It’s simply MORE. HYVIG.COM
CONTENTS HYVIG™ - it’s simply MORE.
3-4
HYVIG™ - MORE fertility.
5-6
HYVIG™ - MORE health.
7-8
HYVIG™ - creating your herd.
9-12
HYVIG breed introductions
13-22
The unique Norwegian Red.
13-14
Holstein
16
Fleckvieh
18
Jersey
19
Friesian
19
Irish Holstein
21
Brown Swiss
21
SpermVital
22
“If you keep doing what you’re doing; you’ll keep getting what you’ve got” It stands to reason that if doing something has produced a certain set of results; doing the same thing will keep producing the same results. Many dairy farmers are not happy with the results they are getting; long, hard hours, little profit, cows that don’t last; and require high inputs. Yet they persist in doing the same thing, breeding the same cow, building in higher costs, working all hours in the day; with the hope that “something” will change. It doesn’t have to be that way. Dairy farmers around the world are discovering the simple fact that if their cows fit the farm, life can be easier and more profitable. You could change everything to suit the cow; or another alternative is to change the cow to fit the farm. With our unique HYVIG programme, we believe that breeding the cow to fit the farm is the correct long term solution and that crossbreeding provides an effective alternative to help create that herd. We work together with you, to build a herd to suit your individual situation. Build a herd to fit your needs with our package of:
• • •
Exclusive genetics including British Friesian, TransitionRight® Holsteins and the health and fertility leaders Norwegian Red, plus various others. Our team of specialist HYVIG Advisors who will work with you to build the right programme for your farm. A country wide network of service and reproductive specialists to meet all your service needs.
So if you are thinking “things can’t go on like this”, you’re right - they don’t have to. Talk to us. At HYVIG we have the experience and knowledge to present an alternative profitable approach to your business.
Wes Bluhm, Global Crossbreeding Manager
HYVIG™ _ It’s simply MORE.
...it’s simply MORE. “We were looking for an efficient, hardy and profitable cow, so crossing our Holsteins with Norwegian Red was the ideal solution. We have seen an enormous improvement in strength and health in just one cross. Our Norwegian Red cross calves are trouble free in every way and thrive from birth with very little input. Exactly what we want for our dairy herd”. Chris Vaughan - Top Farm, Cheshire
The No.1 crossbreeding solution globally.
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HEALTH
more
FERTILITY
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PROFIT
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TIME
HYVIG is the dairy crossbreeding solution that gives you more… HYVIG™ is a revolutionary concept which will help you create a herd of problem-free cows that fit your system perfectly. All with excellent production, superb health and unrivalled fertility. Meaning you can expect reduced workload and more profit, time and time again.
How does it work? HYVIG offers a tailor-made breeding strategy based around the unique genetics of the Norwegian Red breed, alongside the world leading genetics of Genus ABS Holsteins. Together with our HYVIG specialists we can help you achieve your herds breeding goals using a two or three-way cross. When used on Holstein cows, this unique HYVIG combination will boost herd performance.
What’s in it for you? Studies have shown that Norwegian Red cross Holstein cows outperformed purebred Holstein cows when used in a crossbreeding system. Providing £115 more net profit per cow, per year, compared to a daughter of an average Holstein bull. This predominantly is a result of an improvement in fertility and reduced feed costs of the Norwegian Red cross Holstein cow.
Comparison of the average Norwegian Red cross Holstein cow compared to a purebred Holstein cow 41% Reduced feed costs
Expect
£115
28% Lower health costs 31% Higher fertility
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More NET profit per cow per year*
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- MORE fertility. When looking to improve aspects of your herd with crossbreeding, it is important to use the breeds that excel in those areas. The Norwegian Red will provide such qualities for fertility like no other breed, without compromising production.
Why crossbreed for improved fertility?
