The 77-cow combined Holstein and Jersey herd of Jerry and Joan Bechtel of Martinsburg believes that central to good dairy management Is keeping the cows comfortable. They installed fans in the barn and look to ways of keeping the cows comfortable and productive. Jerry said the farm maintains 60 head of Holstelns and 17 head of Jerseys, both registered and grade, with an additional 40 head of young stock. They milk tiestali to pipeline. On DHIA, roll ing herd averages 22,000 pounds for the Holstelns and Cathy Haughwout, Quality Control Specialist and Dixie Burris, Lab Manager Phone:800-344-8378 Fax: 814-865-3924 Web Site http:Zwww.clhia.psu.eclu /t i BLAIR O sm Distinction PA DHIA LAB Ov£R.ALU SCOQ.EjPP/jOO Ou sire. audit* scoo.e.iPO/' Twis Arreuriou ro DerAf R.£FL£Cr£D IM rU£ DAILY OP of rwe Lab* Exceu_ Paul Sauve, National DHIA Quality Certifical y i, * *' ** ' *r * ** Dairy of Dlatlnctlon Supplement to Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 26, 1997—Page 7 JERRY AND JOAN BECHTEL 16,500 for the Jerseys, at 3.7 percent fat and 3.2 percent protein. They use a computer to keep track of farm accounts. Of the 110 tillable acres, the farm Includes 60 acres of corn, 40 acres of hay, and five acres of barley. The Bechtels soil test regularly and have achieved good pro duction from the crops, according to Jerry. Jerry farms with wife Joan and three children, Including a son, Jason, 16 and two daughters, Jamie and Jennifer. The Bechtels purchased the farm from John and Minnie Dean.
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