Summer 2017 Selections by Select Sires

SUMMER 2017 Genetic Improvement - Are you Moving Forward Fast Enough

Managing Heat Stress

Sire Fertility: It's More Than Just What's Inside the Straw

Our Passion. YOUR SUCCESS YO

Turn to page 10 to learn about the Cookiecutter H family and their potential to positively inďŹ&#x201A;uence the Holstein breed.

S ELECTIONS

KEEP YOUR COWS HEALTHY AND PRODUCTIVE THIS SUMMER

eat stress, caused by extreme temperatures

and humidity, can affect everything from production to reproduction in your herd. And, the effects can be seen on your herd's performance long after peak temperatures have returned to normal. This issue is full of management tips to help you keep your cows healthy and working as the mercury in the thermometer rises.

A Genetic Audit is as Valuable as a Financial Audit! by David C. Thorbahn, president and C.E.O. I am sure that you, as most professional business people do, have an annual financial audit of your business to provide financial statements. I find these statements valuable as a snapshot to understand our business, identify areas of success and pinpoint opportunities for improvement. So why would a genetic audit be any different? Genetics are the foundation on which your herd is built. A genetic audit allows you to understand the opportunities and limitations within your herd, which adds up to real dollars. It can also give you an analysis of various aspects of your dairy from production to reproduction to health. Differences between herds in productivity can translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars and more! Breeders typically over-estimate the genetic level of their herds because they have been using A.I. for many years. The reality is, most herds are not in the top 20 percent of herds genetically in their area or their region, but they think they are. Within the last two editions of Selections, I shared two very important points that may be depriving you of profitability. The first article points out that it is a mistake to buy semen as an input based on the cheapest cost, as university researchers tell us that every $100 increment in Net Merit (NM$) is worth $15 more in semen cost when actual cost may only be $5 to $10 more. Every time you don’t make that investment your herd’s genetic level falls farther behind. The second article clearly shows the actual production and performance differences in

groups based on genetics in your own herd. These audits show how that difference translates into real performance in production, reproduction, health and fitness traits, and how that translates into huge amounts of dollars lost. Some of you found it shocking that the top quartile genetically for PTA milk in each herd produced more than 1,800 pounds of milk per cow than the bottom quartile. When ranked by Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) or Cow Conception Rate (CCR), the top quartiles genetically all averaged more than 7 percent higher in whole herd pregnancy rate than the bottom quartiles. All herds’ top quartile groups were at 28 percent or more for whole herd pregnancy rate, with two averaging over 30 percent. This is where that $15.91 per unit for each $100 change in NM$ comes from in Dr. Dechow’s analysis. As a herd owner, how do you know where you are and how do you proceed to maximize your financial performance without an accountant and an audit? This also is true in genetics; you cannot understand genetic potential and how it relates to performance in your own herd, if you don’t do an audit. Whether you use Select Sires or another supplier, do yourself and your operation a favor, and request

a genetic audit. Your Select Sires cooperative has a staff of trained professionals to provide these audits. Our professional service team has the tools to evaluate your herd and tell you where you stand. I am also sure that once you see the performance differences you will demand a higher quality product, as you will see production performance differences and the dollars lost or potentially generated by those differences. Select Sires’ genetic offering of elite bulls is more than double our

UDDERMINT is available from your Select Sires representative.

closest competitor in almost any selection category, making us a strong supplier of elite genetics to meet all your needs. So please, contact your Select Sires representative and ask for a genetic consultation and get an audit of your breeding program. I am sure we can provide you with an even better value than you are currently receiving! This is something you do with your finances, why not do it with your genetics?

UDDERMINT is a registered trademark of Teison Products Ltd., Worcs, U.K., and is distributed in the United States by Ecolab Inc. Food and Beverage Division. © 2008 Ecolab Inc. 707850/5302/0308. All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied are make only by Ecolab, and not by Select Sires Inc.

Genetic Improvement - Are you Moving Forward Fast Enough? by Lyle Kruse, vice president U.S. market development Select Sires Inc. Since the availability of genomic predictions in 2009, the pace of genetic improvement for Holstein cows in the U.S. has accelerated at a signiﬁcant pace compared to the pregenomic era. Keeping up may be overwhelming, but Select Sires can help you meet the challenge. Based on the latest data from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding seen in the top right graph, since the introduction of genomic predictions, the Holstein breed has averaged a gain of +$53 Net Merit (NM$) per year, which is more than double the previous annual genetic gain in the U.S. The average sire of heifers born in 2015 was +409 NM$. We recently assembled data from 200 sizable dairy operations that work with Select Sires to evaluate their current genetic levels for sires of heifers, and the service sire used to create these heifer’s first pregnancy. Looking at the average sire of heifers in these operations in the bottom left graph, the range in sire NM$ average was significant (+198 to +788 NM$) and the

average sire of the heifers in this data set was +505 NM$. Looking at the average service sire for heifer pregnancies (graph on bottom right) in these operations, the range in service sire NM$ average was wide (+317 to +921 NM$) and the average service sire for heifer pregnancies in this data set was +631 NM$. What can you do? With the average pace of genetic improvement increasing at a rate of over +50 NM$ per year, dairy owners are challenged to keep pace and hopefully exceed the industry genetic improvement. Select Sires provides you with the opportunity to far exceed industry averages. Select Sires offers more than 70 elite Holstein sires that exceed +750 NM$. If you use TPI®

Since the introduction of genomics, the average gain for NM$ has been +$53 per year which is more than double the previous annual genetic gain in the U.S.

for your selection index, Select Sires currently offers more than 75 elite Holstein sires that exceed +2600 GTPI. Each of these groups of elite NM$ and TPI sires also include a vast selection of elite ranking sires for Sire Conception Rate (SCR) and echo Select Sires' commitment to semen quality. As another busy summer arrives, we are reminded of how challenged the typical dairy operation is to complete necessary tasks, especially if this includes the normal summer demands of field work. If you are challenged with enough time in the day, I suggest asking for help from your Select Sires team led by our genetic

Heifers: Sire NM$

specialists to make sure your genetic planning and resulting genetic harvest is the best you can make it. With nearly half of the industry’s elite sires for TPI and Net Merit, Select Sires is positioned to provide you with the elite genetics you need to move your herd forward at today’s fast genetic pace.

Number of Herds

NM$ of Service Sire for Lactation = 0

Sire NM$ Average The range in sire NM$ average was wide (+198 to +788 NM$) and the average sire of the heifers in this data set of 200 dairy operations was +505 NM$.

Service Sire NM$ Average Among 200 dairy operations, the range of sires used on heifers was +317 to +921 NM$ and the average was +631 NM$.

Managing Heat Stress by Dr. Ray Nebel, vice president of technical service programs It’s not a matter of “if” it gets hot, but “when” it will do so. Dealing effectively with heat stress in dairy herds is essentially a management issue. High levels of humidity aggravate heat stress. Dairy cows are homeothermic animals and need to maintain a constant body temperature of around 101°F. The comfort zone, or thermo-neutral zone, for a dairy cow is wide varying from around 5°F to 77°F. At temperatures above 77°F, cows have two main control strategies to maintain their thermal balance. Air containing higher levels of water vapor reduces the potential for evaporation by cooling a cow’s environment. If body heat is not allowed to dissipate by way of evaporation of sweat or water applied to the cow, the cow retains that heat and becomes more uncomfortable. A cow’s next response is to start panting to get cool air into her body. Even if humans are not feeling discomfort in a warm barn, a barn full of panting cows indicates that the cows are experiencing heat stress. Panting and drooling escalate the maintenance energy needs of the animal by an estimated 20 percent at 95°F. This means the cow will redirect her thermal regulation, lowering milk production, heat expression and conception. Limiting heat production by reducing activity and changing the feeding pattern is a common practice. As the majority of heat production is due to rumen fermentation the cow will reduce her dry matter intake by up to 30 percent. She will also be selective in what she will eat if given a choice, namely less fiber. Cows suffering from heat stress quickly stop eating in an effort to diminish the heat

coming from rumen fermentation. The reduction in feed intakes will reduce milk production and put the cow at risk for various health issues. Because higher producing cows have higher feed intakes, they produce more metabolic heat and will be at greater risk. During periods of heat stress and reduced nutrient intake, cows can quickly fall into a negative energy balance. Tips to Managing Heat Stress The most practical methods to reduce heat stress can be grouped into ventilation and cooling. Common areas where cows congregate will benefit from a reduction in heat exposure. The installation of fans and sprinkler systems are often promoted as the solution for heat abatement. In many cases there could be significant benefits from a mechanical solution, but this will involve capital investment and more operating costs. On too many farms, fans have been installed before simple improvements to basic ventilation have been made, such as opening up side wall ventilation and ridge line ventilation. The installation of a mechanical solution should be considered after natural ventilation improvements have been implemented. An assessment of airflow within an existing building can be carried out quickly and easily using a smoke cartridge.

Improving airflow over a cow has a dramatic effect on evaporative heat loss from the skin. Research studies suggest that air flows as low as 5 mph can reduce respiration rates in heat stressed animals by as much as 50 percent. The installation of fans, combined with spraying water onto cows, can dramatically reduce the effects of heat stress. Cows should be wetted at the head locks with 2.5 gallons of water over a period of 60 seconds followed by four minutes of drying with a 0.6 mph airflow. Others suggest that when the temperature exceeds 70°F, a spray cycle should include the application of one gallon per cow over a period of three minutes followed by 12 minutes of air movement to increase evaporative cooling. The application of water in the feeding area has proved very effective, but researchers have concluded that the benefits are reduced unless the wetting is combined with fans. One down side is that application of water to cows around the bedding area can increase the chance for mastitis. Changing feeding times can also be helpful. Feeding 60 percent of the summer ration between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. will improve intakes. Cows will tend to eat less during the day, but more often and in smaller quantities. They will tend to consume more feed at night when it is cooler. Water is critical. Cows are unlikely to walk more than 825 feet to drink, so it is essential that water tanks are near. As temperatures rise, cows will drink more. In hot weather, water intakes can increase by 10-20 percent, so it is essential to have adequate water troughs. When temperatures rise, cows can drink in excess of 25 gallons/day, even the lower yielding cows. Heat Stress and Reproductive Performance Alongside things typically associated with heat stress, it can

