Selections News - Select Sires Inc.

SUMMER 2010 Select Sires Delivers for Your Future

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Sire Selection Direction for Dairy Producers: A Practice of Risk Management 4 A Tribute to Working Mothers and Their Successful Sons

Select Sires’ goal of fitting the needs of every customer continues with the newest designation, DIAMOND SELECTion™ on Page 3.

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Customer Satisfaction is Key with Jersey Sire Lineup

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Lessons Learned with Milk Quality

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selections

Your Guide To Reproductive Solutions

Expansion and Growth at Select Sires for the Customers’ Future

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On hand for the open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on June 11, 2010, at Select Sires’ new EU-qualified bull facilities were (left to right) Eric Phillips, Union County Economic Development Director; Chip Hubbs, President, Union County Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Susan Skorupski, USDA, APHIS, Veterinary Services; Dr. Tony Good, Chief Staff Veterinarian; Todd Eades, Sire-in-Waiting Group Supervisor and Bull Housing Coordinator; Dr. Don Monke, Vice President of Production Operations; Dan Andreas, Second Vice Chairman of Select Sires’ Board of Directors; Charles Moellendick, Select Sires’ Board Member; David Thorbahn, President and Chief Executive Officer; Bill DeLong, Supervisor of Maintenance Department; Tom Fleming, Select Sires’ Board Member; Brian Spires, Supervisor of European Union (EU) Qualified Barn; Sandra Adkins, Mayor of Plain City; and Charles Hall, Union County Commissioner.

elect Sires Inc. has completed the new global production facility located in Plain City, Ohio. The two new European Union (EU) approved barns are located across from the international headquarters and will enable Select Sires to continue to grow and invest in the future for our customerowners. The bio-secure barns will house 80 sires, and were extensively designed to be exceedingly safe for the welfare of the bulls and for the environment.

View more information on page 2.

Select Sires Delivers for Your Future

by David C. Thorbahn, president and C.E.O. I reported in the Spring edition of Selections about Select Sires’ bullish nature in investing for you. As we promised, on June 11, 2010, Select Sires completed the construction of the new global production facility. These two barns will house 80 additional bulls that can produce semen qualified for shipment to any location in the world. They will enhance our ability to provide more selection of the top Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) proven bulls and genomic-tested young sires with a wide variation of pedigrees and provide all the tools to develop a breeding program for your herd.

New Global Production Facilities These new facilities have been extensively designed to be highly safe for the welfare of bulls and employees alike. They are environmentally-safe and self-contained in that water, waste and manure are collected and disposed of in a manner that precludes any material from entering

any water ways or ground water. Even the loading of trucks to haul the waste material to mulch manufacturers will be done in an enclosed facility. The unique design of these buildings emphasize a ‘green attitude’ to conserve energy and keep the air fresh and the climate cool, even during the hot humid days of summer. This provides

for the bulls’ comfort and an environment to produce the highest quality semen possible. Finally, the building is matted for the bulls’ safety and comfort. All stalls have a five-layer two-inch rubber mattress. All walkways, collection arenas, veterinary centers and waiting areas are covered with non-slip rubber matting for the comfort and protection of our bulls.

These buildings are highly bio-secure being designed under the supervision of federal veterinarians to maintain the highest health standards our customer-owners appreciate.

Genetic Tools Put to Work In this edition, you will learn more about how to develop a plan to use genomics to fit your farm enterprise’s own unique needs. In the genomics article in this issue, we talk about risk management and setting your expectations to fit your personal and business needs. Incorporating Select Sires’ genetic tools will assure you the finest breeding program available in the world.

The Leader In Fertility Research As you know, your cooperative, Select Sires, has continued to expand investment by researching semen quality and sexed semen.

In 2009, Select Sires initiated and/ or completed 38 research projects from our in-house lab, field research trials with our field testing program,

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Program for Fertility Advancement™ (PFA™), joint university research trials, and joint research with partners. We are pleased with the semen fertility results being documented by the USDA, AgriTech Analytics, and our own in-house data analysis program. All three of these sources show Select Sires as the leader in semen fertility. Study the results in this edition and see for yourself. Select Sires’ Board of Directors has approved an expanded list of research programs scheduled for 2010. Select Sires is being aggressive to make sure you will receive the highest quality product possible.

Fertility Without Compromise I have been overwhelmed by the number of customers who are noticing the fertility advantage of our new extender. A technician calling from California who converted to Select Sires from a competitor said, “I heard it was better but never would have believed it until I saw it for myself.”

A farmer from Kansas said, “I ran my own fertility trial with you and your competitor who claims to be the best, and the results are truly amazing!

My whole herd pregnancy rate has climbed considerably since using Select Sires’ semen. I will recommend Select Sires to my friends.” I encourage you to set up your own trial and see for yourself that Select Sires’ product is the most fertile in the market.

We thank you for the increased confidence you have shown your Select Sires cooperative. In response, Select Sires has been aggressive to conduct research in the areas that will bring you more value to ensure that we continue to earn your trust and your business, because at Select Sires, we are passionate about your success. 

Barn-Pleasing Cows Dairy Producers Love to Milk MATHIE, INTEGRITY, EMORY, DURHAM – With the declaration of these four sire names, no further introduction is needed to recognize these Holstein breed legends.

7HO3707 Paradise-R Cleitus MATHIE*CV, 7HO4213 Robthom INTEGRITY-ET, 7HO3948 MJR Blackstar EMORY-ET, and 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET*CV have been acknowledged by Holstein breeders as producing the kind of cow that they love to milk. Throughout their respective time, these sires excelled in many of the more highly heritable traits and were dominant in providing a mating which resulted in a consistent type pattern. The customer satisfaction of these sires is viewed by breeders through the thousands of barn-pleasing offspring that excel in production, udders and feet and legs, and longevity.

For 45 years, Select Sires’ diamond emblem has represented the mark of outstanding genetics. These superior genetics offer great diversity, excel in industry indexes, and fit a wide range

7HO8559 BOGART

of breeding goals for Select Sires’ customers. At Select Sires, your herd’s success is the passion of the company and employees, and due to that passion, it is clearly understood that one size does not fit all in the genetic world.

In order to fit the needs of every customer, Select Sires has identified Holstein sires using the newest designation, DIAMOND SELECTion™, which was introduced with the April sire summary. DIAMOND SELECTion identifies sires with similar qualities to the great sires of Select Sires’ past – MATHIE, INTEGRITY, EMORY, DURHAM. The DIAMOND SELECTion index weights production traits at 40 percent. This includes Milk, Fat pounds and Protein pounds. The type traits also weigh in at 40 percent and consist of Udder Composite (UDC), Feet and Leg Composite (FLC) and Strength. Completing the index are the fitness traits that weigh in at 20 percent and are comprised of Productive Life (PL), Somatic Cell Score (SCS), Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) and Calving Ease (DBH). Sires are

7HO8165 MILLION

7HO9030 RICHMAN

excluded from the designation if they do not meet the predetermined levels for Udder Composite, Feet and Leg Composite and Type.

One dairy producer who desires the DIAMOND SELECTion type of cattle is Dan Cnossen, herd manager of Nor-Way Pete. The farm is also home to the Four-Of-A-Kind herd, in which Cnossen is part owner. The Nor-Way Pete herd is home to 246 Holsteins with a Rolling Herd Average of 31,069 pounds of milk on 3x milking. A Select Sires’ customer, Cnossen works with Select Sires’ Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) consultant Bob Sabo and sales representative Lynn Harbaugh.

