ClO-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 7, 1991 Core Parameters Tables Throughout 1987 and 1988, ten subcommittees of extension spe cialists representing various reg- ions in the United States prepared fact sheets which described the fundamental core parameters deemed necessary for the elemen tary use-of DHIA records in the following areas; Production Change Analysis, Nutrition, 145 140 135 (rt ra e 130 | 125 D z 115 110 B <l3 000 Lbs B 13-15000 815 17,000 □l7 19000 019 21 000 821 23 000LbS n 1 u_ < 1 <13,000 Lbs H 15-17,000 B 1 10-21.000 I I 23-25.000 Lbs Reproduction, Health, SCC and Mastitis, Genetics, Business Man agement, Marketing, Youngstock, Culling. The goal of these committees was to identify the herd and indi vidual cow parameters that were readily identifiable and easily measurable, as well as directly usable by producers and important DHIA see Data by Rotting Hard Average (2nd Lactation Cows) TeslNuirtjer OHIA Reported Days Open by RHA (Within Lactation Group) Lactation Number Average PTA Fat by Rolling Herd Average {Within Lactation Group) 2 3 Lactation Number Average PTA Protein by RHA (Wrtnm Lactation Group) 2 3 Lactation Number for proper herd management. The result of the committees’ efforts was a set of standardized herd and cow management para- meters that represent all of the important measures needed to manage j herd and dairy farm for (he great!3l profitability. Because the goals of these extension subcommittees reflect the vision of DHIA, the Pennsyl vania Dairy Herd Improvement Association has incorporated term data processing development and educational efforts.* On the following pages is a set of tables. These tables are grouped by rolling herd average in steps of 2,000 pounds, from 13,000 pounds and under to 23,000 pounds and over. For all herds, the average number of animals leav ing the herds, and the number of herds on test in each category are 13.000 lbs shown. In addition, the average 5.000 PTA milk, fat, and protein also .000 appear, as well as the lactation average somatic cell count, and the average number of days open. Following these overall aver ages is a more detailed table. This shows the average milk, fat, pro tein, raw SCC, and feed cost per hundredweight of milk for each test throughout an entire year. Graphs are included to highlight Supervisors Receive State Awards (Continued from Page C 9) The award consists ot an engraved clock/pen desk set. This year the field staff had a difficult choice to make since there are sev eral very good new supervisors. In fact, we are presenting co-rookie awards this year. This year’s Rookies of the Year arc Melvin Gelsinger of Franklin County. Darren Little of Centre County. Little was hired in February of 1990 and was chosen as the Roo kie of the Year. The award con sists of an engraved desk set. Dar ren was chosen from the other beginners due to his impressive performance statistics. Darren achieved a near 100% accuracy rate the first six months and now maintains that level and a 30.1 day test interval on nearly 2,000 cows monthly. Gelsinger was selected the Roo kie of the Year award at the 1991 Summer Conference for PA DHIA Supervisors. Mel began his career on May 1, 1990 with approximately 34 herds and quickly attained an accuracy level of nearly 100%. Mel tests approxi mately 3,200 cows monthly and his wife, Cheryl, now has a full time circuit of her own. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Each year a list of nominees for the Distinguished Service Award is formulated. Each candidate must have completed five years of service and qualified for the Award of Merit for the previous year. One supervisor is chosen from each region based on the fol lowing criteria. Cooperation with county personnel, dairymen, DHIA personnel, statistical per formance' and neatness and appearance. Supervisors may only receive this award once. It is also required that a" supervisor win this award prior to consideration for Superior Supervisor. The winners each receive a plaque and a check for $25.00. Christina Deeter, of Crawford County received this award for the Northwest region. Tina tested an the most important trends seen in these figures. And to point out some of the major differences between low and high producing herds. Since the characteristics of cows of different ages vary con siderable, all of the information is shown for first lactation, second lactation, and third and greater lactation animals. These tables shown more than just simple year-end average data. Because they actually provide a breakdown of those statistics per tinent to particular categories of producers, the aim of these sum maries is to allow dairy farmers, veterinary practitioners and agri business consultants the opportun ity to establish reasonable goals for dairy herds during the coming year. DHIA will continue to Major Accomplishments Listed For Year * Introduced Heifer Manage