ABS making better cows faster

ABS’ focus on making better cows faster has never been more evident than in the August ABV proofs, delivering the top sires in both the Holstein genomic rankings and sires with Australian milking daughters.

The success of the ABS genomic program is reflected in proving sires like Glomar SUPERLUCKY. His first proof with 180 daughters is the fastest sire ever proven by ABS in Australia. He’s the number 8 Australian proven sire at 272 BPI$ and features positive milk and components plus very good health traits and high farmer likability.

“We were confident he was going to be up in the top group of sires because of excellent early genomic data and, more recently, customers saying how much they loved milking the daughters,” said ABS National Sales Manager, Paul Quinlan.

Genomic testing has made breeding decisions more reliable at a much younger age. Using ABS’ Genetic Management System (GMS) and genetic audits dairy farmers can choose both elite genomic sires and reliable Australian proven sires.

Under the Australian Breeding Value (ABV) system, Australian dairy farmers can now choose the best genetics from around the world and can fine tune their decisions using genetic advancement plans that are available through ABS.

“Making the correct decision is so important,” Paul said. “GMS removes the guesswork and makes it easy to customise breeding plans that demonstrate the desired outcomes in an easily understood and transparent form.

“We’ve been saying for some time that we want to make better cows faster and we’re finding more and more farmers are taking up our offer to assess where they are when it comes to their breeding program and goals. Some are achieving their breeding goals, but many have found themselves going off track with their breeding development program.”

ABS’ unique genetic audit report helps keep a focus on breeding not only the right cows but the best ones to maintain continuous improvement.

“The question we always ask is, why do cows leave your herd?,” said Paul. “Do you really know how good or bad your replacement heifers are? A breeding plan isn’t too difficult if you have the data and focus on what matters to you.”

‘Profit robbing’ traits affect future progeny and are long term. Making the correct choices is critical for long term viability. Good choices and bad choices are both cumulative; but one goes in the right direction while the other can be detrimental.

“We select the healthiest and most profitable sires to breed generation after generation. Genetic selection is critical, because it’s permanent,” Paul said, “GMS manages every aspect of a breeding program and can operate from breeding records that are kept on a home PC.”

Sexed genetics

ABS offers Sexcel™ Sexed Genetics to breeding programs, giving herds an even greater opportunity to accelerate their genetic progress.

“Sexcel™ sexed genetics is like pressing down on the accelerator of your car,” said Paul.

Along with elite dairy sires, ABS offers a complete breeding solution that maximises farm profitability. The genetic audit tool identifies the best cows and heifers to breed, whether to conventional or sexed semen, which then allows the customer to breed lesser genetic progeny (cows and/or heifers) to the ABS Beef InFocus™ product line.

“ABS is a world leader in combined dairy and beef genetics,” said Paul. “ABS Beef InFocus™ is the best and most trusted beef program with recognised elite growth rates, easy calving and high semen fertility product.

“It’s becoming more and more important to value add with the livestock available on farm, and with smart tools and clever breeding decisions around Sexcel sexed genetics and ABS’ Beef InFocus, long term dairy operations are adding multiple income streams rather than relying just on milk payments.”

MVP equals Most Valuable Progeny!

29HO16888 Seagull-Bay MVP has become well known for producing valuable progeny. Owners love the progeny and continue to include him to their breeding program and when he excels in farmer likability at 107, why wouldn’t you?

MVP’s farmer satisfaction and proven proof reliability is unmatched in the top 20 proven sires. With nearly 1400 milking daughters and carrying the A2A2 characteristic, his outstanding udders and conformation will have a long-term influence in Australian herds.

29HO17747 Cookiecutter HARPER, a Balisto son, currently leads the elite group of multi country daughter proven sires in Australia at 376 Balanced Performance Index (BPI$). He comes from the outstanding “H” cow family led by Halo, the dam of Epic Hazel, which is the dam of Harper.

29HO17458 Boghill Glamour PERSUADE is the current number one genomic sire in Australia and is only the second bull in Australia to pass 400 BPI$ at 404. Persuade also has elite Daughter Fertility at 116 and is a carrier of the A2A2 gene.

Persuade is a UK based sire and his pedigree is a who’s who of cow families with 5^th dam Larcrest Cosmopolitan alongside other notable sires from the same family: Commander, Collude, Calumet, Cayle and Charley, the former #1 TPI sire in the world.

“We’re confident Persuade will maintain his high proof as his sire also has a high ranking ABV.”

The highest heterozygous polled sire 29HO18698 ABS JERONIMO P at 381 BPI$ is also the third highest Holstein genomic sire. In 2013, as ABS was investing in elite Holstein female genetics, Richmond-FD Tango July-ET was purchased, based on her genetic profile and cow family. She descends from the Coyne-Farms Ramos Jelly family in New York, a cow family known for healthy, fertile cows with moderate frame size and high components.

The decision was made to flush July to a polled bull, which resulted in her highest ranked daughter also carrying the polled gene. This heifer, ABS 7726 Jazlyn P-ET, was flushed extensively to capture and multiply the elite genetics of this family.

The bull that combines the best characteristics of this breeding program is ABS JERONIMO – P. His good components (including plus for milk) outstanding daughter fertility and great health traits that the family transmits have been intensified in this sire. The fact that he is also heterozygous polled and carries the A2 gene continues to add excitement around his genetic profile. His progeny are also black and beautifully balanced calves.

Bulls with the A2A2 and polled genes are popular choices with breeders. Over 50% of ABS product is A2A2 making it easy to build a strong team of bulls for breeders wanting this characteristic. Elite homozygous polled (PP) sire 29HO18639 ABS JOPPOLO PP 311 BPI$ is the highest ranked PP sire in Australia with excellent Daughter Fertility 112, positive milk and components and a positive feed saved sire.

Jersey fertility is a key ingredient

ABS’ partnership with Central Sires Co-operative continues to bring a balanced group of quality Jersey sires to breeders. Three new exciting sires are being added to the ABS Jersey team this year.

CSCDYNAMITE Gelbeado Park DYNAMITE comes from the #1 genomically tested cow in Australia, Gelbeado Park Raceway Cocoa 4608. This sire offers excellent health traits which includes 103 for Daughter Fertility and a BPI$ of 264.

CSCJAMIEO Murray Brook JAMIEO is another sire that expresses very good health traits including exceptional Overall Type 110 and Udders 113 with a BPI$ of 231.

CSCTOYOTA Auburn Vale TOYOTA has a deep and successful cow family that dates back to the 1940’s and features fertility and longevity. The family has passed through three different owners and for the past 40 years has been a centre piece of the Trotman breeding program. The dam of Toyota, Auburn Vale Laurette 2696 and family consistently classify 86 to 87 points. As expected, Toyota has exceptional health traits, which includes breed leading Daughter Fertility of 107. His proof is very good across all traits, production, health and type and fits into the ABS team very well with a BPI$ of 227.