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Vol. 40 NO. 4
Planning For Future Key For These Susquehanna County Farmers
Sandra Wllmot feeds the calves. A gradu
ate of the Dalry-MAP program, Sandra says
she would recommend the program to
others, especially young farmers.
National DHIA Rules To Change, Testing Options Broaden
VERNON ACHENBACH JR.
Lancaster Fanning Staff
COLUMBUS, Ohio Two major aspects of testing
the production of dairy cattle in the United States are
being considered for change in 1995.
According to Phil Dukas, manager of the National
Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) Inc.,
headquartered in Columbus. Ohio, and reports pub
lished in the organization’s newsletter for DHIA leaders,
rules governing the records collecting process, as well as
subsequent changes to the data-collection options are set
for change in 1995.
Although specifics are to be discussed and worked out
during late winter and spring, Dukas said that for several
yean a call for rules'changes has been growing from
member-producers and local DHIA leadership.
The major thrust of change is to evaluate rules on the
PERIODICALS DIVISION
PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
W 209 PATTEE LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY PARK PA 16802-1802
604 Per Copy
Lancaster Firming, Saturday, December 3, 1994
Mark Wllmot prepares to feed their 45
milking Holstelne. All forages are tested fre
quently and the top dress balanced
accordingly.
basis of emphasizing information over enforcement.
The recipient rtf this information can then decide if
certain herd or cow records are useful and accurate.
According to the newsletter report, there are three
major reasons for such a change: one is related to the leg
al costs involved with DHIAs serving in an enforcement
capacity; another reason is because of the increased flow
of information to allied industry; and the other reason
has to do with the use of computer technology and the
uses of records information by numerous other agencies.
In essence, the rules changes sought would free
DHIAs from having to serve as the “integrity police” for
the industry, and thus release the organization from
being involved in specific legal battles in questionable
situations.
The concept for change includes shifting responsibili
ty for determining accuracy of an individual producer’s
Located In the shadows of Elk Mountain, a popular ski
resort, provides the Wllmots with a spectacular view, however
the pressures of development are getting greater each year.
Editor’s Note: Every year sev
eral hundred Pennsylvania dairy
farms go out of business. Chang
ing times make incorporating
sound management technologies
important for the efficiency and
profitability of dairy farm
businesses.
In an effort to respond to the
need for up-to-date business
management information, many
dairy industry officials and orga
nizations have turned to Penn
State’s Dairy-MAP program as
one way to help stabilize and
reverse the downward trend of
the dairy industry in
Pennsylvania.
This is the first of three farm
interviews with family members
who have participated in one of
the Dairy-MAP seminars held
across the state last year.
reported data to those organizations which use the data.
Some of those organizations include the various breed
oranizations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and
the artificial insemination industry.
This means those other organizations are going to
have to figure out what data they can use from what the
farmer can afford to have collected. At the same time,
the farmer will have to figure out what kind of testing
program he needs to have his data qualify for considera
tion by outside groups.
This is expected to eliminate a significant amount of
legal liability for DHIA member-fraud, costs tied up in
appeals and civil suits, and the other associated costs -
which are currently being shouldered by all members, -
the majority of whom are honest, Dukas said.
Four Sections
CAROLYN N. MOYER
Bradford Co. Correspondent
' CLIFFORD TOWNSHIP (Sus
quehanna Co.) For Mark and
Sandy Wilmot, farming on top of a
hill has its rewards. The biggest
plus is the incredible view. But
when that hill is also home to Elk
Mountain Ski Area, there are
unique challenges to overcofne.
When Marie was young, he can
remember when the area was full
of farms. Slowly, the active farms
have disappeared. When the Wil
mots were married in 1967, there
were about 50 farms in the area. By
the time the dairy buyout took
place there were only 18. Today
the number has dropped to about
one dozen.
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