Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, December 23, 1995, Image 75
Herd And Cow Profiles LARRY SPECHT Professor of Dairy Science, PSU UNIVERSITY PARK—The DHIA program will take a new approach to the verification of production data in 1996. The new Herd and Cow Profile system when put in place should help pro tect individual DHIA affiliates from costly lawsuits that arise over disagreements between indi vidual herd owners and their DHIA service providers. There will be no change in the procedures for the proper collec tion of production and identifica tion information but rules that dic tate a producers code of ethics will be replaced by the Herd and Cow Profiles. Central to the “profile” concept is the idea of “open dis closure.” This means that all District Meetings PA DHIA diitrict meetingi will be held Jan. 23, 1996 through Feb. S, 1996. Date District Feb. S 1 and 2 Location Bonanza Rest., Franklin Hoss's, Greensburg Jan. 31 3 and 6 Jan. 30 4 Ox Yoke Inn, Galeton Jan. 29 13. 14 & 16 Bonanza Rest., Wysox Jan. 23 South Ridge, State College Crosskeys Rest., Feb. 1 Crosskeys Family Restaurant, Jan. 24 Mifflintown Happy Hollow Rest, Feb. 2 Saxton Hoss's, Gxton Jan. 25 Blue Mm. Rest, Jan. 26 Shartlesville DAVE SLUSSER General Manager STATE COLLEGE (Centre County)—The PA DHIA Board action over the last six months can be categorized into four major areas; Long Range Planning and new services; Educational Pro grams; Business Management; and Membership. Long Range Planning and New Services The board appointed a Long Range Planning Committee to set the course for PA DHIA into the next century. The committee will explore the cooperative’s struc ture, the changing dairy industry, the role to be played by PA DHIA, the possibilities of corporations with other farm cooperatives, and the development of new services. MUN (Milk Urea Nitrogen) analysis was introduced to provide a new nutrition management tool for our members, and a MUN Herd Summary Report was deve loped by PA DRPC. A Perfor mance Economics Program was developed to be introduced to the members so they can better evalu ate their production cost for the herd, groups within the herd, and individual cows.. The board gave top priority to the development of a PC based data processing program. PA DHIA does not plan to purchase a new main frame computer, but move to a PC based system which is more economical to run. potential users of a herds informa tion will be able to access it. Potential users are AI units inter ested in buying or contracting for young sires as well as breed asso ciations or individuals who want to check on the credentials of ani mals that are to be sold at promo tional sales or farm dispersals. Other segments of the industry responsible for documenting pro duction increases and genetic gain such as the USDA Animal Improvement Program Lab (AIPL) and Extension personnel would also have access to such information. Producers who refuse to agree to open disclosure of their herds information would not gain the confidence of poten tial buyers and could lose sales of breeding stock. Dr. Todd Meinert, research sci entist with the National Dairy durrounded members of a Polish extension agent delegation to the United Improvement Association says States, Pat Toretti, senior computer programmer for Pa.DHIA, sits at a computer and that “Herd profiles will provide demonstrates the abilities of modem data processing equipment and technology to information that allows all users serve dairy farmers. responsibilities and work flow of of DHIA data to determine the „ i* i_ A A Pa-DHIA and the services it pro quahty (accuracy) of the data pro- OpenS DOOFS TO Polish Ag AgCmS vides for its members. duced by the herd, as well as-the * characteristics of the herd.” If users don’t feel that the data are accurate, they can choose not to do business with the herd. What sort of information will be available under “open disclo sure?” Many items are recorded such as the rolling herd average for the past twelve months, the number of cows on test and the number of cows with identifica tion changes in the last year, the percentage of cows, sires and dams with valid identification, and the percentage of cows com 'pleting 305 day lactations in a year. Lactation curves are plotted for individual cows and for their contemporaries. A comparison of the test day mil’c weights versus the bulk tank weights will be shown. Bulk tank comparison pro (Tum to Pago C 8) 9 and 10 11 and 12 7 and 8 17 and 15 Summary Of Board Action As part of the marketing plan, field technicians received training in marketing, and an advertising and promotion program was deve loped. The Westfalia Dairy Plan Program is being marketed by our technicians and has been put on the laptop computers to leave test day reports to our members. Educational Programs and Seminars Three technicians training programs and local training ses sions were conducted during the year. Information was given on the MUN program and its benefits to our members, as well as other technician responsibilities. Seminars for veterinarians and nutritionists were held