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LATE SUMMER

EARLY FALL 2011

THE PUBLICATION OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LIVESTOCK ASSOCIATION

HERR’S HOST SUMMER PLA

BOARD MEETING

Dennis Byrne, farm manager for Herr’s Angus, was the gracious host for the PLA summer board

meeting. We met in the Nottingham Inn, which is a new acquisition of the Herr Family, for the Board

meeting. Following a delicious lunch, we traveled the short distance to the Herr’s Snack Plant for a

factory tour and opportunity to shop in the outlet. One of the notable things we learned on the tour

is that as machines replace people on the line, those people are given other jobs. This is one of the

commitments of the Herr Family if someone loses a job because of mechanization. We learned at

the end of our tour that our tour guide was new to the job, ours being one of the first few tours she

had conducted. We were amazed with her enthusiasm and knowledge for having been on the job

for so short a time. And of course, everyone loved the warm chips fresh off the line.

From there, we went to Herr Angus Farm which is close to the factory and is where most of the solid

and water by-products produced at the factory are reused. Snack products that do not meet quality

specifications are collected by a vacuum system, transported to the farm and mixed with corn and

haylage to produce livestock feed. Steer party mix, as the farm staff refers to it, along with potato

peelings from the plant, supplement a feed nutritionist-formulated diet for 500 head of cattle. Nearly

1 million gallons of water drawn from the processing of Herr’s® potatoes are pumped to the farm for

spray irrigation weekly on the 1500-acre farm, which includes a cropping program of corn, soybeans,

wheat and hay. Dennis used a hay wagon to take us on a tour of the farm stopping at the feed lot,

feed room where the steer party mix is dumped and other stops viewing in the pasture. It’s very

evident that Dennis is proud of the caliber of cattle that he has been instrumental in developing as

he stopped the tractor several times to give pedigrees and information on various animals.

The weather was lovely, the scenery beautiful and everyone thanks Dennis Byrne for a wonderful

visit at Herr’s.

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HOSS’S VETERAN WILL LEAD

BEEF COUNCIL

Bedford – The PA Beef Council Board

of Directors announces Bridget

Bingham will lead the organization as

its new executive director. A

foodservice industry veteran, Bingham

spent 25 years in management at

Hoss’s Steak & Sea House, a 37-unit

restaurant chain with locations in Pennsylvania and West

Virginia. She was most recently Director of Sales for the

chain, coordinating all marketing, advertising, public relations,

menu creation, and research and development

initiatives. Bingham previously served Hoss’s as Learning and

Development Specialist; Marketing Director; Corporate Service

Specialist; and District Manager.

“We are excited to introduce Bridget to the beef industry,” said

Alan Frederick, Beef Council chairperson. “Her career path

gives her an intimate knowledge of how to market beef to our

Commonwealth’s consumers.”

A community leader, Bingham is previous President of the

Bedford County Chamber of Commerce; Chairperson of the

Leadership Bedford County Steering Committee; Chairperson

of the Bedford United Methodist Church Board of Trustees;

and the 1999 recipient of the Sam Walton Leadership Award.

"I am thrilled to join the Beef Council team and look forward

to applying my background and skills to build dynamic beef

checkoff programs,” said Bingham. Bingham and her

husband, Michael, reside in Bedford, with their son, Jeremiah.

Contact Bingham at bbingham@pabeef.org or 1-888-4BEEFPA.

Media Contact: Kristi Kassimer, 412-691-0262; kkassimer@pabeef.org.

PLA OFFICERS

2010-11

President: Brian Kreider 14 Eastfield Drive Lebanon, PA 17042 717-274-9206

First Vice-President: Ronald C. Miller 612 Skyline Road Bernville, PA 19506 Secretary: Harold Harpster 324 Henning Building University Park, PA 16802 814-863-0734 Treasurer: Tammy Weaver 22 Camp Rogers Road Ephrata, PA 17522 717-721-3366 Executive Secretary: Lois Rankin 77 South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA 17362 717-225-5960 Email: lsrankin@comcast.net KILE Show Manager James Sharp Farm Show Complex 2300 N. Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110 717-787-2905 KILE Promotions Manager Dave McElhaney 149 Pittsburgh Grade Rd. Hookstown, PA 15050 724-573-9043

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NEW TO THE KEYSTONE CLASSIC BBQ THIS YEAR:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE “BEST LEGS IN TOWN” CONTEST

This fall marks the 4th Annual Keystone Classic Barbecue State Championship! This Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event will once again be held in conjunction with the Keystone International Livestock Exposition at the Farm

Show Complex on October 7 and 8, 2011. Over 40 barbeque teams from all over the Northeast will gather for this event to compete for the State Championship title.