“The main source of income on our farm is through our bulk tank. We want cows with high production and that live a long time with functional type,” stated Cnossen. “Two of our living all-time high lifetime cows have been sired by Select Sires’ bulls, a 7HO1897 To-Mar BLACKSTAR daughter with 340,000 pounds of milk lifetime and a MATHIE daughter with lifetime production over 300,000 pounds of milk. Both are still in the

Pictured left to right: Webb-Vue Bogart Ebonie (VG-87), Robert Webb, Plymouth, Wis., Erbsen; Visser Million 659-Grade, Pete DeVisser, Escalon, Calif., Robinson; Curtmaid Richman 19936 (GP-80), Curti Family Farms, Waukena, Calif. Robinson.

herd and producing. We recently lost a 15-year-old 7HO2236 Emprise Bell ELTON*CV BL daughter with lifetime production of 362,000 pounds of milk.

These are the type of cows we desire in our herd, and we have a herd goal of 200,000 pounds of milk lifetime and a classification score of Very Good or better. Currently we have 28 Excellent cows and strive to breed a cow with excellent conformation.”

The registered Holstein herd of NorWay-Pete is currently using DIAMOND SELECTion sires 7HO8165 EnglandAmmon MILLION-ET, 7HO8190 GenMark Stmatic SANCHEZ-ET, 7HO8477 Willow-Marsch-CC GABOR-ET, and 7HO8885 Henkeseen EMPHASIS-ET as their main service sires.

Additional Select lineup sires with the DIAMOND SELECTion status include 7HO7536 COLDSPRINGs Kenyon 9118-ET, 7HO7858 Rauscher Mars 999-GRAND-ET, 7HO8444 ChanLee Marshal GRAYBIL-ET, 7HO8559 Macomber O-Man BOGART, 7HO8662 Pine-Shelter O LARIAT-ET, 7HO8772 Schillview O-Man GROOVY-ET, 7HO8778 Morningview ALLSTAR-ET, 7HO8866 Springway CARUSO-ET, 7HO8747 End-Road O-Man BRONCOET, 7HO8914 Windy-Knoll-View PERFORM-ET, 7HO8925 Coldsprings OWEN 9344, 7HO8946 Phil-Ru Potter ROLAND-ET, 7HO9030 Kings-Ransom P RICHMAN-ET, 7HO9052 Bru-Su Boliver MORPHEOUS-ET, 7HO9107 Ronelee SS DURABLE, 7HO9173 Bomaz Potter PLATO-ET, and 7HO9176 Langs-Twin-B MINISTER-ET. The Holstein sires that carry the DIAMOND SELECTion designation are marked with the logo in Select Sires’ Holstein directory, and a listing of the sires is also available on www. selectsires.com. DIAMOND SELECTion can be used alongside existing designations like Calving Ease and Superior Settler™ to easily find the sires that best meet each customer’s breeding goals. 

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Sire Selection Direction for Dairy Producers: A Practice in Risk Management

by David C. Thorbahn, president and C.E.O., with support from Charles Sattler, vice president of genetic programs Select Sires employees have received a lot of questions over the last several months regarding genomics–“How does Select Sires suggest I select my bulls in this new era of genomics?” “How do I keep up with all the new information?”

Well, as my old macroeconomics professor told me at the University of Wisconsin, “That depends!” It really depends upon the goals of your dairy, your risk tolerance, and the size of your herd.

Are you interested in a consistent herd with little risk? Are you willing to take more risk and tolerate more volatility of individual sires? Do you want a highly consistent herd or can you tolerate some variation? Is your herd large enough that you can use a group of bulls with 10 to 100 units per bull? All of these are questions you need to ask yourself as you develop a business plan for genetic improvement of your herd. Once you have answered these questions, then you need to learn as much as you can about the latest technology.

But first, let’s discuss the risk by

answering the following questions: How accurate are genomic evaluations today?

Our sire staff has reviewed this question each summary. While genomic evaluations have not been around very long, we are starting to build a reasonable track record for how well they predict future results. Figure 1 shows the amount of change in evaluations for those genomic-tested young sires that were actively marketed in January 2009 and now, in April 2010, have progeny proofs. This is a real-life indication of the accuracy of genomic evaluations for young animals.

“Average Change” gives an indication of whether the genomic evaluations are too high. These results show that genomic evaluations of young animals tend to go down as production information from their daughters is added to their evaluations. “Confidence Range” indicates the amount an individual animal might change. Lower

numbers in this row indicate higher accuracy. Combining information from both rows tells us that evaluations for most top bulls can change between -144 and -2 for Net Merit Dollar value or -239 and -29 for Total Performance Index™ (TPI™) points.

How accurate are evaluations for genomic-tested young sires versus progeny-tested bulls?

We have summarized a similar table (Figure 2) to show the amount of change in evaluations for proven bulls from the same time period.

Comparing these two tables indicates that the proven bull evaluations are more accurate. The “Average Change” is closer to 0 for nearly all traits and the “Confidence Range” values are smaller for all the traits in the chart.

The published reliability values are higher for proven bulls than they are for genomic-tested young sires, so it is expected that there would be less change in evaluations for proven sires.

Figure 1 shows that some Figure 1. Change in evaluations between January 2009 as only genomic-tested young genomic-tested bulls bulls and April 2010 now with milking daughters and genomic tests for the top 20 change by large amounts. genomic young sires marketed in January 2009: These charts provide some real life values showing the Milk Fat Protein NM$ UDC FLC TPI degree of change that can Average Change -406 -15 -8 -73 -.29 0.00 -134 be expected for the differLargest Increase +9 +5 +2 +41 +.61 +1.42 +88 ent categories of bulls.

Largest Decrease

-1132

-44

-26

-203

-1.43

-0.78

-272

Confidence Range

296

15

7

71

0.49

0.51

105

Figure 2. Change in evaluations between January 2009 and April 2010 for the top 20 proven sires marketed in January 2009: Milk

Fat

Protein

NM$

UDC

FLC

TPI

Average Change

-71

-1

-1

+24

0.00

+0.20

-3

Largest Increase

+293

+9

+9

+97

+0.48

+1.06

+96

Largest Decrease

-499

-16

-13

-98

-0.39

-0.30

-109

Confidence Range

209

6

5

55

0.22

0.37

66

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Is progeny testing the gold standard?

As you can see, the accuracy is higher and average change is much less for Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™) proven sires. Additionally, PGA sires are less over-estimated and more accurate than genomictested sires. That is why

PGA-proven sires are referred to as the gold standard. Select Sires will continue to validate elite genomics with progeny sampling. Additionally, all PGA-proven bulls are used to develop estimates of the genomic-tested bulls.

As we look at the data, it is easy to see that using PGA-proven sires is the lowest risk strategy but may not be the only strategy. A higher risk strategy involves using a genomic selected young bull. However, while there is less risk than there used to be, selecting and using a single young bull in your breeding program has a high risk for variation of proof, movement of individual traits and total performance.

This is the highest risk strategy.

One way to mitigate that risk is to use a group of young bulls but not use any young bull more than the others.

As a group, these bulls will be more consistent to what you were selecting for than using one or two genomic bulls. Some will go up, and some will go down, but the average will be more similar to what you selected for. While this will moderate risk, it may also add more variation and less uniformity in your herd. Always remember that the more bulls you use, the more variation you will put in your herd. Some variation is not a bad thing until it hampers productivity and your ability to handle your cows in the system and environment in which they are living.

Another factor affecting herd variation is the accuracy of proofs. The more accurate the proofs, the more the resulting daughters fit the selection criteria that those bulls selected for breeding use. Thus, progeny tested bulls today will be more accurate than genomic-tested bulls. This should be considered as you develop your breeding objective. ...continued on page 7

7HO9107 DURABLE

GTPI +1915

7HO9052 MORPHEOUS GTPI +1933

7HO8946 ROLAND

7HO8866 CARUSO

GTPI +1939

7HO9176 MINISTER GTPI +1978

GTPI +1907

Small photos (l-r): Green Meadow Drble Brittani (GP-82), Green Meadow Farms, Inc., Elsie, Mich.; TJ Veen Acres Caruso 664-Grade, John F. VanderVeen, Lynden, Wash.; Gen-Ace Roland 11018-Grade, Genasci Dairy Inc., Modesto, Calif. Large photos (l-r): Costa-View Morpheous 29401 (VG-86), Costa-View Farms, Madera, Calif., Robinson; Poplar-Springs Minister 1225, Jamie Butler, Newton, Miss., Robinson.

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elect Sires always has had a deep-seated commitment to your future. Select shows this commitment to you through the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™), the “heart and soul” of the sire-development program and the model for young sire sampling worldwide. These five 2010 PGA graduates, 7H09176 MINISTER, 7HO9052 MORPHEOUS, 7HO9107 DURABLE, 7HO8866 CARUSO and 7HO8946 ROLAND, all rank among the top 50 for Total Performance Index™ (TPI™). The commitment Select Sires provides to the customer-owners is apparent through the strong belief in the gold standard sire-development program. Select Sires is passionate about your success.

™ Program for Genetic Advancement and PGA are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.; Total Performance Index and TPI are trademarks of Holstein Association USA.

Are You Connected to the SRS Network?

Select Sires has been known for developing the newest technological advances in the reproductive field through Select Reproductive Solutions™ (SRS™).

That’s why dairy producers trust Select Sires’ highlytrained SRS specialists to help design a customized reproductive program that’s right for their needs.

SRS offers a Portfolio of Reproductive Solutions™ that consists of reproductive troubleshooting using Select RePRO Analysis™, an exclusive and advanced analytics program; professional technician service; SelectCheck™ heat detection training; estrus-synchronization programs and assistance; English and Spanish training resources; professional A.I. training; heat detection aids; nutritional supplements; BioPRYN® blood pregnancy test; and to be released in the fall of 2010, Select Detect™, a state-of-the-art heat detection system.

However, it is not these highly developed programs that place Select Sires and SRS at the top of the market; it is the highly-trained people that are the reason for the program’s success. Select Sires simply offers the right tools, information and opportunities, but the ultimate success comes down to the passionate people working to help you achieve reproductive success in your herd.

Tools Available with SRS Select RePRO Analysis was introduced in 2006, and in 2009 alone, the 30 SRS specialists that used the RePRO Analysis program evaluated over 971 herds representing over 874,000 cows.

RePRO Analysis is an exclusive analytics program developed by Tom Alexander of Cherry Grove Farm, Fairfield, Va., and Dr. Ray Nebel, vice president of technical service programs, and is one of the

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most advanced analytics programs in the industry for analyzing and advancing reproduction in dairies. The program is designed to enhance the on-farm computer management program, not replace it.

In 2008, Select Sires developed a large herd A.I. technician training program coined SelectCheck. The major objective of this on-farm workshop is tail chalk training and evaluation with the trainee making 10,000-plus decisions on which cows to inseminate based on rubbed tail heads and secondary signs of estrus.

Semen handling and placement skills are refined for the large herd setting. The major objective of the classroom training is to present both basic principles of reproductive physiology and cuttingedge principles such as genomics and synchronization protocols.

The latest electronic heat detection system, Select Detect, will be released in the fall of 2010 following an investigative research period. Select Detect is comprised of a collar with nanotechnology-based micro-electronic motion sensing and a base station which periodically downloads data to the on-farm computer. The system collects activity data for each hour of the day and filters the data against normal activity and against the activity of herdmates to accurately identify cows who are in heat and ready to breed. Cows are bred when they should be, eliminating unnecessary inseminations and the use

of synchronization drugs.

Select Sires began research trials with the system in the U.S. in October 2009. Stay tuned in the fall of 2010 for more information about Select Detect.

Information and Opportunities Annually, SRS staff members receive countless training opportunities to learn about the latest reproduction research and practical tools available from Select Sires that will assist their customers in maintaining profitability.

In early March, 40 professional SRS specialists from across the U.S. gathered in Phoenix, Ariz., for the annual SRS conference. The participants visited, evaluated and analyzed four dairy farms, and then made presentations highlighting areas of improvement and suggestions for making reproductive advances. In the classroom setting, staff members reviewed topics including Double OvSynch with results from numerous dairies, comparing and utilizing reproductive benchmarks, sire conception rate, and BioPRYN. Also highlighted was Select Sires’ training site, the Center for Excellence, which offers Select Sires staff online courses for advanced instruction and learning.

In July 2010, Select Sires Inc., will host 20 SRS specialists for additional training in Ohio and 10 specialists in California, to focus their training on Select Detect and Dairy Comp and PCDart on-farm management software.

Passionate People The SRS team of more than 450 members is lead by Dr. Ray Nebel, and includes 44 SRS specialists, 410 A.I. technicians, and two additional staff members from Select Sires Inc. They work

daily with your herds and have a direct effect on your success and profitability.

Recently, the SRS team welcomed a new staff member, King Smith of Stephenville, Texas. Smith will serve as the western manager of technical service programs at Select Sires. As a member of the SRS team, Smith will create, develop and implement value-added reproductive and farm management training programs for customers, member personnel, and Select Sires staff. Additionally, he will conduct training workshops and seminars that will enhance the skills and abilities of the employees in reproductive and herd management practices.

Earl Ingram, SRS reproductive training specialist, has been a member of the Select Sires SRS team since 2007 and is primarily responsible for reproductive management and A.I. training to Hispanic dairy personnel. Ingram recently conducted a SelectCheck school in Indiana with students from Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and Uruguay.

It is people, like Ray, King and Earl, along with the staff in the field, such as 2010 SRS Specialist of the Year Brad Meek from Cache Valley Select Sires Inc. that truly affect the success of your herd. Brad exemplifies the qualities that best accomplish the mission of SRS – to do whatever it takes to increase the reproductive performance of dairy cattle.

As we look to the future, Select Sires understands that a one-size-fits-all approach to reproductive management doesn’t work in today’s dairy industry.

Select Sires will continue to develop our highly-trained SRS specialists to help our customer-owners design customized reproductive programs that are right for their needs. 

Risk Management Why are Select’s sire analysts using 40 percent or more young bulls in the Select Sires program, if this is higher risk?

First, you demand the highest proven bulls available, and we need to take high risks to get those bulls. However, the major difference between Select Sires’ bull herd and your dairy herd is that in A.I. we can cull any results that are not valuable. In a herd of cows, dairy producers want consistency. It is not feasible to cull all poor animals or results.

How do I best manage risk?

First, as a dairy manager, you need to identify your risk tolerance and the demands for your herd. Do you want low risk and maximum consistency, or do you have an allowance for herd variation and proof fluctuation, and are you willing to tolerate or take some risk? Once you understand this, share the information with your herd consultant or Select Sires representative, and they can develop a plan based on your individual needs.

Consider the visual tool, Figure 3.

N ow Available sexed

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work. Proven bulls will more consistently deliver results close to expectations.

Using genomic-tested young sires can have some upside potential but you’ll need to be prepared to live with a few disappointments along the way.

Figure 4. Confidence range for top 20 young sires versus top 10 proven sires.

Young Sires Proven Sires

300 400

500

600

700

800

Recommendations to discuss with your Select Sires specialists: 1. Identify your risk tolerance and herd demands.

2. Discuss and develop a strategy to meet your herd’s needs. It may be the PGA-proven sires, a group of younger genomic-tested bulls, or a combination of both.

