DM-Uncnfer Fanning Saturday, October 1, 1988 Management Approach Yields Profits in Beef, Dairy Industries SAN ANTONIO, TX.—A total management approach to increas ing the profitability of dairy and beef cattle herds will yield signif icant returns, speakers represent ing the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) told more than 100 editors, publishers, and advertising executives at a meeting of the Livestock Publica tions Council in San Antonio. Donald B. Hudson, D.V.M., of North Platte, NE, president of the AABP, discussed beef cattle prac tice, and Thomas J. Fuhrmann, D.V.M., of Tempe, Az., AABP vice president, discussed dairy cattle practice. The importance of herd-health management was a common theme for a team a veter inarians representing the Ameri can Veterinary Medical Associa tion (AVMA), AABP, and two other national veterinary organiza tions at the meeting. Hudson said the first step in establishing an effective herd management program is to assess the needs of the herd. “Once we establish what’s occurring in the herd, we can set up vaccination programs, nutrition programs, reproductive efficiency plans, and other management programs to prevent disease. It takes a continu ing effort over a period of years to develop an effective herd-health management program, and what’s right for one herd will not work for another-even for a neighboring herd,” he said. Key tools in a herd-health man agement program may include bull breeding-soundness evaluation, pregnancy evaluation, heifer replacement, control of internal and external parasites, implanting, nutritional supplementation, vac cination, castration, dehoming, crossbreeding, and pasture rota tion. According to a study at Mis sissippi State University, such a program will increase income from a 100-cow herd by $5,600 to $lO,OOO at a cost of $1,500 to $2,000. “We’re talking about a total program of production medicine that can be applied to both cow/ SAVE 40% on New Replacement Balts For Farm Machines • Bale Thrower Belts *70.00 • Grove-Gehl-Int.-S.U Wagon Box Belts *l2O to *l5O Alee Available: Bean Picker Belts t Big Round Baler Belts Any flat belt can be custom made for your farm machinery (cleats installed). Belts shipped same day by UPS. For more information, write; QibGabel Rt. 16, Chaffee, New York 14030 CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-537-3003 Phone Collect: 716-496-6025 calf and feedlot operations,” Hud son said. For example, a cow/calf program covers all the factors influencing pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed, including heifer selection, development and breed ing, post-partum cow reproduc tion, and weaning weights. The goal is to integrate production, health, and financial information to maximize profitability. Fuhrmann said an effective dairy herd-health program breaks down specific functions within the management process and evalu ates the cost-effectiveness of each. “It requires a strong working rela tionship between practitioner and dairyman,” he said. “It’s not effi cient to spend valuable profession al time diagnosing individual ani mal problems. We need to be deve loping a program to prevent health problems by honing in on the needs of the whole herd. “Milk production at our best herds now averages over 23,000 pounds per cow per year, up from 17,000 pounds just a few years ago. Some individual cows are now producing over 40,000 pounds of milk,” Fuhrmann said. This increased efficiency is due to improved herd management and application of new technology, Fuhrmann said. For example, use of efficient reproductive health management practices before, dur ing and after calving can earn pro ducers thousands of dollars more each year, he said.- A 95 percent net calf crop is a realistic goal for a reproductive health-management program, Fuhrmann said, but it is too rarely achieved. “Management observa tion of heat will significantly increase results,” he said. A Fuhrmann said a dairy herd health program might include reproduction, mastitis control, nutrition, and replacement rearing. Computer software programs now available make it possible to moni tor performance using microcom puters, he added. “Dairy profitability is influenced greatly by management decision-making on herd replace COW MATS Use our unique method of install ing a one piece mat under a row of cows. Prevents movement of mat and bedding from creeping underneath. All “row” and single mats are cut from heavy one inch rubber belting. ments and cull cows. The progres sive dairy practitioner can have a major impact on dairy clients by assisting them in making appropri ate herd replacement decisions,” Fuhrmann said. Among new technologies now increasing productivity in dairy herds is a fast and reliable proge strone test, used to determine when the cow is in heat. Artificial inse mination and embryo transfers also are yielding significant results in increased productivity. Valiant Daughter Tops Sultra BY BARBARA MILLER Lycoming Co. Correspondent TROY A Valiant daughter sold for $5,500 to Tom Comstock, Rome, and was the top selling bovine in the seventh annual Sulb ra Sell-A-Bration Sale at the Troy Fairgrounds on Sept IS. Consig nors were Ken Young and Dwayne Haight According to Ron Wood, reader of pedigrees, Kenview Valisa ET possessed a plus $l6O value and was out of an extremely high test ing family. He said an A 1 firm had expressed interest in mating her. Bringing $3,300, an Arlinda Rotate daughter just recently fresh Compare Modern Ag Feeders For: • # of Models Available • Quality Craftsmanship • Best in Design • Competitive Pricing FARMER BOY AG. IVC 410 EAST LINCOLN AVI. MYEKSTOWW, PA 17067 PH: 717-066-7565 BEST IN DESIGN, PRICE AND EXPERIENCE The availability of high-quality genetic semen for artificial insemi nation has made possible a degree of selectivity never before possi ble, according to Fuhrmann. Growth-promotant implants are being used successfully, and other promising advances in technology are on the horizon, including the use of growth hormones and appli cation of techniques of genetic engineering. Nutrition is another area where new knowledge is providing commanded the second highest selling price which was paid by Dr. Ben Turner and Jim Repart ofNew York state. Consignor was John Lehman, Harrison Valley, Pa. Jo-beth Nutmeg Rotate Nel- Twin is a Rotate daughter from an Excellent Nugget and was sold with her heifer calf. The third highest selling entry was a two-year-old Mandingo' daughter, Hidden-View Mandingo Lacey, purchased by Teresa Kis sling, Hidden View Farms, Robe sonia, Pa. Lacey was making close to 22,000 pounds of milk as a two year-old and sold bred to Trifecta for $3200. Consignor was Don HL3- m£!H!IG3!g g!H®IP 2388 Old Leacock Rd., Gordonvllle, PA 17529 CUSTOM BUILT WOOD & COAL STOVES HIGH PRESSURE WASHERS HIGH-TENSILE FENCING .. PEQUEA BATTERIES KBIKIQII distributor for bearings Drvdene SPROCKETS, PULLEYS, BELTS y . KENDALL & DRYDENE OILS & LUBRICANTS J Saline 61 Poultry Systems Specialists opportunities for increased repro ductive efficiency, he said. Cows in a dairy herd are now commonly grouped according to productivity and fed different rations to maxim ize results. Joining Hudson and Fuhrmann in meetings with the Council were representatives of the American Association of Swine Practitioners (AASP) and the American Associ ation of Sheep and Goat Practition ers (AASGP). Welk of Stonehurst Farm, Pa. Although the sale average of $1514 for 62 mature head of cattle was down some from last year’s sale average, Ron Wood, reader of pedigrees, said he thought the sale went well taking into account pre sent farming conditions. ‘This was the best line-up cow for cow, in my opinion, that we’re had in the past seven years. They were an extremely uniform group with no poor ones in it,” he remarked. The sale was sponsored by Sulb ra Breeders Holstein Club. Sale chairman were Tom Comstock and Ray Hoppaugh. 4 aamm B>> • 557- UPS Sank* STAINLESS STEEL FEEDERS • 100% Welded Construction • Comes Fully Assembled • Crafted of 304 Alloy • Unique Top Adjusting Feed Gates - With Locks TRAILERS