EB-Uncaster Fanfling, Saturday, June 3, 1995 DHIA Changes For Next Century Pennsylvania is putting an increased emphasis on AM/PM DHIA testing and innovative pro grams to position DHIA for the next century. Recently announced changes in pricing place AM/PM plans in a more favorable light against the traditional twice a day regimen, and new experimental types of test may help some dairy men save additional money on their monthly DHIA bills. In the last year alone, about 20 percent of DHIA members have switched from 2X programs to AM/PM programs, and the move to AM/PM hasn’t slowed yet. In just the closing weeks of the year, more Khan a hundred herds changed testing schemes, continu ing a trend that was strong throughout 1994. “There’s no doubt that AP is the wave of the future,” said Dean Amick, PA DHIA’s director of field services. “We’re now at 2/3 of all herds on test using AP, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that num ber is more like 3/4 of herds by spring.” The charts of enrollment in var ious types of test in 1993 and 1994 tell the story. While official records continued to provide the bread and butter of DHIA’s busi ness at around 90 percent a number that has remained stable over the years the shift in offi cial plans to AM/PM is clear, (see charts) “I think two things really account for the push," Amick said, “the Holstein Association’s accep tance of AP tests was one factor, and of course our own pricing changes were the other.” Are members happy about the change? “For the most part, yes,” Amick said, “although some folks are still skeptical about AP. No matter how long the program’s been around, or how good the research is, there will always be some skep tics. But we really don’t have any choice. By far and away the biggest cost we have is putting a technician on the farm on test day, and AM/PM reduces that cost to the farmer, and to us, by one test per day. It’s as simple as that.” But is there any reason to be suspicious of AP testing? Not according to Jim Boyer, Pennsylvania DHIA’s Processing Center manager. “If you look at the comparison between milk shipped and milk weighed on test day, that’s what counts. And we see virtually no difference between AP and 2X plans. In fact the overage between 2X milk weighed and shipped, and the same numbers for AP is slight ly smaller, showing that, if any thing, AP testing may be just slightly more accurate. Statistical ly speaking we see virtually the same average, and the same over all distribution.” (see chart) “If you don’t think the numbers will apply in your herd, there’s a good test available,” he said. “The DHIA technician’s laptop pro gram allows him to calculate total milk weights. If you’re currently testing 2X, have the technician run the AP total calculation the next time he’s in your barn. Right after the first milking print off a list of total milk weights and compare the results with what you actually see after the cows are milked the second time. Maybe you’ll still find that AP isn’t for you, but you may be surprised. On the leading edge of DHIA testing plans are the LER, or Labor Efficient Records pro grams, now in their seventh year. Under LER testing, a farmer with electronic metering equip ment takes milk weights on a monthly or semi-monthly basis and forwards those results to the DHIA processing center, either electronically or on diskette. Milk is only actually weighed and sam pled by the DHIA technician on a quarterly basis. “Pennsylvania DHIA was one of the first in the country to be involved in this program, and we’ve seen slow but steady growth,” Boyer said. “As on-farm computing becomes more and more common, I expect the LER type programs to really take off. At this point. I’m not sure how many of our dairymen really even know about them. We have about two dozen herds on the option. Mostly, but not exclusive ly, the larger herds have signed up so far.” Bulktank v.Testday Milkweights 2X Supervised (DHI) Herds in 1994 Bulktank v. Testday Milkweight Beaver Allen Barr Holsteins, Swiontek Dairy Farm. Bedford Mervin Weaver, Tom & Karen Eshelman, Mark Snyder, Mervin Z. Marlin, Winding Brook Farm, Warren Oberholtzer. Berks Kirbyville Holsteins, John & Beth Schueller, One Hill Farm Moyer, Neil W. Stoudt, Carl Oberholtzer, Aaron R. Martin, David Rohrer, Lee or Timothy Behm. Blair Robert N. Stultz. Bradford Scott Mosier, Denise A. Knell er, Thomascrest Farm, James L. Shedden. Carbon Steele Farm, Centre Daniel Warntz, Scarlet Oak Farm, Abner Z. Fisher, Hosterman Bros. Chester Comer Ketch C. Corp, Paul S Lapp, John Ray King. Beyond LER there are a num ber of innovative or experimental programs. Some of the options available include: alternate DHI supervised and