Proven Sires:

507HO8772 Groovy 507HO8885 Emphasis 507HO8914 Perform 507HO8946 ROLAND 507HO9052 Morpheous 507HO9107 DURABLE 507JE821 Spectacular

Super Samplers™: 507HO10148 507HO10184 507HO10333 507JE1013 507JE1044 507BS840

Flax FYI Regord Cowell Chili-P Grandslam

Call your Select Sires representative today for these sexed sires! ™ Super Sampler and gender SELECTed are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.

Figure 3. Monitor risk.

PGA Proven 99% Sires: The Gold Reliability Standard

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Low Risk

l

Individually Genomic-Tested Sires

Moderate Risk

Will proven or young sires advance genetic progress in my herd the fastest?

Current genomic evaluations on young sires look very appealing. It’s important to keep in mind that the top young sires are slightly over-evaluated, and their evaluations are less accurate than proven sires. After adjusting for the over-evaluation and accounting for the fact that you can select proven bulls more intensely than young sires, the difference between the two groups is very small. Figure 4 shows the expected results from using proven bulls compared to young sires. Either strategy can

l

Parent Average

l

Unknown Parents

High Risk Very High Risk

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3. Work with your Select Sires specialists to design a selection index specifically for your herd or identify a group or type of bulls that meet your needs.

Select Sires’ Select Mating Service (SMS) consultants can develop a selection index specifically for your herd to rank all Select Sires bulls’ ability to meet your individual needs.

4. Continue to stay updated as the tools change. As we develop better and better tools, genomic-tested bulls’ summaries will become more accurate. In doing so, your program may need to change to make the best use of new technological advancements.

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A Tribute to Working Mothers and Their Successful Sons In every herd, there is a favorite cow family; one that has that ability to transmit superior traits onto their offspring that are consistent from generation to generation.

These superior cow families have always had a strong and stable foundation in building the future. During this time of change in the genetic field with genomic data, the one fact that remains true is the importance of sound cow families.

Presently, Select Sires has three distinct, celebrated cow families with at least two sons each on the active lineup demonstrating this strong significance through family ties.

Dalse Bomaz-1551 Dominating the Bomaz Inc. herd in Hammond, Wis., is Dalse Bomaz-1551 (EX-90-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM). 1551 was purchased as an unregistered calf at a neighbor’s sale and has since made her way to become the

foundation for the Zwald family’s future. Brothers Bob and Greg Zwald, along with wives Kay and Irma, operate the Bomaz farm.

Select Sires’ 7HO7428 BOMAZ Manat 464-ET (EX-90) and 7HO9173 Bomaz Potter PLATO-ET (VG-87), both hail from this tremendous family.

BOMAZ is a Manat-ET son out of Dalse Bomaz-1551, who has a top production record of 365d 42,790M 5.3% 2,264F 3.2% 1,359P at 4-1.

She has 28 classified daughters that include two Excellents and 18 Very Goods. Those daughters include maternal sisters to BOMAZ, Dalse Bomaz 1617 (EX-91-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM), Bomaz Hershel 2372-ET (EX-90EX-MS-DOM), and Bomaz Hershel 2405-ET (VG-87), all with records over 43,700 pounds of milk. BOMAZ’s full sister, Bomaz Manat 2441-ET (VG-87GMD-DOM), is the dam of PLATO. BOMAZ’s grandam and PLATO’s great-grandam is Dalse Highlight

Dalse Bomaz-1551

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in their herds. The Herdlife Builder™ and Calving Ease (7% DBH) sire produces daughters that milk volumes (+1,113 Milk) and improve the bottom line with his high Net Merit Dollar value (+$585 NM). PLATO leads Select Sires’ lineup for Productive Life at +6.1. He produces moderate-sized cows with excellent udders (+2.20 Udder Composite, UDC) and ideal feet and legs (+2.49 Feet and Leg Composite, FLC).

Windy-Knoll-View Ultimate Pala At Windy Knoll View in Mercersburg, Pa., Windy-Knoll-View Ultimate Pala (EX-94-3E-EX-MS-DOM) has remained prominent within the Burdette family’s herd of 100 exceptional Holstein cattle. But it’s not just within their herd that her impact is witnessed.

Dairy producers across the world can distinguish the mark she has left within the Holstein breed.

For James and Nina Burdette, along

Windy-Knoll-View Ultimate Pala

7HO8175 PRONTO

7HO7428 BOMAZ

Pictured above is Broege-Acres Manat Darla-TW (EX-92), Esperanza Cattle Co., Peterson, Minn. Pictured at right is Farriss Dairy Plato 1356-Grade, William Farriss, Dalton, Ohio.

Kathy (EX-94-3E-EX-MS-GMD), with a high production record of 47,230 pounds of milk.

BOMAZ and PLATO are both known for their high Net Merit Dollar values (NM$), longevity and superior udder traits, while offering outcross pedigrees and unique genetics.

An elite Net Merit dollar value sire (+$409 NM), BOMAZ produces daughters that last in the herd (+5.2 Productive Life, PL) with strong fitness traits (2.64 Somatic Cell Score, SCS).

His daughters are designed to handle concrete and free stall operations with sound type, udders and feet and legs.

April 2010 graduate, PLATO is the leading Keystone Potter son for Total Performance Index™ (TPI™) at +2059 GTPI. He is stamped with the DIAMOND SELECTion™ designation, which shows his unique ability to combine production, type and fitness traits to create the kind of cattle that many dairy producers are looking for

7HO9173 PLATO

Pictured above is Exels Pronto Timone 12505 (EX91), second lactation, Henry P. and Carolyn Van Exel, Lodi, Calif. Pictured at right is Eaglemill Ys8914 5233 (VG-85), Eaglemill Farms, Lynden, Wash.

7HO8914 PERFORM

Windy-Knoll-View Ultimate Pala (EX-94-3E-EX-MS-DOM)

with sons, Justin (Claire) and Kyle (Kristin), the Pala family was always a favorite. Pala is the dam of 18 Excellent daughters sired by 11 different bulls.

Pala’s descendants have made a tremendous impact in the show arena and include numerous All-Americans.

One of her very best daughters is a Startmore Rudolph daughter, WindyKnoll-View Promis-ET (EX-95-2E-EXMS-GMD-DOM), who was the reserve All-American five-year-old in 2003.

At 4-8 she produced her top record of 365d 44,124M 3.7% 1,633F 3.2% 1,401P. As a three-year-old, Promis was flushed to Comestar Outside-ET which yielded 14 eggs, one of which was 7HO8175 Windy-Knoll-View

PRONTO-ET (EX-95), and another was Windy-Knoll-View Pledge-ET (EX-952E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM).

Pledge is the dam of 7HO8914 Windy-Knoll-View PERFORM-ET (VG87), a Hartline Titanic-ET son. Her top production record at 4-1 was 365d 41,190M 3.8% 1,577F 3.0% 1,237P. Pledge is also the unanimous 2007 All-American five-year-old, a member of the unanimous 2008 All-American best three females group, and 2008 All-American produce of dam class. In 2007, she won the five-year-old cow class at World Dairy Expo.

PRONTO is a type specialist with +2.09 Type. He sires daughters with excellent health traits, +3.0 PL and +2.1 Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR).

His second crop daughters are pleasing producers around the country.

Super Sampler™ graduate PERFORM entered the active lineup in April 2010 with a high Reliability of 96 percent as a result of his 376 daughters in 206 herds. This HealthMark™ sire improves all fitness traits (+2.8 PL, +1.3 DPR and 2.77 SCS) and offers superior calving ease (7% DBH).

A DIAMOND SELECTion sire, he has a

Windsor-Manor Rud Zip

7HO8715 OFFICER

Pictured above is Scheer Officer Snowball-Grade, Eugene Scheer, New Heaven, Mo. Pictured at right is Brown Dairy Zmanner 7762-Grade, Brown Dairy, Riverdale, Calif.

