A42-Uncaster Farming, Saturday, June 13, 1998
CD-ROM Helps Teach
Body Condition Scoring
PRINCETON, N.J - All you
wanted to know about dairy cat
tle body condition scoring but
were afraid to ask is now avail
able on CD-ROM.
Cornell University, with the
support of a grant from USDA
"Challenges in Higher Educa
tion" program, produced this
interactive learning tool, tilled
"Body Condition Scoring of
Dairy Cattle." The CD-ROM
addresses the need, process and
benefits of body condition scor
ing - a non-invasive method of
estimating fat stores in live
dairy cows. Church & Dwight
Co., Inc., manufacturer of Arm
& Hammer® brand feed ingredi
ents, is coordinating the promo
tion and distribution of this CD
ROM
A unique educational pro
gram with videos, animated
graphics and sound, “Body
Condition Scoring of Dairy
Cattle’’ focuses on three main
topics First what is body condi
tion 9 Second, why should I use
bodv condition scoring 9 And
third, what is the best system 9
Bv utilizing the CD-ROM,
user> not only learn body condi
tion scoring techniques, they
come to better understand how
energy balance can effect repro
ductive efficiency, milk produc
tion and health
According to Bill Tom,
Church & Dwight’s MEGALAC®
Rumen Bypass Fat senior busi
ness manager, the CD-ROM ful
fills a need for educational
resources devoted specifically to
body condition scoring
“The ‘Body Condition Scoring
of Dairy Cattle’ CD-ROM pre
sents the basic concepts with
respect to energy balance and
body condition reserves after
calving,” Tom said, “This CD
ROM is a valuable teaching tool
for the classroom, dairy produc
er workshops, 4-H, FFA and
junior dairy breed association
meetings, and many other learn
ing situations.”
Why is body condition scoring
so important 9 According to
STATE COLLEGE (Dauphin
Co.) As dairies increase in size,
the question arises, “Do I need to
continue testing my milk sam
ples?” The answer, plain and sim
ple, is “yes,” and there are many
compelling reasons why.
Recently a dairy specialist from
the University of Delaware wrote
an article about dairymen who
were getting paid an incentive for
their non-fat milk solids (NFMS).
A herd with 150 cows and a lest
of 4.1 percent fat and 8.9 percent
NFMS, at a price of $1.2332 per
pound fat arid $1.02 per pound
NFMS, would make $1,497 more
than a herd with the same milk
yield and a test of 3.78 percent fat
and 8.79 percent NFMS.
Without individual sample test-
Pascal Oltenacu, a Cornell
University animal scientist,
cows calving at extreme body
condition scores suffer from poor
reproductive performance and
low milk production.
“Body condition has a
tremendous impact on milk pro
duction and reproduction - the
crux of dairy producers’ prof
itability,” Oltenacu said, “If used
correctly, body condition scoring
can help producers fine tune
their management programs
and reap great benefits.”
Body condition scoring is
based on seeing and palpating
the back and hindquarters of a
cow. This process helps a scorer
determine the amount of fat and
flesh covering certain areas,
particularly the tailhead, hook
and pmbones, loin and rump
areas
To illustrate different body
condition scores, the CD-ROM
shows video clips of cows with
varying body condition scores
Plus, a demonstrator points out
key body parts that give clues
for assessing scores.
According to Oltenacu, those
studying the “Body Condition
Scoring of Dairy Cattle” CD
ROM will easily be able to recog
nize basic differences m body
condition
“Just like judging dairy cat
tle, body condition scoring takes
practice.” Oltenacu said. “The
more often you do it, the easier
it gets ”
Users of this CD-ROM can
find out how much they have
learned by taking the body con
dition scoring quiz. The multi
ple-choice quiz evaluates knowl
edge retained throughout this
educational tool
To order the “Body Condition
Scoring of Dairy Cattle” CD
ROM, send a check or money
order for $65 to Church &
Dwight Co., Inc. Inquiry Service
Center, P.O. Box 864, Brookfield,
WI 53005-0864. For information
on quantity discounts, call the
ARM & HAMMER hotline at
(800) 526-3563.
ing you don’t know which cows to
keep for NFMS and which ones
should be culled. This clearly
shows the benefit of component
testing.
MUN testing has become an
even greater management tool as
more and more dairymen see the
positive effects of using the results
with their feeding program. As
more vets and nutritionists utilize
MUN and incorporate it Into their
herd programs, this becomes a
must-have for all dairymen.
Contact Pa. DHIA at
1-800-344-8378 if you have any
questions or would like a repre
sentative of Pa. DHIA to stop by
your farm to explain how Pa.
DHIA records can help you.
Lancaster Holstein Lovers Have Field Day
At the Lancaster County Holstein Field Day Thursday evening are from left, Mark
Weik, host; Glenn Shirk, Lancaster County dairy agent; Elizabeth Smith, Lancaster
County dairy princess; and Mike Eby, chair of the event. The center of attraction is
Welkshade Sterling Kizzy EX92 who is well know for winning local shows. She looks
wonderfu I in her work clothes too with 3y 27,741 m 1,039 f 966 p. Welkshade is noted for
large beautiful excellent cows, four of them in the aged cow class for the Judging con
test that is a traditional part of this evening of fellowship. Winners in the judging con
test are, Robert Groff, men’s division; Shawn Wenger and Millie Groff, women’s divi
sion; and Amy Vaugan, youth division. About 350 Holstein lovers attended. Photo by
Everett Newswenger, managing editor.
10 0/o OFF ALL ACCESSORIES
INSTOCK
• Fireplace Tool Sets
• Fireplace Screens
• Solid or Plated Brass
• Trivits
• Cast Iron Kettles
• Hearth Rugs
• And Much, Much More!
40% OFF 20% OFF
ALL • ALL
SAMSONITE TELESCOPE
Patio Furniture in Stock
(Includes Special Orders Also)
ALL GRILLS ON SALE!
\ -a-aif FREE
• Delivery^(wtthmn MiUst
For Example Model 804
1060 Division Hwy. (Rt 322)
Ephrata • (717) 733-4973
1 Block East of Rt. 222
1-800-642-0310
5 PIECE
DIN I N C
SET
• 4 Sling Chairs
• 42" Glass Top Table
• 6 Colors To Choose
\ Reg. Retail $672
Sale *499
7 1/2'
Umbrella
Reg Retail $2OB
Sale *166
30’° OFF
ALL
FIREPLACE
DOORS
INSTOCK
Ftatunng
Schaefer, Stoll and
Fireguard, Etc.
(Special orders 10*/a Off)
Stop In And
Register To Win A■
FREE
BARBEQUE GRILL
($399 Value- No Purchase Necessary)
\ermont Castings
Keeping warm never looked so good!
Save up to $495
10% Off
All
Vermont
Casting
Wood or Coal
Stoves
In Stock
HATTARAS
HAMMOCKS
• Hand Crafted Quality • Made in the USA
me.
25% Off
All
Vermont
Casting
Gas Stoves
In Stock
ggw
Model C-ll
a Hittam
HIINMCta
provides
EncdM> Ptmßtirm a
to Day Same mm
As Cash JBm
www.feawiiiaMslova.ooia UJj|
Hours: M-TWIO4: I
TH-f 104; Sat. 10-4