AI can improve milk production with better genetics

farmhelp Breeding a Quality Dairy Animal

By Klaire Howerton The promotion of high-quality genetics improves herds for years to come When a producer breeds their and study pedigrees to select the most help balance out the lower-end cows. livestock, they should ideally efficient sire match. AI comes highly Bluel also advised that producers be be striving to produce the highrecommended by Bluel and she advised mindful of how many heifers they retain. est quality animal possible. producers to reach out to their area Ex“Ask yourself, do I need this many

While each operation will have varytension professionals for information. heifers?” she said. ing goals and desires, most can agree When breeding for quality, it is imA more cost-effective strategy is to that a quality animal will have correct portant to know what you are working select a smaller calf crop of high-qualconformation for the chosen breed (or with, Bluel said. Genomic testing will ity heifers, and feed and develop them at least be conformationally sound for give a producer incredibly beneficial well, as opposed to spreading resources health and ease of movement if crossdata to make decisions. for a larger calf crop of mixed quality. bred), have an appropriate temperament “This will allow you to amplify your For dairy goats, some of the same and produce a large amount of milk. impact,” Bluel explained. breeding strategies can be utilized to

Long-term promotion of good genetUsing the information from genomic produce high-quality kids. AI is an opics in the herd can ensure that nearly testing, a strategy to promote the best tion for goats, although many producall the animals on that operation will quality animals is to breed the best of ers opt for natural cover. be high quality. the herd with two services of AI to sexed Pedigrees, especially on the sire, will give

For dairy cattle, utilizing artificial semen, the middle quality animals with important details about milk production. insemination (AI) can drastically imone service of sexed semen, and breed Dairy goat shows are a way for proprove genetics. Reagan Bluel, field spethe bottom quality animals to a beef bull. ducers to see and compare a lot of qualcialist in dairy with the University of “This way you’ll be less tempted to ity animals in one place to aid them in Missouri Extension, explained many keep her offspring,” Bluel said. their breeding considerations. AI companies provide a service where She explained using sexed semen will they will evaluate a producer’s herd produce more heifers in the herd and will 26 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com

IMPROVING GENETICS

The primary goal of most dairy producers it to maximize the profitability of their herd. One way to achieve this goal is to have genetically-superior animal. As an important part of a profitable herd, genetic changes is permanent and accumulates over time.

Genetic change is dependent on four major factors:

1. Accuracy of Selection refers to a breeder to select animals that a truly are genetically superior for a given trait, and is dependent on evaluation techniques, phenotypes and heritability. 2. Selection Intensity is dependent on the proportion and quality of animals kept as breeding stock for the next generation. The more intense the selection, the more superior a group of animals is compared to the overall population. 3. Genetic Variation indicates the relative differences among animals that are controlled by genetic factors. It’s a function of the heritability of a trait. Genetic variation can be greatly influenced by things such and inbreeding, outcrossing or crossbreeding. 4. Generation interval is the average age of a parent with the offspring are born. — Source, Holstein Foundation