C2-Uncamr Fanning, Saturday, August 19,1989
Forage-Based Ram-Lamb Test
A specific area of interest in the
transition to forage-based sheep
systems, and a priority research
area of the PDA’s Meat Animal
Evaluation Center (MEAC) Sheep
Technical committee, is the feasi
bility of a forage-based ram-lamb
evaluation program. Currently,
ram-lamb tests at MAEC, like
similar facilities in most states,
utilize high-concentrate diets in
their testing programs. Yet, animal
production economics continue to
reveal the need to examine the
feasibility of a forage-based per
formance evaluation program.
Are there basic differences in
the relative use of forage and con
centrates by sheep within various
genetic lines? Is the reproduction
performance potential of rams
developed on high forage versus
concentrate rations equal?
Results of our proposed studies
also may be extended beyond the
realm of evaluating breeding
stock. Efficient production of lean
REBATE
W Com head
HI gatherer chain
Alternator
A 47436 fits Most Case and
IH tractors without cabs,
1635,1845 and 18458 U
m 2090,2290,2590
and 2094 Case tractors,
Most Hydro 86 and 184
tractors, 574 and 674
(1977-1978 Gas) Many 86
series IH tractors
66"
lamb by feeding intact ram lambs
high-forage diets appears to be dis
tinct possibility. Recent studies at
the USDA research station, Bclts
ville, Md., comparing forage-fed
rams with wethers found that ram
carcasses produced 54 percent
more lean meat and 22 percent less
total fat in the rib-eye area. Forage
fed rams also grew IS percent fas
ter and IS percent more efficiently
than wethers. Such a system is
consistent with changing consum
er demands and the need to
improve production efficiency at
the farm level.
Funding for such work has been
approved for a two-year study
comparing the conventional high
concentrate program with a high
forage diet in evaluating ram lamb
performance.
One principle pre-requisite is
the need for 10 sets of fuli-sib twin
ram lambs from the Dorset and
Suffolk breeds. After evaluating
post lambing records, it has been
estimated only three to four sets of
Reman
Water Pumps
749908C91 fits most IH 86
and 86 series tractors, most
1460 and 1860 Combines,
1822 and 1844 cotton pickers
77 4g
A 48369 fits most 90 and
94 series Case tractors
81 23
735102C91 fits most 3 and
4-cylmderlH utility diesel
tractors
9T 23
full-sib nun lambs would be avail
able from the PSU flocks.
We, therefore, need some pro
ducer commitment in supplying
the remaining six to seven sets
from each breed. Advanced plan
ning is crucial in acquiring lambs
of similar age and weight Follow
ing are some criteria for deciding if
you might have some Dorset or
Suffolk ram lambs feu this study:
•1. Birth type: Full-sib twin ram
lambs.
•2. Birth dates: Early January -
mid-February, 1990.
•3. Delivery date for trial: Early
March, 1990.
•4. Estimated weight : 45-50
pounds
Your-interest in participating in
this cooperative effort can be
shared by calling any of the fol
lowing persons.
John Nordin, 814/757-8143;
Harold Harpster, 814/863-0734;
Jim Sheeder. 412/373-8300; Clair
Engle. 814/863-3669.
Critical to the success of these
trials is the interest and participa
tion of producers. For more details
please give us a call at your earliest
convenience. Thank you.
Sheep Forage,
Lean-Lamb Production
Main Themes for
1989 Shepherd’s .Symposium
Plans are being finalized for the
fourth annual Shepherd’s Sympo
sium, December 7 to 9. This yeafs’
symposium will be held at the
Sheraton Lancaster, Lancaster, Pa.
Workshop sessions, like those
in past symposiums, will provide a
variety of topics in addition to the
two principle topics of forage and
pasture production systems and
ways to produce a leaner lamb.
Sheep producers wanting winter
pasture and/or forage samples
analyzed may do so free of charge
Special low price 26.65
Less mail-in rebate
Your
cost
after
rebate
#5O Chain
2995
■■WI79ID
Overserrated
Section
49*
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V v
24«'
(limit 32)
Our most popular sizes
by bringing a representative
sample with them. The USDA/
PSU forage testing van has been
scheduled all day Friday, Decem
ber 8. Details on sample size and
preparation can be gotten by call
ing-your local extension office.
