prospects for increasing profitability using genetic reproductive indexes

2006

H. Duane NormanH. Duane Norman

Animal Improvement Programs LaboratoryAgricultural Research Service, USDA, Beltsville, [email protected]

Prospects for Increasing Prospects for Increasing Profitability Using Genetic Profitability Using Genetic

Reproductive IndexesReproductive Indexes

DHI-Provo Herd Management Conference 2006 (2) H.D.Norman200

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Phenotypic Phenotypic trendtrend in days open in days open

100

120

140

160

65 70 75 80 85 90 95 00

Year

Day

s open

12345

Lactation


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Two tall tales: Two tall tales:

1. Reproduction is only a management issue

2. Genetics can not help solve fertility problems


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Reproductive evaluationsReproductive evaluations

Two types:

1. Fertility of bulls as service sires

2. Fertility of bulls’ daughters when they reach breeding age


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1. Fertility of bull as service sire 1. Fertility of bull as service sire (ERCR) (ERCR)

Called Estimated Relative Conception Rate (ERCR). Measures the fertility as a service sire.

Defined as 70 day non-return rate. Bulls have a fairly small range because

infertile and lower fertility bulls are culled by the AI organizations.

See results from decisions quickly


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Evaluation accuracyEvaluation accuracy

Bulls need many breedings before confidence can be placed in a 70 day non-return rate

This makes it difficult to rely upon the information from a single herd

≥ 40 services in a single herd in a short time by a reliable technician should give you some confidence in a non-return rate


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Data Data

Breedings included in ERCR:• All from AgSource (Wisconsin)• All from DRMS (North Carolina)• All from Minnesota DHIA through

Agri-Tech

AIPL assumed responsibility for computing in May 2006 (DRMS had computed 2x yearly since 1986)


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Breedings included in ERCRBreedings included in ERCR

First services only Cow services included (but no virgin

heifer breedings) Services from most recent 3 years Only services to AI bulls No crossbred matings (service sire

breed must equal cow breed)


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Evaluations publishedEvaluations published

Bulls with a minimum of 300 or more breedings

Bulls under 13 years (unless Active AI)

August 2006 evaluation included:• 597 Holstein bulls (Avg no. breedings=2502)

• 46 Jersey bulls (Avg no. breedings=1204)


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Distribution of ERCR for Holstein bulls Distribution of ERCR for Holstein bulls (August 2006)(August 2006)

1 03

0

6

17

42

51

105

117114

71

49

17

2 2

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

-9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

ERCR

Nu

mb

er o

f b

ull

s


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Distribution of ERCR for Jersey bulls Distribution of ERCR for Jersey bulls (August 2006)(August 2006)

2

1

5

2

4

10

7

8

7

00

2

4

6

8

10

12

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4

ERCR

Nu

mb

er o

f b

ull

s


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Future plans for service sire fertility Future plans for service sire fertility evaluationsevaluations

Use all reported breedings (instead of just first services)

Improvements to statistical model

Hopefully additional data from other centers and states

We are expecting to add California DHIA breedings soon


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2. Fertility of bulls’ daughters when 2. Fertility of bulls’ daughters when they reach breeding age (DPR) they reach breeding age (DPR)

Called Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR). Measures fertility of the daughters.

DPR is defined as percentage of open (non-pregnant) cows that are between 50 and 250 days in milk that become pregnant within 21 days

Bulls have somewhat bigger differences than in ERCR

Obtain results from decisions in 3 years


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Days open and DPR by breedDays open and DPR by breed

Breed Avg. days open Avg DPR (%)

• Ayrshire 143 22.4 • Brown Swiss 143 22.4 • Guernsey 151 20.5• Holstein 148 21.2• Jersey 127 26.5• Milk. Shorthorn 135 24.5

DPR = 0.25 (2.33 – days open)


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High DPR vs. Active-AI HolsteinsHigh DPR vs. Active-AI Holsteins

Traits High DPR bulls All Active-AI

• Milk (lbs) 349 824 • Fat (lbs) 14 32• Protein (lbs) 19 26• SCS 2.84 2.95• Productive Life (mo) 4.1 0.8• DPR (%) 2.3 -0.3• Net Merit Dollars 359 236

• # of bulls (DPR ≥ 2.0) 24 692


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Higher DPR vs. High Active-AI HO Higher DPR vs. High Active-AI HO

Traits Higher DPR bulls High All Active-AI

• Milk (lbs) 748 1142 • Fat (lbs) 28 44• Protein (lbs) 29 35• SCS 2.82 2.90• Productive Life (mo) 4.8 1.8• DPR (%) 2.3 0.0• Net Merit Dollars 462 358

• # of bulls (DPR ≥ 2.0) 12 346


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Interpretation for fertility: Interpretation for fertility:

1. These better bulls’ daughters are not only over $100 more profitable as shown in Net Merit but will give better fertility as well. Their DPR of +2.3 means their daughters will have 9.2 fewer days open than other cows in the typical herd.

2. Genetics can help solve fertility problems. The 16 day decline in days open from genetics can be recovered with genetic selection.

This is a “permanent” gain.


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Recommendations to breeders Recommendations to breeders

Don’t select bulls solely on one trait because many traits have economic value

Consider economic value of all performance traits in your own market when making genetic choices

For herds wanting better reproduction, use an index that puts more weight on daughter fertility than those recommended for the general industry


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Thank you!Thank you!

2006Mid-Atlantic Dairy Grazing Conference, 2006 (19)

prospects for increasing profitability using genetic reproductive indexes

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