QUESTION: We arc debating the need for a prcfrcsh diet for our heifers. What arc some indicators that would tell us if this manage ment change would be beneficial? ANSWER: When this question came in, I took the liberty of look ing at this herd’s Pa.DHIA records before I gave an answer. I always recommended a transi tion or prcfrcsh diet for all animals before their next calving. I believe this to be especially helpful to heif ers that calve for the first time because of the many changes that occur this time. What are some statistical indica tors that help us come to these conclusion? One place to evaluate heifer per formance, and determine how well prepared they are to become cows, is found on the third section down on Pa.DHIA Herd Summary 11. Here we see the “Profile of Cows by Lactation Number” heading. Near the center of the page is a column that states the average days to peak, and the average milk at peak. In this particular herd, we see a large contrast between older cows and first lactation heifers as we compare days to peak. The second lactation cows reach their peak at 80 days and older cows at 60 days. In contrast, we see that first lactation heifers take 130 days to reach- their peak. It is normal for heifers to peak slower than their older counter parts, but certainly not this slowly. After the first lactation, cows should peak in milk production two to three weeks ahead of reach ing peak dry matter intake. We recognize the need for prop er body reserves and with this bit FRANSGARD TIMBER WINCHES PATU PROCESSOR/HARVESTER HEAD f PATU CHIPPERS PATU LOADERS & TRAILERS FRANSGARD GRAPPLE of knowledge the transition diets can help reduce the weight loss that is seen as cows reach their peak around 60 days in milk. Heifers, obviously going through mote changes at this time. 75 to 85 days in milk. The heifers that are peaking much later are tell ing us we have not prepared them to be productive milk cows. Another evaluation that tells us if we are meeting the needs of these changing animals is to look at some reproductive performance parameters and sec how they differ from one age group to another. Again, we look at our PaDHIA Herd Summary II for this information. The second section down is the “Reproductive Profile of Breeding Herd.” Going right to left, we come across the column labeled, “Average Days to Ist Service.” This herd again shows great dis parity between first-lactation and older cows. Performance differs little between the second lactation and older cows with the average days to first service at 110 days. When we look to the first lacta tion animals, we see a substantial difference. Noting that the perfor mance of of the older cows could be improved, reproduclively, the first lactation animals show a more severe problem. Here we see these cows being bred back for the first Quality built, tractor-mounted winches with few moving parts. Model Cap./Mm HP V2BOO 6200 lbs./25 HP V4OOO 8800 lbs./40 HP V 6500 14200 lbs./80HP t s ' Tractor-mounted models chip limbs, slabs or whole trees. Adjustable chip length. Model Cap /Mm. HP DC4O 4715 HP DC6S 6.5730 HP DCIOO 10740 HP Grapple cylinder size: 3.1” Cylinder closing power- 1320 lbs. at 1700 PSI Min. working pressure; 1700 PSI Max. grapple opening: 90” Swing Cylinder: Standard Max. Turning Angle: +/- 43° Weight: 715 lbs. time at over 160 days. First lacta tion cows make up 45 percent of the herd. Therefore, it is no wonder that overall herd reproductive pefonnanoe is not as good as we would like it to be. These two evaluations do not exclusively point to problems cause by the lack of a transition period. Bunk management and group ing needs can be indicated when SCOTT WILLIAMS Training Coordinator STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) National DHIA is offering scholarships to DHIA members. Scholarships are available to eligible incoming freshmen and currently enrolled students at both four-year and two-year colleges and institutions. Eligibility is generally defined as being the son or daughter of a Dairy Herd Improvement Asso ciation member or the son or HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Agriculture Secretary Samuel E. Hayes Jr. recently announced that the second Agriculture Re search Symposium will be Tues day, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Room 60E, Capitol East Wing. “Offering workable solutions to keep Pennsylvania farmers and agri-businesses viable is the pur pose of agricultural research,” Hayes said. To remain competitive, agricul ture must find effective responses to the emerging demands of the 21st century. Agriculture research is absolutely necessary to keep Pennsylvania agriculture out front as a leader in the nation and the world. Agriculture research has received the strong support of Gov. Tom Ridge and the General Assembly.” Initiated by the Ridge Adminis- J.S. WoodhounCo., InC,'*? Sine* 1843 UIOODIIOUJE Corporate Headquarters PO Box 1169, 1314 Union Street West Springfield, MA 01090 (413) 736-5462* FAX (413) 732-3786 Branch Warehouses Lewi sherry, PA (717)938-5100 Syracuse, NY (315) 463-5201 Waterville, ME (207) 873-3288 NDHIA Scholarship Program 2nd Ag Research Symposium Set For June 8 Double jaws deliver a firm grip on stem with minimal bark dam age. 4.5-ton delimbmg power handles heaviest of limbs. Saw is protected inside shield. Max. felling diameter 15 3/4”; max. delimbmg diameter 14”. Knuckleboom loaders and for warding trailers with continuous grapple rotation. Nine models with outreach range of 13’5" to 26’5”. Loaders can be fitted to trailers, trucks, skidders or trac tors. Trailers are available with load capacities ranging from 7 to 12 tons. fust lactation performance lags behind the rest of the herd. The numbers for this herd suggest that the lack of a prefresh period might create problems as new animals come into the herd. Getting them off to a good start by proper preparation should be your first step. daughter of an employee of such organizations. The selection panel has final authority in determining eligi bility. All participants must provide a high school GPA and either a SAT or ACT score. (Please submit on a four-point equivalent scale or clearly indicate any alternative scale.) This program has been around since 1996 and has given $24,000 in scholarships to date. Returned applications should (ration in 1998, the Agriculture Research Symposium highlights some of the work conducted on a broad range of issues at agricultur al research institutions in the com monwealth, including Pennsylva nia Slate University: University of Pennsylvania; Delaware Valley College; Monell Chemical Senses Center; Dickinson School of Law; and SL Joseph’s University. Among topics to be addressed in this year’s Agriculture Re search Symposium are: abatement of agricultural odors; animal health issues, such as BVD and Johne’s Disease; conflict resolu tion; the economic impact of Pennsylvania agriculture; food safety issues, such as E. coli and salmonella; international markets; pesticide reduction; vegetable production; and use of agricultural and food processor waste. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 15, 1999-A35 Pa.DHIA offers a consultation service to address these types of concerns. For those of you who are testing for MUN, you have the opportunity for a free farm visit that will help in record evaluation. Remember, your cows evaluate what you do, and also what you do not do. be returned to: Scholarship Pro gram Attn.; Laurie Lancaster, Ida ho DHIA, P.O. Box 1827, Twin Falls, ID 83303. All applications must be post marked on or before Oct. 1, 1999 to be considered in the next pro cess. Applications for the 2000 Na tional Scholarship Program are available on the Internet at www.dhia.org, through DHIA af filiates or by contacting Laurie Lancaster at (208)-736-3600. Average Farm Feed Costs For Handy Reference To help fanners across the state to have handy reference of com modity input costs in their feeding operations for DHIA record sheets or to develop livestock feed cost data, here’s last week’s average costs of various ingredients as compiled from regional reports across the state of Pennsylvania. Remember, these are averages, so you will need to adjust your fig ures up or down according to your location and the quality of your crop. Com, No.2y 2.36 bu., 4.22 cwL Wheat, No. 2 2.53 bu., 4.22 cwL Barley, No. 3 1.59 bu., 3.40 cwt Oats, No. 2 cwL Soybeans, No. 1 4.47 bu., 7.46 cwt Ear Com 73.10 ton, 3.90 cwt. Alfalfa Hay 121.25 ton, 6.06 cwL Mixed Hay 110.62 ton, 5.53 cwt Timothy Hay 5.12 cwt Want Independent Nutrition and Management Consulting? Will do feeding programs, feed formulation, feedstuff evaluation, and all other aspects of your nutrition and management. * Lower cost of production * Improve milk production * Improve butterfat production * Improve feed efficiency * Improve herd health Cal-Pen Nutrition Service | "y i » LIVESTOCK NUTRITION I I r i AND MANAGEMENT \ \6| 62 Creek Road \ V East Berlin, PA 17316 \ (717)292-2307 | Pa 50 19 William D. (Bill) Flickinger Over twenty years experience, give me a call day or night for an appointment. 1.46 bu., 4.55 102.37 ton.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers