Cull For Improvement LARRY SPECHT PSU Dairy Science Extension STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) Data from the 1993-94 Pa.DHIA test year show that almost a third of the cows in tested herds were replaced last year. Reasons for removal can be divided into two categories; volun- Ear Com 57.20 ton 2.86 cwL Alfalfa Hay - 99.25 ton 4.96 CWL 11995 SOUTHEAST PA DAIRY DAYS NEW ENGLAND DAIRY CONSULTANT FEATURE SPEAKERS < Family Heritage Restaurant, Franconia Agricultural Center, north of Reading ► »llimi I T T-VMMIWI VVIIIIH , »w - ! East Brandywine Fireball, Guthriesvilie Holiday li \ Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00p.m j □ Registration jand Visit Commercial Exhibits I □ Keeping Yearling Heifers Healthy ft Growing - j Dr. A. J. “Jud" Heinrichs, Penn State Daily i Nutritionist f □ Using Commodities in • Feeding Program - j Dr. Brian L. Perkins, Dairy Management & S Nutrition Consultant { □ Cow Comfort in s Stall Bam - j Dr. Robert E. Craves, Penn State \ Agricultural Engineer { □ Lunch and Visit Commercial Exhibits | □ Managing for Maximum Profits - } Dr. Brian L. Perkins, Consultant > □ Dry Cow Management - i Dr. A. J. “Jud" Heinrichs, Penn State tary culling, and involuntary culling. The total ratio of involuntary culling to voluntary removals was 80.9 percent-to-19.1 percent, or 4:1. Top managers strive for a ratio of 1:1. (Turn to Pag* Age) PROGRAM Average Farm Feed Costs For Handy Reference To help farmeis across the state to have handy reference of com modity input costs in their feeding operations for DHIA record sheets or to develop livestock feed cost data, here’s last week’s average costs of various ingredients as compiled from regional reports across the state of Pennsylvania. Remember these are averages so you will need to adjust your figure* up or down according to your loca tion and the quality of your crop. Com, No. 2y - 2.16 bu. 3.86 cwL Wheat, No. 2 - 3.43 bu. 5.72 cwt. Barley, No. 3 - 1.74 bu. 3.72 cwt Oats, No. 2 -1.48 bu. 4.60 cwt Soybeans, No. 1 - 5.11 bu. 8.53 cwt Inn, Rt 512, Bethlehem FOR RESERVATIONS. CONTACT. mtaomerv/Bucks Com Tim Fritz (610)489-4315 Cheater Countv Walter Wurster (610)696-3500 Berki Countv Clyde Myers (610) 378-1327 Lehlgh/Northampton 8 New Jesev Counties Greg Solt (610)746-1970 Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Dacembar 17,1994-A25 Ag Position Opens major emphasis of my work.” Howes is the first agricultural directior in the chamber and has had a great impact on what the pos ition in Lancaster has become. But Howes does not equate himself and the position as one and the same. “The position will go on even if I am not here,” Howes said. With agriculture as a distinct part of the business community that is representative by the cham ber, several things have happened. First, agriculture has begun to look at itself as a business. “You can not look at fanning as a way of life until you look at farming as a way of business,” Howes said. “You cannot enjoy farm life if you can’t afford to farm.” Another outcome of this inclu sion of agriculture in the Lancaster Chamber of Commence has been the opportunity to present the far mer's viewpoint to other members of the chamber. It is news to a lot of business people that because of its diversity, farm subsidies have very little effect on the local farm eco nomy. And a new rapport among chamber members has developed because farms and business share many of the same problems. Both the farm financial seminars and the farm/city activities at Kreider Farms has also been very successful. John Barley, Lancaster County (ConllniMd from Pago A 1) representative, was instrumental in placing Howes in the staff position in Hanisbutg. Barley said Howes’ organizational experience, practi cal farm experience, and his research experience as part of the chamber position made him ideally suited for the staff position. Specifically, Howes will have the responsibility to research the technical background as a new piece of legislation is developed. “It’s important to have someone who knows ag to be able to advise at this point in the process,” Barley said. Meanwhile back in Lancaster, the search is on for a new “Lancas ter Secretary of Agriculture". It is the hope of die ag committee, chaired by Ken Meek, that a new person can be named in a very short time. “This position in the chamber gives us a way to emphasize agri culture as a business with problems just like any other business,” Meek said. “And it helps to show the importance of agriculture to the other segments of the economy. This elevation of agriculture into the business community has been quite beneficial to everyone, and we hope a new person can be named in a very short time so that this good effort between agricul ture and the chamber can continue without much interruption.” Jay Howes