A4O-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 15, 2003
Dairy Success Strategy: Watch Overall Herd Health
(Continued from Page A 24)
possible
• Milk new animals last
• Maintain good ventilation
• Keep things clean
• Provide vaccination pro-
grams
• Avoid overcrowding, which
creates stress
• Observe a sound nutrition
program.
Gardner noted that cows that
are sitting in stalls and chewing
their cud are more comfortable
and resistant to disease. If the
cows are standing, they are not
comfortable and stress could
lower their immune system, set
ting up disease pressure on the
farm.
Lou Moore, Penn State ag
agronomist, debunked several
“myths” about the ag industry at
the Dairy Day.
Moore noted some of the good
things about today’s economy:
• Interest rates are at a
41-year low
• The national economy is at a
period of essentially no inflation
(at 1.2-1.8 percent)
• Though consumer confi
dence awaits the outcome of the
potential next Gulf War, people
have been taking advantage of
special financing.
The bad news about the econo
my:
• Unemployment is at 5.8 per
cent nationally.
• Economic recovery is too
mild.
• It was a “lousy” holiday sea
son for retailers, with only 1.1
percent growth.
• The stock market declined
17 percent from last year.
• Surging oil prices and the
prospects of war are bearing
down hard on the economy.
• Ag needs “all the help it can
get,” said Moore. We’re produc
ing too much milk, meat, and
eggs, he said.
Moore noted the U.S. has expe
Miller Resolution Recognizes Future Farmers
HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Pennsylva
nia celebrated FFA Week recently under a reso
lution sponsored by Rep. Sheila Miller (R-129)
and approved by the House of Representatives.
“It is because of organizations like FFA that
train our future farmers and state leaders that
agriculture remains the top industry in our
commonwealth,” Miller said. “This organiza
tion makes a positive impact on the lives of
thousands of students by encouraging coopera
tion, promoting good citizenship, and inspiring
patriotism.”
The focus of this year’s FFA celebration is
“The Cornerstone of Success,” which illustrates
how the organization’s programs are building
tomorrow’s leaders and preparing them for the
challenges of the future.
Formerly known as Future Farmers of Amer
ica, the state organization was chartered in
1929 and has approximately 8,000 members in
147 chapters. The nationwide membership of
FFA is more than 450,000.
The national organization dates back to 1928
when, during the National Livestock Judging
Contest, 33 students from 18 states joined to
gether to establish the organization with the
goal of providing leadership training for farm
boys.
Girls were admitted to membership in FFA
starting in the 19605, and today they make up
rienced the seventh consecutive
year of dramatic corn yields, this
one at nine billion bushels. We
use more than nine billion bush
els per year, however, and have
only a 924 million bushel inven
tory. About 169 million bushels
are used in Pennsylvania.
A dramatic note: milk cow op
erations from 1992-2001 de
creased 43 percent. In another 10
years, Moore noted, will we still
have a dairy industry?
Moore said that in 1980, there
were 780,000 hog operations in
the country. In 2002, that
dropped to 70,000 hog opera
tions.
Clearly, there are larger farms
and more consolidation.
But still, 80 percent of the
dairy operations throughout the
U.S. have less than 100 cows.
One myth that Moore wants to
dispel is that people believe the
New York ag industry is bigger
than Pennsylvania. That’s simply
not true. In total farm receipts,
New York ranks at $3.42 billion
while Pennsylvania towers over it
at $4.4 billion. Lancaster County
is the largest dairy county in the
U.S.
Competition for the Pennsyl
vania dairy farmer now comes
from California and other west
ern states, dairy imports from
other countries, New York, South
Carolina, and the “farmer down
the road.”
Moore urged producers to con
sider crop insurance, which
brings on average about $3 for
every $1 spent. Last year, insur
ance provided about $lO for
every $1 spent.
These days, you can’t simply
grow a product and find some
ways to get “rid” of it.
“Become a marketer,” said
Moore. “You need to know what
the co-op is doing and why
they’re doing it.”
Glenn Shirk, Shirk’s Dairy
Sense, reviewed his research on
the “power of one more lacta-
more than a quarter of the organization’s mem
bership.
FFA has associations in all 50 states, as well as
in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
gtr
Witman Auctioneers. Inc.
300+ Winross Trucks - Local
Over The Road - American Racing Series
Ertl - Hess - Display Cases
Country & Store Related Antiques
ABSOLUTE
PUBLIC AUCTION
(Selling to the Highest Bidder!)
TUES., APRIL 1, 2003
Starting At 4:30 RM With Antiques
Approx. 6:00 P.M.
Winross Trucks & Related Toys
Held at: The Florin Fire Company Hall
Located at: 134 N Market Street, Mount Joy, PA
Wooden Wheel Newspaper Wagon, Cast Iron Kettle.
Glass Butter Churns, Wooden Doll Cradles, Saw
Bucks, Brass Bucket, Excellent Wooden Wheel
Market Wagon, C 1 Comer Trough, Berry Carrying
Boxes, Early Store Front Display Case, Brunnerville
Trough, Coal Sifters, Snow Shovels, Dome Lid Box,
Milk Cans w/Flop Handles, Nail Kegs, Early Wooden
Wheel Goat Wagon, Freight Wagons, Goat Sulky, Egg
Baskets, Tin 2 Dozen Egg Containers, Wash Board,
Cast Iron Pitcher Pumps, Crocks, Jugs, Tin Dough
Raiser, Early Wooden Bob Sled, Metal Measures, (7)
Deitz Lanterns, Kraft Cheese Boxes, Berry Boxes,
Brass Fire Extinguishers, Meat Block, Decorated Adv
Boxes, Wooden Planes/Pulleys, Child’s Wooden Barn,
Cream Top Dairy Milk Box, 2 Hole Corn Sheller.
Terms; Cash or approved check
\o7< Buyei's Premium added as part of purchase price
AUCTION CONDUCTED BY:
\fVJ m WITMAN AUCTIONEERS INC.
Auctioneers , Appraisers and Liquidators
JAY M. WITMAN, AU001127-L
LUKE R. WITMAN
657 Fruitville Pike, Manheim, PA 17545
(717) 665-5735 • FAX (717) 664-2737
Visit Our Web Site www witmanauctioneers com
tion” that helps to provide more
returns for the dairy producer in
vestment dollar.
Shirk, a longtime dairy agent
in Lancaster who recently retired
from extension, told producers
that “cows are your best invest
ment. period.”
He asked those who attended
dairy days, “When's the last time
your equipment reproduced?”
Shirk provided reason
ing to invest and manage
the capital of the dairy
business wisely. “You
need to focus heavily
enough on preserving the
profit margin,” said Shirk.
“Work with your service
people and get serious
about tackling those prob
lems at the source. We’re
talking about your invest
ments, your livelihood.”
Shirk said producers
need to be considerate of
several factors:
• Be considerate about
cow udders
• Ensure the health of
the cow’s lungs
• Group heifers by size
and social status
• Invest in cow health
and comfort
• Provide cows with
fresh grass and air
• Work closely with the
veterinarian
• Don’t let milking rou
tines ruin the cows
• Think and manage
the operation work
wisely
• Place the best, most
skilled people in the cor
rect positions
• Rely on customer op
erations, including sales
and service, as sources of
help
• Can your business
operate without you? Do
you have a backup plan?
“Your own destiny is in
your own hands, in many cases,”
he said. Estate planning, Shirk
noted, begins not when you are
fading out of the business, “but
when you enter into the busi
ness.”