throughout Pennsylvania to seek advice and suggestion on PA DHIA service. Educational meetings were held on the MUN program with the help of Dr. Jim Ferguson and Dr. Linda Baker from New Bolton Center. Plans are underway to hold edu cational meetings throughout Pennsylvania on the Performance Economics Program that has been developed. Membership Action The director districts were rear ranged to-include new members in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. The one day Annual Meeting held last year was evaluated, and STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) Earlier this year a delega tion of agriculture agents and directors of extension services in Poland toured the State College area and included a visit and tour of Pennsylvania Dairy Herd Improvement Association in their itinerary. The Polish delegation was here for two weeks as part of an ongo ing extension-exchange program which helps educate both sides involved. Pa.DHIA Manager Dave Sluss er and his wife Kaye helped serve as tour guides for the group, some of whom they met previously and developed working relationships several years ago the Slussers had been in Poland on a project to help dairy farmers the same format will be followed at the February 16,1996 meeting. A survey of the members attend ing indicated an overwhelming support to continue with a one day meeting. The same roundtable dis cussion format was approved for the district meetings. Besides the normal business conducted at the district and annual meetings, Dr. James Ferguson will make a pre sentation on MUN, and Dave Slusser will present the Perfor mance Economic Program. The structure of the Executive Committee was changed to include; President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer and Executive Committee Mem ber at large, and the immediate past President. The President can only succeed himself 3 consecu tive years then a new President is elected. The immediate past Presi dent is on the Executive Commit tee one year after being President without voting rights. He must be off die executive, committee one year before being eligible to be elected back on the executive committee. The executive com mittee member at large has voting rights but cannot be re-elected in that position. The planning committee reviewed the entire recognition program at the local and state level and recommended a uniform program pf recognition at each county annual meeting. The board approved the recommendation. Business Action The board reviewed the credit La nontar taming, Saturday, Oacambar 23, 1906-C7 there boost milk production. While in Poland, the Slussers witnessed the establishment of DHIA services there, and met with several of the agents during that time. Now, those Polish agents got an opportunity to see the moderniza tion of Pa.DHIA services and how milk samples are conducted and reports created. On several occasions, members of the Polish delegation remarked on the high production and super iority of American dairy cattle. They said they were amazed to see the high records of American cows. The group toured the Pa.DHIA laboratory and data processing center, meeting with employees while getting an explanation of the policies of the co-op and made changes. The basic policy is that payment for service is due test day. A uniform system was approved for fees, pay, bonus and benefits for all employees. The board sets the policies and approves the budget by which the management runs the cooperative. The board hires the General Man ager who in turn hires other PADHIA EIGHTH ANNUAL CORPORATE MEETING AT THE HOLIDAY INN 1450 SOUTH ATHERTON STREET STATE COLLEGE, PA. VOU ARE INVITED BVTHE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE PA DHIA TO ATTEND THE EIGHTH ANNUAL CORPORATE MEETING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16,1996. FEATURE SPEAKER JAMES FERGUSON, VMD OF NEW.BOLTON CENTER, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ON MILK UREA NITROGEN REGISTRATION WILL BE SENT TO YOU LATER. LOOK FOR IT WITH VOUR MONTHLY REPORTS IN DECEMBER AND JANUARY Performance Economics (Continued from Pago C 6) cost per cow lactation total to date. 4) Net income per cow lactation total to date and 5) after cow com pleted lactation, net income for each cow. On Individual Cow Page: 1) Net income per lactation including lifetime profit. PA DHIA has requested time on Dairy Day Programs to present this program to you. We are also requesting our county DHIA com mittees to schedule county meet ings on Performance Economics. Dr. Steve Ford or Dave Slusser will conduct these meetings. If you cannot wait for a meeting, contact Judy Walker at PA DHIA. Our address is Orchard Road, Uni versity Park, PA 16802, or call 1-800-DHI-TEST and Judy will send the program out to PA DHIA members free. employees he needs in order to provide the service to the mem bers. The manager must follow the policies set by the board, and he is the only employee of the board. The just completed fiscal year included a good improvement in the finances and new services to members. It was a busy and pro ductive year for the board.