owner supervised tests on test day,’alternate DHI supervised and owner supervised tests on a monthly basis, APCS quarterly sampling, and a number of variations on the 2X LER pro gram for those herds with elec tronic meters. Amick said that right now Pennsylvania has about 75 herds enrolled in various innovative options, and points out that not all of them are restricted to herds with electronic equipment. “Some of the best innovative plans are designed around letting the member take some of the milk weights and have the technician take the others when he comes to sample,” he said. % of Bulktank AM/PM Herds in 1994 % of Bulktank Clarion Ken Crissman, Jeff/Galye Jones. Clearfield Steve Hansel, Blackburn Dairy Farm. David Z. King, Daniel M. Stolt zfus, David L. Fisher, Ed & Jackie Seyler. Cumberland Justa Beauty Colors, Enos Bru baker, Eric Jordan Herd. Dean Benges, Lorie Schweit zer, Mark Vogel. Lynn & Rhonda Stone, Stephen N. Leinbach, Charles Geotz, Con rad J. Hege, Mi-Rose Jerseys, Kenneth R. Wadel, Wit-Brook Farms. Indiana Ridge Top Dairy. Lancaster Abner G. Zook, Lloyd M. Bru baker, Leroy S. King. Lawrence Jeff McKissick. New Herds List Clinton Erie Franklin “There arc a lot of alternatives, both for cost-savings, and in order to minimize the amount of incon venience a DHIA technician might cause on test day. I really say that no technician should have any body quit DHIA anymore. We just have so mush flexibility in what wc can allow in official programs that wc never had in the past.” But Amick cautioned (hat the innovative plans, while official, arc regarded as “provisional” by National DHIA. “I don’t doubt in the ling run most of these are going to be made regular DHIA tests,” Amick said. “That's what happened with LER, Kindig Receives Leadership Award Robert Kindig EVERETT NEWSWANGER Managing Editor STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) Robert Kindig, the Pen nsylvania dairyman from Conesto ga in Lancaster County, received the Clyde Robinson Leadership Award at the Pennsylvania DHIA annual meeting. The award created two years ago Lebanon Chris & Steph Anderson, Luzerne Andy Zagata Lycoming Scott & Rhonda Lovell, Bryon & Evelyn Bitner. Mercer B&K Dairy, H. Valley F Ed Andrus. Mifflin Shady-Run Farm, Willows Farm. Montour Noah A. Hostetler, A&A Dairy Farm. Northampton Heather Ford, Nicole Roth, Carol Kloiber. Northumberland Gary Whitmoyer, Gravel Springs Farm, Merle Zimmerman. Perry Edward & Irene Horn. Potter Bill Vanetten. which was once an innovative plan. In the meantime, I have dairymen check with their AI units, or with their breed associa tions to see how (hey feel about a particular innovative program. While we might allow it, some body at a bull stud might have questions if the herd is on a young sire program, for example. When in doubt, call the people who are using your records outside of DHIA to be sure.” Call DHIA if you’re interested in LER or innovative plans for your own herd, and ask for Dean Amick at I -800-DHI-TEST. by the board of directors is in mem ory of the late Clyde Robinson, who spent a lifetime in service to the dairy industry and especially DHIA. It is given to a dairy farmer who has proven to be a leader in the dairy industry. Frank Omcr, association presi dent, made the presentation and said Kindig exemplifies the ideals that were put forth in the award. Having completed an unprece dented three-year term as president of the National DHIA, Kindig has also served as president of his state and local DHIA, as well as the loc al school board. In addition, he has been a4-H leader and served on the local extension board and the coun ty Holstein board. In t written tribute, Glenn Shirk, Lancaster County Agent, said Kin dig is perceptive to the needs of the dairy industry and how people, in spite of differences, can work together to the mutual benefit of all. Obviously moved by the award, Kindig said the award was espe cially meaningful because of whom it was named. “Clyde was my mentor.” Kindig said. “I try to live up to the ideals he set for DHIA, but I never profess to have achieved that stature in the indus try. Clyde was ah example to fol low and it is with sincere gratitude that I accept the award." Snyder Enos L. Horst. Somerset Carey Kimmel, David & Barba ra Mast, Harris Farms, Hickory Bottom, Donald Diller, Ernest Holsopple. Susquehanna Fred Benson, Frank J. Payne, Warrendale Farm, Paul Berdbener. Tioga Lynn-Eddie-Lee Farm, Union Floyd W. Martin, Shoemaker Bros, Zi-Wes J Dairy Farm, Clear Mountain Holstein. Warren Rolling Acres. Washington Triple Ridge Acres. Wayne Foxland Farm, Brian/Bruce Frisbie, James & Linda Billard, Rullel Labar. Westmoreland Hixson “J” Farm. York Scott D. Marstellar. *