Editor’s Note: This is part 1 of a series on growth promotants. Lowell L. Wilson Professor Of Animal Science Penn State UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) Growth promotants have been used for many years to improve growth rate and feed effi ciency of cattle. Implanted in the ears of cattle, the effects of these promotants are important for both the producer and the consumer. Done correctly, this procedure returns more net profit per unit of investment than any other manage ment practice and helps keep beef prices reasonable for the consumer. Although consumers and ani mal activists are concerned about the use of growth promotants, cur rent information indicates that these products are safe for both the animal’s well-being and meat wholesomeness. More information is available on growth promotants than ever before. Two of the most frequent conclusions from this research indicates that (1) using implants saves feed and other production costs, keeping cost of beef more competitive in the retail counter and (2) growth promotants are safe for both the animal and the consumer. Government Approval Process he use of implanted growth promotants in cattle was approved by the Food and Drug Administra tion (FDA) in the late 19605, after many years of stringent testing. This slow and comprehensive pro cess should assure consumers that there is no reason to be concerned about safety of using growth promotants^ Among the factors that must be ascertained before the FDA clears a product for use are: • Absence of residues in edible tissues * Absence of acute toxic effects * Absence of chronic physio logical effects • Absence of mutagenic or car cinogenic potential For Grazing UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) The advisory committee for the newly formed Penn State Grazing Research and Education Center recently met for the first time at University Park. The 12-member committee includes dairy and livestock producers and industry representatives from many segments of agriculture. The center, a collaborative ef fort between the College of Agri cultural Sciences and the USDA Pasture Research Laboratory on the University Park Campus, brings together 18 agricultural sci entists and several extension edu cators dedicated to improving the sustainability and profitability of animal agriculture through better use of grassland. The advisory committee will help provide direction for the new center. “We’re very pleased with the enthusiasm and dedication of the advisory committee,” said Implants Promote Growth, Feed Efficiency • Enhancement of animal per formance or health. Safety Of Using Implants Most growth-promoting implants available have subtle estrogenic (female-like) or androgenic (male-like) effects. But the amounts of hormones a person ingests from implanted cattle are insignificant in contrast to the amounts the human body itself produces or that are con tained by other foods. The estrogen content of beef (including that horn implanted and nonimplanted steers) and other foods is given in Table 1.1. Based on this evidence, it is clear that implanting cattle' increases the estrogen content of beef only slightly. Moreover, beef has less estrogenic activity than many other common foods. The strin gent testing of implants has shown that no withdrawal period is required another indication that the use of implants is safe. Data in Table 1.2 illustrate that the amount of estrogen taken in by eating beef from implanted or nonimplanted steers is inconse quential in contrast to the amount produced naturally by the human body. Several years ago, studies of Ralgro™: active ingredient is zera nol, a synthetic estrogen-like non steroid) determined that meat would have to contain over 18 grams of zeranol per pound of body weight of the meat consuming subject to be critically toxic. Consequently, a half-pound Advisory Steve Fales, professor of agron omy and co-director of the center. Faculty members of the center and scientists from the USDA la boratory gave brief accounts of their past and current efforts in grazing research and education. Advisory committee members commented on the presentations and ended the session with their prioritized lists of items for con sideration by center members. “The committee provided ex cellent input for the center’s future direction,” said Larry Muller, pro fessor of animal science and co director of the center. Members of the advisory com mittee are Phjl Anderson, Knox; Lewis Gardner, Galeton; Axel Linde, Oxford; Larry Lohr, Hoov ersville; Kevin Mitchell, Mahaf fey; Duane Pysher, Harrisburg; John Rodgers, Belleville; Robert Russo, Fricdens; Steve Thornton, Part 1 Of Series Focuses On Growth Promotants Table 1.1 Estrogen concentration in beef and other foods Food Beef, nommplanted steer Beef, implanted steer Beef, heifer Milk Soybean oil Wheat germ A nanogam is one billionth of a gram. Committee Center Forms Lowell L. Wilson Nanograms Nanograms per per gram 3 oz serving 0.015 0.022 0.013 0.13 2.000 170,000 4.000 340,000 rat would have to consume 634,920 beef carcasses containing one part per billion of zeranol to reach the critical level of toxicity. The results of another study indi cated a human would have to con sume 35 tons of meat per day to reach the level of zeranol intake that would cause toxicity. Studies such as these provide important information on the safe ty of technology applications such as implantable growth promotants. Today’s sophistocated