But who will be the next GREAT one?

USA Bull ProofsBulls 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 TestingThe Main Driver Behind Past Genetic Improvement

USA Progeny Test Program

*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)

USA Progeny Test Program

Hot and Humid

Cool and Wet

Hot and Dry

Hot and Dry

Cool and Wet Cool

Dry

Cold

WWS Progeny Test Herds:

Diverse US Climates

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 AnimalBreeders (NAAB)

Certified Semen Service

A.I Stations - 23 National Dairy Herd InformationAssociation (NDHIA)

Purebred Dairy Cattle AssociationQuality Certification Services

Dairy Record Processing Center

Holstein Ayrshire Jersey

Milking Shorthorn Guernsey Brown Swiss

DRMS

Ag.Source

AgriTech

Provo

Reading Bull Proofs

ANIMAL

SIRE

DAM

PGS

PGD

MGS

MGD

NAAB number Recessive status

Registration numberSire 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+2977 PTA Milk

-0.20 PTA F% +52 PTA Fat

-0.12 PTA P% +56 PTA Protein

Emerald+532 PTA Milk

+0.26 PTA F% +88 PTA Fat

+0.11 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

JayvenHigh milk production is best

suited for markets where fluid milk volume is most important.

EmeraldHigh 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.

The Circle of SelectionWhat genetics do work

Find the best bullsFor fertilityFor production, health and type

Mate bulls to right cowsUtilize sexed and beef opportunities

Support farm fertility and management

Did our genetics work; validate!

World Wide Mating ServiceBuilding a Better Herd

Professional breeding consultant = practical and accurate advice

Focus on profitabilityIncreased longevityHerd uniformityReduction of inbreeding

Why Use a Mating Program?

• The mating of related individuals

Inbreeding decreases Cow survivalSingle lactation production

Reproductive performanceCost of $3-$5/day open

Embryo SurvivalCalf Vigor

Inbreeding increases Calf mortalityAge at pubertyLoss of replacement heifers prior to first calving

Prevalence of recessive genetic disorders in the population.

Inbreeding?