831 P 3 * DIGIT 16802 056034 013199 V - I PERIODICALS DIVISION 048 I H I PENN STATE UNIVERSITY , I II I T\ . UNIV PARK PA 16802 I I V 01.44 No. 15 Pennsylvania Holstein Youth Honored, Adults Set For Convention WILKES-BARRE (Luzerne Co.) The Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Convention was held last week at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, the same place the adult conven tion will be held this week. Not only a great social event, the youth convention is a platform for numerous awards given to talented and energetic young Holstein breeders. The 1999 Pennsylvania Hols tein Association Convention for the adult Holstein breeders is set to run Thursday to Saturday, Feb. 18-20. The slogan for both con- Distinguished junior members of the Pennsylvania Hols tein Association were honored last week at the Junior Con vention. The senior division finalists are from left, David and Matthew Day, state winners. Standing, Lynette Heffner, Michael Yoder, and Janice Youse. At the Keystone Pork Expo Wednesday, the Marion Cen ter FFA defeated Bucks County 4-H in the final round of the Pork Bowl. The first-place Marion Center team is composed of, from left, Joe Abel, Cristen Hetrick, Lauren Ferringer, and Nathan Elkin. Photo by Andy Andrews Five Sections ventions is, “Holstcins Shine in ’99 r This year’s adult convention features several additions of inter est, but the first day of the conven tion is traditionally sale day. According to PHA officials, 71 lots are to be offered for sale in the hotel, starting at 7 pmi., Thursday, Feb. 18. The sale catalog was to include about a dozen fresh cows; 8 to 10 choices of matings, and the balance divided about equally between bred heifers, open heifers, and calves. But there is to be lots of activity Lancaster Farming, Saturday, February 13, 1999 on the first day before the sale gets underway. For those finding it difficult to find enough time to get everything done on the farm, the convention is to feature two panel discussions, this year focusing on time and employee management Panel Discussions The panel discussions are to be held Thursday, Feb. 18, the first startingt at 1:30 p.m. on “Recap turing Time.” Moderated by Mark Bachman, the discussion will feature three panelists Dr. Ron Buffington of Rosebuff Consulting; Kaye Slusser, former owner with hus band Dave of Orange Bucket Farm, and Nelson Troutman of Dairy Of Distinction Applications UNIVERSITY PARK (Centre Co.) A simple premise is the foundation of the Northeast Daily Farm Beautification Program, also known as the Daity of Distinction program. That premise is that an attrac tive, sanitary appearing dairy farm conveys to the public the percep tion that the milk coming out of that farm must be good. Combined with the fact that most people’s experience with a (Turn to Page All) Dairy of Distinction Oaky Farm ■aauUflcallon Froyam With Right Tools, Vets Can Pinpoint Timely PRRS Vaccinations ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Fanning Staff NORTH CORNWALL (Leba non Co.) There was a time when swine veterinarians were search ing for the right tools to pinpoint exactly what kind of disease car riers exist in a herd, their amounts, and ways they enter the bam. For years they relied on inexpert tools, such as antibody sampling. But antibody sampling tests still had their shortcomings, especially when dealing with a wily, unpre dictable swine disease such as por cine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). But there’s new hope, with a technology called polymerase Oakenbound Holsteins, in Richland. According to a news release, Buffington’s past and present experience in the dairy industry, combined with his sense of humor, should offer insight into getting everything done in a day. He is expected to add a light touch to very useful information in making the most of the time available. Bob Oswald narrows his hay management down to a few time-tested strategies that can almost guarantee success: making the most of good, well-drained soils; soil testing regularly; and cutting the alfalfa on time and getting it stored when ready. He’s profiled in the special section, For aging Around, in this issue of Lancaster Farming. Photo by Andy Andrews Pork Expo Features Trade Show chain reaction (PCR), a molecular level diagnostic tool that can actu ally lookfor and pinpoint the virus. And the key to controlling PRRS in a herd, according to Scott Dee, University of Minnesota associate professor of swine medi cine and world-renowned PRRS expert, is knowing exaedy when the “infection happens in the pig before we vaccinate,” he said. Dee spoke to about 100 pork producers and agri-industry rep resentatives Wednesday morning during the educational seminar portion of the 21st Keystone Pork Expo and trade show at the Leba non Fairgrounds. $29.50 Per Year Dee believes that vaccination 600 Per Copy Concerning Slusser, the news release noted, “Mis. Slusser has a wealth of information on how to make the most of your valuable time, and we are guaranteeing that you will leave the discussion with many hints which will help you run your home or barn more smoothly.” Nelson Troutman is a dairy far mer and breeder of registered Holsteins, well-known for his ani mals and upbeat personality. According to the PHA news release, “Mr. Troutman has been known to ‘squeeze time,’ using labor-saving tricks and devices to get the most out of his day. His wit (Turn to Page A 24) programs sometimes aren't used wisely to control the disease because of the way the disease, caused by a virus, behaves in a herd. “We have to come up with ways to use the vaccine more effi caciously to control the disease," said Dee. Dee has worked with PRRS since 1988, when it was known simply as die “mystery disease,” he said. The easy changeability of the genetic structure of the virus is what concerns scientists. Dee calls it a “plastic virus" because it can change a lot, and overvaccination can be a problem. Also, many vac cine products don't provide long (Turn to Page A2O)
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