MORE Fertility
“
•
Increased conception rate by 10%
•
Reduced days open by 17 days
•
Total value of improved fertility is £36 per cow per year
We have been milking crossbreds for over ten years. The fertility is exceptional. We can’t remember when we had to synchronise a crossbred. This has helped us lower our vets
”
bills, and our conception rates are great. Alan Sheard, Low Farm, Stoke
Can you improve fertility without compromising production? Farmers are experiencing that ‘even with the increasing milk yield, it is not getting harder to get the cows pregnant, rather the opposite, and that is what really counts’ (Dr Torstein Steine). The graph opposite demonstrates how the balanced breeding goal has allowed for consistent improvements in Fertility, without compromising the Production of Norwegian Reds.
“
ICAR Milk Recorded NR's 7500
390 380
7000
370 360
6500
350 340
6000
330
5500
320
5000
300
310
Milk per cow in 305 days (kg)
Calving interval (days)
Graph: Data from ICAR milk records - Improvements in fertility and production in the Norwegian Red breed.
We are exremely happy with our Norwegian Red crossbreds, they have achieved 20% higher conception rate than the Holsteins while yielding the same. We are now doing a three way
Ben Redman, Herd Manager at Buscot Wick Farm, Faringdon
5
”
cross with Norwegian Red and Fleckvieh on our high yielding autumn block herd.
Case Study: The Hutten Family, Netherlands. The Hutten family were not convinced that breeding from purebred genetics was producing a cow that was a good fit for their system. Their herd was getting bigger in stature each time and this was causing issues with the style of sheds used at the farm. As a result, the family introduced a three-way cross from 2012 incorporating both Norwegian Reds and Fleckviehs. The results gained from utilising a three-way cross were as follows:-
Milking Herd Size: 100 Herd Average: 10,000 Kg’s Fat %: 4.10% Protein %: 3.50% SCC: 100 Calving interval: 380 Straws/conception: 2.1 Cows and 1.3 Heifers
From just the first generation of crossbreds they were able to reduce their calving interval from 410 to 380 days!
“Since crossbreeding, the herd has got more fertile, increased udder health and better feet. I am still a fan of the Holstein breed, but when you look at the health, fitness and labour efficiencies since we started crossbreeding it is great.” Henri Hutten, Netherlands
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- MORE health. There is a lot of talk in today’s dairy industry about the need to cut down on antibiotic use. Changes in cow management, improvement in shed design, targeted antibiotic use are all discussed and, to some extent, do help address the problem.
But how about a more fundamental approach? How about we build a healthier, more robust cow that simply is better at fighting infection herself? Research from Canada (chart 1) proves that the Norwegian Red crossbreds are exactly that cow. Norwegian Red x Holstein calves had higher levels of their own immunity. This leads to healthier, thriftier calves that have fewer infections and better liveability.
Chart 1. Proportion of Holstein (HO) and Norwegian Red X Holstein (NRFX) first calf heifers that survived to each time point evaluated.
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HO
NRX
Calving to 100 days in milk (DIM) (%)
79.68
87.75
100 DIM to 305 DIM (%)
81.60
92.40
Calving to 305 DIM (%)
64.31
79.46
Overall survival from age at calf immune response testing to 305 DIM (%)
64.31
79.46
The benefits go on... 30% more Norwegian Red crossbreds survived from calves to the end of the first lactation as compared to purebred Holsteins.
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Building a healthier, more robust herd is the foundation of any programme to decrease antibiotic use and Norwegian Red crossbreds can help build that foundation!
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Remember - the benefits from breeding are permanent, cumulative and a long-term solution.
Genetic improvement Norwegian Red focus
Genetic improvement is both permanent and cumulative, what is achieved today will still have value for future generations.
Over 40 years of focusing on health and fertility means Norwegian Red cattle have the lowest use of antibiotics of any breed in the world.
Healthy herds
Reduced levels of clinical disease, reduced calf mortality and mastitis means reduced requirements for medical intervention and antibiotic use.
Low antibiotic use
The use of antibiotics in all production systems affects us all. Not only is it a cost which could be avoided for the producer. But globally the over use of antibiotics is leading to strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria becoming prevalent in every day life. A very real threat to public health.
“In recent years I have focused on improving the profitability of my herd. I made the decision to cross our Holstein cows with Norwegian Red Sires. The Norwegian red cross calves have superior health, are stronger and grow quickly. We really are delighted with the results so far.� Daniel Knowles, Northern Ireland
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- creating your herd. Crossbreeding is all about improving the performance of your overall herd, rather than individual cows. HYVIG will work for high input/high output systems or low input systems and everything in between. When establishing your HYVIG herd there are a few simple but important points which you should consider:
1. Set your priorities Make a list of what it is you want to achieve from your HYVIG herd in order of importance. Crossbreeding is a commitment and will be very different from a purebred herd. So it is important to always refer to your priorities when establishing your changing herd.
2. Make your HYVIG plan • • •
HYVIG is based upon Norwegian Red and Holstein Genetics, but should you wish to pursue a three-way cross, you will need to consider which third breed will complement your herd and help you achieve your goals. Identify which cows in your herd to crossbreed, you do not have to commit your whole herd to crossbreeding, although doing so will show maximum benefit. Discuss your options with our HYVIG crossbreeding specialist who will combine a thorough understanding of your herd’s needs with expert knowledge on breeds and bulls relevant for crossbreeding.
3. Choose your HYVIG system One of the key benefits of crossbreeding is the hybrid vigour effect which boosts herd health and reproduction. Your HYVIG crossbreeding system will exploit this benefit but this does differ. A two-way crossing system or a three-way crossing system maintains differing levels of hybrid vigour over time. You may wish to consider this when identifying your herd’s priorities. Whatever you choose, your plan should be simple and work for you!
4. Choose your additional HYVIG breeds If you are choosing a three-way cross, which breed characteristics have higher priority for your herd i.e are you looking for stronger cows, higher value bulls calves etc. To do this you need to identify which breeds are most complementary to your herd. Our HYVIG specialist can help you to identify which breeds might suit your herd best and how a two or three-way cross might work for you.
5. Choose your HYVIG bulls Once you have decided which HYVIG system suits you, the final step is to select the HYVIG bulls which match your herd’s priorities. Our HYVIG specialist can help you to make the right choice for your herd.
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Key considerations:What is your herds’ system i.e. grazing or housed?
What is your payment system i.e. liquid or component?
What has been your key focus in the breeding programme historically? i.e. type, production, components, grassland, intensive.
What are your key priorities and issues?
Some dairy farmers are happy to maintain a two-way cross for their breeding programme. This is usually because they are pleased with the results of two breeds. While this approach can sacrifice hybrid vigour, it focuses on the benefits that either of the two breeds can offer. The Norwegian Red breed has been concentrating on health and fertility for over 40 years. The results of this focus are proven in the superior health and fertility traits of the breed, these improvements are transmitted to their offspring. By using Norwegian Red in your breeding programme you are taking advantage of more than 20 generations of breeding for better reproduction, health and easy keeping cows. Many HYVIG customers are considering “doubling up” on Norwegian Red to ‘lock-in’ these valuable benefits for their breeding programme. Other breeds can offer their specific traits and improvements to a breeding programme. For example a two-way cross of Fleckvieh would see more emphasis on strong, well-muscled cows.
There are a few important factors to consider when doubling up: Table One: Doubling up options
1.
You will be increasing the complementarity benefit in using Norwegian Red. By double crossing to Norwegian Red you are increasing the chance of having the superior genes of Norwegian Red for health and fertility being transmitted to the offspring. This is very important as these benefits are passed on to the next generation.
2.
You will be slightly decreasing the heterosis factor. A two-way cross gives 67% of potential hybrid vigour, whereas a three-way cross would be 85%.
3.
You need to watch inbreeding when doubling up, similar to when using Black and White on Black and White.
Current bull options to double up for extra fitness:
Do not use on Norwegian Red daughters of:
Enger 11147
Braut
Gopollen 11078
Braut
Hooen 10795
K Lens
Horn 11312
Velsvik
Maele 11789
Prestangen, Sormarka
Nordbo 10553
No restriction
Nymoen 11060
No restriction
Prestangen 10923
Gopollen
Reitan 10689
Faaren
Reitan 2 11033
No restriction
Saur 11572
Velsvik, Enger
Skretting 11284
No restriction
Skjelvan 11039
Val
Sormarka 10462
Maele
Val 10918
Skjelvan
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HYVIG offer many crossbreeding options to suit every herd and every system, below are just some of the possibilities. When developing a crossbreeding programme, we advise you to discuss your objectives with your Genus ABS representative. They will look at the different options and help put together a plan that suits your individual needs and expectations.
