A3O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 29, 1998
Lancaster Farm Bureau
Board To Meet
The Lancaster County Farm Bureau meeting of the board of directors
will be held Tuesday, September 1, starting at7:3op.m. at the Farm and
Home Center conference room. Any farmer or member is welcome to
attend and bring up any policy idea or concern that they would like th
board to consider for presentation at the county annual meeting in
October.
For more information contact President Jane Balmer. Phone: (717)
653-5916.
Ag Progress Holds
ROCKSPRING (Centre
Co.) The results of the hay
show held last week at Penn State
University College of Agricultural
Science’s Ag Progress Days were
released recently.
The show is designed to have
three divisions, or sections,
according to the way the hay was
cured and preserved.
Each division consists of 10
classes of hay, according to spe
cies and mix.
For example, class 1, ll,and2l,
each consist of first cutting alfalfa
with note more than 10 percent
grasses.
All three who were named grand
champion exhibitors won with
entries in the second class of each
division (Class 2, 12, and 22),
which consists of later-cutting
alfalfa with not more than 10 per
cent grasses.
In the Section I division, Robert
Oswald of Nazareth, Northampton
County, had the grand champion
entry.
In the Section I division, the hay
must be filed cured or is can be par
tially field cured and mow fin
ished; no heat or preservatives can
be used.
Robert Bieber, also of Nazareth,
a several-times repeat winner in
the show, was named grand
champion of the Section II divi
sion, which allows partial field
curing with some heat drying, but
no preservatives.
In Section 111, Don Myers of
Spring Mills, in Centre County had
the grand champion entry. In the
Section 111 competition, the hay is
partially field cured and has pre
servative added.
The show attempts to maintain
recognition of the different skill
achievements needed to create top
quality hay when using the diffe
rent curing and storing techniques.
This year, the results were
reported differently. The results of
entries by all 33 exhibitors were
reported by name of exhibitor,
instead of by show division and
class.
Ayrshire
Enjoy
BELLVILLE (Juniata
Co.) The Pennsylvania
Aysrhire Breeders Association
recently announced that its annual
picnic held July 25 at the Rushing
Springs Farm in Bedford was a
strong success.
Rushing Springs Farm is owned
by Curt and Thelma Sweinhart and
family.
The day was filled with food,
games, activities, a state associa
tion meeting, lours of the newly
refurbished farm as well as nearby
Historic Bedford, and fellowship.
According to Ben Hillyard,
association president, “The Swien
hart herd and farm looked tremen
douse and the Swienhart family
was a true delight of the day.”
Larry Morris, assistant profes-
Hay
Show
Of special note, while none of
his entries were selected as a grand
champion, Nevin Rice of Blain, in
Perry County, won four first
places every entry won its
class.
RM Klein Hay & Straw Farms
of Northampton took three first
places and two second places with
its five entries.
Of those exhibitors who won
sectional grand championships,
with three entries Bieber had two
first places and one third; Don
Myers had three entries also with
two finishing in fourth place in
their class, and his one first place;
and Robert Oswald had one entry
that, of course, also was a first
place in its class.
However, to make the results
understandable for comparison,
the rest of the classes must be
defined.
Classes 3,13, and 23 entries had
to be of a first cutting alfalfa/grass
mix with more than 10 percent, but
less than SO percent grasses.
Classes 4,14, and 24 entries had
to be later cuttings of that alfalfa/
grass mix.
ClassesS, 15, and 25 entries had
to be clover hay with not more than
20 percent grasses.
Classes 6,16, and 26 entries had
to be clover hay with more than 20
percent, but less than 50 percent,
grasses.
Classes 7,17, and 27 entries had
to be of first cutting grass hay with
not more than 10 percent legumes.
Classes 8,18, and 28 entries had
to be later cutting grasses of that
Class 7 mix.
Classes 9,19, and 29 had to be
mixed hay with more than 50 per
cent legumes and any mix other
than grasses.
Classes 10,20 and 30 were to be
any mixture not classified in any
other class that contains 50 percent
of more grass mixed with alfalfa,
clover or birdsfoot trefoil.
