MO-Lancdstw Fanning, Saturday, March 14, 1998 Maryland Ayrshire Breeders Meet (Continued from Pago A 1) Maryland Ayrshire Association far the upcoming year are: Bob Valentine, president; Ralph Shank Jr., vice president; and Mary Swank Creek, secretary/treasurer. New directors are Mr. David Pat rick, Charlie Hudson, and John Kagel. Ralph Shank, Palmyra Farm, at Hagerstown, was this year’s somatic cell count award winner and herd management award win ner. Mr. Shank milks 116 cows, with ECM at 19,223 pounds, and 81.9 percent SCC in the low group. Mr. David Patrick was produc tion award winner. Mr. Patrick and a brother, James, milk 60 Ayr shires in their combined Ayrshire and Holstein herd at Maple Dell Farm in Woodbine. Energy cor rected milk on a 3-OS equivalent was 22,006 pounds. Mike and Mary Creek, Ayrshire breeders from Hagerstown, re ceived special recognition for the years of dedication and service they have devoted to the Ayrshire juniors. Amanda Valentine, Mary land Ayrshire queen, credited the Creeks for the success of the youth Junior members In attendance who turned In a record book. From left to right, front row: Ashley Borenl, Sherrie Albaugh, Samantha Valentine, and Amanda Valeri tine with Jordan Creek In her lap. Back row: Robert Doody, David Fields, Mark Valen tine, Amy Richard, Ryan Shank, Jessie Valentine, Evan Creek, Mark Creek, and Mike Creek. program at local and national shows. “They’ve done this for at least five years, and a lot of us are in a dairy bowl, too, so they kind of make up for us when we’re not here," said the Ayrshire queen. “This is one of the hardest work ing group of young people that are in that building at Louisville that week,” added Bob Valentine, pre sident The very successful Ayrshire youth program highlight the level of commitment of the young peo ple and their leaders. “Juniors turned in mote record books to the National convention than any other state,” said Bob Valentine, “Last year we were very fortunate to have both the outstanding male, Mark, and female. Becky. Becky was also selected to be the Nation al Ayrshire queen. So our juniors do participate, not only locally, but at the national level” The Mark he was referring to was he and his wife, Madeline’s son, Mark Valentine, of Thur mont Mark was named outstand ing male youth of 1997 by the Ayrshire breeders at the National level. Becky Patrick, daughter of Mike and Kathy Patrick, Wood- Offleers and directors In attendance at the banquet Included: left to right; front row: Bob Valentine, president; Mary Creek, secretaiy/lreasurer. Back row: Harold Clark, David Patrick. Marta Waltlmyer, and John Kagel, directors. bine, was selected as the outstand ing female youth and was also crowned as the National Ayrshire queen for 1997-98. Sixteen total record books were entered by the youth, and one win ner was selected in each age cate gory. Out of four seniors Mike Creek had the winning record book. Seven intermediate record books were entered, with top hon ors going to Robert Doody. In the junior class there were five en tries, and the winner was Jordan Creek. Four new junior members were welcomed into the association. They are: Sherrie Albaugh, Amy Richardson, Ryan Jaynne, and Jo seph Stowe. Dr. Lee Majcskie from the Uni versity of Maryland talked about the breed’s success. “We hear a lot about Holsteins in this state, but there are some other breeds that are doing very well,” he said. He indicated production per cow is really going up among Maryland Ayrshires. There are four herds in YES! Bp ROSENBERRY STOVES (717) 532-9023 BUY FACTORY DIRECT ■ Equipment storag ■ Workshops ■ Hay and animal si ■ 100% made in the U.S. ■ 20 year warranty ■ Do-it-yourself/ easy, fast construction Available models: 25x32 (2 left) 30x44 (3 left) 50x100 (2 left) 40x62 (4 left) 55x200 (2 left) \ Factory Direct 800/825-5059 the state on test with 10 or mote Ayrshires. Energy corrected milk for those herds increased 2,450 pounds between 1996 and 1997, with ECM for 1997 averaging 19,160 pounds. Regular milk in creased 2110 pounds, the highest increase of any breed in the state for milk, said Dr. Majeslde. In other business news, next year the Ayrshire Association and the Brown Swiss Association will break new ground in Maryland as they jointly host a 1999 National convention for both breeds. “Maryland - Where Breeds Com bine” is the theme of the first-ever (Turn to Pago A4l) STOP Feeding Expensive Feed to Pest Birds Avitrol treated gram baits successfully remove pest birds from feedlots and farm buildings HESS AGRI MARKETING 218 Rockpomt Rd, Marietta, PA 17547 (717)426-3135 ERA Approved A^ltrol OOWOMDN