A26-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, September t 992
Northeast Poultry
cational meetings in the mornings
and an exhibit hall filled with dis
plays of the latest advances in
poultry technology in the
afternoon.
Eleanor Clift, congressional
and political correspondent for
Newsweek magazine is the key
note speaker for the opening of the
show on Wednesday. Other Wed-
Northeast DHIA
Earns Best Rating
The National Cooperative Dairy Herd Improve
ment rules begin by stating: “The purpose of these
rules is to provide the framework for a uniform re
cord system which will increase farmers’ net profits
... (Rules) serve to ensure that National Coopera
tive Dairy Herd Improvement Program (NCDHIP)
records will provide the accuracy, uniformity, and
integrity essential to all segments of the dairy indus
try. All state DHIA field services, laboratories, and
dairy records processing centers (DRPC’s) will be
evaluated annually under the National Dairy Herd
Improvement Association, Inc. (National DHIA)
Quality Certification Program to maintain these
standards.”
Northeast DHIA has just received the results of
this annual evaluation. Kaylene Corcoran, National
DHIA Quality Certification Representative spent
several days in Ithaca reviewing all aspects of the
Cooperative’s service, education and communica
tion.
Evaluations use a very rigorous and defined point
system. There are many categories ranging in value
from 5 to 25 points. Each DHIA throughout the
country must meet minimum requirements by accu
mulating points in each category of operation. A fin
al score is then tabulated with a minimum of 75
points necessary for National DHIA certification.
Bonus points can be earned for the Field Services
category. These extra points are only in the areas of
member education, and turnaround time.
The Field Services portion includes categories
such as:
• Supervisor training, evaluation and feedback
• Testing interval. Verification of milk weight ac
curacy, and % Test intervals >45 days
• Communication between managers, members,
and the Agriservice community
• Metering devices, methods of sample delivery,
and enforcement of National DHI rules
Field Services scored a perfect 117 points out of a
possible 117 points (100 standard points plus all 17
Bonus points). According to the executive summary
of results, “Northeast DHIA is leading the way in
customer oriented DHIA service.. . .The customer
support staff of Northeast DHIA is an invaluable
group of people who are available to answer ques
tions for both producers and employees.”
Members are encouraged to use the toll free num
ber, 1-800-344-2697 whenever questions arise or
assistance is needed.
The milk analysis lab also scored exceptionally
high with 95 out of a possible 100 points. The la
boratory is rigorously evaluated throughout the year
with an on-site inspection.
These inspections include a review of:
• Accuracy and repeatability of ail equipment and
results in the lab
• Continuing education of laboratory technicians
• Safety and overall management of the equip
ment and facilities
Ms. Concoran noted in her written summary:
“The Northeast DHIA lab is professional through
out from its accurate results to the intensive internal
calibration schedule, to its appearance.”
The executive summary of results concludes by
saying “We commend Northeast DHIA staff and
employees on their commitment to providing out
standing, professional service.” Under stringent Na
tional DHIA requirements, this Northeast coopera
tive is doing more than holding its own. It seems to
be thoroughly exceeding minimum boundaries in an
effort to provide high quality service aimed at help
ing members improve the Northeast dairy herd.
(Continued from Page A 1)
nesday speakers and topics
include Dr. Lee Christensen,
USDA, who will report on the
Commodity price outlook for
broilers, turkeys, eggs, and feed
and Dr. Hugh Johnson, American
Farm Bureau Federation, who will
speak pn animal welfare.
Al Walker, noted business con
sultant, motivationalist and
humorist is the tinal spteakef on
Thursday includes separate,
concurrent sessions for broiler,
egg, and tuikey producers. The
separate commodity issues to be
addressed are bronchitis, manure
management. Salmonella enteriti
dis vaccination, stress manage
ment and a presentation by Bruce
Cuddy, President of the National
Tuikey Federation.
-Conference attenders spend the
afternoons in an exhibit hall with
over 130 exhibitors. The exhibit
hall is also open to the public free
of charge. Exhibit hall hours on
Wednesday are from noon until
7:00 p.m. and on Thursday from
noon until S:00 p.m. Producers
can see the latest poultry equip
ment and products and visit with
many of the industry’s experts on
production and marketing during
their visit to the exhibit hall.
Al Walker
This is only the second year of
the Northeast Poultry Show which
drew 750 industry people from 14
states last year. The Show closes
on Thursday evening with a ban
quet that features humorist Ralph
Hood,
For further information or to
register for the show, call the
Pennsylvania Poultry Federation
office in Harrisburg, Pennsylva
nia, at 717-652-7530.