Dairy Council Meeting update
Report on the Council Meeting October 2008
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding met on October 29th in Baltimore Maryland. Each segment of the industry that is represented on the Council presented an overview of the new activities or concerns in each of their respective industries.
The PDCA introduced Nicole and Stephanie Stout as the new management team for the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association. They also mentioned that work was continuing on refinements to the uniform dairy cattle scorecard. They are also looking at the training of national show judges.
The DHI personnel reported on the audits of industry providers that have been completed by Quality Control Services to date. They also related industry meetings on American ID were ongoing. The development of a truly national ID program is still progressing but slower than most desire.
The NAAB report updated the industry on the new release of genomic enhanced evaluation in January of 2009. All bulls with less than 99% reliability will have a new evaluation published. A limited amount of high genomic young sires will be collectively marketed with their genomic proofs. The breeding experts hope that the dairymen utilize a portfolio technique in utilizing these young sires. That is they choose a high group of young bulls to breed from rather than just one or two young sires.
The AIPL staff announced improvements to the sire conception rate calculations will be implemented in January. They are currently performing research on two more female fertility traits besides DPR. They also described the ongoing research to utilize genomic information for genetic evaluation.
The Council has appointed a committee to make an industry wide review of the current by-laws and make any recommendations they feel necessary. This is done to reflect on the new era of research and development that is reshaping the entire industry.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 2009 and will include more access of USDA research scientists to these 3 key organizations. Everyone left the meeting upbeat about the new era of genetic advancement that is occurring.
~David Selner
