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#1 Awards

By Sam Graham (May 31 2011, 8:12 PM)

Hi Red Breeders, Just wanting to start some discussion on what ARDB production awards you think would be valued and promote healthy competition amongst Red breeders. Do people prefer annual individual age production, top 10 cows or herd average production? What about recognising individual lifetime production? Should we award our highest ABV herds?

#2 Awards

By Steve (Jun 01 2011, 6:20 AM)

Hi Everyone, I would just add that we know from ABARE figures that production does not equal profit. Given that the focus of the Aussie Red breed is on profit and given the many different production systems an award system on production may not be the best way to go. The strength of the Aussie Red is the rate of genetic progress we have been making. The Red Breeds group was still the one with the largest genetic gain in the April ADHIS proof run. We need to be promoting genetic gain and growth for the breed, not production. An award system based around genetic merit will move the breed forward at a much faster rate. We can reward for the herds with the largest gain in genetic merit each year. This award would encourage the newer members, as their herds would feature in this category. We could give an award for cows above 200 ASI, or herd with the most cows above 200 ASI. These are just examples, but I believe the award system should be in line with the goals of the Aussie Red Breed and be focused on profit and encourage genetic gain to breed the Worlds best Red breed Regards Steve Snowdon

#3 Awards

By Craig (Jun 01 2011, 6:22 AM)

I couldn’t agree with you more Steve, which is why I stated to Sam that I believe the individual lactation based awards are more a reflection of a herds feeding system/philosophy than recognition of genetic merit. That said, done correctly I think that lifetime productivity based awards and total performance awards can enhance genetic progress by highlighting the cows within the population which encapsulate the breed’s profit based breeding goals. These would be cows who demonstrate the health, fertility, and efficient productivity traits required to ‘stick around’ in herds. Regards Craig Lister

#4 Awards

By Steve (Jun 01 2011, 6:24 AM)

Hi Guys, Craig makes some very good points. And I forgot to mention that just because a cow has a very high ASI does not make her to best cow for overall profit or automatically the best option for a bull dam. When I go out in the field and research the cows with the highest ASI looking for potential bull dams, we find those in this group that do not get in calf regularly, and are also culled for health or other issues, naturally making them unsuitable as potential bull dams or the dam to breed a future line for bull dam selection. Awarding on genetic merit is I believe the correct way to head, but for the elite group it must also include the points Craig raises "health, fertility, cell count and longevity" Our award system should be designed to encourage the breeding of potential bull dam lines and bull dams. Regards Steve Steve Snowdon

#5 Awards

By Greg (Jun 01 2011, 7:31 PM)

Hi All I think both Steve and Craig are right in the points that they raise. Steve’s point in using the ASI system is a great idea as it enables us to involve new breeders who may think that their herd is not up to the standard of other herds or not good enough to breed bulls. This may find high ASI cows in these herds. Not only should this give the breeder confidence in moving forward but hopefully it will also help find some cow family’s and bull dams. Craig’s point brings together the things that makes the Aussie Red. The things that set it apart from every other breed. That is FERTILITY and MASTITIS RESISTANCE or cell count. These two things make up longevity of a cow. So I believe cows that achieve a certain amount of lactations unbroken (the number to be determined) and never exceed a set cell count figure during these lactations should be eligible for some award. Regards Greg Goulding

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