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Archive for Genetic Advancement

Bull Fertility in Dairy Production: Why Genetic Evaluations Matter More Than Ever

Thursday, September 19th, 2024

Explore how enhancing bull fertility with genetic evaluations can elevate dairy production efficiency. Can improved semen quality and genomic tools revolutionize your herd?

Summary:

Assessing bull fertility is paramount to enhancing the efficiency of dairy production systems. This involves shifting the focus from traditional female-centric genetic evaluations to include male fertility traits. Key metrics such as scrotal circumference, semen quality, and sperm characteristics are essential indicators. Genetic and genomic evaluations provide powerful tools for identifying and culling young bulls with undesirable fertility traits, thereby boosting the herd’s reproductive success and economic viability. With advances in technology like computer-assisted semen analysis, the precision of these assessments has improved significantly. Currently, the industry relies heavily on scrotal circumference for fertility measurements, but incorporating additional markers like sperm volume, concentration, and motility can further enhance reproductive efficiency. Ongoing research continues to uncover vital genetic markers linked to male fertility, offering hope for future advancements in breeding programs. Ultimately, optimizing bull fertility improves conception rates and offspring performance and enhances the overall profitability of dairy operations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Accurate bull fertility assessment is crucial for enhancing the efficiency of dairy production systems.
  • Current US dairy industry genetic evaluations primarily focus on female fertility traits, limiting potential genetic gains from male fertility improvements.
  • Scrotal circumference is the primary phenotype used in genetic evaluations of bull fertility but is insufficient.
  • Advancements in technology, such as computer-assisted semen analysis, offer more objective and precise measures of semen quality.
  • Genetic factors, including single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with male fertility traits, play a significant role in evaluating bull fertility.
  • Selection for traits like scrotal circumference can positively impact fertility, such as calving interval and daughter pregnancy rates.
  • Accurate fertility evaluations require considering factors like age, nutrition, temperature, and semen collection methods.
  • Incorporating genomic predictions can significantly enhance the predictive power of bull fertility assessments.
  • Improving bull fertility can lead to increased conception rates, better offspring performance, and reduced costs per pregnancy for dairy producers.
bull fertility, dairy production, genetic advancement, reproductive efficiency, artificial intelligence in breeding, semen quality assessment, genetic prediction in bulls, conception rates, dairy farm profitability, improving bull genetics

Understanding the pivotal role of bull fertility in dairy production is crucial, as it directly impacts genetic advancement and economic outcomes. Traditionally, genetic evaluations in the US dairy industry have primarily focused on females, overlooking the significance of young bulls. To enhance efficiency, it’s essential to evaluate young bulls for sperm abnormalities and semen quality. Bull fertility is not just an economic necessity; it’s the cornerstone of genetic development and agricultural earnings. Neglecting it could lead to severe consequences. Improving bull fertility benefits dairy producers by boosting conception rates, enhancing offspring performance, and reducing pregnancy costs. Currently, the industry’s reliance on scrotal circumference as a measure of fertility overlooks vital markers such as sperm volume, concentration, and motility.

Join us in advocating for the integration of genetic and genomic studies of bull fertility into breeding operations. This holistic approach is key to improving reproductive efficiency, increasing genetic gain, and promoting profitability for dairy farms.

Bull Fertility: The Driving Force Behind Successful Conception and Genetic Advancement 

Bull fertility is a driving force behind successful conception and genetic advancement. It improves conception rates, leading to more successful pregnancies and increased herd reproductive efficiency, thereby facilitating a smooth cycle of production and growth.

Bull fertility affects progeny qualities. Choosing high-fertility bulls promotes good genetic features, including improved milk production and illness resistance, ultimately improving herd performance.

High fertility rates lead to lower pregnancy costs. Producers save on insemination expenses and reduce resources spent on futile efforts, resulting in more lucrative operations. This potential for increased profitability is a promising aspect of the future of dairy production.

Individual bull care and artificial insemination are vital for achieving genetic advances. A.I. enables the widespread spread of better bull genetics, accelerating genetic progress. Individual bull service allows for more regulated breeding, which improves genetic results. Both strategies are crucial for optimizing bull fertility, achieving genetic gains, and assuring sustainable dairy production.

Reevaluating Bull Fertility: Beyond Scrotal Circumference in Genetic Evaluations

Bull fertility assessment has traditionally centered on scrotal circumference measurements in the United States dairy business. This restricted method reveals a more significant difficulty in genetic tests, which mainly focus on female reproductive features. Scrotal circumference gives crucial information about a bull’s reproductive potential.

Selecting for a larger scrotal circumference has shown substantial advantages. Bulls with bigger scrotal circumferences often have shorter calving intervals, which improves reproductive efficiency. This feature has also been associated with increased pregnancy rates in their daughters, indicating hereditary benefits beyond immediate reproductive results. Incorporating scrotal circumference into genetic assessments may improve production and genetic gain in dairy cows.

Challenges in Accurate Bull Fertility Assessment: Navigating Subjectivity and External Influences

Despite breakthroughs in genetic and genomic studies, precisely determining bull fertility remains difficult. The subjective aspect of semen quality features such as motility, shape, and concentration might result in inconclusive assessments and skewed genetic predictions. These problems highlight the need for more objective evaluation approaches, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA).

External influences confound genetic assessments. Age is significant, with younger bulls potentially lacking mature semen production and older bulls displaying decreased fertility. Nutrition is critical; well-nourished bulls produce superior semen. Extreme temperatures may have a harmful influence on semen quality and production rates.

The timing and manner of collecting sperm impact sperm characteristics. The collector’s experience, collection frequency, and even tiny differences in the method all contribute to diversity. Technologies such as computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) provide more objective results. However, widespread adoption is required to handle these difficulties effectively.

Technological Advancements: Ushering in a New Era of Precision in Bull Fertility Assessment 

Recent scientific developments have not only improved but revolutionized how we measure bull fertility, ushering in a new age of accuracy and impartiality. Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) offers trustworthy data for dairy farmers and geneticists, improving genetic assessments. This reassures us that the future of dairy production is in good hands.

These technologies allow for improved selection in breeding operations by measuring semen qualities directly related to fertility and quantifying sperm motility and morphology, which aids in identifying genetic markers for enhanced fertility, allowing for more informed breeding choices and faster genetic gains. Incorporating CASA into breeding operations also improves assessment efficiency. It reduces labor requirements, enabling geneticists to examine more enormous datasets quickly and precisely.

Integrating scientific developments into bull fertility tests helps dairy producers optimize herd genetics, enhance conception rates, and minimize expenditures per pregnancy, leading to increased production and profitability.

Understanding the Intricacies of Semen Production and Quality Traits in Bull Fertility: A Key to Informed Decision MakingSemen output and quality qualities are critical factors in predicting bull fertility. Scrotal circumference, readily measured by wrapping a tape around the broadest section of the scrotum, measures the bull’s sperm production capability and influences female reproductive features. A bigger scrotal circumference correlates with shorter calving intervals and higher pregnancy rates in daughters, making it an important selection factor.

Post-collection, semen volume is the overall amount of ejaculate from a single collection. In contrast, concentration represents the sperm density within it. High quantities and concentrations improve insemination success. Volume is measured using calibrated containers, while a spectrophotometer often determines concentration.

Computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA) devices quantify motility, or the capacity of sperm to move. These technologies provide exact, unbiased estimates of the motile sperm fraction and velocity. High motility is required for fertilization since sperm must reach and fertilize the ovum.

The percentage of abnormalities is the fraction of malformed sperm detected by microscopic inspection. A high number of anomalies typically indicates diminished fertility. Accurate evaluations aid in identifying bulls with superior genetic quality and reproductive potential.

These qualities are crucial for successful genetic selection and better reproductive outcomes. Advanced technology in semen analysis improves accuracy, allowing dairy farmers to make more educated breeding selections that increase genetic gain, fertility, and production efficiency.

Leveraging Genetic Correlations in Bull Fertility: An Indirect Approach to Maximizing Reproductive Success

Genetic connections are an essential topic in bull fertility. They demonstrate how multiple qualities share genetic components, implying that picking one feature may enhance another related trait. In bull fertility, these connections are critical for indirect selection tactics, which include improving visible attributes to increase harder-to-measure traits, resulting in better reproductive success.

For example, choosing bulls with bigger scrotal diameters may improve reproductive attributes. Research indicates that having a larger scrotal diameter leads to shorter calving intervals, higher daughter pregnancy rates, and more significant average daily gain. Focusing on quantitative features such as scrotal diameter might indirectly improve complex attributes required for success.

Additionally, sperm motility often corresponds with sperm concentration. Producers may also increase sperm concentration by selecting for greater sperm motility, which can be measured via modern semen analysis. This comprehensive method improves bull fertility, which drives genetic advancement in dairy herds.

Harnessing the Power of Genomic Prediction: Transforming Bull Fertility Evaluation

Genomic prediction is a novel technique that uses an individual’s genome to assess bull fertility. Researchers sequence the bull’s DNA to find single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), minor genetic differences affecting fertility. Advanced computer algorithms then use this data to anticipate the bull’s breeding potential precisely.

This strategy enables early and precise selection of bulls with superior genetic features. It accelerates genetic growth in dairy cows while improving overall reproductive efficiency and production.

The genes NYD-SP5 and PIAS1 on chromosome 1 play a vital role in sperm formation and are associated with male fertility. The genes TMEM119 on chromosome 17 and PIWIL3 are crucial for sperm production and function. COX7A2L on chromosome 11 and SLC25A31 also affect sperm motility by regulating energy metabolism. CDH18 promotes cell-to-cell adhesion and sperm motility, whereas KCNU1 regulates sperm shape and movement.

Dairy farmers may improve breeding efficiency by incorporating genetic information into their selections. Genomic studies’ predictive capacity drives breakthroughs in herd genetics, assuring dairy production’s long-term sustainability and profitability.

Maximizing Economic Gains Through Enhanced Bull Fertility: A Pivotal Strategy for Dairy Farmers

The economic relevance of bull fertility for dairy production cannot be overstated. Improved bull fertility corresponds with higher conception rates, increasing herd production and milk output. A viable bull ensures that more inseminations result in successful conceptions, optimizing the herd’s reproductive cycle. This leads to less energy wasted on unsuccessful mating attempts and a more efficient lactation cycle, crucial for optimal milk production.

Furthermore, increasing bull fertility leads to better herd health. Bulls with good sperm quality and genetic traits are more likely to produce healthy calves. This amounts to lower veterinary expenses and fewer disease outbreaks, which might result in significant economic losses. Healthier cows are more productive, increasing milk yield and herd efficiency.

Improved bull fecundity benefits profitability and return on investment (ROI). Better fertility rates lower the cost per pregnancy, an essential metric for dairy farmers. Farmers may transfer resources to other vital areas of their company by getting pregnancies more efficiently, enhancing overall production and profitability. Furthermore, genetic advancement generated by choosing high-fertility bulls may improve the overall quality of the herd, resulting in long-term gains in milk production and cattle quality.

Bull fertility, economic efficiency, and ROI convergence are crucial to long-term dairy production. Dairy farmers may utilize strategic selection and breeding programs to promote bull fertility, resulting in immediate increases in conception rates and milk outputs and long-term benefits in herd health and profitability. The economic ripple effect shows that investing in genetic and genomic evaluations of bull fertility is vital for improving dairy sector profitability.

Global Practices in Bull Fertility and Genetic Evaluations: Integrating Innovation and Tradition 

Globally, bull fertility and genetic assessments in dairy production systems demonstrate various techniques that reflect common ideas and distinct approaches. In the United States, genetic examination focuses mainly on the female population, with minimal use of male fertility characteristics such as scrotal diameter. Although helpful to some degree, this strategy may overlook crucial genetic features in bulls that impact total herd fertility.

Countries such as Canada and certain European nations, notably the Netherlands and Germany, use comprehensive genetic screening procedures that include both male and female reproductive features. These nations often include substantial data from male fertility characteristics, such as semen quality attributes and sperm motility, in their genetic analyses. Notably, these areas prioritize research and technological innovation, introducing advanced technologies like computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) sooner and more extensively than their American equivalents.

In New Zealand and Australia, the focus on bull fertility corresponds closely to pasture-based dairy systems. Genetic assessments often concentrate on features that improve fertility and adaptation to specific environmental situations. Integrating genomic data is critical, focusing on discovering single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to reproductive features across various climatic situations, guaranteeing robust and resilient dairy production.

These worldwide techniques are similar in that they all aim to improve reproductive efficiency and genetic gain. All major dairy-producing nations acknowledge the importance of genetic and genomic techniques in increasing reproductive qualities but with varied degrees of focus on male vs. female assessments. Furthermore, the convergence in using technology improvements to acquire more objective assessments of reproductive features demonstrates a shared path toward precision dairy production.

However, the variances are also significant. The United States remains relatively unusual in its female-centric genetic examination technique. At the same time, other major dairy countries use a more balanced approach, which may provide a broader tapestry of genetic insights. This emphasizes the significance of a more integrated assessment approach that captures various reproductive parameters and fully utilizes genetic technology to promote future dairy production efficiency.

The Bottom Line

The significance of increasing bull fertility in dairy production cannot be understated. Genetic and genomic assessments provide critical insights into sperm quality and reproductive features, influencing conception rates and herd genetic gain. Using scrotal circumference as the only male fertility indicator suggests the possibility for an increase via detailed trait assessments.

Subjectivity and factors such as age, diet, and temperature challenge traditional sperm quality measurements—sophisticated technology, such as computer-assisted sperm analysis, results in more objective assessments. Genetic relationships among fertility parameters help guide indirect selection approaches for improving reproductive success.

Genomic discoveries have found gene markers related to male fertility, highlighting the potential for precision breeding programs. To optimize these advances, a matching emphasis on dairy cow reproductive characteristic phenotypes is required. This comprehensive strategy will improve reproductive efficiency and profitability, securing the future of dairy production in a competitive agricultural market.

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Boost Your Dairy Profits: Proven Breeding Strategies Every Farmer Must Know

Monday, August 5th, 2024

Boost your dairy farm’s profits. Learn how using beef and sexed dairy semen can increase income and keep a steady flow of replacements.

