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
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Annvllle, PA
£ BHM Farm
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717-867-2211
Baavartown, PA
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RD 1, Box 217 A
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Ivan J. Zook
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Belleville, Pa.
717-935-2948
Canton, PA
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717-673-5143
►
Carlisle, PA
► R&W Equipment Co.
35 East Willow Street
717-243-2686
Chambersburg, PA
► Clugston
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► R.D. 1
717-263-4103
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Davidsburg, PA
► George N. Gross, Inc.
R.D. 2. Dover, PA
717-292-1673
Elizabethtown, PA
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Equipment, Inc.
► Rt. 263 • Rheem's Exit
717-367-1319
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Yingling Implements,
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3291 Taneytown Rd.
717-359-4848
Graeneastla, PA
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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