7HO8924 ZMANNER

solid Feet and Leg Composite of +2.29 and a GTPI of +1828, making him a well-balanced mating in any environment. PERFORM is now available in gender SELECTed™ semen.

The latest Pala descendants to enter the market are grandsons of Pledge, 7HO10180 Farnear-TBR Damin PAYTON-ET and 7HO10554 Mrchartrois Laurin PAZEL-ET, as Showcase Selections™ Super Sampler releases. Each sire follows the path of his predecessors as a type specialist, siring stylish cattle with tremendous feet and legs and superior udders.

PAYTON has superior Type at +3.14, excellent Udder Composite at +2.61, and remarkable Feet and Leg Composite of +3.30. The 7HO7004 Erbacres DAMION son also has a GTPI of +1927, ranking him as the No. 1 DAMION son in North America. PAZEL sired by 7HO7596 Den-K Marshall LL LAURIN, follows behind closely with tremendous Type at +3.12 and outstanding composites at +1.93 Udder Composite and +2.43 Feet and Leg Composite.

Windsor-Manor Rud Zip An additional famous Rudolph daughter is the world-renowned Windsor-Manor Rud Zip (EX-95-3EEX-MS-GMD-DOM). She has lifetime production over 200,000 pounds of milk, and her top record comes in at 365d 39,230M 3.8% 1,490F 3.1% 1,224P at 4-7. Zip is backed by eight of nine generations of Excellent or Very Good dams.

For Donna and Jason Myers and daughter Kelly Zepp, owners of the Windsor-Manor herd of New Windsor, Md., the Zip family has been highly sought-after. Not only do the female offspring garner interest, but also the males. Zip continues to prove her worth as future generations enter the Windsor-Manor herd as well as herds across the country with the same tremendous qualities of the long-lived Zip cow.

Zip is the dam of recent Select Sires’ graduates 7HO8715 WindsorManor Z OFFICER-ET (EX-92) and 7HO8924 Windsor-Manor ZMANNER-ET (VG-88). Both graduating into Select’s

Windsor-Manor Rud Zip (EX-95-3E-MS-GMD-DOM)

active lineup within the past year, OFFICER and ZMANNER are elite TPI sires with positive Productive Life and Daughter Pregnancy Rate.

Zip also has seven Excellent daughters sired by six different bulls.

One of her top offspring is 7HO5157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET daughter, Windsor-Manor Z-Delight-ET (EX92-EX-MS-DOM). Z-Delight topped the Regancrest Command Performance Sale at $94,000. A second highpublicity daughter is Windsor-Manor Zebee-ET (EX-91-2E-EX-MS-GMDDOM) who sold for $51,000 at the Royal Windsor Sale in March 2005.

Profit maker OFFICER has a high GTPI of +1827 and strong Net Merit Dollar value of +$406, like his sire 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET. Designated with FeedPRO™ status, OFFICER’s daughters have the capability of improving the bottom line for dairy producers, as the FeedPRO index predicts greater income over feed costs. Additionally, he receives the status of HealthMark sire due to his excellent Productive Life (+3.1 PL), superior Daughter Pregnancy Rate (+2.0 DPR) and extremely low calving difficulty (4% DBH).

Ranking among Select Sires’ top 20 for TPI is ZMANNER at +1866 GTPI. This 7HO5375 Mara-Thon BW MARSHALL-ET son is making trouble-free, long-lasting, profitable cows. ZMANNER improves udders with an Udder Composite of +1.89. The HealthMark sire depicts great fitness traits with +2.9 PL and +1.4 DPR, and is a Calving Ease specialist (7% DBH).  Source: 04/10 USDA Genomic Evaluation, USDA/HA Genomic Type Evaluation, and USDA/IB Genomic Evaluation. BOMAZ NM 90%, PL 85%, SCS 93%; PLATO CE 82%, Yield 90%, NM 81%, PL 73%, Type 83%; PRONTO Type 91%, PL 83%, DPR 80%; PERFORM PL 77%, DPR 76%, SCS 91%, CE 92%, Type 91%; PAYTON Type 69%; PAZEL Type 68%; OFFICER NM 88%,PL 81%, DPR 80%, CE 86%; ZMANNER Type 87%, PL 76%, DPR 74%, CE 84%.

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SMS Creates a Genetic Business Plan While Managing Inbreeding Select Mating Service™ (SMS™) has been the world’s most trusted mating program since 1973. SMS serves to assist you, the dairy producer in developing a herd of cows with the type, production and longevity that you demand. These goals are met through professional SMS genetic consultants who utilize research, computerized analysis, evaluation skills; along with their knowledge of genetic traits and their application to real life operations. Dairy producers enjoy working with these professionals to design a plan that fits their A.I. program everyday on their busy dairies.

SMS is the most widely accepted mating program in the world with more than 1.6 million new animals mated in 2009 and the total number of matings equaling more than 3.9 million. It offers an abundant number of benefits which include managing levels of inbreeding, avoiding genetic recessives and establishing consistency within a herd of cattle. SMS serves as a genetic business plan for your dairy operation and saves you time in daily herd management.

Multiple, unique programs are available through SMS for cattle evaluation.

The three programs are Cow-Based

Linear Evaluation, Pedigree Mating (SMS II™) and Walk-Through Genetic Consultation.

Inbreeding Concerns All genetic research reports that inbreeding reduces the productivity and profitability of a herd. In today’s cattle bloodlines are closer than ever and inbreeding is a large concern.

Take note of the inbreeding trends shown below, this graph demonstrates the rise in inbreeding over the course of the past 50 years. This trend is due to intensive mating selections that have narrowed our selection towards specific family lines and paternal lines.

Do you worry about your herd’s levels of inbreeding? Don’t take the risk of using just any mating program. SMS allows in-depth pedigree information to be used to help manage inbreeding levels and prevent the losses that inbreeding can cause. These losses include production, fertility, stillbirths and a number of other health concerns.

SMS provides you with the comfort of knowing inbreeding levels are managed and genetic return is maximized.

New Features in SMS In the fall of 2009, Select Sires introduced two new tools for our SMS customers. The first is a Sire Selection Index program which provides assistance in selecting the right bulls to

meet your breeding goals. The second is a Herd Ranking program that provides herds on SMS an option to maximize the pedigree value of your herd, so selection of top genetics and even gender SELECTed™ semen can be utilized efficiently to maximize genetic value in the next generation.

The core ingredient to genetically improving a herd of cows is correct sire selection. How one goes about that process is the reason for the new Sire Selection Index program. It allows you to place weights on certain production, fitness and type traits so that sire selection fits exactly the long-term breeding goals of your dairy operation. Selection indexes are proven to provide the most genetic return for your genetic investment and rank sires based on their overall genetic merit. These indexes eliminate the independent culling levels that often miss a sire that may excel in other important traits.

Utilize SMS in Your Herd All dairy producers understand the value of genetic improvement.

Select Sires’ SMS genetic consultants allow you peace of mind because a genetic business plan is established and updated on a regular basis to meet your goals. So now is the right time to contact your Select Sires representative to take the worry away from a very important part of your dairies future. 

Inbreeding Trends in Dairy Cattle

8%

Milking Shorthorn

Inbreeding Coefficient

7%

Jersey

6% 5%

Holstein

4%

Guernsey

3%

Brown Swiss

2%

Ayrshire

1% 0%

1960

1970

1980

1990

Birth Year

10

2000

2010

Guidelines to Manage Inbreeding Here are a few guidelines to manage inbreeding in your herd provided by Charles Sattler, vice president of genetic programs: 1. Record pedigree information.

The key to controlling inbreeding is the recording of pedigree information. With more pedigree information, even stricter control of inbreeding can be achieved.