All entries submitted to the Ag
Progress Hay Show are automati
cally entered in the state bay show
during the state Farm Show.
Breeders
Picnic
sor of dairy science at Delaware
Valley College talked about the
college and changes taking place
there. He said that 70 out of 84 stu
dents arc now taking dairy science
studies at Delaware Valley Col
lege. He said he was looking for
support rom the Ayrshire Associa
tion in helping to find some good
quality animals for the college.
John Rogers, of Belleville, a
national delegate, updated the
group on the National Ayrshire
Association and plans to promote
the Ayrshire. He also talked about
the upcoming “Raise to Graze
Sale,” set to be held at his Plum
Bottom Farm on Sept. 19. There
are to be 50 to 60 head of bred heif
ers and some first lactation cows
offered for sale.
Goal Meci the nutneni needs of all cattle, including laclatmg cows dry cows, bred heifers and youngstock
Prepare dry cows and heifers for their next lactation
Prevent problems associated with calving time and with early lactation
Prevent appetite problems and metabolic problems
Needs of cattle vary with age, stage of lactation and stage of pregnancy, as shown in the table Thus, it is important to develop rations for all
groups of cattle, not just the lactatmg group For specific feeding advice, consult your nutritionist
The excuse “I don’t have facilities to handle and feed my dry cow separtely" does not hold water 1 If you arc really serious about wanting the
milking herd to perform well and profitably, you need to invest in heifer and dry cow facilities that will enable you to handle and feed Ihcm
properly, or find someone else who can do the job properly
Remember
Dry cows and late-bred heifers are next months' milkers
Calves and heifers arc your future milkers
Their milk of tomorrow depends on their care today
Short change heifers and dry cows, and they will short change you 1
A cow's lactation starts months ahead of the day she calves The prc-calvmg care of heifers and dry cows has a major affect on lactation
performance, mastitis, reproduction, metabolic problems and longevity 1 A lot needs to be accomplished in this pre-calving period 1
I Heifers need to be well grown out before they calve Holstein heifers should weigh about 1200 lb after calving Larger heifers
generally experience fewer calving problems Undersized, high producing heifers have a difficult time meeting all their nutrient needs
for production, for flesh maintenance and for growth They’ll be thinner and have more breeding difficulties and may not be in good
enough flesh to turn dry and begin their next lactation Thus, it is nice if heifers can have a lot of their growth done before calving
Get heifers and dry cows in proper flesh, about a body score of 3 5, and don't let them lose any flesh, even if they have gotten too fat
The last thing you want to do is have them draw down their body reserves just before calving, that is when their need for body reserves
is greatest
Develop gut capacity before calving so it’s there to serve them well after calving, when they really need it Stuff them with a bulky
ration and restrict the energy density to control their flesh
Foster good rumen function by feeding lots of forages
Start encouraging the development of the right kind of rumen microbes by gradually increasing the gram intake, starting about 3 weeks
before calving, and peaking at about 05to0 7% of body weight within a few days of calving At this same time start introducing
them to small quantities of the same feeds they will be getting after calving
Stimulate the development of rumen papillae These are the finger-like projections that grow out from the rumen wall and greatly
increase the absorption of nutrients from the rumen into the blood stream where the nutrients can be utilized by the cow It takes about
3 weeks for papillae to develop, and their development is stimulated by the gram feeding, as discussed earlier It is important for these
papillae to be in place ready to work at calving time The cow can’t wait 3 weeks after calving for this to be done If the papillae are
