... Production Leader (Continued tram Page A 1) cent of the herds processed for the year-end were official (for a varie ty of reasons, enough tests may not be completed to qualify as an offi cial year-end record.). Quite a large number of member herds use AM-PM testing, which is a system that allows a technician to lest in the morning one test day and the evening the next. The trad itional two-times per day testing procedure is still used, but many are switching to using less intru sive testing procedures. Top Cow Protein, Milk The 1993-94 top production record for milk and protein made by an individual cow went to a registered Holstein owned by Cur vm and Dawn Good, of Myers town. Good’s now 7-year-old cow, Cur-Daw Sonya, made a record of 43,323 pounds of milk and 1,443 pounds of protein on a 305-day lactation her fifth to top all other individual cows on test with Pa.DHIA. Sonya is a Sundancer daughter out of a Superb daughter. That Superb daughter was one that Cur vin bought years back from Donald Bollinger, of Kleinfeltersville. As a 2-year-old, Sonya made 19,945 pounds of 4.2 percent fat milk on a 305-day lactation; as a 3-year-old, she produced 25,363 pounds of 3.6 percent fat milk in 291 days; as a 4-year-old, she made 31,476 pounds of 3.6 percent milk in 299 days; as a 5-year-old she made 35,822 pounds of 3.4 percent milk in 305 days. “I didn’t really expect her to do this,” Curvin said Wednesday at his 80-acre dairy farm, located just south of Myerstown. He said that while she had been a steadily strong milker and bred back easily, giving him all heifers to date (she’s due to freshen November to Jed), he didn’t expect the milk flow that came on this last lactation. When she freshened in September 1993, she delivered twin heifer calves. “She cleaned right up and just starting making milk,” he said. According to Good she peaked at 170 pounds per day and nev er dropped below 100 pounds until her last test, when she made 75 pounds. Then he dried her off as she finished at 377 days, bred and ready to prepare for another lactation. Curvin and Dawn, whom Curvin said does most of the milking, have other high produc ing cows in their 70-milking cow string, which includes a breed ing philosophy of stress ing production, but not ignoring type. In fact, the herd contains three Excellents and some more classifying close to that mark. CThe farm BAA was more than 107.) No. 34 was scored a Very Good 85, though not classified this past round because of being dry. She “walks uphill,” carrying a long, large, deep, strong frame with good width. The second highest producer in the Good herd is one of their Excellent cows, a Cleitus daughter that produced 36,000 pounds at 305-days and is expected to make more than 40,000 at 365 days. For those who have been fol lowing Pa.DHIA end-of-year records closely, especially those published in the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association annual yearbooks, the herd of Curvin and Dawn Good has been near the top of Lebanon County’s high averaging list for several years. That is an accomplishment in a county which has had the highest herd average in the state for several years. However, the yearbook records for the past three years seem a little confusing. The Goods’ herd last year was 11th statewide among the Holstein herds with a rolling herd average on more than 80 cows of 26,399 pounds of milk. The previous year, the Good’s herd averaged more than 90 cows and produced an average 24,259 pounds of milk. This year their herd average, on 71 cows was 26,379 pounds of milk. Curvin said that to someone reviewing only the Pa.DHIA records, it may appear as though he has been culling and dropping 10 cows per year from the milking string, while concentrating on increasing production per cow. That is actually a strategy offered in some cases by Penn State Extension experts for those seeking to maximize the piofit-to investment ratios. However, Curvin said what actually happened was that he and his brother Jay. who had formed a partnership years ago and taken LIQUID MANURE HAULING 1-4000 gal. Tank Truck 1-4400 gal. Tank Truck Featuring Flotation Tires SERVING YOU BETTER IN Northumberland and Surrounding Counties in the Northern Tier. CALL TODAY (717) 649-5532 Richard Owens, Box 191, Turbotville, PA 17772 fpH LANCO I I LI CONCRETE WALLS | AgHcoitural WE DO SCS WORK-ALL TYPES OF POURED WALLS • Retaining Walls • Bunker Silos • Manure Pits (circular or rectangular) • Slatted Floor Deep Pits • Footers • Flatwork CONTACT: STEVE PETERBHEIM, JR. P.O. Box 256, Bird-In-Hand, PA 17505 717-291-4585 • (FAX) 717-291-4686 "A w*-*** ••WWSJT »p i, '• over the family farm from their father Willis, dissolved their part nership three years ago when they had about 100 milking cows. The switch-over really came in the spring of 1993, and at that time Curvin and Jay each took away about 48 cows. Curvin bought some additional to fill out his