consumer wants assurance that the food they place on their family’s table is safe, wholesome, and of high quality. Editor’s Note: Part 2 of this article, to be published next week, discusses what implants are available; common implant ing mistakes and corrective mea sures; growth, feed efficiency, and carcass changes; and implant strategies for different situations. Wellsboro; Garry Van deWeert, Athens; Dave Wolfgang, Pennsyl vania Furnace; and Dunwoody Zook, Glenmore. The committee will meet periodically to provide input for the center. For more information about Penn State’s Grazing Research and Education Center, contact Steven Fales, 248 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building, University Park, PA 16802, or Lawrence Muller, 316 Henning Building, University Park, PA 16802. Correction In last week’s issue, the winner of the Reading Fair reserve grand champion market steer was incor rectly identified. The winner was Kelly Holcombe, 9, daughter of Jim and Karen Holcombe, Mohrsville. Table 1.2 Daily human estrogen production (nanograms) Female, before puberty Male, before puberty Female, nonpregnant Female, pregnant Male, adult A nanogram is one billionth of a gram, 1.3 1.9 1.1 11.0 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 8, 1994-817 Age, class MAILBOX MARKET FOR SALE 29 Chaiiaist Angus Cross Steers 875 Av. Wt. IH Scoup & Snow Plow, 350 Bu. Gravity Wagon 10 Ton Running Gear New, 717- 694-3417, Snyder Co. 72 Bu. American Batch Dryer. Exc. Cond., Kept under roof, $2OOO. Before 8 AM 717-345-8434, Schuylkill Co. ten H.P. 220, 440 Volt, Three Phase Crocker- Wheeler Electric Motor, Leßaron County (717) 949- 3129 or (717) 336-5886. Registered Morgan Filly, Four Months Old, Champion Bloodline, Very Good, Conformation, Exceptionally Friendly $950. (610) 286- 5373 Lane. New Holland 1003 Bail wagon $5OOO, 482 Cub lawn Tractor, 40 Inch $9OO, Both Excellent Condition Schuylkill Co., 717-739- 4708 after 5 PM Ear Corn Organic Grown Int. 234 Mounted Picker, York Co., 717-244-8748 8 Beef Bulls 60C, 12 Holstein Steers 60c, 10 Beef Steer 64c, about 650 Lb., Schuylkill Co.. 717- 739-4713. Carriage In Good Cond. for Sale $2OOO, Christ B. Hersh berger, 714 Georgetown Rd., Ronks, PA 717-572-9524. Wakefield Seed Wheat, Cleaned, last Year Certified Seed, $6/Bu., York County, 717-225-1271 after 4.30 PM. I H. Dresser 125 C Loader Rollgard Canopy Swepes G.P. bucket, Nice Very Good Cond., Must See $12,000, Lane. Co, (717 354-8606. 1975 C 65 Ford 184 Ft. Flatbed 33,000 GVW Air Brakes 366 Motor 5&2, Trans, Licensed & Inspected, $2500, York Co, 717-244- 37060 Ford TLB 555 w/Cab $10,500 Int 1969 Dump Truck 10 Ton $l5OO, Lowery Spinet Organ Model-S $l5O, Northumberland, 717-425- 2039. 1992 Ford LNBOO Fire Tanker Truck 2500 G Stainless Elliptical Tank 450GPM Martmdale Fire co , 527 Grist Mill Road, martlndale, PA 17549, or Lee 717-445-6220. Model T Engine Block w/Head & manifold Large Quantity Assorted Lumber. Cement Blocks. Building Materials Pneumatic Tam per, Electric Heater w/Fan, Stanless Drum 55 Gal., Del. Co. 610-544-2424, Best 7 to 9AM. 1986 Jeep Laicedo pack age Air Handtop Roll Bar Will Take Trade $5995 080, Lane Co. 717-397- 1186 After SPM, Rear Seat. LP Gas Heater 70,000 BTU Perfection with Blower Excellent Cond., Orig. Cost $9OO Now $450 Berks Co., 610-683-3748. Amount/day 54.000 41.000 480,000 20,000,000 136,000 W/C bedding chopper, double pulley 11Hp Honda Engine, Also Used Metal Roofing and a few old hand cut beams, Lane. Co., 610- 286-6059. Riteway Coal and Wood Stove, Good Condition, $350 or Best Offer. 1070 Case Tractor Nl Manure Spreader 9 Ft. John Deere Harrow McNo. 9 Silage Cutter, KBA John Deere, Disc Jonas RD2, Box 320 D, Myerstown, PA 17067, Leb. Co. Two 2400 BU Round Com Cribs $5OO each. Heavy Duty Racine Power Hacksaw $2OO, 717-436- 8790, Juniata Co. Carriage Running Gear, Roller Bearing Wheels, Good Condition, $650. Call 717-374-5630, 7PM-9PM, Snyder Co. 20 Acre Farm, North of Tampa, Morton Building, 4/2 House, Fenced XFenced, Citrus Trees. Grandfather Oaks, Great Cattle, or Horse Farm, 904-793-3414 ‘B7 Trailer 6 Ton Bed Over Excellent Condition $3,000 - 8' Backhoe Attachment New Holland Skid Loader 12”- 16"-24” Buckets, Excellent Condition, $3BOO. After 600 Chester Col., 610-942- 3883. Farm Hand Wagon Self- Unloading Rear Discharge, $l,OOO. NJ Farmall Tractor $5OO, Cumb., Co. 717-776- 3766. 2 Year Old Registered Simmental Bull Horned Good Breeder Blair Co. 814-224-4493. 1-3/4 HP Economy Gas Engine, 1-1/2 HP F&M Engine, Both, D 77 Carts, Complete Runs Well, Wash. County, MD 301- 739-5305. Seed Tnticale From certi fied Seed, Chevy 250 Engine with 350 Automatic Transmission, Will Sell Together or Separate, Lan caster Co, (717) 653-9408 Farmall Club w/4’ Sickle Bar Mower, Snow Plow Tire Chains, Al Shape $2495, Lane Co, 717-285-4770 New idea 323 Corn Picker With 4-Cylinder Wise Engine and Hydraulic, Good Condition, $2OOO, Amos Stoltzfus, William Run Road, Christian, PA 17509. CaptainVitavax 20-20 Seed Gram Treatment 30 Lbs, Make Offer Also Wolf Grain Cleaner, Lane Co, 717-656-6863, 5 to 6 PM. High Moisture Com, 323 Picker Parts, Rubber Wheels, Aquilla R. Stoltzfus, 454 Bartville Rd., Kirkwood, PA, Lane Co. Chevy Truck Wheel 88-94 New 16" $l5, Also Sport Steering wheel $4O, York Co.. 717-764-4604. Seed Wheat, Barley From Certified. Clover, Timothy, Alfalfa Seed. 570 GT 500 BU Dryer. F7OO 'Ford 12’ Dump, 717-444-3968, Perry Co.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers