D6-Lancaster Farming Saturday, November 16,1991 UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) A new method for formu lating least-cost rations could save the poultry and livestock industries million of dollars annually, according to Penn State researchers. Dr. William Roush, associate Ag Book Catalog DAVIS, Calif. A new and expanded agricultural book cata log is now available from ag Access. The comprehensive agri cultural book catalog contains hundreds of titles reviewed by experts allowing readers to select the best titles for their specific information needs. Today’s agricultural managers must be sophisticated users of information to increase efficiency that is now critical to successful operations. Agricultural informa tion is in strong demand due to increased environmental regula tions. higher costs of inputs, and changing market preferences, according to David Katz, ag Access president “This new cata log provides access to information that is key to farming more effi ciently,” said Katz. The new catalog includes books on horticulture, vegetable crops, fruit production, pest manage ment, water and irrigation, soil fertility, biotechnology, sustain able agriculture, plus many more subjects. In addition, the catalog describes how to use the agAccess Research and Information Service. agAccess supplies all English language (and some Spanish lan guage) agricultural books in print HighYeld TVftrTQrr 118122 1 1 § mil 4 As a full season hybrid, this variety is a “must plant'. An outstanding yielder, it also has superior atandability and is excellent for full sea son grain or silage. N 8727 features a flex ear that adapts well to variable densities, plus very good ear retention and husk cover. Outstanding test weight, too. If you’re going all out for full season yields, this hybrid belongs on the top of your list. Not tolerant to virus complex. This hybrid had highest yield in a 90-91 P.S.U. trials at 191 bu/acre. IVftqOA RM: 108-112. .L v If you’re looking for a very high yielding hybrid that performs well as medium-to-low populations, put this one on the top of your list. This com has a superior performance records on coars to medium textured soils and exceptional drought stress tolerance. It has a flex ear that adapts well to lower populations. Recommended for timely harvest. Because You’re In Business To Grow Northrup King BROOKLAND GORDON SCOTT V SHIPMAN WAYNE FEED MILLS, INC. ISENBERG Tu *?,^^,' 7 . 772 SUPPLY McVaytown, PA 17051 Alexandria, PA 16611 (717) 449-4133 Chambenburg, PA 17201 (717) 499-4772 (1140 449-9323 (717) 243-4121 °K!« D RICHARD H. a aurrLT KAUFFMAN Grantville, PA 17028-9450 ol /A,., (717) 444-0910 Columbia PA 17512 1 ° (717) 444-2443 HAKES FARM ft SEED SERVICE LARRY ft GARY Rad Lion, PA 17354 MENSINGER (717) 244-2754 Natcopeck. PA (717) 379-3244 HORACE HEINDEL & SON Voik, PA 17402 (717) 244-3740 Feed Formulation Could professor of poultry science, ana Thomas D’Alfonso, a graduate student in agricultural and biologi cal engineering, have applied a mathematical model to poultry feed formulations that is more accurate and efficient than the method feed mills use now, Available from more than 900 publishers, so users can obtain what they need from a single source. agAccess is pleased to send copies of the free 88 page Agricul tural Books Catalog. Call (916) 756-7177 for more information. WARRIORS MARK CAROVAIL INC GENE MILLER FEED CENTER Settyiburg, PA ' LARRY BOWER Cotowlua, PA 17820 Warrior* Mak, PA 14877 17326-0249 Undan, PA 17744 (717) 799-4740 (414) 432-5490 (717) 334-2104 (717) 323-3544 Sure shock POINTS give more effective control and better results. BESTWAY COW TRAINER WITH MAGI KLIP STEPHEN J. SNYDER Blzobathvllla. PA 17023 (717) 342-4735 SOMERSET MILLING CO. RALPH MILLER Somartat. PA 15501 WomaSdorf. PA 19547 (414) 445-7604 (215) 549-2442 “The industry uses what’s known as linear programming to formulate ingredients that meet nutritional requirements at least cost,” said Roush. “It’s called the ‘margin of safety’ method, because the nutrients in ingre dients are underestimated to allow for variability.” For example, Roush said, com may have an average protein value of 8.5 percent But from one lot to the next, it may be as low as 7 per cent or as high as 10 percent. In feed formulation using linear programming, the average nutrient value used in the calculations- is corrected to ensure, within a cer tain probability, that the ration contains adequate protein. The method applied by Roush q Saves p Bedding P 4 WAYNE DAWY EQUIPMENT ELWOOD HARER fEED SUPPLY "*l. Iv^V: 1 Montgomery, PA 17752 Port Royct, PA 17062 mn tli mi Dllhburg. PA 17019 (7171434-9439 (717) 447-4133 (717) 432-9423 ' Save Millions and D’Alfonso uses stochastic (nonlinear) programming, a more sophisticated formula that can account for nutrient variability. “Stochastic programming allows variance to be included in the formulation process, so that in the long run, a ration is produced at a lower cost than with the linear program, but at the same nutrient confidence level,” said D’ Alfonso. The research has significant economic implications for Pen nsylvania’s $5OO million poultry industry. Roush said studies have indicated that feed formulated with the stochastic model could be up to $3 cheaper per ton. For a poultry operation using 1,500 tons of feed per week, annual savings could total more than $230,000. AflTj JOHN C SNOOK BRUCE B. GAMBLE Mffflntxrg, PA 17844-9552 ft SONS (717) 9M-0957 Concord, PA 17217 (717) 349-2470 BEDFORD FARM BUREAU Bedford. 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PA 17013 <717) 243-2233 Roush said the new method also can be used to formulate feed for other types of livestock, such as cattle and swine. “Producers can achieve these savings without affecting animal nutrition,” D’Alfonso said. “We conducted a trial comparing the industry method and our method and found no difference in animal performance.” According to the researchers, the only stumbling block for the adoption of stochastic program ming has been the lack of compu ter software capable of performing the calculations on smaller compu ters used by farmers and feed mills. A private company is deve loping such software for commer cial use. Electric COr.TROLLeR (MARTS >URE \ shock * HUMPIN' DAYS, • Fully approved anti siphoning drinking bowl. • Cast iron bowl, stain less steel liner, brass valve. • Valve supplied with filter and stainless steel spring. • Water bowl casting can't freeze! 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