A2Hjncwt»f Fanrinp, Saturday, Hay 2,1992 Breeding For Solids HUNTINGDON (Huntingdon should incorporate selection for test individual farm samples for Co.) Some Pennsylvania dairy non-fat solids in their breeding lactose. The ash (mineral) content producers are now being paid for program. is usually estimated at 0.7 percent both the solids-not-fat (SNF) and Non-fat solids ate made up of since the normal range is from O.S milkfat components in their milk, the protein, lactose and mineral to 0.9 percent for most cows milk. This primarily affects dairy content of milk. Protein and kc- One problem that arises in herds in the southeastern and lose values can be determined by selecting for SNF is that DHIA south central areas of the state. the use of standard infra-red labs over most of the country do According to Larry Specht, equipment used by most present- not measure and thus cannot Penn State Extension specialist, day testing labs. However, most report SNF values for individual herdowners are now asking if they commercial laboratories do not cows and herds. Consequendy, the It’s Easy KANSAS CITY, Mo. Many cattle farmers have started using expected progeny dif ferences (EPDs) to select breeding stock. EPDs ate only one of many management tools being implemented to help cut costs as market competition stiffens and consumers demand leaner meat at lower prices. EPDs can be defined as the difference in per formance expected from progeny of a sire com pared to progeny of another sire. This method of sire selection is practically standard operating pro cedure in many regis tered catde operations, but how can it benefit all cattle farmers? “Using EPD informa tion can be the basis for steady herd improve ment.” said Dr. John Hough, director of edu cation and research at the American Polled Hereford Association. “We’re finding many cow/calf operators are requesting annual sire summaries to select bulls and/or semen to optimize the economi cally beneficial traits needed in their herds,” Hough said. “Once EPD values and their cost effectiveness are under stood, a sire summary can be one of the most effective tools to assist in a herd improvement program.” Sire summaries are easily obtained from breed associations, which also supply them to land-grant universi ties and extension cen ters. Representatives from breed associations, county and state exten sion agents, and state beef cattle specialists can explain how to use the summaries. In fact, breed associations and extension specialists offer educational prog rams to help increase understanding of EPDs. “If you decide to incorporate EPD infor mation into your herd management program, it is very important you do not compare EPD information across breeds,” Hough said. “EPDs can only be com pared within a single breed.” Characteristics that can be selected from EPDs include birth weight, weaning weight, milk produc tion, yearling weight, and scrotal circumfer- To Obtain ence. Each EPD has been assigned an accu racy value which can help you better deter mine the reliability of DYNA DYNA-TECH INDUSTRIES 602 E. EVERGREEN ROAD LEBANON, PA 17042-7925 SERVICE OUR FIRST CONSIDERATION 10 TO 150 KW 1800 RPM BRUSHLESS TRACTOR DRIVEN GENERATORS Reel-Time Rapid Exit Parallel Milking Parlor Normal Milking Position Brisket Roll locks cows in proper position for milking. The Brisket Roll an be rotated clockwise to snug the cows up against the rump roll. We Can Help Improve Your Dairy Business... See Your Bou-Matic Dealer Today EPD Information the EPD estimates. By incorporating EPD information into your sire selection prog ram, you can end up TECHI Dynamic Technologies A true leading edge Rapid Exit Milking Parlor MENDENHALL DAIRY SUPPLY Brookville, PA 814-849-5539 JONES-DAIRY SERVICE Medford, NJ 609-267-0198 with greater trait predic tability from your herd and potentially greater profits from higher quality cattle. ;r,\ /* m Release Position Cows are released by rotating Bricket Rail away from front of cow. All the cows can exit at once by moving straight forward. W and J DAIRY SALES Oxford, PA 717-529-2569 sire and cow evaluations produced by the USDA Animal Improve ment Programs Lab (AIPL) twice a year do not have SNF values. At one time, the USDA animal evaluation programs did make available either solids-not-fat or protein values. However, by 1987 the number of cows with SNF val ues had Men to less than 10 per cent of the cows on test and SNF evaluations were discontinued. While we cannot select for SNF directly, there is an economic index calculated by USDA-AIPL that will work very well. This is the Predicted Transmitting Ability for Milk, Fat and Protein Dollars. It is abbreviated to: PTA M, F, Ps. This value comes very close to being a “perfect” index for rank ing sires and cows on SNF values. It is fortunate that a new deve- generator SYSTEMS DISTRIBUTOR FOR SALES - SERVICE - RENTALS INSTALLATION UPS, ÜBS AND SURGE PROTECTION 800-779-8809 717-274-8899 FAX 717-274-5334 PRINGLE FEED STORE Greenville, PA 412-588-7950 TRI-STATE FARM. AUTOMATION Hagerstown, MD 301-416-7340 lopment in milk pricing can be accommodated by a procedure that is already in place. One other important point to remember is that the plan in effect in Order 4 pays for pounds of components produced rather than paying on a base price plus diffe rentials for the percentages of a components) in the milk. Sire choices need to be based on the PTA’s for pounds of protein and/or other components instead of on their PTA milkfat or protein percentages. Milk, Fat and Protein Dollars (M,F,PS) will work very well as the major criteria for decisions as to which sires to use and which cows to breed to become the mothers of the next generation. •s < ,-- /;>■ y' >, r [[ V. Exit Position As cows move forward, the Reel gently nudges them forward and separates them from the next siring of cows to be milked. hWPMjmc MILKING SYSTEMS Ito first In Product Innovation K&K AGRI SERVICE Carlisle, PA 717-249-1195 McNEAL FARM SERVICE Towanda, PA 717-364-5460
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