2. Breed the type of cattle you like. It is important to know what you would like to accomplish with your breeding program and then work to achieve your goals. A general rule of thumb to reduce inbreeding would be to avoid matings to sires and dams that have grandparents in common.

3. Use a mating program. With the widespread use of A.I., the pedigrees of dairy cattle have become very complicated. In most cases, a computer along with recorded pedigree information is needed to calculate a reasonable estimate of inbreeding. Using mating programs to organize the pedigree information and then to determine specific sire recommendations for each cow is an effective way to avoid mating of highly related animals.

4. Maintain diversity in the pedigrees of your animals. Breeding a high percentage of your herd to one bull is not a good strategy for several reasons, and one of them is that it might cause inbreeding problems. 

Customer Satisfaction is Key with Jersey Sire Lineup

by Herby Lutz, sire analyst Select Sires has always sought to provide our customer-owners with exactly what they want. Our Jersey sire lineup meets that commitment by fulfilling the needs of any type of breeder.

Whether you are looking for the top sires for Jersey Performance Index™ (JPI™), leaders for Milk or components or high Type sires, Select Sires has it all.

Select Sires’ cast of Jersey sires are towering the lists for a large number of traits. We are home to two of the top 10 JPI sires, two of the top 10 bulls for Cheese Merit Dollar value, two of the top 10 Net Merit Dollar value sires, four of the top 10 PTAT sires, and three of the top 10 sires for Jersey Udder Index™ (JUI™), including the No. 2 and No. 3 for JUI. If it is components that you are looking for, upon opening Select Sires’ HighComponents Breeds directory you will find three sires in the top 10 for PTA Fat, two hold the top two slots. Also, present in Select Sires’ lineup are three of the top 10 for percent Fat and percent Protein. Select Sires’ Jersey lineup has what you desire.

In late April, Select Sires was pleased to announce a milestone that shows our commitment to providing sires that fulfill your needs. Known as the king of customer satisfaction, 7JE590 Forest Glen Avery ACTION-ET surpassed his maternal grandsire, 7JE254 Mason Boomer Sooner BERRETTA, and now holds the title of the No. 1 Jersey bull at Select Sires for lifetime sales. On record as of May 31, 2010, more than 366,000 units of ACTION semen have been sold, exceeding the legendary BERRETTA by over 5,000 units. Best of all, ACTION is still going strong!

Jersey breeders around the globe have recognized ACTION for siring daughters that are well-balanced, exceptional uddered dairy cows that are suited for not only the show ring, but also for the commercial environment. ACTION ranks among the leading sires for Type (No. 3), JUI (No. 3), Rear Udder Height (No. 3), Udder Cleft (No. 3), and Daughter

Pregnancy Rate (No. 7), while remaining positive for Milk with over 7,000 daughters. He has a high sire conception rate making him a Superior Settler™ and also earns the HealthMark™ designation for his superior health traits.

Despite ACTION’s fame, he is not the only bull in the Jersey lineup at Select Sires that commands attention.

In April, Select Sires began marketing a group of bulls from Viking Genetics that make their presence known at the peak of the index lists. 236JE146 ISDK DJ ZUMA enters the lineup as the breed leader for JPI, Cheese Merit dollar value, Net Merit dollar value and Somatic Cell Score, cementing his spot as a sire of sons.

ZUMA also makes his mark as a high health trait sire for Productive Life and Daughter Pregnancy Rate. Other Danish sires ranking high are 228JE143 ISDK DJ INDICA as a JPI, Cheese Merit and Net Merit dollar values leader; breed standout 236JE3 ISDK Q IMPULS, who continues to reign among the top five sires for JPI; and component specialist 236JE145 ISDK DJ JANTE. The Danish sires added to Select Sires’ U.S. lineup are another example of our commitment to providing top-quality genetics for all breeders, regardless of their genetic goals.

The Jersey program has also graduated three very exciting new sires from the industry’s gold standard young sire sampling program, the Program for Genetic Advancement™ (PGA™). 7JE860 Maack Dairy ECLIPES-P-ET is sure to

win over many Jerseys breeders as he follows closely in his father’s footsteps, siring a very well-balanced dairy cow.

This ACTION son from the heart of the Duncan Belle family does not shy away from the leader board as he ranks No. 2 in the breed for JUI. ECLIPES-P ranks in the top 10 for JPI and is No. 4 for PTAT, making him the highest ranking polled bull in the breed for not only JPI, but for Type as well. He has what it takes to ensure customer satisfaction.

Another favorite is sure to be 7JE847 JBC Rebel BOOMHOWER, who ranks among the top 20 sires for JPI. He also offers high, wide rear udders with tremendous udder cleft (No. 1 for Udder Cleft). He ranks tenth for Dairy Form, has sound Type, and transmits volumes of milk. BOOMHOWER is also unique in his sire stack, O.F. Mannix Rebel-ET x 7JE472 BW PARADE-ET x Greenwood Sooner Khan, so he can be used for many matings with ease.

If it is show winning type you are looking for, Select Sires has that too with our Showcase Selections™ sires. 7JE867 Griffens GOVERNOR-ET, the 7JE356 Lester SAMBO son of two-time National Grand Champion Llolyn Jude Griffen-ET, enters the lineup as a sire of the fancy kind. Adding to the strength of our Jersey lineup, GOVERNOR has already made his mark on the tanbark, siring the 2008 AllAmerican Reserve Junior Champion, and is proving himself to be a sire of lovely uddered, fancy cows that are a force

Senn-Sational Action Melody (VG-89%), Entourage Farm, Cybil Fisher and Patty Jones, Welch, Okla.

to be reckoned with in the show ring.

GOVERNOR is also available with gender SELECTed™ semen.

7JE1100 Cave Creek KANOO-ET debuts on the JPI list among the top 15 Jersey sires. He has a low Genomic Estimate of Future Inbreeding and ranks No. 7 for Daughter Pregnancy Rate. KANOO is making breeder-approved daughters with well-attached udders.

The generation of 7JE bulls waiting in the barns at Select Sires escalates excitement. Select Sires is home to many genomic-tested young sires ranked in the top 25 for individual traits. Eight of the top sires for Milk, Protein and Type are at Select Sires, seven for Fat, and six for JUI—more than any other stud in the breed for these traits. Select Sires also has seven sires ranked within the top 25 genomic-tested young sires for JPI and four for Productive Life.

Two of the highly demanded Super Samplers™ are 7JE1047 GR DP Dales HUGO with a GJPI of +198 and ranked No. 2 in the breed, and 7JE1038 All Lynns Louie VALENTINO-ET, one of only two bulls to rank in the top 35 for GJPI, Type and JUI. These are just two of the remarkable genomic-tested young sires at Select Sires. Continue watching as these sires further develop.

Whether you are looking for genomictested young sires, rock-solid proven genetics to create a tanbark winner or a production queen, the Jersey lineup at Select Sires has you covered. 

Valsigna Kanoo 10408 (VG-83%), Wickstrom Dairies LP, Hilmar, Calif.

11

Lessons Learned with Milk Quality A lesson began for a group of nearly 50 Illinois dairy producers when their milk processor changed the pay structure for their milk in the fall of 2008.

The implemented change placed a heavy emphasis on preliminary incubation (PI) counts.

Many of the herds struggled to maintain a PI count low enough to earn the extra premiums that the processor offered and began seeking ways to lower their counts. For the dairies, the significance of a superior-quality preand post-dip product for their milking regime became apparent over the course of the past 18 months.

Upon examination by the local Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) and veterinarians, the lesson became clear. A survey was given to the top 25 percent herds for PI count, standard plate count (SPC), and somatic cell count (SCC), with the intent of discovering how the low PI count herds maintained their high-quality milk.

What Is a PI Count?