Three-way cross
Two-way cross
BS
F1
FV ?
F2 ?
FR
F3
JE
?
MO
F4 ?
Table two: Possible HYVIG options Identify your top priorities
Recommend additional breed to complement the HYVIG system
Volume
Solids
Fertility
Health
Norwegian Red x Holstein
Fleckvieh x Norwegian Red x Holstein
Friesian x Norwegian Red x Holstein
Jersey x Norwegian Red x Holstein
Montbeliarde x Norwegian Red x Holstein
Normande x Norwegian Red x Holstein
Norwegian Red x Norwegian Red x Holstein
1. Fertility 2. Yield 3. Reduced size & stature 1. Solids 2. Bull calf value 3. Moderate stature 1. Fertility 2. Strength 3. Bull calf value 1. Solids yield & % 2. Calving ease 3. Low stature 1. Yield 2. Bull calf value 3. Strength 1. Fertility 2. Bull calf value 3. Solids yield & % 1. Health 2. Fertility 3. Yield
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“We started crossbreeding over twenty years ago as our pure-bred Holsteins were not lasting long enough and we wanted to breed a cow that would achieve more lactations. We now follow a Holstein x Norwegian Red x Montbeliarde rotation and have never looked back. The main benefits have been hardly ever calving a cow, high improvement in fertility, lower vet costs, good temperament and our replacement rate is down at 15%.� Fiona Mccune - Breckend Farm, East Yorkshire.
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NORWEGIAN RED
The unique Norwegian Red The HYVIG breeding programme is built on the unique characteristics of 2 major breeding programmes:1. The unique Geno Norwegian Red programme 2. Genus ABS proprietorial TransitionRight® Holsteins With these two breeds as a foundation, we have the tools to build a customised breeding programme to fit your needs. There are two major reasons to consider crossbreeding for your breeding programme. One is hybrid vigour or heterosis as referred to in other parts of this guide. The other is the ability to use the unique characteristics of other breeds to build the herd you want. The Norwegian Red brings some unique and valuable traits to any breeding programme that have been “locked into” the breed in over 45 years of breeding for health and fertility. The ability to improve these important traits is built on the foundation of comprehensive and accurate herd data recording.
Norwegian Red Breeding Goals
Diagram one: Data capture in Norway
Graph one: Norwegian Red breeding goals Norwegian Red Breeding Goals
100% 100%
90% 90% 100%
Farmers
80%90% 80% 70%80% 70% 60%70% 60%
Dairies
60%
50% 50%
50%
40% 40%
40%
30% 30% 30%
Milk laboratories
20%20% 20% 10%10% 10% 0% 0% 0%
Slaughter house
19631963 19741974 1978 1982 1990 1994 1997 2000 20002001 2001 2003 2007 2009 2015 1978 19821990 19901994 1994 1997 1997 2003 2007 20092009 2015 2015 1963 1974 1978 1982 2000 2001 2003 2007
Fertility &
Fertility Fertility & Health & Health Health
Health cards
Funcional
Functional Funcional Type Type
Growth Growth Rate Rate Growth Rate
Production
Production
Graph two: Development in cow numbers, yield and veterinary treatments in Norwegian Red
AI-database
Genetic Trends in Norwegian Red
Norwegian dairy herd recording
450 450000 000
4508000 000
400000 000 400
4007000 000
350000 000 350
350 000 6000
300000 000 300
300 000 5000
250000 000 250
250 000 4000 200 000 3000 150 000
Genetic Trends in Norwegian Red Genetic Trends in Norwegian Red 450 000 Genetic Trends in 450 Norwegian Red 000
400 000
Data to estimate breeding values
100000 000 100
8000
7000
50000 000 8000 50
7000
6000
350 000
350 000
300 000
350 000
300 000
250 000
300 000
250 000
200 000
250 000
200 000
150 000
200 000
150 000
100 000
150 000
100 000
50 000
3000
50 000
0
2000
400 000
8000
150000 000 150
400 000
450 000
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200000 000 200
7000 00 6000
2000 100 000 Veterinary treatment
5000 6000 Milk yield, kg 1990 1992 1994 1996 Veterinary 1998 treatment 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 1990 1992 1994 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 5000 1996 1998 2000 4000
Veterinary Veterinary treatment
Milk yield,kgkg Milk yield,
Cow-years,no. no. Cow-years,
1000 50 000
0 2010
Number of cows,treatment number of veterinary treatments 3000and milk yield/cow Veterinary treatments for: 4000 • •
5000
Milk yield, kg Mastitis 3000 Other diseases
4000
Cow-years, no. 2000 1000
Cow-years, no. 2000 1000
Graph three: Veterinary treatments 1.5
Cases Cow treated
0.9
Most importantly the Norwegian Red breed has been concentrating on improving health and fertility for over 40 years, which can be seen in the superior health and characteristics of the Norwegian Red today.
