August 2013 Dairy HORIZONS

AUGUST 2013 AUGUS T PROOF REP ORT | A NNOUNCING SY NCHCHECK ™ | GENE SIS E X PA NDS TO JER SE Y

That’s Co-op Commitment

Genex

Cooperative, Inc. A Subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International

IS...

GENEnS etic story The greatest ge ever written in the history of the A.I. industry.

ESULTS R ED N W O EN R LE B IA EL R Your Goals and Our Bulls.

T h e P e r f e ct C o m b i n a t i o n .

Understanding your visions of genetic excellence, we apply science and experience to provide a lineup of diverse, profitable and efficient genetics. Customized indexes, sire fertility innovation and domination, and an industry-leading genetic merit sexed semen lineup are evidence of our efforts.

Now That’s Co-op Commitment.

PregCheck

™

Another Example of Fertility LeadershiP

Put Our Expertise to Work For You. You’ve got needs, goals and the drive to position your dairy for a bright future. We have a team of consultants, advisors and service representatives – brimming with experience, insight and information – ready to collaborate in building your vision of tomorrow.

Now That’s Co-op Commitment.

From Data to De cisions.

A combination of your data and our expertise can make your processes more efficient, your dairy more effective and your life better. Trust our staff and programs to harness, organize and interpret data which empowers you to make more informed decisions.

Now That’s Co-op Commitment.

Sort, Find and Compare

Bulls Industry-Wide Plan the genetic future of your herd from the comfort of your own home.

With the availability of sexed semen, genomic testing and the increased value of beef animals, producers have more choices to make in managing dairy genetics than ever before.

http://genex.crinet.com/mpg Š2013 CRI

F-04682-13

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C O N T E N T S

Horizons

August 2013 Vol. 19/No. 2

Published three times a year for dairy producers around the globe. |

Address correspondence Cooperative Resources International P.O. Box 469, Shawano, WI 54166 info@crinet.com 888.333.1783 www.crinet.com

CANADA - Genex Cooperative, Inc.

k On the Cover: An industry-leading lineup, team of representatives brimming with experience and programs to make your dairy more efficient – Now That’s Co-op Commitment.

291 Woodlawn Rd W Unit 4C, Guelph, Ontario N1H 7L6 genexcanada@crinet.com 888.354.4622

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Paul Greene, President Berlin, N.Y., 518.658.2419

Duane Nelson, 1st Vice President Winthrop, Minn., 507.647.2540

John Ruedinger, 2nd Vice President Van Dyne, Wis., 920.922.9899

CONTENTS

Ronald Totten, Secretary Stafford, N.Y., 585.344.0758

Jim Crocker Valley City, Ohio, 330.483.3709

Jon Wayne Danielson Cadott, Wis., 715.289.3860

Patrick Dugan Casa Grande, Ariz., 520.251.6455

Ted Foster Middlebury, Vt., 802.388.6515

Harlin Hecht Paynesville, Minn., 320.243.4386

Harold House Nokesville, Va., 703.754.9534

Kay Olson-Martz

Membership Matters 7 | Genex Membership Update In The News 6 | Announcing SynchCheck™ 9 | Genex Debuts Reveal™ Livestock Marker 10 | 100,000 First Service Achievements

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Friendship, Wis., 608.564.7359

Bobby Robertson Tahlequah, Okla., 918.822.0020

Richard Vold Glenwood, Minn., 320.634.4665

Alfred Wanner, Jr. Narvon, Pa., 717.768.8118

HORIZONS STAFF

Jenny L. Hanson, Editor, jlhanson@crinet.com Andy Graf, Graphic Designer

REPRINTS

Material may not be reproduced in any fashion without Cooperative Resources International’s permission.

Cooperative Resources International, their member cooperatives, agents or employees, cannot and do not guarantee the conception rate, quality or productivity to be obtained in connection with the use of their products or recommended techniques. THEY MAKE NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WHICH EXTENDS BEYOND THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCTS AND HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. In the unlikely event that any of the products shall be proven to be defective, damages resulting from their use shall be limited to their purchase price.

Facebook.com/GenexCRI

©2013 CRI

GenexCooperativeInc

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PROOF HIGHLIGHTS

Get The Inside Scoop! | GENESIS Grows to Include Jersey | CRI Development Around the Globe

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Genetically Speaking 14 | Today’s Snapshot in Genomic Accuracy 18 | Methods to Meeting Members’ Needs Reproductive Management 20 | Tools for Heat Detection 22 | A.I. Audits

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Employee Development 25 | Who Benefits When the Employee is Trained?

Herd Story 24 | Reproductive Success 29 | Traveling the Road to Opportunity 30 | Brymessers Excel in Production 31 | Expansion in Mexico

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Mission Statement: Provide products and services as effectively as possible to maximize the profitability of members and customers worldwide while maintaining a strong cooperative.

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TA i nB Lt Eh eO Fne Cw O N S T E N T S

announcing

SynchCheck

™

Unique Synchronization Sire Fertility By: Jenny DeMunck // Product Support Manager, Genex

F

ertility concerns certainly do not go away when a cow is enrolled into a synchronization program. Generally speaking, you may even be more worried about her becoming pregnant with the extra cost in program implementation. That is why Genex, a world fertility leader, developed the SynchSmart™ system first published in 2007.

Accompanying the August 2013 sire summary, we have released SynchCheck™ which replaces SynchSmart. The data collection process and database power has substantially increased since 2007 and today provides a more intense examination and ranking of the bull’s fertility. SynchCheck rankings indicate sire fertility when used as part of a synchronization program. Genex provides this unique data set and fertility ranking to customers knowing there can be a bull by bull difference getting cows pregnant when synchronization strategies have been implemented compared to natural heats. Research led by Dr. Gamal Abdel-Azim, CRI Research Geneticist, has shown there can be up to a three percent increase in conception of some bulls when used in a synchronization breeding program.

SynchCheck Interpretation

Similar to Genex PregCheck™, released in April 2013, the SynchCheck system is easy to use. The fertility ranking is set to a 100 base system, meaning a value of 100 is average.

Every one point difference is then equivalent to a one percent difference in conception rate. For example, if bull A has a SynchCheck of 100 and bull B has a SynchCheck of 99, bull A is predicted to be one percent higher in conception rate than bull B. The most recent evaluation of our data set shows an industry range from the low end of 88, to as high as 108. That is a difference of 20 percent! With this kind of range in bull fertility, selecting bulls with higher SynchCheck values are sure to immediately impact herd vet checks if current service sire usage is below average.

Watch for the SynchCheck bulls that bring you profits through pregnancies when used in synchronization programs.

Evaluations are published in the August investment guide, sire catalog and website. We are proud of our history in delivering high fertility sires and have made it our mission to continue to provide key advancements, such as SynchCheck, to improve the sustainability in dairy farming. 

g Genex is committed to helping you achieve the most pregnancies.

A Author Bio: Jenny DeMunck grew up on a Wisconsin dairy farm and attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. She graduated with a degree in dairy science and minor in Spanish. Jenny began her career as a Genex A.I. technician and then took on a consultant role. In 2006, she joined the cooperative’s training and education department. Most recently, Jenny was promoted to Product Support Manager within the Product Development & Marketing Division.

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©2013 CRI

M E M B E R S H I P

M AT T E R S

Notice of Genex Equity Redemption

Genex Member Definition to Change

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he Genex and CRI boards of directors have authorized the retirement of Genex equity for 1991, 1992 and 1993. For active Genex members, the equity retirement will appear as a credit on your billing. There are no tax implications on this retirement. All equity redemptions have been from qualified issuances with taxes paid at the time of their allocation.

This is the official public notice of this retirement and former members must notify Genex headquarters for redemption of their equity. The board reserves the right to suspend redemption if cash flow needs of the cooperative are impaired.

fter reviewing delegate and alternate input received at fall delegate meetings in 2011, the Genex board and CRI governance committee supported changing the Genex member definition for 2015. Their recommendation increases the amount of annual allocatable expenditures required to be a Genex member from $200 to $500. The CRI board voted to change the Genex member definition as recommended.

It goes into effect in 2015. 

If there are any questions, contact Genex Equity Specialist Candie Fisher at 715-526-7657. 

Dates Set for Genex Delegate Meetings

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elegates and alternates are encouraged and expected to attend the Genex fall meetings.

Input gained from these meetings is important and highly valued by the board of directors and staff. Each meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude by 2:30 p.m. More information will be mailed at a later date.

The dates and locations for the meetings are:

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• October 16 – Atlanta, Ga. • October 17 – Kansas City, Mo.

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• October 29 – Harrisburg, Penn.

• October 30 – Syracuse, N.Y. • October 31 – Albany, N.Y. • November 5 – Alexandria, Minn.

• November 6 – Rochester, Minn.

• November 12 – Appleton, Wis. • November 25 – Las Vegas, Nev. 

j 2013 Genex Membership Regions

2014 CRI Annual Meeting Slated for January 28-29

M

embers elected as delegates have the opportunity to attend the fifth annual national meeting for Genex and CRI in Bloomington, Minn., on January 28-29, 2014. The event will feature break-out sessions on current issues, the annual meetings of CRI and Genex and a banquet. Delegate expenses are paid to and from the meeting. 

©2013 CRI

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e r u t u F y t i il t r e F r u On Yo

onception -ranking Sire C gh hi h it w s ll R) list. se bu ancy Rates (DP rtility power. U gn fe re P on r ” te up gh g au in eD ttled by “doubl at the top of th getting cows se lting replacements to sires of ds od ur yo Increase d the resu w and then bree Rates (SCR) no

day! to e r tu fu ty li ti r fe r u o y S tart doubling up on s with High y Rates e ir S Sires With Highes ghter Pregnanc DPR u a D SIRE +3.6 Conception Rat SCR SON 0133 RADIS SIRE +6.3 OVANI +4.8 1HO10696 Y SON A S 9 8 7 2 0 O +4.7 1H DY %-I E E P S 4 5 6 0 +4.3 1HO1 NIQUE %-I +4.0 1HO10660 U OND M L A 5 7 8 9 0 +3.7 1HO

C A J A S 7 9 4 +3.6 1HO10 RSKINE E 4 7 1 0 1 O H +3.6 1 LOCK D A P 0 9 3 9 0 +3.5 1HO ESIGN +3.4 1HO10420 D YMON D 1 0 6 0 1 O H 1 %-I +3.4 olfgang W 6 4 4 0 1 +3.3 1HO %-I 1HO10644 Indy +3.3 nyx .3 1HO10679 O +3 loyd F 8 2 0 0 1 1HO +3.2 braham %-I 1HO10245 A

+3.3 1HO1 OTT ID R 5 2 5 0 1 O +3.1 1H %-I IM N E D 8 1 2 0 1HO1 -I +2.9 EPTATION % +2.8 1HO10987 R AN %-I V E 8 6 6 0 1 O +2.8 1H DIE %-I M D E R F 4 8 7 8 +2.8 1HO0

OBIESKI %-I 1HO09853 S +2.8 LFGANG %-I O W 6 4 4 0 1 O +2.7 1H

A N U L 0 5 7 +2.6 1HO10 ESIGN 1HO10420 D +2.4 wesome A 7 7 7 8 0 +2.4 1HO %-I ctual A 2 0 6 1HO10 +2.4 empsey %-I D 2 2 4 0 0 O H 1 %-I +2.4 raham b A 5 4 2 0 1 +2.3 1HO ayden 1HO10856 J

USDA-CDCB/08-13 HA-USA/08-13

©2013 CRI

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Genex Debuts Reveal™ Livestock Marker

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enex announces the release of a new livestock marker for estrus detection and general identification marking. Reveal™, made in the USA, is a specially formulated, water-based, non-toxic paint that also contains a bittering agent to deter licking.

When applied for heat detection, Reveal forms a stiff coating on the animal’s tail head. The coating breaks off as the animal is mounted by herdmates. If not mounted, Reveal lasts for weeks with minimal touch-up required every seven to 10 days. Recommended heat detection application procedures are included at bit.ly/RevealMarker.

SHOP NOW!

http://profitshop.crinet.com

Reveal comes in four fluorescent colors – yellow, red, green and blue – and is available in 500 ml bottles. To purchase, contact your local Genex representative or shop online. 

GENEX Custom Collection

Trust the Largest Custom Semen Collection Organization!

• • • • •

Serving you from 7 collection facilities throughout the U.S. Trust the industry’s leader in producing fertile semen1 Take advantage of sexed semen production services Depend on our domestic and exportable collection services Rely on an experienced and dedicated staff to meet your needs

If considering custom collection of your dairy bulls, count on Genex!

Contact Jenny DeMunck, Product Support Manager, at 888.333.1783.

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Demonstrated through ERCR/SCR leadership over the past decade.

Custom Semen Collection of Dairy Bulls Available

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enex has had a longstanding commitment to producing quality semen - from collecting semen from bulls in the active lineup to offering a custom semen collection program since the early 1970s. That commitment continues by offering members and customers dairy bull custom semen collection services.

Genex has the country well covered for custom collection. Custom dairy semen collection services are available at seven Genex facilities located in: Ithaca, N.Y.; Baton Rouge, La.; Fort Payne, Ala.; Strafford, Mo.; Shawano, Wis.; Mitchell, S.D.; and Billings, Mont.

Each has previous experience in caring for and collecting dairy bulls.

If interested in having a dairy bull collected by Genex, contact Product Support Manager Jenny DeMunck at 888.333.1783 for further details. 

CRI Leases New Distribution Center

D

ue to expanding international markets, the cooperative has leased and opened a CRI Distribution Center in Shawano, Wis. The facility opened in July, and will process semen and product shipments throughout the world from this location.

For the past 12 years, international shipments have originated from the cooperative’s Tiffin, Ohio, location. The transition to the new facility generates operating efficiencies. 

©2013 CRI

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TA i nB Lt Eh eO Fne Cw O N S T E N T S

K Many producers recognize Larry Beuth by the vehicle he has driven for many years.

100,000 milestone

SEE

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100,000 First Service th

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RRVVIICCEE

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Larry Beuth

RST FF IIRST

By: Sheri Fuhrman // Dairy Promotions Specialist, CRI

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arry Beuth, Greene, N.Y., is a Breeding Program Specialist who has reached a milestone of servicing over 100,000 first service cows in his career of 41 years. According to the National Association of Animal Breeders, this made him the 233rd individual in the history of the industry to attain this achievement.

Larry and his wife, Sharon, have one son and four grandchildren.

Wife Sharon expresses, "I am proud of his accomplishment."

Larry's Area Marketing Manager, Dan Cerretani, explains, "Larry is 100 percent committed to members and would do anything for them." In 41 years, he has only missed four calls due to weather or health-related reasons. Larry is an agricultural business graduate of Delhi Ag & Tech State University of New York and started his career shortly after college.

Larry's 100,000th first service was at Woodview Farms, Greene, N.Y., managed and owned by Joe and Laura Warren, with son Dakota. His 100,000th first service cow was a 1HO06362 CLOVER *CV daughter working on her fifth lactation bred to 1HO02848 PARKER. Woodview Farms started in 1958 and currently milks nearly 120 cows in a double-five herringbone parlor. Joe has developed a strong friendship with Larry and expresses, "He always shows up when you need him to, does a good job and gets the cows pregnant."

Tiger Lily Dairy is another farm Larry works with. Owner John Marshman states, "He is always here on time, works well with other people and does whatever needs to be done." Anthony Gauquie another customer adds, "He is a good guy, friend and breeder that is always helpful and gives good advice."

Throughout the years things have certainly changed in the artificial insemination world. Larry explains, "I had one freestall herd to breed cows when I first started." Now he breeds at many herds with freestalls. The number of cows on the farms that he breeds today range from 40-1,500 cows; years ago this range was 30-80 cows. Technology has changed over his career too. Larry comments, "When I started genomics and sexed semen weren't even thought of." He expressed the changes in technology have been interesting to see over the years.

When asked what helped make Larry achieve his 100,000th service he states, "I am blessed with farmers who value my service. I work with a good group of producers who have been flexible and value the Genex product. A lot of customers end up becoming your friends." Larry emphasizes. "I value the Genex service and am happy to be a part of it." ď Ž

j Larry Beuth recording his latest service data.

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k Larry Decker understands cow comfort and care is key in maintaining high production.

RST FF IIRST

100,000

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milestone

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Larry Decker

100,000th First Service

"You would make an excellent artificial insemination technician," were words Larry Decker never thought he would hear at the age of 27, but that is exactly what Terri Todd, a friend and instructor of Larry told him. Larry always knew he enjoyed working with cows. Larry started working on a dairy farm in 1978 where he met Terri and soon became a full-time Breeding Program Specialist.

For 35 years Larry has served in upstate New York, recently achieving his 100,000th service. According to the National Association of Animal Breeders, Larry is the 234th technician in the United States to receive this award. He reached this career highlight at Sitzel's WaterPoint Farm managed by Eric Kroll and owned by Paul Sitzel. The farm currently milks 360

By: Sheri Fuhrman // Dairy Promotions Specialist, CRI

cows in a double-10 herringbone parlor. Larry prides himself in understanding cow comfort and care are a big part of receiving optimal production. "With desired cow comfort and handling, cows will come in heat. You have to give cows proper attention," explains Larry.

He is a dedicated employee, no matter what the weather brings. "One summer day I remember breeding cows with a heat index of 104 F and was able to successfully breed 28 cows," states Larry. The good and bad days come with each season too. One winter day Larry remembered having 39 farm calls and bred 72 cows in 14 inches of snow. Regardless of the weather, Larry is always there to help. His Area Marketing Manager, Jim Vitale, who serves eastern New York states, "He would do anything for any one of his customers."

The size of farms Larry breeds on have changed over the years. When he began, he bred on mostly 30-40 cow herds.

Today, he breeds on farms that range from 30-1,200 cows.

Larry recommends bulls that meet their needs. He is a big believer in cow families and focuses on recommending bulls with functional traits.

Larry and his wife Rose of 40 years have seven children and 11 grandchildren. Upon retirement, Larry plans to sell produce off his one-acre garden. Larry enjoys his job and expresses, "The nicest thing about being a Breeding Program Specialist is the dedication and friendships you develop." ď Ž g Eric Kroll is pictured next to Larry Decker and his 100,000th service cow a 1HO08910 MATRIX daughter, currently contracted to Genex.

Š2013 CRI

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P R O O F

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PROOF HIGHLIGHTS

Get The Inside Scoop!

New Holstein Sires Genex Tops TPI and Excel in Lifetime Net Merit! Lifetime New Merit Lists SM

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enex released 23 new Holstein sires including three over +$800 Lifetime Net Merit (LNM)! 1HO10850 REASON *BY %-I comes in at +$853 LNM and exhibits high fitness traits with good component percents.

His maternal grandsire is MASSEY, and he is the first of three new Shamrock sons to graduate. 1HO10738 JITTERBUG %-I is one of five new GENESIS graduates transmitting extreme Fat at +93 (+.24%) and adds J Dam of JITTERBUG: a +5.1% Sire Calving Ease Beyercrest Julia CRI-ET, VG-85, VG-MS (SCE) to his repertoire.

180HO03093 ELVYS ISY has a very well-balanced proof throughout with over +1500 Milk, +54 Protein and +73 Fat and positive component percents. He has it all with solid fitness for that level of production: +6.8 Productive Life, +1.4 Daughter Pregnancy Rate and another low SCE bull at +5.4%.

An additional five bulls come in with an impressive +$750 to +$800 LNM. 1HO10852 PRIMUS*RC %-I is a red carrier bull with +$792 LNM and +2286 GTPI . PRIMUS is the second new Shamrock son and also a GENESIS graduate from the Pandora family.

1HO10730 TALAN %-I and 1HO10915 TUSCOBIA %-I are maternal brothers from GENESIS star, Ms Pride Plnt Tasket 788-ET. A solid combination: TALAN leads with LNM at +$798; TUSCOBIA follows with a higher yield and J Dam of TALAN and TUSCOBIA: Ms Pride Plnt Tasket 788-ET, VG-85, VG-MS conformation with +2123 Milk and +2.27 Udder Composite. 1HO10851 FROST is the third new Shamrock son with +$774 LNM and over +60 pounds on both Fat and Protein. In addition FROST is +1748 PTA Milk and +2.45 in Udder Composite.

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enex dominates the top of the TPI and Lifetime New Merit (LNM$) lists, claiming three of the top five spots in each category. 1HO09527 MASSEY is the industry’s #1 TPI bull, followed by 1HO08784 FREDDIE %-I in the #3 spot and 1HO09192 HILL at #4.

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In LNM$, FREDDIE claimed #2, with 1HO08777 AWESOME as the industry’s #3 LNM$ bull and MASSEY rounding out the top five. These bulls demonstrate the power of genomics; introduced as high genomic sires, they now lead the industry as daughter-proven. 

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Traits Included in Lifetime Net Merit H

ea DPR 11%

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Fat 19%

4 8%

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Body Siz

The third of four new LEWIS sons, 1HO10987 REPTATION %-I joins brothers RADISSON, RIDOTT, and RAINIER in the lineup. Another extreme Fat bull with +.21% and +95 Fat to go with an over +2.00 Feet and Leg Composite. REPTATION combines the genomic power of GENESIS with Deervue-Acres Sharky Robin CRI-ET. 

J Co-Op Rb Freddie Tinley-ET, VG-85

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$5

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j Traits Included in Lifetime Net Merit

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©2013 CRI

P R O O F

H I G H L I G H T S

It’s that time again … when new sire evaluations are released and the latest bulls appear in the Genex lineup. Staying up-to-date on the new information to maintain genetic progress in your herd isn’t impossible. You may just need … the inside scoop.

We’ve Got What You Want!

Three New Release Jersey Sires Genetic Diversity

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ur Jersey lineup introduced three new high Lifetime Cheese Merit (LCM$) sires.

1JE00827 UNRIVELED comes in at +$575 LCM. His JPI™ is +187, with +1.7 PTA Type. UNRIVELED excels for Daughter Pregnancy Rate and Productive Life, as well as high percentage components across the board. 1JE00820 SALVADORE adds another high LCM sire to the lineup coming in at +$566. He is +190 JPI and has a diverse pedigree (Zuma x Dale). SALVADORE is JH1F and can be used confidently as an outcross sire. 1JE00826 DAZZLER is the highest JPI new addition to the lineup. He comes in at +214. Sired by the popular Valentino he combines two fabulous cow families, his grandam is the great Pealmont Impuls Daffy.

Coming in at +2.0 on PTAT, J Grand Dam of SALVADORE: DAZZLER also boasts a GR Wilsonview Garden Sochi-ET, EX-90% +4.53 JUI™. 

Elite JPI

™

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ncredible pedigree diversity at Genex!

Twenty-five different sires and 20 different grandsires are represented in our lineup.

1JE00711 PLUS combines pedigree diversity and unbelievable profit potential, holding strong as the #2 daughter-proven JPI™ sire at +227. His PTAT is +1.8 with a JUI™ of +3.76.

PLUS is the highest Milk sire and #2 PTAT sire in the top 10 rankings for JPI. 

Cheese Merit T

welve Genex Jersey sires top the +$540 Lifetime Cheese Merit (LCM) mark, including 1JE00792 MACHETE. He continues to dominate the LCM list at +$634, complemented by a +220 JPI™. 1JE00815 PAYTON and 1JE00812 HAWTHORNE both made nice gains in LCM coming in at +$585 and +$584 respectively. Both Zuma sons, they also transmit outstanding components.

HAWTHORNE also carries our highest JUI™ score in the lineup at +5.12. 

UDDER Index

1JE00791 DIVIDEND is one of five sires over +200 JPI™ with +219. He has a great JUI™ at +4.94 and is one of the breed leaders of PTAT at +2.40. 1JE00794 ZAYD rounds out our sires over +200 JPI at +208. With +1.8 PTAT and +$549 LCM$, ZAYD is well-rounded choice for all of your needs! 

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n addition to HAWTHORNE’s +5.12 JUI™, twelve other Genex sires are over +3.5. 1JE00654 ALLSTAR increases nicely in JUI at +4.51, as well as a +3.6 SCR. Adding daughters and reliability he is now 92% reliable and +1.10 PTAT. With over a 1,000 daughters he still ranks on the top 100 JPI™ listing. 

j Traits included in the Jersey Production Index J Norse Star Allstar N2506, VG-87% ©2013 CRI

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G E N E T I C A L LY

S P E A K I N G Reliability

TODAY’S

SNAPSH T

Trait LNM$ PL Milk DPR SCS SCE–No Observations SCE–With Observations DCE PTAT # Genomic Actives

o Table 2.

Genomic Trait Reliabilities for 2009 industry active sires versus 2013.

IN GENOMIC ACCURACY

By: Jenny DeMunck // Product Support Manager, Genex

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hen we hear the term genomics, our mind shifts to the question of how accurate genomic predictions have become today. While most dairies have implemented the use of genomic service sires, many have developed breeding strategies that now include genomic testing on their females.

As industry leaders in genomics, we continue to monitor genomic accuracy at each sire summary; here’s a peak at current genomic accuracy.

Let’s first review the advantage genomic predictions give us over parent averages. To put things into perspective of where we started, Table 1 shows the traditional Parent Average (PA) reliabilities as they compare to the genomic prediction accuracy we have today. In just five years, a genomic sire’s Lifetime Net Merit (LNM$) increased to 71 percent, compared to only 37 percent with Parent Average information. In comparing the present with the past we need to realize many of our accuracy worries reflect how much better we want genomic predictions to become, not how much better genomics was compared to Parent Averages. o Table 1. Parent Average reliabilities versus industry active

genomic bulls in 2013.

Trait LNM$ PL Milk DPR SCS SCE- No Observations DCE PTAT

Reliability Traditional PA Genomics 2013 37% 71% 32% 69% 39% 75% 31% 67% 35% 72% 45% 59% 34% 59% 40% 74%

Table 2 compares trait reliabilities for 150 active industry Holsteins in January 2009, when genomic bulls were first marketed, to the most recent sire summary of August 2013 in which 1,211 Holstein genomic sires are being actively distributed. The data shows how much better we have gotten from the very first genomic predictions to how well we can accurately predict bulls now. At a quick glance reliabilities for many traits have improved noticeably in such a short time.

Health traits such as Productive Life (PL) improved eight percent, Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) is up seven percent and Somatic Cell Score (SCS) has jumped six percent. Even a multi-trait value in LNM$ has increased to 71 percent as compared to 67 percent in 2009.

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2009 67% 61% 71% 60% 66%

2013 71% 69% 75% 67% 72%

58%

59%

69%, 113 average 81%, 551 average observations observations 58% 59% 66% 74% 150

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Another way to look at genomic accuracy is by comparing a bull’s genomic proof with his progeny proof once he has accumulated at least 40 daughters in his production proof and 10 in his type proof, for Holsteins. So here is a glance at the latest evaluation. Table 3 shows in the industry-wide evaluation, made up of 4,233 sires, the average drop of LNM$ when moving from a genomic to progeny-proven proof is a mere $45 along with 22 points in TPI. Production traits are amazingly accurate.

Consider Milk for example, in a 305 day mature equivalent lactation animals are estimated only 24 pounds below their actual performance and less than one pound lower in Protein. o Table 3. Change in traits for Holstein sires when moving from

genomic-evaluated to progeny-proven.

LNM$ -45

TPI -22

SM

Milk -24

Protein -0.5

PL -0.8

PTAT -0.23

UDC -0.15

In the growing Jersey breed, average change by traits are creeping closer to zero indicating that Jersey genomics predictions are also becoming more accurate. In the first industry-wide comparison in the Jersey breed, evaluated by Genex in December 2011, 193 bulls dropped $58 Cheese Merit (CM$), 18 points in JPI™ and 184 pounds of Milk in a 305 day mature equivalent lactation. After the recent analysis of 463 bulls CM$ only differed by $8, JPI by 1 point and Milk 70 pounds in one lactation. Table 4 shows these average changes by traits for the December 2011 evaluation as well as the current August run. o Table 4. Change in traits for Jersey sires when moving from

genomic-evaluated to progeny-proven.

CM$ Average # Production LNM$ JPI™ Milk Protein PL CM$ # Bulls REL Daughters Data December 2011 193 68 +58 +10 +53 +18 +184 +7 +0.1 August 2013 463 117 +8 +17 +5 +1 +70 +3 -0.5 Type Data

# bulls

December 2011 August 2013

148 396

Average # PTAT JUI™ Daughters 33 +0.06 +0.16 130 -0.07 -0.23

This is yet another analysis which demonstrates genomicproven bulls provide unmatched and documented opportunity to speed up genetic progress and improve farm profitability.

The best practices, when implementing genomic bulls into your herd’s strategies, are to use a group of genomic-proven bulls. By using a group of bulls, producers minimize the impact of any one bull with significant changes in PTA and provide greater means to manage inbreeding and genetic diversity.  ©2013 CRI

i n

t h e

n e w S

Check out the Bottles and Bulls in Dairyland Blog!

Bottles & Bulls In...

