Who does the tagging, registering, and collects DNA from the animals?

All tagging of animals is done by employees at each Advantage herd. This is very important because we want all calves tagged within 15 minutes of birth (to avoid multiple calves on the ground without identification) and we need the same identification to stay with the animal from birth to death. The American ID number (similar to a registration number) is printed right on the animal’s tag, and the tag is never changed or cut out, which makes tracking through the DHI, and classification system much easier. This is vital to the success of the program.

Although the Advantage calves are not all registered, the Alta Advantage Consultant from each region identifies the calves with the Holstein Association through the Basic ID program. This program records all animals in the Association’s database and keeps a record of their identification perpetually into the future. This provides us also with a record of multiple generations of identification, which adds to the accuracy of sire evaluations.

DNA is collected from each Advantage-sired calf while the calves are in their hutches or individual pens at a young age by the Advantage consultants. We then make a decision whether or not to test all DNA based on preliminary information on the sire. However there will not be any “Advantage-sampled” bulls in the marketing lineup that do not have DNA tested on all available daughters.

Alta Advantage News (click)

Posted Feb 4th

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