Speakers also included Vinton
Smith, extension dairy farm
management agent, on overall
dairy business performance;
Nevin Dourte, Ruhl Insurance,
Witman Auctioneers . Inc
Dorothy C. Gamble Estate
ABSOLUTE PUBLIC AUCTION
(No Reserves - No Minimums) “Selling to the Highest Bidder”
Valuable Real Estate
1 1/2 Acie Farmette, featuring a 1 1/2 story Cape Cod Irame house w/dorm
eis, additional out buildings including frame barn and storage sheds
* Valuable Antiques * China * Glassware *
Household items, Furniture, Farmall Super A Tractor
w/ Attachments, Farm related equipment, 1993 Chevrolet
Lumina 4-door, PS, PB„ A/C, P/Locks (Miles 21,384) One Owner
Saturday, March 22, 2003
Starting Time - 8:00 AM; Real Estate -12:00 Noon
Furniture -1:00 PM
Located at: 156 Central Manor Road. Mounts die, PA, Lancaster County
Directions; From Lancaster. PA go West on Route 50 to Mountville Exit Go
South ( 2 traffic lights) to square in Mountville Turn right on Mam Street
Continue I block to South Manor Street and continue to auction site
West Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, Zoned
Rural/ Agricultural
FURNITURE & APPLIANCES! “Country” 2- Blind Door Cupboard
w/Gray & Red Paint w/Bracket Feet, Cornice Molding. Interior having 6-shelves
w/2 Miniature Drawers “Unusual” 32-Drawer Wooden Hardware Bin w/ Upper
Shelving, Finch-Fine Furniture (Federal Style) Dining Room Suite w/Buffet,
Server, China Closet, Table w/Boards, (6) Chairs w/Rope Style Turnings (Mint
Condition), 3-Pc Hepplewhite Livmg/Parlor Suite - Small Loveseat, & (2) Side
Chairs, Swell Front Sheraton Dresser w/4-Drawers & Oval Brass Pulls, 5-Pc
Maple Bedroom Suite, Cane Seated Rocker. 5-Drawer Oak Chest-of- Drawers,
Drop Leaf Table, Oak Kitchen Cabinet w/ Baking Aiea & Upper Display Unit, 2-
Drawer Over 2-Door Tall Jelly Cupboard, “Nice" Dove-Tailed Grained Biacket
Feet Blanket Chest, (6) Oak Painted Farm Chairs, Oak Library Table, Oak Towel
Rack, Gate Leg Table, Metal Top Kitchen Table (1930's Era), Quilt Rack, (6)
Decorated Plank Bottom Chairs. Washstands, Cane Seated Ladder Back Chair,
Cane Seated Chairs, 4-Leg Table w/Drawers, “Nice” Marble Top Dresser w/Tear
Drop Handles, Dome Trunk, Lane Cedar Blanket Chest, Double Wooden School
Bench, Cherry Dove-Tailed Baby Cradle, Child’s Desk, Child’s Stool & Chair,
Child's Wicker Chair, Oak Chifferobe w/Side Drawers, Plant Stand, Desk,
Wooden Barrels, Miscellaneous Chairs, Metal File cabinets, PFAFF Sewing
Machine, G E Refrigerator (Like New), G E Freezer, G E Washer/Dryer,
Microwave. Magistic Floor Model Radio, Philco Recorder Player w/Records
GLASSWARE: Small Mocha Cream Pilcher, Earth Worm Pottery, Approx 3-
1/2" w/Hair Line, Nippon, Austria Jam Jars, Creamer/Sugar, Tea Set, Fiesta Juice
Set & Mixing Bowls, Lobster Dish, Butter Dishes, Candy Compote, Pink & Green
Depression Glass, Cherry Pattern, Miss America Covered Candy Dish, Cake
Plates, German & Vegetable Dishes, Fostona Bowl, Toenail Goblets & Various
Othei Goblets (Some Early), Opalescent Glass, Salt & Pepper Shaker, (N) Purple
Carnival Glass Bud Vases, Aurora Decorated Plates, (2) Ma)olica Plates -
Berry/Leaf, Historical Blue Covered Sugar Bowl, German Relish Dish, Wellei
Flower Vases. (4) Geiman Cake Plates - (1) Nippon, Gothic Flo Blue Plate.
