mckeague
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Re:
If SanHaven is looking for genetics that work well in a grazing system and have the ability to produce up to 9,000 litres in that system, it might be worth looking at irish genetics...
Disclaimer: I do not sell for or have any affiliation to any of the Irish genetics companies, but I am very happy with the performance of the cows they breed
As an aside if the methods of milk recording in Australia are the same as they are here then id take the figures with a very large pinch of salt
Last edited by mckeague, 9/6/2016, 21:59
--- Reproduction drives production
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9/6/2016, 21:54
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Eryl Vet
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Re: Re:
quote: mckeague wrote:
If SanHaven is looking for genetics that work well in a grazing system and have the ability to produce up to 9,000 litres in that system, it might be worth looking at irish genetics...
Do you like the EBI system? Would you recommend it as the selection index for grazing herds outside Ireland?
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10/6/2016, 21:24
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mckeague
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Re: Genetics Australia
In my opinion the EBI is perfectly suited as an index for grazing herds and even for my own herd that can have a five month winter.
When it was introduced I was, like 95% of pedigree breeders, a full blown sceptic. Unfortunately I listened, and joined in, with all the naysayers - this will ruin herds, kill milk yield, you can feed for fertility etc. etc.
As time went on I noticed that, even though I was breeding for milk production I wasn't selling any more milk to my co-op, my fertility was poor even though cows were well fed so something had to change.
I looked deeper into the EBI system and looked at herds that had embraced the EBI.
These herds had better fertility, higher milk solids and the improved fertility was delivering more milk.
So we started using it and are very happy to date.
Fertility is much improved in the herd, calving finished on 2nd May this year, big improvement from 2 years ago when we had June calving cows (a complete waste of time if trying to get milk from grass)
All bar 1 cow have been bred back to date, submission rates are super,which would have been unheard of 2 years ago (difficult when we had June calving cows!!!), conception rates are slowly improving.
We sold 1,000litres/cow more to the processor in 2015 compared to 2014, with only 200kg more concentrates fed - every cow on the farm was working, no passengers!
Protein % was over 3.30% for the first time in 2015, I expect 3.35% this year if grazing season goes well and in two years time I'd expect 3.45% with no drop in litres.
So if you want an index to improve milk solids, fertility & to breed a cow suited to grass diets then it ticks all the boxes.
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14/6/2016, 12:39
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Redmaw
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Re:
where can I find an EBI list to have a look at ? And a breakdown of the index please
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20/6/2016, 9:18
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mckeague
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Re:
www.icbf.com is probably your best bet, bull lists are under the genetic evaluations section
This paper is pretty good:
http://www.teagasc.ie/publications/2016/3887/EBI-and-Cross-breeding-paper.pdf
Ignore the bit on crossbreeding if it isn't your bag!!
http://www.icbf.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Milk-Recording-Potiential-and-explanation-2016.pdf - has some EBI info as well, and a good breakdown of the index (last few pages)
http://ihfa.ie/teagasc-national-dairy-conference/
some info on how the EBI is working
Hope this is useful
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20/6/2016, 21:25
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