The Kansas City Barbecue Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enjoying barbeque. It is the world’s largest organization of barbecue and grilling enthusiasts, with almost 300 barbeque contests sanctioned throughout the United States. The Keystone Classic Barbeque contest is one of these great events that promote barbecue products and cuisine.

The Keystone Classic Barbecue contest will begin on October 7th with our Bell & Evans wing contest beginning at 7:00 p.m. and our Weaver’s Bologna contest at 7:45 p.m. New to the Keystone Classic BBQ this year is our Bell & Evans “Best Legs in Town” competition which is a People’s Choice contest. Teams will be barbecuing Bell & Evan chicken legs that will be judged by the general public in the trade show area of K.I.L.E beginning at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 8th. Six legs will be sold for $5.00 and one leg will be $1.00. Those buying six legs will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite leg. Teams will be competing for the “Best Legs in Town” trophy, which you won’t want to miss!

So come out and enjoy some barbecue, mingle with the teams, and learn their tricks and tips for the best barbecue. We hope to see you on October 7th and 8th for the 4th Annual Keystone Classic Barbecue State Championship!

KILE OPENING CEREMONY Thursday, October 6, at 4:00 PM

Please join us at the Opening Ceremony of the Keystone International Livestock Exposition. The

ceremony is held in the Sale Arena and begins at 4:00 PM. This is the time that PLA recognizes

outstanding individuals for their commitment to, and involvement in, the livestock industry.

Continuing the PLA tradition, a deserving member of the livestock industry will be inducted into the

Hall of Fame. Outstanding Youth Awards will be presented to 4-H and FFA Youth, and college

scholarships will be awarded.

The annual PLA meeting will be held immediately after the Opening Ceremony. All members are

invited to attend this meeting. The main item of business is to elect new board members and

officers.

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2011 KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Tentative Schedule

(Horse Shows are in the Equine Arena unless otherwise noted)

Saturday, October 1 8:00 am Haflinger Horse Show 7:00 pm Pennsylvania High School Rodeo (Large Arena) * Free Admission

Sunday, October 2 8:00 am Haflinger Horse Show 1:00 pm Pennsylvania High School Rodeo (Large Arena) * Free Admission

Monday, October 3

Tuesday, October 4

Wednesday, October 5

Thursday, October 6 (Farm City Day) 8:00 am Clydesdale Horse Show 8:00 am Belgian Halter Horse Show 9:00 am Breeding Sheep: Oxford, Shropshire, Southdown Breeding Sheep: Natural Colored, Columbia, Rambouillet, Corriedale & Merino in order 12:00 Noon - 7:00 pm Stockman’s Trade Show 1:00 pm Maine-Anjou followed by MaineTainer Breeding Cattle Show – (Large Arena) 1:00 pm Draft Horse Hitch Show 2:00 pm Wool Judging 4:00 pm Opening Ceremony & Awards Presentation – (Small Arena) 5:00 pm Breeding Swine: Berkshire, Chester White, & Hampshire in order

Friday, October 7 8:00 am Keystone Classic Barbeque Set up – (North Lot) 8:00 am Angus Breeding Cattle Show – (Large Arena) 8:00 am SimAngus/SimSolutions Cattle Show – (Large Arena) followed by: Simmental Breeding Cattle Show 8:00 am Limousin Breeding Cattle Show – (Small Arena) 8:00 am Regional Shire Halter Horse Show 8:00 am Percheron Horse Show followed by: Draft Horse Hitch Classes 8:30 am Breeding Swine: Duroc, Landrace, Yorkshire, Spotted Swine, & Poland China in order followed by: Supreme Champion Boar & Gilt 9:00 am Breeding Sheep: Tunis, Hampshire in order 9:00 am Breeding Sheep: Cheviot, Dorset & Montadale in order 9:00 am Keystone Stockman’s Contest – (Main Floor) 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Stockman’s Trade Show 10:00 am Red Angus Breeding Cattle Show – (Small Arena) 12:00 Noon American British White Park Breeding Cattle Show – (Small Arena) 2:00 pm National Hereford Cattle Show – (Large Arena) 2:00 pm Club Calf and Prospect Heifer Show – (Small Arena) 3:15 pm Keystone Stockman’s Contest Awards – (Main Floor) 5:00 pm Keystone Classic Barbeque Cooks Meeting – (North Lot) 5:30 pm National Junior Swine Association Showmanship 6:00 pm “Keystone Classic Swine Sale” – (Small Arena) 6:00 pm People’s Choice Weavers Bologna Barbeque Contest – (Cameron Circle & Trade Show Area) 7:30 pm National Junior Swine Association Showmanship

(Continued on page 5)

