|
Back to Main News |  Print This Page E-Mail this Page
|
News |
AltaAdvantage® Showcase – Day 2
The AltaAdvantage® Showcase tour trekked its way through Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana on Day 2 to meet with dairy owners and managers from some of the finest Alta Advantage® partner dairies. These Alta Advantage® partner dairies are not only milking a combined total of nearly 7,000 cows, but they have also adopted some leading technology to responsibly manage manure.
Barns that are 1,000 feet long and house 1,000 cows are not uncommon in today’s progressive dairy operations. And that’s exactly what an international delegation from 22 countries saw at Bridgewater Dairy, which is located in the Northwest corner of Ohio.
Competition is a way of life on these dairies, as dairy managers rely on the performance of their cows to be successful in a marketplace that demands efficiency. And it is testing genetics in this type of environment that sets the Alta Advantage® program apart from traditional young sire sampling programs.
|
|
Through the program, Alta tests its genetics in 175 herds across the U.S. that average 850 milking cows. With herd sizes like that, the Alta Advantage® program testing standard results in the most accurate genetic evaluations available today. And that is a huge benefit for expanding dairies, in particular. According to Chris Weaver, co-owner of Bridgewater Dairy, “We think it makes sense to work with one AI company. Our expansion included buying many cows from various sources. We have made big improvements genetically with Alta.” |
|
But accurate evaluations depend on accurate identification of a sire’s progeny. That too can be a challenge on commercial dairies, where as many as 300 cows may freshen per month. It sounds simple, but matching dam to calf can be a challenge in a crowded fresh pen. The Showcase guests were treated to a demonstration of the calf ID protocol used in the Alta Advantage® program at New Flevo Dairy. The accuracy rates of calf ID at Alta Advantage® dairies is closely monitored by Alta Advantage® Consultants, a service which dairy managers like Chris Weaver appreciate. “The reports on calf ID accuracy rates really help motivate our staff,” he says. |
|
|
|
The Performance Pens were another feature stop during the dairy visits, and the daughters on display attracted a lot of attention and discussion once again. In total, 62 daughters from 30 sires put their best foot forward. AltaBLASTOFF, a DPR leader that creates value for dairymen through higher pregnancy rates was the overall favorite sire at Bridgewater Dairy – but AltaMAXIE, another HealthPlus bull, was a close second. The favorite daughter on display was sired by AltaORIGINAL. |
At New Flevo Dairy, it was AltaTOMAHAWK and AltaOLIVER who tied as sires of the favorite cow. AltaALLY was voted a close third by those who appreciate the medium-sized modern cows that this sire stamps out. AltaTOMAHAWK was voted the favorite sire, while new comers like AltaBAXTER and AltaOLIVER made a strong showing.
At Willlemsen Dairy, AltaJURYMAN stole the show, being both the favorite sire – with four on display – and he also sired the favorite individual cow, a tremendous uddered young cow, producing 30% above her herdmates! AltaJURYMAN daughters were consistent with his published proof, displaying tremendous strength and power - clearly milking off of their strength. The AltaZESTY daughters, which just freshened in their 2nd lactation are off to a great start, and observers voted the AltaZESTY’s as a close second for favorite sire.
Day 2 of the Alta Advantage® Showcase left an impression among the 150 in attendance – if you want cows that compete and proofs with unrivalled accuracy, Alta Advantage® is the only choice!
Posted Oct 5th
