But who will be the next GREAT one?

USA Bull Proofs * Bulls are ranked based upon their DAUGHTER’S (progeny) production and physical characteristics. * Information is recorded and collected through Progeny Test Programs to compare the progeny of one bull to another. * The average of a bull’s daughters, compared to the average of the breed, determines the bull’s proof and Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA).

Compare his daughter with herd mates Typical goal: 120 daughters in 100 different herds Progeny Testing The Main Driver Behind Past Genetic Improvement

* Largest Progeny Test Program in the world. * More than 1,300 new bulls tested annually. * Large, diverse base of progeny test herds allow for comparisons of many herd- mates. * Higher number of bulls tested results in a better indication of genetic outliers and more unique genetic and pedigree combinations.

How does it work? A.I. stud distributes a set # of doses of each young sire into a minimum of 175 herds across the nation to for widespread usage in all regions. Random usage of the semen within the herd is encouraged to insure accurate progeny comparison. The herd accomplishes this by using the semen on one of the following groups of cows: The first cows in heat after the semen is received All first-repeat services All first-calf heifers (those that have calved once)

Hot and Humid Cool and Wet Hot and Dry Cool and Wet Cool Dry Cold

Tested in a Variety of Environments & Conditions Facilities –Feedlot –Free-stall –Stanchion barn –Grazing Production orientation –Organic –Conventional Herd Size –Small (10 cows) –Large (10,000 cows) Management style –Intensive –Low input

Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Certified Semen Service A.I Stations - 23 National Dairy Herd Information Association (NDHIA ) Purebred Dairy Cattle Association Quality Certification Services Dairy Record Processing Center HolsteinAyrshire Jersey Milking Shorthorn Guernsey Brown Swiss DRMS Ag.Source AgriTech Provo

ANIMALSIREDAMPGSPGDMGSMGD

NAAB number Recessive status Registration number Sire Stack Production Traits Type Traits Health and Fertility Traits Linear Type Traits

Total Performance Index – commonly used index for ranking Holsteins. Combines type, production and health and fertility traits. Net Merit $ – commonly used index for ranking dairy cattle of all breeds. Measures the expected lifetime profit that the offspring of an animal will provide over their lifetime based upon production, udder health, longevity, and body size. Predicted Transmitting Ability for Protein and Fat percent. This is an estimate of the percent of protein or fat in the milk that a daughter of the bull will produce throughout her lifetime. Predicted Transmitting Ability for Milk, Protein and Fat pounds. This is an estimate of the pounds of milk, protein or fat that a daughter of the bull will produce, above or below the average population, throughout her lifetime. Confidence in a sire’s production data based on pedigree, genomic and daughter information. Number of daughters in number of herds contributing daughter production information to milk, protein and fat PTA’s.

Jayven PTA Milk PTA F% +52 PTA Fat PTA P% +56 PTA Protein Emerald +532 PTA Milk PTA F% +88 PTA Fat PTA P% +46 PTA Protein Under equal management, and genetically equal dams, mature daughters of Jayven would produce 2,445 lbs. (1,111 liters) more milk per lactation, but fat percentage would be 0.46% lower, and protein percent would be 0.23% lower than daughters of Emerald. Using PTA Production Information

Jayven High milk production is best suited for markets where fluid milk volume is most important. Emerald High fat and protein production is best suited for markets where cheese or yogurt is produced. We learn this information through Progeny Test! Using PTA Production Information PTA differences do not make bulls good or bad. PTA differences do make bulls more or less appealing for specific markets.

Number of daughters in number of herds contributing daughter information to Type PTA’s. Percent reliability for type information based on pedigree and genomic information as well as the number of daughters in a bull’s proof. Predicted Transmitting Ability for Type. The ability of an animal to transmit genetics for type or confirmation improvement traits to its offspring. A composite score of udder traits as weighted by the contribution of each trait to increased longevity. A composite score of foot angle, rear legs rear view, rear legs side view, and foot and leg score. A composite score of linear frame traits including stature, strength, body depth and rump width. A composite score of dairy form and strength.

Sire Calving Ease – Percentage of assisted births expected when this bull is used on virgin heifers. The tendency of calves from a particular service sire to be born more or less easily than an average calf. Daughter Calving Ease - Percentage of daughters of a particular sire that have more (or fewer) problems at calving time and produce calves that are born more or less easily than calves produced by an average cow. Sire Still Births/Daughter Still Births – Measures the tendency of calves/daughters from a particular service sire to be stillborn or to give birth to stillborn calves. Somatic Cell Score measures the ability of a bull’s daughters to resist mastitis. The number of months that a cow is in production as compared to the average number of months in production for the breed. Daughter Pregnancy Rate measures the ability of a bulls’ daughters to become pregnant. Every 1% indicates 4 fewer days open. Sire Conception Rate is an indicator of the fertility of a bull based upon conception rate across all services.

* What genetics do work * Find the best bulls * For fertility * For production, health and type * Mate bulls to right cows * Utilize sexed and beef opportunities * Support farm fertility and management * Did our genetics work; validate!

World Wide Mating Service Building a Better Herd

 Professional breeding consultant = practical and accurate advice  Focus on profitability  Increased longevity  Herd uniformity  Reduction of inbreeding

The mating of related individuals Inbreeding decreases  Cow survival  Single lactation production  Reproductive performance  Cost of $3-$5/day open  Embryo Survival  Calf Vigor Inbreeding increases  Calf mortality  Age at puberty  Loss of replacement heifers prior to first calving  Prevalence of recessive genetic disorders in the population.