The Australian Jersey Journal May 2012 Part b

JERSEY

May/June 2012

Print Post Approved 325550-009

JOURNAL

Part B:

words: Michael Porteus

Dave Morris on Jersey Fertility COW fertility specialist Dave Morris says the reproductive performance of Australian Jerseys has declined over the past 30 years, especially over the past decade of drought and fast-rising production.

Dr Morris is a former Victorian government veterinary officer and dairy researcher who has run the private cattle fertility consultancy Bass Valley Embryo Services since 1990.

He says that in the past decade, there has been pressure on dairy farmers to produce more milk from larger herds during an extended drought.

“Traditionally, dairy herds were seasonal calving, but now virtually all herds have split-calving or all-year-round calving to satisfy the supply demands of the market,” Dave says.

“The two major areas farmers have concentrated on to improve milk production have been genetic selection and nutrition.”

He says the AI industry has been successful in providing sires that produce progeny with higher production levels than the previous generation.

“But this selection for milk production has inadvertently changed the metabolism of the dairy cow,” he says.

Dave says dairy cows divert nutrients to three basic areas: - milk production, - body condition, and - fertility.

“By weighting selection criteria more towards milk, the body condition and fertility will suffer,” he says.

“We have created a dairy cow that is efficient at producing milk at the expense of maintaining body condition and fertility.”

Dr Morris’s consultancy is based at Loch in the South Gippsland region of Victoria.

It provides fertility services to hundreds of farmers around southern and eastern Australian each year.

Approximately half of his dairy clients run Jerseys, giving him a good overview of developing fertility issues within the breed.

He says declining fertility is a problem for all dairy breeds: “The effect is more marked in Holsteins due to their larger milk production capability.”

Dave says there has also been a great advance in cow nutrition with farmers using increased grain feeding, improved

20 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

- delayed onset of oestrus, - reduced reproductive hormone levels, and - impaired ovulation rates.”

Dairy fertility is a complex process which must follow a chain of events. To conceive, a cow must: - cycle after calving, - ovulate (release an egg), - fertilise the egg (ova), - implant the fertilised egg (embryo) into the uterus, and - maintain the pregnancy to term.

“All of these areas are influenced by milk production levels, body condition, and nutrition pre- and post-calving,” he says.

Cow fertility specialist Dr David Morris with Monvale Alf Flower, owned by Victorian breeder Pat Nicholson.

pastures and fodder crops in an attempt to provide enough nutrients to sustain increased milk production.

He says use of nitrogen fertiliser has also boosted pasture and crops, and this has produced more feed.

“The down side is that the balance of nutrients has been affected,” he says.

“Cows now receive too much protein and not enough energy (carbohydrates) and fibre.

“Milk production responds to feeding more protein, but once crude protein levels exceed 16 percent, there is a decline in fertility.”

Dave says the genetic selection and nutrition improvements which have been instrumental in higher milk production are also implicated in lower fertility rates.

“In this scenario of genetically-pushed high milk production and unbalanced diets, lowered fertility rates are due to: - excessive weight loss post calving,

Dave says farmers need expert advice to identify the underlying issues that are contributing to poor fertility.

“A methodical and detailed investigation requires clinical examination of the cows, analysis of the mating records, and detailed nutritional analysis of the diet,” he says.

“There needs to be a balanced approach between milk production, fertility and body weight.”

Dave says the same trend towards increasing fertility problems has also been seen overseas.

“But in the USA and Europe under total mixed ration (TMR) feeding, better control is exerted of the nutritional requirements of the cow,” he says.

“There is capacity to change the ration quickly if needed at different stages of lactation.

“In these herds, it is common to decrease protein and increase energy and fibre leading up to joining time.”

Dave says only a balanced approach will lead to better results.

“Farmers should work closely with their vet to achieve a balance between milk production, nutrition and fertility,” he says.

Jersey calves belonging to Drouin West breeder Rob Anderson.

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB INC. President: David Anderson (03) 5627 6344 Secretary: Anthea Day (03) 5626 6373

51st Annual Jersey Fair - Friday April 13th 2012 Judge- Mr. Darryn Hourigan, Darryn Vale Jerseys Senior Champion and Russ Carroll Memorial Supreme Champion Exhibit BUSHLEA LEGION FERNLEAF 3 (Pictured Below) Sired by BW LEGION born 2007 Reece Attenborough & Wallacedale Jerseys Reserve Senior Champion: MYTEE AUGUSTUS AMITY Sired by JEAUGUSTUS born 2007 Roger, Helen & Melissa Perrett

Intermediate Champion: KAARMONA PARADE MARIE 67 (Pictured Above) Sired by BW PARADE born 2008 Roger, Helen & Melissa Perrett Reserve Intermediate Champion: WALLACEDALE BARTS LILY Sired by BARTPOWER born 2009 Cliff, Marieka, Luke & Melanie Wallace

Junior Champion: WALLACEDALE LARBUCK MELANIE (Pictured Right) Sired by LARFALOT born 2010 Cliff, Marieka, Luke & Melanie Wallace Reserve Junior Champion: ASCOT PARK TBONES BEAUTY 2 Sired by TBONE born 2010 Trevor Saunders & Anthea Day