milk ing string and was milking 65 dur ing 1993, but the records (con tained in the 1994 yearbook) showed a herd average of 81 animals. That happened because Pa.DHIA records took into account all the cows milked that year before the brothers split the partnership, and afterward. From now on, Curvin said, he expects that he will keep the milk ing herd at about 70 animals. He said he feeds a totally mixed ration made with haylage, silage, high moisture com, soymeal and some bean flake, along with min erals. He milks out of a 50-tie stall bam and feeds with a Weaverline cart, that he said allows him to feed quickly. Top Fat Producer The top cow for milk fat produc tion for the year was also a Holstein a 6-year-old regis tered cow owned by James Har leis, of Ebensburg, in Cambria County. Harteis milks three times per day according to the Pa.DHIA records. His cow, listed as No. 1, made 1,890 pounds of fat Her milk output was 32,100 pounds of milk and she gave 977 pounds of protein during the lactation that started July 30, 1993. The percentage of fat in the milk from No. 1 was not the highest listed of the top fat producers, but DAIRY CATTLE HOOF TRIMMING Hydraulic Tilt Table M. A c V * » Hr * il was very dose with 3.9 percent fat The protein component was 3 percent. Top Herds The top averaging herd for milk is owned by Rob and Donna Van Blarcom of Columbia Cross Roads, with 29,136 pounds of milk from 78 grade and registered cows. That herd’s fat production average was 934 pounds, while protein was 934 pounds. The lop averaging protein pro ducing herd was a 71-cow held of registered and grade Holsteins owned by Frederick Farms, in Martinsburg. The herd averaged 909 pounds protein, 1,116 pounds fat and 29,059 pounds milk. The herd with the top fat pro duction was owned by R.V. and S.V. Hollenshead, of Mercers burg. Sire Power New Classifications TUNKHANNOCK (Wyoming Co.) Sire Power Inc., an artifi cial insemination business based in Tunkhannock, has announced sev eral classification increases it has received oq Holstein bulls. According to a recent news release, 9H1289 Art-Acre Ned Boy Oascar-Et TL, bred by Arthur Rhoderick, of Hagerstown, Md., received a classification increase to Excellent-92. Also receiving an increase was 9H147S Juniper Cleitus lag-ET BL. Bred by Juniper Farm Cattle Partnership in Gray, Maine. Jag is 13th on the top 100 TPI list According to the news release. Jag is also the top sire on the Holstein Association’s ranking of regis wmmmmamiwimmuwimnmmfimmin Roll away your workday on the dependable Suzuki Quadßunner® F 250. ■ User-friendly features include electric start and an automatic clutch. ■ Rugged 246 cc 4-stroke engine pumps out plenty of low-end torque. ■ Operator comfort provided by four-wheel independent suspension system. 1 Ready for work with full-size cargo racks and trailer hitch Suzuki Qpadßunner ATVs may be used only by those aged 16 and older. Suzuki highly recommends that all ATV riders take a training course. Well even pay (or it. For safety and training course information, see your dealer or call the SVIA at 1-800- 852-5344. ATVs can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never ride on paved surfaces or public roads. Never carry passengers or engage in stunt riding Riding and alcohol or other drugs don't mix. Avoid excessive speeds. Be extra careful on difficult terrain. Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Suzuki urges you to "TREAD LIGHTLY” on public and private land Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment; local laws and the rights of others when you ride. Professional rider pictured. The ride you've been waiting for."' t, f * **• * *-*•»«» 1 *, -» * The 140-cow herd of registered and grade Holsteins averaged 1,183 pounds of fat, 906 pounds of protein and 28,470 pounds of milk. Herd Management Award Winners The annual top herd manage ment award was shared this year between the farm of Mark and David Campbell of Armstrong County and Fantasyland Farm in Berks County. The two farms tied in the num ber of points earned to win the award. The points are tallied according to a variety of dairying aspects, that all indicate an improvement in management. The lists of top milk, fat, and protein cows and rolling herd aver ages can be found starting on page D 2 of this issue. Announces teied and commercial sires. Another sire to receive an upgrade in type classification was 9H1488 Rockalli Vanquish-ET TL. According to Sire Power, Van quish is a Cleitus son bred at the Ml Vernon, Washington farm of Hubert and Mitchell Johnson, and Vanquish was recently scored Excellent-91. The company also reported that a number of sires were increased in score with four raised to Very Good-87; one to Very Good-86; three to Good Plus 84; one to Good Plus 83; and one to Plus-59. For more information, call Sire Power Inc., at (717) 836-1490. * j* •
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers