A24-Lanca»ter Farming, Saturday, March 18,1989 8- • Faith’s favorite: SRF Duke of York 11W by SBF Royal Gypsy King out of SBF Royal Red Rose was entered In the Polled Hereford competition at the state farm show. From City Gal To Of Polled Hereford BY LOU ANN GOOD ABBOTTSTOWN (Adams) For a city gal. Faith Peterson has plowed a long furrow—straight to the top of die Polled Hereford Association. Elected as president of the state association. Faith plans to lend a woman’s perspective to the pre dominately male dominated position. “When my husband and I bought a farm in 1973,” Faith admits, “I didn’t know the differ ence between hay and straw. The closest I came to farming was mowing grass.” Neither did she know about catde breeding nor showing cattle, ■but experience was a fast teacher. She said, “My husband, Craig, who is an engineer, and I always loved nature and the outdoors. When we bought the farm, a neigh bor recommended buying beef cattle since they could be main tained oft a parttime basis.” On his advice, the Petersons purchased 14 Polled Hercfords. Immediately she fell in love with the gentle dispositioned brown and white cattle. Enthusias tically Faith reports that Polled Hcrefords are noted for being easy to handle, for their calving ease, good mothering abilities, and for being economical to feed and maintain and producing excellent meat But the most desirable is their highly heritable trait of being bom without horns. She shakes her head, “Why anyone would want to go through the mess of dehorning cows is hard to understand. Polled Hercfords eliminate the need to horn calves. It’s so much easier to dchom naturally.” Like other breeds, Faith said, “You get what you pay for in pedi gree and characteristics.” Today, the Petersons have built a reputable herd and started an embryo transfer venture. They’re pros who show nationally and are well versed in successful beef breeding. But in those early years of farm ing, the Petersons received valu able information by attending beef and Polled Hereford meetings. “Everyone is so helpful and will ing to share their knowledge,” Faith said. “It seems' that farmers—or anyone associated with agriculture—are special peo ple. We received a lot of education v* i" p 'j, . FRRm SfiQij. * 'I ’I k Newly elected president of the Polled Hereford Associa tion, Faith Peterson, offers a woman’s perspective to the male dominated position. and rewarding friendships through the Hereford and other agricultural associations.” Now Faith considers it an honor to head the organization that was instrumental in teaching her hus band and her how to make a profit raising beef cattle. In the Peterson’s beginning years of farming, their three sons showed cattle in 4-H and other loc al, state and national competition. Now, the sons are grown and on their own, but the parents continue the family hobby by showing cattle. In addition to their own prized herd, the Petersons also own one sixth an interest in a cow, SBF Royal Gypsie and one eighth inter est in a bull that is bred and raised at nearby Fairfield Spring Manor Farms. Faith said. “It’s been exciting to form a partnership interest with others. We have a one-fourth inter est in SBF Royal Red Rose. Her first two calves were shown at national competition plus other major shows. She calved recently and will be flushed in May.” It’s been a learning experience for the Petersons as they applied and received an AI permit for their bull, SRF (Spring Run Farm) Duke .of York 11 W for selling semen and certificates. The purpose of the Polled Here ford Association is to promote the breed and to support the beef iiklustry in Pennsylvania. Empha- President Association sis and activity vary from year to year depending on board mem bers’ interests. And, now IhatFaith is president, she plans to stimulate interest in an educational meeting for the fall. “The format for com puterized records listing traits and summaries on cows and bulls recently changed,” she said. “I’d like to have a representative from the APHA explain it so that breed ers can become versed in what the figures mean. It’s a tremendous tool for breeders if they can utilize it.” In the past, the Polled Hereford organization tended to be loosely affiliated with the Pollettes (a women’s group that raises funds for the Polled Hereford queen association). Faith hopes to change that. She said, ‘Td like to see the organizations work together since each exist for the same reason.” She believes the Pollettes should get more recognition and support This viewpoint offers a women’s perspective and she anticipates support for the effort. Cautioqsly, she explains, “Women are often better netwdrk ers than men.” She hastens to add that doesn’t mean men don’t do a good job at leadership. Perhaps we just have more time.” Directors meet three to four times annually to plan educational meetings and shows for the 80 members. (Turn to Pago A 24) See your nearest fSEW HOLLAM) ► Dealer for Dependable k Equipment and Dependable Service: PENNSYLVANIA Annvllle, PA £ BHM Farm Equipment, Inc. r RDI, Rte. 934 717-867-2211 Baavartown, PA ► B&R Farm Equipment, Inc. RD 1, Box 217 A k. 717-658-7024 ► ► Belleville, PA Ivan J. Zook ► Farm Equipment Belleville, Pa. 717-935-2948 Canton, PA ► Hess Farm Equipment 717-673-5143 ► Carlisle, PA ► R&W Equipment Co. 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 Chambersburg, PA ► Clugston Implement, Inc. ► R.D. 1 717-263-4103 ► Davidsburg, PA ► George N. Gross, Inc. R.D. 2. Dover, PA 717-292-1673 Elizabethtown, PA ► Messick Farm Equipment, Inc. ► Rt. 263 • Rheem's Exit 717-367-1319 ► ► Gettysburg, PA Yingling Implements, ► Inc. 3291 Taneytown Rd. 717-359-4848 Graeneastla, PA ► Meyers Implement's Inc. ► 400 N. Antrim Way P.O. Box 97 717-597-2176 Halifax, PA Sweigard'Bros. R.D. 3, Box 13 717-896-3414 ► Hamburg, PA ► Shartlesville Farm Service R.D. 1, Box 1392 L 215-488-1025 Honey Brook, PA Y Dependable Motor Co. ► East Main Street 215-273-3131 215-273-3737 k Honey Grove, PA r Norman D. Clark b & Son, Inc. r Honey Grove, PA 717-734-3682 Hughaavllla, PA Farnsworth Farm Supplies, Inc. 103 Cemetery Street 717-584-2106 Loyavilla, PA Paul Shovers, Inc. Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 New Holland, PA A.B.C. Groff, Inc. 110 South Railroad 717-354-4191 Olay, PA C.J. Wonsidler Bros R.D. 2 215-987-6257 *Pltman, PA Schreffler Equipment Pitman. PA 717-648-1120 Quakartown, PA C.J. Wonsidler Bros R.D. 1 215-536-1935 Quarryvllla, PA C.E. Wiley & Son, Inc. 101 South Lime Street 717-786-2895 Rlnglown, PA Ringtown Farm Equipment Ringtown, PA 717-889-3184 Tamaqua, PA Charles S. Snyder, Inc. R.D. 3 717-386-5945 West Grove, PA S.G. Lewis & Son, Inc. R.D. 2, Box 66 215-869-2214 MARYLAND Churchvllle, MD Walter G. Coale, Inc. 2849-53 Churchvllle Rd. 301-838-6470 Frederick, MD Ceresville Ford New Holland. Inc Rt 26 East 301-662-4197 Outside MD, 800-331-9122 Hagerstown, MD Antietam Ford Tractor 301-791-1200 NEW JERSEY Bridgeton, N.J. Leslie G. Fogg, Inc. Canton & Stow Creek Landing Rd. 609-451-2727 609-935-5145 Washington, NJ Frank Rymon & Sons 201-689-1464 Woodstown, NJ Owen Supply Co. Broad Street & East Avenue 609-769-0308
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