Health and business performance underpin refinements to Australia’s dairy breeding indices, as the industry improves how animals are evaluated to reflect the evolution of the nation’s herd improvement priorities.
These updates make it easier to choose animals to fast-track breeding priorities such as fertility and mastitis resistance.
Larpent, Victoria dairy farmer, Sam Simpson has been elected to the board of DataGene, the dairy industry’s orga
nisation to drive herd improvement.
DataGene advises that updated BPI and HWI models were effective from the routine ABV release on 4 November 2020, which is available to customers only. December will be the first public ABV release using the updated models. The updates have had has had an impact on the animals’ index values and rank positions. In particular, animals that are strong for fertility are likely to have higher index values and rise in rank position.
DataGene’s August release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) shines the spotlight on DataVat, a website that puts a wealth of genetic information at dairy farmers’ fingertips.
Australian dairy farmers can now breed specifically for Mastitis Resistance, a trait which delivers animal welfare and economic benefits.
The Mastitis Resistance Australian Breeding Value (ABV) is one of eight new or updated health and type traits released by DataGene on 14 April.
DataGene is working proactively to manage risk and maintain service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our priorities are to protect public health and the well-being of our colleagues while maintaining services. We are committed to executing the routine genetic evaluations and the April 14 public release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs). We aim to continue to provide the services that dairy farmers and service providers rely on for effective herd and business management.
Direct access to the old ADHIS website has been redirected, as part of DataGene’s ongoing transition across to the new genetic evaluation system and associated web-based services and resources.
Here are the links to access these services:
• To access the old site from the internet now use this link: https://www.adhis.com.au/v2/sitev2.nsf/Launch?Open
The arrival of summer sees dairy farmers in hot areas looking at ways to help cows handle hot, humid weather. This week’s release of Australian Breeding Values (ABVs) from DataGene is a good opportunity for farmers to think about adding breeding to their tool kit for managing heat in dairy herds.
Dairy farmers and industry people are being encouraged to have their say about the industry’s National Breeding Objective (NBO), by filling in a survey over the coming month (Dec 19-Jan 20).
Michelle Axford from DataGene said the National Breeding Objective described the agreed collective breeding priorities for the Australian dairy industry. It is currently expressed as the Balanced Performance Index (BPI), Health Weighted Index (HWI) and Type Weighted Index (TWI).