ITHACA, N.Y. The ninth annual meeting of the Northeast Daily Herd Improvement Associ ation Inc. was held recently in Ithaca. N.Y. The meeting brought together 63 delegates representing the dairymen members in Connecti cut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, Ver mont, New York and Pennsylvan ia. The two days were dedicated to reviewing and discussing the cur rent status of Northeast DHIA and its proposed ventures to position the organization’s herd manage ment services for the future. General Manager Ndvin Empet opened the general session with a theme from the well known poem by Robert Frost, “The Road Less ■Daveled." Empet reviewed some of the ty energy prediction system, innovations the cooperative has recently adopted by the Lab. The been involved in and suggested new prediction takes into account that by selecting the “road less protein, fiber components, non traveled” Northeast DHIA has not structural carbohydrates' and fat only delivered better management The system brings improved tools for Northeast Dairy produc- energy values for common feeds ers but blazed trails for dairy pro- and forages and the capability to ducers and DHIA services give energy values for uncommon throughout the United States. plant origin feeds, where previ- A few examples include the ously the industry could only use “AP” program which was intro* book values. This system does not duced by the cooperative in 1972 predict energy for feeds of animal and amongst controversy began to origin, publish AP records in 1980. The Milk Analysis Laboratory Man- Somatic Cell program was started ager John Malaney reviewed the in the Northeast with a complete new Milk Urea Nitrogen analysis report in 1978. NIR technology and the growth of that service, was intitiated in the Forage Milk Urea Nitrogen analysis of Analysis laboratory in 1981. Also milk can help a nutritionist deter in 1981 milk protein testing was mine how well animals are being made standard with milk fat test- fed and if the balance of energy ing. Most recently. Milk Urea Ni- and proteins are correct in the trogen (MUN) toting was intro- ration. The service continues to Northeast DHIA. Jack van Almelo, marketing Empct acknowledged the record processing system change Completed in 1996 briefly took a bumpy side road but got back on track by ending up at DRPC Raleigh. He expressed his grati tude for the vision, leadership and courage of the Northeast board and the efforts and support pro vided by Cornell University, dairy producers and Northeast DHIA staff. “Financially Northeast DHIA is strong,” he said. “The balance ijtev Cedar Crest Equipment Tirltr TWo Convenient Locations Northeast DHIA Reports sheet is very strong with adequate reserves.” He attributed that strength to Northeast DHIA being able to go into their fifth year with no gener- al fee increase for DHIA services. In addressing the issue of the proposed alliance with Dairylea, he pointed out that in the future there will be fewer herds and cows supplying the milk needed in the market place and those herds will have even more diverse needs than today. This alliance was proposed by two strong organizations, out of the need for greater efficiencies and to facilitate the consolidation of information services for dairies in the Northeast, he said. Paul Sirois the manager of the DHI Forage Analysis Laboratory discussed the Ohio State Universi- director, reviewed the new service packages scheduled to be released this winter. According to Mr. van Almelo, “The actions a dairy can take on a cow to make money are relatively few and uncomplicated, but being organized with a man agement information system that truly fits each dairy’s unique cir cumstances is the issue.” He indi cated the new service packages represent the next generation in custom services and are possible because of the changes Northeast a 608 Evargraan Rd. Labanon. PA 17042 (717)270-6600 1-800-646-6601 DHIA completed in the last year. Diane Ledvina, field services specialists for Northeast DHIA reviewed the National DHIA changes that were scheduled to begin this week. The current set of National Rules will be replaced by two components. The Uniform Procedures describes how each DHlAaffiliate and its Field Technicians will col lect data, and how each Processing Center will handle the data. The Code of Ethics is a descrip tion of the standards which each DHIA member 'must follow to ensure the reliability of their records. Additionally, a Herd Profile report for DHIA member dairy herds, and a Cow Profile for indi vidual cows, will be available to dairy industry allies (with member permission). The Herd Profile describes the production statistics of each member herd and allows the end user to determine what value they will place on the hod’s records. Finally, Records Standards Variables are a new method of describing lactation records. While the current labels for type of test will still be used for some time, the new records will also include such data as the number of tests, the percent of milkings weighed and sampled, and the number of test days that ate super vised by a DHIA field technician. The USDA will “weight” each record before using it in genetic evaluations. Ms. Ledvina stressed that the changes will become apparent only gradually and entire dairy industry has yet to determine just how it will adjust to the new standards. Richard Smith CEO of Dairylea Cooperative described his organi zation as oriented towards partner ing with other