Summary: The dairy farming industry innovates to boost profitability by using beef semen for high-value calves while ensuring enough dairy replacements through strategic breeding. Minimizing involuntary culling and improving genetic resilience are crucial for herd longevity and health. Using sexed dairy semen enhances heifer production internally, which is essential amid a 20-year low in heifer availability. A balanced approach to breeding, reproductive efficiency, and internal herd expansion is vital for sustainable and profitable dairy operations. This method offers financial benefits and challenges but requires sustaining large herds of dairy replacements. Strategic breeding plans using sexed dairy semen for high-potential heifers and beef semen for lower-value animals can achieve this balance. Farmers must continuously monitor and adjust these techniques to maximize benefits and efficiency.

  • Using beef semen on dairy cows can boost farm profitability through high-value dairy-beef calves.
  • Maintaining a steady supply of dairy replacements is crucial amidst a 20-year low in heifer availability.
  • Minimizing involuntary culling enhances herd longevity and reduces costs associated with maintaining herd size.
  • Strategic breeding programs should include sexed dairy semen for high-potential heifers and beef semen for lower-value animals.
  • Improving genetic resilience through selective breeding can reduce disease incidence and increase cow longevity.
  • Effective reproductive management includes enhancing pregnancy and conception rates through various strategies.
  • Internal herd expansion is critical to sustaining and growing herds as external replacement heifer sources become scarce.
  • Continual oversight and adjustment of breeding programs are essential to maximize benefits and overall efficiency.

The dairy farming sector is now at a crossroads, with unique problems and exceptional prospects. Beneath the conventional pastoral images of cows grazing, a disruptive trend is developing that can revolutionize dairy producers’ income streams: using beef semen to generate high-value beef-on-dairy calves. Although promising more revenue, this novel method requires a careful balance between sustaining large herds of dairy alternatives. Integrating cattle semen into dairy herds can significantly increase farm profitability. Still, it requires deliberate breeding programs and strict monitoring. These are critical to ensuring long-term dairy replacements and reaping the potential benefits for farmers willing to take this dual strategy. However, success is not assured and requires careful preparation and execution.

Why Dairy Farmers Are Turning to Beef Semen

This significant change in the dairy farming industry, the purposeful incorporation of beef semen into dairy herds, brings a promising potential for increased profitability. By utilizing beef genetics, especially for dairy animals with lower milk production genetic merit, farmers can generate high-value beef-on-dairy calves. These calves, benefiting from solid beef genetics, have continuously commanded premium prices in the marketplace, demonstrating the economic viability of this method.

Using cattle semen provides a double benefit. First, it gives more cash by producing high-quality beef calves. Twomey et al. (2020) found that beef-on-dairy calves often had better carcass features, such as increased softness and marbling, making them appealing to beef processors and customers. Consequently, dairy producers may target a more profitable portion of the animal market.

However, the effectiveness of this technique is dependent on a careful balance. While the financial advantages of raising beef calves are clear, producers must recognize the potential challenges. These include maintaining enough dairy replacements for their herds, the complexity of strategic breeding plans, and the careful preparation required. A steady supply of heifer replacements is critical for preserving milk output and herd expansion. Strategic breeding plans that include sexed dairy semen for high-potential dairy heifers and beef semen for lower-value animals may assist in achieving this balance, emphasizing the strategy’s complexity and careful preparation.

Achieving the Perfect Balance: The Importance of Strategic Breeding Programs 

Strategic breeding plans are important; they are essential for creating a balanced and productive dairy farm. By using sexed dairy semen to ensure the birth of more female calves, farmers can control their herd’s genetic composition and potential production. This selective technique allows producers to concentrate on producing high-quality heifers, which improves the herd’s overall genetic composition and potential production.

On the other hand, utilizing cattle semen is a practical way to maximize the genetic potential of excess or low-genetic-merit animals. By marrying these animals with beef sires, producers may create beef-on-dairy calves with more excellent market value, diversifying revenue streams and making the most of their livestock resources.

However, these breeding techniques are more complex answers. Continuous monitoring and modification is critical to their performance. Regular evaluations of breeding results, genetic advancement, and herd health are essential to continuously meet objectives, such as maintaining herd size, improving milk output, and increasing calf value. Failure to address this oversight could result in herd composition imbalances, leading to expensive blunders and decreased production. This continual effort to monitor and adjust demonstrates your devotion to your farm’s success.

Strategic breeding initiatives need a flexible and adaptable strategy. By continually reviewing and adapting their approaches, dairy producers may effectively address obstacles and capitalize on the possibilities presented by modern breeding procedures. Effective strategic breeding programs can increase total herd production by 15-20%.

Strategies to Minimize Involuntary Culling 

The herd is the heartbeat of every dairy enterprise, and forced culling may devastate numbers and production. High culling rates may upset the delicate balance required for a profitable and efficient dairy operation. To guarantee the long-term viability of your herd, you must prioritize decreasing involuntary culling.

Comprehensive herd health and sophisticated management approaches are the primary defenses against the expensive problem of needless culling. By employing proactive health monitoring, you may address possible issues before they become major health concerns. Effective preventative care measures, such as vaccines, parasite control, and a good diet, are crucial in reducing health risks. An efficient health management plan may reduce involuntary culling rates by up to 20 percent.

Dairy farmers can build a more robust herd by stressing genotypes that improve disease resistance and cow lifespan. Selecting sires with known health and wellness features increases the possibility of future replacements demonstrating long-term performance and durability. Regularly assessing and fine-tuning breeding strategies to target these features may result in substantial, long-term gains in herd health. Fouz et al. (2013) found that selecting sires based on detailed assessments is essential in increasing genetic resistance to prevalent illnesses. Genetic improvements may increase the productive lives of cows by 2-3 years, providing a reassuring outlook for the future.

Beyond genetics, effective management techniques are critical. Proper living conditions, including appropriate space, ventilation, and clean bedding, help minimize the spread of infections and accidents. Technology such as automated health monitoring systems may provide real-time information and quick actions, lowering the likelihood of complications leading to culling.

Ultimately, a well-rounded strategy incorporating health, genetics, and management approaches will reduce involuntary culling while keeping the herd productive and profitable. This attentive, diversified technique is the foundation of long-term success in dairy production.

Genetic Strategies for Healthier and Longer-Lived Herds

Strategic breeding for enhanced genetics provides dairy producers a feasible solution for increasing disease resistance and overall cow lifespan. Farmers may minimize disease incidence and boost herd productivity by promoting health and wellness. Enhanced genetic features for disease resistance reduce cows’ susceptibility to common diseases, lowering the need for medical treatments and related expenditures.

However, it’s important to note that focusing on health and well-being factors in genetic selection also comes with potential risks. For example, cows with robust immune systems and good health are less likely to be culled for disease or poor performance. This implies fewer resources are required for treatment, allowing more to be devoted to improving production and milk quality [Fouz et al., 2013]. However, other areas may have trade-offs, such as milk production or other desirable traits. Farmers must carefully consider these trade-offs when making breeding decisions.