An added feature is a mini-tour
for the afternoon of December 7.
Details are still being worked out,
however the Thursday evening
(after dinner) program will focus
on organizing a lamb marketing
cooperative for Pennsylvania pro
ducers. the program is being pre
pared and will be presented by
members of PSWGA and PSU
faculty.
Poultry Conference Set
NEWARK, DE The 1989
Delmarva Broiler Housing and
Flock Supervisors* Conference
will be held Wednesday, Septem
ber 20, at the Delmarva Conven
tion Center, Delmar, Md. The
event is sponsored by the Univer
sity of Delaware and the Universi
ty of Maryland in cooperation
with the Delmarva Poultry
Industry.
'The planning committee has
come up with an outstanding
program dealing with timely top
ics,” says George Chaloupka,
director of the University of Dela
ware Research and Education
Center, and chairperson of the
planning committee.
The annual conference will
begin at 7:15 a.m. with registra
tion and a chance to visit exhibits.
The formal program begins at 8
a.m. with presentations on animal
welfare issues. Panel members
will present information on legi
slative pressures, public percep
tions and the industry approaches
to poultry welfare, and the Mary
land agricultural animal care
guidelines.
2.00
#6O Chain
3795
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Double
Guanl
689
W 613838R2
Feeder
Chain
318 95
1324266C2
PLEASE CONTACT YOUR
PARTICIPATING DEALER
PA DEALER!
BETHEL
Zimmerman
Farm Service
717-933-4114
ELIZABETHTOWN
Messick
Farm Equip.
717-367-1319
HANOVER
Melvin J. Sheffer,
Inc.
717-637-3808
IVYLAND
Wm. Hobensack’s
Sons
215-675-1610
215-343-2101
KITTANNING
W.C. Crytzer Eq.,
Inc.
412-543-2441
LITITZ
Binkley & Hurst Bros.
717-626-4705
McALLISTERVILLE
Inch Equipment Co.
717-463-2191
NEW BERLINVILLE
Erb & Henry
Equip., Inc.
215-367-2169
Sheep health and more specifi
cally “How to prevent and self
- diagnose lambing losses” will be
presented by Dr. Joe Rook
D.V.M., instructor at the College
of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan
State University.
Again, this year the Make Your
self With Wool contest and the
PSWGA Queen contest has been
scheduled for Friday and Saturday,
December 8 and 9.
Program registration details
may be requested after August 31
by calling your local extension
office or contacting the Pennsylva
nia Conference and Short Course
office 814/865-8301.
The second session, scheduled
from 10:30 a.m. to noon will
include the presentation of the
Dclmarva Servicemen’s Associa
tion scholarship, the Broiler and
Breeder Flock Supervisors’ award
and a presentation from Dr. Bill
Weaver, of Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University on
the Dutch broiler industry.
After a lunch break and another
chance to view exhibits, the ses
sions will resume at 1:30 p.m.
with a panel discussion on liability
on the poultry farm. The final ses
sion, scheduled for 2:45 p.m., will
be a motivational presentation on
achieving excellence through
leadership.
A fellowship hour will be held
from 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The deadline for registration is
September 13. The $25 per person
fee covers all sessions, lunch, cof
fee and donuts, and a copy of the
proceedings. Checks payable to
Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc.
should be mailed to George Cha
loupka, R.D. #2, Box 48, George
town, DE 19947.
NEW RINGGOLD
Eckroth Bros.
Farm Equip.
717-943-2131
QUARRYVILLE
A.L. Herr & Bro.
717-786-3521
RINGTOWN
Ringtown Farm Co.
Equipment
717-889-3184
SPRING MILLS
Route 45 Sales
& Service
814-422-8805
TURBOTVILLE
Coopers Hdwe., Inc.
717-649-5115
1-800-441-FARM
UNION CITY
Kafferlln Sales &
Service
814-436-7636
SHILOH
Farm-Rite Inc.
609-451-1368