(Continued from Pag* AM)
made. The solution was the deve
lopment of a manually operated
sorting device that simplifies the
task (see “Development Of A
Simple Forage And TMR Particle-
Size Separator”).
In keeping with the mission of
the Department of Dairy and Ani
mal Science to facilitate transfer
and application of relevant infor
mation and to develop and imple
ment programs in the public inter
est, die Dairy Catde Nutrition
Extension Group is working on a
"cafeteria menu” of educational
programs that can be tailored to
individual needs in the feed indus-
Research
Development of a simple forage
and TMR particle-size separator
Participants
Jud Heinrichs, Dennis Buck
master. and Brian Lammeis
Objective
Develop a simple device to mea
sure forage and TMR particle size
and characterize particle-size dis
tribution so feed recommendations
can be made.
Approach
Characterizing and interpreting
particle size allows consultants
and farmers to refine feeding prog
rams. An existing ASAE standard
instrument requires use of a motor
ized device with five sieves and a
bottom pan. Penn Stale’s simpli
fied. manually operated device
mimics this with only two sieves
and a bottom pan.
‘E-I-'E-I-O
try. A recent offering was Novem
ber’s Dairy Feed Industry Semi
nar, an educational program on
timely issues and topics related to
nutrition and feeding manage
ment Nearly all of those attending
at one of four sites said the material
was “practical and useful,” and
rated both speakers and the prog
ram overall “outstanding.”
Plans call for a repeat of last
February’s highly successful
Dairy Nutrition Teleconferences
and Workshops, offered at 35 loca
tions in Pennsylvania and six near
by states. The which
reached more than 500 people,
combined local hands-on activities
Findings
Forage particle length affects
both silage fermentation and utili
zation by ruminant animals. Dairy
cows require fiber for maintenance
erf rumen function. Rumination
and cud chewing stimulate produc
tion of saliva, which buffets the.
rumen.
Forage particle length, as well
as distribution of particles in a
TMR, can be important factors in
formulating diets for dairy cows.
This is of particular importance
when the forage portion is low or
when total dietary NDF is margi
nal and coming largely from by
product sources .-Measuring forage
and total diet particle length is a
useful nutritional tool, together
with forage analysis and ration
formulation.
Rationale
Summary
conducted by extension agents and
interaction with University faculty
via satellite. As a result of these
workshops, Penn State experts
have been invited to present papers
at two national symposiums in
1995.
This year’s sessions—expected
to reach nearly 700 farmers at
nearly SO locations across eight
states will take participants, via
satellite, through a feed mill, on
farm tours, and even inside the
rumen of a dairy cow!
Using satellite communication
for technology transfer, extension
specialists can deliver information,
to far more people in a matter of
hours than what used to take two
people nearly a month of state
wide travel. In preparation for their
role as facilitators at the satellite
conference down-link sites, coun
ty agents attend inservice sessions
many also via satellite that
prepare them to lead the work
shops. In turn, they benefit from
the additional training and are bet
ter prepared to educate at the local
level.
Among other activities of Penn
State’s Dairy Cattle Nutrition
Extension Group will be a Nutri
tion Inservice in March to teach
troubleshooting skills to feed mill
owners, sales representatives, and
veterinarians. Smaller workshops
are also in the planning stages for
feed industry professionals.
For more information on any of
these programs, contact Jud Hein
richs. (814) 863-3916.
While Dick Adams’s legacy
obviously will continue to influ
ence the feeding of dairy cattle in
Pennsylvania and beyond, the
torch has been passed on b a new
group of authorities whose part
nered efforts will bring Penn
State’s resources to an even wider
and more diverse audience.
Adams Steps Back,
Richard S. Adams became a
legend during his nearly 40-year
tenure at The Pennsylvania State
University. His efforts on behalf of
dairy producers were multiplied
many times by the close working
relationships he forged with coun
ty extension personnel, industrial
nutritionists, veterinarians, and
farm organizations over the years.
Adams assisted dairy farmers
thousands of times with myriad
serious problems. His innate abili
ty to inform, motivate, and organ
ize people resulted in widespread
adoption of many novel practices
and programs that proved success
ful on dairy farms.
Adams was recognized as a top
dairy cattle nutritionist at local,
state, national, and international
levels. Even Lyndon Johnson and
Bill Clinton have sought his advice
on matters agricultural.
Since his retirement early in
1992, Adams has functioned in
more of a “behind-the-scenes” role
in Dairy and Animal Science
Extension. These days you’re just
as likely to find him on stage with a
popular local band. The Bavarian
•ySemows
Firming, Saturday,
Not Down
Stompers, or serving as hunting
camp cook. Much of his summers
are now spent at his favorite place
in the world a small inn on an
island off the coast of Maine which
he manages alongside his long
time partner, wife Marilyn.
Richard S. Adams
Emeritus Professor
Penn State
1994-/
■A3I
t