Ctlaneastar Farming, Saturday; November'26,'l9BB Dr. Kenneth B. Kephart Extension Swine Specialist Penn State University New Hatfield Grading Program Most producers are aware that Hatfield Quality Meats has expanded its slaughtering opera tion. Previous capacity was about 3,800 hogs per day. Beginning the week of October 17, Hatfield started killing about4,soo per day. The maximum capacity of 10,000 per day will probably be reached within a year or two. It’s not clear yet how this increased slaughter capacity will affect Pennsylvania’s producers, but we’re all hoping demand (and prices) will go up. At maximum capacity, Hatfield could kill twice as many hogs as Pen nsylvania presently produces. The other big change at Hatfield is the carcass grading program. This new carcass pricing system, which began November 14, will, at long last, pay producers on the basis of quality. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to provide a lot of input into this program. Let’s take a look at how it will work, and what it will mean to you in dollars and sense. , £‘> t " “, n ‘U ’ ' fmljlfyiii' >, „ ss&/!' W.** r 'iik* > i, <, i■ V , * ' .iMub \ ■£& % l&l*V"/ km ? ' i, .#,r^ ;, 4''''. STORE HI 7:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Saturday 7:30 to 12 Noon AP. and AfrlPra. .re repttered_trademaifc|,and Africa I trademark of Nickeraon American Pfant Breeder! fy, PO. Box 2955, Miaaion, KS662OT Tw Oiactaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Remedy or each ba( of aeed aotd it part of the term* and condition of the aale Copyright • 1988 NAPB Pork Prose by Kenneth B. Kephart Penn State Extension Swine Specialist THE CARCASS PROGRAM IN A NUTSHELL The new grade and weight prog ram is based on measurements from a device called a “Fat-O- Meater.“ The measurements are automatically sent to a computer that calculates the percentage lean cuts (ham, loin, shoulder) in the carcass. Producers are paid on car cass weight and could receive a bonus or discount, depending on the percentage of lean cuts in each hog. How does this compare to the old program? With the old prog ram, the grader, by visual apprai sal, put backfat into one of three categories. With the new program, the machine measures every hog precisely. In addition, with the old prog ram, carcass price was based in part on carcass yield (carcass weight divided by live weight). With the new program, the carcass yield for your hogs will have no effect on price, and it shouldn’t. Carcass yield is affected by a lot of things—backfat, muscling, gut, fill, time of day the hogs were loaded, and type of feed, just to name a few. If a load of hogs has a high carcass yield, it doesn’t mean CORN GROWERS CALL ME FOR NEW AP 595 ADVANCED YIELD POTENTIAL PLUS DODD TOIERMCE TO BRET LEAF SPOT AP 595 is a high yielding hybrid with a similar plant stature to HP 470. It has very good stand ability and excellent stay green characteristics, and it produces a medium length, girthy ear with good test weight grain. It even has good tolerance to Grey Leaf Spot. Call me today for more information on New AP 595 and we can discuss the right selections for your farm. « 11 AgriPro W SEEDS RED HOT PERFORMANCE. Call For More Information P. L. ROHRER & BRO., INC. SMOKETOWN. PA PH: 717-299-2571 the hogs are better than a load with a lower yield. With the new program, live hogs must weigh between 210 and 260 pounds. If they don’t, you’ll be discounted heavily or be told to take the load back home. THE FAT-O-MEATER The Fat-O-Meater is a device Lykens Valley Structures Cedar Lawn Furniture & Redwood Lawn Furniture Available 10’x14’ Rectangle ready for shipping Lykens Valley Structures are built using all pressure tested (SYP .40 We Use All Galvanized Nails For Maximum Durability. Gazebos Are Available in B’, 10’, 12’ & 14’ (Also Optional) Benches & Screening & Tables Wishing Wells & Bird Feeders & Lawn Furniture & Mailboxes Also Available In Pre-Fab Kits, (Deluxe Model Only). B’, 10’, 12’, 14’, 18’ (Ready For Shipping) R.D. 2 Box 59 I Leave Message (717) 692-2645 Millersburg, Pennsylvania 17061 I No Sunday Calls Delivery Is Also Available I Also Dealer Inquiries Welcome FD-4 Benefits: • Best Feed Conversion • Cleaner Feeders • Low Upkeep • Minimum Adjustment • Operates Quietly • Profile Permits Fresh Feed At All PARMER BOY AG. 4101*41 UHCOiH AVI. MTIHSTOWW.P4 ITO4T PHt71T.144.756a BEST IN DESIGN, PRICE AND EXPERIENCE that uses a 10-inch probe to mea sure fat depth and loin eye depth (not loin eye area). The grader inserts the probe on the outside of the carcass between the 10th and 11th rib, which is fairly easy even at 400 carcasses an hour. A plexi glass guard around the probe for ces the grader to put the probe into INTRODUCTORY OFFER Gittfbos , I%' More t*han Pressure Treated Gazebos 9Hodetovcflg_ 6y#temA-^ tiisdste 10' Victorian Gazebo WBMm i,l||| ;^Kit4s3sl 24 Hour Service every hog at exactly the sami angle. One drawback to the Fat-O- Meater is the fact that some hogs have “kidney“ shaped loin eyes. In those hogs, the device would mea sure a higher fat depth and a lower loin depth. Another disadvantage (Turn to Pag* C 5) Modern Ag Feeder For Thi Comfort And Well Being Of A Hog - Consider A Modern Ag Feeder Compare Modern Ag Stainless Steel Feeders For: # of Models Available Quality Craftsmanship Best in Design Competitive Pricing 100% Welded Constructs Comes Fully Assembled Crafted of 304 Alloy Unique Top Adjusting Feel Gates - With Locks
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