Purdue Ag News Roundup
Purdue Ag News Roundup
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March 13, 1998
Ram test enrollment deadline is March 27WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Ram lambs born between Jan. 1 and Feb. 18 may be entered in the 1998 Indiana Ram Test Program by any member of the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association (ISBA) through March 27."The Indiana ram test is held each year to identify genetically superior lambs for rate of weight gain," said Michael Neary, Purdue University animal scientist. "The rams are managed and fed as identically as possible at one location. This will allow producers to use and sell rams with a known rate of gain to improve performance of purebred and commercial flocks." Neary said a maximum of 65 rams will be accepted for the test. Entries, postmarked no later than March 27, must be accompanied by a check for $20 made out to the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association. This fee will be credited toward the total test fee, which is due when the ram is delivered. The total test fee is $50 for the first lamb, with discounts available for multiple lambs from the same owner. Enrollment cards will be mailed to owners as soon as entries are received. Rams must be delivered, with enrollment cards, to the Ram Test Station at the Purdue Animal Sciences Research Center Sheep Unit between 9 a.m. and noon on April 4 for a health exam and six-day adjustment period. The test period will begin April 10, and the final weight will be taken June 5. Rams must be picked up June 6. Healthy, sound rams performing in the top 75 percent of their breed will be eligible to sell in the June 13 ISBA Replacement Sale if their owners are Indiana residents. At that sale, trophies will be awarded to the owners of the top-gaining ram and the top get-of-sire. CONTACT: Neary, (765) 494-4849; e-mail, mneary@ansc.purdue.edu
Brownstown family named 'Dairy Family of the Year'WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- At its annual meeting, the Indiana State Dairy Association named the Roger Nierman family of Brownstown as the Indiana Dairy Family of the Year. The award was based on the Nierman family's constant improvement, management and leadership in the dairy industry.The Nierman family farm, established in the late 1930s, stays up-to-date with the latest technology. The family began Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) production testing on the farm in 1958. In the mid-1960s, they built a free stall barn followed by a double-four herringbone milking parlor. In 1972, the family farm was registered in the Brown Swiss Performance Testing Production Registry. Currently, Roger and Jo Ella Nierman and their children Brian, Jason, Jill and Brian's wife, Amy operate the farm with a dairy herd of 86 cows and 90 young stock. "We have been continually testing our herd for the last 30 years," said Roger Nierman, a graduate of Purdue University's short courses. "We are looking for ways to improve our operation." Over the years, production records have increased as a result of herd improvements. In 1958, the herd averaged just over 10,000 pounds of milk and 384 pounds of butterfat. Currently, the herd average is 17,602 pounds of milk, 715 pounds of butterfat and 635 pounds of protein. Several cows have produced more than 30,000 pounds of milk per year. Also, one cow from their stock recorded more than 40,000 pounds of milk. "We use the Brown Swiss breed because they deliver the right mix of milk production, fat and protein," Nierman said. "We want to take advantage of high solids in the Swiss milk." The production increases have resulted from the management practices of the family. They feed a total mixed ration to the herd three times a day. They employ two consultants to assist with nutrition and veterinary concerns. One consultant weighs and formulates the rations for the herd. The other examines the herd and routinely vaccinates cows to prevent illness. The use of genetic improvement is another reason for the success of the farm. All cows are bred through artificial insemination. The family sold embryos and live cattle replacements to South America, Canada and throughout the western United States. The farm family recently published its own web page on the Internet at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/2602/ The Nierman family has been active in state and national dairy associations and contests. Roger is serving his second three-year term as director of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders Association. In addition, he is a director of the Indiana Brown Swiss Association and the local DHIA. Brian, a Purdue graduate, also serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Brown Swiss Association and local DHIA. The family won grand champion cow at the Indiana State Fair three consecutive years. They also have shown the grand champion bull at the World Dairy Expo and produced an All-American Honorable Mention in 1997. College dairy judging teams from as far away as Iowa and South Dakota come to practice on their farm. "Teams from all over stop by and practice on their way to various judging contests," Nierman said. CONTACT: Nierman, (812) 358-3858; http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Pointe/2602/
Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu
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