INDUSTRY UPDATE: HOLSTEIN CALFHOOD RECUMBENCY

As many Holstein breeders have likely heard, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding, Holstein Association USA, Inc., and the National Association of Animal Breeders released an April statement regarding recumbency in Holstein Calves. This defect is characterized by otherwise healthy animals that are unable to stand. Select Sires is aggressively testing all sires, and test results will be updated regularly.

At this time, you will not see an indication of carriers or non-carriers on bull pages in the sire directory or on our websites. As a member cooperative we want to be transparent with our farmer-owners and quickly provide what information we have with you so that you can make the best decisions for your herd. You can find an up-to-date list of defect carriers using this QR code or by talking with your local Premier representative.

Genetic conditions of economic loss are not new to our industry. Public testing is readily available within the labs described in a statement from NAAB and more labs will soon also perform this service. If you are concerned about potential matings, testing your herd’s most valuable females for this condition will help ease your mind. If females are not tested, making strategic decisions about all matings based on known sire stacked pedigrees will provide another level of safeguards, and your Premier representatives can help you with this. These methods will allow the use of carrier sires that have extreme economic values, like those ranking high for Select Sires’ Herd Health Profit Dollars (HHP$) index, to drive more dollars into your genetic portfolio.

Select Sires is working to include carrier/non-carrier information within the Select Mating Service® (SMS®) program to assist our farmer owners in avoiding matings that may result in a calf affected with recumbency. As a federation, we stand prepared to assist you through this situation. Our goal remains to provide you with genetic advice to meet your breeding goals and to maximize herd improvement.