Monks Communication
Monday, 15 February 2016
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Newsletter Grab from ADHIS
(the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme)
For immediate release: 20 July 2012
Head: Speeding up genetic gain (300 words)
Dairy farmers who want to speed up the rate of genetic gain in their herds should consider
inseminating their maiden heifers.
Michelle Axford from the Australian Dairy Herd Improvement Scheme said inseminating maiden
heifers helps in two ways.
“Firstly it increases the number of replacement calves available, and that allows more opportunity
for culling,” said Mrs Axford.
“Secondly, it reduces the generation interval, that is the number of years between mother and
progeny. Heifers represent the most modern genetics in the herd, and their progeny are available
a year earlier if they are inseminated and their calves kept as replacements.”
However inseminating maiden heifers relies on excellent calf rearing and heifer nutrition so that
they achieve their target mating weight by 14 months of age, or even younger for later born
calves.
“Inseminating maiden heifers is a good strategy for speeding up genetic gain, but it may involve
planning ahead to improve heifer growth rates,” she said.
XHEAD: Think ahead with straw numbers
Another important step to fast tracking genetic gain is to ensure enough quality replacement
heifers are reared, and that starts with the number of AI straws ordered.
“Most people think in terms of ‘how many straws do I order?’ but the more important question is
‘how many replacements do I need in three years time?’,” she said.
Mrs Axford recommends farmers look three years ahead and decide how many replacement
heifers they’ll need entering the herd.
“The number should include any extra heifers to expand the herd size or for sale or export,” she
said.
“Then it’s just a simple rule of thumb – allow six straws for every replacement heifer,” she said.
“If you use some of those straws over maiden heifers you’ll not only have enough replacements,
you’ll have the added benefits of speeding up genetic gain and having a larger pool of early-born
calves to keep as replacements,” Mrs Axford said.
The ADHIS website has a simple calculator tool that allows the user to change the percentage
rates of the various allowances for their herd.
For more information contact Michelle Axford, Extension and Education Manager, ph 0427 573 330
Monks Communication
Monday, 15 February 2016
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email maxford@adhis.com.au or www.adhis.com.au
ADHIS is an initiative of Australian Dairy Farmers’, that receives the majority of its funding from
Dairy Australia through the Dairy Services Levy.
ENDS
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adhis-replacement-genetics@monkscom.com.au
Caption: Inseminating maiden heifer is a good way to fast track genetic gain, but it relies on excellent calf and
heifer rearing practices.
Media contact: This media release has been issued by Monks Communication on behalf of ADHIS. Contact Monks Communication for inquiries
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Lee-Ann Monks ph (07) 5450 0946 mob 0419 349 244 email: media_releases@monkscom.com.au
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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 and ABV(g)s 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’, that receives the majority of its funding from Dairy Australia through the Dairy Services levy.