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Impruvumnl AssouahonN C *" ; -«<»-DHl.TEST for service or .nfomution
APCS Testing Can Help
808 ORMSBY
Pa. DHIA Training Coordinator
Pa. DHIA offers over2s testing
programs. In this column, I am
attempting to explain how each
program works. For this column,
I have edited an article written by
lab manager, Linda Scibilia, for
the June, 1988 supervisor’s news
letter. The APCS program is well
accepted and has some definite
pluses. It offers better control over
the refrigerated sample, increased
speed in fast milking and 3X
herds, as well as increased accu
racy in some cases.
Understanding APCS
The APCS testing program
available to members of DHIA
appears to have created some con
fusion among supervisors and
members alike.
Everbody knows what it is, but
nobody seems able to explain
it ... at least not very well.
SOME CONTROVERSIES
NEVER EM).
BUT THERE'S NO CONFUSION ABOUT NEW PURINA’ HIGH OCTANE' BABY PIG CHOW ’.
YOU MIGHT BUY A LESSER PRESTARTER. BUT YOUR BABY PIGS WONT
Pigs prefer it. So they eat more. And gain foster.
The research results even made us take a gulp. Pigs
prefer New High Octane Baby Pig Chow by an amazing
2to 1 margin—with feed intake increased by
10% in the first week after weaning and
on over 24% increase in average daily gain
And that's not in comparison to some
common, off-the-wall prestarter. That's when
6 S. Vlnlaga Rd.
Ptradlaa, PA 17562
(717) 442-4183
(717) 768-3301
Many supervisors have called to
find out exactly how the program
works, and why a member should
consider buying.
Those who do understand what
it is have questioned accuracy of
the program as compared to some
of the more traditional testing
plans. There are a jumble of ques
tions and issues rolling around
about APCS. Let’s see if we can
separate and address them.
The letters APCS stand for are
“AM-PM Component Sampling.”
The confusion begins with the
name, because as soon as you hear
AM-PM, you think of the AM-PM
program and only one supervised
milking. The AM-PM part of
APCS applies to the sampling
only, not the number of supervised
milkings. With the APCS program,
you still weigh every milking in a
24-hour period. The difference is
that, instead of taking part of the
sample at each milking, you take
boby pigs were tempted by our former best. What's
more, there's just no downside to this-new prestarter.
Feed efficiency is better, too. 14% better to be exact.
Our recommendation? Switch immediately. Pigs are
P'9 S - didn't have f 0 P°V t^iem t 0 say this product is
better. See your Purina representative and share a
cold soda while you get the details.
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[PURINA CHOWS]
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your entire sample at one ot the two
(or three) milkings. You still lake
weights at every milking.
The accuracy question is a good
one, and has frequently been raised
concerning the AM-PM testing
program.
We all know that it is atrare beast
who produces the same milkfat
percentage in the morning milk as
she does in the evening. It depends,
heavily, on what the milking inter
vals are.
If the milking intervals (hours
between milkings) are 12 hours
and 12 hours, the fat percentage is
usually closer than for intervals of
14- and 10-hours, but rarely does
the percentage stay the same.
Research has shown it can jump as
much as two full points (2.60 to
4.50 in one case) from one milking
to the next!
So how do we reconcile these
differences to come up with an
accurate lactation record for a
cow?
The milk production is not a
problem. We already said that all
milkings in a 24-hour period are
supervised and weighed. So as far
as milk production goes, we are in
the same situation as we are with a
cow on regular DHL The total of
all milkings in the 24-hour period
gives us the cow’s 24-hour
production.
The fat percentage, however, is
RL 82
Unlonvlllc, PA 1837 S
(215) 347-2377
factored using the same factors as
the regular AM-PM program.
The factors used for fat depends
on the milking interval proceeding
the sampled milking. The actual fat
percentage in the sample you send
us is multiplied by the appropriate
factor to give us the fat percentage
that the cow would have produced
had you taken a composite sample
(a proportional amount from each
milking). That is why it is very
important for you to report milking
Aw~* hours as accurately as possible, and
verage tarm for you to tell us which milking
T?mitt was sampled, by filling in a “1,”
JT €€U “2,” or “3” in the milking box.
17 nr fJnn/lv Sometimes the factoring brings
KsUAIA rUF nunuy the fat percentage up from the actu-
D pfprpnrp al percentage in the sample, and
IVc/ ci VtI LC sometimes it brings it down. We
" To help farmers across th e always cnd up. however, w.th the
, K . j. percentage representing 24-hour
state to have handy reference of p r(X j uc tion.
commodity input costs in their The accuracy of the AM-PM
feeding operations for DHIA program has been questioned and
record sheets or to develop lives- tested many times, and has held its
tock feed cost data, here’s this°' wn - Fi B l J r ? i s I have seen have
week’s average costs of various shown AM-PM to be 96- to 98-per
’ 6 , - cent as accurate as weighing and
ingredients as compiled from sampling daily.
regional reports across the state Additionally, the APCS prog
of Pennsylvania. Remember ram is useable in DHIR herds, so
these are averages so you will the breed associations have also
need to adjust your figures up or recognized the usefulness and
down according to your location ac^ cy of ‘| ie ProSra'n
, ° / Why should a member consider
and the quality of your crop. lhe
program over some
Corn, No. 2y - 3.08 other testing program?
Wheat, No. 2 - 2.795 Some will benefit; some will
Barley, No. 3 - 2.04 not. The primary benefit of the
Oats No 2 - 1 28 APCS program, in many instances
Sovheans No 1 - 602 is 10 lhe su P ervisor 7116 APCS
Soybeans, No. I 6.UZ program saves you some work
New Ear Com, - 83.25 because, at one of the two milk-
Alfalfa Hay - 90.00 ings, you only have to read the
Mixed Hay - 78.00 meter and record the weight-
Timothy Hay - 82.75 (Turn to Page A3l)
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