A46-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 30,1989 Lebanon (Continued from Pag* A 25) hog and two breeding class beef cattle at this year’s state Farm Show. Daryl Grumbine, 17, Myer stown, isn’t taking any sheep to the Farm Show this year. He said he recently, decided that, because of school and other committments, he couldn’t afford to spend the time away. His previously Farm Show bound sheep took the top three places in the roundup. Daryl’s younger brother, Darren, entered the only other sheep. Daryl, president of the livestock club, receveived $2 per pound for his grand champion market lamb from Lebanon Valley National Bank and $1.70 per pound for the reserve winner from Peoples National Bank. Greg Snyder, a Iban officer for Farm Credit, judged both lambs and steers. He has been judging at county fairs in Pennsylvania and Protein Most Costly Beef Feed Ingredient UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Protein, one of the most costly feed ingredients for the beef producer, can account for as much as 75 percent of the out-of-pocket costs of a feed ration. Because protein is expensive, it is impor tant to know how much beef cattle require and the most effective and economical ways to provide them with it, says Dr. John Comerford, Penn State professor of animal science. ‘The protein dollar is best spent on fast-gaining, younger calves and higher-producing cows with calves,” says Comerford. “Protein feeding is one of the most common--and most costly— feeding problems with beef cattle. For example, there is no reason to supplement diets of most mature spring-calving cows with protein in the fall. The cattle will certainly eat it, but they are more likely to use it as an energy source and waste the rest of it. However, young, growing cattle must have sufficient protein in their diet to grow and develop properly.” Comerford says that farmers feed brood cows or feedlot steers supplemental protein because other feeds in the ration do not provide enough. “Even the best corn silage will provide only about half of the protein needed for a mature cow nursing a calf. The requirements for protein as a percentage of the daily diet are greatest for young, growing calves and are least for mature, dry cows,” he says. Farmers must take into account the total amount of protein that is needed daily. For example, a 400-pound steer needs a ration that is about 14 percent protein, or about 1 'A pounds of actual pro tein per day for maximum growth. This total amount also is roughly the same as that required by a pre gnant yearling heifer, but is only about 9 percent of her diet. Since most cattle farmers purchase rather than grow their protein sources, determining an inexpensive source of protein also is important. When digested in a cow’s rumen, urea produces pro tein. If used in a well-balanced diet with sufficient energy, it can be an effective protein source. Urea can be mixed with silage or other processed feeds. Because excessive amounts.can be toxic. Comerford warns that care should be taken to mix-it correctly and accurately. Roundup Maryland for several years, he said. “Both the champion steer and lambs were excellent, they could have stood some more competi tion,” Snyder said. He added that we was especially impressed with the quality of Grumbine’s lamb. “You could have taken some of thses lambs and steers and, at the one county fair I was at this sum mer, you could have cleaned up,” he said. There were 52 buyers registered for the sale, about the same as last year, Winebark said, although sev eral people said they felt that the cold weather kept some people at home. “The people who showed up are the real supporters,” Winebark said. “We had a good turnout and it’s warm inside here and we’re happy anytime anyone comes out to help support any county 4-H program.” “Except for urea, the best sour ce of protein is the cheapest feed per unit of actual protein that the cow can consume,” says Comer ford. “This includes a wide variety of protein feeds, by-products and convenience devices. Feather meal, fishmeal, peanut meal, soy bean meal, canola meal, whole soybeans and cottonseed meal all provide sources of crude protein. Feather meal, at 87 percent, and fishmeal, at 67 percent, provide two high sources of protein per pound, though they are not palat able to the cow unless mixed with other feeds such as grain or silage. Grange Chapters Recognized At National Meeting GREENSBORO, N.C. National community service awards were presented to four loc al Grange chapters by the National Grange at its annual convention being held in Greensboro, NC, Recognized for outstanding achievement in developing pro