| AROUND THE GROUNDS |
Class Field Day JA Class team recently undertook its Autumn Class Field in Western Vic and it was great to have the class team together again.
A cow’s teat is desired to be in the centre of the quarter in a vertical position. In a linear score model this position is a score. The ideal was at 7 to drive genetic improvement in the trait to pull teat back under. Utilising ABV to drive genetic change is a more appropriate tool than ideals. To narrow teats on your herd, select a bull with an ABV of greater than 100. Maximum Scores A 3rd maximum classification score has been implemented. Lactation
The Class team spend time working as a group scoring and analysing cows, reviewed the data and class trends from the 2020 classification results, undertook an extensive session on what is a 95-point cow, and discussed implementation of the changes to ideal and maximum scores as detailed below.
Update to Class Ideals and Awards
Max Score
1st Lactation
88
2nd Lactation
91
3rd Lactation
93
While we do not have scores exceeding 93 on cows on their 3rd lactation, we are seeing an overall upwards trend in class scores as ongoing genetic improvement year on year is having a positive effect. It is important to ensure cows conformation and structural integrity does not peak too early in her productive life. Classification Awards JA will be introducing classification awards for all cows. Previously, these have not been provided for 1st lactation cows. The Award Schedule is Award
Score
Fair – F
0-74
Good – G
75-79
Good Plus – GP
80-84
Linear Trait Ideals
Very Good – VG
85-89
A revision to the following linear trait ideals will be implemented for the Autumn tour.
Excellent
90-100
The JA Board recently approve the following changes following recommendations received from the Genetics and Breed Development Committee.
Previous
Updated
Udder Depth – for 1st Lactation Only
Linear Trait
4
5
Project Updates
Stature
9
7
Jersey Most Profitable Cow
Front Teat Placement
7
5
Is the Australian Jersey the most profitable cow? A question we often ask and answer.
Changes to Udder Depth have been implemented due to –
a. A growing number of 1st lactation cows achieving ideal
and beyond creating concern udders will continue to get too deep too early in a cow’s productive life
b. A cow’s udder is expected to move more than 1 linear
score in her lifetime. With a cows ideal for udder depth at 3, there is insufficient movement in ideal between a 1st lactation and mature cow.
For stature, an ideal of 9 indicates we are seeking to grow the size of the Australian Jersey cow. This is not the case. There is no breed objective to see an increase in the size of the Jersey cow.
JA has commissioned Dr Steve Little from Capacity Ag to investigate the key profit drivers of the Australian Jersey cow to your farm business. This is a detailed evidence-based project involving member surveys, member and industry data analysis and literature review. We thank those members who have taken time to complete the survey and provided their farm data to be analysed. Class Longevity Project We thank members who have taken up the invitation to be involved in the Classification Longevity Project. >>>
The Australian Jersey Journal – May-June 2021 // 53