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Saturday, October 8 8:00 am Draft Hitch Show (Equine Arena) 8:00 am Major Atlantic PACE Shorthorn Cattle Show – (Large Arena) followed by: Shorthorn Plus Cattle Show 8:00 am Junior & Collegiate Livestock Judging Contest – (Main Floor) 8:00 am National Junior Swine Association Eastern Regional Show 8:00 am Highland Breeding Cattle Show – (Small Arena) 8:30 am Suffolk Sheep Show followed by: Supreme Champion Ram & Ewe 8:00 am Charolais Open Cattle Show – (Large Arena) 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Stockman’s Trade Show 12:00 Noon Junior Market Steer Show – (Large Arena) 12:00 Noon Keystone Classic Barbeque Judging – (North Lot) 12:00 Noon Fulton Bank Agri-Kid Olympics – (Northeast Hall) 12:45 pm Beef Youth Benefit Auction - Part I (Small Arena) 1:00 pm Angus Sale (Small Arena) 1:00 pm Texas Longhorn Open & Youth Cattle Show – (Large Arena) 1:00 pm Draft Horse Youth Show 1:30 pm Keystone Lead Line 2:45 pm Beef Youth Benefit Auction - Part II (Small Arena) 3:00 pm Keystone Heifer Showcase Sale (Small Arena) 3:00 pm “Pedal Power Pull” – (Northeast Hall) 3:30 pm American Junior Maine-Anjou Association Mixer & Cattleman’s Challenge – (Skybox 1) 3:30 pm Beef Youth Benefit Auction & Scholarship Awards Presentation - (Small Arena) 4:00 pm Keystone Classic Barbeque Awards Ceremony – (North Lot) 5:00 pm Ewe Sale: Hampshire, Southdown, Dorset, Shropshire, Montadale, Suffolk & Tunis in order. 6:00 pm Beef Youth Scholarship Awards Presentation (Small Arena) 6:00 pm North American All Breeds 6-Horse Hitch Classic Series Show 6:30 pm Club Calf & Prospect Heifer Sale – (Small Arena)

Sunday, October 9 8:00 am Paso Fino Horse Show – (Equine Arena) 8:00 am Jr. Beef Breeding Cattle: Angus, Shorthorn, Shorthorn Plus in order – (Large Arena 1) 8:00 am Jr. Beef Breeding Cattle: Hereford, SimAngus/SimSolutions, Simmental in order – (Large Arena 2) 8:00 am Jr. Beef Breeding Cattle: Limousin, Red Angus, Charolais, Maine-Anjou, MaineTainer, &

Crossbred Heifers in order – (Small Arena) 8:00 am Junior Breeding Sheep: Order will be posted. followed by: Junior Sheep Breeding -

Supreme Champion Ram & Ewe 9:00 am Barrow On-Foot Swine Show: Duroc, Crossbred, Berkshire, Chester White, Hampshire,

Landrace, Poland China, Spotted Swine, Yorkshire, & Truckload of 6 Market Hogs in order (12:00 Noon break for Live Hog Evaluation & Jr. Barrows)

10:00 am – 3:00 pm Stockman’s Trade Show 12:00 Noon Live Hog Evaluation Contest followed by Junior Barrows 2:30 pm Supreme Champion Beef Pageant – (Large Arena)

(Continued from page 4)

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Contact: Andy Briggs 717.260.6474 RepKeller.com abriggs@pahousegop.com Facebook.com/RepKeller

COLUMN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 8, 2011

Funding to Agriculture Programs Cut in 2011-12 State Budget

by Rep. Mark Keller (R-Perry/Franklin)

There are many good things to report about the 2011-12 state budget signed by Governor Tom Corbett in June. It was approved on schedule for the first time in eight years, does not raise taxes or create new ones, and spends about $1 billion less than the previous year. The governor and House Republican leaders accomplished most of their goals as we work to return Pennsylvania to fiscal responsibility.

Unfortunately, the $27.15 billion spending plan also resulted in funding reductions that impact the Commonwealth’s number one industry, agriculture. In the governor’s original budget proposal, funding for numerous agricultural programs was either eliminated or greatly reduced. We were able to restore some of the funding in the final version of the budget, but at levels that will still have a negative impact on programs which are so critical to farming’s future.

Many of those programs are located at Penn State University. New this fiscal year and in the future, agricultural research and cooperative extension services at Penn State are being funded separately from the university. Rep. John Maher (R-Allegheny/Washington), chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, had anticipated the separation would result in a reduction in funding of only 10 percent. Penn State’s agriculture appropriation ended up being $44.74 million, which represents a 19 percent reduction from the previous fiscal year. Penn State officials, and not state lawmakers, made the decision to decrease funding at the higher percentage rate to keep in line with the loss of state funding being experienced by the entire university.

