by Steve Wagner
Angela Scaramuzzino is a microbiology technician who works at the Lancaster Dairy Herd Improvement Association (LDHIA) in Manheim, PA. Angela busily seems to be everywhere in the DHIA building at the same time. “I test milk making sure that it is safe to drink,” she says, which almost makes it sound easy. “My primary job is milk pregnancy tests that we run every day but I also work in the micro-lab and culture lab.” She graduated from Delaware Valley College with a degree in livestock science and management, “which is large animal science. I focused a lot on large animal reproduction which I really enjoy. In the lab, we get a variety of herds, large and small, to family cows to pets. There’s nothing I don’t see that comes through here.” Holsteins probably dominate in Pennsylvania, but Scaramuzzino also assays crossbreds, Jerseys, Swiss, etc. Continue reading
Category Archives: Western Edition
Kuszlyk Cattle Company ~ breeding to win
by Sally Colby
Most purebred dairy cattle aficionados know something about the history of their breed, but not every family can trace their cattle — and their own family — back to the original breed founders.
Marjorie Kuszlyk comes from a long line of dairy farmers, and has an especially long connection with Milking Shorthorns. Her family can trace their affiliation with the breed directly back to the original Milking Shorthorns, which were first known as Durham cattle. “My family, the Acombs, were part of the clan that helped originate Milking Shorthorn cattle in England,” she said. Continue reading
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Award winners shine at 50th All-American Dairy Show
by Sally Colby
“The Pennsylvania All-American Dairy Show is a new venture. It is designed to fill a need that has been apparent for some years. Until now, our (Pennsylvania) dairy farmers have had to take their cattle to other states to benefit from the comparisons and competition that open, national shows provide. Farmers and breeders from other states and Canada have never had the opportunity to bring their best animals into competition with native Pennsylvania until now.”
That paragraph appeared in the first catalog for what is now known as the All-American Dairy Show (AADS). Since its inception, the show has grown to a premier venue for dairy producers across the nation to exhibit and compare dairy cattle.
The first AADS, which was held in 1964 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA, drew 2,400 dairy animals representing the major dairy breeds.
“The quality of animals and the organization of events are simply fantastic,” said Pennsylvania Secretary of Ag George Greig as he commented on the show and those who make it possible. “Any of us who have worked in organizations, whether it’s Farm Bureau, Lion’s Club, Grange, or church groups knows that these events don’t just happen. People who work behind the scenes don’t get a lot of credit — it’s great to see them get credit.” Continue reading
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Angus along the Hudson
Breeders of Angus cattle from across the U.S. came to Albany, NY for their breed’s association conference and to tour some of New York State’s eastern herds from Aug. 28 to 30.
by Steven E Smith
Backed by rich history that is combined with an excitement about the future, Eastern NY breeder herds coupled with support from the New York Angus Association to host the National Angus Conference and Tour. The three-day event served as an outstanding educational and networking opportunity for members in attendance. Conference speakers articulated current positions on the specific topics of breed genomics and Angus marketing and on wider range topics such as agricultural advocacy to inspiring leadership. Continue reading