(Continued from Page 52) • Trust the index and use the bull. • Keep using the bull, but less. • Use the bull, but be sure not to double up faults. • Don’t use the bull. If the next high bull is nearly equal for net merit, it won’t hurt too much. Cassell also discussed a new feature that was added to the net merit index this past February. The daughter pregnancy rate (DPR) indicates a bull’s ability to pass on reproductive performance. Even though DPR is a lowly heritable trait, it is “extremely valuable.” The change it brings will be slow but permananent, Cassell said. All the young bulls in sire selection programs start out with the potential to be good but only about one in 10 make the grade, according to Cas sell. He strongly advised using a stud provider that doesn’t have a biased interest in any particular bull. “Make sure you’re with an organization that doesn’t care which bull out of those ten makes it,” he said. Mike O’Connor, dairy professor at Penn State, spoke on reproductive management strategies. “What’s the most expensive semen?” O’Connor 701 E. Linden St. Richland, PA 17087 717-866-6581 MEMBER Equis Quality Stall Systems Door and Wall Systems Critlwork Sections Dutch Door Systems Ptyco Doors and Windows MEMBER TRUSS PLATE INSTITUTE Top Of The List 701 E. Linden St., Richland, PA 17087 MANUFACTURERS OP: Clu-Lam Arches Glu-Lam Beams Clu-Lam Treated Posts Over 40 Years ofQuadiy Service said. “Semen that doesn’t result in a pregnancy. “Breed cows that are in heat,” was his tongue-in cheek advice. O’Connor’s fieldwork and research has shown that semen is often either put into a cow that is not in heat or is not inserted fully into the cervix. O’Connor has an x-ray device that helps train breeders by showing the results of their semen placement. At Pride-N-Joy Holstein, the Wanner family and their PDMP intern, Marcela Martinez, offered three tour stops. They shared their systems for feeding, breeding and nutrient management, as well as pro tocols for calves and young heifers. Genex/CRI was exclusive sponsor of the meeting and helped with tours. The Wanners have about 400 cows and an exem plary breeding program. For more information about PDMP, visit the website HYPERLINK “http://www.das.psu.edu/ pdmp/” http://www.das.psu.edu/pdmp/ or contact Beth Moore, Special Projects Coordinator HYPER LINK “mailto:beth@innernet.net” beth@innernet .netor(7l7)37s-2910. Roof Trusses Floor Trusses T/G & V-Groove Decking WE STOCK: Cannonball Track and Accessories Fabral Roofing and Siding Lumber and Shingles /ffijp!—3MpS. All Types of Fasteners MHITCm 1283 Joni Miller Rd. Oakland, MD 21550 301-334-3977
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers