"Basically" Farming | Helpful hints for new I and existing farmers PENNS TAFE College of Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension - Southeast Region UNDERSTANDING EXPECTED PROGENY DIFFERENCES IN BEEF CATTLE FOR THE FIRST-TIME BUYER Cheryl Fairfoaim Chester County Extension Director Fall brings with it cooler weather and the opportunity to attend various cattle sales throughout the country. Many producers are offering bred heif ers, weaned heifer calves, and bred cows, often with the most current genetics the breed has to offer. As a first time buyer, you need to be aware of the information that is offered on the sale cattle and have a basic understanding of what that information means to your operation. The majority of breed associa tions have calculated EPDs (Ex pected Progeny Difference) val ues on animals within that breed. These numbers are obtained from a huge data base of weights and measurements obtained from breeders who submit this data on a yearly basis on their herd. Weights submitted include birth weights, weaning weights. DRAGLINE -n CRANE SERVICE irrigation Ponds Cleaned Out Serving New Jersey and Eastern Pa. Areas For rates call Dave Gaskill 609-635-8926 Give Your Cows a Helping Hand . . . Boost Immune System - Shed Down Infection IMPRO COW PROGRAMS ★ Dry Cow/Shed Down/Cleanup ★ Pre-fresh/Troubleshoot Transition Cows ★ Fresh Cow Problems/Retalned Placenta ★ High SCC Cows/Mastltls Cows No Milk Withholding Required. Low Dally cost $0.45 Per Cow. Allowed on Organic Daily Farms AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE! Get started with the NEW 2 cow trial size package! Free Impro Program Brochure, Call us Today. * AARON GROFF & SON LLC 103 Clearview Drive Wa tWwi Ephrata, PA 17522 (717) 354-4631 (800) 468-4909 Roy K. Espenshade Carl Deibert Lewisburg, Pa. * Bedford, Pa. (570) 524-7566 (814) 623-6443 Carl Close Country Garden Farm Supply Glen Rock, Pa. Mifflinburg, Pa. (717) 235-2730 (570) 966-3944 yearling weights, and more re cently ultrasound data that en ables the determination of the type of carcass that animal will produce without slaughtering it. All of these measurements are submitted into this data base and the EPDs are then determined for a particular animal. If the an imal is from a herd that submits this data, the EPDs for that ani mal will appear on its pedigree. As a buyer these are an invalu able tool to use when purchasing an animal. It gives you the histo ry of what its past ancestors have done and what the animal you are about to purchase can poten tially do for you if the animal is handled correctly. The Angus breed has the larg est data base of all breeds. Other breeds have data bases, too. It is difficult to compare EPDs be tween breeds since they are cal culated and reported differently. If you want information on a particular breed, call the Nation al Breed Association to obtain in formation on EPDs for that par ticular breed. In a nutshell, as a first-time buyer you want to select breeding stock with balanced traits across Roof Systems/ Painting • Coating All Types Interior/Exterior Painting & Coating Specializing in; • Spray Painting ‘Hand Painting • Water Blasting ‘Water Proofing • Deck Restoration & Coating • Stone & Brick Restoration •Roof Restoration & Coating Liquid Applied Roof Systems * Seamless -Cure-in-place - Cold Process, No Flame - Renewable - Leak Proof * No Need to Tear Off Old Roof Systems * Coating to Cool Roof - (Save up to 20% on Cooling Cost) * Metal - Flat-Asphalt - EPDM - Modified We have the right Product & Solution to Solve your Roofing Problems Ten year manufacturers Warranties Available Capital Painting 7*9 717»768«0979 the board. You want low to mod erate birth weights to avoid calv ing difficulties and strong mater nal characteristics such as milk EPDs that show that the ancestry of that animal has milked well and will raise a heavy calf. Weaning and yearling EPDs should also be high. This shows the animal’s ability to grow on mother’s milk and then on feed once it is weaned and on its own. Marbling is a sought-after trait now in carcasses so look for cattle with positive marbling traits. If you are handed a pedigree with out EPDs, there is a pretty good chance that the owner has not submitted data on that particular animal. EPDs are only a tool and you need to also look at the personal record of the animal you are about to purchase. What was its actual birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight? What were its ratios? Is it sound on its feet- and legs? What is the disposition like and how is this herd handled? Are you looking for cattle that will make it on grass or cattle that will be fed grain throughout most of their life? Last but not least, does the per son you are purchasing cattle from have a good reputation and are they honest about their num bers and methods of handling? Combine all of these informa tion pieces and you will have a better chance of selecting cattle that will fit the needs on your farm. Remember that informa tion is only as good as the person who submits it. If you have any questions, ask your breed associa tion ' representative or state or county extension beef specialist for help in understanding the in formation available to you. Cattlemen’s Association Announces Show, Sale MEADOWLANDS (Wash ington Co.) The Washing ton County Cattlemen’s Asso ciation has set Saturday, Sept. 27, as the date for its third an nual club calf show and sale here at the Washington Coun ty Fairgrounds. The sale will feature 30-40 lots of show quality, halter broken heifers and steers. The lots will be shown and judged beginning at 4 p.m. and sold according to show placement at 6 p.m. Lebanon County Holstein Sale Posts Results LEBANON (Lebanon Co.) The Lebanon County Holstein Club hosted its 24th annual sale at the Lebanon Fairgrounds, Aug. 22. Bidding was brisk on fine con signments throughout the sale. The sale was topped by a daugh ter of Regancrest Magnificent, consigned by Glen Brubaker and purchased for $3,150 by Darryl Brubaker of Womelsdorf. Second high seller was a Storm daughter consigned by Stone hurst Farms of Strasburg and purchased for $2,350 by Justin Hillegas of Berlin. Next was a Silky Cousteau Organic dairy production will be a highlight of the Sept. 20 Lancaster Farming Dairy Plus booklet. Scheduled: features on organic dairy farms and strategies for success in organic milk production from university. In addition, news and information from the breed associations and cooperatives. HEATMOR OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACES ■ 5 Sizes -19 Colors - Wood or Coal Grates Forced Draft - Ash Auger Clean Out * ‘ > Wood-Oil & Corn-Burning Options Outback Heating Inc. 888-763-8617 800-743-5883 Stainless Steel Jamestown, NY Staunton,VA Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 30, 2003-A27 Lunch and refreshments will be available throughout the day. A Silent Auction will also he held with proceeds going directly to the Washing ton County Cattlemen’s Asso ciation Educational Support Grant. Applications for consign ments to the sale are available to anyone in the tri-state area and can be obtained by con tacting Brian Hrutkay at (724) 239-3556 or Mike Rohaley at (724)229-4856. daughter from Stonehurst, pur chased for $2,250 by Mervin Bru baker of Womelsdorf. Two Comes tar Leader daugh ters consigned by Adam and Lisa Sonnen of Richland were pur chased by Michael Bohonik of West Middlesex for $2,250 and $2,200, respectively. Rounding out the top six was a Jolt daughter from Mike Kunkle of Jonestown, purchased by Jus tin Hillegas for $2,150. Fresh cows and heifers aver aged $1,910 and bred heifers av eraged $1,830. Adam Sonnen and Andy Ebersole co-chaired this year’s sale. COMPARISON WITH OTHER OUTDOOR UNITS • Burns up to 1/2 less wood • Emits up to 1/2 less smoke • Corrosion Warranty up to 10 times longer
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