insylvaiita.. iry * improve..^
DHIA Service Center, Orchard Road, University Park, PA 16802
Question: Since January the
protein payment tests from our
milk plant were lower than
DHIA test I know that this is
due to a change in payment
tests to true protein as
mandated by federal milk
marketing orders. Now our
DHIA and milk plant protein
test is the same. Would you
explain?
I received a half dozen or so
calls recently concerning this. On
May 1, 2000 all DHIA
organizations across the country
made a switch to true protein
testing and reporting. In
Pennsylvania those dairy
producers that opted for MUN
testing had the true protein as well
as crude reported since 1995 That
has changed and now only true
protein will be reported to stay
abreast of milk payment testing.
Dairy producers that are slow
to adapt to this new thinking
behind true protein, can still think
in more traditional terms by
applying this formula to the
newly reported true protein
values.
True Protein % (TP%) + .19%
= Crude Protein% (past traditional
protein)
In time this will be thought of
as in the past and nobody will
need to think of conversions. The
move became necessary so that
uniformity between DHIA
management information and
income determination would get
back on track.
The use of component
information in the past to
troubleshoot certain problems will
have to be adjusted a bit to fit
with the new numbers. For
instance, Holstein cows are
thought to be normal at 3.6% fat
and 3.1% protein. We also believe
the ratio between the two to be 85
to 88% (3.1 / 3 6 = 86%). I guess
if we are to stay consistent in this
thinking, Holsteins will now be
normal at 3.6% fat and 2.91%
protein (3.1 - .19 = 2.91). This
would change the comparison
ratio to 79 to 83%.
Another tool we use in
determining normal nutritional
function is to look at fat-protein
inversions. A herd that would
have 30% inversions
(%fat<=%protem) in the old way
of reporting will look much better
if we think of protein in the old
way. Theoretically, this herd
could have anywhere from 0 to 30
% inversions just by the new
testing and not changing the
need to adapt to change. We often
management. On the average
most herds will see a decrease m
inversions due to the reporting of
true protein by 20 to 30%. This
particular herd with true protein
used changed to a total of 22%
inversions which is a 26.7%
reduction ((30 - 22 = 8)/
30x100)= 26.7 The best way to
deal with this is to stay with
conventional thinking and change
the inversion formula to
(%fat<=(%protem+ 19)). Now a
cow with a 3.2 % fat and a 3.01 %
protein would be considered an
inversion.
Changes are inevitable in our
lives. This is one example of the
Junior Judging School
Deadline Approaching
STATE COLLEGE (Centre
Co.) The Pennsylvania
Junior Holsteins Judging
Schools will be held in July 10 -
11 and July 12 -13. The Associ
ation encourages j'uniors to sign
up soon.
► J-Lf PAINTING i
All Types a
Interior/Exterior j
Including Aerial Work \
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, May 27, 2000-A27
ask our cows to make changes It
is now up to us to change our
thinking about protein testing and
what the new numbers that we
will be seeing mean. In the
meantime, convert if you must,
six months from now it will be
second nature
The Western school will be on
Monday, July 10, and Tuesday,
July 11, from 12 NOON to 12
NOON. It will be hosted by the
Mercers County Holstein Club
and taught by Steve Moff from
Columbiana, OH.
The Eastern school will be
hosted by the Susquehanna
County Club on Wednesday,
July 12, and Thursday, July 13,
from 12 NOON to 12 NOON.
Matthew Day from Ship
pensburg will be teaching the
school.
Both schools are open to all
youth interested in learning
about dairy cattle judging.
Teachers will cover the basics of
animal evaluation and reason
giving. Individuals who attend
will have the opportunity to
learn terminology, animal and
class breakdowns, and how to
effectively give reasons.
The cost of the school is $25
for those staying overnight,
which includes school costs,
hotel room, and evening meal.
For commuters, the cost is $l5,
which covers the school costs
and evening meals.
This year, a second member of
the same family who attends
will receive $5.00 off of their reg
istration cost.
For more information, con
tact the Pennsylvania Holstein
Association at 839 Benner Pike
in State College. Call (814) 234-
0364 or fax (814) 234-1698. The
deadline for entries is June 26,
2000.
ftur Mil TRADE OR RENT THROUGH THE
PHOTO 717 826 1164 or 717 394 3047
FAX 717-733 6056
Moo Tue* Wed Frt 6AMto 5 FM Thur« 7AMto S PM
nd
iting