The Rural Voice, 1985-07, Page 50FARM NEWS
Neubrand herd tops in Ontario
Karl Neubrand and family of
Bornholm, Perth County, achieved
the highest BCA score in competition
with Dairy Herd Improvement
members throughout the province.
The Neubrand's herd of Blauteul
Holsteins was the top DHI herd for
1984,topping the province with a roll-
ing herd composite average of 187, up
10 BCA points from 1983. The herd
averaged 9,065 kg. of milk with an
average fat test of 3.8 per cent.
The present herd consists of 42
registered and NIP cows. The
Neubrands have not purchased an
animal in the past 20 years. All
heifers are allowed to calve at the
farm and enter the milking herds. "If
a cow is not producing 60 pounds on
the second test after calving" she is
culled from the herd, according to
Martha Neubrand. Cows are also
culled to keep production in line with
quota holdings.
The Neubrands selected A.I. sires
with average fat tests of 3.9 or 4.0 per
cent for use in their breeding pro-
gram. They also breed approximately
20 per cent of the herd to young sires.
Young sires are selected based on a
strong pedigree for both production
and type.
Cows are fed individually in the tie
stall barn. Corn silage, hay, and a
concentrate mixture make up the ra-
tion. A hay dryer constructed three
years ago is the "best investment we
have made," comments Karl. Higher
quality hay has allowed them to
decrease their purchased feed cost by
$3,000 this past year.
Producing top quality milk is
something the Neubrands do well.
The herd's somatic cell count average
is 150,000 cell/mL. They have receiv-
ed a "Gold Seal" Quality Award Cer-
tificate for producing quality milk for
the past six years.
The Neubrands attribute their suc-
cess to a little luck. After a visit to the
farm one realizes that their efficient
management practices are the key.
Karl says he is "the worst critic" of
his farming operation. "We always
look at cutting costs and are not
afraid to try new ideas."
BIC distributes
nutrition guide
The current advertising campaign
from the Beef Information Centre
(BIC) is the development and
distribution of a beef nutrition guide
and diet plan.
"Lookin' good, feelin' good with
Beef" presents the facts about beers
role in a balanced diet. It's a positive
story about beef as a source of 10
essential nutrients, beef as a major
contributor of iron, Vitamin B12 and
zinc, and beef as a lean meat which
compares favourably with chicken
and fish in terms of fat, calorie, and
cholesterol content. Low -calorie beef
recipes are interspersed throughout
the booklet.
A unique element of the booklet is
a lean diet plan. The plan is based on
Canada's Food Guide.
The booklet is being distributed by
direct mail to householders across
Canada as well as to doctors, health
professionals, and diet centres.
This is all part of a co-ordinated
marketing strategy which involves TV
and magazine advertising, retail
point-of-sale, public relations, and
consumer education — all designed to
tell today's consumer that beef is an
important part of a balanced diet. El
Research Trust
provides funds
The Board of Trustees of the
Canadian Veterinary Research Trust
Fund announced the funding of 19
proposals from researchers and
veterinarians across Canada, which
totals more than $160,000.
The Trust Fund, established in
1973, supports research on the
diseases of a wide variety of animals
including dogs, cats, horses, food
producing animals, poultry, and zoo
animals.
Due to the shortage of trained
veterinary scientists in Canada, the
board approved in principle the
establishment of a Graduate Training
Fellowship to encourage graduate
veterinarians to enter the field of
research.
The fund's primary source of
revenue consists of royalties from the
Pet Food Certification Programme of
the Canadian Veterinary Medical
Association. El
ATTENTION
WHEAT & BARLEY PRODUCERS
We are agents for the Ontario Wheat
Producers' Marketing Board. Forward
contracts also available on corn, soy-
beans, and barley.
Construction of our new facilities are
complete & ready to serve you.
AMBERLEY GRAIN ELEVATOR
(DIVISION OF PARRISH & HEIMBECKER)
Jct. Hwy. 86 & 21 395.3300
48 THE RURAL VOICE