CENTRAL GIPPSLAND JERSEY BREEDERS CLUB INC. - HOME TO: ALDERNEY JERSEYS

COLONSAY JERSEYS

KINGS VALE JERSEYS

ROCKANIA JERSEYS

ALMERVISTA JERSEYS

FARNBOROUGH JERSEYS

KINGS VIEW JERSEYS

SPEEDWELL JERSEYS

ARALUEN PARK JERSEYS STONYRUN AUS JERSEYS

GLEN STEWART JERSEYS

KINGS VILLE JERSEYS

ATTAVIEW JERSEYS

GRANGE JERSEYS

KINGS VISTA JERSEYS

WALLACEDALE JERSEYS BEMERSYDE JERSEYS

INVERLAIR HEIGHTS JERSEYS

LANGDALE JERSEYS

WENDON JERSEYS

BENELLI JERSEYS

JINALDI JERSEYS

MAJESTIC JERSEYS

WINSDALE JERSEYS

BUSHLEA JERSEYS

JORDAN PARK JERSEYS

MANGARRA JERSEYS

YOUNGSTAR JERSEYS

BLUEGUM PARK JERSEYS

KAY VEE JERSEYS

PROGRESS JERSEYS

Jersey Journal – May/June 2012 21

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Tollenaars Impuls Legal 233-ET Woodstock Lemvig Lindy EX-90% 3-01 2X 305 21,290M 4.6 989F 3.8 802P

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5-02 3X 305 27,600M 4.2 1167F 3.5 953P

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6-06 2X 305 22,060M 4.2 928F 3.6 791P

Dam – D&E Paramount Violet EX 90

Production

USDA 12-11

| 61 %R | G Daughters | G Herds

CRVVOCATION Legal x Paramount Milk (lbs)

1243

Fat (%)

-0.07

Fat (lbs.)

45

Protein (%)

Protein (lbs.)

0.02

47

“High Genomic Outcross ‘Legal’ son Management/Health fromSirethe Hottest Cow Family at ‘All SCS CE EF I (%) DPR PL (mo.)

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NM$

CM$

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207

499

544

470

Type PTAT

JUI

1.6

3.59

Wallacedale Refmark Melanie, EX 90 @ 3yrs

Murmur daughter

Conformation US Jersey 12-11 Stature

| 52 %R | G Daughters | G Herds

BOSREFUTE Rebel x Astound x Admiral Short

Tall

2.00

Strong

1.50

Strength

Frail

Dairy Form

Tight Rib

1.20

Rump Angle

High

0.60

• • Thural Width • R Legs Side Foot Angle • F U Attach

1.40 -0.30

R U Height

Open Rib Top 11 APR Sloped Balanced from every angle Wide Narrow Improve with age Sickle Posty Steep Low Dam, Wallacedale Astound Strong Loose Violet 3 EX90 High Low

Udder Cleft

Weak

Strong

0.80

Udder Depth

Deep

Shallow

F Teat Place

Wide

Close

1.60 0.60

Teat Length

Short

Long

0.10

-2

0

1.50 1.40 1.80

BOSMURMUR Likabull x Casper “The Most Complete Top Performing Outcross Jersey Sire in Oceania, a Superb Frame builder that adds profitability, performance and fertility”

2

CRV AUSTRALIA 2/22 GARDEN DRIVE, TULLAMARINE, VIC 3043 | PH: 03 9335 3499 | F: 09 9335 4199 E: INFO@CRV4ALL.COM.AU | WWW.CRV4ALL.COM.AU

Picture not available

BETTER COWS | BETTER LIFE

Australia

words: Michael Porteus

Wauchope farm supplies NSW Jersey milk niche A

Wauchope breeder with an all-Jersey herd is sending his milk south to meet an emerging demand for pure Jersey milk in the Hunter Valley and Sydney regions.

Ian Lindsay milks up to 60 Jerseys producing 350,000 litres a year on a 100-acre farm on the south bank of the Hastings River, 375km north of Sydney.

He now supplies all his milk to specialist milk processor Udder Farms. It has a plant at Luskintyre, near the centre of the Hunter’s wine tourism area where there is also strong interest in fine foods.

Ian receives about 50 cents a litre for the milk which is marketed as a “natural” product.

Udder Farm’s Jamie Haine says his Jersey milk retails in specialty stores for up to $5 for a 750ml glass bottle.

Jamie wants to source more pure Jersey milk, especially if it also has organic certification.

Jersey milk processed by Udder Farms is also sold at farmers’ markets in the Hunter and Sydney regions by alternative farming advocate Carl Johnson under his label Over The Moon.

Carl sells a two-litre carton of Jersey milk for about $5. The packaging includes details of where the milk was produced and processed.

Over The Moon ships up to 3500 litres of Jersey milk each week. Carl says many coffee shops at farmers’ markets use the Jersey milk, and then it sells itself.

The emerging niche for pure Jersey milk in NSW is a smaller scale than the market being developed by Victoria’s Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory, where five farms now supply about a million litres a year of pure Jersey milk.

The WCBF Jersey milk now retails in about 45 Victorian supermarkets for around $4.20 for a two-litre carton. It is also available through a specialist food supplier in Sydney.

24 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

Australian Jersey Journal last year told the story of the development of the product by the farmer co-op in the area thought to have Australia’s highest concentration of pure Jersey herds.

Retail dairying manager Bill Slater says WCBF is now looking at the next steps for its Jersey milk product.

In Wauchope, Ian says he is the fifth generation of his family to farm the land settled by his ancestors in 1858.

The farm began to run Jerseys when Ian’s mother Nina brought cows from her Milligan family’s Jersey studs near Taree.

Nina is now aged 85, and still lives on the farm, where she has a statue of a Jersey cow in her garden.

But the farm still had half a herd of Holsteins until Ian decided to shift to a pure Jersey herd in 2002.

“We were in the grips of a drought, and I just found that the Jerseys handled the tough going better than the Holsteins,’” Ian says.

“With deregulation, I just said if we are going to survive, we better go with the better quality milk.

“A Holstein cow will produce big quantities of milk if she is getting big quantities of feed.

“But I found that the Holsteins dropped drastically when they were only given a survival ration, where as the Jerseys didn’t.

“They are a smaller cow and they don’t take as much feed to keep going.”

Ian runs 80 to 90 head including dry cows and heifers. He milks 50 to 60 cows which average 6000 litres a year with 500kg of fat and protein.

Nina and Ian Lindsay on their farm near Wauchope.

The cows graze on rye grass, clover, chicory, and the kikuyu and paspalem which grow naturally on the farm in summer. Each milker consumes about 5kgs per day of grain in the dairy.

Ian shops around for semen, and at present uses bulls like Blackstone, Virgil, Sandblast, Badger, Farmstead and Elton.

He favours Canadian genetics over those from the United States.

“They tend to have a few more lactations in them,” he says. “The Americans might produce quite a bit, but the Canadians last longer.”

He is always trying to improve his herd: “We’ve got to keep the production up to where it is, or a little bit better. We also want good types of cows that are going to last when they are ten years old, and not burn out when they are five.”

Ian doesn’t think the newer and larger Jerseys have lost any of their old hardiness: “My cows aren’t big, but they are still fairly tough. They’ll survive pretty well in hard going. I don’t think we’ve lost too much.”

In 2007, Ian received a phone call from Carl Johnson from the Over The Moon operation, based at Glen William near Dungog in the Hunter Valley.

Carl had made a “tree change” from Sydney to the village north of Maitland and was sourcing alternative foods to sell at a stall on his property, and at farmers’ markers in the Hunter and Sydney regions.

He says there are plenty of people who want pure Jersey milk for its butterfat, flavour, colour and quality.

Over The Moon at first collected Ian’s milk in thousand-litre plastic containers for processing in Tamworth.

Jerseys graze on the Lindsay farm on the south bank of the Hastings River.

But two years ago, Carl combined with Udder Farms, where former dairy farmer Jamie Haine had begun processing milk in 2000.

Jamie’s current throughput of 9500 litres a week also includes milk from Brown Swiss and mixed herds.

But he says he could sell more pure Jersey milk if he could find it. Jamie’s mobile is 0420 948 648. Email j.l.haines@bigpond.com.

Jamie says customers like Jersey milk for its golden cream colour.

“They want quality for health,” he says.

Ian was contracted to the Hastings coop when he first got the option to sell pure Jersey milk, and had to negotiate a release to supply to Over The Moon.

But after Udder Farms joined, Ian switched to supply all of his milk to the pure Jersey niche market. Udder Farms handles his spring flush by turning the milk into yoghurt, cheese and butter.

He says leaving the co-op was a hard decision: “We were going out on our own basically.”

However, he’s happy with the way it has turned out: “We are just all working together, and keeping it going.

“That’s what I like about it. I can ring these fellows up – I talk to them possibly once and week and can keep in touch with what’s happening.

“You can’t do that with big companies.”

Ian thinks sales of product like pure Jersey milk will continue to increase.

“It’s not for the housewife with four kids – it’s too dear for them to buy,” he says.

“But the people who go to farmers’ markets are looking for good food, and not quibbling about the price.”

Jamie from Udder Farms says niche products like pure Jersey milk can be marketed as “natural” products, even if they don’t have organic certification.

Ian hasn’t used chemical fetilisers for about three years.

“I’ve gone over to poultry manure, cow manure and compost,” he says.

“I don’t farm organically, but I adopt a lot of their practices.”

DeLaval introduces hygienic bedding for healthier cows How can dairy farmers get healthier cows, a more hygienic environment and a better atmosphere in their calf shed or barn without significantly increasing daily workload? The answer is simple; by using DryMaxxTM.

DryMaxxTM is a new, natural bedding treatment which will absorb moisture and ammonia from the environment. This leads to hygienic resting places, a better atmosphere and therefore healthier cows. It can be applied in stalls, in barn walkways, calf pens, maternity pens, trailers and around water troughs.

DryMaxxTM can also be used for animals such as sheep and goats.

DryMaxxTM provides a three in one solution. It neutralizes ammonia and odours for a healthier environment, and is noncaustic, non-toxic and non-corrosive. It can also soak up more than its own weight in moisture so it will provide a dry barn environment, which helps to reduce bedding and house-keeping costs. These features result in lower moisture and odour levels, which reduce bacteria and flies, along with animal stress levels.

DryMaxxTM has a moisture absorption level of up to 140 percent and a neutral pH so it is very skin friendly. When applied in a barn it will help to keep stall surfaces dry, bacteria levels low and create a slip resistant surface. DryMaxxTM is easy to remove once it has absorbed liquid, and will not stick to the floor. It makes minimal dust and is safe for people and animals.

DryMaxxTM improves cow comfort in the barn while helping to maintain good udder and hoof health.

For more information on DryMaxxTM, contact your local DeLaval dealer or visit www.delaval.com.au

He has looked at organic certification, but decided against it because of the extra expense of having to have certified organic inputs.

“I just feel that it wouldn’t be any better off that what I’m doing now,” he says.

Despite the new market for his milk, Ian remains prominent in his local dairy community through his role as chief dairy steward at the Wauchope show, this year held in April.

“We get a very good showing of Jersey cattle at Wauchope,” Ian says.

But there are also many farmers with other breeds.

“We are all pretty good mates, a lot of them have been coming for years, and the only time we see each other is show day,” he says.

“But we never have a fight, everything runs fairly smoothly.”

Ian says judges these days are not looking for pretty cows.

“They are looking for a functional dairy cow that is going to make some dollars for us,” Ian says.

