So Much Data! Where do I Start? By Leah James, Dairy Marketing Manager, GENEX
In today’s genomic era, more data has become available than ever before! More data is a good thing! It means more accuracy and more options than ever before. It means the industry can better predict and, in turn producers can better choose, the best genetics. However, with the overwhelming amount of data available, the question often becomes “Where do I start?”
Graph 1. The industry's increase in milk yield is attributed to both better management practices and improved genetics.
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Milk Yield (lbs)
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First, a little review. What comes to mind when thinking about progressive dairy herds? Good management? Cow comfort? Cutting-edge technology? All these things are critical for profitability in this extremely tight dairy economy, but what about the advancement that lies within a semen tank? Often overlooked, but extremely important to the success of dairy operations, is the genetic component.
57% Genetics 20,000
43% Management
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shows how much of the industry’s production growth is attributed to management and how much is attributed to genetics. As Graph 1 shows, management is important, but the biggest percentage of improvement is from genetics.
Graph 2. Genetic improvement (NM$) by year for US Holstein A.I. sires.
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Average Net Merit ($)
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Average Gain: $61/Year Average Gain: $38/Year
0 -100 2005
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There are a lot of data points now available for use in genetic selection, and it has led to never-beforeseen rates of genetic improvement. Graph 2 provides a quick glimpse at how fast genetic improvement is happening in the genomic era!
Genomics has allowed genetic progress to happen at a much faster pace than in previous decades, but the reliability levels on genomic-proven sires are slightly lower than their daughter-proven counterparts (see Graph 3 on next page). How does one balance the risk?
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Genetics is important, but how important?
Genomic selection will achieve genetic gain, but what about reliability?
Average Gain: $84Year
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Cow Birth Year
In a recent presentation, Dr. Francisco Penagaricano, Assistant Professor of Genetics and Genomics at the University of Florida, discussed genomic and genetic selection. He shared a graph outlining historical milk yield growth in pounds. It
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GENEX has always recommended selecting on an index, and in this genomic era it is more important
Year of Entry Into A.I. Service Source: https://www.uscdcb.com
Continued on page 14.
HORIZONS
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