DECEMBER 2015
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF ACCELERATED GENETICS
Our Vision
To be the producer’s trusted first choice
Team Approach
Developing a Genetic Plan
Breed for Butter
The Official Publication of Accelerated Genetics December 2015 Vol. 67 No. 3
EDITORS Kate Welter Chelsey Johnson ADMINISTRATIVE HEADQUARTERS E10890 Penny Lane Baraboo, WI 53913 Phone: 1-800-451-9275 or 608-356-8357 Fax: 608-356-4387 Email: info@accelgen.com Website: www.accelgen.com
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g n i k a M n o i s i c De impacting your future Written by: Gary Sipiorski, Dairy Development Manager, Vita Plus
If you have been a dairy producer for any amount of time, you know milking cows is a commodity business. That means there is about a three to four year swing in prices and sometimes even more. That goes for any commodity, grain, cattle, hogs, dairy, etc. Ups and downs of the dairy business have been around for as long as there have been dairy cattle. As dairy farms have become larger and day-to-day decisions more complicated, the decisions people make are more important. This is called management! “Good management and good management decisions last longer than poor prices.” Decisions now should not be made by emotion nor should they be short term. Today’s decisions need to be part of a long-term plan. Reasonable adjustments should not be ignored when action to correct a problem is needed. However, a one-to fiveyear plan should be considered and thought out. A genetic plan is one of those longer term plans. It is pretty obvious a straw of semen planned today will take three years to bud into a fresh heifer; probably five years before the full financial bloom is realized. Genomic testing today can help producers look into the future. The entire dairy industry financial picture can change drastically in the lifetime of a cow.
The future foundation of any dairy starts first with the quality of the DNA in the herd pool. Having a genetic plan and purchasing good quality semen in years of high milk prices should not be abandoned as the milk price swings low. If the logic and strategy were right before, it should stand now.
Genetic financial decisions are not the only financial decisions to be made. Dairy operations have dozens of ledger items that all add up to the farm’s expenses. In times of higher milk prices, the bills are easily met. When the milkcheck shrinks there may be bills unpaid at the end of the month. That is where an open, honest and regularly communicated relationship with a knowledgeable agriculture lender pays big dividends and the bills. The lender is the “money extension cord” between good and not so good milk prices. Agricultural lenders understand the swings in milk price and other agriculture commodities. A working relationship with your lender means bringing in an annual prepared balance sheet, the last year’s cash flow and a projected cash flow. Another important document is your business plan for the next year that has, in writing, what you plan to do this next year. It is okay to show a projected loss of income based on what the future milk prices are showing at the time you do your budget.
Save the Date Your cooperative’s annual business meeting
COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE
It is okay to show there will be months during the upcoming year when the line of credit will be called upon. Coming in with a list of key items of your business plan will show the lender you are thinking ahead. There may be years when extra spending on equipment, expansion plans, cow comfort needs can be partially cash flowed along with some capital borrowing. Other years showing a restraint due to anticipated lower revenue demonstrates to the lender that you are really thinking through your plan. This makes the lender much more comfortable that you are in charge mentally and not letting emotions take over. Many expenses on a dairy can be justified. A long-term breeding program is just one of those important decisions that should survive the lean years of lower milk prices. It is an important decision-making tool during the good times and times of financial distress.
u About the author: Gary Sipiorski is the Vita Plus Dairy Development Manager. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm in eastern Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Gary has served on the Advisory Council on Agriculture Industry and Labor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. He is also an advisor for the Professional Dairy Producers of Wisconsin and a regular contributor to Hoard’s Dairyman and other agricultural publications.
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GENETIC TRENDS 3
t Pictured left to right: Matt Wipperfurth, Dr. Bob Steiner and Accelerated Genetics Technician, Mark Wallace.
Management Success with a team approach
Written by: Chelsey Johnson, Digital Communications Coordinator, Accelerated Genetics
Matt Wipperfurth, a fourth generation dairy farmer near Lodi, Wis., didn’t have time to second guess his decision to begin dairy farming. “I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Short Course on Friday and then I took over the farm that following Monday,” Wipperfurth recalled. “My dad was having surgery, so he pretty much handed everything over to me.” A naturally hard working and competitive person, Wipperfurth was up to the challenge. Since he began dairying in the spring of 2002, the herd has grown from 120 cows to 340. His rolling herd average rose from 22,000 pounds to 29,700 pounds and his reproduction program thrived to a point where he has a surplus of replacement heifers. Wipperfurth is quick to point out he has relied on a team of experts and consultants from the beginning to make this progress. “Our surplus of heifers is due to two key factors,” Wipperfurth explained. “Number one is my mother, Diane, she does an excellent job of raising our calves, keeping our death loss less than one percent.“ The second factor Wipperfurth noted was his reproductive success, which is the result of a collaboration between his veterinarian, Dr. Bob Steiner from Lodi Veterinary Clinic and Accelerated Genetics technicians, Rick Seebecker and Mark Wallace.
look at the Ovsynch program, how we are breeding off standing heats and how our chalk program is doing.” One data benchmark the team is always striving for is a 30 percent pregnancy rate on a 12-month average. Keeping this goal in mind is something that continually motivates the group. “We have been as high as a 28 percent pregnancy rate,” Wipperfurth noted. “We hope to someday achieve that 30 percent goal. That is why we are always looking at how we can do things better.” A number of improvements were made and problems have been solved through the team collaboration of these meetings. One example, Wipperfurth noted, was when they realized that the first calf heifers were not settling while the older cows were. “That was a red flag right away,” Wipperfurth said. “There is something wrong when your first calf heifers settle less than older cows.” Once the team identified this problem, the next step was figuring out why it was happening. “We added some trace mineral to the ration, and also realized the chalk we were using wasn’t staying on the animal,” Wipperfurth said. “We replaced the chalk with paint. With those small adjustments we fixed a big problem.”
In 2005, Wipperfurth received a grant that allowed him to purchase a number of digital management software tools for his dairy. One of those software purchases included DairyComp 305, which opened a new world of management to Wipperfurth.
Another positive of Wipperfurth’s team approach is the addition of new ideas that Dr. Steiner and Accelerated Genetics can bring to his herd from their industry knowledge and experience with other customers.
“I was able to look at data in ways I couldn’t do with a clipboard,” Wipperfurth explained.
One of those ideas was using sexed semen on the first and second breeding for heifers. However, this program wasn’t an instant success.
With this new ability to analyze data trends in his herd, Wipperfurth began holding yearly team meetings. These meetings included Dr. Steiner, Seebecker, Wallace, and Accelerated Genetics Regional Sales Manager, Dave Calvert. These meetings also included his nutritionist, agronomist, and accountant. “When we sit down at these meetings, we look at the programs that we run,” explained Dr. Steiner. “On the breeding side we will 4 DECEMBER 2015
Dr. Steiner recalled, “I remember being the only one really pushing for using sexed semen on first calf heifers. When it wasn’t working real well, I realized, shoot this was my idea.” Even though the first six months of the program didn’t take off, the team met to come up with a solution. They found a different combination of sexed sires to be successful in the program. Today, Wipperfurth is seeing success with this program using
014HO07340 PAYTON, 014HO07296 RACER, 014HO06441 GUS, and 014HO07461 CRANK-IT, sires sexed for his first two heifer breedings. When a problem with ketosis in his transition cows was identified, Seebecker suggested trying Accelerated Genetics transition cow products, Bovine Accellyte, a rehydration product, and Tri-Mic 1:50.
“We have a plan, and we don’t deviate from it,” Wipperfurth said. “Dr. Steiner said the difference between me and other dairies is compliance. For me, not complying with this program is not an option. I don’t miss a cow. I don’t miss a week, and I do it in a timely fashion on a regular schedule.” Since Wipperfurth can’t be everywhere on the farm everyday, he has to trust his team to also maintain that discipline.
“We added those two products to the ration and don’t see ketosis problems anymore,” Wipperfurth explained. “We keep them in our transition cow ration year-round. When we find something that works, we don’t change it.”
“I have an employee trained I trust to do shots when I can’t be here,” Wipperfurth said. “I know I can trust Dr. Steiner, Mark, and Rick, because they all show an invested interest in the farm. They all know my cows.”
With the help of an excellent pregnancy rate and a successful sexed semen program, Wipperfurth is now able to implement more aggressive genetic selection of females.
In addition to learning from the team of consultants involved with his operation, Wipperfurth said he also thrives on competition with his neighbors.
“We had too many heifers, so we looked into genomic testing,” Wipperfurth explained. “We learned if we sold 20 percent of our heifers per year that are below a mark for Net Merit $, the testing would pay for itself because these are animals we don’t need. We are not trying to grow into a 1,000-cow dairy, we are trying to maintain a 300-cow dairy.”
“Dr. Steiner hosts meetings that bring together the farms in our area so we can learn from each other,” Wipperfurth said. “We all want to know what our neighbor is doing and try to do it a little better. Of course, it is friendly competition.”
With this program, Wipperfurth is selling his lower Net Merit $ heifers at breeding age. Then he is breeding his elite heifers to sexed semen and selecting those matings with the help of the Accelerated Genetics GEM mating program. “Our goal is to make a better all-around cow with each mating,” Wipperfurth explained. Wipperfurth notes the key to this team approach is communication and compliance.
Involvement as Chair of the Accelerated Genetics Producer Committee and as a Section Chair for Accelerated Genetics District 8, Section A is another way Wipperfurth learns from other dairy producers in his region. “I am thankful I got involved in the Accelerated Genetics Producer Program. I am not the kind of guy who can just sit back, I always have a question. I think that is how I got myself into being a chairperson and delegate,” Wipperfurth joked. “But I am thankful I have had the opportunity to make connections and learn from other dairy producers across my region.”
“I don’t need to make every decision for Mark or Rick,” Wipperfurth said. “We already have protocols in place so everybody understands what is expected.” Since one of the key aspects of Wipperfurth’s reproductive program is an Ovsynch program, he has disciplined himself to follow through.
q Matt Wipperfurth (below, right) believes a team approach is key to his management success. Working with his veterinarian, Dr. Bob Steiner (below, left) and Accelerated Genetics Technicians, Rick Seebecker and Mark Wallace, Wipperfurth has been able to maintain a strong reproduction and genetics program.
GENETIC TRENDS 5
Making sense of proof information Written by: Michael Schmitt, Genetic Information Analyst, Accelerated Genetics
Understanding a bull evaluation is similar to reading a book, flow chart, and schematic all at the same time. Each trait can be viewed independently or how it affects other traits. As new information is continually added to genetic evaluations, the numbers will change over time as the breed progresses. It is important to understand the information, what it will impact and how you can put it to use in your herd. Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) is an estimation of the genetics an animal will transmit to its offspring. Each PTA value in a bull’s genetic evaluation needs to be compared to something to establish a reference point. In order to give the PTA values a reference point, all values are compared to a cow base and expressed as a deviation from that base. The current cow base of cows born in 2010 have their average PTA set to zero. Now that the PTA values can be compared to a base, what is the reliability of those values? Bulls with only genomic evaluations will have approximately 72% reliability, but once they receive data to reinforce and adjust those genomic PTAs, the reliability increases. Each pregnancy check, calving observation, genomic tested offspring, daughter production record, and daughter classification contributes to increasing a bull’s evaluation reliability. Genetic evaluations can be broken down into three major categories to better understand the information contained in a bull’s genetic evaluation. These three categories are listed in the table below. Production encompasses the milk and component output, health and fertility relates to the health, longevity and reproductive ability of animals and the conformation means the
Three Major Categories of Genetic Evalulations Production
Health & Fertility
Conformation
Milk Fat Protein
Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) Somatic Cell Score (SCS) Sire Calving Ease (SCE) Daughter Calving Ease (DCE) Sire Stillbirth (SSB) Daughter Stillbirth (DSB) Heifer Conception Rate (HCR) Cow Conception Rate (CCR) Productive Live (PL)
Stature Strength Body Depth Dairy Form Rump Angle Thurl Width Rear Legs-Side View Rear Legs-Rear View Foot Angle Feet & Legs Score Fore Udder Attachment Rear Udder Height Rear Udder Width Udder Cleft Udder Depth Front Teat Placement Rear Teat Placement Teat Length
6 DECEMBER 2015
linear evaluations of the physical characteristics. These three breakdowns are critical to understand the total genetic package of a bull. All three areas of evaluation are vitally important when making bull selections, because they can affect one another. Particular traits can be antagonist of each other so genetic progress is reduced, but can be accomplished. For example, high milk production is antagonistic to high fertility.
Understanding Production Traits
Extreme traits can be very eye catching on a bull proof page, but let’s look into how to best interpret this information. To begin, let’s look at production values. Milk, Fat and Protein are all measured in pounds over the lifetime of the animal, and fat percent and protein percent are obviously the percentage of the respective component pounds within the milk pounds. Because your specific farm is not exactly the PTA base of cows born in 2010, it is better to compare bulls against each other than to compare bulls to the PTA base. The base is used to track genetic progress and have a reference point. For example, a bull that is 1,000 PTA milk will have daughters who on average produce 200 more pounds of milk over their lifetime than a bull that is 800 PTA milk. This concept can also be applied to almost any other trait. By utilizing a comparison method, it will more accurately paint the picture of which bull will impact your herd more than others, instead of looking to the PTA base as your own herd PTA base.
Understanding Health and Fertility Traits
A predominant antagonistic trait of increased milk production is decreased health and fertility. The traits that make up this category contribute to the overall health, longevity and ability for cows to stay in the herd. Three traits make up the fertility traits and are all slightly different. CCR is the ability for a lactating cow to conceive and HCR is the ability for a maiden heifer to conceive. A CCR of 1 implies that daughters of a particular bull are 1% more likely to become pregnant during that lactation than daughters of a bull with a CCR of 0. DPR is similar, but instead takes into account the 21-day pregnancy risk of cows. A DPR of 1 implies that daughters of a particular bull are 1% more likely to become pregnant during this estrus cycle than daughters of a bull with a DPR of 0. Next, the SCS of a bull is a direct relationship to the quality of the milk his daughters will produce. The calculation for this trait is shown below.
SCE= Log base2 (SCC/100,000) + 3 The PTA base for this trait is from the average PTA of cows born in 2010 where all scores deviate from 3 where SCC is somatic cells per milliliter. Moving down a proof page, four traits represent the calving
Understanding Conformation Traits
The final category of genetic evaluations is the conformation, or the physical characteristics of the cow. Within each breed there is much variation that exists in the population and this variation causes the linear traits to have differing ranges between traits. However, the Holstein breed has standardized linear PTA traits so the same amount of variation exists for all linear traits. The units are expressed as a standard deviation from the base. Again, the base here is the average PTA of cows born in 2010 for each trait within their respective breed. Each breed association is responsible for determining the linear evaluation based on each breed’s criteria. For the Holstein breed, there are 18 linear type traits that have PTAs published, while the Jersey breed has 14, and Brown Swiss has 16.
Where does this information come from?
The information to support the PTA values for the production, health and fertility traits is supplied through the DHIA testing centers. So anytime an animal is on test, her recorded information will affect not only her own PTA value, her sire’s PTA and dam’s PTA values, but also affect any relatives to her, including offspring. There are many adjustment factors to equally compare across multiple variables and isolate the genetic transmitting ability to get a correct PTA value. Similarly, there are adjustment factors for the conformation trait evaluations of animals to equally compare across variables. Cows need to have a linear evaluation by the appropriate breed association in order to contribute that information to the PTA values for themselves and any relatives. The numbers in a genetic evaluation need to have context to have meaning. Identifying a base to compare PTA values gives a starting point, knowing the measurement of values gives a context to the information and being familiar with how to interpret the PTA values will arm you with the right tools to comprehend the genetic information. Once there is a base understanding of all different PTA values, then more complex index values and composites can be tackled. Stay tuned for my next article at www.accelgen.com, where I will dive into the value of indexes and how to put them to work for you.
Calving Ease Specialists, Excellent Fertility
SCE and DCE represent the percentage of difficult birth of bull calves in first lactation animals where SCE is applied to the birthing difficulty of his offspring and DCE is his daughters’ difficulty giving birth. SSB and DSB are the stillbirth traits and slightly different. SSB is expressed by the percentage of bull calves that are stillborn or died within 48 hours of birth, while DSB is the ability of a cow to produce live calves. Each stillbirth trait is for heifers calving for the first time. The last trait in this category can be used to sum up many others, and that is PL. This is both a direct and combined longevity trait. The direct trait can be measured as the time in the milking herd before removal by voluntary or involuntary culling or death. A bull with a PL evaluation of 6 would have daughters that on average live 4 months longer in the milking herd than a bull with a PL evaluation of 2. Including the direct longevity trait, 10 other traits and composites are used as the combined trait to increase the reliability of PL.
014HO07303 Gambler | Dam: Le-O-La Atwood Gypsy EX-92
SCR +1.5 | SCR Rel 97% | SCE 5.8% | SCE Rel 96%
014HO07358 Pride Mogul Tallyho 165-ET
SCR +2.7 | SCR Rel 87% | SCE 6.3% | SCE Rel 90%
(Reversed) 014HO07451 Hunk | Dam: J-Mor Man-O-Man Honey-ET VG-88
SCR +4.1 | SCR Rel 85% | SCE 6.6% | SCE Rel 87%
014HO07296 Racer | MGD: Clear-Echo 822 Ramo 1200-ET EX-94
SCR +2.7 | SCR Rel 98% | SCE 4.4% | SCE Rel 99% GENETIC TRENDS 7
q Pictured left to right: Cody Trim, Tamarack Valley Dairy and Carla Stetzer, Accelerated Genetics Regional Program Specialist
Developing
the best genetic plan
Written by: Chelsey Johnson, Digital Communications Coordinator, Accelerated Genetics
Accelerated Genetics is dedicated to helping each herd breed the type of cow that best fits each operation. But, don’t take our word for it, read our real-world example at Tamarack Valley Dairy near Galesville, Wis.
Trim believes keeping his days in milk at first breeding down is a critical factor in maximizing profitability of each cow. Therefore, Stetzer has recommended some key traits to emphasize in his genetic plan.
Cody Trim manages Tamarack Valley Dairy with his father and grandmother. Recently, he began taking over the sire selection process for the 280-Holstein operation. The facilities of the operation consist of 300 sand-bedded free stalls and a double-8 parallel parlor. Heifers stay on the farm until five months of age and then go to a heifer grower until about a month before freshening. Through a collaborative effort with his Accelerated Genetics Technician, Gabe Pehler, and Regional Programs Specialist, Carla Stetzer, Trim is developing a plan to grow his herd to 320 cows in the future.
“I have emphasized ACE (Accelerated Conception Evaluation) score, SCR (Sire Conception Rate) and DPR (Daughter Pregnancy Rate),” Stetzer explained.
Setting the Criteria
Removing the Thresholds
Trim and Stetzer have worked together to develop sire selection criteria. This criteria is focused on meeting Trim’s goals for production and herd life.
Once a criteria is established, selecting the sires that best fit this criteria is much more than setting minimum threshold values for traits.
“We are close to hitting a 30,000 lb. rolling herd average, so next I am aiming to hit 31,000 lbs.,” Trim explained. “I also hope to someday have a seven or eight lactation cow in the herd. I want to breed cows that will last.”
“When helping a herd choose sires, one of the first things I explain is not to set minimum threshold values,” Stetzer pointed out. “Setting minimum values such as ‘greater than 2.5 DPR,’ could be leaving a better all-around sire off the table.”
In order to help Trim breed a cow with the longevity that he is looking for in his herd, Stetzer pays close attention to Foot Angle (FA), Rear Legs Rear View (RLRV), and Udder Composite (UDC) when selecting sires for matings.
For example, Table 1 demonstrates the list of Accelerated Genetics sires that would be automatically generated with minimum values set for the primary selection criteria of this dairy. The minimum thresholds included, greater than 2.25 UDC, greater than 2.5 DPR, greater than .5 FA and greater than .5 RLRV. Note that this list was generated based on August 2015 proof information.
“I don’t use the Foot and Leg Composite (FLC) because it favors straight rear legs, and I feel some rear leg set is okay in this herd,” Stetzer explained. “Since these cows have a 30,000 lb. herd average, I tried to find shallower udder bulls that have decent milk.” 8 DECEMBER 2015
Beyond the production and fertility traits, Trim prefers sires that have Low Sire Calving Ease (SCE). In addition, Stetzer mates each individual in the herd based on conformation. She focuses on creating a mating that will transmit an overall balanced offspring while meeting all of Trim’s production and health criteria.
Table 2 demonstrates a group of five sires selected using the GEM mating program that Stetzer would consider ideal for this
herd. While the average for UDC is slightly lower, setting these minimum values limited opportunity for improved PTA Milk, DPR, RLRV, FA and SCE. For example, Sire 1 in Table 2 would have missed the mark for UDC, but he meets all the other criteria and brings to the table impressive Milk (670 pounds greater than the highest Milk sire in Table 1) and SCE (1.1% lower than lowest SCE sire in Table 1). The overall TPI average of the group in Table 2 is greater than Table 1. Furthermore, the group in Table 2 sees a significant advantage of 660 pounds. Milk and 1.3% lower SCE.
the current group, which includes genomic sires, is 92% while the group that sired the current two-year-olds at Tamarack Valley Dairy (Table 3) is 99%.
Adding Genomic Sires to the Program
Through these selection criteria, Trim is able to meet his breeding needs while incorporating younger genetics into his program. With this group of sires, the averages of each of the traits of emphasis are improved.
“Fertility was our first and foremost criteria to bring down the Days in Milk. I required that all genomic sires have a published SCR score because that means the sire has been used in enough breedings to have an SCR published,” Stetzer explained. “Then I looked at genomic sires that have a higher number of calving observations.”
Until recently, Tamarack Valley Dairy has chosen to use only daughter-proven sires in the breeding program. However, through discussions with Stetzer, Trim has decided to introduce five genomic sires into his breeding program.
Focused on the Future Another new addition to Trim’s reproductive program is using sexed semen on first and second services of heifers. Since he is aiming to expand his herd to 320 cows, growing his heifer population is a top priority.
“Our industry and genetics is moving much faster. There are breeders out there who are able to IVF six-month-old heifers and we are collecting 10-month-old bulls,” Stetzer explained. “To stay on top of the most recent genetics, I encouraged Trim to consider using some genomic sires.”
When asked what the next step will be once he reaches his 320-cow capacity, Trim said, “I am interested in trying genomic testing of my females to make decisions on which heifers to keep in my herd. I haven’t pursued it yet, but finding out where my genetics are intrigues me.”
Table 4 displays the current sire usage at Tamarack Valley Dairy including five genomic sires in pink text. Interestingly, Sire D actually has a greater number of calving observations (SCEO) contributing to his SCE score than five of the proven sires used in the herd. Overall, the average SCE reliability for Table 1:
Table 2:
Sires Selected with Minimum Thresholds UDC > 2.25, DPR > 2.5, Foot Angle > .5, RLR > .5
Sires Selected Without Minimum Thresholds
(Data from August 2015)
Name Sire A Sire B Sire C Sire D Sire E Averages
TPI 2667 2604 2563 2517 2470 2564
PTAM 966 487 639 69 32 439
DPR 2.8 3.8 4.9 4.1 2.8 3.68
UDC 2.85 2.98 2.72 2.72 2.43 2.74
RLR 2.72 0.93 1.17 0.83 0.95 1.32
FA 3.13 2.11 1.35 1.45 1.64 1.94
SCE 7.7 8.3 8.9 7.5 7.3 7.94
Name Sire 1 Sire 2 Sire 3 Sire 4 Sire 5 Averages
TPI 2549 2552 2562 2619 2667 2590
PTAM 1232 799 2071 426 966 1099
Table 3: Sires of Tamarack Valley 2 Year Olds (Data from August 2015) Name Sire 1 Sire 2 Sire 3 Sire 4 Sire 5 Sire 6 Sire 7 Averages
TPI 1811 1983 1957 2180 2057 1971 1975 1991
PTAM -68 -2 1079 554 784 1451 829 661
MREL 99 99 99 99 99 99 96 99
DPR 0.6 -1.9 -0.6 2.1 2.6 -1.2 -0.6 0
SCR NA 1.7 NA 2.1 -1.8 0.1 -0.5 NA
ACE 3 4 3 4 2 4 3 3
UDC 1.01 0.58 0.51 0.51 0.65 0.78 0.88 1.00
RLR -1.63 1.44 1.53 -0.37 0.55 0.79 0.25 0
FA -0.67 1.21 1.83 0.31 0.50 1.93 0.14 1.00
TREL 99 99 98 99 96 95 93 97
SCE 6.3 7.3 7.1 4.9 5.7 5.8 7.0 6.0
SCEO 30632 22921 16448 11722 8296 7276 4144 14491
SCER 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99
TREL 99 98 94 77 93 91 92 92 77 78 76 77 87
SCE 7.3 4.2 7.7 4.4 5.9 7.7 5.7 7.2 6.3 6.9 8.5 8.1 6.7
SCEO 22921 14784 4148 2271 2111 2070 1477 1356 421 183 69 0 4318
SCER 99 99 99 98 98 98 97 97 92 86 76 60 92
Table 4: Current Sire Useage (Data from August 2015) Name Sire A Sire B Sire C Sire D Sire E Sire F Sire G Sire H Sire I Sire J Sire K Sire L Averages
TPI 1983 2086 1998 2360 2101 1966 2058 1938 2539 2511 2547 2454 2212
PTAM -2 167 817 918 763 218 508 585 1610 729 1620 1148 757
MREL 99 99 96 78 95 93 93 94 78 78 77 77 88
DPR -1.9 2/0 -1.2 2.8 0.9 -3.0 -0.4 -0.8 0.8 0.7 1.8 2.1 0.3
SCR 1.7 2.7 3.3 3.1 1.0 3.1 0.6 0.9 1.4 0.1 0.9 1.2 1.7
ACE 4 4 5 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
UDC 0.58 1.88 1.87 1.64 1.13 2.31 0.75 0.61 2.17 2.77 1.73 2.16 1.63
RLR 1.44 0.35 2.13 1.28 0.04 0.79 1.20 0.83 2.57 2.39 1.62 2.03 1.39
FA 1.21 0.53 1.21 0.43 1.10 0.02 0.63 0.64 2.12 2.33 1.11 1.74 1.09
DPR 3.5 6.1 1.7 5.0 2.8 3.82
UDC 1.17 2.32 1.96 1.55 2.85 1.97
RLR 0.55 0.90 1.83 1.53 2.72 1.51
FA 0.88 1.26 2.76 1.99 3.13 2.00
SCE 6.2 6.1 6.4 6.5 7.7 6.6
About GEM allows you to create a personalized sire selection index that picks the ideal bull for each producer’s particular breeding program. With over 300,000 bulls, GEM has access to the largest bull database for mating programs. Also, there are just under 1,000,000 total animals in the database, helping GEM to consider six generations of pedigree information to complete recessive match checks on each potential mating. The producer has total flexibility to select the bulls the desire, based on the criteria chosen. This includes following philosophies on genetic recessives, type traits, production, genomics, etc. Every MACE bull is included in the GEM program, including other A.I. stud bulls. To learn more about GEM contact your Accelerated Genetics representative. GENETIC TRENDS 9
e r o l p Ex
OUR HISTORY I
n 1941, the Accelerated Genetics story began, with breeders thinking outside the box. They gathered and asked questions such as, “How can we work together?”, and “What can we do today, that will move our farms forward?” Little did those 120 breeders from Vernon County, Wisconsin know the cooperative they established would grow into the organization that would later become known as Accelerated Genetics, one of the world’s largest A.I. Cooperatives. As the Cooperative grew and changed, the vision, “To be the producer’s trusted first choice,” has remained constant. We work hard staying ahead of the curve with technologies and trends in the industry. We know each farm has a wide range of decisions that are made each and every day and each operation has different goals, management styles and environments. We are dedicated to helping you make those decisions and building the cow that will fit your operation. It is our desire to be a part of your team, working together collaboratively with other consultants, such as your veterinarian and nutritionist. It is this team approach that can give you a competitive advantage and assist you in achieving success not only today but far into the future. As we prepare to celebrate our 75th anniversary in 2016, we know we are nothing without you, our valued customer. We are grateful you have chosen to partner with us and we will continue to focus on your success so you can focus on the things that really matter.
1940s
1941
Vernon County Breeders was organized with 120 breeders. Trempealeau County Breeders Cooperative was formed with 161 breeders.
10 DECEMBER 2015
1950s
1947
Vernon County Breeders and Trempealeau County Breeders Cooperative consolidated and formed Tri-State Breeders Cooperative.
1950
Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative was formed.
1954
Frozen Semen was introduced.
1955
The first Midwest A.I. company to offer formal Young Dairy Sire sampling program.
1957
First International Sale to Formosa, known today as Taiwan.
1959
Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative and Tri-State Breeders Cooperative merged.
1980s 1970s 1960s
1983 1970
First Direct Service Truck for on-farm semen delivery.
1967
First Technician in U.S.A. to breed 100,000 cows – Don Beck of Tri-State Breeders Cooperative. Developed the original “Select-A-Mate” mating program.
1975
The first A.I. company to offer animal health products to producers.
1978
First A.I. company to install a programmable semen-freezing machine.
1984
First employees in non-member market began in Missouri and soon thereafter in Illinois.
1988
Genetic Visions, Inc. was formed and was the pioneer in bovine DNA research.
Purchased West Farm property in Westby, Wis. to begin production facility expansion.
2010s 2000s
1990s 2013 2001
Purchased 50% of World Wide Sires, Ltd.
2003 1994
EDGE, young beef sire sampling program was developed.
1995
Achieved status as the World’s largest EU qualified sire population.
Purchased Nebraska Bull Service, McCook, Neb., a custom collection facility focused on beef genetics.
2015
Built a new lab and collection facility in Westby, Wis.
2007
Built a state-of-the-art Semen Processing Lab and Semen Distribution Center.
Tri-State Breeders Cooperative changed its name to Accelerated Genetics to reflect an International image.
1996
GemPC, the first on-farm computerized mating program, was developed.
GENETIC TRENDS 11
Moving Forward
with Jerseys
Written by: Chelsey Johnson, Digital Communications Coordinator, Accelerated Genetics More and more producers are seeing Jerseys as an efficient and economical choice for their operation. However, some herds saw this opportunity long before the recent Jersey buzz. One example of these herds is Delta View Farms near Visalia, Calif. Today, Gregory “Butch” Dias, and his two sons, Darren and Gregory, manage Delta View Farms. In 1994, the Dias family started looking at many things differently. After the tragic loss of daughter and sister, Rachelle Dias, in a car accident, they considered walking away from farming altogether. However, they decided to continue dairy farming, but they took a different look at things. At the time, their herd consisted of 1,000 Holsteins. “Butch ran the numbers and started looking at the premiums we could get with Jersey components and they looked like they would be pretty good for us, so we decided to make the switch,” Darren, Butch’s son and current manager of the dairy, explained. Once the decision to transition their Holstein operation to Jerseys was made, Delta View Farms went full speed ahead into the transition and didn’t look back. “Rachelle’s Jerseys” was added to the Farm’s name in Rachelle’s honor. “We haven’t looked back,” Darren said when asked whether they made the right decision to switch from Holsteins to Jerseys. “I think management plays a huge role in that decision. I know guys with excellent Holstein herds who are doing very well and they are great managers. But the Jerseys have worked well for us.” Now, with more than 20 years of Jersey herd experience, Delta View Farms looks to Accelerated Genetics as the Jersey Source to move their herd forward.
Breeding for Components Today, the operation milks 1,550 Jerseys in a 50-stall rotary parlor t and 350 Jerseys in a flat barn milking facility, twice per day. “Since Jerseys are a component breed, a majority of my emphasis is on components. I don’t jump on the milk and it has worked out really well for us just sticking with the components,” Darren explained. The secondary traits that Delta View Farms focuses on are Productive Life and health traits. When selecting sires, Darren utilizes a combination of GeneForce and Pace Proven bulls. He works with Accelerated Genetics Independent Sales Representative, Benny Cotta to purchase his semen. 12 DECEMBER 2015
“Benny has been a big part of the semen side of our operation,” Darren explained. “He has been around for a long time and he knows his animals, I tell him what I want and he delivers. He has encouraged me to be aggressive and improve my genetics and Accelerated Genetics has the line-up that can help me do that.” With the primary focus being on components, Delta View Farms has seen gradual improvement over the years. Five years ago, the herd’s average fat percentage was 4.81% and their average protein percentage was 3.65%. That number has climbed 5.1% on Fat and 3.95% on Protein un 2015.
Aggressive Sexed Semen On the reproductive side of the operation, Delta View Farms runs an Ovsynch and tail chalking program. Pregnancy rate and services per conception are key areas Darren focuses on. “Pregnancy rate is something we are always watching. We try to get up to a 30 percent when we can,” Darren explained. “Certain times of the year we get really close to our goal but sometimes the summer heat plays a factor in achieving it.” Prior to this year, the herd used sexed semen on all heifers and first lactation animals. With the aquisition of a new facility in the past year and the desire to expand, Delta View Farms recently implemented an aggressive sexed semen program. Now, sexed semen is being used on all animals up to their third lactation. While the program has raised the services per conception in the herd slightly, Darren believes the boosted number of heifer calves is more valuable. “Since 2008, we have been marketing animals, and it really helps as far as cash flow goes. So, we are trying to aggressively fill the new facility and start marketing animals again,” Darren explained. “On top of that, as far as running the numbers for what we make from a Jersey bull calf, it doesn’t even cover the arm service and semen cost using conventional semen.” Darren says to improve their services per conception; they have modified their Ovsynch program to include a double Lutalyse shot. Once the herd has expanded and reaches the point of being able to market animals again, Darren said he will consider genomic testing. “We have always had a market for the cow,” Darren explained. “However, I am interested to see how being more selective with my younger animals can improve my genetics program.”
Breeding for butter Written by: Chelsey Johnson, Digital Communications Coordinator, Accelerated Genetics
When it comes to dairy products in 2015, butter was certainly a buzzword. This year, dairy producers saw some of the highest butter prices of all time. The June 23 cover of TIME Magazine featured a picture of butter and inside the magazine was a feature article that described changing views on saturated fats. Then, this fall, fast-food chain, McDonald’s, announced they would offer all-day breakfast and begin using real butter on its breakfast sandwiches rather than margarine. Therefore, the butterfat premiums in your milk check could be a number to watch in the future. Jay Cockle of J & J Co. Dairy, Fillmore, New York, is one example of a producer who Accelerated Genetics has helped develop a long-term genetic plan and selection criteria focused on breeding for Fat and Protein percentage. When Cockle took over his farm from his father after he graduated high school in the early 80’s, he knew dairy farming was the lifestyle he wanted to keep for the rest of his life. However, he also knew he needed a plan. “My philosophy has always been to keep comfortable cows, that I don’t push to be the highest producing cows,” Cockle explained. “I put my focus on components. I have remained hard-headed on this plan and that strategy has allowed me to keep the herd size and management style I want.” Today, Cockle milks 60 Registered Holsteins in a 40-stall stanchion barn. His cows are housed in a 48-stall free stall facility. Cockle’s sire selection process begins with researching the Accelerated Genetics Holstein directory after each proof run. The first area of emphasis he stresses is component percentage. The secondary traits he considers are feet and legs, udders, and finally milk production. On his most recent milk check, he recorded 4.42% Fat and 3.23% Protein. “I have remained hard-headed when it comes to components. I believe there is a wide enough selection of sires with Accelerated Genetics that I don’t need to use a sire that is negative for fat or protein,” Cockle explained. “Sticking to my guns on this criteria has paid off. In the 20 years I have been selecting for components, I have fallen below a 4% butterfat only two or three times every five years.”
When it comes to breeding functional cows with the conformation that best fits his facility, Cockle credits his longtime relationship with Accelerated Genetics Regional Programs Specialist, John Jacobs. “I am not a great evaluator of how to correct a conformation trait,” Cockle said. “I know the numbers I want for protein and Fat and then John helps me select the bulls that will create the right kind of cows for me.” In 2006, due to an injury, Cockle needed to make a facility adjustment. Prior to that time, his cows were housed in his stanchion barn at all times. He built a freestall barn to reduce some of the labor involved with the stanchion barn. With John’s help, he was able to continue to breed functional cows for the new facility. “I tell people, when they start planning to build a new facility, they also need to start planning what type of cow will work best in that environment,” said Jacobs. The current Accelerated Genetics sires Cockle is using in his program include 014HO06441 GUS, 014HO06344 PIRATE, 014HO06470 WHISKEY, 014HO06080 BUILDING, 014HO06060 FABIO and 202HO00742 BAKOMBRE. Jacobs and Cockle worked together to develop this list of sires, which offers balanced udder, foot and leg, and milk numbers while meeting Cockle’s positive fat and protein percentage criteria. “I hope to stay locked in with those bulls that are giving me the components back, and I hope John will be around as long as I am in the business,” Cockle said. “When I am out here doing my farm chores, I feel like a kid in toy land. You know, when you used to be three, four or five years old playing with your farm toys—I still feel that way, and I am in my 50’s. Accelerated Genetics has relieved the stress of me, finding the right solution to make my cows profitable. This allows me to keep doing what I love.”
