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
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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.