A24-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 14,1990 On The Record Dick Barth PA DHIA General Mgr. DICK BARTH General Manager, PA DHIA In the May 1990 issue of '‘Asso ciation Management” magazine, the publisher, Elissa Matulis Myers, had this to say about the efforts within many different types of associations (like DHIA) to merge local chapters (local associations). “To borrow a phrase from the remarkable architect Louis Henri Sullivan, ‘Form ever follows function.’ The proper distribution of power in an association net work can only be determined after a careful analysis of the work to be done. Since, as associations, we have no direct profit motive, the traditionally American notion of ‘firee-market competition’ seems less relevant to me in chapter rela tions than the notion of manifest destiny- we have a ‘member given’ right to unite our industries or professions from sea to sea, protecting the freedom of the members to act individually and within their local units, but also protecting the sanctity and strength of the federation.” I was struck by the direct appli cation of what Ms. Myers said to the current situation within Penn sylvania DHIA. The association’s borders may not extend from sea to sea, but surely from one border of the Commonwealth to another. And within those borders our motive is consistent, to provide How Does Your Herd Compare? STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) —This data is pulled from Pennsylvania DHIA’s mainframe computer each week. It is a one-week summary representing approximately one-fourth of the herds on test, as they are tested monthly. These data are valuable from a business man agement standpoint and can be used for compai'‘- ing your operations to the averages from almost 1,400 herds across the state. DHIA Averages for all herds processed between 6/25/90 and 7/02/90 Number of Herds Processed 1,355 Number of Cows Processed 79,738 Number of Cows Per Herd 58.8 Milk Per Cow (Lbs) 16,749 %-Fat 3.69 Fat Per Cow (Lbs) 619 %-Protcin 3.19 Protein Per Cow (Lbs) 534 Average Days in Milk Per Cow 315 .Value for CWT Milk(s) 14.44 .Value for CWT Grain(s) 8.00 .Value for CWT Hay(s) - 4.31 .Value for CWT Silage(s) 1.49 .Value for Pasture Per Day(s) .30 .Value for Milk Per Cow Per Year(S) 2,418 .Feed Consumed Per Cow Per Year(Lbs) A: Grain 6,789 B: Hay 2,654 C: Silage 14,699 D: Day Pasture 65 .Feed Cost Per Cow Per Year(s) A: Grain 543 B: Hay 114 C; Silage 220 D: Pasture 20 .Total Feed Cost Per Cow Per Ycar(s) 898 .Income Over Feed Costs Per Year(s) 1,520 .Grain to KlilK Ratio 1:2.4 .Feed Cost Per CWT Milk(s) 5.36 Avg Level For 1097 SCC Herds 327,720 generated figure* l lm Wmmm the best member services possible at cost (without making a profit). I agree completely with Louis Sullivan that form follows func tion, which translates to mean that (he work you have to do deter mines what your organizational structure (your form) will look like. Years ago before the advent of the personal computer when DHIA was an Extension function our mission was far simpler than it is today. DHIA did not educate members because Extension did all that. DHIA had no significant competition because there were no computing systems for farms available. DHIA did not have to meet a wide variety of member needs because there was no varie ty and everyone managed, more or less, like everyone else. DHIA rarely had to change because tech nology just didn’t change all that often. In those days a federated structure of local county associa tions worked well. But, times have changed. Extension resources are slim mer and are needed for many more missions than in the past, so time is not available to educate DHIA members like it used to be. Who’s to do that now? Times have changed. The personal computer and dairy management software to go with it threaten to replace DHIA services on large farms that can afford computerized milking par lors. How can we respond? Times have changed. Dairy management technology is more complex with changes made faster than ever, and keeping up with new technology applica tions is tough for both members and DHIA staff. The need to get services to members faster creates its own problems because DHIA cannot effectively direct its field service resources (Supervisors). Design Affects Outcome Sullivan said an architect must select the best form to accomplish the job. He can’t design a ware house and then expect it to serve well as a hospital when the work activities change from storage of containers to health care for humans. (Turn to Pag* A 25) Your Full-Service John Deere Dealers ADAMSTOWN EQUIPMENT INC. Mohnton, PA (nur Adanwtown) 215-484-4391 BARRETT CARLYLE & EQUIPMENT MARTIN, INC. 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Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers