BY BONNIE BRECHBILL Franklin County Correspon dent NEWBURG (Franklin Co.) The newly-elected president of the National Holstein-Friesian Asso ciation spoke to local farm fami lies August 1 at the Franklin County Holstein Club’s Annual Field Day. Donald Seipt discussed two resolutions passed by the member ship at the recent National Hols tein Convention in Minneapolis. The fust resolution, which was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Holstein Association, stated that the Association should become involved in the pursuit of a farmer-controlled supply manage ment plan. This plan should be incorporated into the 1990 Farm Bill, according to the resolution. Seipt added that he thinks that any change from the present system of price supports will come slowly. The second resolution called for the Food and Drug Administration not to approve BST for commer- Robert Rumler (left) and Donald Seipt talk at the Franklin Co. Holstein Field Day. LARGE INVE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE Seipt Speaks At Franklin Holstein D dal use until independent research has determined consumer reaction to its use and the impact on the dairy industry itself. The farmer controlled supply management plan mentioned in the first resolu tion should be in place at the time . of BST approval for commercial use. Seipt, who milks 86 cows in partnership with his sons on Key stone Farm, Easton, encouraged farmers to register all eligible calves, not just those in the top half of the herd. ‘That $6 investment will look pretty small when the calves turn out to be super-performers,” he said. He added that only 60 per cent of calf registrations come in at the lowest fee. The national association is “alive and well,” according to Seipt. The past two years have been excellent financially, and the current year is going well. Registrations and transfers have maintained their level, he said, and classifications have increased. iRY Brad and Sue Beldel and „ and Wayne Beldel hosted the Franklin Co. Holstein annual field day at their farm near Newburg. The association is also active in genetic marketing overseas and in technical assistance to third-world countries, Seipt reprated to the 225 people in attendance. The industry is rapidly chang ing, however. “We’re going to see more changes in the next ten years than we did in the last twenty,” Seipt said. The HFA is an identifi cation and information business, he added, with the largest data base of any dairy breed associa tion in the world. However, main taining the integrity of those records is becoming expensive. “The board is committed to pre- • Aerotech Ventilation Equipment • Edstrom Drip & Spray Cool Systems • Complete Line Of Moisture & Dustproof Ventilation Controls • Complete Line Of Plumbing Materials serving the integrity of these records at all costs,” he said. Some questions on strategic planning that were raised at the convention were: - Where do we want to be 10-15 years from now? -- Where will the cows be? -- What will the herd size be? -- Who will own these cows? - How will cows be handled? -- How many dairymen will be members of the HFA? A committee appointed by out going association president Max Herzog will try to answer these questions, assisted, by a research • Edstrom Quality Nipple Waterers • AAA Ventilation Equipment • Curtain Materials Hardware, Winches And Automatic Controllers • Hired Hand Alert Alarm Systems film in Minneapolis. Some projections for 1990-1993 that were agreed to at the convention were: -- The daily industry economy will remain tight for the next three years. The membership will be cost-sensitive. -- The surplus will continue. -- The association will have operating deficits within three years. ~ Registrations and transfers will not be sufficient to support the financial needs of the association. (Turn to Pago A 34)
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