Genus Holstein Genetic directory

[Cuckoo's nest]

Unlock your herd's hidden breeding potential | AHDB

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ahdb.org.uk

May be worth a look - need to be milk recording for these ones I think

As usual nearest one 3.5 hours drive !!

 

[How Dairy]

As usual nearest one 3.5 hours drive !!

jeez, where are you based? Aberdeen?

 

[coomoo]

Genomics are a piece in a big puzzle.

They're extremely helpful when used correctly

Example, you have two identical bulls on paper based on genomics, same pli, same type scores, same production and health traits etc

However Bull A comes from the Laurie shieks and has over 10 generations straight classified Ex or vg (you may not care about classifying but it shows they look good and don't come out with teats at right angles) the milk records are phenomenal and based on the number of ex cows in the pedigree you know for a fact they will
last and get in-calf

Bull B doesn't have a family behind him, out of the past 6 dams in the pedigree only his 3rd dam has been classified a measly gp83 on her third lactation milk records are few and far between

IT doesn't take long to work out the better bull

And I would probably still pick bull A even if Bull b was £300pli higher than him

Always gets me how classifiers don’t have cows.

 

[Cuckoo's nest]

Always gets me how classifiers don’t have cows.

Do you think they don't know what they are doing ? Or have not milked cows or worked with them ?

 

[Jdunn55]

Always gets me how classifiers don’t have cows.

Its better if they don't.

They are trained all to a standard and something is either right or wrong. Classifications are formulas not personal preference, it's why when you have 2 cows in the show ring, the vg86 might beat the vg87 or even vg88 2 year old because that is down to personal preference.

Had it here before, classifier comments that he really like cows A, puts in her measurements and she doesn't actually score that well, similarly I've had it they have commented that a certain cow isn't their favourite and she's scored much higher.

 

[coomoo]

Do you think they don't know what they are doing ? Or have not milked cows or worked with them ?

Think they’ve done all that yet…

Its better if they don't.

They are trained all to a standard and something is either right or wrong. Classifications are formulas not personal preference, it's why when you have 2 cows in the show ring, the vg86 might beat the vg87 or even vg88 2 year old because that is down to personal preference.

Had it here before, classifier comments that he really like cows A, puts in her measurements and she doesn't actually score that well, similarly I've had it they have commented that a certain cow isn't their favourite and she's scored much higher.

Just remember some herds spend weeks washing and dressing cows ready for scoring.

 

[More to life]

Think they’ve done all that yet…



Just remember some herds spend weeks washing and dressing cows ready for scoring.

I can’t see it makes any difference now cows a cow

 

[Holsteinfriesian90]

I can see it makes any difference now cows a cow

You sure?

 

[Jdunn55]

Think they’ve done all that yet…



Just remember some herds spend weeks washing and dressing cows ready for scoring.

Won't make a difference, doesn't matter if a cow is clean or covered in sh!t, if shes 150cm tall, shes 150cm tall, if her udder is 32cm wide, her udder is 32cm, if her teats are 10cm long, they're 10cm long

Most of the fancy herds who wash cows prior to classifying, do it in anticipation of taking photos of the freshest max score vg88 2 year old etc

 

[More to life]

Won't make a difference, doesn't matter if a cow is clean or covered in sh!t, if shes 150cm tall, shes 150cm tall, if her udder is 32cm wide, her udder is 32cm, if her teats are 10cm long, they're 10cm long

Most of the fancy herds who wash cows prior to classifying, do it in anticipation of taking photos of the freshest max score vg88 2 year old etc

You say that as if they actually get a tape measure out

 

[Jdunn55]

You say that as if they actually get a tape measure out

when you spend all day looking at cows doing the same thing you don't need a tape, they probably score several hundred cows each week, doesn't take long to work it out when you're doing that many every day

 

[upnortheast]

This all comes down to what floats your boat.
@coomoo is happy to let Genus make the breeding decisions
People like @Jdunn55 & our lad spend hours deciding the best bull to put on a particular cow.

As said above genomics are a piece of the jigsaw. Dangerous if folk are using them a the sole criteria.

A problem in coloured breeds is lack of reliability. Semen salesman was promoting this wonderful bull based on its genomics. Get to the small print at the bottom, reliability is 25%. So barely worth the paper it`s written on.

 

[upnortheast]

Always gets me how classifiers don’t have cows.

Most of the classifiers I know started off as herdsmen.
Get to their 40`s & ready for a change, but still involved with cows.

 

[jerseycowsman]

Ive been using genomics for years now I generally find the offspring to be average to outstanding with the odd duff one you always get. The bull proofs are all over the place fortunately I don’t milk bulls. Classifaction and production back this up. @jerseycowsman ive a few Jerseys and yes I agree was Link the bull you did use.

It was lonestar

 

[jerseycowsman]

when you spend all day looking at cows doing the same thing you don't need a tape, they probably score several hundred cows each week, doesn't take long to work it out when you're doing that many every day

They do 300 odd here in one day!