negatively influence reproductive performance. Heat detection. Both duration and intensity of estrus are negatively affected by heat stress. Cows attempting to reduce body heat production limit their physical activity, translating to fewer physical signs of estrus. Fertility. Pregnancy rate is reduced from impeded development of mature follicles. Premature follicles emerge around 40 days prior to ovulation, making oocytes susceptible to heat-related damage, which can compromise quality. Embryonic development. Embryonic development, especially through day 40, is vulnerable to heat stress. Elevating the cow’s internal temperature results in a reduction in the number of embryos that continue to develop. As the cow tries to thermo-regulate, her system will redistribute blood flow away from her core. This aids in dissipating heat, but reduces blood flow supporting fetal development. Summer weather makes a convincing argument to utilize detection aids, including CowManager®, tail chalk and tail patches. Timed-A.I. protocols such as double ovsynch or pre-synch ovsynch are particularly useful to bypass the often nonexistent signs of estrus. Contact your Select Reproductive® (SRS®) specialist to determine the strategies that will be appropriate for your dairy. To minimize potential problems with heat stress, dairy producers need to be prepared and monitor the symptoms of heat stress. Changing facilities and management to account for summer temperatures will lessen the effect on milk production and reproduction. Heat stress can have long-term effects on conception and pregnancy rates, lower milk production and increase health problems, resulting in lowered profitability.

Select Sires’ Superior Settlers As the mercury rises this summer, looking at all

7HO10999 BRADNICK

7HO12111 DRAGONHEART

available fertility values of individual sires can

7HO11169 PETRONE

7HO12115 DECEIVER

help improve pregnancy rates. Through evaluation

7HO11351 SUPERSIRE

7HO12139 PETY

of the Composite Fertility Index (CFI ) and Sire

7HO11524 DANTE

7HO12165 MONTROSS

Conception Rate (SCR), along with intense semen

7HO11647 POLICE

7HO12195 BUTLER

quality evaluations, these 19 daughter-proven sires

7HO11752 BOB

7HO12197 UPTOWN

earn the designation of Superior Settler. Turn to

7HO11777 SNOWMOBIL 7HO12198 KINGBOY

Select Sires for the fertility advantage when you

7HO11985 TETRIS

7HO12248 SUPERIOR

need to produce pregnancies in your herd.

7HO12014 DAVINCI

250HO1127 MAIN EVENT

™

7HO12095 MALLINGER 6

™

Superior Settler, Composite Fertility Index and CFI are trademarks of Select Sires Inc.

Sire Fertility: It's More Than Just What's Inside the Straw by Mel DeJarnette, vice president, research and quality control Select Sires has earned a reputation over the years of having the most fertile semen in the A.I. industry. The worthiness of this reputation was just validated once again by the April 2017 Sire Conception Rate (SCR) and Agritech Analytics sire fertility comparisons. What’s the secret? How do we consistently achieve such impressive fertility rankings? Honestly, it is not a single thing that we do but rather it is many big and little things consistently done right! Technology – Whenever our sire fertility is discussed, our adoption of technology over the years in semen processing and quality control are often the first target of credit. Without question we have invested considerable effort in research and development of novel extender formulations, processing procedures and semen diagnostic assays. Sire Health – Quality semen production starts with a healthy sire. Sire health starts at the farm of origin and continues with adequate care upon arrival at Select Sires. More and more, arrival is occurring at younger ages leading us to develop state-ofthe-art calf rearing procedures and facilities. Before entering the resident herd for semen production, these calves must pass extensive Certified Semen Services (CSS) health testing protocols to ensure semen is safe and disease-free for use in A.I. Throughout their life, bulls will continue to receive semi-annual health testing that goes far beyond the minimum CSS requirements for the industry. Sire Nutrition – Feeding bulls for optimum semen production is not a subject that you can find much university research to help you with. Nutrition can have a huge impact on

semen production and quality. Overconditioned bulls often have semen quality issues and some common feed ingredients for dairy cow rations can have a negative impact on semen quality. Bulls can be highly sensitive to feed toxins, mycotoxins or other components found in feeds. Select Sires’ bull nutrition team has decades of trial and error experience learning what to do (and what not to do) in feeding sires for optimum semen production. Sire comfort – Every dairy producer in the world knows the importance of cow comfort to productivity. Sires are no different. With our growth over the years, Select Sires has had the opportunity to add many new production facilities. With each new addition, experience from prior facilities was used to incorporate more optimum designs. Stall design, bedding type and frequency as well as ventilation are all important considerations. Many of Select Sires’ barns are air conditioned to maintain sire comfort and optimum semen production through the summer months. Sire selection – All of the above would be pretty worthless if Select Sires did not have the genetic offerings dairy and beef producers wanted to purchase. Not only have our sire analysts done an incredible job of stacking the genetic rankings with stud 7 and 250 bulls, but they have also worked closely with the

production team to cull bulls that appear destined for semen quality and fertility problems. Product support – Select Sires takes great pride in that we are not just the cheap semen stud that simply drops semen off. Both domestically and internationally, Select Sires invests in a support network to make sure customers have access to the latest in technology to convert that straw of semen into a pregnancy and eventually a genetically valuable, live calf. This support may be a sales representative well versed in genomics and the most effective synchronization protocols to advanced consulting through Select Reproductive Solutions® (SRS®) or Select Mating Service® (SMS®). People – Everything mentioned above is simply a prescription that

can be written and handed to the competition and they still would not have our advantage unless they stole our people. Processes and procedures need people to carry them out and do it right. From the barn staff and veterinarians caring for and collecting bulls to the semen processing and quality control staff ensuring optimum quality of saleable inventory to shipping and packaging personnel preparing tanks for shipment to the sales representatives and technicians delivering the package and service: conscientious and dedicated employees with a genuine focus and passion for our customer’s success are truly the source of our secret ingredient. No question, nothing is more important than our people to our fertility success!

BioFresh Bolus is ideal for fresh cows, supplying critical vitamins and minerals to supplement a cow’s variable intake, and aids in immune function by providing L-Form Lactobacillus, microbial sugars and specialized proteins. One bolus per day for up to three consecutive days is beneﬁcial to sick and off-feed cows. BioFresh will also help retain more milk and reduce Somatic Cell Counts (SCC) as shown through Southern Illinois University research1. Available exclusively from Select Sires.

BioFresh is a registered trademark of Agrarian Solutions™. Products listed are manufactured for Agrarian Solutions, Middlebury, Ind., and merely distributed by Select Sires Inc. All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by Agrarian Solutions and not by Select Sires Inc. 1Visit www.selectsires.com to view Southern Illinois University research.

April 2017 Sire Summary Highlights Select Sires leads the industry with the most sires (42) on the Holstein Association USA Top 100 TPI Bulls with 97 percent Rel. for Milk and Type list. We are proud to offer more elite, highly reliable genetics than any other A.I. organization.

PROVEN TPI With 45 of the top 100, 28 of the top 50, 15 of the top 25 and nine of the top 10 GTPI sires on Holstein Association USA’s Top 100 TPI Bulls list, Select Sires has maintained its position at the top of the industry. 7HO12165 MONTROSS (+2744), new release 7HO12266 YODER (+2673), 7HO11351 SUPERSIRE (+2603), 7HO12105 REFLECTOR (+2590), 7HO12198 KINGBOY (+2567), 7HO11752 BOB (+2564), 7HO11708 ROOKIE (+2555), 7HO11621 MAYFLOWER (+2555) and 7HO11383 MORGAN (+2552) lead the way for Select Sires, and the breed, among the top 10. ®

NET MERIT SUPERSTARS Of the top 25 proven sires for Net Merit (NM$), 13 are Select sires, as well as 18 of the top 50 and 34 of the top 100. SUPERSIRE is the No. 2 NM$

TYPE STANDOUTS Select Sires is home to four sires over +3.00 PTAT: No. 1 sire 7HO11596 DEFIANT (+3.60), No. 4 7HO10506 G W ATWOOD (+3.44), No. 8 KINGBOY (+3.28) and No. 14 7HO11477 MCCUTCHEN (+3.13). 7HO11899 FURIOUS is the breed leader for Udder Composite (UDC) at +3.44 and MCCUTCHEN (+2.87), 7HO12139 PETY (+2.86), 7HO10999 BRADNICK (+2.73) and 7HO12222 KIAN (+2.70) rank in the top 20. 7HO11915 MULTIPLY (+2.76), 7HO12042 CORVETTE (+2.74), BRADNICK (+2.70), G W ATWOOD (+2.63), MCCUTCHEN (+2.48) and MOGUL (+2.42) are among the best for Feet and Leg Composite (FLC).

GENOMIC YOUNG SIRES The top 14 GTPI sires on Holstein’s Genomic Young Bulls list are at Select Sires, including Super Samplers 7HO13250 JEDI (+2867) and new release 507HO13607 MAGICTOUCH (+2820). 7HO12600 MODESTY (+2802) and 507HO13576 KNIGHT (+2791) rank in the list’s top 20. MODESTY is the No. 3 young sire for Net Merit (NM$) at +977 while 7HO12788 FRAZZLED (+939), 7HO12943 CURRY (+921) and 7HO12821 EVEREST (+909) rank in the top 20. Three of the top-ﬁve young sires for Type also reside at Select Sires in 7HO12922 DELIGHT (+4.33), 550HO12961 DOC (+3.91) and 250HO12589 JACOBY (+3.90). ™

sire at +866 and is joined at the top of the industry by YODER (+845), MONTROSS (+840), 7HO11985 TETRIS (+812), ROOKIE (+774), 7HO11525 DONATELLO (+750), 7HO11833 RENNIE (+749) and 7HO11395 MYSTIC (+744 ).

7HO12165 MONTROSS 8

JERSEY LINEUP

HIGH-COMPONENTS SIRES

7JE1274 AXIS (+168), 7JE1331 VARICK (+163), 7JE1149 DIMENSION (+148), 7JE1275 DEMAND (+145) and 7JE1267 DEPUTY (+139) are among the top-20 Jersey Performance Index™ (JPI™) sires without a JX preﬁx. AXIS (+582, +595) and VARICK (+505, +546) are top-10 NM$ and Cheese Merit (CM$) sires without a JX preﬁx. Our Jersey Super Sampler lineup also offers outstanding SCR sires including the top six active A.I. young sires and 11 of the top 20 including Super Samplers 7JE5032 VICTORIOUS (+4.4), 7JE5015 SHOWDOWN (+4.1), 7JE1503 JX RONALDINHO {3} (+3.9), 7JE1411 WINDSTAR (+3.9), 7JE1505 JX POGBA {4} (+3.9), 7JE5020 STRIKER (+2.6) and 7JE1486 FIZZ (+2.5).

Select Sires graduated new proven sires in every major dairy breed to strengthen the breed-leading high-components breeds lineups. 7BS861 GPS joins the Showcase Selections sires. 7BS889 HILTON debuts as the No. 1 active A.I. young sires for GPPR (+222), +543 NM$, Cheese Merit (+564) and Fluid Merit (+497). An outcross sire, 7AY103 DIPLOMAT is a production and component specialist: +40 CFP, +0.05%F, +0.04%P and +317M. 7GU451 LEGEND is a FeedPRO sire and a top-ﬁve proven sire for Milk (+628), Protein (+25), CFP (+44), GPTI (+69) and UDC (+1.5). 7GU446 NOVAK leads the breed for NM$ (+328), CM$ (+332), FM$ (+318) and GM$ (+301).

7JE1274 AXIS

™

7GU446 NOVAK

Get to Know the UDDERLY Fantastic Cookiecutter H Family Cookiecutter Holsteins began in the summer of 2004 when Kyle Getty and Denise Dickinson purchased MS Kngs-Rnsm Champ Haley-ET, an impulse buy, according to them. Denise and her husband, John, daughter Crystal, and cousins Kyle and Luke Getty are partners in Cookiecutter Holsteins. The Cookiecutter herd resides at Ideal Dairy along with the Quiet Brook and Main Drag herds for at total of approximately 1,400 head. At Ideal Dairy cows have to compete and prove themselves without any preferential treatment. The focus at Ideal Dairy has been on creating stylish, highproducing cows and Haley seemed to fit the bill. Her type qualities were in line with their standards and, a descendant from the Dellia family, her pedigree was appealing. The Dellia family became famous at Regancrest as a result of her son, 7HO5157 DURHAM. Haley was the beginning of Cookiecutter Holsteins. Because she was so prolific and made Cookiecutter a household name, the decision was made to consolidate all prefixes into Cookiecutter at Ideal Dairy. “This family has been very

popular in merchandising circles,” tells Rick VerBeek, Holstein sire analyst for Select Sires. “As a result you will find the H family continuing under the development of several different prefixes today. The fact that family members survive and thrive from herd to herd is a testament to its ability to rise to the top regardless of the environment and management conditions in which they are placed.” Type and fitness traits are the most recognizable characteristics of this family. Time and again, the family produces great mammary systems, correct feet and legs, and strength. Descendants also excel in fertility, low somatic cell and productive life. Select Sires’ first bull from the H family was former No. 1 GTPI sire 7HO12008 HALOGEN, by 7HO11169 PETRONE and out of Cookiecutter ...continued on page 15

Introducing the Cookiecutter H Family Snow-N-Denises Dellia (EX-95-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) T

Regancrest Elton Disrael-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) Full sister to 7HO5157 DURHAM T

Long-Haven Rudolph Dee-ET (EX-90-2E-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) T

Regancrest-JDV Hanna-ET (EX-90-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) T

Ms Kngs-Rnsm Champ Haley-ET (EX-90-EX-MS-GMD-DOM) T

Cookiecutter Gld Holler-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM) T

Cookiecutter MOM Halo-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM) Dam of 7HO12008 Cookiecutter Petron HALOGEN (+2132GTPI) T

Cookiecutter Epic Hazel-ET (EX-91-EX-MS) Hazel has three sons in A.I. at Select Sires 7HO12696 Cookiecutter MAHLIK-ET 7HO12165 MONTROSS +2680GTPI +769NM$ +1,434M +2.36T 6.5%CE ®

7HO12993 Cookiecutter HUMBLENKIND-ET 7HO12600 MODESTY +2868GTPI +905NM$ +1,335M +3.21T 6.1%CE 7HO13734 Cookiecutter JDI HODEDOE-ET 7HO13250 JEDI +2878GTPI +868NM$ +1,194M +2.55T 6.9%CE More exciting family members to be marketed by Select Sires and GenerVations 7HO12901 AOT Silver HAD ME-ET Silver x Cookiecutter Ssire Has-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM) +2631GTPI +774NM$ +1,503M +2.50T 7.2%CE 7HO12902 AOT HIPHOP-ET Monterey x Cookiecutter Ssire Has-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM) +2588GTPI +681NM$ +910M +2.79T 6.3%CE 7HO12909 Cookiecutter CHESTER-ET Supershot x Cookiecutter Magul Handy-ET (EX-94-EX-MS-DOM) +2481GTPI +637NM$ +1,005M +1.80T 7.0%CE 7HO12951 Siemers Modesty HAIL-ET MODESTY x Cookiecutter Mog Hanker-ET (EX-92-EX-MS-DOM) +2773GTPI +850NM$ +1,231M +2.31T 6.9%CE 7HO12960 AOT HAN SOLO-ET 7HO13195 PROFIT x Cookiecutter Ssire Has-ET (VG-87-EX-MS-DOM) +2706GTPI +787NM$ +1,397M +1.99T 6.7%CE 7HO13662 S-S-I Heisenberg JAXSON-ET 7HO12569 HEISENBERG x Progenesis Kingboy Haley-ET (VG-87) +2743GTPI +774NM$ +1,287M +2.54T 7.5%CE 250HO13736 Cookie Cutter MD HARDROCK-ET MODESTY x Cookiecutter C Handcaps-ET (VG-86) +2817GTPI +901NM$ +2,100M +2.88T 6.7%CE

Cookiecutter Epic Hazel-ET strikes a pose with Denise Dickinson.

7HO13750 Cookiecutter HAPPY 12262-ET JEDI x Cookiecutter Tango Hanse (VG-88) +2776GTPI +784NM$ +2,455M +2.73T 6.9%CE

Hilltop Acres Farm Improved Health Care and Reproductive Efficiency with CowManager “The heat detection [module] in CowManager is great. After getting CowManager up and running, we quit doing any other form of heat detection in the operation. Prior to our expansion and the installation of CowManager, our annualized 21-day Pregnancy Rate was 16%, now it is at 24%.” Tanner Mashek, Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Iowa

“Within six months of having the health module and the sick cow alerts, we had learned that CowManager was smarter than we were, when it comes to identifying sick cow issues. It has paid for itself here within one year. CowManager will detect sick cows 12 hours in advance of visual signs in a majority of cases.” Dennis Mashek, Hilltop Acres Farm, Calmar, Iowa

CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering.

Is it Time to Consider an Alternative? by Doug Moyer, director, Dairy Herd Information, NorthStar Cooperative

Toxin issues on dairy farms are nothing new. In fact, most dairies, with the counsel of their nutritionist, already feed a binder or similar product to help with the affects of mycotoxin exposure. It may not make me the best that information, the herd removed pound per cow milk increase while It is, however, an established salesman, but I’ll tell you that if the direct-fed microbial they were feeding DTX. product to consider. what you are feeding is working – using and gave DTX a try. You know health incidences come You’ve seen the articles, the keep doing it. But, if you are double After feeding DTX for three at a high cost; not only in treatment, mycotoxin levels, particularly and triple dosing a product, or if months, we analyzed the records. We but in lost production. At any time, deoxynivalenol (a.k.a. DON, you aren’t getting the results you compared the rate of health issues but particularly during a softer vomitoxin), in the Midwest are should be, it’s time to consider other for the three months prior (April – milk market, it’s important to do high this year. The problem is not alternatives. June) to adding DTX to the ration, to the math and understand if the going away, so we encourage you Select DTX is an alternative I the three months (July – September) benefits of adding a product to the to test your feed; and perform an would encourage you to consider. in which DTX was fed. The graph herd’s ration outweighs the cost. analysis of your current product’s The Select Sires member below shows the results. At this dairy, the additional cost of performance to see how it’s working. cooperatives have been the exclusive DTX helped to correct the feedstuff DTX was more than paid for with the If you believe there is an opportunity supplier of this unique direct-fed issues, resulting in a reduction in improved health and production. for improvement and want to try a microbial product for 20 years. many health ailments, and it did it This analysis is just a recent different product, or if you aren’t Unlike other products, DTX is based during the summer heat when cows example of how feeding DTX can currently using a product and need were under additional stress. improve a herd’s performance. help, contact your local Select Sires on proprietary L-form Lactobacillus. Along with improved cow health, Like any binder, clay or direct-fed representative. This, along with specialized ingredients, enhances an animal’s the dairy also experienced a five microbial, DTX is not a silver bullet. immune system to overcome the negative effects of everyday challenges, and feed Graph represents the reduction in health incidences comparing two time periods. April-June, 2016 (no DTX in the ration) challenges caused by and July-September, 2016 (DTX in the ration). The frequency of all health incidences improved with Select DTX in the ration. molds and their metabolites. Abortion Retained Placenta Cystic Ovary Ketosis D.A. Milk Fever Metritis 0.00% I recently analyzed -0.5% the records of a 400-0.9% -1.1% cow dairy that had -2.00% -1.8% been having a higher -3.3% frequency of health -4.00% issues, particularly abortions, than what they knew was normal. -6.00% -6.0% Before the herd began feeding DTX, we tested -8.00% the feed and found out Select DTX is a trademark of Select Sires Inc the mycotoxin levels and is manufactured by Agrarian Solutions . All claims, representations and warranties, were much higher than -10.00% -9.7% expressed or implied are made only by Agrarian Solutions and not by Select Sires Inc. expected. Armed with ™

Reduction in Health Incidences

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New sexed-semen product available from Select Sires. Learn more through the answers to frequently asked questions below or contact your representative today! Is a 4 million sperm dose better than a conventional dose of Select Sires semen? No. Our study has shown that a 4 million sperm dose in Holstein heifers has a conception rate that was approximately 80 percent of the conception rate of Select Sires’ conventionally processed semen. These results were statistically significant. Does a 4 million sperm dose provide better fertility than a 2 million dose? Yes. SexedULTRA 4M has shown a conception rate advantage of 5 to 6 percentage points in Holstein heifers based on the results of a recent trial conducted by Select Sires and Sexing Technologies within some of the partner herds participating in the Program for Fertility Advancement™. Can this product be used on cows? SexedULTRA and SexedULTRA 4M can be used on cows. You can expect to see reduced conception rates in cows, however the results between 2 million and 4 million will be closer than in heifers. We recommend use for first or second services on cows showing strong, healthy heats. How will this product be labeled? The ‘509’ stud code prefix will be included for Select Sires bulls and the ‘559’ stud code prefix for GenerVations sires. Straws and cane tops will be yellow. Will bulls have both 4 million and 2 million available? No. At this point, bulls will either be available as SexedULTRA or SexedULTRA 4M, not both.