Dairylan d O

ur newest venture into the blogosphere follows the adventures of our GENESIS Cooperative Herd interns. Every semester a new group of college interns experience the inner workings of our Stony Hill production facility. Their posts are called Bottles and Bulls in Dairyland.

This summer’s interns brought together three individuals with very different backgrounds, but their blog post declared, “As we all predicted at the beginning of the summer, we were the perfect dysfunctional package. Surprisingly, the three different personalities and backgrounds all meshed and balanced quiet well.”

The GENESIS Interns are allowed a glimpse into the artificial insemination (A.I.) world that is seldom seen. “So, besides being in the presence of some of the highest ranking bulls in the country, I have been able to see the backbone of an A.I. stud company. I have realized that there is a very real science when it comes to collecting bulls.” – Francesca Tiberio, Algonquin, Ill. And most importantly the internship gives these individuals incredible educational and networking opportunities. “The days of this internship have truly flown by. Over the past few months I have gained more knowledge and hands-on experience than I ever could in a college semester. Hours of palpation, observing embryo transfer, administering shots, drawing blood, riding with local veterinarians and other odd jobs have truly made this summer an educational one.” – Earl Brady, Columbia, N.H. “I am exceptionally grateful for the opportunity to visit and speak with the employees of the Coleman Ponderosa Heifer Facility. It is a unique aspect of this internship to be able to learn at Stony Hill and also have networking opportunities with eager and helpful employees of CRI and Genex.” – Rebecca Sanderson, Greenville, N.C. Subscribe or follow along at http://genexgenesisinternship.blogspot.com! 

HEADS & TAILS

R

ainyridge Super Beauty, Very Good-87 point 2 year old was the top seller sold at the Rainyridge Dispersal on June 24, 2013 for $48,000 by Cornerstead Farms Inc. Denfield, Ontario.

Rainyridge Super Beth, Very Good-86 point 2 year old, sold on July 29, 2013 for $75,000. Beauty and Beth are both sired by 1HO08778 SUPER. They are daughters of Rainyridge Talent Barbara EX-95. Beth's daughter topped the sale at $265,000.  ©2013 CRI

J Rainyridge Super Beauty, VG-87

J Rainyridge Super Beth, VG-86

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TA i nB Lt Eh eO Fne Cw O N S T E N T S

GENESIS Grows

to Include Jersey Genetics By: Angie Coburn // Associate Vice President, Dairy Genetics, Genex

W

hen a product line in any industry more than doubles in growth over a 10 year period, one should sit up and take notice. The growth of the Jersey breed and Jersey semen sales is far beyond a fad and arguably the most noticeable trend in the U.S. dairy industry. The reasons are many and predictions indicate the little brown cow is more than here to stay. With an eye on the future, Genex is pleased to announce our newest venture in the GENESIS Cooperative Herd is the inclusion of Jerseys. The Genex board has reviewed this idea over the past year and has endorsed expanding GENESIS into the Jersey breed.

Three primary objectives for growth:

1. Increase the availability of Jersey semen globally.

2. Develop genetics that provide maximum profit potential and adequate diversity for our members and customers.

3. Accomplish the first two in a financially responsible manner.

These goals are simply stated, and not coincidentally, identical to the overall GENESIS goal. Our road map to success will follow many of the same roads that have made GENESIS successful for more than 20 years. There will be times where we will challenge traditional thinking and work outside of the box to meet our members' and customers’ expectations.

To initiate activities, you will hear of Genex purchasing elite Jersey females, particularly from areas of the country where it is more difficult for bulls to meet health criteria for entry into a Genex semen collection facility. The GENESIS Cooperative Herd now includes Jersey producers, and we greatly value their input and contributions. Like other GENESIS initiatives, this program complements the sire acquisitions we make with many valued producers. Together we can develop Jersey genetics that carry this breed to new heights. 

James Accepts

Jersey Marketing Position

G

lead our Jersey semen marketing and education efforts.”

“Leah’s blend of experience and passion for the Jersey breed is ideal for this position,” explains Judd Hanson, Genex Associate Vice President of Strategic Marketing. “In this role, Leah will work with members and customers across the United States who raise Jersey cattle. She will promote the breed and

Leah grew up on a family dairy farm and graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture education. She has since worked within the artificial insemination industry and for the American Jersey Cattle Association. Today, she and her husband also operate a 125-cow dairy

enex has named Leah James of Mineral Point, Wis., as the new U.S. Jersey Marketing Manager.

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H O R I Z O N S

g Leah James, U.S. Jersey Marketing Manager.

consisting of registered Holsteins, Jerseys and Milking Shorthorns.

For more information on Genex Jerseys, visit www.crinet.com or follow Leah on Twitter.com/GenexJerseys.  ©2013 CRI

Navigating

Profit

Pathways • GenChoice ™ • Fertility • Breeding to Feeding

SM

Daughter of PLUS: Cascadia Plus Elana, VG-87

• Genetics • People

Grand Dam of SALVADORE: GR Wilsonview Garden Sochi-ET, EX-90

The Complete Package!

New Profit Pathways with:

1JE00711 Sweetie PLUS Iatolas Bold

IJE00820 Wilsonview Z SALVADORE-ET

✔ #2 JPI™ Sire at +227 ✔ +3.76 JUI™ ✔ +1.80 Type

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

Like Father Like Son…

+$566 LCM Diverse pedigree (Zuma x Dale) JH1F outcross sire Available in GenChoice

1JE00794 Cal-Mart Plus ZAYD

1JE00826 Pearlmont Valentino DAZZLER

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

+208 JPI +1.80 Type +3.72 JUI Great fertility with a 105 PregCheck™ ranking!

Available in GenChoice™

Genex

Cooperative, Inc. A Subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International

Shawano, WI • Phone 888/333-1783 www.crinet.com

1JE00827 Molly Brook Arrow UNRIVELED ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔

We’ve witnessed the profitability of the Jersey cow. We are excited to be a part of the Jersey evolution.

To view the Genex Jersey lineup, scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/WLVL6R. USDA/08-13, AJCA/08-13

©2013 CRI

Exciting new JPI sire, +214 Combines two great cow families: Violet x Daffy +2.00 Type +4.53 JUI Available in GenChoice

+$575 LCM +1.70 Type Diverse pedigree (Arrow x Navara) Available in GenChoice

@GenexJerseys

G E N E T I C A L LY

S P E A K I N G

Mating Options

G-MAP

SM

Methods to Meeting

Genomic MAP

Members' Needs

SM

By: James Arati // Support Programs Manager, Genex

T

raditionally, mating and breeding cows to the right bull is and will continue to be the cornerstone of genetic improvement for dairy producers and breeders. The process begins with understanding the genetic quality of existing animals and having a desirable goal(s) of the future animals. In the present era, the dairy industry has witnessed technological advances and changes that have seen new performance standards. Quick adoption and a proactive management approach is important. To assist dairies in the mating management for genetic improvement in their herds, Genex has developed comprehensive programs that fit the new reality.

To add to the list of dependable mating options is the inclusion of the new Genomic MAP™ (G-MAP™) and BOLT programs.

Genomic MAP (G-MAP)

G-MAP determines the best mating option for a cow or heifer based on Genomic PTAs (GPTAs) rather than phenotypic scores, performance or predicted information such as parent averages or pedigree indexes. If you are looking for the best possible mating of an animal to maximize the efficiency of the next generation, this option is for you. By using genomic information, you have a clear picture of the cow’s future performance and a better chance to identify a weakness that may not otherwise be seen.

G-MAP is available to any dairy producer who has genomic test results on their cows and/or heifers. G-MAP can provide mating recommendations for individuals, groups or a whole herd of genomic-tested animals. G-MAP mating recommendations are included on a Mating Appraisal for Profit™ (MAP™) report along with non-genomic tested animals mated through the traditional Genex MAP program.

Genex Cooperative, Inc.

TM

Mating Recommendations

Farm No: 10181 Description: (COWS) Date: 8/2013 Evaluator: 2435 Cow Name 1

Game Plan: 2 Breed: HO Unit Number: 213-536

DHI Number: 0

Sire Name 1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

Registration HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

NAAB 001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

3

1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

HOUSA000129991029 001HO06960

5

1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

HOUSA000125201423 001HO06442

7

1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

HOUSA000120754720 001HO06360

12

1st Choice Sire CASSINO 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire DREAMY

HOUSA000064009082 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000061225309

001HO02565 001HO07127 001HO08328

15

1st Choice Sire SUPER 2nd Choice Sire SHARKY 3rd Choice Sire AXLE

HOUSA000062065919 HOUSA000131184495 HOUSA000062554545

001HO08778 001HO07127 001HO09130

22

1st Choice Sire TOYSTORY 2nd Choice Sire MARCELLUS 3rd Choice Sire MOSAIC

HOUSA000060372887 HOUSA000136057831 HOUSA000138564041

001HO07235 001HO08812 001HO02546

2

Ear Tag

Joe Producer 123 Center Road Shawano, WI 54166 USA

Genomic

Sire HOUSA000002136807 001HO02714

001HO05550

MGS

MGGS

HOUSA000002162948 001HO04255

Cooperative Resources International © 2008 CRI

Report Created: 05/14/2009

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H O R I Z O N S

page 1

©2013 CRI

G E N E T I C A L LY

To mate genomic tested animals, a producer provides the animals' GPTAs to the Genex representative to be incorporated into G-MAP mating. G-MAP has all of the convenience and features found in MAP. Producers still have the ability to choose their mating options, such as Lifetime Net Merit $ (LNM$), herdlife, final score or grazier. Inbreeding, haplotypes and lethal recessives are also controlled. Using G-MAP, producers can still adopt different breeding strategies as necessary to manage their operation.

BOLT

BOLT is the latest addition to the Genex mating programs.

BOLT provides the herd owner with a list of bulls NOT to use based on an inbreeding limitation set at 3.125%. On the reports, any bull with more than 3.125% inbreeding if mated to a cow would be listed. On the other hand, if all the bulls being used in that herd resulted in matings that fell below that threshold, the producer would get a report that says “all bulls are safe from inbreeding”. This program removes the worry of increasing inbreeding in the herd. Rather than providing the choices of bulls to use on each cow, BOLT only provides the choices NOT to use. For example, if a producer has a list of selected bulls they want to use for the herd, BOLT will scan each cow’s pedigree to find any close relationships and will flag or mark the bull against the cow. If a cow is not related to a particular sire, any of the choices can be used.

S P E A K I N G

The producer would receive a file, like Table 1, that would import the sires not to use into their farm management software. Mating recommendations are easily imported into dairy management software and producers can divide animals into various groups for specific breeding strategies and mate each group to different sires accordingly. For BOLT to be applied effectively, the animal pedigree (i.e. sire, maternal grand sire, etc.) is required. BOLT provides the convenience of creating negative matings for the whole herd, by pen, lactation and/or cohort groups as desired by the user as long as the pedigree information of the animals is available.

Genex mating programs are designed to offer producers the opportunity to simplify the management of the dairies while providing profitability to the herd. Every herd is different in their approach to breeding programs. At Genex, we want to provide you with the best choice of options that fit your herd. If making specific mating recommendations for each cow or using bulls in larger groups while avoiding inbreeding is desired, Genex has a program for you.

To find out more about how G-MAP, BOLT or any other MAP mating program versions can be utilized on your farm, contact your local Genex representative. 

o Table 1. Bulls NOT to use.

Animal I.D. 1190 1206 1224 1226 1238 1244 1245 1257 1260 1264 1267 1271 1272 1283 1292 1295 1297 1298 1300 1301 1310 1318

Bull A 1H10490 1H10648 1H10559 1H10648 1H10490 1H10490 1H10490 1H10648 1H9800 1H10648 1H10490 1H10648 1H10490 1H10490 1H10490 1H10559 1H9800 1H9800 1H10490 1H10490 1H10559 1H10559

Bulls NOT to use Bull B – – 1H10648 – – – – – 1H10559 – – – – – – – 1H10644 1H10644 – – – –

Bull C – – – – – – – – 1H10644 – – – – – – – – – – – – –

A Author Bio: James Arati has a bachelor’s degree in ag business from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and a master’s in ag business from Kansas State University. He has worked as a farm manager, Genex consultant and Genex A.I. technician. Today he implements Genex training programs and assists with the development and education of cooperative programs.

©2013 CRI

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R E P R O D U C T I V E

M A N A G E M E N T

Tools for Heat Detection Which will you choose?

By: Aaron Stalsberg // Dairy Education Manager, Genex

H

eat detection has changed greatly over the last several years. As a child growing up on a dairy farm in the 1970s, successful heat detection involved observing cows when they left the barn in the morning and again when they returned in the evening. Much has changed since then including larger herd size, increased milk production and confinement housing – all of which have proven to be more stressful for cows. As a result of these changes, estrus expression began to last for shorter periods of time with less intensity and an increasing number of cows were going undetected. It soon became clear that visual heat detection alone would no longer suffice.

As the dairy industry evolved over the last several decades, new approaches of heat detection were developed and utilized.

As herd size grew, and the transition from tiestall barns to freestall barns was underway, the use of tail paint became widely accepted as a means of detecting estrus in larger herds.

In addition to tail paint, a more recent development used in heat detection is the activity meter. Usually mounted on the neck of the cow, these meters measure cow movement and identify cows in estrus by determining when the activity of the cow exceeds normal levels.

Today, tail paint and activity meters are both considered to be very effective tools for heat detection. Both methods help to identify cows in estrus that visual detection alone would miss. In fact, with visual heat detection about 50 percent of all heats are not observed due to expression during the night hours and short duration of heat. Use of tail paint and activity meters will yield a 15 - 20 percent higher rate of detection. Other options exist; however, this article will examine these two because many producers find themselves in a quandary trying to determine which option is best suited to their particular operation.

The bottom line is reproductive efficiency is a must for today’s dairy producer. As heat detection becomes more difficult, the heat detection rate will drop, days open will increase and profit will decrease (Figure 1). There must be a plan in place to assure that the heat detection rate is maintained at an acceptable level.

The use of tail paint or activity meters are both good options.

The key is to understand how they work and use them correctly.

Tail Painting

The tail painting process involves daily walking behind each cow and applying paint to the tailheads (Figure 2). One color can be used on all cows if simply looking for estrus activity.

However, multiple colors are often used with each color being assigned a different reproductive status. For example, green could indicate the animal is fresh, blue the animal has been inseminated and red the animal is pregnant. While behind the cow, there is an opportunity to check individual animals for rubbed-off paint which would indicate the cow has been ridden by another animal and was in standing heat. This is a good indication the cow should be bred. If the paint is only partially missing, a judgment call will have to be made. It will be necessary to determine if the paint is missing due to standing heat, being licked by another cow, rubbed off by an inanimate object, or if the animal has not been re-painted for several days. In any case, if the animal is missing significant amounts of paint and is exhibiting secondary signs of heat, she probably will need to be inseminated. The use of tail paint is superior to visual heat detection alone because estrus that would go undetected by visual observation will be realized by missing paint while performing the daily tail painting procedure.

Figure 2. Application and interpretation of paint works best when cows are secured in headlocks.

Activity Meters

Activity systems start with a meter that is often mounted on the neck of the cow. This meter records the activity of the cow and sends the information to the system wirelessly.

An antenna receives the signal from the activity meter and passes it onto a receiver. From the receiver, the information is channeled through a system controller to a router and, finally, to a computer screen for interpretation (pictured below).

Cost per Day Open Cost per Day Open ($)

French and Nebel, 2003

6 5 4 3

It is not recommended to use the activity information provided by the system until the meter has been on the animal for a minimum of about seven days. During this period, the animal’s normal activity patterns are established. This norm of activity

2 1 0

100

115

130

145

160

175

Days in Milk French and Nebel. 2003 (J. Dairy Sci. 86(Suppl 1):54)

Figure 1. The relationship of days open and cost to the producer. It is clear that as days open increase, so does cost to the producer.

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A Author Bio: Aaron Stalsberg is a graduate of the University of WisconsinRiver Falls with a degree in agricultural education. His experience in the A.I. industry includes work as a technician, trainer and reproductive adviser. Currently, he serves as the cooperative’s Dairy Education Manager and is responsible for coordinating the Genex employee training classes.

©2013 CRI

R E P R O D U C T I V E is called the “baseline” and is used to flag cows that are experiencing higher than normal levels of activity, which would indicate estrus. The onset of standing heat and optimum time of insemination are also determined by the system (Figure 3).

When checking the program for a list of cows to inseminate, varying levels of increased activity will be observed from cow to cow and any animal that is in question should be observed for secondary signs of heat. Also, remember that increased activity can occur for other reasons than estrus such as a visit from the hoof trimmer, moving a cow to a different pen, etc.

Figure 3. System displays increased activity indicating heat, onset of standing heat and optimum time of insemination.

Activity level The alarm is activated

Optimum insemination time Standing heat

0 Day 1

Day 2

11.00

18.00 Day 3

M A N A G E M E N T

o Table 1.

Consideration

Tail Paint

Activity Meters

Cost Labor Learning curve Heat detection rate Potential for false positives Pinpoint onset of estrus Recommended frequency/day Supplement with synchronization Detection of weak/silent heats

low high moderate 90%* yes no 1X yes*** no

moderate moderate high 95%* yes yes** 2X** yes*** yes****

*Refers to heat detection rate of cycling cows. At 50 - 75 days in milk, dairies can have as many as 20 - 30 percent anovular cows. (Based on the following studies: Pursley et al., 2001; Cordoba and Fricke, 2001; Gümen et al., 2003). Therefore, for tail paint, typical heat detection rates would be around 65 percent and for activity meters around 70 percent. **Since activity meters can determine the beginning of estrus, making breeding lists twice per day can lead to presice timing of insemination for improved conception versus breeding once per day.

11.0 Date/time

***Due to an increased heat detection rate over visual observation alone, both tail painting and activity meters will reduce overall hormone usage. However, each approach will require supplementation with synchronization to overcome the challenge of anovular cows.

Activity Meters:

****Weak/silent heats can be detected by increased activity even in the absence of mounting behavior.

• Adjustments can be made to the sensitivity of the system if experiencing false positive heat diagnoses or too few animals are being indentified in heat. These adjustments can improve the accuracy of the system.

Summary

• In addition to detection of increased activity, a decrease in activity is also measured which may be an indication of illness or lameness, and would allow for more prompt treatment.

• Different strategies can be utilized for application of activity meters. o Placed on animals for heat detection purposes only and removed when pregnancy is confirmed. o Remain on pregnant animals to identify abortions and ensure quick re-insemination. o Placed on cows during the transition period to detect a decrease in activity which may indicate metabolic disease.

For a better understanding of the two programs – using tail paint or activity meters – consider the side-by-side comparison in Table 1.

The growth in size of dairy herds, increased milk production and confinement housing present conditions that are detrimental to heat expression. Under these circumstances, visual heat detection methods alone are not sufficient to detect enough heats. The good news is there are strategies available to deal with this problem. Tail painting and activity meters are both good options to help maintain heat detection rates at acceptable levels. Supplementing them with synchronization will help overcome anovular situations and further improve the efficiency of your heat detection. Either option, if understood and properly utilized, will help to ensure the success of your reproductive program and the profit of your dairy. Thus, there is only one decision to be made: “Which will you choose?”

If you are interested in obtaining professional tail painting service for your cows or learning more about the Delaval Activity Systems, contact your Genex representative. 

