effect July 1, Sanders said that the new system would be more responsive to market conditions than the current 20 cents-per-head checkoff. “When hog prices are higher, the checkoff is steeper, but when prices are down, the checkoff is also lower,” Sanders pointed out. “This takes into consideration the producers’ ability to pay. ” The totally volunteer program boasts a 57-percent participation rate nationwide, with 62 percent of the Pa. producers taking part. Like Sanders, Penn State economist Louis Moore called attention to the Canadian export situation, pointing out that more Canadian hogs entered the U.S. during the first three weeks of January than in the entire year of 1978. Moore predicts that both pork and beef .supplies will decline about four percent in 1985. “I don’t think we’ll have any trouble seeing $55 or $6O hogs this year,” he said. In light of the difficulties ex perienced in the livestock industry in recent years, Or. James Van Hom, professor of family sociology, advised farmers on how to cope with stress. “It’s not the situation that causes stress, but our reaction to that situation that causes stress,” he observed. Van Hom stated that physicians estimate that 60 to 75 percent of all diseases are directly stress related. “One way to cope with stress is to go out of oneself and help someone else,” he said. Other recommendations include taking pride in accomplishments, getting sufficient sleep and “talking it out” with a spouse or friend. Following morning and af ternoon presentations and visits Recipients of the PPPC’s Swine Production Awards are Kathryn Bishop, Homer City, in the 4-H division, and Rodney E. Herr, Gettysburg, in the FFA division. vice president; Stephen R. Burkholder, president; Herb Schick, secretary-treasurer; C. Eugene Wingert, national director. WHITE WASHING with DAIRY WHITE • DRIES WHITE ATTBNTIONI * DOES NOT RUB OFF EASILY If your barn gets wet inside over * NO WET FLOORS the winter months, now is the time . IS COMPATIBLE WITH DISINFECTANT mlTway iSIIrtSSS AND FLY SPRAYS out of your DAIRY WHITE. • WASHES OFF WINDOWS & PIPELINES EASILY air 10% CASH DISCOUNT To have your barn cleaned with air it will clean off Through The Month Of March dust, cob webs & lots of the old lime. This will keep On Total Bill your barn looking cleaner & whiter longer. with swine industry represen tatives, producers attended the Congress Banquet featuring well known pork industry spokesman and producer, Holland “Pig” Paul. Also highlighting the evening event was the recognition of this year’s Pork All-American, David A. Reinecker of York Springs. A 1977 graduate of Western Maryland College, Reinecker finishes 800 to 1,000 hogs. The Reinecker swine operation is a family enterprise, with David’s father Ray providing the crops and grain, and his Uncle Stan supplying more than one-half of David's feeder pigs. A current director of the Southcentral Pork Producers We will fake work within 100 mile radius of Lancaster MAYNARD L BEITZEL Bam Spraying Our Business, net a sideline, Spraying since 1961 Council, Reinecker is a newly elected director of the Pa. Council and also serves as one of three state delegates to the NPPC. Reinecker and his wife Cheryl have two children, Jonathan and Andrew. Young swine producers were also honored through the PPPC’s 4-H and FFA Swine Production Awards. Recipient of this year’s 4-H award is Kathryn Bishop, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bishop of Homer City. The Indiana County 4-H’er is vice president, treasurer and news reporter for her local chapter. Rodney E. Herr of Gettysburg, took top honors in the FFA division. The sen of Erma Herr, Once again H. Louis Moore managed to make a pig of himself at Pork Congress. Congress chairman Les Burdette thinks the economist could use a bit more finish. Rodney is a member of the Conewago-New Oxford FFA Chapter, and runs his own farrow to-finish operation with 32 sows. PPPC director Abe Fisher also took time to present a pigskin blazer to retiring Penn State professor Grant Sherritt, in honor of his longstanding involvement in the state’s pork industry. The afternoon sessions included a PPPC business meeting where new officers were elected. This year’s officers will be: Stephen R. Burkholder, president; David A. Reinecker, vice president; Herb Schick, secretary-treasurer; and C. Eugene Wingert, national director.
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