Mastering Reproductive Efficiency

Maintaining and increasing pregnancy and conception rates is critical for dairy herd reproductive efficiency. Focusing on these areas can make a significant difference: 

  • Heat Detection and Synchronization: Accurate detection of heat episodes in cows is critical. Tools such as activity monitors, tail chalk, and specialist software may considerably improve accuracy. Furthermore, synchronization procedures may help simplify breeding schedules, resulting in optimum insemination. Effective heat detection and synchronization may boost pregnancy rates by 10–15 percent.
  • Nutrition and Body Condition: An adequate diet is essential for reproductive health. Cows must be in excellent physical condition to conceive and sustain pregnancy. Nutritional strategies should emphasize well-balanced meals rich in calories, protein, and minerals.
  • Sire Selection: Selecting good sires may improve conception rates. Assess sires for reproductive qualities and dependability. Selecting sires with a track record of high conception rates may boost total herd fertility.
  • Health Management: Routine health exams and vaccines are essential to comprehensive health management procedures. Preventive care lowers the risk of illnesses that might impair fertility. Quickly treatment of any health concerns ensures that cows stay productive and capable of conception.

By combining these measures, dairy producers may significantly improve their herds’ reproductive performance, assuring a consistent and predictable supply of replacement heifers. Adequate heat detection and synchronization may increase pregnancy rates by 10-15%.

How Sexed Semen is Revolutionizing Dairy Herd Management 

Expanding the use of dairy semen, especially sexed semen, is critical for guaranteeing a steady supply of replacement heifers while improving the herd’s genetic quality. Sexed semen ensures herd stability by generating a more significant percentage of female calves. Given the 20-year low in available dairy heifers, this essential strategy highlights the need for internal herd expansion for many dairy producers. Using sexed semen may result in around 90% of female calves, making it a significant change in breeding efforts.

Farmers may improve their herd’s genetic quality by choosing sires based on extensive examinations. Genetic improvement focuses on productivity, disease resistance, and longevity, increasing the health and performance of individual animals while increasing the herd’s overall efficiency and profitability. Studies [de Haas et al., 2015] show that focused genetic selection may have considerable long-term advantages, such as lower culling rates and better reproductive success.

Furthermore, using sexed semen coincides with long-term production objectives by constantly producing an adequate number of heifer replacements internally. This decreases dependence on external purchases and the risks of changing market circumstances. Expanding sexed dairy semen offers a long-term strategy for herd management, ensuring that dairy enterprises stay strong and financially viable in an increasingly competitive market.

Internal Herd Expansion: Your Best Strategy Amidst Heifer Scarcity 

Internal herd growth has never been more critical as the lack of dairy alternatives worsens. Dependence on external purchases is becoming more risky in today’s turbulent economy. As a result, farms must develop and execute breeding methods that prioritize the internal development of many heifer replacements. This technique ensures a steady supply of productive cows while promoting genetic continuity throughout the herd, resulting in long-term stability. Internal herd growth may minimize dependency on external heifer acquisitions by up to 30 percent.

Strategic breeding plans must target the development of replacement heifers. This includes using technologies like sexed semen, which may produce more female calves and effectively ensure the herd’s future. Farmers that combine this with complete reproductive management measures may considerably reduce the effect of low heifer supply while still supporting internal herd development.

Furthermore, these programs should not be static; they must be continuously monitored and fine-tuned to correspond with the farm’s production objectives. This proactive strategy is critical to maintaining a regular supply of high-quality replacements, which ensures the operation’s long-term viability and profitability. 

The Bottom Line

Integrating beef semen into dairy breeding programs is both challenging and an opportunity for dairy producers. Farmers may increase income sources while maintaining sustainable dairy replacement production by implementing strategic breeding programs, using sexed semen, and focusing on avoiding forced culling. Improving reproductive efficiency and concentrating on genetics for health and longevity are essential to this equilibrium. As the industry’s available dairy heifers reach a 20-year low, internal herd growth becomes more than a plan; it is a need. Properly managing these varied methods is critical to ensuring long-term success and sustainability. It’s a challenging but gratifying activity that needs attention, forethought, and adaptation, demonstrating that a well-balanced breeding plan is the cornerstone of a thriving dairy enterprise.


Download “The Ultimate Dairy Breeders Guide to Beef on Dairy Integration” Now!

Are you eager to discover the benefits of integrating beef genetics into your dairy herd? “The Ultimate Dairy Breeders Guide to Beef on Dairy Integration” is your key to enhancing productivity and profitability.  This guide is explicitly designed for progressive dairy breeders, from choosing the best beef breeds for dairy integration to advanced genetic selection tips. Get practical management practices to elevate your breeding program.  Understand the use of proven beef sires, from selection to offspring performance. Gain actionable insights through expert advice and real-world case studies. Learn about marketing, financial planning, and market assessment to maximize profitability.  Dive into the world of beef-on-dairy integration. Leverage the latest genetic tools and technologies to enhance your livestock quality. By the end of this guide, you’ll make informed decisions, boost farm efficiency, and effectively diversify your business.  Embark on this journey with us and unlock the full potential of your dairy herd with beef-on-dairy integration. Get Started!

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Monthly Genetic Evaluations to Boost Top-Rated Canadian Dairy Cow Rankings in 2025

Friday, July 12th, 2024

Uncover the potential of Lactanet’s 2025 monthly genetic evaluations to elevate your Canadian dairy cows to premier status. Are your herds positioned to gain from this groundbreaking update? Learn more today.

A pillar of the dairy sector, genetic assessments are essential for herd management, breeding choices, and production. These tests concentrate on important factors like milk output, health, and fertility, thus empowering breeders and farmers to propel operational effectiveness and genetic advancement. Early 2025 will see Lactanet, Canada’s national dairy statistics and genetic improvement agency, moving to monthly official assessments for Canadian cows. This shift is significant for herds where milk samples are gathered unsupervised by the herd owner as it might improve more dairy cows to a top-rated level in genetic rankings. The change fits business trends toward automation, improved data-collecting techniques, and expands the genetic basis accessible to breeders.

Driving Genetic Progress: How Lactanet Canada Shapes the Future of Dairy Herds 

Crucially, lactate is the pillar of genetic development in Canada. The company provides complete dairy herd management solutions comprising milk records, genetic assessments, and advising services to boost dairy output and genetic enhancement.

Using solid data collecting and thorough analysis, Lactanet stimulates developments that support the national dairy industry’s sustainability and output. Three times a year, in April, August, and December, genetic assessments and bull proofs guarantee great precision and dependability. These tests provide essential benchmarks, including production characteristics, Lifetime Production Index (LPI), and Pro$, thus helping breeders choose the most genetically outstanding animals.

The way Lactanet combined genomic data emphasizes its dedication to genetic improvement. Lactanet accurately assesses the genetic potential of dairy cattle by using sophisticated genotyping, enabling breeders to make educated choices promoting long-term genetic improvement.

Lactanet guarantees the genetic quality of Canadian dairy cattle by matching modern genetic research with pragmatic on-farm data collecting, therefore advancing the sector.

Unveiling Hidden Potentials: Addressing the Genetic Evaluation Gaps in Owner-Sampled Herds

Even with improvements in genetic assessments, the existing method offers challenges—especially for owner-sampled herds. These cows are deprived of gaining places on top-ranking lists like the Lifetime Production Index or Pro$ depending on Parent Average (PA) values instead of exact genetic parameters from supervised testing. These cows typically stay underestimated in formal genetic evaluations without controlled testing data.