As a result, the $10.5 million funding cut will force Bruce McPheron, dean of Penn State’s College of Agriculture Sciences, to make some difficult decisions. At least 150 jobs are expected to be eliminated, with about half of them coming through a voluntary early retirement program. The college employs 800 people, so research programs and cooperative extension services are sure to be affected, which is a concern to me and should be of concern to the farm families and consumers who have come to rely on them.

The news is better for the state Department of Agriculture, where we were able to restore many of the funding cuts proposed by the Corbett administration. The Animal Health Commission received an appropriation that was $136,000 (3 percent) less than the last fiscal year. Funding for Agricultural Research was cut by $87,000 (10 percent). The Agriculture Excellence program, which oversees the Centers for Dairy Excellence, Beef Excellence and Farm Transitions, had its funding cut by $29,000 (10 percent).

The governor wanted to eliminate funding for the Livestock and Open Dairy shows. We were able to add $160,000 for each show, which represents a 10 percent reduction from the previous budget. In addition, $127,000 was appropriated for youth programs, which include the Junior Dairy show, 4-H Club shows and the FFA. We felt it was a priority to provide funding for these important youth programs which have a significant impact on the future of the Commonwealth’s agricultural industry.

Another agricultural program that affects thousands of Pennsylvanians is the Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides WIC recipients and eligible senior citizens with coupons that are used to purchase fruits and vegetables from approved farmers’ markets. Funding for this worthwhile program ended up being reduced by only $62,000 (3 percent).

Even though I voted in favor of the 2011-12 state budget, I was disappointed it did not include higher funding levels for agriculture. It is imperative that Pennsylvania once again begins to spend within its means. This budget does that. However, as we move forward, funding for agriculture must at least be maintained at current levels. Otherwise, I am convinced Pennsylvania’s standing as an industry leader will begin to suffer.

I encourage each of you to contact your state senator and/or state representative and impress upon them the importance of maintaining their support and commitment for the farming community. They need to hear firsthand accounts of your concerns. It is also up to you to inform Harrisburg about the vital role the state’s farmers play in providing food to the nation. By getting involved, we can all help agriculture remain strong, for Pennsylvania and for the thousands of families who depend on our industry for their livelihoods.

State Representative Mark Keller 86th District, Pennsylvania House of Representatives

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KEYSTONE INTERNATIONAL

LIVESTOCK EXPOSITION

OCTOBER 1-OCTOBER 9, 2011

PENNSYLVANIA RURAL-URBAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (RULE) SEEKS LOCAL LEADERS

The Pennsylvania Rural-Urban Leadership (RULE) program, a two-year leadership development initiative, is seeking applicants interested in becoming members of the program's 14th class. Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2011. RULE’s purpose is to encourage and foster the development of community leaders from all segments of Pennsylvania. The program of study is bolstered by its partnership with Penn State connecting RULE with cutting edge leadership research. Each of the five annual study institutes includes opportunities to explore rural-urban issues and learn how to participate in public decision-making more effectively, through a greater understanding of the contextual framework where decisions are made. Underscoring the entire program are the core values that encourage diversity in the resolution of public issues. Whether a mayor of a borough, chairman of a Fortune 100 company, head of a community college, member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly or even the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture – RULE graduates are making a difference throughout the Commonwealth. The program focuses on developing proficiencies in four target areas: communication skills, group process, personal leadership and specific community issues. During the first year, the emphasis is on local, regional and state public policy issues. The second year focuses on national and international issues. Participants take an active role in the learning process and in program development. New skills are directly applicable to current public policy issues and personal growth. The program's selection criteria are designed to include participants from diverse backgrounds with different interests and goals, as well as a demonstrated commitment to community involvement and solving public issues. Consideration will be given to an applicant's experience, learning needs and potential. The RULE program combines the resources of Penn State with expertise from the private and public sectors of the Commonwealth and the nation. The result is a diversified leadership program for adult Pennsylvania leaders concerned about public issues. The RULE program is collaboratively funded by individual participants, sponsoring organizations, private and public contributions, and Penn State. RULE fellows are admitted without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation or veteran status. For applications or information, write to RULE Program, The Pennsylvania State University, 6 Armsby Building, University Park, PA 16802, or call (814) 863-4679. More information also is available at the program's Web site at www.rule.psu.edu.

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Pennsylvania Livestock Assn C/o Lois Rankin 77 South Ridge Road Spring Grove, PA 17362-8565

Sept. 15-22, 2011—All American Dairy Show, Farm Show Complex

October 1-9, 2011—Keystone International Livestock Exposition (See schedule pp.3-4)

October 6, 2011—4:30 PM, KILE Opening Ceremony, followed by PLA Annual meeting

October 11, 2011—Heifers and Bulls delivered to LEC

Dec 15—Winter meeting of PLA Board of Directors, Farm Show Complex

January 6-14, 2012—Pennsylvania Farm Show, Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA

(Send your information for inclusion in the Calendar of Events)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS