News January - February 2021
Sire Selection Checklist For breeding healthy, productive and fertile cows
Feed lists, cow lists, to-do lists and more. We’re never short on lists these days. We use lists to stay organized, to remember tasks and items and ultimately, to achieve success. When it comes to genetics and reproduction, there’s another stack of lists that come to mind. Let’s choose one of those lists and give it a refreshsire selection. Your basic goals in sire selection should include productive, healthy and fertile cows. These goals are especially important as we consider common genetic and reproductive strategies. Today, we’re using genetic data to rank cows in the herd before they even show their first signs of heat. While these culling strategies equip your herd with the best genetics for a successful future, they also lead to low heifer inventories and fewer replacements. With tighter heifer inventories, it’s a matter of fact that cows will have to stay in the herd longer. You will need to secure the best return on your genetic investments. Focusing your selection attention on the key traits that help cows remain in the herd will ease you through this transition. To achieve these genetic goals in your herd, Select Sires has identified five critical points to include on your sire selection checklist.
Authors: Chuck Sattler, vice president of genetic programs and Jeff Ziegler, vice president of dairy cattle breeding, Select Sires, Inc.