0.6
0.3 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Per cow-year
1.2
Norway’s dairy industry consists of a farmer co-operative with approx 9,000 members and 220,000 dairy cows. The co-operative nature of the Norwegian system is a superb example of integration at it’s best. It has helped create a unique system of data collection. Where every single treatment is recorded throughout an animal’s life (see diagram one).
Year
Graph three: Total no. of veterinary treatments and no. of cows treated per year (from the Norwegian Cattle Health Service).
Which is why Norwegian Red females are renowned for their superior fertility, high pregnancy rates, short calving intervals and trouble-free calvings (see graphs one, two and three).
Norwegian Red - Bred for Health
Norwegian Red Characteristics
Health traits have been included in the Total Merit Index (TMI) since 1978. Included in the breeding goal is resistance to mastitis and other diseases (in particular ketosis). These traits have much lower heritability than production traits, therefore genetic improvement can only be made if the breeding goal gives these traits sufficient weight. Low heritability traits need a large number of daughters in order to calculate accurate breeding values through the progeny testing system.
% of all dairy cows in Norway that are Norwegian Red
93.4%
% of all cows milk and health recorded
99%
% all cows milked by robots
38%
Average milk production 2017 ECM Kgs
8241
Average Fat %
4.32%
Average Protein %
3.48%
% all milk produced that is sold to processors
94%
Average cell count
120,000
% first lactation cows no mastitis
98.2%
Average stature inches/cms.
53.8/136.6
Average weight lbs./kgs
1265/575
Direct Calving Ease - % heifers calving unassisted
88.6%
Direct gestation length days
278
1 - 3 lactations cows with silent heats %
1.70%
% 1 - 3 lactation cows synchronised
0.58%
Norwegian Red - Bred for Fertility Fertility has been included in the TMI since 1971. The index for fertility is based on a non-return rate of heifers and first lactation cows. The genetic trend for fertility is positive in the Norwegian Red breed with an average 56-day non-return rate of 72.4% (2014).
Norwegian Red - Bred for Production In the best herds in Norway, milk production exceeds 10,000 kg (22,045 lbs), with the best performing cows milking more than 16,000 kg (35,275 lbs). Currently, the average percentages of 4.32% fat and 3.48% protein is across the entire population of cows of all lactations.
Norwegian Red - Bred for Calving Ease Calving ease has been included in the selection program since 1978. The Norwegian Red is characterized as a breed with a low frequency of calving difficulties. Less than 2% of the calvings are reported as having major calving difficulties. Stillbirths are also included in the TMI, and less than 3% of Norwegian Red calves are stillborn.
1 - 3 lactations cows no retained placenta 98.2% % first lactation heifers no calving assistance
88.6%
By incorporating Norwegian Red in your breeding programme you lock these traits into your herd’s future. It’s no wonder Norwegian Red is the top selling Red Breed internationally. HYVIG.COM
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HOLSTEIN
Holstein Whether running a two-way or three-way HYVIG herd the Holstein has a very important role to play. The Genus ABS Holsteins have unique traits that make them the number one choice. At Genus ABS, Holstein bulls are selected for their efficiency, for your HYVIG herd we select bulls whose daughters carry condition, are strong, not too tall, and are well above breed average for SCC, fertility and lifespan. One of the things that makes Genus ABS Holsteins different is TransitionRight®. This index, unique to Genus ABS, ranks bulls based on their daughters’ ability to get through the transition period with fewer health issues. This improves operational efficiency and reduces cost leading to increased profitability, with the top bull saving £136 compared to the bottom ranked bulls.
