> s FOCUS ON DAIRY Penn State Cooperative Extension Capitol Region Dairy Team MEET BETH GROVE Beth Grove recently accepted a position with Penn State Cooper ative Extension to work as a dairy/environmental extension agent in Lancaster County. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she studied under Dr. Ray mond Nebel to receive her mas ter’s degree in reproductive phys iology. In addition to growing up on a dairy farm and helping to manage the family dairy farm, she has worked as a sire analyst for an Al organization, worked as a re gional extension dairy agent in the Shenandoah Valley of Vir- Walk-In • Catalog • Web Sales - www.farmerboyag.com Call or email us today for a 1 REE catalog. TOLL FREE -1-800-845-3374 * 717-866-7565 This medicator accurately meters antibiotics, coecidiostats, drugs, disinfects, sulfas, vaccines, wormers, vitamins, fertilizers or chemical additives into livestock and poultry drinking water or into irrigation systems wrmrw 3* & 4’ CRAFT €V PAPER £iW> FOR FEEDING Tt PVC COATED HEX Birdwire Netting Made of the finest high quality 20 ga. tensile steel wire mesh. Won’t crack or become brittle after years of exposure to sun or cold ginia, and as a vocational agri cultural instructor. Beth has a wealth of experience to share with us, and we welcome her to the Capitol Region Extension Dairy Team. GETTING THE COW HERD BRED DURING THE SUMMER HEAT M. Beth Grove Extension Agent Dalry/Environment Lancaster County The summer of 2002 has ar rived with a vengeance, and many dairy herds in our area are experiencing the effects of heat stress in their reproductive pro grams. Dairy cattle are difficult to catch in heat during any time of the year, and research has shown that the average lactating cow stands to be mounted only nine times within an eight-hour period during each heat cycle. As the (Dhemilizer HN 55 MEDICATOR The Smart 2 Part System 1 Water Metro 2 Chemical Pump 2-YEAR GUARANTEE ARMER BOV A 6 Sup BASKET FANS With Cord and Ceiling Quantity Pricing Available (SckMate Easy-to-Attach SNAP-C -SWIVEL Chick Feed Dispenser with Feeder Tray. 11l Int ilsof 'EXPERIENCED & knowledgeable! . SALES STAFF J Plasson® i DRINKERS 1 M Turkey Broiler > SBL Drinker Drinker «k. 4m OLESALE AGRICULTURAL SUPPLI weather becomes hot, cows will become even less active with fewer mounts during estrus. Heat stress can also cause problems with the developing embryo, including early em bryonic death. Since it takes more than two months for indi vidual follicles on the ovary to fully develop, the effects of heat stress on reproduction may be seen well into the autumn months. Many producers see a herd bull as a “quick cure” for summer breeding problems, but heat af fects the bull as much as the cow. Studies have shown that even short periods of summer heat stress can adversely affect semen quality for several weeks. The amounts of semen produced by the bull can also be reduced, re sulting in lower pregnancy rates. So what can be done to in crease reproductive efficiency during the summer months? Cer- 4 , - ( “A New Concept in / fIX Chick Feeding” *£"lr~ ') I y S >■< j Breeder Layer Drinkers 74 845 tainly keeping cows as cool and stress-free as possible is impor tant, but these additional tips may help your breeding program during the next several weeks: • Watch for signs of heat more frequently three or four times daily whenever possible. Observe the cows for heat during cooler periods of the day, ideally during early morning or late eve ning. • Use estrus synchronization programs to aid or even eliminate heat detection. • Use bulls with above-aver age “ERCRs” or estimated con ception rates. Most AI companies carry bulls that have been identi fied as “superior” settlers. • Try to breed cows as soon as possible after catching them for insemination. Don’t expect them to stand in a poorly ventilated area without feed or water for long periods of time before breed ing. Hay Sources Sought For Virginia Farmers RICHMOND, Va. The Vir ginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has is sued notices to the media to reach sources for hay. Drought conditions in the state have made many farmers turn to hay much earlier than usual to feed their livestock and they are seeking suppliers for what has become a somewhat scarce commodity. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Serv ices, through its Virginia Market News Service, publishes the Vir ginia Hay Clearing House news letter to assist farmers who are interested in purchasing supple mental stocks of hay .To list hay to sell in the newsletter, contact Market News by phone, fax, e- WATERLESS TOILETS “SUN-MAR” Composting Toilets Several models available including non-electric. • NO Septic System • NO Chemicals Save the Environment l Recycle Back to Nature l FREE: Duraßed COW MATTRESS “The Ultimate In Cow Comfort” The only one of its kind! Heaviest... Strongest... Driest.. Most Effective... The BEST! MOOT Freestall Cow Mattress System Economical Alternative for Cow Comfort DURAMAT “High Performance Comfort for the Traditional Barn” SOLID RUBBER COMFORT 2 Sizes 48”x65” & 48”x72” 5 year manufacturer’s warranty Random Patterned Surface I‘W’ vulcanized comfort Grooved bottom for more softness and efficient drainage No Seams... ALLEYMAT" No Interlocks... Continuous Custom Lengths No Problems... Rubber Flooring to 500 ft. ■ Hi foll\ , I Wteb,Sttf boilbtwb^^ Ask us about ’’'A lor ytw ©olldi**' Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 20, 2002-A33 Poultry Exhibits Cancelled At County Fairs SUMMIT STATION (Schuyl kill Co.) There will be no poul try or egg classes offered at fairs in Pennsylvania until further no tice due to an Avian Influenza outbreak in Virginia. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, state veterinarian, Dr. John Enck, “It is completely understood that there is considerable interest in poultry exhibits to include eggs for display for competition. But given the volatile situation with Avian Influenza at the present time in the eastern U.S.A., we must protect Pennsylvania’s poultry industry, which generates almost 700 million dollars annu ally.” Avian Influenza cannot be transmitted to the human species through the ingestion of poultry, eggs, or meat. Therefore, food stands at county fairs are permit ted to serve poultry products. “The Schuylkill County Fair is sad to announce that there will be no poultry or egg displays at the Fair this year,” said Craig R. Morgan, fair president. “How ever, we fully understand the se verity of the situation and agree that we must protect Pennsylva nia’s poultry industry at this time,” Morgan concluded. mail or via the Department’s Website. Call 800-552-5521 24 hours a day and select option 6; fax (804) 371-7787; or e-mail marketnews@vdacs.state.va.us. Include the seller’s name, ad dress, phone, fax and pager num bers, e-mail address, delivery services, hay description includ ing type, amount, bale form, bale weight, quality, cutting, price, lo cation and delivery services, if any. The on-line Hay Clearing House Request Form is available at http://www.vdacs.state.va.us/ mar- [•4 '•} ketnews/hay.html. For more information, contact J.P. Welch at Virginia Market News Service, (804) 786-3947, Wheat Straw for sale 3x3xB bales 1-888-422-5243
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers