Media release from ADHIS
(the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme)
Embargoed until: Monday 12 September 2011.
HEAD: Holstein breeding values released (270 words)
The latest Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) for Holstein dairy cattle have been released this
week (12 September 2011) by the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS).
Daniel Abernethy, ADHIS general manager said this is the second ABV release which incorporates
data for bulls which have been genomically tested, with their breeding values identified as
ABV(g)s.
One of the big benefits of using genomic data is improved reliability, especially for young bulls
with no or few daughters. For most traits, the reliability of an ABV(g) is about double that of a
breeding value based on pedigree information alone.
The news is even better for fertility: the reliability of a fertility ABV(g) is about 30%, compared
with 10% for a breeding value based on just pedigree information.
“This means dairy farmers using progeny test bulls can have more confidence in the genetic
potential of their PT team,” said Mr Abernethy.
Furthermore for a number of young proven bulls who previously had fertility ABVs with low
reliability now have their Fertility ABVs published in the Good Bulls Guide and other lists.
In the September release, 54 of the top 100 bulls in the Australian Proven Profit list of the Good
Bulls Guide have genomics included in their ABVs.
“By choosing bulls from the Good Bulls Guide (including genomically-tested bulls), dairy farmers
can build the genetic merit of their herds, faster and with more confidence,” Mr Abernethy said.
ADHIS is an initiative of Australian Dairy Farmers’, and is partially funded by dairy farmer levies
via Dairy Australia.
For more information contact Michelle Axford at ADHIS ph (03) 8621-4240 or email
maxford@adhis.com.au.
ENDS
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About ADHIS (background information for media)
The Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme (ADHIS) is an initiative of the Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF) to assist genetic improvement in the
dairy industry. ADHIS maintains a national database of performance and pedigree details for individual dairy animals. The data base is used to
generate Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) which indicate a cow or bull’s potential genetic merit (ie it’s breeding value to a dairy herd).
Genetic gain has increased significantly since 1983 when farmers began utilising ABVs. Each year the genetic merit of artificially bred cows is
increasing, worth about $9.40/cow/yr in extra profit. The value of these gains to the industry is approximately $20 million per year. ADHIS is partly
funded by farmer levies through Dairy Australia.
ABVs are produced for a variety of traits including milk yield and composition, workability and survival as well as profitability. Updated ABVs are
released twice a year (April and August) for use by dairy farmers and artificial breeding companies. ADHIS also releases ABV(i)s for foreign bulls
three times per year (January, April and August).
ADHIS is an initiative of Australian Dairy Farmers’, and is partially funded by dairy farmer levies via Dairy Australia.