PI count results are being determined by milk processors as an indicator of milk quality. In order to calculate the PI count, a raw milk sample is

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incubated at 55 degrees Fahrenheit for 18 hours. The ideal goal should be a bacterial result of 20,000 or less per milliliter (ml). PI counts below 50,000 per ml are considered good.

The PI count is commonly affected by cold tolerant, gram-negative bacteria.

These bacteria can increase due to poor udder preparation, improper cleaning and sanitization of milking equipment, slow milk cooling time, or poor milk handling.

“PI counts have become an important concern in milk quality,” stated Gary Brummer, Prairie State/ Select Sires sales representative. “The amount of money that producers can make with the financial premiums is an incentive for producing the highestquality milk.”

For the dairies located in central Illinois, their processor was offering PI premiums that could easily add an extra $250 per cow per year with no additional cost to the producer. If the herd’s PI count was below 15,000, a bonus of 50 cents per hundredweight would be added. If the count was over 100,000, a deduction of 50 cents per hundredweight could occur. Overall, the range in premiums was from the ad-

dition of $1.00 per hundredweight to a deduction of $1.20 per hundredweight.

Herd Owners Seek to Lower Counts As many of the herds struggled to maintain a PI count low enough to earn the extra premiums, they began seeking ways to lower their counts. The local veterinarians became involved in the chronically high PI count herds, where bulk tank samples and teat dip cup swabs were sent for further testing to identify the source of the high counts. While the test itself did not identify the source, the types of pathogens would give clues as to the source of the high levels.

The dip cup swabs from iodine or bleach dips grew colony-forming bacteria when incubated. Swabs taken from EfferCept®, 4XLA® and UDDERgold® 5-Star products were found to not be the source of any PI count problems.

Brummer had already become involved as his customers were dealing with this problem. As a firm believer in quality products, he referred his customers to a milking protocol that included EfferCept as pre-dip and 4XLA or UDDERgold 5-Star as the post-dip.

The handful of producers already using the combination of EfferCept and 4XLA or UDDERgold 5-Star were able to control their PI count.

Results Noted The 49 herds were comparable in labor and milking techniques and all shipped to the same dairy processing plant. They each had only family labor working on the farm and used dip cups for pre- and post-dipping. Some of the producers were using iodine or bleach dips, while others were purchasing EfferCept, 4XLA and/or UDDERgold 5-Star from Brummer.

In January of 2009, the local DHIA sent out blind surveys to the top 25 percent of dairy producers for a round

table discussion to determine how they maintained low PI counts, SPC and SCC. All of the surveys were returned, and the results were compiled for presentation at their meeting.

The results showed that 80 percent of the top herds used the combination of EfferCept as a pre-dip and 4XLA or UDDERgold 5-Star as a post-dip, and those producers were all Brummer’s customers. One of the remaining herds used EfferCept as a pre-dip.

“The herds that I have seen switch from iodine or bleach pre-dip to EfferCept have had fewer spikes and lower average PI counts,” noted Brummer.

“It appears that EfferCept can kill a broader spectrum of bacteria and kills the bacteria more quickly than iodine.

An iodine product can take up to a full minute to kill all mastitis-causing organisms on the teat.”

Pairing EfferCept as a pre-dip and 4XLA or UDDERgold 5-Star as a post-dip allows for the best coverage in udder health. EfferCept has a broad spectrum control of bacteria, spores, fungi and viruses. It can kill 99.99 percent of Staphylococcus aureus and 99.87 percent of Streptococcus agalactiae, significantly reducing intramammary infections. EfferCept can be used as a pre- and post-dip technique on its own.

4XLA can kill bacteria in 15 to 20 seconds. When used as a post-dip, 4XLA will replenish the cow’s natural defense and condition the skin of the teat. It can also be used a pre-dip.

UDDERgold 5-Star, the nextgeneration barrier teat dip, gives dairy producers the proven performance to control a broad spectrum of bacteria, provide a barrier film, and helps moisturize teats for improved skin health.

EfferCept, 4XLA and UDDERgold 5-Star are all available from your Select Sires representative. Contact your sales representative today to learn more. 

7HO8165 MILLION

7HO8477 GABOR

7HO7858 GRAND

Superior Settlers 7HO7466 MOSCOW

W

hile the greatest variables affecting pregnancy rates are accuracy of heat detection, inseminator technique and other management factors, looking at all available fertility values of individual sires can help. Through evaluation of the Composite Fertility Index™ (CFI™) and Sire Conception Rate (SCR), along with intense semen quality evaluations, these 30 elite sires earn the designation of Superior Settler™. Turn to Select Sires for fertility without compromise – because you deserve more than just a pregnancy. Call your Select Sires representative today.

7HO7037 7HO7451 7HO7455 7HO7466 7HO7536 7HO7657 7HO7838 7HO7853 7HO7858 7HO7901 7HO8039 7HO8165 7HO8236 7HO8351 7HO8368

MILES SENSATION GRANGER MOSCOW COLDSPRING DESMOND GLEN MICHAEL GRAND RELIABLE APACHE MILLION SPARTACUS LUCIUS LIGHTNING

7HO8398 7HO8477 7HO8530 7HO8581 7HO8738 7HO8806 7HO8847 7HO9016 7HO9176 7JE590 7JE620 7JE714 7JE778 7JE867 7JE1000

MUFFIN GABOR AUTUMN BRAHAM SS DEUCE BROOK RICECREST APOLLO MINISTER New ACTION MAXIMUS MATINEE HARVEST GOVERNOR New TBONE

™ Superior Settler, Composite Fertility Index and CFI are trademarks of Select Sires Inc. Small photos (top to bottom): Ric-Rey Million Taffy (GP-83), Eric High, Jonestown, Pa.; Andreas Grand 352-Grade, Andreas Farms Inc, Sugarcreek, Ohio; Andreas Moscow 9475-Grade, Andreas Farms Inc, Sugarcreek, Ohio. Large photo: Fir-Ridge 18511 (VG-87-EX-MS), Second Lactation, Fir Ridge, Scio, Ore.

Bulletin Board First 7H05157 DURHAM Daughter to Achieve EX-96 Three-time Junior All-American Aged Cow Hillmont Durham Lyndi was the first daughter of renowned 7H05157 Regancrest Elton DURHAM-ET to be appraised by a committee as Excellent (96) with a 97-point mammary system! Lyndi is owned by Hillmont Farms of Berlin, Pa., and boasts an impressive string of show winnings and solid production records. In 2009, Lyndi was Grand Champion of two national junior shows–World Dairy Expo and the All-American Dairy Show.

7JE867 GOVERNOR Daughters Appraised Very Good-88% Ratliff Governor Ashtyn was appraised Very Good-88% for owners River Valley Dairy, Tremont, Ill. She is sired by 7JE867 Griffens GOVERNORET. Her dam is the two-time National Grand Champion, Ratliff Price Alicia (E-93%).

Stmatic SANCHEZ, recently won her class and went on to be named junior champion at the Maryland Spring Holstein Show. Sugar is owned by Jason and Donna Myers of New Windsor, Md.

Switzerland 7HO7004 DAMION Offspring Classifies EX-92 Philco Damion Vaillante, owned

by Rey Holsteins, Les Verrières, Switzerland, recently classified Excellent (92), a high score rarely found in Switzerland. She is sired by 7HO7004 Erbacres DAMION.

Ratliff Governor Ashtyn (VG-88%) River Valley Dairy, Tremont, Ill.

Hillmont Durham Lyndi (EX-96) Hillmont Farms, Berlin, Pa.

7HO8190 SANCHEZ Daughter Raised to Excellent and 7HO7004 DAMION Daughter Very Good Breezy Farm of Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa., recently achieved high classifications on 7HO8190 Gen-Mark Stmatic SANCHEZ and 7H07004 Erbacres DAMION daughters. Breezy Farms Sanchez Millan was raised to Excellent (90) and Plum-Line Damion Jasmine achieved a score of Very Good (88) at two years and six months of age.