Would you like to reduce mastitis in your herd by up to 73%? The table below shows a 73% reduction in Mastitis, 43% reduction in Metritis and 38% reduction in Ketosis when using 4 and 5 star TransitionRight bulls in a study across 2,500 cows. TransitionRight® Star Ranking
Mastitis Incidence
Metritis Incidence
Ketosis Incidence
4-5
2.8%
28.4%
1.3%
3
3.9%
38.9%
1.9%
1-2
10.5%
50.2%
2.1%
(Data taken from two herds in Italy, totalling 2,500 cows)
TransitionRight® Economic Sire Ranking The economic impact of sire genetics on cow transition health is significant for any size dairy operation. By choosing a 5-Star sire, your operation is projected to save approximately £68 in preventive or reactive costs per cow per lactation over a breed-average 3-Star sire. TransitionRight™ Star Ranking
Sire Ranking
Expected Economic Impact Per Lactation
Top 10%
£68 savings
20%
£33 savings
Average 40%
£0
20%
-£33 cost
Bottom 10%
-£68 cost
...
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FLECKVIEH
Fleckvieh Many dairy farmers today want stronger, more durable cows. The goal is profitability; with easy keeping cows. Crossbreeding to Fleckvieh provides a proven method of achieving this quicker with the breed being recognised on the continent for its key strengths of being durable, easy keeping, profitable and dual purpose/dual profit cows. The breed has been developed to be highly productive on mostly grass-based diets and to produce higher amounts of fat and protein for cheese making. While many other breeds have concentrated on maximizing milk yield no matter what the cost in feed, labour, management and other inputs, Fleckvieh has concentrated on moderate increase in yield while maintaining these key strengths.
High value Fleckvieh x Holstein bull calves contribute to increased profitability! Dual Purpose Dual Income For years we in the UK have spurned the dual purpose. The large, thorough trial in the Netherlands and UK farmer experience indicates that the Austrian Fleckvieh is a true, high value dual purpose breed. Good, high quality milk yields, superior reproduction, high health traits and superior carcasse and bull calf value. Fleckvieh crossbreds offer the benefit of: Competitive production
Strong, durable cows
High fertility
Added income
Fleckvieh Trial Holland Final Report 305 - DAY YIELD Lactation
Breed
No.
Kg Milk
Kg Fat
Kg Prot
Fat %
Prot %
Kg F+P
1
HF
130
7445
323
260
4.38
3.50
583
2
FLV
137
8696
381
310
4.41
3.58
691
2
HF
107
9081
395
323
4.41
3.58
718
3
FLV
107
9144
408
324
4.48
3.55
732
3
HF
68
9400
415
327
4.45
3.50
742
4
FLV
39
9392
416
331
4.53
3.54
747
4
HF
20
8960
400
313
4.53
3.53
713
The research and farmer satisfaction proves it. This production comes with a useful improvement in fertility as well.
CROSSBRED Lactation No.
