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#6 Awards

By Daryl (Jun 01 2011, 7:33 PM)

I have to agree with the earlier posts. Individual cow production awards based on a single years lactation has more to do with how much grain she eats or how little debt the farmer has not necessarily rewarding the best cow. Lifetime production awards are more relevant if calving interval or a minimum number of calvings without inductions are recognized. Genetic merit awards if done properly have merit. A genescreen program from GA could be done and reward those cows with the highest ASI above prediction could also be considered. The awards should recognize the philosophies of the ARDB.

#7 Awards

By Michael Riggs (Jun 02 2011, 9:38 AM)

I agree that any awards should not be based on absolute production. Greg wrote “and never exceed a set cell count figure during these lactations”. I see a problem in that cell count can vary a lot depending on stage of lactation. For example if a cow is recorded within a week of calving she quite often has a high cell count but this can go down significantly by the next herd recording. I would prefer to see a consistently low cell count rather than a “never exceed” figure. I see the Jerseys have an award for “Elite Sire”. This is something we could introduce immediately, say an award for any bull that is returned to an AI company’s premium bull team. What do you think?

#8 Awards

By Sam (Jun 08 2011, 8:13 PM)

Australian Red Dairy Breed Awards for Consideration Aims: To encourage Genetic Growth of Aussie Reds To Identify Top Genetic Herds to incorporate in future breeding programs for progeny test bulls Conditions: Information provided by ADHIS will be solely responsible for the calculation of the award, even if farmer records differ with the final ranking. Includes registered and non registered cattle with cows containing UUUU or UUxU or UUUx codes on herd recording (x is any other variation). Awards: 1. Top ASI large herd. Over 100 current cows. Based on average ASI Herd average calculated by ADHIS in October of the previous year. Recipient is a current ARDB member. 2. Top ASI small herd. Between 30 - 100 current cows. Otherwise award conditions will be the same as Award 1. 3. Most Improved large herd. Over 100 current cows. Based on average ASI Herd Average calculated by ADHIS in October of the previous year. Difference of ASI units compared to ASI Herd Average calculated by ADHIS in October of the proceeding year. 4. Most Improved small herd. Between 30 - 100 current cows. Otherwise award conditions will be the same as award 3. 5. Top ASI new herd. Over 30 current cows. Given to the highest new entry ASI herd calculated by ADHIS in October of the previous year This may include any new herd who has not been herd recording for the past 3 years or a herd who has not previously had enough current cows (30) to obtain a herd average ASI Recognition of Elite Lifetime Cows: Cows eligible for ultimate productivity award: (Gold Award ) - farmer to send nomination to registration centre: Jersey House First calving under 2 years 6 months old Re-calved each calendar year Average PI over 100 (combined PI) A minimum of 8 lactations Registered cow

#9 Awards

By Greg (Jun 08 2011, 8:15 PM)

I think you have nailed it all, but I still have a bit of a problem with the Elite Lifetime Cow Award. I think there should be some sort of cell count limit in there. I know that Michael said that cows have different cell counts at different times of their lactation and that is true. But they should not exceed a reasonable count or that cow has a problem. I don’t want to be giving awards out to cows that have had cell counts in the millions. To me that goes against what the Aussie Reds are about. I was thinking about 500,000. But what does everyone think , I am flexible on the figure but I don’t think it should be an easy award to achieve . And as we are known as the health trait breed I believe that this award should reflect these traits. Regards Greg Goulding.

#10 Awards

By Steve (Jun 08 2011, 8:17 PM)

Yes, I think we are pretty close to the award categories that we need, thanks Sam for putting them together. With regards to cell count for the elite cow award. This is tricky for example, one of my cows over 4 lactations had a on off cell count of 1,989,000 with all the other tests ranging from a low of 24000 up to 155,000. So at the end of 4 lactations , does this one off high mean she has a problem with CC or was it just a dodgy test. I think we would need to look for the cows that have consistently low cell counts over the minimum of 8 lactations, but need to allow for those tests that reveals the out of place high CC to be over ruled. It would be a shame for an elite cow to miss out because of a couple of out of place high CC readings. Just my thoughts. Regards Steve Snowdon

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