jects to improve their communi ties in 1989 were first place, Montgomery Grange, Round Mountain, California; second place, Fem Bluff Grange, Sultan, West Virginia; third place, Exeter Grange, Exeter, Route 1 and fourth place, Wheat Ridge Grange, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. DENVER, CO. U.S. Agri cultural Secretary Clayton Yeutter has tentatively agreed to address the 1990 convention of the National Farmers Union, sche duled for March 4-7 in Oklahoma City. OK. Yeutter is expected to make a presentation on the Bush Admi nistration’s proposed 1990 farm policy on Monday, March S, at 1:45 pm. In a letter to NFU Presi dent Lcland Swenson, Yeutter said that although "policy differ ences” may surface between he and the Farmers Union during farm bill debate, "that certainly does not preclude our working together for the long-run benefit of American agriculture.” “In addition, as people reach a better understanding of each other’s pos itions and the rationale for them, the possibility of narrowing differ ences, and achieving consensus is significantly enhanced,” he said. Swenson says he’s pleased that Daryl Grumblne, right, of Myerstown and his 123-pound lamb topped the compel tion for the grand champion sheep title at the Lebanon County 4-H Livestock Winter Roundup. Lebanon Valley National Bank, represented by Paul Bissman.left, Cathy Whittaker, center, and Mike Firestlne, purchased the animal for $246. “Probably the easiest way to compare the cost of protein is to simply divide the cost per pound of the supplement by the percen- These four Granges were selected from nearly 1,500 entries in the annual awards program. Honor able mentions were given to Goehner Grange, Goehncr, NE, Upper Applegate Grange, Jack sonville, OR and Ringtown Valley Grange, Ringtown, Pennsylvania. Montgomery Grange (Califor nia) with over 200 members took charge of a salmon give-away food distribution project. Working with the Trinity River Fish Hatch ery and CA Dept of Fish and Game, the Grange distributed 7,000 lbs. of salmon to over 300 low income and elderly families. Fem Bluff Grange (West Virgin- Yeutter To Headline NFU Convention Yculter intends to be at the con vention. "Even though we may disagree, it’s important that we have good communications with the Secretary,” he said. “I hope his appearance will help maintain a dialogue between our organiza tion and his office.” A Nebraska native. Yeutter is a former president of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and was President Reagan’s U.S. Trade Representative before being appointed to Presiden tage of crude protein it contains,” Comerford says. ‘This is a com mon reference point for compar ing costs of any feed. You also ia) built a fish laboratory and hatchery on the local high school campus. Fern Bluff is also a 200-member Grange. The expansion and acquisition of additional funding for the town library was the project completed by the 100-member Exeter Grange (Rhode Island). Wheat Ridge Grange (Colorado) organized a food assistance program helping nearly 400 families. The 100-member Grange also trained people in nearby communities on setting up similar programs. The Community Service Award Program is the National Grange’s most prestigious awards program. cabinet, A series of panel discussions and workshops are being sche-~ dulcd for the convention, and a full slate of speakers is expected to be announced soon. The organiza tion’s policy for 1990 will be adopted on Tuesday and Wednes day, March 6 and 7. The conven tion will open Sunday evening, March 4. 1990 is also an election year for the Farmers Union. Swenson, and should take into consideration the added value of some supplements that contain additional minerals and vitamins.” CSAP Coordinator, Mary R. Buf fington, Chadds Ford, PA, said, “The Grange has always been in the forefront when it comes to community service. History shows that communities with a Grange organization benefit from Grange leadership. We are proud of the long-lasting and far reaching effects our community service projects have in each com munity. The volunteer hours from this year’s top four winners alone amount to nearly 9,000 hours. Imagine the total hours involved from all 4,000 local chapters nationwide.” NFU vice president Jack Kelsey are completing two-year terms at the helm of the organization. Both are seeking re-election. “I want to continue to lead the organization in the direction we’ve been head ing," said Swenson. The next two years are critical for family farm ers with a new farm bill, the GATT talks, and a host of other issues effecting them. Farmers Union will take the lead in repre senting them.”