Breeding Successes with DeLaval Activity System Wood Farms LLC, owned by cousins Lyle Wood and Scott Bourcy, milk in a double-24 DeLaval Champion™ parallel parlor.

They recently installed a sorting area and are utilizing the DeLaval Activity System. Updating with the latest and most efficient technology is not something Lyle and Scott are afraid to do. Lyle shares, "We began placing the DeLaval activity meters on 60 cows. Once we got it going, it worked so well we put it on all the cows." The farm now utilizes meters on their heifers too.

Lyle and Mark often hold meetings with the team and DeLaval for training. Lyle explains, "We have developed a good set of protocols so everyone using the system utilizes the data in a ©2013 CRI

consistent manner." Now the farm is using less shots with fewer cows enrolled in the Ovsynch program.

“With the activity system we are able to detect sick cows before their milk drops," adds Lyle. When asked how important the DeLaval Activity System is, he stated, "Many feel Dairy Comp 305 is a daily necessity for their operation. That is how I feel about the DeLaval Activity System."

is a registered trademark of Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A . and “DeLaval” is a registered trade/service mark of DeLaval Holding AB.

J Lyle Wood pictured next to Breeding Program Specialist Mark Hodge.

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R E P R O D U C T I V E

M A N A G E M E N T

Using A.I. Audits to

Take Your Herd Reproduction

to the Next Level

By: Ana Contreras // National Account Training Specialist, Genex –– Kim Egan, DVM // National Account Specialist, Genex

E

very farm is unique, as are their breeding programs. Each producer determines a Voluntary Waiting Period (VWP); whether to implement a synchronization program and if so, which one; which type of semen to use and on which groups of animals; whether to use on-farm personnel to breed or not; and if any new technology should be implemented.

Many factors affect the answers to these questions including success rate on similar farms, finances, labor and facilities.

To help producers get the most out of a reproductive program, Genex consultants can evaluate your program by performing an artificial insemination (A.I.) audit on all parts of the program and offer tips for improvement.

Breeding Protocols

Are cows being bred and becoming pregnant as expected? If you use a synchronization program, are the results meeting your goals? Success is in the details, and when discussing synchronization programs, there are many details. All of these programs were designed to induce ovulation in cows at a given point in time, no matter where in the estrous cycle the cow is when the program begins. Some programs have demonstrated higher conception rates than others, but all are effective when properly administered (Table 1). Many synchronization programs require strict timing, and can be less effective if timing is varied. Enrolling all eligible cows in a synchronization program and keeping them all in the program results in 100% heat detection rate. Details like these can be discussed at any time with your Genex representative.

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o Table 1. Comparison of most common synchronization programs.

Comparison of Most Common Synchronization Programs Injections required

No. times must catch the animal

Average conception %

Ovsynch

3 (2 GnRH, 1 PGF2 )

4

30 - 35

Presynch

5 (3 PGF2 , 2 GnRH)

6

40

Cosynch

3 (2 GnRH, 1 PGF2 )

3

slightly less than Ovsynch

Double Ovsynch

4 (4 GnRH, 2 PGF2 )

7

45 - 49

CIDR Synchronization

none

none, but extra steps needed

approx. 40

Synchronization Program

©2013 CRI

Protect Your Herd With NuLife ReBOUND ®

Options such as progesterone testing can be discussed to help answer questions about reproduction in your herd. It can tell us if there are fertility issues prior to the start of a synchronization program, or if time of breeding is not matching ovulation. There are fairly new technologies such as activity meters that can alter a breeding program and require different management strategies.

The newest technology is in-line milk testing for fat, protein, ketones and progesterone; this is coming to the U.S. soon.

No matter what program you employ, someone is doing the semen handling and insemination of your cows. We look at the details there also.

Breeder Audit

A breeder audit is a tool used to help implement or examine protocols or create a more disciplined breeding program. During a breeder audit, a Genex representative works with your breeder(s) during their daily routine, observing heat detection, semen handling and A.I. technique. While working with the breeder, the observer watches for possible technique or timing problems.

Correction and monitoring of the breeders’ A.I. process helps eliminate suboptimal performance of the breeding program.

Implementing a structured and strict breeding protocol can help facilitate a tight breeding program on the farm. To create a rigid breeding program, simple things like a check list can be created for the breeding team. This check list can include checking the LN2 level in the semen tank and cleaning A.I. guns – things that are easily overlooked, yet important parts to the breeding program. Breeder audits can be performed on a regular basis to help implement such structured protocols for your breeding program.

Monitoring Your Program

All parameters of your breeding program can and should be evaluated on a regular basis. Our teams check back periodically to ensure details that needed attention have improved. The overall pregnancy rate is only one measurement to keep an eye on. For example, conception rate to various breeding codes can be monitored on a regular basis. Using a trained consultant to evaluate your breeding program success provides you with an informed analysis from a fresh perspective. Deviations from protocol, assessment of program compliance and success should be determined.

Summary

There are many factors involved in reproduction and every farm is unique. What might work for one farm may not work for another. We can help determine where your farm is now and help find solutions to help you meet your herd reproductive goals. Contact your Genex team member to set up an appointment and learn how A.I. audits can take your herd reproduction to the next level. 

Dr. Steve Cove, a veterinarian from Valley Veterinary Clinic located in Seymour, Wis., recommends NuLife ReBOUND. Cove explains, "ReBOUND is a helpful product to maintain normal natural immunity and digestion. The product is convenient to use; it is available in small amounts at an inexpensive price."

™

(L to R) Dr. Steve Cove and CRI Marketing Intern Taylor Wittmus discuss the ReBOUND product and its many benefits.

ReBOUND Benefits ReBOUND is a stabilized source of lactic acid bacteria that helps maintain normal appetite and digestion. This product is recommended to be fed to cattle during times of stress, such as ration changes, shipping and receiving, birth, weaning, weather changes and following antibiotic treatment.

ReBOUND helps to maintain a healthy immune system for the animal and is available in paste, powder and capsules for calves and cows.

ReBOUND should be used when individual appetites need stimulating such as fresh cows, hospital pen cows and when calf health is compromised because of stress, such as birth, weather or viruses.

ReBOUND powder can be fed daily in milk or milk replacer for calves and also daily for transition cow rations and lactating rations to help maintain normal appetite and digestion.

ReBOUND at Work This product will help maintain appetite and digestion in cows and calves. Cove mentions, “ReBOUND is a good routine health program.”

Since Cove started recommending ReBOUND he emphasizes, “I have been pleased with how happy the dairymen are with the product.”

To order NuLife® ReBOUND™ or NuLife® Oral Electrolyte™, contact your Genex representative.

Or, visit http://profitshop.crinet.com and shop under Herd Management Products.

A Author Bios: Ana Contreras attended the University of Minnesota, she joined Genex as a Breeding Program Specialist. Today, as a National Account Training Specialist, she provides A.I. training and refreshers to large dairies across the U.S. Kim Egan, DVM earned a doctorate of veterinary medicine from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She joined Genex in March 2013 as a National Account Specialist; Kim provides technical support to Genex sales staff and dairies throughout Wisconsin and Iowa.

©2013 CRI

NuLife ® is a registered trademark of VPI. ReBOUND™ is a trademark of VPI.

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Reproductive Success At Coleman Ponderosa

By: Brenda Brady // Communications Specialist, CRI

M

aintaining reproductive success on a dairy needs to be more than one person’s job, it requires a team effort. This is especially true when you are dealing with nearly 2,000 heifers, but the team members at Coleman Ponderosa seem to have already figured that out. As two time recipients of the Genex Excellence in Reproduction Award, Farm Manager JJ Pagel understands the importance of employing great people to ensure their herd maintains optimal numbers of replacement animals. “It’s a team thing, from vaccination to nutrition to breeding,” notes JJ. Coleman Ponderosa began in 2008 when JJ’s father, John, purchased the facility to raise heifers for their farm, Pagel’s Ponderosa in Kewaunee, Wis. JJ and his wife, Chase, who is in charge of safety and training, have been working with four full-time and two part-time employees to increase the size of the facility, improve efficiency in all aspects of the farm and enhance animal comfort.

Heifers are brought to Coleman at 11 months of age from their calf raising facility, Pagel’s Ponderosa Calf Ranch.

At 407 days, estrus synchronization begins. Denise Gauthier, Coleman Ponderosa’s Breeding Technician, “is second to none and has a good eye for cattle,”according to JJ. Denise makes sure to spend plenty of time with walk throughs and heat detection. She says, “I never feel rushed here. That contributes to our success.”

Denise also credits Pete Weber, Genex Dairy National Account Manager, and Jeff Fischer, Genex Territory Sales Manager, for extra training with semen handling, walking pens, semen deposit position and heat detection. In addition, Jeff Jahnke and Dennis Jahnke, Genex Breeding Program Specialists, provide relief breeding to give Denise occasional time off. The Pagels’ veterinarian is also an integral part of the Coleman team, assisting with herd health, pregnancy checks and reproduction protocols.

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j Chase and JJ Pagel (front center) surrounded by several members of their Coleman Ponderosa team.

Based on parent averages, the top 25 percent of heifers are bred using GenChoice™ semen. Sires are chosen with the help of Pete Weber, based on components, conception and Udder Composite for this crossbred herd. Jerseys commonly used include: 1JE00794 ZAYD, 1JE00793 DIVINE and 1JE00654 ALLSTAR. Holstein sires include: 1HO10318 SABLE, 1HO10411 MASS, 1HO10446 WOLFGANG %-I and 1HO10617 SERGIO %-I. Heifers remaining open after the third service are bred using Limousin semen for Breeding to Feeding™, a terminal program which ensures a premium for the cross calves. All heifers are sent back to Pagel’s Ponderosa at 230 days bred.

Effectively raising heifers is both a science and an art.