INVERELL JERSEYS Congratulations SGJBC on 100 years

INVERELL FAY 375

(Joined to calve from July 1st) Inverell Fay 375 can be traced back 21 generations in her pedigree to 1905... something which we believe is significant in such a Historical Year for the SGJBC. H Galaxies Celebrity

H Flowerpower

H Tailboard

H 90pt Dam

Make your mark in history

Secure this well grown in-calf Heifer at the

“Devondale 100 Years of Excellence Sale” May 28th 2012

INVERELL JERSEYS (Est. 1929) Colin and Jenny Dowel, Korumburra, Vic. PH: 03 56552236 – Mobile: 0427 552236 Email: colindowel@dcsi.net.au

Jersey Journal – May/June 2012 25

KOOROO

Congratulations to the South Gippsland club on their centenary We have been members of the club for 47 of the 100 years

Selling at the Devondale 100 Years of Jersey Excellence Sale

BUYERS CHOICE of 2 LARFALOT yearling heifers Dam LERIDA PARK POWERS LUCY 21 Exc 90 7601 5.0 377 3.8 287 av PI 114 G. Dam LERDA PARK LESTERS LUCY Exc 7275 5.0 366 4.4 317 av PI 105 Champion Great Southern Challenge 2002

Kooroo Larfalot Lucy ET

Kooroo Larfalot Lucy 2 Gordon & Marianne Lawson 405 Barnes Road, Kardella VIC 3951. – Phone (03)56581563

PLUS

1JE00711 Sweetie Plus Iatolas Bold

New Release No.1 JPI™ Sire

Dtr: Dutch Hollow Plus Lyrika. Pictured in the USA

SWEETIE PLUS IATOLA BOLD (Iatola x Artist) New Release No.1 JPI Sire • New Release Iatola son from the USA; Sweetie Plus Iatolas Bold lived up to his Genomic ranking and is sitting at the top of the JPI list and is truly an elite Type, Production and Fertility Sire.

• Plus is proven at +$601 Cheese Merit Dollars, +241 JPI and +5.45 JUI™. His +1544 Production and remarkable +4.0 Sire Conception Rate are noteworthy too.

• Plus is a Top 2 bull for all $Indexes and No.3 for Milk, he is also the equal No.2 bull in the breed for PTA Type at +2.1.

USDA/04-12, AJCA/04-12

Agri-Gene Pty Ltd 123-125 Tone Road, Wangaratta Victoria 3677 Ph: 03 5722 2666 Fax: 03 5722 2777 Email: info@agrigene.com.au

www.agrigene.com.au

JJ INDUSTRY

Agri-Gene is the Number 1 Source for Jersey Genetics

NEW sires and updated genetic evaluations have shaped the Agri-Gene Sire lineup into a genetic powerhouse providing more choices for profitable Jersey genetics than ever before.

Agri-Gene Jersey’s with the addition to its bull power of the USA CRI exclusive distribution have had an outstanding April proof run and have breed leaders for just about all categories across the board. · No.1 Australian APR, ASI and Protein Kgs Sire – SANDBLAST · No.1 USA JSI Sire: Sweetie Plus Iatolas Bold (CRPLUS) · No.1 USA Milk Production Sire: Oomsdale Jace Gratitude Gannon (BOSGANNON) · No.1 USA Fat Sire: MAXIMUM · No.1 USA Type, Stature and Jersey Udder Index (JUI) Sire: TEQUILA Australian A2/A2 Sire SANDBLAST now has 80 daughters milking in Australia and has occupied the No.1 APR position Wallacedale Tbone Melys – Max 88 pts @ 2yrs Owned by Wallacedale Jerseys.

for the past 3 proof runs. He is a high Milk flow bull +506 with positive Components, good Overall Type +106 and Udders +109 with scores for Ligament and Rear Udders in the Top 1% of the breed and with a Farmer Likeability of +105.

The other Australian A2/A2 bull who had an impressive proof run was another Farmer Favorite in SPIRITUAL who has added over 630 second crop daughters since August and jumped back into the Top Australian Proven APR Sires lists, increased for Production +491 and Udders +106 and maintained his good Type rating of +109.

From the USA the highlight was the performance of New Sire; Sweetie Plus Iatolas Bold (CRPLUS) who lived up to his Genomic ranking and is sitting at the Top of the JPI list and is truly an elite Type, Production and Fertility Sire. CRPLUS is proven at +$601 Cheese Merit Dollars, +241 JPI and +5.45 JUI. His +1544 Production and remarkable +4.0 Sire Conception Rate are noteworthy too.

CRPLUS is a Top 2 bull for all $Indexes and No.3 for Milk, he is also the No.2 bull in the breed for PTA Type at +2.1 which is equal to popular A2/A2 Sire TBONE and just 0.1 behind the No.1 Sire Type Sire TEQUILA who held his position as the breeds No.1 Sire for Type, Stature, Udders and the best for adding Style and Strength in the breed. There has been high demand for this outstanding Show Type Sire who has been used in elite breeding programs globally.

New Genomic bull who has been sourced from CRI; Sunset Canyon DOMINICAN – ET is sired by Headline from an EX Impuls daughter who combines good Type +1.3, superb Milk +1210, positive Component Kgs; combined Fat & Protein 94 Kgs and will improve total performance.

Please contact Agri-Gene, your newest exclusive Distributor for CRI if you require any further information on our new sires.

JJ OFFICE MATTERS

by Office Manager Lorraine Keating

Hi All

Well, now I’ve missed the last two Journals and didn’t get to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, so here it is, belated I know, but better late than never. Oh, Happy Easter too.

The reason I missed the first one was because it was soooo busy in here. Yes I know you all think that I sit back, take a few phone calls interspersed with lots of “fresh air” but I must shock you and tell you that it’s not true.

The year finished with a flurry of last minute rego’s for International Dairy Week (what’s new there?), me trying to get my head around Jersey Futurity (despite the best efforts of Milton Johnston and Chris MacKenzie – thank you for your patience), classifications coming out my ears, and registrations 28 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

rocketing (we passed the 15,000 mark with many here still to be done as I write this). Ahhh, the bliss of that time off between Christmas and New Year!

Post holiday blues didn’t stand a chance against an export order for China with 766 heifers to be registered as well as half their dams, setting up and manning the booth at IDW (a Jersey All-Breeds Champion – we won, we won, we won!), membership renewals to go out and LTE’s to organise and process.

Now I must be the bearer of some sad news. I have handed in my resignation.

Now, don’t cry, partings are a natural part of life (great line from Anne of Green Gables – always wanted to use it). Anyway I’ll still be here until around mid to late May – enough time for you lot to harass me. But the great thing is I’m thinking of buying a Winnebago and as I’ve got all your addresses I can just turn up anywhere I want and it won’t even matter if you barricade yourselves inside because I’ll just park there – you can’t stay inside forever! And don’t think you’re safe in Tassie either, you can take a ‘Winnie’ on the ferry – I’ve checked.

So I may be gone from here but you just never know when I will turn up on your doorstep to haunt you. Gives you a prickly feeling on the back of your neck doesn’t it?

Anyway, I’ve got to go, I’m too busy to be talking to you lot all day.

Catch ya.

Lorraine

Goulburn Murray Jersey Breeders Club President: Grant Baker (03) 5864 6246 Secretary: Margaret Cockerell (03) 5864 1133

NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME

GM

GLENARRON JERSEYS Ron, Glenyss & Grant Baker 14 Hutchins Lane Katunga (03) 58646246 glenarron@origin.net.au YENOLAM JERSEYS Neil, Wendy, Dick & Lyla 1119 Boals Rd Numurkah 3636 Ph (03) 5864 1064 Fax (03) 5864 1025 yenolam@iinet.net.au

FRESH START JERSEYS Toni Adams & Mark Norman Ph (03) 5865 5060 M 0427 229 505

Are you planning a

winter break

or is your jersey club planning

a trip this year?

Why not include a stop or two at a gmjbc farm listed on this page. You will be amazed at what you will see.

Everyone of the gmjbc listings on this page have something special to show you.

LOXLEIGH JERSEYS Geoff Akers Victoria Rd Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 5829 8478 geoffakers1@bigpond.com

WARRAIN JERSEYS John & Margaret Cockerell 1219 Rendells Rd Numurkah 3636 (03) 5864 1133 warrainjerseys@mcmedia.com.au

GLENFERN JERSEYS Peter & Bev Farrell 579 Healesville-Kooweerup Rd, Healesville 3777 M 0409 503 352 peter.farrell7@bigpond.com

JBC

BEULAH JERSEYS Daryl & Lani Hoey 160 Christies Rd Katunga dmlhoey@bigpond.com.au (03) 5864 6473 YALCARA JERSEYS Peter & Lyn Sprunt 926 Sandmount Road Katunga 3640 (03) 5873 2583 yalcara@cnl.com.au

KADDY JERSEYS Andrew Younger 50 Zeerust School Rd Zeerust 3634 (03) 5829 8352 motor5@bigpond.com www.jersey.com.au/ jweb/uploads/kaddy/ kaddy_intro.html

So just give us a call or send an email.

We look forward to seeing you

F gmjbc is Australia’s most progressive jersey club....

New members always welcome

WAIANIWA JERSEYS Lindsay Hamilton 1045 Hawkers Rd Nathalia 3636 (03) 5864 1380

KAARMONA JERSEYS Graeme & Robyn, Rohan & Claire Sprunt 228 & 235 Kaarimba Hall Rd Kaarimba 3635.

(03) 5826 9506 kaarmona@bigpond.com HAZELVALE JERSEYS Jason Hayes M 0410 135 420

GENTEEL JERSEYS HOMELANDS JERSEYS FROGLANDS JERSEYS Brad Adams Phil Hentschke & Warren Schutz 553B Mywee/Koonoomoo Rd Ben Pedretti 142 Youanmite Rd Strathmerton 3641 51 Victoria Street Invergordon 3636 (03) 5874 5388 Tallygaroopna 3634 (03) 5865 5171 genteeljerseys@hotmail.com (03) 5829 8339

JJ INDUSTRY

Viking Genetics Tour - April 2012 ideal for their environment. I found a typical Danish Jersey to be a cow of medium size. They have plenty of strength with a strong emphasis on herd health, (ie. fertility, mastitis, foot trimming history.) high components, ie. above 6% fat and 4% protein) and correct feet and legs as well they carry a soft well attached udder.

VIKING GENETICS conducted a tour of Denmark and Sweden to inspect the general breed populations of Jerseys, Holstein and Viking Reds in mid April.

This was not a daughter study tour but rather a tour to observe the three dairy populations and to “get a feel” for the average Scandinavian cow. The following is a quick summation by one of the tour participants.

We also visited some Holstein herds and found these to be great cows, big strong dairy cows with excellent udders and producing a power of milk.

Geoff Heazlewood Merseybank Jersey Stud, Tasmania “Recently I was a guest of Viking Genetics on a very well organised tour of Denmark. This gave me a valuable insight into the management, goals and type of cattle found is this country.

All herds visited were housed all year round and fed a total mixed ration - quite a contrast to Australia’s outdoor grassfed cows. Herds averaged around 200 milkers with a production average of 7000 litres, 5.6% fat and 4.1% protein. 28% of the national herd was milked by robots.

Fyn Lemvig and more recently QZik have had a huge influence, appearing in most Danish pedigrees.

I found the cattle to be of average size (Danish classifiers penalise excessive stature) with plenty of body and width and good udders.

They were slightly stronger in the bone than ours. A lot of emphasis is placed on udder health, legs and milk components. I shall be using Danish semen on cows that need improvement in these traits.”

tour participants outside Viking Genetics office in Assentoft, Denmark.

Alan Carson Cairnbrae Jersey Stud and Jersey Australia classifier In April I had the opportunity to travel to Denmark with Erik and Anna from Viking Genetics to assess where the Danish Jersey Cow is in comparison to our Australian Cow.

After visiting several herds, (most herds in Denmark now are fully barned), and being addressed by Peter Larrson and Kenneth Byskov at Viking Headquarters on their breeding goals and philosophies, I came to the conclusion the Danes have developed a cow they believe is

I was fortunate to spend a day with the Jersey classifier, Paul Vestergaard and found desired traits and final scores in both countries very similar, I was a little surprised they penalise cows being too large, a desired 2-year-old in Denmark is 128cms or 50½ inches.

