4 minute read
Build a Healthier Herd
BUILD A HEALTHIER HERD
Sire Analyst Kevin Jorgensen working with member of Larson Acres.
Kevin Jorgensen, senior sire analyst explains, "The U.S. dairy cow is probably the most analyzed species on planet earth. Whether it be for production, health, fitness or type, we have hundreds of different things that we evaluate."
Historically, genetic strategies have focused on increasing favorable traits for production, type and fertility, while decreasing undesirable haplotypes. Herd health and wellness was determined by management and health protocols. With the onset of Zoetis’ CLARIFIDE ® Plus technology, dairy producers have a prime opportunity to build a healthier herd through genetic selection.
Health and Wellness Indexes
CLARIFIDE Plus reports on six cow wellness traits, including mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum and ketosis, as well as three calf wellness traits, including scours, respiratory health and calf livability. The Dairy Wellness Profit Index® (DWP$® ) and Wellness Trait Index® (WT$® ) are specially designed indexes that include these valuable health and wellness traits.
According to Zoetis, “With the use of DWP$, producers can make approximately $47 more profit per selected female over 10 years using a 15 percent culling selection strategy, as compared to a lower-cost CLARIFIDE test. The difference is even higher in favor of DWP$, when compared to lower reliability tests at low cost.” (*Data on file, Jan. 2018)
Mike Larson, Evansville, Wis.
The Larson Acres herd includes 2,500 lactating Holsteins and DWP$ is the single most important factor in their selection of service sires. Larson’s genetic strategy for sire selection is +1,000 DWP$ and then consideration of Combined Fat and Protein (CFP) values.
As a trial herd in 2011, Larson Acres worked with Zoetis to collect, analyze and apply herd data for health and wellness traits. Since observing the impact of this data in his herd, Larson explains, “I recognized the immense value in this information when tied to profitability and sustainability.”
Genetic Strategy
Profitability hinges on the difference between the top 25 percent and bottom 25 percent of a herd’s performance. This genetic potential is outlined and detailed in a genetic audit. Larson Acres works with Brian Kelroy of CentralStar Cooperative, and Kevin Jorgensen to analyze this data and prepare genetic strategies to meet profitability and sustainability goals.
Simple, Easy Identification A recent quartile analysis of Larson Acres’ genetics in second lactation cows and greater, confirmed the value in DWP$ selection. As seen in Figure 1, the low-end group averaged +151 DWP$ and produced less milk, lower pregnancy rates, increased days open and markedly higher health incidences than the high-end genetic group.
Applying DWP$ to meet herd goals
With DWP$ leading sire selection, the value in genetic consultation centers on inventory management of Larson’s cow herd. At one month of age, all females are tested with Zoetis’ CLARIFIDE Plus genomic test. Larson explains that his reliance on DWP$ in sire selection is only half of the equation and that DWP$ is the only criteria he reviews when making culling decisions for heifers.
Through Select Sires’ ProfitMAX consultation program, Larson and Kelroy manage appropriate heifer inventories. From there, he uses DWP$ values to identify heifers to sell, embryo recipients and usage of gender SELECTed semen.
Through inventory management and application of DWP$ data, Larson has made impressive changes resulting in a more balanced herd in terms of lactation. His goal is one-third first lactation, one-third second lactation and one-third third lactation and greater. In two years, the use of the DWP$ data changed herd makeup from 45 percent first lactation to 36 percent. Today, the herd is 36 percent first lactation, 30 percent second lactation and 35 percent third lactation and greater.
Brian Houin, Plymouth, Ind.
Homestead Dairy, LLC is home to 3,500 lactating cows and once again, DWP$ is used intensely to select and manage herd genetics. Brian Houin’s herd was also part of early trials with Zoetis and he has long since recognized the benefit of this data. “If you believe in genetics or genomics at all, this just makes sense,” says Houin about his use of DWP$ data. “When you compare your on-farm data with genetic data and realize how accurate that information is, it’s unbelievable that you can take that small skin sample from a day-old calf and then you know what her future looks like.”
Just like Larson Acres, Houin uses the DWP$ data to make strategic breeding decisions, including heifers and cows. He ranks the entire herd using DWP$ values and targets the top 50 percent for the next generation and mates the low-end to beef or designates recipients for embryos.
Homestead’s aggressive breeding strategy challenges the status quo. By comparing the genomic data of both heifers and lactating cows, they are building a superior herd of cattle. Houin estimates that about 80 percent of heifers are mated with sexed semen and about 80 percent of the lactating cow herd is mated to beef. “That’s the name of the game - constantly improving your genetics as fast as you can and then you will see the results,” says Houin.
A recent quartile analysis of Homestead’s lactating herd shows similar results to Larson’s, significantly less cow death, lameness, mastitis and pneumonia, as well as less cows sold. Houin explains that his goal now is to bring his whole herd to the genetic caliber of the top 25 percent and his application of DWP$ data will be his most strategic tool.
It is clear that both Larson Acres and Homestead are planning for a sustainable future in the dairy industry. Building healthier cattle means more profit and elite DWP$ sires strengthen these goals. u
To support customer-owners and provide useful tools for genetic improvement, Select Sires makes health and wellness data readily available. Among the three product lineups, Select Sires has the industry’s most elite selections of DWP$ leaders.
