A3B-lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 10, 1988 Genetic Progress, BST (Continued from Page A 35) Vail emphasizes that the use of BST will have the potential to increase production, but the increase is not without its side affects. The number one concern must the the increased stress. Dairymen, nutritionists, vfeterina rians and A.I. technicians are already combating the problems brought on by the stress exper ienced by today’s top producer’s. Add an additional 20 percent pro duction increase and watch the occurence of these same problems do likewise. “There will be increased feed cost although a decreased number of cows to feed. But with added stress comes a shorter lifetime. What does that do to the invest ment return,” asks Vail. “Thereare always drawbacks to any drug and I think these are questions which have not been asked. “It is more important than ever to produce cows with good, strong well-attached udders if they are going to be producing more milk. A bad udder will drop more from the increased load.” This is far from a black and white issue and the controversy surrounding this issue is not likely to dissipate soon. Vail would like to see a change in the PDT formu la. Recently the decision has been made to include the records of cows closest to 30 months of age. This accentuates the two-year olds and does away with the records of the longer lasting animals. “We need more comparisons between the dams and the daught ers. I think we need to include information on the dame contribu tion. Throw in some produciton records for the dame especially the type score. I’d like to know if the dame was scored 86 or 68,” explained Vail. Breeders should take time to see the dams of the daughters, but this is almost impossible with cows scattered all across the country. “We need to generate more accurate scores,” said Vail. “I had some pretty good u)ws when I came down from New York. Now I’ve lost pretty much all my udder traits because I bred to the high indexed bulls, the ones that every K aa.^-^l k \ $ * t t i t Hay Loaders Accumulators Hay Forks Custom Designed To Fit Any Loader, Skid Steer Or Fork Lift David O. Fink | RD 1 Box 429-F 4 Germansville, PA 18053 \ 215-767-1408 ? Systems Designed To \ Eliminate Hand Labor | one else was breeding to.” Since coming to Pennsylvania he has bred to only the top four TPI bulls and mostly to the number one and two bulls. “But I was not happy with what I got. I lost all my show cows that way and the feet and legs weren’t good. When I realized I lost every thing I had to start again,” said Vail. Vail is back to square one again in more ways than one. Last year he purchased Dana at the Spring Promise Sale. Dana is from the Ken-Ray Farm. His uncle Ray sent Dana down to the sale. David pur chased her $2,000. “Such a deal. She is the daughter of a cow I had bred and given to my brother for his 4-H project. I gave away the cow for free and then paid $2,000 for her daughter,” said Vail. Vail’s cows have excellent mammary systems and good pro duction records: Springbank-H Tony Ada, 4-year-old, 21,000 pounds last year. Springbank H-Tnple Delight, 21.000 and 22,000, with two but terfat records over 900 pounds. Ken-Ray Threat Dana, mak ing 20,000 pounds this year and 19.000 last year. Vail continues to show and win since leaving the Ken-Ray Farm. Competing and showing are his hobbies and the purpose of his breeding efforts. He encourages his children to join him. “My kids are my central focus PA Holstein Association Dairy Promotion Contest STATE COLLEGE (Centre) The Pennsylvania Holstein Asso ciation’s 1988 County Dairy Promotion Contest is coming to a close. The contest, to recognize clubs who do year-round promo tion work, covers promotion work done from January 1 - December 31,1988. The completed report of the Dairy Promotion Committee are due at the Pennsylvania Hols tein office by January 10, 1989. The Dairy Promotion Contest Rules and Activity Report Forms are available from the Pennsylva now. I gave my best animals to Timothy and Debbie. I want them to do well so I give them the best that I can,” said Vail. A junior yearling took reserve junior championship honors at the Lebanon County Fair in 1983. His Triple Threat daughters took a first place in the 5-year-old class and second best udder and a second in the aged cow class and first best udder of show in two county fairs. Vail is most proud of his finish nia Holstein Association. Some things the report should include are the involvement of dairymen and agri-business in promotion efforts, resources used, resulting increases in community aware ness in the use of dairy products, and proof that promotional activi ties are carried out on a year-round basis. The Pennsylvania Holstein Association is offering $2OO awards to the top county groups who do the best job of promoting dairy products. There is also a $5O in the 1983 Holstein State Champ ionship Show. * “I came in second place with Bright-Dale Rita.” Vail explained, “I felt good about that. I was between Ed Doebreiner and Obie Snider. I felt I was in pretty good company.” And he was. Doebreiner was in first with Park Acres Son Ivy and Snider took third with Singing Brook DT Betsy. Both were grand champions in previous shows. award to the group who comes up with the most innovative promo tional idea used during the past year. These awards will be pre sented during the State Holstein Convention at the Sheraton Inn, West Middlesex, February 21, 1989. If your county group needs an application or more information, please contact the Pennsylvania Holstein Association, 839 Benner Pike, State College, PA 16801, 814-234-0364.