The triannual updates postpone the distribution of vital genetic information and further limit the acknowledgment of gene progress within owner-sampled herds. This lag narrows the breeding base, affecting individual breeders and limiting general genetic progress.

The introduction of automated milking systems with built-in sample features emphasizes the increasing discrepancy between contemporary herd management techniques and conventional genetic assessment approaches. In the present configuration, these systems generate large amounts of data that only partially support genetic assessments, developing a discrepancy between actual and evaluated genetic value.

To solve these problems and guarantee that every cow has fair access to top-ranking lists independent of milk testing control, the suggested change to monthly official assessments aims to This modification seeks to drive more successful breeding strategies by offering a more comprehensive and accurate picture of genetic quality in Canadian dairy herds.

Proposed Monthly Genetic Evaluations: A Game Changer for Owner-Sampled Dairy Herds 

The suggested adjustments will greatly help owner-sampled herds, including switching to a monthly genetic evaluation scheme. The first Tuesday of every month will be used to update genetic assessments for cows with fresh test results, including unsupervised samples. Official updates for proven sires will come three times a year; owner-sampled herds will frequently have their Parent Average (PA) values updated. This shift increases the genetic pool accessible to breeders by allowing these herds to have maybe cows included in top-ranking genetic lists.

Through monthly updates, Lactanet recognizes the growth in automated milking systems, which gather production data and conduct thorough sampling. This renders either supervised or unsupervised categorization less critical. The obtained data still shows excellent accuracy. Hence, genomics guarantees solid genetic assessments. This change toward regular and comprehensive updates seeks to optimize genetic advancement and enhance the genetic health of dairy cows throughout Canada.

Lactanet’s genetic assessment procedure revolves mainly around integrating genomics, the fundamental component of all genetic ranking systems used in Canada. The company uses a diverse strategy to guarantee the quality and completeness of the published genetic data. Newly collected data from bulls and females undergoing controlled testing is continuously included in the current dataset, updating the “unofficial” genetic assessments. Participating artificial insemination (AI) businesses and farmers using modern herd management systems like Compass and DairyComp may obtain these unofficial assessments. 

Implications for Breeders: Expanding the Genetic Horizon with Monthly Evaluations 

This change has significant ramifications for breeders. Monthly certified genetic evaluations will increase the genetic data accessible to breeders, enabling assessments based on actual performance rather than Parent Average values. This will increase the genetic pool from which sires and dams could be chosen. Frequent updates will ensure breeders receive the most recent genetic information, guiding their breeding choices. This precision will enable the identification of previously missed outstanding cows. More cows will land top-rated in genetic rankings.

Including information from automated milking systems and other cutting-edge technology will also help to guarantee ratings reflect actual performance. This will enable breeders to propel genetic advancement efficiently, improving dairy herd sustainability, health, and production throughout Canada.

Precision and Reliability: Lactanet’s Multifaceted Genetic Evaluation Process 

Using a thorough internal procedure, Lactanet guarantees accuracy and dependability in genetic assessments. This generates unofficial and formal genetic evaluations by combining data from known sires with supervised testing females. Shared via Compass and DairyComp, unofficial assessments provide vital information for temporary herd sire decisions.

Underlying all genetic rankings, Lactanet’s work is based on the integration of genomes. Genomic testing lowers the uncertainty related to conventional techniques by improving assessments’ accuracy and prediction ability.

Considered equally accurate are both controlled and unsupervised milk sample data. The emergence of automated technologies has improved sample integrity and milk production monitoring. Lactanet’s data analytics technologies tightly evaluate these inputs and match them with genetic data to provide high-precision assessments.

Combining conventional data collection, cutting-edge genomics, and strict validation techniques, Lactanet’s genetic assessment system is a diverse strategy that improves assessment accuracy. It increases the genetic basis accessible to breeders, promoting the ongoing development of Canadian dairy herds.

Technological Advancements: The Role of Automated Milking Systems in Modern Dairy Farming

Using automated milking systems signifies a significant change in dairy production, improving output and efficiency. These sophisticated technologies have reduced the need for supervised milk testing by including exact sampling and production monitoring features. Automated milking guarantees reliable data collecting necessary for genetic studies and fits with Lactanet’s shift to unsupervised testing, simplifying the procedure. This change enables significant genetic advancement and improves the quality of Canadian dairy herds by allowing cows to be included more broadly in genetic rankings.

Genomics and Unsupervised Testing: A New Era of Equitable Genetic Evaluations

Brian Van Doormaal highlighted the significance of these changes, noting, “For genetic evaluation, top lists usually involve genotyped females, so there’s little need to distinguish between supervised and unsupervised testing. The data accuracy is equivalent, and genomics ensures high genetic information accuracy.”

Mapping the Road Ahead: Key Milestones for Implementing Lactanet’s New Genetic Evaluation System 

As Lactanet gears up for its new monthly evaluation system, several pivotal milestones guide its implementation: 

  • Early 2024: Finalize criteria for cow eligibility through stakeholder consultations and in-depth analysis.
  • Mid to Late 2024: Conduct pilot runs and gather feedback to refine the evaluation process.
  • January 2025: Begin initial rollout, integrating the new system with existing triannual updates.
  • May 2025: Achieve full implementation, ensuring monthly updates for all owner-sampled herds.

This carefully structured timeline guarantees thorough preparation and testing, allowing Lactanet to maintain its commitment to accuracy and reliability.

The Bottom Line

Changing from Lactanet to monthly genetic tests might revolutionize the Canadian dairy sector. It levels the playing field for owner-sampled herds so they may reach high genetic rankings alongside monitored herds, hence increasing the genetic pool available for breeders. This action also fits the growing usage of automated milking systems, which combine cutting-edge dairy farming technology. Dairy cow rankings will become more dynamic and accurate, defining new national genetic advancement and herd development criteria.

Key Takeaways:

  • Monthly official evaluations will provide more timely and comprehensive genetic data for Canadian cows.
  • Owner-sampled herds, previously limited to Parent Average values, will now have their genetic evaluations updated monthly.
  • This change is expected to expand the genetic base available to breeders, allowing more cows to achieve top rankings.
  • Proven sires’ evaluations will continue to be updated three times annually, maintaining the reliability of genetic data.
  • The transition aligns with the rising trend of automated milking systems, which offer unsupervised sampling and monitoring capabilities.
  • Genomics remain fundamental to genetic rankings, ensuring accuracy across both supervised and unsupervised testing environments.
  • Lactanet is yet to finalize criteria for eligibility, with implementation set for early or mid-2025.

Summary: 

Lactanet Canada, Canada’s national dairy statistics and genetic improvement agency, is set to transition to monthly official assessments for Canadian cows in early 2025. This change is particularly significant for herds where milk samples are collected unsupervised by the herd owner, as it could improve more dairy cows to a top-rated level in genetic rankings. Lactanet provides complete dairy herd management solutions, including milk records, genetic assessments, and advisory services to boost dairy output and genetic enhancement. The proposed change aims to drive more successful breeding strategies by offering a more comprehensive and accurate picture of genetic quality in Canadian dairy herds. The company’s genetic assessment procedure focuses on integrating genomics, the fundamental component of all genetic ranking systems used in Canada. Monthly certified genetic evaluations will increase the genetic data accessible to breeders, enabling assessments based on actual performance rather than Parent Average values. Frequent updates will ensure breeders receive the most recent genetic information, guiding their breeding choices.