A second daughter of GOVERNOR, 2008 All American Reserve Junior Champion, SSF Governor Iris, was appraised Very Good-88%. Iris is owned by Jennifer Luchsinger Gordon, Warsaw, Ind.

SSF Governor Iris (VG-88%) Jennifer Luchsinger Gordon, Warsaw, Ind.

Fancy 7HO8190 SANCHEZ Daughter Wins Maryland Spring Show Fall heifer calf Windsor-Manor ZD Sugar, sired by 7HO8190 Gen-Mark

Philco Damion Vaillante, (EX-92), fourth lactation Rey Holsteins, Les Verrières, Switzerland

April Guernsey Graduate 7GU417 ALTANIC Shows Results Recent classification scores were awarded to first lactation Buena Vista Wanita, Very Good (89) with an Excellent (92) mammary system, and Trotacre Altanic Theresa, Very Good (88) with an Excellent (91) mammary system. These promising two-year-old daughters of 7GU417 Sniders Tiller ALTANIC are owned

by Michael Spurrier of Keymar, Md., and Bethany Trotter of Enon Valley, Pa., respectively.

Daughters of 7HO8914 PERFORM Classify Well Four daughters of 7HO8914 Windy-Knoll-View PERFORM-ET scored Good Plus and Very Good on their first classification. They were scored at Rolling-Lawns in Greenville, Ill., owned by Neal and Connie Turley.

First Excellent 7HO8223 LAWN-BOY P-RED Daughter From Clinton, Wis., Jim and Vicky Cleland’s second lactation daughter of 7H08223 Aggravation LAWN BOY P-Red, Cleland Lawnboy Cassie is named the first of the sire’s progeny to go Excellent (90).

High Bid Goes to 7HO8190 SANCHEZ Heifer at March Madness VIII Sale Rosedale White Rose-ET, a summer calf sired by 7HO8190 GenMark Stmatic SANCHEZ, sold for $34,000 to the White Rose Syndicate of the United Kingdom, making her the highest selling live animal of the March Madness VIII Sale.

She was consigned by Rosedale Genetics Ltd., Mark Rueth and Nicki Reape of Oxford, Wis., and is the daughter of 2005 World Dairy Expo Supreme Champion Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red.

Rosedale White Rose-ET White Rose Syndicate, United Kingdom

Breezy Farms Sanchez Millan (EX-90) Breezy Farm, Pennysylvania Furnace, Pa.

14

Windsor-Manor ZD Sugar Jason and Donna Myers, New Windsor, Md.

Buena Vista Wanita, (VG-89-EX-91-MS) Michael Spurrier, Keymar, Md.

7JE590 ACTION x Veronica Sells for $23,000 Arethusa Action Voice, daughter of 7JE590 Forest Glen Avery ACTION-ET and 2006 World Dairy Expo Supreme

Champion Huronia Centurion Veronica 20J (E-97%), was the third highest selling lot at the Spring Valley 8th Edition Sale and Elite 8 Sale this spring.

Exceptional Classification of 7HO6758 MR SAM and 7BS796 SUPREME Progeny Quietcove of Wapakoneta, Ohio, recently finished an outstanding round of classification for their herd. Some key scores include that of Ronelee Mr Sam Delft-ET, the

KarLinn Supreme Reagan “VG89 E92MS” Jeff Brown and Kar-Linn Swiss, New Knoxville, Ohio

highest indexed 7HO6758 Regancrest MR Drham SAM-ET daughter in the U.S., who was raised to Excellent (93) with an Excellent (93) mammary system, and KarLinn Supreme Reagan, 2009 All-American senior yearling winner sired by 7BS796 Old Mill WDE SUPREME ET, who scored Very Good (89) with an Excellent (92) mammary system.

Select Sires Genetics Sell at Regancrest Sale Following another successful sale at Regancrest farm in Waukon, Iowa, cattle will make their way to four new countries and 16 different states.

Two of the top three selling lots were heifers carrying paternal genetics of Select Sires’ bulls. A 7HO6417 O-Bee MANfred Justice-ET daughter sold for $34,000, and a 7HO8165 EnglandAmmon MILLION-ET daughter of the

Barbie family sold for $32,000. The final average of the sale was calculated at $9,635 on 102 lots.

Next Generation of Excellent and Very Good with Select Sires 7H07004 Erbacres DAMION sired a ninth generation Excellent or Very Good daughter, Lylehaven Damion Godiva. She scored Excellent (90) at three years and seven months of age with an Excellent udder. Pintail-Point Advent Tilly, sired by 7HO7872 KHW Kite ADVENT-RED-ET, scored Very Good (86) making her the fifth generation Very Good or Excellent of her family.

Ratliff Proof of Progress Sale is Lead by Select-Sired Animals The top seller of the day and potential tenth generation Excellent brought a top bid of $20,000 at the Ratliff Proof of Progress Sale on May 8, 2010, in

Garnet, Kan. The Very Good-87% cow is a daughter of 7JE356 Lester SAMBO. The first choice out of Ratliff Price Alicia, bred to 7JE590 Forest Glen Avery ACTION-ET, was the second highest selling lot. The final bid was $15,000.

The third high seller was also sired by SAMBO. Select Sires bulls’ dominated the top of the buyers list for the Ratliff Proof of Progress Sale, raising the sale average to $3,681.

First Calf Daughters Score Very Good for Pennwood Farms From Berlin, Pa., Pennwood Farms reported noteworthy classification scores on daughters of 7H07004 Erbacres DAMION Pennwood Damion Jessmae and Pennwood Damion Ripples scored Very Good (86) and Very Good (85), respectively. Sired by 7HO8738 Scientific SS DEUCE, Elk-Lick Deuce Chana scored Very Good (87). 

7HO10180 Farnear-TBR Damin PAYTON-ET DAMION x Windy-Knoll-View Prairie-ET (VG-87-DOM) x Windy-Knoll-View Pledge-ET (EX-95-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM)

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No. 1 GTPI (+1927) DAMION son in North America DAMION crossed with the power of the Palas DAMION x Shottle: the right cross for dairy strength, open rib and sensational rear udders

Large photo: Windy-Knoll-View Pledge-ET, grandam of PAYTON, Fisher. Small photos (l-r): Windy-Knoll-View Promis-ET, great-grandam of PAYTON, Fisher; Windy-Knoll-View Prairie-ET, dam of PAYTON, Erbsen. ™Showcase Selections is a trademark of Select Sires Inc.; TPI is a trademark of Holstein Association USA. PAYTON qualifies for semen export to Canada.

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To enhance the productivity and profitability of dairy and beef producers, Select Sires is committed to be the premier provider of highly fertile, superior genetics accompanied by effective reproductive- and herdmanagement products and services.

For more information, visit www.selectsires.com or call (614) 873-4683.

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™ Program for Genetic Advancement, PGA, Program for Fertility Advancement, PFA, DIAMOND SELECTion, Select Mating Service, SMS, Superior Settler, Select Reproductive Solutions, SRS, Portfolio of Reproductive Solutions, Select RePRO Analysis, SelectCheck, Select Detect, gender SELECTed, Super Sampler, Herdlife Builder, HealthMark, Showcase Selections, FeedPRO and SMS II are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.; Total Performance Index and TPI are trademarks of Holstein Association USA; Jersey Performance Index, JPI, Jersey Udder Index and JUI are trademarks of American Jersey Cattle Association; ® BioPRYN is a registered trademark of BioTracking LLC; All product claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied are made only by the product manufacturers and not by Select Sires Inc.

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