HOLSTEIN
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
1.54
1.66
1.70
1.14
2.13
2.10
1.35
2.33
74
78
71
73
89
101
85
63
Interval 1st - last insemination
26
26
32
3
48
42
14
30
% non return 56 days
74
65
65
86
57
60
84
0
Realised lactation length
378
386
383
359
419
424
380
376
Average weighted SCC
96
104
144
196
113
138
229
156
% difficult calvings
9.2
3.4
5.0
3.2
9.0
3.5
8.8
8.8
% normal calvings
59.7
42.5
35.5
38.1
61.4
54.4
53.5
50.0
% easy calvings
31.1
54.1
59.5
58.7
29.7
42.1
38.8
41.2
% still birth
11.2
2.7
4.1
4.8
16.6
4.4
5.0
5.9
No. of inseminations Interval calving - 1st insemination
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JERSEY AND FRIESIAN
Jersey In the USA crossbreeding has been significantly increasing for two decades with crossbred births more than doubling, and a 60% increase in mixed and crossbred herds milk recording. The Jersey has been the number one sire for use on Holstein heifers during this transformation. Most farmers entering crossbreeding cite two reasons for using a Jersey in their programme: •
To reduce calving problems in first calving heifers
•
To increase milk components
There are some unexpected benefits too, especially improved reproductive performance, fewer health problems and longer productive life. Jersey cows produce exceptional milk quality, with very high fat and protein percentages. They are a lot smaller than most dairy breeds and have come out very well on feed efficiency trials. Purebred bull calves are not as valuable as achieved from many breeds but a crossbred calf has increased beef value. Jerseys are capable of milking well on a wide range of systems, performing very well on extensive grassland systems and also on more intensive farms that are pushing for high yields.
Friesian Modern Friesians are the invisible crossbreeding option. The Friesian is the number one breed for daughter fertility and for lifespan. Producing cows that are quick to get in calf and last longer than any other breed. Friesian genetics can be used as the third breed in a rotation where you are looking to keep stature down while maximising fertility and longevity. This makes Friesians an ideal option for HYVIG grazing herds! When using in the rotation in your HYVIG herd select bulls that are positive for milk with good udders and management traits. These positive milk bulls may be lower for Body Condition Score but compared to a pure Holstein they will still carry more condition and get in calve much easier. When looking to use Friesians are the third breed Genus ABS can offer you elite genetics currently being home to 8 out of the top 10 sires in the breed. TransitionRight® economic sire ranking: -
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As with Holsteins, the other really unique thing about Genus ABS Friesians is TransitionRight. The economic impact of sire genetics on cow transition health is significant for any size dairy operation.
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So by choosing a 5 star sire, your operation is projected to save approximately £68 in preventive or reactive costs per cow per lactation over a breed average 3 star sire.
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IRISH HOLSTEIN AND BROWN SWISS
Irish Holstein The Irish Holstein has been specifically developed to fully exploit your natural resource on farm, grass. Bred to deliver pregnancies, protein and profit from low input, extensive farm systems, our stud excels for these traits on a global scale. Cow families demonstrate that they can breed back every year and produce nutrient dense milk with the minimum of fuss. Bull mothers easily produce over a kilo of solids for a kilo of liveweight, producing over extended grazing periods and with minimum concentrate fed to them. Our stud is a world leader for longevity and daughter fertility averages, meaning you can select any of them safe in the knowledge that daughters will thrive and perform for you. Then you can select for the remaining traits you are concentrating on in your crossbreeding, whether you wish to drive up component percentage aggressively, add kgs of solids, push for increased longevity and, or, reduce body size. As a group, expect good calving ease scores and hardy daughters that will survive whatever your system is.
Brown Swiss Brown Swiss are a highly adaptable breed that can thrive in a variety of environments, hot, cold and even mountainous. They are a strong, medium sized animal with a distinctive grey-brown coat. The Brown Swiss produces milk with extreme fats and proteins and has a high resistance to mastitis, making it ideal for cheese makers. It is the second-best breed (after Jersey) for improving protein percent as confirmed by AHDB comparison figures. The breed is also incredibly efficient having excellent feed conversion rates, providing a great option for less intensive systems. When used in crossbreeding systems, the Brown Swiss offers ease of management with quality milk production, good temperament and longevity. They will produce a robust crossbred cow that performs well on grazing systems.
“ I was looking for ways to improve the overall health and fertility of my herd while also improving hoof health. With this in mind I choose Norwegian red genetics to use crossing my cows, as the breed characteristics align closely with my breeding goals, I have been delighted with the results so far� Garry Young - Northern Ireland
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SEMEN WITH ÂDOUBLE LIFESPAN
Prolongs the lifespan of semen up to 48 hours
See video at SpermVital.com
Contact us today to find out more on 07725 511886 or hyvig@genusplc.com
HYVIG™ _ It’s simply MORE.
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