Franklin Couple Sees Bright Future In Dairying DAVELEFEVER Lancaster Farming Staff MERCERSBURG (Franklin Co.) From produc tion to promotion, Tim and Alexa Stoner are deeply involved in the dairy business. Tim grew up milking cows with his father and uncles on Hijos Hill Farm between Greencastle and Mercersburg. Now he is president of a family corpora tion that includes his brother and four cousins. His father, Bob Stoner; several uncles, and an aunt are also still involved on the farm. Alexa helps out with the milking herd of about 630 Holsteins on Hijos Hill mainly on weekends when she is not out promoting milk in her work as industry relations specialist with the American Dairy Associa tion (ADA). Tim’s duties involve “a little bit of everything,” in cluding feeding the cows, keeping herd and crop records, and “making most of the crop decisions” for the 1,600 acres under cultivation. The corporation conducts monthly meetings to dis cuss business and vote on important decisions. Min utes are kept by Todd, Tim’s brother and secretary of the corporation. With the younger generation now in its second year at the helm of Hijos Hill, Inc., “Things are going real well,” Tim said. As president, Tim said he tries to keep routine jobs on schedule as much as possible and alternate milking chores. His approach to the business is not rigid. “Our meetings are kind of free flow,” he said. With full-time help from his father and varying de grees of involvement from wives and uncles, Hijos Hill has no employees from outside the family. The Stoners have chosen to use live bulls on the farm instead of artificial insemination for breeding. Tim said it is his father’s job to find new bulls on a reg ular basis to keep up genetic diversity. About 20 bulls are housed in the free stall barn along with the milking herd. According to Tim, the Stoner family switched to using bulls about five years ago to save the labor of watching for cows in heat. The bulls do a good job breeding the herd, he said. Safety can be an issue in having bulls on the farm, but Tim said the family is proactive in heading off po tential dangers. “If we have problems (with a bull’s temperament) we move him out pretty quick,” he said. Rolling herd average for the 630 Holsteins on Hijos (Turn to Page 23) Group Agricultural Scads Your KEY Source For SEEDS ■ BARENBRUG Forages For Profits ©ST*r..ho' yield In Soybeans #1 Bird Hybrids Corn Exclusive Source In The East ■ Conservation Seeds We’re Your Source • Technical Advice • Working Relationship • We Have The Experience CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-825-5088 Dealer Inquiries Welcome CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER Ken Deitch 717-486-7311 John Marks 570-799-0769 Stanely Crone 570-275-1738 Richard Crone 570-275-1343 Michael Judd 814-334-5281 Robed Lentz 717-933-8211 Charles Groff 717-242-3712 Kore Yoder 570-966-3947 Paradise Valley Organic Feeds 570-437-2156 Locust Brook Inc, Dale Greiner 717-665-4821 Agronomy Inc 717-328-3145 Helena Chemical Co 570-759-1311 Webb's Super Gro 800-258-6689 Harlan Madm 7 17-589-7676 Carl Schmidt 570-546-3117 Joe Anchor 570-538-1170 East Gate Feed & Gram, LLC 888-567-6556 Sandßod Sales & Service 717-532-9501 Ron A Wasson 814-237 2339 Forman Gram 570-649-5579 Focus Farms 570-568-1745 Brett Taylor 570-547-0590 Boiling Springs, PA Calawissa PA Danville, PA Danville, PA Harrison Valley, PA Lebanon, PA Lewistown, PA Lewisburg, PA Limeslonevllle, PA Manheim, PA Mercersburg, PA Mifflmville, PA Mill Hall, PA Millerstown, PA Muncy, PA New Columbia, PA Reedsville, PA Shippensburg, PA State College, PA Turbolville, PA West Milton, PA Specialrzmg In
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