I was very impressed with the daughters of Q Zik, cows very similar to ours but unfortunately him being an older bull his semen is no longer available.

From what we saw and were told the bulls to use if you want a lift in milk volume would be DJ Hulk and DJ Zuma.

Whilst we didn’t see many daughters of DJ Lix, this is the bull that will leave outstanding udders, having not long gained his proof there are lots of calves and cows pregnant to this bull. This is the bull I will use at CAIRNBRAE. Thank you Viking, companionship and hospitality first class.

GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY ON FARM CHALLENGE 2011 There was an error in the results published in the last issue. Following are the correct results: MATURE COW GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY ONFARM 2011 1st Shirlinn Icy Eve / Wilson Family 2nd Ingallala Alpha Precious / Johnston 3rd Lynward Golden Boy Fidelity / D & J Grevett 4th Burnside Power Silverpower / Mark Wilson & Family 4 YR OLD GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY ON FARM 2011 1st Bushlea Badger S Beauty 2nd / S & J McCarthy 2nd Fairbrea Berretta`s Satifaction / JF & B & M Hewett 3rd Brunchilli JS Eileen / Paulger Family 4th Seista Power Dulcie / Stephen Higgins 30 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

3 YR OLD GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY ONFARM 2011 1st Transit Park Hattie / P Buckley & W & S Oslear 2nd Yandavale Sambos Darcy / D & J Grevett 3rd Moonpah Clinton Tania / W & R Burley 4th Ardylbar Comerica Eleanor / A . W Barron 2 YR OLD GREAT NORTHERN JERSEY ONFARM 2011 1st Rivendell Iatola Passion / Menzies Farms 2nd Ardylbar Comerica Fairy / Justin Wenzel 3rd Tarcoola Blackstone Eileen /S J & L T Coombes 4th Shirlinn Governor Dorothy / Wilson Family

words: Kerrie McGarvie

Polled Genetics Dominate

P

olled genetics may have had an image problem, until now. Whilst horns were a clear advantage in staying alive in primitive times, and later useful for tethering and yoking, there has been no place for horns in modern day dairy farming for many years. On this we all agree. They cost time and money in labour and extra husbandry tasks, yet they have remained in our herds unnecessarily.

What happened to the heady days of Fair Weather Opportunity -P-ET, when he reportedly sired in excess of 16,500 daughters. Why did the polled gene fall out of the top pedigrees? Or more relevant now, why are polled females like Hixson Tequila Iceberg-P now making the highest selling price at three times the sale average at sales like the Kentucky National Show and Sale in 2011.

Common myths to polled genetic use are 1. The gene is recessive and therefore difficult to achieve, and 2. Polled bulls are a minority and must be genetically inferior.

Such misunderstandings may be responsible for the lack of polled genetics previously available. Today’s polled bulls however are about to change all that. They are ready to take us back to the future and get this important trait back on track to where it should be.

Peter Semmens and Rob Derksen (WWS/Genetics Aust) acknowledge the path to the future this time around will be a much easier one.

“Breeding programs that adapt to breed needs and utilize the newest scientific technology available to change to these breed needs, are deemed for success.

While not a new trait within the Jersey breed, the interest in Polled genetics is growing world-wide. While the cause for this renewed Polled interest can be debated, the simple fact that the time to dehorn in everyday dairy husbandry can be eliminated genetically by utilizing Polled genetic seed-stock.

The Polled dominant allele has become a highly sought after inclusion into today’s highest ranking male and female Jersey cattle. However, unlike in the past, the Polled interest is more so in the form of a homozygous animal where all offspring of that animal will be Polled.

To get to this point, more of today’s elite pedigrees are utilizing Polled mates to begin this process of Polled allele inclusion.

32 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

The beauty of today’s science is that we can now determine what animals carry this Polled allele in the heterozygous (50% of their progeny will be polled) or homozygous (100% of their progeny will be polled) state at a very early age with SNP testing. This additional test, added to the remaining economic variables that SNP testing provides, will enhance the speed at which elite animals carrying the Polled allele can be developed. Wouldn’t it be exciting to see many more Polled options to breeders utilizing A.I. much like many beef breeders did many years ago by genetically eliminating horns.”

Polled genes are Dominant The gene for the polled characteristic in cattle is dominant over the recessive gene for horns. This scientific fact is so well established that if you open a copy of ‘Practical Horse Breeding’ by Kerrigan, Rodger and Morgan, you will find polled genetics in cattle used as the primary example to explain dominant and recessive genetics at work.

A visibly polled animal will possess either one polled gene or two, depending on what is available to be inherited from its parents. In appearance it makes no difference. One polled gene or two; the animal will have no horns. And it will always have the potential to pass on a polled gene (minimum 50% of the time), which is only varied by the status of the other individual used in the subsequent mating.

An animal that has horns has two copies of the horned gene and no polled gene at all.

In text and as a suffix on the animals name,‘PP’ is used to denote an individual that has 2 copies of the Polled gene( has no horns). ‘Ph’ is used to denote one Polled gene and one gene for horns (has no horns) and ‘hh’ denotes an individual that has 2 copies of the horned gene (has horns).

An animal that has inherited the same two genes , i.e. both dominant polled (PP) or both recessive horned (hh), is referred to as HOMOZYGOUS (homo meaning alike, zygous meaning

individual).Homozygous polled status is what breeders will be looking for because the progeny of these bulls and cows will always, 100 % of the time, be born without horns.

HETEROZYGOUS ( hetero meaning unlike, zygous meaning individual) is used to describe an animal that has inherited one of each type of gene from its parents i.e. one polled, and one horned(Ph).

The majority of matings in the immediate future probably will be of a Ph (polled heterozygous) sire over a horned cow, based on the fact there are a higher number of these in the system.

