(Continued from Pag* AM)
A 1988 Penn State study
reported relationships of type
traits and survival to 4.5 yean of
age.
Registered and grade cattle
were separated for analysis with
very different results for the two
groups.
For registered cattle, most type
traits had a positive correlation
with survival. But for grade cows,
only four traits had a significant
relationship with survival to 4.5
yean.
These traits included udder
depth (shallower), teat placement
(closer), suture (shorter), and
body depth (shallower).
Why different results for regis
tered and grade? Probably because
registered cattle are kept if they
are perceived as being desirable in
their conformation. Beauty
doesn’t influence grade culling
decisions.
The same study looked at survi
val to seven years for grade
cows, udder depth and teat place
ment were the only type traits with
significant relationships with
survival.
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The University of Minnesou
(Crookston) has conducted a
genetic study with dairy cattle
since 1968 that focuses on cow
size.
Bulls must be in the top half of
the active AI bulls for production
(currently fat plus protein pounds
is used as the production trait).
Beyond this, only size is looked at
to select service sires for the cows
in the herd.
Holstein Association STA’s are
combined with the index: 2 (su
ture) + strength + body depth.
Semen is used in the herd from the
three most extreme bulls each
direction in each year.
Large bulls are used only on the
large-size cow group, and small
bulls are used only on the small
size cow group.
The University of Minnesota
study has generated a herd of cows
with tremendous differences for
cow size, with differences due
mostly to genetics.
Numerous studies have been
conducted with the large and
small genetic groups.
Health costs were compared,
and there were no group differ
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cnees except that the large group
had significantly mote displaced
abemasums.
Production has never differed
significantly for the groups. How
ever, the large cows have substan
tially greater dry matter intake.
With no difference in produc
tion. clearly smaller cows are
mote efficient producers.
A recent study of feed intake
with the size selection herd
involved splitting the herd into
three groups based on what they
actually weighed (phenotype),
small, medium or huge.
Although cows have stacked
pedigrees for large versus small
size, there still is overlap of the
two groups for actual body weight
of cows.
Accounting for difference in
size of bull calves for sale and sal
vage value of cows, estimates of
income over feed cost for 214 lac-
Utions favored small cows
Pa.
STATE COLLEGE (Centre Co.) The
Pennsylvania Holstein Association is remind
ing members of all ages about the upcoming
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($5,118) over medium ($5,110)
and large cows ($5,041). Differ
ences of health costs end survival
were not included in these
estimates.
Why place any emphasis on
cow size in selection decisions?
If we select for productivity
alongside important type traits for
survival (udders and feet), won’t
the cow tell us how large she
needs to be?
There is little evidence that big
ger is belter for size of dairy cows.
In fact, there is mounting evidence
that smaller Holstein cows may
have economic advantages.
Comments by Dr. Les Hansen
of the University of Minnesota,
will be downplayed by some and
ignored by others, but as he says.
‘There is mounting evidence that
smaller Holsteins may have eco
nomic advantages.”
Much of the difference among
Holstein Conventions Set
SWurtay, December n, IMMS7
lire evaluations for type can be
need to bulb that sire big ani
mals, versus those siting more
moderately-sized cattle.
In the show ring, there is no
question that the class winners and
the champions are extremely large
for their age and usually shed by
bulk with average or below aver
age production summaries.
Hansen’s comments call atten
tion to the old adage, “Bigger isn’t
always better.”
Author’s Note: Taken from
remarks by Dr. Les Hansen of The
University of Minnesota at a dairy
cattle breeding seminar during
this year’s World Dairy Exposi
tion in Madison, Wisconsin.
conventions to be held February at the Ratna
da Inn-Gettysburg.
Deadlines for registration are fast
approaching.
The Junior Holstein Convention is first,
running Feb. 11-13 with a weekend theme of
“Blue meets Grey,” reflecting the historic sig
nificance fo the Gettysburg area.
Along those lines, tour have been sche
duled to visit the Gettysburg Batdefields and
view the Cyclarama, which shows the many
battles that took place around Gettysburg.
Workshops have been planned on how to
develop and lay out an advertisement, how to
put together a Distinguished Junior Member
book for competition, and also a tour has been
set to go to Penn-Gate Farms for a workshop
on selecting show heifers.
The annual Junior Holstein Association
meeting is to be held, which is to include a
review of the past year and a discussion of
plans for 1994. In addition, directors are to be
elected.
A special award is also to be presented to
the county with the most Junior members in
attendance at the annual meeting.
The dairy bowl contest is to be held with the
winning teams that represented Pennsylvania
at the national contest in Seattle. Washington.
A Saturday night dinner is also on the
intinerary, with door prizes, including cattle
embryos, to be offered. After dinner enter
tainment is a dance and Karaoke.
A Sunday awards program is to feature pre
sentations to many Juniors who have done
outstanding work in a variety of areas of
Junior Holstein Association activity.
Also during the weekend, there are to be
commercial exhibits, a dairy bar, use of an
indoor swimming pool, and time to visit with
friends.
Deadline for registration for tickets and
room reservations is Jan. 24. Reservations
should be made at the Ramada Inn,
1-800-776-8349.
For tickets to the Junior Convention, send
an order form to Sharon Hammond, 1747
Holly Pike. Carlisle. PA 17013, or call (717)
486-4934 after 5 p.m.
Later in the month, from Feb. 24 to Feb. 26,
the Pa. Holstein Association Convention is set
to be held, with southcentral counties serving
as host
The convention committee, chaired by
Steve and Chris Wood, of Penn-Gate Farms,
has scheduled a number or tours and activities
for attendees.
Of some of the highlights, tours are to be
Thursday, Feb. 24, along with an fun-focused
evening program; the banquet is scheduled to
be held Friday evening, and the convention
sale has been set for Saturday, 10:30 a.m.. in
the Ramada Inn-Gettysburg ballroom.
Additional events on Friday include an
awards breakfast, a ladies program, and annu
al meeting. The planning committee is also
scheduling different programs and speakers
for the convention.
For more information, call the Holstein
Association at (814) 234-0364.