GENETIC TRENDS 13
S P I 10 T er h t a e w d l o c g n i r id calf stress du
to avo
C
old winter weather can be extremely challenging, even lethal, to young calves. Newborn calves are highly susceptible to cold stress because they have virtually no energy reserves and no naturally present immune system. Calves four weeks old and younger are especially in need of supportive care and nutrition in cold weather. Cold stress can lead to weight loss, depressed immune function, poor response to treatments and vaccinations, decreased growth performance and potentially death.
#1 Ventilation Strive to create air exchange at the calf level without creating drafts. Aim for four to five air exchanges per hour.
#3 Increased Nutritional Intake Manage a calf’s nutritional needs using an energy supplement or adding extra feedings to your current whole milk or milk replacer feeding program. Accel Energy fat supplement provides highly digestible milk proteins and fats designed to increase the net energy provided by whole milk or milk replacer. 14 DECEMBER 2015
#2 Successful Passive Transfer Deliver two quarts of First Day Formula® Colostrum Replacer* derived from maternal colostrum within four hours of birth to promote passive transfer of immunity while providing essential nutrients, liquids and internal warmth. First Day Formula® can also be fed per label as a supplement to maternal colostrum. First Day Formula® is a proven alternative to feeding maternal colostrum as a means to provide successful passive transfer of immunity to the newborn calf. First Day Formula® assures the same amount of IgG is fed every time to every calf. (150 grams IgG). *Equivalent to four quarts of maternal colostrum.
#4 Bedding Choose straw bedding over wood shavings in the winter. Bedding should be deep and dry, and bed frequently so calves can “nest” to stay warm and draft free. Good bedding preserves energy and reduces the impact of disease.
#5 Sanitation Wash feeding and milk-handling equipment with warm, soapy water. Then rinse with warm water, disinfect, rinse again, and allow to dry.
#6 Hydration Water is an essential nutrient. It is especially critical during cold temperatures when higher solids are fed. Always offer fresh, clean water twice a day. Water intake helps calves digest added nutrients in their milk-based diets and promotes starter-grain intake. Supplementing water with an electrolyte such as Calf Accellyte adds increased value to the young animal.
#7 Calf Jackets Calves are born without the insulating value of body fat. Consider using AccelCoats on newborns up to four weeks of age to provide an additional layer of warmth and moisture protection. AccelCoats offer a proprietary insulation that wicks moisture away from the calf, adjustable heavy-duty, quick release, elastic leg straps, and an adjustable brisket strap.
#9 Consistent Care Make nutritional changes gradually. Abrupt and/or frequent dietary changes can cause nutritional scours or bloat. Schedule invasive management procedures over time (castration, dehorning, vaccinations, weaning) to minimize stress on the calf.
#8 Hair Coat Dry newborn calves off quickly and prevent hair coats from becoming wet thereafter. A wet hair coat requires additional energy for calves to stay warm. A dry, fluffy hair coat provides a layer of protective warmth.
#10 Housing Use solid panels between calves or pens of calves to limit drafts. Strive for all-in, all-out housing in both hutches and calf barns. Calf comfort and environment are key factors in overall calf health, welfare, and performance. Accelerated Genetics offers the full line of Calf-Tel® housing including all hutch models, indoor pens in variable sizes, and group housing units.
Combat Common Calf Challenges D on’t allow common challenges to stress or risk the performance of your future…your calves! Statistics show neonatal scours account for 50-75 percent of deaths in calves less than three weeks of age. Scours is an issue that almost everyone raising calves will encounter. The initial step in combatting scours is understanding the issue. Scours is caused by a variation of bacteria and viruses, which cause damage to the lining of the calf’s intestines, thus reducing the calf’s ability absorb nutrients. Tri-Purify provides pure, natural essential oils that have a strong antibacterial effect, and have been shown to improve appetite, and provide support to the immune system. Tri-Purify combines live natural occurring micro-organisms to improve the environment of the digestive tract. Tri-Purify contains nutraceuticals, beneficial microbes, and live cell yeast, all contributing to reducing the severity and occurrence of scours. Several ingredients in Tri-Purify have been shown to improve weight gain and feed efficiency as well as intestinal microflora.
Three primary goals during the early stages of a calf’s life are immune function, rumen development, and digestive health.Tri-Start Jr. is a direct-fed microbial that benefits the rumen and intestinal tract of dairy and beef calves. It helps to stimulate feed intake by improving rumen function and health by establishing microbial populations, which helps to crowd out pathogens. Containing live lactic-acid forming bacteria, live cell yeast, and fungi, Tri-Start Jr. enhances the environment of the digestive tract which activates the naturally occurring beneficial digestive microbes. Tri-Start Jr. is the perfect follow-up to Tri-Purify as it repopulates the beneficial microbes necessary to jump-start a calf’s stalled digestive system! Contact your local Accelerated Genetics representative today to learn how you can combat common calf challenges or visit www.accelgen.com.
GENETIC TRENDS 15
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
PRODUCT OF THE U.S.A. < 80191 PRODUCT OF THE U.S.A. < 80191
GENETIC TRENDS < 80191