Sire Selection Considerations for Dairy Producers

Source: University of Kentucky

By: Donna M. Amaral-Phillips, Extension Professor and Dairy Nutritionist
Selecting AI sires is a very important management decision which will impact future
production, health and economic return of the future generations of cows in a dairy herd. With the use of genotyping in both dairy cows and sires, genetic progress has increased at a more rapid rate. Genomic testing accelerates the reliability estimate of genetic evaluations. Consequently the selection of parents for the next generation of animals, including AI sires, can be done at a younger age. In late 2014 through 2015, approximately 25,000 Holstein females (3000 for Jerseys) and 2500 Holstein males (250-300 Jersey males) were genotyped each month. In a recent DAIReXNET webinar entitled “Sire Selection Considerations for Dairy Producers”, Dr. Chad Dechow from Penn State University sorted through how to focus on important traits when selecting AI sires. A summary of his discussion is outlined in this article.

 The use of genomics testing has decreased the interval between generations of AI sires.
Before genomics, the generation interval was around 7 years. The generation interval
for today’s AI sires is 2 to 2.5 years or about half of the previous interval.

 Dr. Dechow commented that the use of genomic testing has not changed the number of
bulls entering AI, but rather sires are used differently. AI sires enter AI line-ups at an
earlier age prior to the availability of daughter performance data.

 Herds using AI sires are making genetic progress. Commercial dairy herds and elite cow
herds (those breeding the next generation of bulls) do not differ in the average rate of
genetic progress, but rather differ in the time period it takes to get to the same genetic
merit. Currently, the average commercial herd’s genetics are about 5 years behind those
of elite cow herds. Dr. Dechow pointed out that herds using below average AI sires are
further behind this average lag period for commercial herds. Thus, re-emphasizing the
importance of selecting genetically superior AI sires in a breeding program.

• Dr. Dechow made this point several times: “Good bulls are Good bulls.” It is better to
  use a high ranking mature bull than a middle of the road young sire. He contended it is
  not essential that commercial herds use young sires!!! Mature bulls produce more
  semen than young bulls and, as such, their semen is usually more economical. On the
  other hand, if you are marketing dairy cattle, you probably need to use AI young sires.
  He cautioned against comparing proofs from young sires to proven bulls. Young sires
  proofs need to be compared only to those of other young sires.
• Dr. Dechow compared the weighting of various traits to calculate Net Merit $ to other
  indexes calculated by the breed associations (for example, Holstein Association TPI).
  These indexes offer options for various herd breeding goals. All of these indexes take
  into consideration milk protein and fat yield, productive life, mastitis resistance (SCS and
  udder traits), fertility, calving ability, body size, and feet and leg traits. Breedassociations tend to put more emphasis on protein yield and less on fat yield and
  productive life than Net Merit $. Productive life relates to how long a cow will remain in
  a herd. For example, daughters of sires with a higher productive life are less likely to die
  or leave a herd within the first 60 days in milk.
•  Dr. Dechow indicated that you can breed for healthier cows. However, he also showed
  data that management impacts the genetic expression of traits, such as those
  associated with ketosis, mastitis, high mortality, or rates of culling within the first 60 days of milk.
•  Dr. Dechow suggested that producers first focus on selecting the top sires using a
  selection index that reflects the herd’s breeding goals. Then, look at specific traits that fit the specific herd’s management. His specific examples included:
  • For herds with older facilities with smaller freestalls, producers may want to avoid
    bulls which sire daughters with taller stature. Essentially one is selecting the type
    of cow that matches the facilities the best.
  • For herds with higher mortality rates (7-9% annual death losses) or that struggle
    with cow health, he suggested that they use Net Merit $ as a selection index
    since it places more emphasis on productive life. He suggested that producers
    avoid using sires with higher genetic merit for dairy form since their daughters
    tend to be more angular, thinner, have more problems maintaining body
    condition after peak production, and have a higher incidence of ketosis.
  •  In herds where cow health is well managed (mortality 2-3%) and which have
    good reproductive, mastitis prevention, and nutrition programs, producers might
    want to put more emphasis on yield traits and less on productive life.