ment option * Introduced Herd Profile Re port for all members * Introduced Optional Custom ized Reports option * Introduced FAX transfer op tion for member reports * Replaced member recognition system with Herd Management Awards * Completed development of average of 30 herds per month in 1990 and collected 16,729 samples. Anne Brooks, of Centre County was the region two recipient for 1990. Anne maintains a circuit of approximately 31 herds and 2,200 cows monthly. Anne’s accuracy rate on 364 tests and 24,481 cows was 99.8 with several months at 100%. Anne maintains a regular cycle as evidenced by a 30.2 day test interval and no herds over 45 days. Anne also received the award of merit for the third conse cutive year. Denise Soil, Northampton Co., was presented the distinguished service award from region three. Denise maintained a 100% accu racy rate on 354 tests and 28,551 cows in 1990. She averages 31 herds per month and a 29.7 day test interval. Denise also received the award of merit for the second year in-a row. Maurice Welk, of Lancaster County was chosen to receive a distinguished service award for his work in 1990. Maurice main tained a 99.7% accuracy rate on 376 tests and 22,300 cows. Maur ice serviced about 31 herds monthly and maintained a 30.1 day interval. Maurice also received his eighth consecutive award of merit Since the confer ence was held, Maurice has retired from maintaining his own circuit THE HOLUNGER AWARD The Carl B. Hollinger Memor ial Award wds started in 1977 in honor of Mr. Hollinger who was a fieldman for PA DHIA from 1951-1974. The winner of this award is selected by the employ ees who work in the Central Milk Testing Lab,‘to recognize the out standing supervisor for excellence in nearness and accuracy of sam ples and bamsheets. Criteria used in selecting the winner include order and neatness of the bam sheets, nearness in sample pack ing, size of samples, method of ordering supplies, and cooperation with the lab. The award winner receives an engraved desk set This year’s recipient, JoAnn Moser, of Berks County main tained a monthly average of 31 expand the breadth and detail of the information it makes available in the core parameter categories. We hope you will find these tables of value. The graphs accompanying this years DHIA special section of FOCUS have been included to give an immediate interpretation for data included in the core para meters tables which are produced as a part of DHIA year end report ing. The Rolling Herd Average categories have been slightly altered from last year so that they conform to the categories used in DHIA’s new Herd Performance Evaluator. (More information on the Herd Performance Evaluator is available in this section of FOCUS). billing system for direct members * Completed development of Herd Evaluator System * Continued development of Nutrition System * Continued development of Labor Efficient Records option * Authorized collection of calv ing ease data for members * Published two FOCUS mem bership newsletters in December and June herds for 1990 and collected 28,143 samples. JoAnn’s paper work was superb, her test interval was a near perfect 30.4 days, and her accuracy rate finished out at 99.9 percent. She received the dis tinguished service award for the Southeast region and was also pre sented a certificate for ten years service. PUTNAM AWARD The Putnam Memorial Award was initiated in 1983 in honor of Dexter N. Putnam for his contri butions to PA DHIA. Mr. Putnam was an extension dairyman from 1957 until his retirement in 1982. Dexter’s dairy extension responsi bilities included working with DHIA supervisors to improve their accuracy in repotting data on DHIA forms. The Putnam Award is given annually to the supervisor who commits the fewest errors per 1000 cows tested. Supervisors may only win this award once. The winner receives an engraved desk set This year the award was also presented to the part-time supervisor with the highest accu racy rate. The full-time supervisor that received the award for the 1990 calendar year was Marianne Wal ter from York County. Marianne services 26 herds with approxi mately 2000 cows on a monthly basis. She achieved an accuracy rate of 100%, a test interval of 30.3 days, and received the award of merit for the twelfth consecu tive year. The Putnam Memorial Award was also presented to part-time supervisor, Michael Holbay of Somerset County. Mike services approximately 21 herds and 1100 cows monthly, maintains a 100% accuracy rate and a 29.9 day test interval. BOLDOSSER RETIRED Harold Boldosser of Cumber land County was presented with a clock commemorating his retire ment after over forth-three years of active service as a PA DHIA Supervisor. Harold’s circuit con sisted of approximately 40 herds and 3,000 cows monthly. Harold maintained a near 100% accuracy rate and a 30.5 day test interval.
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