We’ve received feedback from several readers in response to an editorial posted in the March issue of Holstein World, “Who Defines Profitability For You?” (see page 6 of the March 2011 Holstein World). The column talks about the recent change in the classification system that deducts .4 points from final score when a cow is 62 inches or taller at the hips. We posted comments from several people in that issue. Here’s more reader response!
Your question about “who defines profitability for you?” has me so fired up that I am taking time away from watching the finals of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament to write this!
Instead of penalizing a herd because their cows are too big or too small, shouldn’t we measure success on what each herd’s goals are? I think our AI industry does a good job offering a selection of bulls that represent a cross section of the breed. If you compare 2 Registered Holstein herds, the first has cows that weigh 1800 pounds at maturity and the second has cows that weigh 1400 pounds at maturity, don’t you think the 22 month old heifers at these two herds will look different? They sure do! And each herd is profitable in its own right. Why should we advocate that a heifer calving in from these two herds should look the same?
I work with many different herds in NY, and there are differences in breeding philosophies based on what the end goals are for the producer. As one person stated in your editorial, certainly many breeders are looking for that moderate sized cow that will fit into the parlor. But I also know good commercial dairymen who have changed their parlors to accommodate the cows, and not because they were breeding to the bulls with the most stature. Its simply because we are doing a better job raising our calves and heifers.
Our rule of thumb is that a heifer should calve in at 85% of her mature size. For some heifers, that is 57″and 1200 lbs. For other heifers, that is closer to 60″ and 1400 lbs. We have research that shows that calves that are fed at a higher rate of gain grow into first calf heifers that make at least 1500 lbs more milk in the first lactation alone compared to other herdmates. These are heifers that are fed the right balance of protein and energy, fed a good quality milk or milk replacer before weaning and are in good body condition, no matter what the height. Why would I penalize the growth of a heifer to fit the newest fad? It is simply not profitable!
Perhaps we are getting the words “stature” and “dairy strength” confused. Cows with dairy strength, combined with good feet and legs and functional mammary systems last. A cow with good width and bone structure will be able to get to the feed bunk, back and forth to the parlor and have longevity. I don’t care if she is 56″ or 63″ tall. I will agree that extra tall cows with no strength are a problem. But many of our high scoring cows are still tall, just have the dairy strength that results in longevity. And longevity is the key to profitability.
Lets continue to focus on the functional type traits, including dairy strength, mammary systems and feet and legs and leave the goal of mature size of the animals up to the breeder. And if that means I need to move my neck rail up and forward to accommodate my animals, so be it!
Sincerely,
Jenny Mills
Canastota, NY
Minus .4 over 62 inches or under 56 inches? Is this a new, negative way to classify? This negative change appears unnecessary. But perhaps we do need to educate the users that want to change stature that the tools have long been available to them in the Red Book linear graph for stature. Its simple- left is shorter and right is taller- you choose up or down to suit yourself. Diversity is good. Negative .4 is unnecessary.
Bob Miller
Mil-R-Mor Farm
Orangeville, IL
815-819-7282
I, for one, have always loved a big framey cow. In my family’s herd we have bred for consistently large cattle, having one cow reach 67 inches tall. We get what we breed for. And, if a farmer wants average sized cattle, he can breed for that trait. It has often been displayed in our herd that big cows are the dams of big calves which mature into big cow. This is also true for our average sized cows. “Ideal height” is something each farmer needs to determine for himself. If a cow’s size impairs her mobility or ability to produce milk, a score deduction will follow due to puffy hocks or bruised knees. A cow’s productivity does not need to be compromised because she is “too big”. It is my experience that complete cows that blend well and have no major weakness produce best. Size does not play nearly so much a role in production as facilites and completeness. Size is an issue that needs to fall to the individual to decide. By deducting .4 points from a cow’s score, entire herds that have been striving for large cattle are forced to reevaluate their breeding program. And, for the next few years at least, many cows will fall over the 62 inch limit even if breeding for average sized cattle begins. Completeness in cattle yeilds high productivity- whether the cow is small, average or large.
Again, you get what you breed for. So breed for what you want.
Andrew Mast
Grantsville, MD
You raised several questions pertaining to the size of a dairy cow in the Holstein breed. It appears that you think it should be an individual breeder’s decision, not that of the Association. I can’t imagine why anyone would not agree with you. What size you wish to breed for is just as much a personal decision as which breed you choose. The first ever 97-point animal was Linden Dictator Wimble Wimpy, one of the tallest cows of the breed, whether you are discussing then or now. Should she have not been 97 points because she was too tall? And that question could apply to many, many other high scoring cows.
Most tall cows are not just “tall,” or they would be tall and weak, thus lacking in dairy strength, which is imperative for high production and sustained production. They are usually totally bigger and stronger. It is an accepted fact that a big cow might not necessarily produce more milk than a medium size cow, but the big cow can do it far more easily, which should contribute to longevity.
One final comment, we do not raise dairy cattle for the meat industry, but unless the animal drops dead on the farm, that is the final destination of them. It is much nicer to receive a rather large check than a medium size one.
The people that are concerned about size think it is worth only .4 of a point. That is pretty miniscule. Why don’t we just forget it.
Don Ellingson
Poplar Grove, IL
