D2-lancaster Farming Saturday, September 5, 1987 Roger Gerdes, NJHS chairman presents the 1987 National Junior Chlanlna Herdsman buckle to Karen Brothers of East Berlin, York County. Pete Potter (right) Is the president of the Chlanlna Association in South Dakota. Keeping Feeder Cattle Healthy In recent years, the approach to animal health has switched from treatment of disease to prevention of disease. Cattle producers who realize that preventive care saves time and money in the long run are concerned about how management practices and environmental con ditions affect animal health. One practice that produces stress in feeder cattle is removing them from the familiar maternal environment to the competitive feedlot. Because this transition is unavoidable under most feeding systems, producers must devote considerable effort to preparing animals for the change. Other stressful environmental conditions and procedures included the following: • Dehoming • Castration • Weaning • Sudden change in feed or water intake • Loss of familiar surroundings • Poor sanitation • Exposure to new disease producing agents • Transportation • Exposure to bad weather Most animals can withstand one or more of these stresses simulta neously and remain healthy because they have a variety of self regulating controls that keep their body system functioning normal ly. One such control, the immune system, protects the anirhafagainst potential disease-producing agents during periods of strSSs. Numerous stresses acting at one time may, overwhelm the immune system, resulting in disease outbreaks such as “shipping fever” in Pennsylva nia feedlots. Authorities generally agree that as much as 75 to 80 percent of the health problems in feeder cattle are related to shipping. Once the cattle have adjusted to their new environ ment, health maintenance should require less attention. But some conditions, such as intensive grain feeding alone, produce constant stress on cattle and can cause health problems at any time. Preshipment Conditioning Recommendations can be made for minimizing stress in feeder calves. Since the change from the maternal to the feedlot environ ment involves, tremendous stress, preparation for this period pre conditioning has been the focus of attention. The buyer of feeder cattle should be aware of recom mendations for avoiding stress related difficulties and economic losses. The following precondi tioning procedures for generally considered to be very effective, but they should be modified according to the given situation. At least three or four weeks (Turn to Page Dl3) 1987 National Junior Chianina Herdsman EAST BERLIN Karen J. Brothers didn’t drive 35 hours from Pennsylvania to Rapid City, S.D. for nothing. She came to put East Berlin, Pennsylvania on the map. She did just that On the way home, she was wearing the 1987 National Junior Chianina Herds man buckle. Brothers, 20, brought four head to the American Junior Chianina Assn. National Junior Heifer Show, three in the same class; par ticipated in all the events the NJHS had to offer, and, to top it off, was named first runner-up National Beam Takes Swine Championship For the third year in a row, Brian Beam, Elverson, exhibited the Grand Champion Market Hog at the Chester County 4-H Swine Show at New Holland Sales Stable. And as always, Hatfield Packing Company was there to purchase the 255 lb. champion for a whopping $4.00/lb. Brian also exhibited the grand champion trio which was purchased by ABC Groff of New Holland, always a staunch supporter, for $1.55/lb. A newcomer to the Chester County 4-H Swine Club, Dave Renkert of Elverson, also had a great day exhibiting the Reserve Grand Champion Market Hog and the Reserve Champion Trio. The Reserve Champion, a 245 lb. crossbred, was purchased by Hat field for $1.60/lb. and the Reserve Champion Trio was also pur chased by Hatfield for $.85/lb. Hatfield Packing Company was the volume buyer of the day and has been sold for the past eight years. The Chester County 4-H members are grateful for their unending support. The sale of 83 hogs averaged $.Bl/lb. Champion Senior showman this year was awarded to Mike Stolt zfus of Elverson and Reserve Champion to Bob Bell of Mohn ton. Champion Junior Showman was Matt Howe of Downingtown (Turn to Pag* D 4) New York Beef Council Moves ROME—The office of the New York Beef Industry Council has moved to Rome, New York. “The move puts the state’s beef promotion organization in a more central location,” according to Jer ry Reed, executive director. “We’ve leased space in the Oneida County Farm Bureau Building, which is just minutes from the New York State Thruway.” “At the new office of the New York Beef Industry Council we will be establishing a video library that will be made available to orga nizations who are looking for materials for meetings or events,” according to Reed. The council t office will also serve as a clearing house for information about beef or the beef industry. Printed mater ials, including recipe booklets, as well as other education materials will be available through this office. The new address of the New York Beef Industry Council is; RD#l Box 85, Rome, NY 13440, Phonos 315-339-NYBC. Chianina Queen. To drive to the NJHS itself was a challenge for the slender brunette. To do this she had to have her semi-truck driving license to oper ate their Mercedes tractor and trail er. After Karen, her mother Mar gie, and fellow Pennsylvanian showman, Jamie Kohr got their license and permits, they headed west. While most everyone else worried about where the next gas station was, Karen was looking for weigh stations and logging hours and miles in her log book. Besides showing fullblood Chianina cattle, this busy AJCA Brian Beam is pictured with his Grand Champion Market Hog purchased by Hatfield Packing Co. for $4.00/lb. Alan Diffenbach of New Holland Sales Stable Is representing Hatfield. Hatfield Packing purchased the Reserve Champion Hog owned by Dave Renkert for $1.60/Ib. Carol and Alleson Diffr lr Hatfield I - ABC Groff purchased the Champion Trio owned by Brian Beam for $1.55/ib. member is currently taking flying lessons and plans to take helicopter lessons soon, if she can find time between soccer, sailing and down hill skiing. Karen, who will be a senior at Franklin and Marshall College this fall, hopes to attend Harvard Law School next year and aspires to be a tax attorney. Special thanks to Ken and Caren Jacobsen, K/C Cattle Company, for donating the buckle and con gratulations to the 1987 National Junior Chianina Herdsman, Karen J. Brothers. 'lls