This will result in half of the progeny being polled (Ph) and half horned (hh), a result considered in breeders posts on the Jersey Australia Forum last season as seeming too good to be true. Even with calves on the ground, scepticism remained that it would indeed be possible to have such a permanent influence in one single generation.

Though smaller in numbers at the moment, there are PP (homozygous polled) bulls available, and if put over horned cows guarantees 100% polled calves. If that progeny are then mated even to a Ph will provide 75% physically polled (50% PP and 25% Ph)calves and 25% horned calves.

Polled genes do not mean inferior It has been very unfair to associate poor genetic out comes with a polled status.

Examine any proof run of the US Active AI 70 % REL Bulls by JPI list to see polled compared to horned sires. Take a white out pen and blot out the ‘P or PP’ where ever it appears and then read down the list again and compare bulls with out being able identify the polled bulls. The variations, good or bad, in each bull’s proof are no different. To assume a polled bull is inferior in type or production to other bulls due to his polled status is irrational rubbish. It maybe, however, that this unfounded criticism has discouraged polled sire use in popular established cow families in the past.

Eclipes-P(WWS), Critic-P(Alta) and Pro-P(Semex) are at the forefront of a new era in Jersey Genetics. Buoyed by fresh enthusiasm, breeders and companies are taking up the opportunity and the initiative to breathe new life in to the trait.

It is that time in the re-discovery process, as they say, when the mouth and ears should be closed, and the eyes and mind should be open- a time to see for yourself and make up your own mind without being judgemental or influenced by prejudice.

The potential influence by a number of genuinely good PP bulls is hard to fathom. Picture if you will Lester, Astound or Flowerpower as a PP polled?

Fortunately owners and breeders of established top quality cow families are seeing the advantage in including polled genetics in their programs. A polled version of Lester/Astound/Flowerpower will soon be on the way. Readers of the Jersey Australia breeder Forum have already had the ‘heads up’ to Eclipes-P sired progeny and Critic -P use at studs that have previously provided successful sires to the artificial breeding industry.

Luke Wallace, of Wallacedale Jerseys (Poowong North, Vic) echo’s a common cautious approach , but is a working example that a good polled bull can be found.

“Eclipes-P is the only polled bull I have used so far. I like the idea of using polled bulls but am not prepared to forgo other traits to get a polled animal. I would have used Eclipes-P even if he was not polled because I liked his proof. If another polled bull comes out and his proof is much the same as a non polled bull I am using then I would try him before the other.” Luke commented. “I have used Eclipes-P on some of our best cows to try to breed a bull ( to go into A I).If some more polled bulls pop up with proofs I like I will certainly look at them more closely” he added.

Eclipes-P (7JE00860 Maack Dairy Eclipes-P) , an Action son marketed in Australia by World Wide Sires, had calves born in Australia in 2011. His first 250 doses were sold out before they made it to shore. In South Africa it was reported that a ‘couple’ of thousand doses were sold with in a week of arrival, before his first proof came out, so happy were breeders with previous daughters. For a time in 2010 Eclipes-P tied with Tollenaars Impuls Legal for top spot on the Mace list in South Africa for type and production ,thought to be a first for any polled bull in the breed. He was one point higher than Q Zik on the active list, also a number one bull at the time.

pedigree information for both these bulls and others. Gaining a reputation for type aswell, Eclipes-P can be compared to other type bulls in use in Australia such as Governor and Coalition via the WWS webpage and is seen providing better type scores but with much higher production figures.

In 2011 Eclipes-P reportedly sold out again, this time in New Zealand according to Bruce Cameron of Ardachie Polled Jerseys .There is little doubt this bull is going to have a major impact on the Jersey breed.

WWS are confident in Eclipes-P s’ pedigree and future as Peter Semmens and Rob Derksen point out, “ECLIPES-P combines a proven cow family and customer satisfaction sire with polled genetics for the discriminating Jersey breeder. He is sired by the customer satisfaction king Action and is following in his sires footsteps of making the right kind of farmer approved cows that are profitable to work with every day.

ECLIPES-P’s first lactation daughters both in the United States and South Africa are maturing well and exhibit the deep open ribs, correct feet and legs and with the super udders all breeders demand. A Jersey classifier for the AJCA and also a highly regarded judge from the US, Michael Heath. have both commented that every farm they go to the Eclipes-P calves are the best calves on the ground and have a great cut! ECLIPES-P’s Dam was an excellent Henry-P that was average sized with a tremendous fore and rear udder.

The Grandam by Lemvig is 89% with outstanding udder breakdowns is the only VG in the 9 dams behind ECLIPES-P the others all being Excellent. The third dam is no stranger to the Jersey headline being the Rudolf Belle cow SR Nathan Pro-P daughter Grayclay Pro Pita VG85-2YR-CAN

that topped the first Cedarcrest sale in 1999 for $27,000 US dollars! Rudolf Belle went on to be EX-91%. Rudolf Belle’s dam was the EX-90% Tophat Belle then comes the EX-93% Boomer Belle and then the world famous Duncan Belle! ECLIPES-P brings outstanding component percent’s to the table with outstanding SCS and PL with great type and awesome udders.”

Also acknowledging a bright polled future, WWS comments “Polled Genes are something that are in demand in a lot of areas of the world and becoming ever more popular everywhere. World Wide Sires also has access to the first proven Homozygous polled Jersey bull in the world in Fairway Mygent DALLAS-PP 7JE953. DALLAS-PP is a Mygent-P from a Kody and sires moderate stature cows that are extreme dairy machines. Young bulls from Select Sires that continue to supply the polled gene for future generations are 7JE1044 Chili-P a Jevon X Mygent-P, 7JE1133 Motivation-PP a homozygous polled Eclipes-P son out of a Zik, 7JE1203 Master-P an Eclipse-P from a TBONE out of a Country out of an EX-91% Centurion out of the EX-93% Haug Maid who should be available early mid2012.”

