REGISTRATION ERRORS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM

WHAT IS SRM?

SRM means that a bull is on the supplementary register. He is not pedigree. Please note, some bulls, although having an FR code may in fact be crossbred.

Be Aware - Protect Your Herd’s Pedigree Status

When choosing a sire from AI, do not assume that all bulls are pedigree registered. Always check with your provider before purchasing straws.

Why?

In the past, all AI bulls were required to be registered as pedigree. This is no longer the case. SRM bulls may be up to 100% Holstein Friesian but are not backed by pedigree lines.

How does this affect the status of offspring?

If you use an SRM sire on a pedigree cow, the progeny do not qualify for pedigree status. How this affects future generations in the herd depends on the sex of the offspring. Female progeny will be graded ASR and generations of pedigree bred lines will be disrupted.

The same does not apply for males. An SRM sire will result in male offspring being graded SRM. The consequences of this will impact future generations as EU Breeding Rules do not allow grading up through the male line.

MALE PROGENY FROM AN SRM SIRE WILL ALWAYS HAVE SRM STATUS!

MALES CANNOT GRADE UP.

REMEMBER, SRM DOES NOT EQUAL PEDIGREE!

Pedigree breeders make huge investments in building on the pedigree of generations of animals in their herds. This can be lost by an uniformed choice of sire. Tell your AI provider that your herd is a pedigree herd and you are maintaining pedigree status for your animals. If a sire is not pedigree, he does not suit your herd or your investment.

WHAT IS FPT?

“The pedigree certificate states that IHFA are relying on statements made by or on behalf of the breeder as to parentage at the time of registration.”

If you, as a breeder/herd owner or agent, carry out genomics on female animals in your herd and failed parentage is identified (FPT) then the IHFA registration status is invalidated and you must –

• Inform IHFA in writing of the animal’s identity (tag no.).

• Return the existing pedigree cert to the office.

• Follow up and correct the parentage at your own cost.

IHFA will then issue a new cert for that animal reflecting the updated information.

IHFA does not accept any responsibility for failed parentage.