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Sire vs. Dam – Which has a Greater Impact on Your Herd’s Genetic Improvement?

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Monday, June 16th, 2014

Too many people say that dairy breeding is an art. If they manage their herds this way, they will be unable to compete in an industry that grows with science. Art places value on the ‘family’ and sees both parents contributing equally shared value to their offspring. In practicing the science of dairy cattle breeding parents are not equal when it comes to which one is the most important when deciding upon a herd’s genetic improvement plan (Read more: What’s the plan? And Flukes and Pukes – What Happens When You Don’t Have a Plan, and Pick The Right Bull – Your Future Depends on The Decisions You Make Today!).

3 Factors Determine Genetic Advancement

On a simplified basis, the rate of genetic advancement in a dairy herd is primarily a function of three factors: 1) the superiority of parents; 2) the accuracy of the parent’s genetic indexes and 3) the generation interval expressed as the time between the birth of the parent to the birth of the calf. Dairy cattle breeders have, in the past, placed a priority on intense selection, but today with genomic information generation interval is necessary.

Four Pathways for Improvement

In a population of dairy cattle there are four groups, commonly called transmission pathways that are considered when determining the overall population rate of improvement. These pathways are: 1) the Sires of Bulls (SB); 2) the Sires of Cows (SC); the Dams of Bulls (DB); and the Dams of Cows (DC). Breeders do not have equally accurate information on each pathway and definitely do not apply equal selection intensity for each pathway.

Which Breeding Scheme is the Best?

The following table outlines the importance of the different pathways for three improvement schemes when animals are ranked and selected using total merit indexes like TPI, NM$ and LPI.

Comparison of Genetic Improvement Schemes

Pathway Selection % Accuracy Generation Interval Relative Emphasis
1. Traditional Progeny Testing Program
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.99 7 44%*
Sires of Cows (SC) 20 0.75 6 22%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.6 5 31%
Dams of Cows (DC) 85 0.5 4.25 3%
Relative Total Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 100%
2. Genomic Testing Program
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.75 1.75 34%
Sires of Cows (SC) 20 0.75 1.75 23%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.75 2 40%*
Dams of Cows (DC) 85 0.5 4.25 3%
Relative Total Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 185% to 200%
3. Genomic Testing Program with IVF
Sires of Bulls (SB) 5 0.75 1.75 30%
Sires of Cows (SC) 10 0.75 1.75 20%
Dams of Bulls (DB) 2 0.75 2 36%*
Dams of Cows (DC) 10 0.62 2 14%
Relative Total Merit Merit Genetic Gain per Year = 225% to 250%

* Pathway of most importance The Bullvine appreciates the assistance of Dr. Larry Schaeffer, University of Guelph, in providing information for the above  table. Further details can be found in Dr. Schaeffer’s 2006 paper “Strategy for applying genomic-wide selection in dairy cattle,” Volume 123 of Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics.

Progeny Testing has Served Breeders Well

Breeders have been successful when they used the results of the traditional A.I. progeny testing programs. That is when only elite sires are used to produce bulls (SB) for progeny testing, each year newly proven sires are used to produce the heifer calves (SC), Dams of Bulls (DB) are elite indexing milking females and the bottom 10-15% of the cows in the herd are not used to produce replacement heifers. (Read more: Why you should get rid of the bottom 10% and  8 Ways DNA PROFILING Your Whole Herd Will Improve Your Breeding Program) most important pathway, by quite a distance, is the Sires of Bulls (SB) at 44%. Combined the sire pathways (SB & SC) account for 66% of the total genetic progress. That is opposite to what many breeders say ‘Sires are not as important as cow families. The cow family, in a herd, dominates.’

Genomics gives 185 – 200%

Over the past five years, breeders have become familiar with the program whereby the genomic indexes on young animals are used for animal selection.  Even though this program is much discussed, it has been implemented on less than 10% of the farms in North America. In Holsteins, less than 7% of calves registered are genomically tested. Breeders are obviously not confident with the lower accuracies and the much shorter generation intervals. So let’s dig deeper to see what the facts are when it comes to rates of genetic improvement. With the genomics program the relative importance between pathways shifts to where the Dams of Bulls (DB), at 40%, is the most important followed next by the Sires of Bulls (SB) at 34%. Again in this program, as in progeny testing, very limited selection pressure is applied to Dams of Cows (DC), pathway resulting in only 3% of the total progress. The relative ratios of improvement from sire and dam pathways is 57:43. The telltale important fact is that by using a genomic program the rate of annual genetic gain is 185% to 200% of what can be achieved by using the traditional progeny testing program. Another important difference between these two programs is that considerable money can be saved by only having to progeny test less than half as many young bulls with the genomic testing program.

Adding IVF gives 225 – 250%

Some breeders add IVF to their genomic selection program however due to costs and the challenge of mating carefully to avoid inbreeding it is not for everyone. The accuracies of this program match those of the genomic testing program, but the selection intensities are increased for the Sires of Cows (SC) pathway and greatly increased for the Dams of Cows (DC) pathway. For all pathways the generation intervals are short, something many breeders state as being a concern.  These farms use IVF on maiden heifers to produce all of the next generation of animals. Again the most important pathway is the Dams of Bulls (DB) at 36%.  However, the differences between emphasis on the pathways is narrowed. The ratio of emphasis sires to dams is 50:50. Farms employing this program can have annual rates of genetic gain of 225% to 250% compared to what is possible for herds using a progeny testing program. To fund this more expensive program breeders often sell surplus embryos or animals.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Determining which parent pathway is the most important rests with which testing and selection program a breeder wants to follow. For breeders using the traditional progeny testing program by far the most important animals are the sires of the young bulls (SB) that enter A.I. progeny testing programs. For breeders wanting to advance their herds at a faster rate by using the less accurate genomic information and shorter generation intervals, the dams of the bulls (DB) is the most important pathway. No matter which program a breeder chooses it is important to have a plan and always use the best available animals.

 

 

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Is There Still Going To Be A Market For Purebred Dairy Cattle In 10 Years?
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Forget Genomics – Epigenomics & Nutrigenomics are the Future

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Dairy Breeders vs. Genetic Corporations: Who are the True Master Breeders?

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Friday, March 21st, 2014

For the past two years we here at the Bullvine have been warning breeders about changes that will come as a result of large A.I. companies and other genetic corporations owning top females.  The comment that many breeders come back to us with is,”I will take a “master breeder” over some geneticist any day.”  As well they say,   “If it was up to the geneticists, we would never have had sires like Goldwyn.”.  Well we here at the Bullvine decided to take a closer look to see who the true master breeder is.  Is it the Geneticist or is it the Seed Stock Breeder?

What makes a true master breeder?

