UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- New this year at the Animal Sciences Exhibits Area of Penn State's Ag Progress Days, Aug. 20-22, will be a series of demonstrations to give farmers practical information they can use in their operations.

The demonstrations, offered by the departments of dairy and animal science and veterinary science, will include some new approaches and technologies for some old problems, according to Mike O'Connor, professor of dairy science and exhibit coordinator.

"We want to present useful techniques and information that farmers can consider," he says. "We're also highlighting some new technologies and innovations adaptable to livestock management. There are so many new technologies and concepts, sometimes it's good to have an expert to help you decide what's a real innovation, and what's a flash in the pan."

Demonstrations and presentations will include hoof trimming; the new Penn State Particle Size Separator; Cow Sense -- a systematic approach to training dairy workers; using ultrasound technology in the dairy industry, beef cattle reproduction and livestock evaluation; forage quality and toxins; reducing phosphorus for dairy cows; reading a DHIA report; and maintaining milk flavor.

Schedule for demonstrations and presentations:

TUESDAY, AUG. 20

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- Hoof trimming: A demonstration of hoof trimming for cattle and discussion of hoof health.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- Penn State Particle Separator: An overview of the new process, with a demonstration on how particle size of forages and total mixed rations is determined. Experts also will address evaluation of samples in relation to a recommended particle size distribution needed by the dairy cow.

Noon -- Potential use of ultrasound in the dairy industry.

3 p.m. -- Cow Sense: A Systematic Approach to Training Dairy Workers: Demonstration and review of the skills necessary for early detection of problem cows. Penn State's systematic approach to animal observation may be used to train and organize all dairy workers, from experienced to novice.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- Using Ultrasound Technology in Beef Cattle Reproduction, including pregnancy diagnosis and fetal sexing.

11 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- Forage Quality and Toxins. Forage is the foundation of any feeding program. Potential problems and how to determine their presence will be discussed. Forage samples will illustrate changes in forage quality and how they impact animal performance. Common forage toxicity problems, including molds, mycotoxins, bacteria, nitrite and others, will be discussed.

Noon -- Reducing phosphorus for dairy cows. New National Research Council phosphorus recommendations will be reviewed. Also, specialists will discuss how reducing phosphorus will affect milk production, reproductive performance, land application and economics.

3 p.m. -- Instruction on reading a DHIA report. Dairy producers are encouraged to bring their DHIA reports for discussion and evaluation.

THURSDAY, AUG. 22

10 a.m. and 2 p.m. -- Meat animal evaluation using ultrasound to determine body composition of live animals.

11 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. -- Maintaining Milk Flavor: Consumer acceptance of milk -- particularly by children -- is greatly affected by flavor. Therefore, producers and others associated with the dairy industry should have full knowledge of the farm factors that have an adverse effect on milk flavor. A hands-on workshop and discussion will allow dairy producers to taste and smell milk with abnormal flavor. Solutions for correcting problems will be presented.

Because of concerns over the possible transmission of foot-and-mouth disease and other foreign animal diseases, visitors who have been overseas within two weeks of attending Ag Progress Days are asked not to visit the event's live-animal exhibit areas.

Penn State's Ag Progress Days is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College on Route 45. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (800) PSU-1010 toll-free until August 22 or visit the Ag Progress Days Web site at http://apd.cas.psu.edu.

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EDITORS: Contact Mike O'Connor at 814-863-3913 or e-mail moconnor@psu.edu.

Contact: Jeff Mulhollem jjm29@psu.edu 814-863-2719 814-865-1068 fax #215