Holstein Canada Conformation Assessment A herd management service to help improve dairy producer profitability
Optimized mating for faster genetic improvement Each year Holstein Canada classifiers evaluate approximately 250,000 dairy animals on 8,500 operations. Classification is a comprehensive evaluation of the physical structure or conformation of a dairy animal. This important herd management service identifies strengths and opportunities for improvement which can lead directly to accelerate genetic progress when used in combination with corrective mating strategies. Herd owners are provided with detailed graphic reports for individual animals plus helpful herd summary and trend reports for benchmarking and goal setting. The material is presented in a way to help herd owners make better management decisions leading to improved profit. Classification fee structure (2011)* REGULAR ROUND MID-ROUND (OPTIONAL) Frequency Herd visit fee Fee per cow ~7 months ~3.5 months $75 $175 $11 $11 *Additional provincial Holstein branch fees apply to classification service Many herds have taken advantage of mid-round classification for greater ease, efficiency and effectiveness for their operations. Even with a single assessment in an animal s lifetime, conformation appraisal can offer valuable information for its lifetime. Wide-spread and dedicated participation in animal classification contributes towards the robustness of our Canadian genetic evaluation systems. 8 7 6 HERD TREND REPORTS 5 MORE PROFITABLE COWS 4
Accurate early indicator of milk yield in first lactation The modern dairy cow has been bred to produce growing amounts of milk. This persistent stressor has forced the need to increase emphasis on functional conformation and lifetime productive efficiency in our breeding goals. Increasing milk output is only sustainable with corresponding improvements in conformation. Classification provides an accurate early indicator of the milk production an animal will achieve. This evaluation helps herd owners chose where to focus their investments in areas such as sire selection, nutrition, and reproductive management. The chart below shows the strong connection between the final score of first lactation animals and milk production in the same lactation. Higher scored cows make more milk and are more profitable. Correlation between final score and milk production for first lactation animals First Lactation Final Score Milk (kg) - 305 day Fat (kg) - 305 day Protein (kg) - 305 day 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 8,243 8,383 8,482 8,710 9,001 9,558 313 316 320 330 342 370 263 268 272 279 289 309
Excellent early predictor of longevity and lifetime production It takes a substantial investment to raise a heifer to calving age. Longevity can be described by the number of lactations an animal successfully completes in her lifetime. In most cases cows do not reach their maximum production until the fourth lactation. Longevity is highly related to milk production, health, and fertility. The Canadian classification system objectively assesses the essential areas of an animal s conformation which lead to improved longevity. Three of the most frequent reasons animals are removed from the herd include: reproductive problems, feet and leg problems, and mastitis/high somatic cell count. Conformation appraisal in first lactation offers herd owners an early indication of where an animal has structural weaknesses that will translate into diminished functionality later in life. Increasing longevity enables cows to achieve higher profitability per day of life. As well, more animals are available to market at substantially higher values. The chart below shows the strong relationship between final score in first lactation and the average number of lactations completed and lifetime milk production. Relationship between final score, completed lactations, and lifetime milk production First Lactation Final Score Total Number of Lactations Lifetime Milk Production (kg) 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80-84 85-89 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.7 3.1 3.7 14,031 18,524 20,774 24,961 30,631 42,230
Classifying herds are more profitable At the end of the day for the majority of dairy producers, milk production pays the bills. Canadian producers are highly supportive of genetic improvement services such as registration, classification, and milk recording. For these reasons, Canada is highly regarded as a country with excellent dairy genetics that showcases both quality and performance. The chart below summarizes all Canadian dairy herds on milk recording in 2010. The only difference is whether or not they participate in the classification program. The difference is clear classifying herds make more milk and are able to identify cows that have improved longevity to attain high lifetime productivity. Canadian dairy herds on milk recording TRAIT CLASSIFYING HERDS NON-CLASSIFYING HERDS ADVANTAGE # of herds Milk (kg) - 305 day Fat (kg) - 305 day Protein (kg) - 305 day 7,125 2,232 9,463 8,521 +942 356 320 +36 300 270 +30 Number of Lactations 2.7 2.5 +0.2 Classifying herds outperform non-classifying herds with an additional 942 kg milk per lactation. The extra production (within quota) equals a net profit of more than $350 per cow per year.
Classification is a practical and low cost herd management service designed to accelerate genetic improvement and increase producer profit. Canada is recognized as a global leader in terms of the quality and consistency of our dairy genetics. Cows with better overall conformation The Canadian Kind produce more milk, resist health problems, and live long productive lives. Friendly, unbiased, and professional Holstein Canada Classifiers Holstein Canada 20 Corporate Place, P.O. Box 610 Brantford, Ontario, N3T 5R4 www.holstein.ca For additional information contact the Classification & Field Services Department at: 519-756-8300 classification@holstein.ca