Opinion on Online Poll
I just received a message from one of our visitors to Holsteinworld.com in regards to our latest online poll. This month’s online poll asks the question, “Should shows continue to have dry cow and bull class included?” Feel free to send me your opinions on the latest poll for inclusion in our blog.
I am indifferent on the topic of dropping dry cow classes, but bull classes need to be dropped from shows. Bull classes should be eliminated not just because of the almost comedic lack of competition and safety of handling these animals, but due to the image it reflects of the Registered Holsteins industry. From an economic standpoint, there is not a single study that shows natural service can compete with AI based on fertility and economics, not to mention the obvious genetic superiority that AI bulls provide. The March 25th issue of Hoard’s Dairyman does a great jop comparing AI vs. natural service and its hidden costs.
Can registered breeders truly promote the value and extra price of registered cattle in a market while continuing to use/promote untested, less fertile, and lower genetic quality jumper bulls to breed their “superior” cattle versus their grade counterparts? (Not to even mention the obvious safety concerns that having a breeding age bull on farm has to the people working with cattle and their families.)
The key to a successful blog is generating discussion. This month’s online poll serves as a good starting point for discussion on the importance of dry cows and/or bulls at shows. On a side note, holsteinworld.com is going to look into the possibility of adding other answers to the question. For example, instead of voting just “Yes” or “No”, we would also like to provide the voting options of “Drop the Bulls Only” and “Drop the Dry Cows Only”. Continue to check back to see if this becomes reality.