Now available gender SELECTed SexedULTRA 4M 509HO11757 509HO11833 509HO12024 509HO12026 509HO12197 509HO12212 509HO12638 509HO12672 509HO12690 509HO12742 509HO12745 509HO12778 509HO12801

SUTTON RENNIE GARZA GREENWAY UPTOWN HONEYBEE BENNING MACKAY LOYALTY FOXHOLE STOKER MITCHELL SUMO

509HO12858 509HO12864 509HO13333 509HO13468 509HO13630 559HO1066 559HO11837 559HO13261 509JE1254 509JE1274 509JE1331 509JE1507 509JE1537

CYCLONE INFERNO CORNELL SNAP DESIGN BIG KAHUNA MCCORD MISSLE JX JAMMER {4} AXIS VARICK SIGNAL WICHITA

™gender SELECTed is a trademark of Select Sires Inc. gender SELECTed semen processed by Sexing Technologies for Select Sires shall be used only for the single insemination of one female bovine during natural ovulation with the intent to produce single offspring unless specifically approved on an individual customer basis by Sexing Technologies in writing. This semen is produced using the proprietary technology of XY LLC and Inguran LLC, as partially represented by U.S. Patents: 6372422, 7094527, 7208265, 7371517, 6357307, 7723116, 7758811and 7799569. Patents pending in US and foreign markets. XY® is a registered trademark of XY LLC. All gender SELECTed semen is processed using SexedULTRA™ technology. ™SexedULTRA and SexedULTRA 4M are trademarks of Inguran LLC. Product of the USA.

Genetic Consultants Attend Conference, Build Skills At Select Sires, we pride ourselves in providing you with not only industry-leading genetics, but also professional service and support. Our Select Mating Service® (SMS®) genetic consultants recently attended a training session to advance their skills to better serve you and meet your needs. More than 180 SMS genetic consultants from Select Sires’ member organizations, international distributors as well as other Select Sires staff and guests met at the 42nd annual SMS Genetic Consultant Conference, hosted by Select Sire Power May 7 through May 10 in New York. To start the conference, genetic consultants participated in a day of continuing education. The group discussed exciting developments in the Holstein and Jersey sire programs, inbreeding management and the strategic use of beef semen in dairy herds. They learned about future enhancements to the SMS program, innovative technologies and recent trends. Additionally, Jonathan Lamb of Oakfield Corners Dairy shared information about his family’s operation, their focus on genetic advancement and showcased their sires in the Select Sires program.

“Select Sires is excited to offer new tools for our SMS genetic consultants around the world to better serve our customers and make a genetic impact on their individual herds,” explained Lon Peters, vice president of dairy sire product services, Select Sires Inc. Now in its 44th year, SMS added more animals (nearly 3 million) to the program than any year in its history. SMS genetic consultants continue to help dairy producers control genetic recessives, haplotypes, inbreeding levels and provide a means to create custom selection indexes based on customer goals. The conference allows genetic consultants to view hundreds of Select-sired daughters and see the pattern each sire transmits to his offspring. Over the course of three days, consultants viewed progeny of Select Sires’ current lineup and potential graduates in New York and Connecticut. Select Sires

Right: SMS genetic consultants saw many great daughters of 7HO12165 MONTROSS at Welcome Stock Farm. Below: More than 180 participants attended this year's SMS Genetic Consultant Conference.

1144

thanks the following herds for their hospitality: Arethusa Farm, Litchfield, Conn.; Dutch Hollow Farm, Schodack Landing, N.Y.; Toll Gate Farm, Ancramdale, N.Y.; Elite Dairy, Copake, N.Y.; Ideal Dairy and Cookiecutter Holsteins, Hudson Falls, N.Y.; Kings Ransom Farm,

Schuylerville, N.Y.; Welcome Stock Farm, Schuylerville, N.Y.; Clear Echo Farm, Schuylerville, N.Y.; Eildon Tweed Farm, West Charlton, N.Y.; Kenyon Hill Farm, Cambridge, N.Y.; Lincoln Hill Farm, Eagle Bridge, N.Y. and Elm-Spring Farm, Eagle Bridge, N.Y.

Duane Moff (left) of COBA/Select Sires Inc. was presented with the SMS Genetic Consultant of the Year award at the SMS Conference by Lon Peters.