organizations in order to create efficiencies and increase effectiveness. “We look for the situations where we can make I+l=3 for the Northeast dairy Gurnets,” accord ing to Mr. Smith. “The alliance with Northeast DHIA will create an organization uniquely posi tioned to serve dairy farms’ changing management informa tion needs into the next century.” The Extra Dimension In Chopping OiM-Fiact Quadra-Shark™ Rotor BMm • Unique 4-point, reversible, serrated blade designed for chopping - no bolt-on sickle blades. • Blades are through-hardened 3/16-inch thick steel for longer life. • Chops newspaper, hay, straw and other material. • Easy and quick to reverse or replace blades. • Hinged deck for easy access to blades. • External bearings on rotor shaft. • Choice of adjustable grates. • Length-of-cut option. • Unmatched serviceability. • Convenient controls. • Gasoline engine or electric motor. • Patz Credit makes it affordable. Contact us for a brochure or to see this chopper. Quadra-Shark™ is a trademark of Pjtz Sales, Inc. Good Year President of the Northeast DHIA board, Harold Bodwell HI discussed the previous year’s changes and expressed his grati tude to the dairymen, DHIA staff and Raleigh processing center for bringing the organization through the previous years changes. ‘The changes give us needed flexibility. We need to continue to be the best possible solution for each dairy as they determine what information they need and what form they need it in.” The New Hampshire dairyman went on to say, “Information is power, and to dairy producers it is profit’’ Addressing the proposed alliance, Mr. Bodwell recalled the 81st Pennsylvania Farm Show Opens January 11 HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) The nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition, the Penn sylvania State Farm Show, is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11 through Thursday, Jan. 16 in Har risburg, according to Agriculture Secretary Charles C. Btosius. “The Farm Show pays tribute to Pennsylvania agriculture, the key stone of our economy, and the 50,000 farm families who provide essential food and fiber products to our neighbors around the world,” Brosius said. “The 81st Farm Show will showcase their achievements and affords them a wonderful oppor tunity to share their liveihood with consumers on the other end of the food chain. It allows farmers, pro ducers and agribusinesses to see what advancements the industry has made each year and to plan for their future. It is truly a family show, one that’s enjoyable and educational for our exhibitors and visitors alike.” Gov. Tom Ridge will tour and officially open the Farm Show on Saturday, Jan. 11. Also, Gov. Ridge will address the Farm Show International Day dinner on Fri day, Jan. 10, which promotes Pennsylvania-grown and pro duced products-to a gathering of international trade representa tives. RD 2 Bo* 271 East Earl, PA 17519 (717)354-0584 Lancaster Famine, Saturday, Jammy 4, IW7-AlB speech given the previous year by then president, David Chamber lain. Mr. Chamberlain explained to those delegates that the declin ing number of dairymen in the Northeast could ill afford the number of cooperatives serving them and finding a strong partner to create an alliance which gained efficiencies and improved service was a top priority. The delegate meeting primarily focused on the proposal to form an alliance with Dairylea to expand information services in the North east After a thorough discussion the delegates voted to support the proposal to create the new jointly owned information organization. Thousands of beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, swine, hones, gouts, rabbits and poultry are in the lime light of competition and sales throughout the Farm Show week. Three hundred commercial exhi bitors feature their newest innova tions in farm equipment, services and products. Daily entertainment is featured in the large and small arenas, with rodeos, horse and pony pulling contests, drift horse hitched competition, a folk dance festival, and a sheep to shawl con test Good food has long been a part of the Farm Show tradition. Ele ven agricultural associations are located in the Food Court, serving up tons of delicious food all week long. Visitors can buy processed food products from a variety of companies in the Pennsylvania Food Market Cooking demon strations take place all week in the Food Pantry. The show is free and open to the public all week long. The hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, through Wednesday, Jan. IS. On Thursday. Jan. 16 the final day of the show the hours are 8 ajn. to 4 p.m. There is a $5 park ing fee per vehicle in the Farm Show parking lot, which is located beside Exit 23 of Interstate 81. ft Agricultural Washdowns 717-949-3212 SPECIALIZING IN Poultry Houses: Layers, Breeders, Broilers Hog, Veal and Dairy Bams High Pressure, Low Volume Washing BD *1 Box 147, Nawmanslown, PA 17073 SMOKER, LANDIS & COMPANY CERTIFIED PUBLIC ApCOUNTANTS and BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANTS /Individual, Partnership & Corporate Taxes /Accounting & Bookkeeping /Business, Personal & Estate Tax Planning /Management Advisory Services /Personal Financial Planning / Computer Services / Payroll Preparation / Retirement Plans 49 Eact Main Street,-Leola (717) 656-7544 or (717) 392-1333 24 South Main Street, Manheim (717) 665-5979 or (717) 393-1929
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