G enetica l l y S peaking
Enhanced by Genomics, Positioned for Progress In 1989, GENESIS nucleus began as a pilot project with calves raised in a shed. The goal was to provide pathogen-free bull calves to enter the cooperative’s bull facilities. Today, this program means much more to the cooperative and its members.
GENESIS has produced numerous genetically superior females. Many can be found by paging through a Genex Holstein sire catalog and examining the pedigrees of active bulls. Females with the Co-op prefix or with CRI in their names are members of GENESIS.
An Evolving Program
Currently, the most notable GENESIS female is Co-op Boliver Yoyo-ET. She ranks atop the industry as the #1 genomic-tested cow, and has been worked with extensively in efforts to produce an elite crop of heifer and bull calves.
Today’s GENESIS program has progressed into a herd of some of the industry’s most elite genetics. “GENESIS has truly evolved. Today, we are not just raising bull calves but working with and developing genetically superior females,” explained Steve DeWall, Genex Dairy Genetics Specialist. Those elite females are identified through genomic testing as well as performance testing in nucleus herds. The use of nucleus herds allows GENESIS females to prove themselves by competing in large, unbiased commercial environments. In 2001, two nucleus herds milked GENESIS females alongside their own cows. Today, there are 11 nucleus herds across the United States and Canada. These dairy herd owners accept the responsibility of assisting with the production of the next generation of elite genetics. They work closely with Genex staff to identify, genomic test, mate and flush elite members of the GENESIS herd. Genex works with these producers to broaden the genetic base of their herds and further generate farm profitability. This philosophy falls in line with the true spirit of member cooperatives and the CRI mission statement.
Co-op Boliver Yoyo-ET 10
HORIZONS
©2010 CRI
While GENESIS has produced elite females, the initial goal of producing pathogen-free bull calves still remains an integral part of the program; however, over time the program to develop bulls for the active lineup as evolved too.
Changing Timelines
The length of time it takes for a bull to enter the active Genex lineup has shortened dramatically, first with the addition of the GENESIS program and now with the addition of genomics. The traditional method of contracting sires took close to a decade before a bull joined the Genex lineup. A portion of this time was utilized to identify an elite cow to be mated. At that point a mating contract was agreed upon and, if all went as planned, a bull calf was born nine months later. The bull then entered the daughter-proving process to determine his genetic transmitting abilities. This process included time for the bull to reach a level of maturity to be able to produce semen and be utilized in artificial inseminations. Nine months later, his daughters were born. Additional time was needed for those daughters to reach maturity, be bred and produce their own milking records. After all that, the bull had reliable genetic evaluations allowing the cooperative to decide whether or not to include him in the active lineup. This sire procurement method resulted in an average of one in 11 sires graduating to the active lineup. The introduction of GENESIS quickened the sire procurement timeline. GENESIS served as a source population of elite females and also provided the opportunity to flush females as soon as they reached maturity. While bulls produced through GENESIS still