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Cookiecutter MOM Halo-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM)

Cookiecutter Ssire Has-ET (VG-88-EX-MS-DOM)

Cookiecutter Mogul Handy-ET (EX-94-EX-MS-DOM)

...continued from page 10

a little more like their sires, I think you can generally count on sons from the Halo family to excel in udders and overall type. They also tend to excel in transmitting low somatic cell score, improved fertility and longevity,” says VerBeek. The best may be yet to come from this dynamic family. In addition to all the bulls currently being marketed (7HO12901 HAD ME, 7HO12902 HIPHOP, and 7HO12960 HAN SOLO, which all carry the AOT prefix), some of Select Sires’ most exciting current mating sires hail from this family including HODEDOE, 250HO13736 HARDROCK, and 7HO13750

HAPPY. “You can also expect to see HUMBLENKIND used as a mating sire the second he produces semen,” tells VerBeek. There are several other Halo descendants in the Midwest also adding to her contributions to Select Sires. 7HO12951 HAIL (+2773GTPI) is a MODESTY son being used as a sire father from Cookiecutter Mog Hanker-ET (EX-92-EX-MS-DOM), a MOGUL daughter from Halo. Hanker also has several high-type daughters with multiple mating contracts for Select Sires. A product of Select Sires’ Aggressive Reproductive

MOM Halo-ET (VG-88-EX-MSDOM), a granddaughter of Haley. Halo’s daughter, Cookiecutter Epic Hazel-ET (EX-91-EX-MS), by 250HO1002 EPIC, has produced three sons for Select Sires. They are 7HO13734 HODEDOE (+2878GTPI) by 7HO13250 JEDI, 7HO12993 HUMBLENKIND (+2868 GTPI) by 7HO12600 MODESTY, and 7HO12696 MAHLIK (+2680GTPI) by 7HO12165 MONTROSS. With more than 140 offspring, Halo is one of the greatest genetic catalysts in the H line. “While some of the bulls from this family are starting to transmit

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Technologies (ART ) program, 7HO13662 JAXSON-ET (+2743 GTPI) is a 7HO12569 HEISENBERG son from a Very Good (87) daughter of 7HO12198 KINGBOY. A bit of an outcross, JAXSON has a MOGULand ROBUST-free pedigree. Halo daughter, Cookiecutter Mogul Handy-ET (EX-94-EXMS-DOM) produced a Supershot son for the Program for Genetic Advancement (PGA ) at Select Sires, 7HO12909 CHESTER (+2481GTPI). A benefit of the Cookiecutter herd being located in Hudson Falls, New York is their close proximity to a Trans Ova Genetics satellite center in Argyle, N.Y. With plenty of available recipients at Ideal Dairy, the Dickinsons and Getty’s have made IVF a routine component of managing the herd. Look for the Cookiecutter H family to have great impact on the Holstein breed. ™

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Introducing The Next Generation of Greatness Name

7HO13250

Jedi

GTPI

NM$

CFP

507HO13576 KNIGHT

+2791

+767

+130

JEDI x HEADWAY

7HO12971

GALILEO

+2790

+837

+154

JEDI x Tango

7HO12943

CURRY

+2765

+921

+185

JEDI x SUPERSIRE

7HO12947

PARISON +2742

+767

+164

JEDI x Tango

7HO13592

CAM

+876

+157

JEDI x MOONRAY

+2727

Pedigree

JEDI has been at the top of the young sire lists since his release, and now his sons are ready to take you to the next level of greatness. These four young sires are only available from your Select Sires representative. The next generation starts now! Call and place your order today!

All bulls listed on this page qualify for export to Canada. 04/17 Genomic Rel: CDCB/HA KNIGHT, GALILEO, PARISON and CAM Yield 76%; NM 72%; CURRY Yield Yiel i ldd 76%, 76%, NM 73%. ®TPI is a registered trademark trade rademark mark of Holstein Association USA. JEDI photo by Erbsen.

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

YOUR SUCCESS Our Passion.

Minster, Ohio 45865 Permit No. 2

SELECTIONS MISSION

53 ./24( s 0,!). #)49 s /()/ s

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. Product of the USA.

TM Super Sampler, gender SELECTed, Select RePRO Analysis, Aggressive Reproductive Technologies, ART, Program for Genetic Advancement, PGA and Superior Settler are trademarks of Select Sires Inc. Dairy Wellness Profit Index and DWP$ are trademarks of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. JPI is a trademark of the American Jersey Cattle Association. ®Select Mating Service, SMS, Select Reproductive Solutions, SRS and FeedPRO are registered trademarks of Select Sires Inc. CowManager is a registered trademark of Agis Automatisering. CLARIFIDE is a registered trademark of Zoetis Inc., its affiliates and/or its licensors. TPI is a registered trademark of Holstein Association USA. gender SELECTedTM semen processed by Sexing Technologies for Select Sires shall be used only for the single insemination of one female bovine during natural ovulation with the intent to produce single offspring unless specifically approved on an individual customer basis by Sexing Technologies in writing. This semen is produced using the proprietary technology of XY LLC and Inguran LLC, as partially represented by U.S. Patents: 6372422, 7094527, 7208265, 7371517, 6357307, 7723116, 7758811and 7799569. Patents pending in US and foreign markets. XY® is a trademark of XY LLC. All gender SELECTed semen is processed using SexedULTRATM technology.

A cow’s immune system may be able to combat the debilitating effects of mycotoxins for months before symptoms become obvious, so testing your feed is critical. The addition of Select DTX™ to the ration can help neutralize the effects of toxins and boost immune function. To learn more, turn to the article on page 12 of this issue or call the Select Sires representative in your area. Available exclusively from Select Sires!

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Select DTX is a trademark of Select Sires inc and is manufactured by Agrarian Solutions™, Middlebury, Ind., and merely distributed by Select Sires Inc. All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by Agrarian Solutions and not by Select Sires Inc.