The information below has been supplied by dairy marketers and other industry organizations. It has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hoard’s Dairyman.
Dairy farmers around the world are experiencing restrictions and regulations regarding disbudding and dehorning of cattle. As of July 1, 2024, dairy farmers enrolled in the National Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program are required to use pain management aids when disbudding and dehorning calves. While new to the U.S., anesthesia requirements for animals over six weeks of age have been mandatory for five years in Germany. In addition to policy changes and consumer pressures, there are significant costs associated with disbudding and dehorning. With Select Sires’ newly released Polled lineup farmers can add the Polled gene to their herd without losing sight of other valuable genetic targets.
The average cost of disbudding ranges from $12 to $131 with labor and employee training as additional costs. Polled genetics not only reduce the number of tasks on a dairy’s to-do list, but it cuts costs. Calves are also prone to experience periods of stress following disbudding and dehorning, including reduced feed intake and sluggish behavior. Leveraging Polled genetics provides an opportunity to avoid this period of stress and allow developing calves to maximize their growth potential.
“Beyond cost considerations, recent consumer studies have shown a willingness to pay a premium for dairy products from Polled animals or farms that provide pain relief during disbudding2,” says Maci Mueller, Ph.D., assistant professor, Kansas State University. “As disbudding is a primary animal welfare concern3, pressure to eliminate these practices is likely to increase, potentially raising market premiums for products from Polled genetics.”
Historically, Polled sire lineups have been limited in quantity and quality, much to the dismay of dairy breeders. Answering the call of dairies around the world, Select Sires’ genetic development team is focused on creating genetically diverse lines within the Polled population and offers a lineup of 55 sires, from 34 different sire fathers, that excel for a variety of traits and indexes.
“Our goal is to maximize the combination of production, fertility, health and the proper conformation in each mating. Select Sires’ Herd Health Profit Dollars® (HHP$®) index is an easy way for us to identify whether a sire meets our selection criteria,” says Jeff Ziegler, vice president of dairy cattle breeding, Select Sires Inc. “Breeding for Polled alone is simply not enough. Select Sires believes in breeding programs that incorporate the complete package of profitable genetics. Polled is no exception and is growing in desires from a niche market to a characteristic that the most selective breeders are requesting.”
Keeping with Select Sires’ focus on health and wellness, the 55-sire lineup averages +970 HHP$ with the breed’s No. 2 Polled sire, 250HO17298 HABULOUS-P (+1,311). The lineup also includes 14 sires that earn the Mastitis ResistantPRO® designation with 250HO17136 ENTHUSE-P ranking as the breed’s No. 5 Polled sire for CDCB Mastitis Resistance (+4.4), No. 2 Polled sire for Somatic Cell Score (2.46) and No. 3 Polled sire for Zoetis Mastitis Resistance (106).
The lineup doesn’t fall short on production power either. The industry average for Combined Fat and Protein (CFP) value for both young and proven sires, including non-Polled sires, is +132. The newly released lineup from Select Sires Inc. includes 38 Polled sires above +132 CFP with 250HO17202 BULLONEY-P leading the list at +204 CFP, closely followed by 14HO17052 NELVIN-P at +198 CFP. Customers interested in beta-casein status will also be pleased to see that 91% of the Polled sires offered from Select Sires Inc. are A2A2.
Even the most selective Type breeders will find Polled sires to their liking. 7HO16387 HANX-P (+3.42 PTAT), 7HO17158 HOLY-P (+3.35), 250HO17297 HANTASTIC-P (+3.30) and 7HO17162 HALIANT-P (+3.14) rank within the breed’s top-20 sires for Type.
For dairies interested in adding Polled genetics to their breeding strategy, visit www.selectsires.com/genetics/polled
Based in Plain City, Ohio, Select Sires Inc. is committed to enhancing the productivity and profitability of dairy and beef producers. Highly fertile semen and genetic consultation are provided by three farmer-owned and -controlled cooperatives domestically, while World Wide Sires, Ltd. delivers international service. As the industry leader, Select Sires Inc. supplies farmers and ranchers with the world's best genetics, services and programs.