For years the Master Breeder award has been one of the most coveted awards given out by breed associations.  This award is the pinnacle of success for any purebred breeder.  In Canada there have been 924 Master Breeders shields awarded since its inception in 1929.  While Holstein USA does not have a master breeder program, it does have the Elite Breeder Award, bestowed annually upon a living Holstein Association USA, Inc. member, family, partnership, or corporation who has bred outstanding animals and thereby has made a notable contribution to the advancement of the Holstein breed in the United States.  As well it designates the Herd of Excellence award which recognizes registered Holstein breeders who have bred and developed excellent herds made up of cows with superior type and production.

Except for the AltaGen herd, run by Alta Genetics, which won a Master Breeder shield in 2001, all the winners have been seed stock producers or, in the early years, government herds.  But now, with the large A.I. companies and genetic corporations entering into the ownership of top females, this could be about to change.  (Read more: Should A.I. Companies Own Females? And Why Good Business for AI Companies Can Mean Bad Business for Dairy Breeders)

Who owns the top genetics?

If you look at the top genomic index lists over the past 2 years, you will see six names consistently producing the top index animals.  The names include De-Su, S-S-I (Select Sires), EDG (Elite Dairy Genomics now managed by Sexing Technologies), Alta Genetics, ABS Global, and the Co-Op program at Genex.  Over the past year, more than 50% of the top 100 females have been owned by one of these companies.  The interesting fact is that all but one, De-Su, is either a large A.I. company or a genetic corporation.  So it is clear to see that these companies have already entered and are starting to win the race.

Now I know you are probably saying that just owning the top females does not make them a master breeder.  And I agree it doesn’t.  But what it does do is give them control of the genetic advancement race.  (Read more: The Genomic Advancement Race – The Battle for Genetic Supremacy and What the Experts Will Tell You about Who Is Winning the Genetic Improvement Race)  Sure there are some who think “Breeders can still breed a better next generation than the corporations can with all their number crunching and statistics.”  That is because many feel that the geneticists at these corporations lack one key element and that is cattle sense.  The knowledge that comes from working day in and day out with cows.  The cow sense that makes cattle breeding part art form and part science.  In my opinion, that is correct!  Unfortunately, correct or not, it doesn’t matter.  What really gives the geneticists at the large corporations the edge is the resources that are at their disposal.

It’s a question of resources, not cattle smarts

Let’s take a look at the typical seed stock producer versus the geneticist and just see who will produce that next list topper.  The seed stock producer can probably afford to flush each animal 3-4 times per year in order to produce the next generation of great ones.  Given typical ratios that would mean about 10 females a year and let’s say 10 males a year.  Therefore, that breeder would have 20 progeny to compete with against the large genetic corporations.  Now let’s look at the case for the large genetics corporations.  First of all they already own the majority of the top genomic index animals so that they are already starting ahead of the game.  But, more importantly, they can afford to flush their animals 10+ plus times a year.  This gives them at least 50 plus females and over 50 males (and possibly 100 of each) to submit to the ranks of the genomic test gods.

It’s not that they are better about making sire selections, it’s that they can afford to flush each donor cow to every possible sire thus making sure they have all their bases covered.  So yes I would not be surprised to see that the resulting ratios and consistency numbers of the Seed Stock producers end up being as good or better than that of the geneticists at the large corporations.  However, geneticists at the large corporations have much greater resources at their disposal and, therefore, can afford to keep shooting until they get it right.

Of course there are   those of you who are more discerning and say, “Let’s see who produces the better proven sires.  After all that is where you find the true measure of a master breeder,” To them I say, look at the semen sales in the world today.  More than 50% is genomic test sires.  A bull getting a good daughter proof is less and less important, when it comes to winning the genetics race.  (Read more: The End of the Daughter Proven Sire Era)

Another key factor is the significantly increased genetic reliabilities due to the introduction of genomics.  In the past these geneticists were using data that was 30-40% reliable.  Now with genomics the information is more than double that, taking what once was a scientific crapshoot, into an artful science.  (Read more: The Truth About Genomic Indexes – “show me” that they work!, Genomics – Lies, Miss-Truths and False Publications! and The Genomic Bubble Has Burst?)

The Bullvine Bottom Line

The real question isn’t really about who are the better breeders.  The real question comes down to who has the biggest pocketbook.  Since the large A.I. companies have greater financial resources than those of the seed stock producer, they can afford to invest significantly more in order to win the genetic race.  The time to have changed this situation isn’t today.  The time to do something about it was two years ago when we told breeders that these corporations owning females would spell the end of the seed stock producers.  It was a good business opportunity that was taken by the A.I. companies.  They now have a relatively cost effective source for top genetics over which they have exclusive control.  So, while the seed stock producers may be the better master breeders, unfortunately they may not be around long enough to enjoy their victory.

 

 

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What Color Do You Bleed?

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Friday, May 31st, 2013

There is no question dairy breeders as a whole are a very passionate group.  For the most part, it’s not a “line of work” you get into for the money.  Between the equity burden and the long hours, it also doesn’t appear to be a “sexy” choice in the opinion of outsiders looking into the industry.  But the one thing that all those who are in the industry know is that breeders are also extremely loyal.  And the one area where most breeders demonstrate this insane loyalty is to the A.I. companies they purchase their semen from.  They pretty much bleed the colors of the A.I. company they support.

Such brand loyalty is something companies like Apple and Coke would die to have.  While these two massive global brands spend billions in marketing to build brand loyalty, A.I. companies have done it in a very different way.  They have done it through generation after generation of brain washing.  That’s correct brain washing.

Is there any difference in the major A.I. companies?

Recently my staff was working on some brand research for GE and I gave them the exercise to look at the Artificial Insemination market and look at each of the major A.I. companies and tell me how each company was different.  You know what they found?  Nothing!  For the most part they are all within 5% of each other for product offering.  While some do offer a few more services, they all, for the most part, offer the same service.

This really got me to thinking, and remembering my days of running the roads selling semen.  It actually made sense.  When I went into herds that were well established and had been operating for generations, they pretty much bled the color of their local A.I. cooperative.  However, when I went into herds that were new to the industry or herds where the operators came from other countries, I found them much more open to what I had to say.

While many of the companies are trying to position themselves differently in the market like Wal-Mart, Apple and Amazon in reality there really isn’t any difference.  (Read more: A Wake-Up Call to All A.I. Companies)  Even in our article, Semex – The Rise and Fall of a Semen Empire, we highlight how Semex grew rapidly and developed an extremely loyal following around the world by being different, by breeding “the Canadian Kind”.  However, as they got bigger they started to lose their focus on what made them different and now from an outsider looking in it would appear to be no different from all the rest.

Thinking about this I wonder how much breeders are limiting their genetic advancement due to loyalty to a certain A.I. company?  Yes there is not a great difference when you average out the top sires from each company, but why do you seek to be average?  Wouldn’t it be best to just use the best each company has to offer and forget the rest?

I think part of the problem is that there seems to be very little difference between the top sires.  Something I was shocked to see is that Canadian Dairy Network actually accentuates the issue.  Instead of promoting how the LPI formula was better at spreading out the top sires and differentiating them, they actually adjusted the formula to make them all closer?

Now I have had it said to me that this was done at the request of the large A.I. companies because they wanted to sell more proven sire semen and needed the genomic test sires to look less attractive.  There is some logic behind this, because young sires do produce less semen and there always seems to be a limited supply (Read more: $10,000 a dose Polled Semen and $750 Dollar Semen! Are you crazy?).  But the breeder in me says, “What’s more important marketing semen or genetic advancement?”

