ADDISON, N.Y. Beef pro ducers from New York and Pen nsylvania converged on the Teaching and Research Center operated by Cornell University at Dryden recently. The occasion was a seminar and hands-on teaching session set up by Cornell livestock specialists to help beef producers understand and solve their management prob lems and to give new producers a basic understanding of the industry. More than 250 attended the ses sions, which emphasized Stocker/ fccdlot operations and cow-calf management. Participants included dairy farmers, feeders and stockers, cow-calf operators, purebred breeders, and many who arc just starting in the cattle business. Presenters were Dr. Danny Fox, professor, animal science, Cornell University; Michael Baker, lives tock extension associate, western New York counties; Darrell Emmick, grassland specialist. Soil Conservation Service; Dr. Don Lein, Director of the diagnostic lab. College of Veterinary Medi- See Your White/ New Idea Dealer Airville Farmers Equip. & Supply Inc. Bechtelsville Miller Equip. Co. Chambersburg Stouffer Brothers, Inc. Cochranville Stoltzfus Farm Service Columbia Cross Roads Columbia Cross Roads Equip. Easton Fancy Furrow Farms Ag. Equip. Gettysburg Yingling’s Implement Inc. Greensburg J & M Machinery Co. Inc. Hughesville Farnsworth Farm Supplies Indiana Hulls Farm & Lawn Equip. Klingerstown Stanley’s Farm Service Manheim G & D Farm Equip. Middlebury Center Houghtaling Garage New Oxford Thomas E. Sibert Farm Equip. Ono Shuey’s Sales & Service Somerset Lincoln Supply & Equip. Co. Beef Management Seminar Held cine, Cornell; Ted Perry, beef cattle extension associate, Cor nell; and Debbie Ketchen, mana ger of the beef teaching and research center. In Friday's session, Baker talked about the viability of Stock er operations in New York State, giving facts and figures relative to such.an operation. He presented a spreadsheet showing two actual operations, one utilizing Holstein steers and the other for beef steers. Fox discussed feeding systems for finishing cattle, describing many ways cattle can be fed and managed to optimize the use of available land, feed, facilities, and management. Information was given on cattle type, feeding sys tems for slocker/grazmg prog rams, backgrounding, and high grain finishing rations. A discussion of the proper choice of implant and method of application was led by Perry, who has done extensive research in this area. He noted that implants are basically hormone replacements for steers and are completely safe. Lein discussed the current health problems in New York, where tuberculosis (TB) and rabies have been headline topics for several months. Exotic animals, captive deer, and elk are infected with TB and are transferring this, disease to bovine herds nearby. This has changed New York’s ststus from a TB-frcc slate to a modified tuberculosis-free stale. This is an urgent problem affect ing export and interstate shipment of cattle requiring either individu al and/or herd tuberculosis status. Rabies infection continues to be a concern, with fox rabies increas ing dramatically in the counties o( Franklin, Clinton, and Essex. The number of people given post exposure treatment in New York slate has gone from 84 in 1989 to 965 in 1991. Vaccination of wild life appears to be the most suc cessful and cost effective method of control. The cow-calf producers heard fox speak on management in the declining side of the cattle cycle, focusing on the fundamental aspects of the cattle cycle and implications to producers. Guide lines were given on ways to be a Lancaster Farming,, Saturday, August 15,1992-El 1 low-cost producer. Baker discussed marketing options, including graded sales, preconditioned health managed Tele-Auction, direct sales, retained ownership, and possible luturc sale options. He noted that of approximately 47,000 beef calves available for sale each year, only about 2,000 are sold in New York Beef Cattlemen’s Associa tion (NYBCA) graded sales, leaving the rest to be sold mostly at the weekly auctions. Factors to consider for extend ing the grazing season through proper management of pastures were given by Emmick. He also gave specific recommendations tor subdividing pastures during spring and summer. He empha sized the importance of having a soil test. Lem spoke on current issues in animal health. Following lunch on both days, afternoons were filled with ongo ing demonstrations of live animal appraisal, condition scoring for cows, quality and yield grade for steers, proper and safe ways to give injections, and health man agement for slockcrs, feeders, and cow-calf herds. Participants were free to go from one demonstration to another and to visit with the trade show represen lalivcs. The Beef Field Days offered an opportunity to talk one-on-one with the top university experts in the field, with New York Beef Cattlemen Association members and with fencing, handling, and medical suppliers. The friendly atmosphere encouraged those just starting m the beef business to ask questions and participate fully m discussions. Ted Perry expressed his appre ciation to the participants and the trade show exhibitors for making the first annual Beef Field Days such a success, Plans are already under way for next year’s event. CONTACT US For • DOUBLE CHAIN PIT ELEVATORS HYD. 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