The correct combination of housing, nutrition, health care and most importantly, people needs to be discovered in order to thrive. Coleman Ponderosa recognizes this and has assembled the team necessary for success.  A Author Bio: Brenda Brady is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-River Falls with a degree in agricultural education. She taught high school agriculture for 13 years before joining CRI in April.

©2013 CRI

E M P LO Y E E

D E V E LO P M E N T

Who Benefits

When the Employee

is Trained?

By: Ron Medeiros // National Account Senior Specialist, Genex

N

egative energy balance, NEFAs, rumen acidosis, toxic metritis, LDA, RDA, ketosis, milk fever, hypocalcemia, fatty liver syndrome and mastitis – for most of you with experience on a dairy you know these are all potential problems with transition cows. To an unskilled worker or layman it seems like a foreign language, similar to describing to a blind man what a sunset looks like. When an employee is unfamiliar with terms, it is difficult for them to correctly fulfill their job and can ultimately cost an operation. When an employee is trained properly, the entire operation thrives.

I have observed many instances when Spanish-speaking employees were put into the position of breeding or managing transition cows without any prior experience or training.

With the fear of failure in the back of their mind, they used all the knowledge, experience and ideas they could muster to accomplish their work. Many times the inexperienced employee created unrealistic protocols as he or she tried to survive. For example, on one farm the protocol for taking rectal temperatures seems simple for employees to learn: take the temperature of all transition cows and if the temperature is above 103 F

begin a treatment protocol. While the protocol is very simple, the employee put it aside and developed his own. He took temperatures only when he found a cow very depressed and then used his own treatment protocol. When the veterinarian discovered the deviation from the protocol, he was not pleased.

Luckily, the veterinarian’s protocol was reinstated and employees were trained on the hazards of changing protocols – especially with today’s strict enforcement of drug usage.

I understand proper training is not always economically feasible or easy to teach because of language barriers. Time can also be a factor if an experienced herdsperson leaves, and the position needs to be filled immediately. However, proper training helps these employees help the dairy and allows the dairyman to be more satisfied with the results.

Proper training is important. Rectal temperature is just one area of transition cow management that must be understood by the employee. There are still other areas of equal or greater concern like pen management (crowding, feeding, bedding, etc.), clinical signs, proper evaluation of the animal, diagnosis of primary and secondary causes, and treatments and proper use of drugs under veterinary control.

Furthermore, experience has taught us that prompt intervention, when needed, is the key for transition cows to reach peak production earlier than cows that become sick with disease. Earl Alseth, a consulting veterinarian I worked with, put it best in a paper on fresh cow management when he stated, “Cows are like trains. If disease slows her down or derails her, it is difficult for her to return to full production potential.” Many advances to achieve better animal health with proper cow management, along with improved feeding programs and nutritionists support, has reduced train wrecks by 50 percent or more. Now with the added support of fresh cow treatment protocols from veterinarians, we have seen instances reduced even more. Imagine the additional impact that could be made if more employees were trained properly.

Genex can provide support and value by assisting veterinarians in teaching their protocols to Spanish-speaking dairy employees.

Properly trained employees can positively influence all facets of an operation. Employees who support the veterinarian with their protocols help the team gain a better relationship with the veterinarian. This also helps employees gain more knowledge, which benefits the dairymen as his cows’ peak production usually improves. When production improves, nutritionists can better develop feeding programs which benefit the animals and the operation as a whole. As a result, the entire operation thrives.  A Author Bio: Ron Medeiros earned a veterinary medicine degree at the University of Mexico. He has 29 years industry experience in reproduction, consulting and training Spanish-speaking employees. Today, Ron works with Genex members and customers in Texas and New Mexico.

©2013 CRI

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TA i nB Lt Eh eO Fne Cw O N S T E N T S

CRI Development

Around the Globe Nathan Kling, CRI Board Member, traveled to Nicaragua to present at a Cooperative Foundations Seminar. Through CRI’s Cooperative Development Program (CDP) grant, Nathan shared his experiences on board governance and strategic planning with members of small dairy cooperatives.

Nick Hemauer, Genex Dairy Data Program Specialist, spoke about genomics at a conference in Poland. Through this Emerging Market Program (EMP) project, CRI is increasing knowledge of genomic technology around the world.

Brad Johnson, Genex Beef Product Development Manager, Daniel de Carvalho, Beef Product Manager – CRI Brazil, and Michael Sleeper, CRI International Beef Development Manager, visit with a beef producer in Colombia this spring. As part of an EMP grant, CRI is learning more about export opportunities of the beef industry in Central America.

In May, Roger Weigle, DVM, Genex Associate Vice President – Animal Health, Genex, and Ed Silba, CRI International Progressive Herd Consultant, traveled to China to participate in a herd management training seminar for over 140 farm employees. Genex employees also visited dairy operations and provided consulting (as pictured) while in China.

Darin Dykstra of GENESIS herd Dykstra Dairy visits with a delegation of 13 Chinese visitors as part of the EMP project. This delegation represented 228,000 cows and spent time at CRI headquarters, Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, and toured six dairy operations in the Midwest.

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CRI met with government officials and dairy producers on a recent EMP trip to India. Dr. Albert DeVries, Associate Professor of Animal Science – University of Florida, Colten Green, Genex Dairy National Account Manager, Kevin Lindell, President – American Embryo Transfer Association, and Dean Gilge, CRI Associate Vice President – Global Development, presented information about the science of genomics and its practical application on dairies. ©2013 CRI

Phillip Lunn, Genex National Account Specialist, and Nick Hemauer, Genex Dairy Data Program Specialist, traveled to Serbia as part of an EMP assessment project in the Balkan region. This project explores the dairy industry to learn what opportunities exist for future export growth from the U.S.

IS SHE or ISN’T SHE? Know pregnancy status as early as 29 days post breeding with DG29™ blood pregnancy testing!

Sarah Thorson, Beef Education Manager – Genex, and Daniel de Carvalho, Beef Product Manager – CRI Brazil, visit with a Red Angus producer in Nicaragua. This EMP is focused on learning more about the needs and growth opportunities in the Central American beef industry.

Dr. Amy Radunz, University of Wisconsin – River Falls and Adam Zeltwanger, Wulf Cattle, explored the beef industry in Honduras as part of the Central American Beef EMP project.

DG29 Testing Now Conducted at Three Locations: ™

∙ Dairy One, Ithaca, N.Y. ∙ AgSource Laboratories, Menomonie, Wis. ∙ AgSource Laboratories, Jerome, IDaho

Genex

Cooperative, Inc. A Subsidiary of Cooperative Resources International

Shawano, WI • Phone 888/333-1783 www.crinet.com ©2013 CRI

DG29 is a production of Conception Animal Reproduction Technologies www.conception-animal.com.

Mason Raddatz, son of Genex Distribution Manager, Warren Raddatz and Genex Breeding Program Specialist, Rachael Raddatz.

Big and Small ... We've Got You Covered.

Rely on John Deere Financial for the financing you need.

Genex is pleased to offer John Deere Financial to provide you with finance options to meet the specific needs of your operation. Whether thinking about the next day or the next generation, John Deere Financial is a name you can rely on.

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Traveling the Road to Opportunity By: Jenny Hanson // Communications Manager, CRI

g Ed Oppedyk, Oppedyk Dairy

In November 2012, I journeyed to southern Idaho to visit Genex members and customers. These members and customers – Idaho’s dairy producers – are proud of their industry. Their dedication and love of the industry has made Idaho the second largest milk producing state in the 12 western U.S. states and the third largest in the total U.S. Here’s the story behind one Idaho dairy.

In November 2004, while seeking new opportunities, the Oppedyk family led their 1,100 cows onto trailers and made the trek from central California to a new home in southern Idaho.

The herd, owned by Ed Oppedyk and his parents, has since called Mountain Home, Idaho, home.

“Genex was here from day one,” noted Ed about the move.

When in California, Ed had a good working relationship with Genex Profit Development Specialist Bob Diliberto. Then with communication through the cooperative, Genex staff in Idaho were prepared and waiting to help push the Oppedyks’ herd up for milking after the 10+ hour truck ride.

Today, Territory Sales Manager Bob Edwards, who has served Genex members and customers since 1995, works with Ed on a regular basis. Phillip Lunn, Genex National Account Specialist, provides herd consulting services.

New Opportunities Lead to Growth

Since relocating to Idaho, Oppedyk Dairy has experienced an expansion in cow numbers. Those original 1,100 cows turned into 2,000 and then 2,400. The growth was made possible through low cull rates, heifer purchases and strong pregnancy rates. Two factors notably contributing to high pregnancy rates include the dairy’s breeder and genetic selection.

About four years ago, Bob trained several dairy employees in artificial insemination (A.I). After the training, it was evident one individual really excelled in breeding cows; since, he has managed the herd’s breeding program. He walks the open lots and performs A.I. from 7 to 11 a.m. daily. For the remainder of the day, he stays in tune with the cows by assisting with herd health.

As for genetics affecting pregnancy rates, Ed and Bob work together to choose bulls with positive Daughter Pregnancy Rate numbers and above average sire fertility.

©2013 CRI

These and other factors contribute to a 27% pregnancy rate, 160 average days in milk and 54% of the herd pregnant.

Additionally the herd performance reports derived by Phillip – formerly through the Genex Reproductive Profit Manager™ program and more recently through the new Dairy Performance Navigator – demonstrate the herd’s adept ability to create pregnancies.

SM

“One of the first points I look at on the report are the number of pregnancies needed per week to maintain herd size,” explains Ed. “In recent reports, we have had about 10% more pregnancies than needed. This means we can really increase the cull rate.”

Spotlight on Genetic Progress

“I want to make a lot of genetic progress in the herd,” explains Ed. That’s why he “really bought into genomics and use[s] nearly 100% genomic sires.”

