El6-Ag Progress Section, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 16, 2003 Performance Tested Boar Sale PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE (Huntingdon Co.) The state’s 28th Performance Tested Boar Sale is scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m. here at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s New Livestock Evaluation Center. There are 58 boars consigned from various Pennsylvania producers for the 2003 Boar Test. Out of these 58 boars, there are 40 Yorkshires, six Berkshires, five Durocs, three Hampshires, and three crossbred boars. In conjunction with this year’s Boar Test, there are 14 gilts on test. Out of these 14 gilts there are 13 Yorkshires, one crossbred. The new gilt test has been an interesting addition to the summer boar test. This year’s boar test began in the New Livestock Evaluation Center’s hog facility. This new building allowed for a great deal more temperature and ventilation control than in past tests. The pen space available to the boars and gilts is also larger, allow ing more freedom of movement and space for exercise. Throughout the tests the animals are weighed every 14 days and evaluated on feed consumption. Upon completing the test, each group of animals is ultrasonically scanned to measure loin eye area, fat thickness, and percent lean muscle. Feed efficiency is extremely important to producers interested in in creasing profitability in their own operation. In addition to weight gain and muscling the hogs, sheep, goats, and bulls tested at the facili ty are evaluated on soundness and breeding ability. Soundness is a measurement of the physical condition of an animal. When an animal is sound, it stands and walks correctly and shows no signs of detrimental movement problems. Of all species tested, sound ness is probably the most critical in the swine industry because of the confinement conditions prevalent in the industry. After these animals complete test, professionals from within each species interest will designate which animals will be quality sires from their specific breeds and can be sold to other livestock producers interested in advancing their own herd or flock. Livestock production is a competitive and consumer-driven industry, and the constant ad vancement of genetics is necessary to the profita bility of the farms and producers involved in livestock production. The first-ever performance-tested gilt sale and the planned dedication of the new Livestock Evaluation Center takes place at 2 p.m. the same day. The location next to Ag Progress Days, which will be in full swing Wednesday, Aug. 20, will also enhance attendance. For more specific information about the boars and gilts or to request a catalog or information on any of Pennsylvania’s performance testing programs, contact Glenn Eberly, Livestock Eval uation Center, 1494 West Pine Grove Rd., Penn sylvania Furnace, PA 16865, by phone at (814) 238-2527, (814) 238-2307, or by e-mail at geber ly@state.pa.us. Dairy Promotion Groups Work Together At Ag Progress Days HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.) Dairy farm ers are invited to the 2003 Ag Progress Days to leam more about how dairy checkoff programs help increase demand for dairy products. The Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council Mid-East, and the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association will host a joint exhibit at the annual event, Aug. 19-21, at Ag progress Days, Rock spring. All dairy farmers and those affiliated with the dairy industry are invited to visit the joint exhib it in the Dairy and Livestock Tent #1 to leam more about both local and national dairy promo tion efforts, including 3-A-Day of Dairy, milk vending, and more. Pennsylvania dairy farmers are also invited to a free luncheon and informational meeting host ed by PDPP at noon, Thursday, Aug. 21, in the Special Events Building at Ag Progress Days. This will serve as the annual meeting for PDPP and will be a great opportunity for farmers to hear more about new dairy promotion initia tives. ROCKSPRING (Centre Co.) Early Christmas shopping and bargain hunt ing can be combined when the Pasto Agricultural Muse um conducts its fourth silent auction during the first two days of Penn State’s Ag Pro gress Days, Aug. 19-20. About 150 items includ ing Penn State/Ohio State football tickets, a new John Deere lawn tractor, and a new Massey Ferguson trac tor blade have been donat ed, according to museum volunteer curator Darwin Braund. “Buyers will find items to meet practically any interest, need, and checking ac count,” said Braund. “Do nors have been generous in supplying a wide variety of useful items to help generate funds to preserve the rich heritage of agriculture and rural living. Proceeds will benefit the Penn State Ag Alumni Endowment for the Pasto Agricultural Muse um. Items for bid include an tique hand and farm tools, a scale, a butter chum, iron kettles, a miner’s basket, newer and antique model tractors and trucks, meats from the University Meats Lab, and Penn State LL Uati* mmmmm warn Bid On Antiques, Meats At Silent Auction Forstron' i bones \ j Dairy Checkoff I helps to increase dairy demand I is managed efficiently and effectively helps to defend the image of dairy ■ products and the dairy industry > Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program American Dairy Association & Dairy Council Mid East Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association Creamery cheese. Farm pro duction items include bull semen, a cow stall mat, 10 tons of shredded and baled newsprint for animal bed ding, fencing supplies, alfalfa and corn seed, and subscrip tions to Lancaster Farming and other newspapers. Donations for fun and rec reation include Penn State football tickets, Nittany Val ley Symphony tickets, a cot tage rental on Lake Rays town, and certificates for dinner. Items that might make good gifts include an ox yoke, photographs and prints, gift baskets, fresh peaches, a hanging corner cupboard, antique pewter ice cream molds, milk bottles, Penn State sports balls and clothes, and DVDs. Equine enthusiasts can find a Western Pleasure sad dle in excellent condition. It was donated by the family of James P. Gallagher, in mem ory of the former Penn State extension specialist. It was his personal saddle with a rich medium oil color and silver trim. It has a 15 Vi inch seat. Collectors of brass bells will have many choices. In cluded are four sets of sleigh bells on leather straps, three sets of Conestoga wagon Visit the dairy checkoff booth in Dairy and Livestock Tent #1 at the 2003 Ag Progress Days. Learn about 3-A-Day of Dairy, Milk Vending and More! -i « I mmmm m m Mmmmm mmm mm mmm mmm* bells (three-, four-, and five bell sets), four sets of sleigh shaft bells, two sets of hames bells, and two school hand bells. New this year will be a cash-and-carry section. Buy ers of these items won’t have to bid and wait until the end of the auction. They can pay cash for each specially marked item and take it with them upon completion of the transaction. Early arrivals will have the advantage in this section. Bidding will close prompt ly at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Successfid bidders can pick up their items after payment is processed Wednesday. Penn State’s Ag Progress Days is conducted at the Russell E. Larson Agricul tural Research Center at Rockspring, nine miles southwest of State College on Rt. 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 19; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 21. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until Aug. 21 or visit the Ag Progress Days Website at http://apd.cas.psu.edu. ■■■■■■■■■■ Mla'ArL A N T I C DiKimm
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