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Advantage Program: Using the Very Best!
By David Hill - Alta Advantage Consultant
Several weeks ago Dr. Nate Zwald wrote an article that appeared in this space. He indicated that the Alta Advantage program existed in the best herds. I wanted to expand on this topic. In 2000, when the Advantage program got its first herds, the goal was to get the best herds on board. The best herds have several management traits in common that lead to a much clearer breeding value of a bull. After all finding the true breeding value of a particular sire is what we are after.
REPRODUCTION
Whether they are on a strict ovsync protocol or intense heat detection, sound reproductive performance gets Alta Advantage pregnancies at a superior and more efficient rate. The 45 herds in the East Region average nearly 18.8 PR (Pregnancy Rate) and a 54% SR (Service Rate). In addition, the average CR (Conception Rate) is 34% and a SPC (Services per Conception) is 3.00. This results in a window of six weeks in which most of all the Advantage daughters are born, this can be contracted to the our old program and our competitors current YS program where daughters could be born over an entire year. Therefore, we can expect nearly all Advantage daughters to calve in a relatively short 3 month time frame. This feature will allow use to make decisions earlier and more accurately on the breeding value of a bull.
CALF RAISERS
The Advantage partners are superior calf raisers. Not only do they provide modern and up to date facilities, they keep their calves alive. This helps provide the numbers of daughters required to give reliable bull proofs. In addition, these Advantage herds see accurate ID as a high priority and the dairy managers use the accuracy of ID (% correct DNA) to monitor labor performance. They understand that the best decisions can be made when accurate measurements can be made. I have seen calf growth rates over 2 lbs/day. These managers are super at getting our young sire daughters fresh at an average age of <24 months. These are herds that excel in providing the best transition diets and facilities; resulting in super starts for the first lactation which is so important for herd profitability and genetic evaluation.
PEOPLE MANAGERS
The best managers are able to get the most out of their employees and resources. Whether it is producing top quality forage, managing facilities, maintaining great looking homesteads, equipment maintenance, or heat detection and animal husbandry, these herds provide an environment that encourages top production. The herds in my East Region average over 23,800 lbs milk on a rolling basis.
By providing these types of environments, an Advantage sired daughter has the best opportunity to express her true genetics. The industry has made great strides in the last 30 years in managing dairy farms. We still have not tapped the genetic ability of the Holstein cow. Accurate identification of animals in extremely well-managed, commercial herds allows for estimation of the most accurate breeding values possible for each and every trait. That is what Advantage is all about, and I enjoy living it every day!
More Alta Advantage News (click)
Posted Jun 7th
