Alice in Data Wonderland and journeys down the rabbit hole
A star is born But what s ahead for this star and how can we help her achieve her potential
Automated calf feeding Calves fed specified amounts feeding to optimise growth rates Data can be analysed
Calf recording Record calving and calf health details Use breeding strategies to reduce calving difficulties.
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Sire and dam information used to establish genetic value Calving ease data used to reduce the instances of difficult calvings through breeding. Calving ease (sires) Maternal calving ability (cows)
Genomic testing Know your calf as well as an 8 year old cow Genomically test your calves before they are weaned. Make the right decisions about which heifers enter the herd.
Genomics make better decisions, sooner Ensure accurate pedigrees
Genomics make better decisions, sooner Ensure accurate pedigrees Reduce rearing costs by selecting replacements early
Genomics make better decisions, sooner Ensure accurate pedigrees Reduce rearing costs by selecting replacements early Focus on rearing the keepers
Genomics make better decisions, sooner Ensure accurate pedigrees Reduce rearing costs by selecting replacements early Focus on rearing the keepers Make better breeding decisions as maidens
Growing up Don t grow up it s a trap!
Tagging & weighing NLIS tags can be read electronically Weigh scales can measure heifer growth
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Weigh scale data is mainly held on farm on the scales software system RFID & NLIS tag information can be sent to the NLIS database Enables farmers to better handle regulatory requirements
Looking good This is a pretty cruisy life eh!
Record treatments Record your treatment information in the HerdData App Or record your information in your farm management software package
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Data recorded in the HerdData App synchronises with the cloud Data recorded in Dairy Data, Easy Dairy & MISTRO Farm 5 is sent to Herd Test Centres and merged with the cloud
Ahh now I get it It s time for the real work to begin
Record milking information Milking information is captured automatically by most milking machine systems Other herd management information can be recorded on these systems
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Data captured on all milking machine systems is currently staying on farm This valuable data is not able to be used to inform breeding value calculations
Sometimes I need some help Sick cows are a financial burden
Managing Cell Count Herd recording provides cell count information for immediate action and for reducing problems in the next generation Bulls with higher Cell Count ABV breed daughters with less clinical mastitis infections. N=2000 bulls, Pryce, 2017
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Cell count information captured during herd test is flowing through to the cloud, and onward to DataGene for the calculation of breeding values Other information is captured during herd test volume, fat and protein which all flows through to DataGene In the future, this could also include mid infra-red spectral data that could flag ketosis, energy balance and other health attributes
Oi get off Lots of things can happen when I m out in the paddock
Weather station data and milk yields Who feels the heat when the temperature and humidity rise? Measure decline in milk production Scale up using genomics to predict heat tolerance
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Combining data sets can add significant value Data is collated and used for the production of ABV s
Change in milk yield (L/cow/day) Higher heat tolerance ABV cows coped better 1.0 0.0-1.0-2.0-3.0-4.0 *** -5.0 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Recovery HT -0.3-0.3-0.9-2.6-1.2 HS -0.2-0.6-1.1-3.9-2.3 Garner et al., 2016
Heat Tolerance ABV Identify animals that tolerate hot, humid conditions with less impact on milk production. Use the Heat Tolerance ABV for greater selection pressure Allow for the lower reliability by using a team of bulls. 100 More heat tolerant
I was hoping for the bull Collection of Artificial Insemination information
Improving Fertility Higher Daughter Fertility ABV sires breed cows with higher 6-week incalf rate Higher Daughter Fertility ABV sires breed cows with lower not in-calf rate Jersey Holstein Morton, Feeding the Genes, 2016
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Recording calving dates, matings, pregnancy test information helps you manage herd fertility It also provides data to evaluate Daughter Fertility and Semen Fertility Daughter fertility how likely is the daughter to conceive Semen fertility how likely is the straw to be successful 100 More fertile daughters
The indignity! Couldn t I just pee on a stick
Pregnancy testing all sorts of ways Manual or ultra-sound pregnancy testing are carried out on farm IDEXX milk pregnancy tests are carried out on milk samples collected at herd test
A slight diversion Down the data rabbit hole
What s happening with the data Manual or ultra-sound pregnancy test data might flow through to the cloud depending on who is providing the service Milk pregnancy test data is added to existing cloud records
Hello old girl So, now it s over to the next generation
Generational improvement Your data contributes to your Genetic Progress Report Enables you to measure and monitor your herd s progress
Planned improvement Your data contributes to the ABVs presented in the Good Bulls App. Enables you to quickly select Good Bulls that suit your breeding criteria.
So, what does data wonderland look like?
No, really
DataGene objectives
DataGene objectives Turning data Into information To make better decisions
What does DataGene do?
Structure
Reports
Extension and Tools
What s happening NEXT with your data Look out for the Genetic Futures Report in 2018 Try before you buy
Feed efficiency Methane emissions New tools: New Traits Heat Tolerance Gestation length and maternal calving ability Health
New tools: MIR for Profit Predictions of: Pregnancy? Heat? Energy balance? Protein utilisation? Methane? Ketosis? Acidosis??
ImProving Herds: Demonstrating Profit Genetics drives farm profit Genomic testing of heifers is valuable Gains in feed efficiency lead to greater profit and reduced footprint Herd testing drives profit
Current Data Schematic
Milking Machine Software Herd Test Centre Single Entry, Multi Use Vet Clinic Data entered at herd test centres will be available globally. Herd test results can be seen in other software Breed societies can share accurate pedigree information Other software packages Industry databases ABV / NLIS
Milking Machine Software Herd Test Centre Single Entry, Multi Use Vet Clinic Milking machine data will finally be available. Farmers will be able to see information recorded elsewhere ABV s will become more robust with greatly expanded data pools Other software packages Industry databases ABV / NLIS
Milking Machine Software Herd Test Centre Single Entry, Multi Use Vet Clinic Data from calf feeders, heat detection programs, RFID readers will all be available to other software packages No more double or triple entering Other software packages Industry databases ABV / NLIS
Milking Machine Software Herd Test Centre Single Entry, Multi Use Vet Clinic Vet treatments only need to be recorded once Either vets or farmers can record information Data will flow both ways Other software packages Industry databases ABV / NLIS
Milking Machine Software Herd Test Centre Single Entry, Multi Use Vet Clinic In the future, health data could be used to breed for more robust animals. The more comprehensive data pool means even more robust ABV s Other software packages Industry databases ABV / NLIS
Every cow s a story Help us add your cows story to the library With our partners, we can turn that library into information at your fingertips
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