Producer Perspectives on Genomic Genetics

Dycrest Dairy

Before the public release of genomics, Dycrest Dairy took part in a Holstein study group. According to Amanda Dye, they had four Shottle daughters genomic tested as fairly young heifers. The cows, now in their second lactation, are each living up to their individual genomic evaluations.

For Dye, these Shottle littermates were the first indication of what to expect from genomics. "The cows' genomic information and performance data are dead on," explained Dye. "Traits like Daughter Pregnancy Rate really show through."

As for genomic-proven sires, they were incorporated into the herd's reproductive program as soon as they became available. In fact, for several months now all calves born on the dairy have been sired by genomic-proven sires.

"We started using genomic-proven sires as early as we could. We use them for that genetic boost."

To get that genetic boost, service sires chosen for the dairy's reproductive program must meet strict genetic requirements - all sires are +$625 Lifetime Net Merit (LNM) or higher. They also must be positive for teat placement, greater than +1.0 for Productive Life and stand at approximately +1000 PTA Milk.

"We pick the very newest sires - about 25 - each proof run and use about 100 units of a sire," added Dye. "Then, we stop and wait to examine the farm's fertility data for an individual bull. If the farm's records show the bull had good conception ability, we might use another 50 to 100 units."

While involved in several contract matings, Dyecrest Dairy has now had various females and bull calves tested. These additional genomic evaluations have solidified their expectations of genomics through real-world examples.

"The proof is there," explained Dye, "Even with the bull calves. The ‘thrifty' bulls are the ones that come back with high genomic rankings for LNM and health traits."

At Richmond Farms in western New York, owner Chuck Richmond believes in genomic technology. "Seeing the bull studs use genomic-proven sires themselves in their procurement programs, seeing Holstein Association include genomic evaluations on their pedigrees, and seeing the research published by USDA allows me to be confident in genomics."

Prior to the availability of genomic-proven sires, Richmond utilized a combination of progeny-proven sires and young sires in his herd. "I have always used some young sires. And, using genomic-proven sires is similar to using young sires, but with improved information. With that added information, the genetics of the genomicproven sires should be better."

Today, Richmond looks for good bulls whether progenyproven or genomic-proven. "I work off the top of both lists to get the best genetics possible."

The value he places on genetics is evident through quick examination of a few genomic-proven Genex sires that have been included in his reproductive program: 1HO08784 FREDDIE %-I (now with milking daughters), 1HO2848 PARKER, 1HO09167 O-STYLE, 1HO2771 JOCK %-I, 1HO09527 MASSEY and 1HO02565 CASSINO %-I.

When comparing the use of genomic-proven sires today to young sires in the past, Richmond uses a little more semen from an individual genomic-proven sire than he did a young sire. However, he does remain cautionary. "With 70 percent reliability levels, it's still important not to use too much of any one bull. I use a fairly large group of genomic-proven bulls overall."

In January 2009, Mike Rohe of Rohe Dairy in central Minnesota knew that by using genomic-proven sires he was accessing genetics that otherwise would not have been available for several months or years until the bulls had milking daughters. "We started using genomicproven sires because their genetics are a step ahead," commented Rohe, "And we've continued using them."

From the beginning, Rohe has remained confident in genomic sires. "First of all, genomic-proven bulls are way better genetically than the average herd bull. Secondly, their proofs are just as stable as any other bull - some will have proofs that go up, some will go down and some will remain fairly constant."

With that thought in mind, it's not really the sire proving method that makes a difference to Rohe - it's the genetic level of the bull. "We look to improve milk, fat, feet, legs and udders. We use whatever bull will meet those criteria whether he is daughter proven or genomic proven. We're not fussy about how they were proven."

Genomic-proven sires have been easy to incorporate into the dairy's reproductive program. Neither their sire selection criteria nor how bulls are used within the reproductive program has changed. They simply use conventional semen, GenChoice 90^TM and GenChoice 75^TM from the best bulls available.