Decorated Ironstone Cups & Saucers (Paradise), Fancy Cups & Saucers, Tmkey
Hilll Tumblers, Cranberry Glass. Adams Saucers, Nontakc Open Compote, (2)
Hull Vases, Sherbets, Parfaits & Water Goblets, Harker Pottery Covered Pot, (2)
Deft Creamers, Chelsea Ironstone
ANTIQUES & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS : 1839 Cathenne Reed Show Towel,
Oak Mission Shelf Clock, “Rare’" (2) Early Photo Albums of World War I (Black
& White), Central Manor Camp Meeting Books. Flat Iron, Box Camera,
Bennington Type Piggy Bank, Iron Kettle w/Tnpod, Ice Cream Freezer, Black
Eyed Susan. Market & Other Baskets, Approx 30-40 Hawthorne, Keystone,
Cowden Crocks & Jugs, Butter/Market Scales, Pea Scales, Egg Scales, Individual
Salts, Deitz Lanterns, Good Collection of Unusual Picture Frames, Handmade
Soap, Metal Child’s Wagon, Milk Cans, Meat Grinders, Cookie Cutters, Early
Baby Bottles ( Non-Rolling Oval Nurser), Baby Clothes, Juicer, Early Ink Well,
Dough Scrappers, Apple Butter Stirs, Tin Pie Plates, Cast Iron Still Bank, Tin
Banks & Tin Toys, Small Cast Iron Hubley Car, Various Porcelain Baby Dolls,
Children’s Games, Miniature Child’s Toy Dresser, Cast Iron Military Men, Lunch
Kettles, 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Promotional Car, Collection of Decorated Eggs,
Braided Oval Rugs, “Good” Navaho Indian Rug, Table Linens, Campaign & Tin
Buttons, Frosted 1/2 Shade Table Light w/ Tree Truck Base, Bull’s Eye Mirror
w/Eagle, Wall Paper Mache Boxes, Sterling Candle Sticks, Fire King
FARM RELATED EQUIPMENT: Farmall Super A Tractor w/Sickle Bar
Mower, Plow, & Cultivator, Model 1315 Cub Cadet Lawn Mower, Small disc &
Spring Harrow, Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor, Snapper Walk Behind Lawn
Mower, Walk Behind Potato Plow, Wooden Step Ladders & Extension ladders
(!2’-30’), Wheel Barrow, Chicken Coops, Animal Traps, Animal Hide Stretching
Boards, Single & Double Hole Com Sheller, Belt Drive Com Sheller, Chicken
Equipment/Feeder, Rolls of Wire, Cast Iron Comer Troughs, Scalding Trough,
Hand Cultivators, Dung Sled, Tobacco Lathe, Straw Cutter, Steel Wheel 2-Row
Corn Planter, Ladder Jacks, Echo Gas Weed Eater, Battery Charger, Hand &
Garden Tools, Berry Boxes.
Terms: Cash, Approved Check, Bank Letter of Guarantee with Check
AUCTION a&yri WITMAN AUCTIONEERS INC.
TED Auctioneers, Appraisers and Liquidators
' "'Aw*' JAY M. WITMAN, AU001127-L LUKE R. WITMAN
657 Fruitville Pike, Manheim, PA 17545
(717)665-5735 • fax (717) 664-2737
BY:
Visit Our Website: www.witmanauctioneers.com
on crop insurance; and Bruce
Kreider, White Oak Mills, on nu-
trition strategies to increase prof-
More information from Dairy
Days is scheduled to appear in
the April 19 Foraging Around
section of Lancaster Farming.
Auction For:
Dorothy C. Gamble Estate
Mary Carolyn Newcomer, Ext.
Barbara G. Shenk, Ext.