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Japan – Part II
Farm Visits & Breeding Strategies
by Paul Meyer
Part II of a three part series on Dairying in Japan. In Part I we provided a snap-shot of the Japanese dairy industry, Part II provides some perspectives on a few dairies we visited as well as the typical breeding goals employed.
Visits to a number of dairy farms include the 120 cow Takemoto Dairy, where excellent management is delivering pleasing results in a free-stall setup with such bulls as AltaAARON and AltaHERSHEL. Here we also see a typically youthful first lactation daughter of AltaBLASTOFF and an impressive uddered, just fresh AltaFINLEY. Other dairies we visit, including the top notch Type herd of Honest Holsteins, house cows in a tie-stall barn.
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With no pastures, cows stay in-doors year round, yet feet & legs are surprisingly good. Japanese breeders typically select from the top of the TPI and LPI lists and they are very cognizant of Type traits. Many aspire to breed show cows on these smaller dairies, but there are commercially focused operations as well where production and longevity are shared objectives. Here, one imagines the health and management trait revolution (which has not received much attention in Japan as of yet) will take hold, especially considering the cost of heifer rearing is pegged at between US$3,500 and US$4,000. Clearly cows need to stay around at least 3 lactations, on average, if a producer is to make any money. |
In many herds the life span of Holsteins appears to be quite similar to dairies in North America, so clearly a focus on health and management traits represents a real opportunity for dairy producers to extend herd life.
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Another reason for increased emphasis on true longevity-improving traits in Japan revolves around the breeding practices that many dairy farmers employ on first calf heifers. In fact, many heifers are bred to the local beef breed, the Wagu. This breed delivers a very sought after meat, highly marbled, hence even crossbred Wagu-Holstein calves fetch large premiums over Holstein bull calves. In addition, the small calves delivered from the cross are perceived to be a benefit. Still, it means reduced Holstein heifers in the pens, increasing the chance that replacements will need to be purchased. Not surprisingly, at the seminars a number of questions about Decisive™ semen with the Alta Advantage® arise. |
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The interest is understandable considering the increased opportunity it would create for selective use of Wagu on the lower end genetics within herds instead of the blanket approach on all heifers. More importantly, the desire to have the option to produce primarily heifers from the remainder of the herd appeals to these dairymen who clearly understand the impact genetics can have on a herd’s profitability.
Posted Apr 26th