“Look for more outstanding Polled offerings from World-Wide Sires in the upcoming years. This practical advancement will only add to the breed leading genetic offerings you’ve become accustomed as coming from the premier WWS line up.” they said.

High milk flow sire Pro-P (SR Nathan Pro-P) from Semex recently graduated at number 15 in the US with a JPI of 168.

Pro-P is a Nathan from a Jace dam(SR

WWS now has an Eclipes-P son from a Q Zik dam available in Motivation –P, a PP homozygous bull with excellent udder and dairy form traits and positive production GABVs. Select Sires has a link on their web page dedicated to polled sires ,providing

Jersey Journal – May/June 2012 33

Jace Pronto-P-ET), who’s own dam SR Fair Tonto is a former top ranking PTA milk cow on the Top 200 JPI Cow list. Below Pro-P on the Top 200 Sires ranked by JPI listing you will find well know sires such as Gannon, Navara, Murmur, Jace, Vanahlem and Celerbrity, as a reference point.

Russell Gammon of Semex , Canada, is excited about the days ahead for the Jersey breed, and the potential of bulls like Pro-P. “How interesting how time changes things. In her Island home her incurving horns were of great value to the Jersey cow in times past. Underneath those horns ropes were tied so the cow could be tethered out of pasture.

In today’s world de-horning calves can cause set backs and can draw the ire of the animal rights movement. With the exception of a couple of herds on Jersey and perhaps in some less developed dairy countries tethering is no more.”

Russell said.

“Semex is keenly aware of the expanding opportunities to marry the polled gene with good genetic quality meaning that no sacrifices are made in adding polled to any dairy herd.

We are thrilled that our SR Nathan Pro-P is the leading daughter proven polled bull in the USA and is so readily available. His daughters are profitable producers with most appealing type.

Dutch Hollow Imagination-P who mingles the blood of Legion and Iatola with a strong cow family is advancing into the realms of attractive polled sires as he grows daughter numbers. He has milking daughters in the US and will add more in Canada over the next 15 months.

These two daughter-proven bulls represent polled with no sacrifices.’

Russell said there had been a great foundation set by many people within the Semex family past and present, and that their Team Jersey was building upon that foundation with great energy.

As with Altas’ Brian Guell, Russell also recognises the increasing acceptance of polled genetics. ‘We are going through a

radical upswing in the quality of polled cattle’, he said, and indicated there were some ‘awesome PP bulls’ not too far away.

‘Totally as exciting are our oncoming group of youngsters soon to be releasedwith GPAs for GJPI in the 180s and 190s and exciting sires like Eclipes-P and Valentino and Legal there are great days ahead for our polled program. We have certainly used these three sires heavily for making horned sons. We’ve even had a hot Legal polled heifer flushed to Pro-P. Dreaming of a homozygous PP bull.

There is no question AT ALL that the best days for polled Jersey genetics are all ahead!

Polled genetics are being married with the best of the non-polled lines.

A wave of top-notch, deep pedigreed, high genotyping polled bulls and PP dandy bulls are on the Jersey horizon.

Stay tuned!” he said.

Alta’s Critic-P (11J1098 Schultz Legal CRITIC-P) has rocketed to the top levels of genomic breeding values and is sure to have a major influence in the near future. Alta Manager Graeme Gillan says Brian Guell (of JerseyLand Sires) has informed him Critic-P is becoming popular in the US. Brian commented that though polled genetics had lacked enough ‘good’ polled bulls in days past, Critic-P is changing that. “(we are receiving)..Lots of calls and starting to see heavy use. Polled will become more popular as more polled male & females in the breed turn up higher. I think people always liked it or at least nobody has anything against it, it just wasn’t available in high enough animals. Critic-P is going to change that.” he said.

“Critic-P is the highest known polled Jersey bull in the US with semen available at 251 GJPI. He is 702 CM$, 632 NM$, 1154 milk, -.02% 50F .03% 49 Pro, 2.2 type & 6.2 JUI. He is a Legal from an EX 90% Mygent –P Dam averaging 5.0% fat with 2 records over 1000 lbs fat. Critics-P’s Grandam is an EX 94%

Dutch Hollow Imagination-P daughter group

34 Jersey Journal – May/June 2012

Hallmark with maximum scores in fore udder, and rear udder height & width.”

Brian said.

Agrigene has had Kirk-P (Forest Glen Hallmark Kirk-P-ET) available for some time. He too is represented in the Top 200 list on JPI by a son Victor (JPI of 163), though not polled himself, but demonstrating another polled bulls’ ability to pass on productive genes.

Part of the future, part of the solution.

The dairy industry faces a future with challenges already experienced by other sections of the livestock food and fibre industry, no matter how necessary our actions are.

The use of polled genetics is a win win for everyone involved in the industry.

Taking a proactive and preventative approach is the responsible and sensible approach. It will also save time and money and reduce animal husbandry tasks.

The Polled sires on the horizon demonstrate a real alternative exists and represents an opportunity for change that should be supported. A I companies and dairy farmers are, and will need to continue, to work together as a team to achieve an effective result. This will earn the on going creditability which the dairy industry needs and deserves.

The Jersey breed has bred itself out of the dark days of unpopularity. There is nothing it can not achieve with perseverance. .

For further information on Polled genetics visit sites such as the Jersey Australia Forum web page (genetics thread), or polledjerseys.com for a complete listing of polled sire proofs, and polljersey@yahoogroups.com for another breeder forum filled with information. Select Sires also have a direct link to their polled sires available.

Or ask your local semen supplier or chosen company what they have in store.

By using Polled genetics in a breeding program we are being part of a solution, not a problem.

Dam: D&E Paramount Violet, EX 90

Dam: Buttercrest Jevon Galveston, VG 87

Dam: Pearlmont Restore Dixie, VG 87

Dam: Jars of Clay Iatola 16710 2751