Specific trait focus includes production traits. Oppedyk incorporates bulls above +1000 PTA Milk with positive components. In fact, since moving to Idaho in 2004, the dairy has only used positive component bulls. This strategic effort has led to production averages of 3.0 protein and 3.9 butterfat – good component levels since the milk is sold for cheese production.

Oppedyk Dairy also demands bulls that produce efficient, small to medium-sized cows.

After each dairy sire summary, Ed and Bob work together to find the sires that fit the herd and deliver the sought after genetic progress. They narrow the list of sires to about six, and then those bulls are mated to the herd through MAP™ (Mating Appraisal for Profit).

From our discussion, it was clearly evident Ed enjoys his role on this family dairy and in continuing his family’s dairy farming heritage. Here’s wishing this family and this dairy many new opportunities in the future!  A Author Bio: Jenny Hanson is a graduate of the University of WisconsinRiver Falls with a degree in agricultural communications.

She joined Cooperative Resources International in 2005 and has served as editor of the Dairy Horizons since May 2006.

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Brymessers Excel in Production By: Sheri Fuhrman // Dairy Promotions Specialist, CRI

I

n Boiling Springs, Pa., the Brymesser family knows that reaching goals may take hard work, but is worth the effort.

Mike states, "Our goal is not just high production but high lifetime production per cow." Maintaining high production means quality of feeds, cow comfort and care need to be achieved. This is something Brymesser Farms LLC is very knowledgeable about.

The owners of the farm are Sheldon and Maryann with sons Mike and Matt Brymesser. The sons, third generation farmers on the dairy, work together. Mike manages the dairy and Matt manages the field work. With 250 cows extra hands are needed. The Brymessers are aided by two full-time and six part-time employees.

In 2011, after the unfortunate collapse of two of the farm's silos, the family brainstormed and decided to build seven trenches for feed storage. The Brymessers farm 750 acres of corn, alfalfa and soybeans. "We have very minimal spoilage in the bunks and use a bunker silo facer to remove the silage, while maintaining an even surface as we feed out. Quality forages maximize both production and profitability," explained Mike.

The Brymesser brothers have made several improvements to their heifer raising and cow comfort as well. A new 250cow freestall barn was built and the original dairy barn was converted into a calf, bred heifer and dry cow facility. They accomplished this with the use of their old stalls for calf hutches, while ensuring proper ventilation for the animals.

Genex Territory Sales Manager Charlie Smith, who has been mating the herd for the past 15 years, knows high genetic bulls are important to the Brymessers. "We have used the Genex MAP™ program for many years," said Mike. "I think it’s important to have someone impartial evaluate your cows. We like MAP for helping us choose the best mating on the cows from the sires that meet our criteria. Also inventory control is easily managed with MAP and it saves us time," explained Mike. The herd is utilizing the Genex Reproductive Profit Manager™ yearly to measure their progress.

The Brymessers are using the top one percent Lifetime Net Merit Genex bulls. "We started using genomic bulls as soon as they came out in 2009. We still like to use the top end daughter proven bulls in our herd too utilizing sires like 1HO08784 FREDDIE, 1HO09167 O-STYLE and 1HO09527 MASSEY," said Mike.

j Charlie Smith and Mike Brymesser work together on the genetic side of the operation. g At Brymesser Farms LLC, cow comfort is a key element to achieving high production.

To improve conception rates, an activity system was installed to help detect heat. Mike and Sheldon breed their cows on observed standing heats. Breeding Program Specialist Doug Marsh stops daily to watch for heats on heifers. With Sheldon, Mike and Doug breeding, the farm has a high conception rate of 35 percent.

Currently the Brymessers milk 250 cows two times a day in a double-10 herringbone parlor built eight years ago. The herd averages 100 pounds a day. Since 2005, the herd average has gone up each year. The farm's current rolling herd average is 29,700 pounds of milk, 1,081 pounds of fat and 898 pounds of protein.

Brymessers have been recognized for their high production achievements. Their 170,000 somatic cell count earned them recognition from Land O' Lakes Cooperative. Their farm was a stop on the Professional Dairy Managers of Pennsylvania 100,000 pound dairy tour. In the Holstein World June 2013 issue, Brymesser's cow Bry-nell Lynch 3505 was recognized for being over 233,000 pounds in milk.

The Brymessers accomplish high production by putting quality forages in front of their cows and use Genex bulls with high Lifetime Net Merit. According to Mike, "It is the consistency of managing all the little things and making sure the cows are taken care of first." 

A Author Bio: Sheri Fuhrman is a graduate of the University of WisconsinRiver Falls with a degree in marketing communications with an agricultural emphasis and a dairy science minor. She joined Cooperative Resources International in May 2013 as the Dairy Promotions Specialist.

K Brymesser Farms LLC, Boiling Springs, Pa.

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©2013 CRI

K Jose Aguilar, José Pedroza and Sergio Pedroza work together to achieve success.

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Expansion of Dairy Herds in Mexico

A Foundation Built by Effort and Dedication By: MVZ Humberto Sánchez Ortiz // General Manager of CRI Mexico

F

or a long time we have considered the massive expansion the best way to reduce production costs and become more efficient, but are all farms actually ready for this? One great example of dedication, effort and expansion can be found in the region of Bajio Mexicano – Bajio de San Jose, Jalisco. Here, the Pedroza brothers began working more than 30 years ago with a group of 12 cows and approximately 20 hectares of corn and 20 hectares of grassland. Today they milk 3,000 cows and have more than 1,500 hectares of irrigation; corn during spring and summer, and oats and triticale (a high protein grass) in fall and winter.

How does one family succeed while others do not?

“Since we started, our vision was, and always has been, to produce in the most efficient way possible and give the most effort possible to our work. Since we were young, we have always had goals and dreams and fortunately the people that surround us and are in the same business have the same goals, but the challenges are always greater. Sometimes we feel that luck has also helped us, especially with the weather and the harvests because we have had years of terrible droughts and unfavorable climates for the crops, but I believe that persistence has been a very important factor along with the people that have been working with us over the years. We share the same philosophy and desire to grow,” stated Jose Maria Pedroza.

“Technology has always come hand in hand with expansion, but today we need to be on the cutting edge to be able to continue growing,” said Jose about the use of new technology.

“I remember, for example, when sexed semen made its appearance in the market. Many people were afraid of using it because they didn’t trust the fertility or they doubted the results. We were some of the first to use sexed semen.

Many people view us as an experimental laboratory. We are confident in the technology while there are others that won’t use the product until they see the results. Today we use the best genomic bulls and we are building three biodigestors that will help generate electricity and save energy in our milking parlor and also generate fertilizer to improve our crop land, not to mention we avoid environmental pollution, which is the most important thing for us.”

Genetics: Dr. Jose de Jesus Aguilar, genetic advisor on dairies and CRI Mexico distributor in the area, commented that since Lifetime Net Merit was published, the Pedroza family has used the highest bulls on the list. Today they milk daughters of 1HO08778 SUPER, 1HO08784 FREDDIE %-I, 1HO09192 HILL, 1HO07235 TOYSTORY, 1HO09092 LAZARITH and 1HO09997 KARIM %-I. They are currently using 1HO10396 CABRIOLET %-I, 1HO10648 PUZZLE %-I,

©2013 CRI

1HO09390 PADLOCK, 1HO09167 O-STYLE and 1HO09527 MASSEY, bulls that reflect the high productivity and the high expectations they have with the future of their herd.

Production: The Pedroza family’s herd’s average lactation fluctuates around 12,000 kg with excellent fat and protein percentages and productive life. They have great fertility with about 40% conception rate at the first service and annual pregnancy rates of 23%. The on-farm management is very good; they give each person on the farm the responsibilities of their own tasks with the final benefit of getting excellent results on the entire operation.

“Another detail that makes a difference is the great management of the crops,” says Sergio Pedroza, a third generation family member and manager of one of the farms with his brother Christian. “In the beginning we farmed a Mexican Creole corn called “Pancho Villa” that grew up to approximately four meters high. The corn cobs harvested were about 40 grams, with a yield of two tons of corn per hectare or 20 tons per silo. Today we use the highest quality, commercially available seeds along with the best technology for planters, tractors and irrigation systems. With this, we get 85 tons of silo crops per hectare of 17 tons of corn grain.”

Feed: “When we started, we did not care about the quality of the inputs that we used for the cows,” commented Sergio.

“For example, today we rely on a laboratory where they test our grains and forages to look for alfatoxins, as well as a lab where we analyze the quality of our milk.”

Heifer raising: The Pedrozas use sexed semen on 100% of their heifers. Their first priority is to take care of the animals during birth, and the second priority is to have a greater number of heifer calves, which will allow them to continue expanding without introducing heifers from other farms to their operations.

“The future is very important, as well as our people. We learn from our mistakes and we feed off of our philosophy every day,” said Javier Pedroza. “But our next generation, our children, are people that are fully prepared with their studies and with our experience. Our goals and expectations will certainly be much larger in the future.” As Sergio emphasizes, talent and discipline accompanied by effort will result in success.

“In Mexico there are many families like the Pedrozas,” said Humberto Sánchez, General Manager of CRI Mexico, “Day by day, with their effort and dedication, they feed the cattle and increase milk production in Mexico, where we have much more growth and work for our future.” 

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Sizing-up Your Future

Cory Ott of River Bridge Holsteins, a GENESIS Cooperator Herd, sizes up two GENESIS cows. From left to right, Co-op Boliver Alexis-ET, dam of 1HO10471 ADIDAS and Co-op Ramos Megan-ET, dam of 1HO10647 MEANDER.

We believe the future centers around the medium-sized cow. We want to be your partner in reducing inputs and retaining yields to maximize margins.

Let us help you breed the most healthy, cost-effective cow possible.

Pick the size that fits your herd goals. Š2013 CRI

B-05607-13

Product of the U.S.A.