A36-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 1, 1990 VALUES FOR CALF BIRTH WEIGHT The evidence continues to mount that the use of EPDs in the selection of beef cattle is the most accurate means of predicting per formance that we have available. A recent report from Colorado State University has shown that fetal growth rate during gestation will be different for calves sired by bulls with different EPDs for birth weight. In this study, two groups of cows were randomly allotted and bred to either a high birth weight sire (+12.7 lbs. birth weight EPD) or to a low birth weight sire (-6.5 lbs. birth weight EPD.) Starting on day 85 of gestation and every 21 days thereafter, a fetus was removed by Caesarean section to determine fetal growth rate. In the high EPD group, the max imum rate of growth was attained on day 230 of gestation and was .69 pounds/day for bulls and .59 pounds/day for heifers. In the low EPD group, the maximum rate was attained on day 217 at .66 and .60 pounds per day. Further, once the maximum rate was reached, the low EPD group had a faster rate of decline in growth rate. The average birth weight for those going to term was 14.6 pounds lighter for the low EPD group. The predicted difference based on the EPDs was 19.2 pounds. In summary, the calves from the low EPD group reached their max imum rate of growth sooner, had a slower rate of growth during gesta tion, and were significantly lighter at birth than those from the high EPD group. Here again is evidence n&uon 6^* by John Comerford Penn State Beef Specialist to support the use of EPDs for beef cattle selection. Finishing calves or yearlings A recent report on a 5-year study from Nebraska has shown that feeding calves may increase effi ciency, but ownership and other costs are increased. The study compared 489 calves and yearlings for feedlot perfor mance and feeding costs. They found it took twice as long to finish the calves, but they consumed less feed on a daily basis and converted feed to weight gain more efficient ly. The calves were also fatter at slaughter and had a higher percen tage grade Choice than yearlings. Average daily gain was greater for the yearlings and health costs (including death loss) was 50 per cent less, but they averaged about $l5O more at purchase. However, since they were owned for a shor ter period of time, the interest cost on the yearlings was less and total cost per head was about $lOO less. In addition, for those lots with a fixed overhead cost fo feeding, the fewer days on feed was an advan tage for the yearlings because the lot could be refilled more times during the year. As always, there are several costs that must be considered in determining profitability of catde feeding; the cost of the calf, the cost of feed, and the cost of owner ship. This study is an example of the compromises the feeder must make for higher calf costs when buying yearlings. However, it appears there is evidence to sup port the purchase of yearlings because of the faster gains, lower health costs, and fewer days of ownership. Ideal leaf tobacco co. Joe P. Irving We are here to buy the 1990 crop of tobacco. We support the auction system. We also will receive tobacco at Lester Martin’s building, east of Blue Ball on 322 for farmers that want to sell direct. Be sure to grade your tobacco in 3 grades. Keep green & trash out of good tobacco. We will be paying the top price. Phone 717-394-6112 or 575-2525 ALBANY, N.Y. Milk prices for dairy farmers have dropped drastically in recent months. The Minnesota-Wisconsin price, the major factor in establishing farm prices for milk across the United States, announced on November 5, dropped $2.02 from the previ ous month to $10.48 per hundred pounds of milk. This is the largest one-month drop on record. By the end of the year, econom ists expect the Minnesota- Wisconsin price to be $5 less than the price in December of 1989. Further price declines are pre dicted for 1991. The Regional Cooperative Marketing Agency (RCMA) is offering a proposal to soften the drop in milk prices. RCMA, with 22,000 dairy farmer members in the 11 states of the Northeast, has worked in the past to raise income for its dairy farmer members. When milk prices were low from 1987 through 1989, it distributed $7O million in premiums to its members to supplement their income. Once again, RCMA wants to help maintain dairy far mers in business. RCMA’s proposal to milk handlers is to limit the impact of the M-W price reduction on Northeast dairy farmers by estab lishing target prices on Class I (milk used for fluid consumption) and Class II (milk used for pro ducts such as cheese, ice cream and yogurt) for 1991. When the M-W price drops below these target prices, RCMA premiums would trigger in, making up the difference. When the M-W price is above these levels, the proposed premiums would trigger out. RCMA would agree to maintain RCMA Offers Proposal these target prices for calendar year 1991. This provides handlers with clear knowledge of what the RCMA premiums would be for the coming year. This pricing proposal was approved by RCMA’s Board of Directors at a meeting on Nov. 9 in Albany, N.Y. The target prices were not stipulated by the board, but will be the subject of negotia tions between RCMA and milk handlers. RCMA’s proposal has received support from Commissioner Richard McGuire of New York’s Department of Agriculture and Markets. The commissioner has pledged to do everything he can to help RCMA implement its proposal. “I support RCMA in the past, and will continue to support it and work with it to obtain its goals,” the commissioner said. “There is obviously a great deal of concern that the low prices will drive many dairymen out of busi ness and create another shortage of milk in the Northeast,” said RCMA President William G. Zub er, a dairy farmer from Churchvil le, N.Y. “This would have a devastating impact on the rural economy of the region.” In addition to falling milk prices, dairy farmers will have to pay a new assessment under the 1990 Farm Bill recently passed by Congress. During 1991, farmers will have to pay 5 cents per hun dredweight of milk. From 1992 through 1995, they will have to pay a minimum of 11 cents per hundredweight. These assess ments are to meet the Gramm- Rudmann requirements for budget deficit reduction. Vegetable Growers Introducing; PlastigOlie The plastic that disappears, best in bio Introducing: The green plastic mulch that gives the heat of clear plastic, but eliminates weed growth, no fumigation needed. 4x2000 $52.95 $99.50 Reg. 1 ml linar low density smooth plastic 4x2000 $29.75 Reg. 10 Mil. Drip This special offer expires Dec. 31, 1990 Due to Middle East crisis plastic prices are very unstable. This year may be wise to buy early! Free delivery on 100 roll or more. ZIMMERMAN IRRIGATION RD #3, Mifflinburg, PA 17844 717-966-9700 degradable plastics 4’x2400 $ 67.20 4’x4000 Climagro Thermal 4x4000 4x4000 Introducing Raintape Drip irrigation by Rainbird, Pressure Compensating, Introductory Offer 6000’ Coil 6000’ Coil “Many dairy farmers can’t afford to stay in business at price levels that are predicted for 1991,” said RCMA Executive Director Carmen L. Ross. “If large num bers of farmers go out of business, consumers and processors are the losers, too, because they lose the benefit of a fresh, locally pro duced supply of milk. RCMA is working to maintain a stable dairy industry in the Northeast.” Coalition Responds WASHINGTON, D.C.— Spokespersons for the Dairy Industry Coalition responded immediately to a report issued last week by the research arm of Con gress that was critical of the Food and Drug Administration’s testing. methods used to detect certain ani mal drug residues in milk. In his appearance on the ‘Today Show,” Jim Barr, Coali tion 11 spokesperson and National Milk Producers Federation CEO, emphasized that no one, including the GAO was questioning the safety of the milk supply. Barr was quoted in Associated Press saying, “Milk is one of th emost tested foods Americans consume. The industry is con stantly working with farmers, milk processors and state and fed eral governments to refine the testing procedures that guarantee the purity of the milk supply from cow to consumer.” The Dairy Industry Coalition is dedicated to reaffirming the dairy industry’s commitment to the safety of milk and milk products. $112.00 $59.50 $ 99.50 $116.00
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