The Bullvine Bottom Line

Sure the A.I. companies will give you nice hats, maybe even a few coats and shirts, but is that enough to trade your future for?  As we have more and more options of companies to purchase semen from, and more and more ways to purchase the semen, I ask you three important questions.  ”How much of your semen purchase is dictated by tradition or brand loyalty?”  Moreover, “Is your decision based on what is genetically best for your herd?”  And finally “Who bleeds for your bottom line?”

 

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The Genetic Genius of Darwin, Mendel and Hunt – Genetic Transmission and the Holstein Cow

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Wednesday, February 27th, 2013

There is no question that when it comes to understanding what cows will transmit and what cows will not, it is an enigma wrapped in a conundrum.  There is much that we don’t know and some would argue it is not meant to be known.  The problem is, for those of us with a passion for breeding great dairy cattle, we want to know it all.  For that I turn to the three greatest genetic geniuses in the history of the world, Darwin, Mendel and Hunt (No they are not a law firm).

Charles Robert Darwin He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestors, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection, in which the struggle for existence has a similar effect to the artificial selection involved in selective breeding.

Charles Darwin

Ask anyone in the world to name a geneticist and the first name that comes to mind has to be Charles Darwin.  No better demonstration of Darwin’s theory of evolution exists in the world than in dairy cattle breeding.  While there is no question that artificial selection and selective breeding exist on a daily basis, a cow’s ability to reproduce and produce milk leads to a natural level of selection that epitomizes Darwin’s theory.  “The laws governing inheritance,” Darwin wrote, “are for the most part unknown.”  Moreover, while many modern geneticists have theories about the tendencies of the modern Holstein cow, their genetic transmission pathways in large part remain a mystery to this day.

Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel

Then along came Gregor Mendel who introduced the concept of “genes” to explain heritability.  Mendel changed the whole way we look at breeding when he introduced the theory that the chromosome is the carrier of genetic traits.  He also explained why a trait can disappear in one generation and reappear in the next and why these traits occur in a three-to-one ratio.  One of Mendel’s disciples, three quarters of a century later, was Thomas B. Macaulay.  Macaulay conducted his own studies, on his Mount Victoria Farms (Read more: Mount Victoria Farms – The art and science of great breeding).

Thomas Hunt Morgan

Thomas Hunt Morgan

Then along came Hunt. Well, more specifically, Thomas Hunt Morgan, but my ego wouldn’t let this go as my name is Andrew Morgan Hunt (Read more about my ego: I’m Sorry But I’ve Had Just About Enough Of… ).  In research that is now reproduced by grade 9 science students around the world, Morgan introduced the concept of X and Y-chromosomes.  Morgan concluded that a female has two X chromosomes and that males have both X and Y-chromosomes.  He also posited that the male of the species, because of the presence of the Y chromosome, transmits differently than the female.

To get a better understanding of this, let’s look at this from both sides of the story.

His side of the story (XY)

If you look at Holstein bulls throughout history you find four distinct patterns:

  1. Great daughters but no legacy sons
    These are the bulls that sired amazing brood cows but none of their sons were able to continue their genetic legacy.  Examples are Hanover-Hill Triple Threat, Carlin-M Ivanhoe Bell, and Braedale Goldwyn.  They all were able to sire brood cow daughters beyond compare, but no real sons to advance that genetic legacy.  Why did these sires seem to produce better on the female side than that of the male?  For that we need to turn to Morgan and his X and Y chromosome theory.  Since the Y chromosome is the only one that is inherited solely via the paternal  line, this leads  some geneticists to believe that it carries little genetic information, and as a result  a great sires genetic legacy rest more with his daughters than with his sons.  Therefore, with this first group of sires it is thought that much of their genetics were transmitted on the X chromosome rather than the Y.
  2. Great sons but not as many brood cows
    Bulls that sired outstanding sons but never produced a top daughter.  A couple of great examples of this are Montvic Rag Apple Sovereign, Maizefield Bellwood and O-Bee Manfred Justice.  All of these sires have left outstanding sons, but are not found as often in the maternal sire stack of the great sires.  There is no question as to their genetic contribution to the breed, but it was more as a sire of sons than their ability to leave an equal number of brood cows.
  3. Sons and daughters both extraordinary
    These are the sires that have gone down in history as the all-time greats.  Sires like Johanna Rag Apple Pabst, Governor of Carnation, Montvic Chieftain, Wisconsin Admiral Burke Lad, A.B.C. Reflection Sovereign, Round Oak Rag Apple Elevation, Pawnee Farm Alrinda Chief, Walkway Chief Mark, Hanoverhill Starbuck, Madawaska Aerostar and Maughlin Storm.  These are the bulls that not only displayed personal greatness but were also able to transmit both outstanding brood cows as well as legacy sons.
  4. Sons and daughters that were inferior
    Sons and daughters that are both below average.  These bulls left inferior daughters and as a result were never even given the chance to produce sons.  Bulls in this category are too numerous to mention and loads of their daughters go to the slaughterhouses every day.  No explanation necessary other than a lack of genetic merit and here enters the need for genomics (Read more: The Truth About Genomic Indexes – “Show Me” That They Work).

Her side the story (XX)

The female side of the story uses the same four distinct groups.

  1. Great daughters but no legacy sons
    These are cows with outstanding female descendants but undistinguished males.  Great examples of these are the cow families of Hanover Hill Papoose, Krull Broker Elegance and Plunshanski Chief Faith.  They all were able to leave outstanding female descendants generation after generation, but were never really able to accomplish the same feat on the male side of the story.
  2. Great sons but not as many brood cows
    These are the cows with potent transmitting sons, but daughters who didn’t outperform the average.  Examples of these are Wylamyna Tidy Kathleen (dam of Sir Bess Tidy and Sir Bess Ormsby Tidy Fobes) Lakefield Fobes Delight (dam of Lakefield Fond Hope, Lakefield Fond Delight Fobes and Carnation Royal Master) and Pawnee Farm Glenvue Beauty (dam of Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief).  All of these cows had outstanding maternal lines but for some reason were just not able to transmit that legacy through their daughters.
  3. Sons and daughters both extraordinary
    Among the females in this category are Glenridge Citation Roxy, Mil-R-Mor Roxette, Comestar Laurie Sheik, Braedale Gypsy Grand and Snow-N Denises Dellia.
  4. Sons and daughters that were inferior
    Cows who, in terms of influence, failed to produce anything worthwhile.  Blame it on lack of genetics, bad breeding, improper management, or just bad luck, these cows just didn’t influence the breed. We have all seen examples.

The Bullvine Bottom Line

There has never been a clear explanation of why some bloodlines seem to transmit better through maternal lines, others through the paternal, and still others do well in both.  Even genomics does not answer this.  There are high genomic animals that still have these same tendencies.  Maybe if we could genomic test the genes on each chromosome we might find the answers?  Until then Genetic Transmission in the Holstein Cow will remain a mystery.

To read more about this get a copy of The Holstein History by Edward Morwick and read the chapter on Inheritance Patterns.


The Dairy Breeders No BS Guide to Genomics

 

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