not functioning well after calving, and gram feeding increases, the fatty acids that are produced as a result of digestion can not be
absorbed as effectively Thus they accumulate in the rumen, triggering acidosis, off feed problems, ketosis, DA's, laminins, etc
Acclimate heifers to their new herd mates, their new surroundings, new workers, new noises and new routines This reduces the
social stress at this very critical time in their life
Maximize DMI. and do everything possible to keep cows from'going off feed at calving time DMI generally drops at this time, and
in some cases, it may be beneficial to feed cows a special ration or a "stress packet" Discuss these concerns with your nutritionist
Prevent infections that stress the animal's immune system or throw her off feed Provide a clean, dry maternity area, and be sure the
ration is piopcrly fortified with selenium and vitamin E
DMI (as % of body weight)
% of DMI from concentraates
% of DMI from forages
Total NDF minimum (% DM)
Forage NDF minimum {% DM)
NSC minimum (% DM)
Fat maximum (% DM)
NEL (Meal / lb DM)
NEM (Meal / lb DM)
NEG (Meal / lb DM)
Crude protein (% DM)
Soluble protein (% CP)
Degradable protein (% CP)
Undegradable porlem (% CP)
Calcium (% DM)
Phosphorus (% DM)
Magnesium (% DM)
Potassium (% DM)
Sulfur (% DM)
Sail (% DM) or
Sodium (% DM)
Chlorine (% DM)
Manganese (ppm)
Copper (ppm)
Zinc (ppm)
Iron (ppm)
Added selenium (ppm)
Aded cobalt (ppm)
Added iodine (ppm)
Total Vit A (IU / lb DM)
Added Vit D (IU / lb DM)
Total Vit E (IU / lb DM)
§oruce Data extracted from Penn Slate Dairy Reference Manual 3rd edition
In other business, Hillyard pre
sented awards to representatives of
the lop five Ayrshire herds in the
Pennsylvania Ayrshire Breeders
Association in order, Don
Gable of Conebella Farm in Ches
ter County, Jim Finley, Dale and
Patty Maulfair of Lebanon Coun
ty, Doug Stewart, and Warren
Schmuck.
Also announced was the top
herd for New Jersey, the Alvin
DAIRY FARM
MANAGEMENT
A Farm Management Course by
Glenn A. Shirk
Penn State Extension Agent
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Guide to the Composition of Dairy Rations
7 12 Mo
o 6 Mo
2 6
60 6S
35 40
2 4
30 35
65 70
30 35
63 - 67
33 37
25 30
45 55
45 55
0 80
0 17
0 25 ■ 0 30
0 10-012
020 024
021
025 030
0 10 0 12
020 024
11-25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
11-25
70-80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
3 500
750
1.100
3,500
750
UOO
String herd of String-Along Farm;
as well as the top West Virginia
Ayrshire herd, that owned by the
West Virginia University Daily
Department.
“Congratulations go out to all of
the top herds on a job well done,”
Hillyard said.
He also reminded youth of a
Sept. 21 meeting in Room E of the
state Farm Show Complex in Har
risburg. The meeting is being held
BASICS
»eds of
’attic Arti
Close Up
_ Early Drv
12 24 Mo
2 2
15 20
80 85
12 15
85 88
062 066
060 064
12 13
30 38
30 38
66 72
25 30
045 055
030 035
020 024
080 100
017 019
025 030
010 012
0 20 - 0 24
045 055
010 035
020 022
080 100
0 16 017
025 030
0 10 - 0 12
0 20 - 0 24
0 16
0 25 - 0 30
010 012
0 20 - 0 24
11-25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
11 25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
3 500
750
1,100
3 500
750
1,100
Mid Lul
3 5 +
45 50
50 55
40 +
55 60
40 45
22 25
75 78
33 35
25 26
32 38
4 6
28 32
21 24
32 38
5 7
072 076
076 080
16 17
32 36
62 66
34 38
17 18
30 34
62 66
34 38
13 14
30 38
077 087
044 050
025 031
100 150
021 023
040 050
020 025
025 030
081 091
046 052
028 034
100 150
023 024
040 050
020 025
025 030
11 25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
il 25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
11 25
70 80
100
0 30
0 20
0 50
3 500
750
1 100
3 500
750
1,100
in conjunction with the Pennsylva
nia All-American Dairy Show held
during the week at the Farm Show
Complex.
In other news, Milt Brubaker of
Lancaster won the sire judging
contest held during the picnic. Don
Gable was first in a calf-judging
contest.
For more information call
Hillyard at (717) 569-4371.
30 +
35 10
60 65
36 38
27 28
32 38
4 5
068 072
15 16
32 38
62 66
34 38
070 080
040 046
022 028
100 1 50
020 021
040 050
020 025
025 030
11 25
70 80
100
* 0
0 20
0 50
3 500
750
I 100
3.500
750
I 100