Proprietary Traits-Genetic Improvement Through Data-Driven Innovation

You have hopefully heard that GENEX released an Ideal Commercial Cow (ICC$) index for Jerseys with the December 2017 sire summaries, and you may have noticed mention of two proprietary traits included in the index. So what are they and what do they measure? Read on as our U.S. Dairy Marketing Manager and Jersey farmer herself, Leah James, helps us explain.

GENEX has released Calf Survivability (CSRV) and Age at First Calving (AAFC) evaluations to
address critical areas of concern within the Jersey breed.

“CSRV brings awareness to genetics that instill hardiness and survivability in newborn calves,” explains Leah.

“AgSource Dairy data for a five-and-a-half-year period from January 2012 through July 2017 shows that 6.5% of Jersey calves died between 2 and 120 days of age,” adds Leah. “The new CSRV breeding value, included in the Sustainability subindex of the Ideal Commercial Cow index for Jerseys, aims to provide genetic selection to improve the survivability of Jersey calves.”

The CSRV breeding value, available on all GENEX sires, reflects the percent of female calves that survived past 120 days of age. The breeding value is set to a base of 100, meaning 100 is average. Expect about a 5.5% difference in calf survivability between daughters of a 105 CSRV bull and daughters of a 95 CSRV bull. CSRV has an 8.1% heritability.

The second trait, AAFC, highlights the importance of daughter fertility among Jersey cattle.

“In surveying some of our Jersey customers, it was clear that getting heifers calved in early is a point of focus, especially considering the negative trend for daughter fertility over the past 50+ years,” notes Leah. “AAFC aims to get heifers calved in early because that equals bottom‑line profit for the dairy.”

The AAFC breeding value is indicative of the heifer growing and maturing faster and being reproductively viable at a younger age. It is included within the Fertility sub-index of the Ideal Commercial Cow (ICC$) index for Jerseys.

The breeding value is set to a base of 100. Expect about a 44-day difference in age at first calving
between daughters of a 105 AAFC bull and daughters of a 95 AAFC bull. Heritability is at 18.7%.

All GENEX proprietary health traits are calculated by the CRI ICB using the CRI dairy research database, which includes:
› Genomic profiles
› On-farm records
› Real-time production values

The database continues to grow and currently includes over 54 million health records on nearly
GENEX proprietary traits are set to a base of 100, meaning a breeding value of 100 is average. 12 million cows.

Helping Make the Ideal Commercial Jersey Cow a Reality

Scott Carson, GENEX Director of Dairy Procurement, is a longtime Jersey enthusiast and former Jersey producer and breeder. He led the team that formulated the Ideal Commercial Cow (ICC$) index for Jerseys. His background provides unique insight into this new index which was released following the December 2017 sire summaries.

Our goal was to create an index that would enable producers to select bulls that will positively impact their bottom line. The idea was to emphasize traits that are really important to our customers and weed out extra information that doesn’t really impact farm profitability.

Over the past couple decades, the Jersey breed has changed significantly. The population has grown remarkably. With that, the Jersey cow grew taller, stronger and added a lot more width. Udder confirmation improved dramatically in the 1990s and then deteriorated a bit before improving again over the last 5-6 years.

While Jersey producers have selected for these traits as well as enormous gains in yield traits, there has been a significant decline in fertility traits. That’s a natural tradeoff of selecting aggressively for yield traits. Today, that decrease in fertility is a real cause for concern among Jersey producers. It’s one of the concerns the ICC$ index for Jerseys addresses.

From my perspective, one of the things the index does best is provide producers with a way to rank bulls on fertility traits and on health traits. Through its sub-index structure, the ICC$ index is setting a framework for the industry. The sub-indexes provide producers with tools to focus on their traits of interest. The ICC$ index gives anyone interested in brown cows – the smaller cows that are more feed efficient – the tools to breed cows that are ideal for a commercial setting.

Cheese Maximizer (ChMAX$) focuses on component yields and provides equal weightings on both Fat and Protein pounds. Unique among Jersey indexes, the ICC$ index is neutral

on milk – instead focusing on total Combined Fat and Protein.

50% Protein

50% Fat

Sustainability (SUST$) consists of traits that are critical to keeping animals healthy and in production. One is a new GENEX proprietary trait, Calf Survivability (CSRV). Also included are udder traits that impact culling rate (35% Udder Cleft, 30% Udder Depth, 25% Fore Udder and 10% Teat Length). Selection for the SUST$ sub-index emphasizes udder

health, longevity, functional udder traits and calf survivability.

35% Productive Life

15% Udder Traits

14% Livability

12% Calf Survivability

12% Mastitis Resistance

12% Somatic Cell Score

Fertility (FERT$) contains five measures of cow and heifer fertility. This sub‑index includes the GENEX proprietary trait Age at First Calving (AAFC) to meet the needs of producers looking to emphasize reproductive efficiency. Selection of bulls with high FERT$ rankings results in optimal age at first calving, reduced days open and shorter calving intervals.

50% Daughter Pregnancy Rate

25% Heifer Conception Rate

15% Cow Conception Rate

5% Age at First Calving

5% Fertility Haplotypes

Jersey Sire Summary Excitement

Wow, what a day 1JE00892 VANDRELL {2} had on Tuesday, as he added production daughters and topped the JPI™ and CM$ charts with +243 JPI™ and +814 CM$.

VANDRELL is also +136 CFP, +0.9 DPR and +16.8 JUI™.

From the same maternal line as VANDRELL, 1JE00889 PROP JOE {3} also added production daughters and delivered impressive increases to reach +209 JPI™ and +741 CM$. PROP JOE {3} continues to carry an elite +22.7 JUI™.

Dam of PROP JOE: JX Faria Brothers Target Ronaldo {2}

NEW SIRES

1JE00979 TONY ALLEN {3} leads the new releases with an impressive +207 JPI™

and +706 Cheese Merit (CM$). This 1JE00892 VANDRELL {2} son will improve

udders at +18.6 JUI™ and increase yield with +127 combined Fat & Protein (CFP). He

will also add longevity (+6.5 Productive Life, +0.9 Livability) as well as improve milk

quality at +2.78 Somatic Cell Score (SCS). TONY ALLEN {3} is available

in GenChoice™ sexed semen only.

1JE00971 CURRY {3} is a Marlo son with outstanding genetic values: +193 JPI™,

+701 CM$ and +108 CFP. This brother to 1JE00953 VISUAL {3}-P and 1JE00954

VESTIGE {3}-P has nice component percentages (+0.23% Fat; +0.07% Protein) and

excellent +21.0 JUI™ making him a great addition to any breeding program. CURRY

{3} will also improve daughter fertility at +0.7 Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR), +1.4

Cow Conception Rate (CCR) and +2.2 Heifer Conception Rate (HCR). He is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00981 HORFORD {3} joins the lineup at +699 CM$ and +201 JPI™. A

VANDRELL out of a Magnum, HORFORD {3} is an elite package of daughter fertility

and yield. He is +2.8 DPR and +110 CFP and checks all boxes for other health traits:

+7.6 Productive Life (PL), +3.5 Livability (LIV), +4.3 CCR, +4.0 HCR and +2.78 SCS.

HORFORD {3} is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00984 USAIN BOLT {3}, an early 1JE00912 TARHEEL {4} son that hails from

the impactful Dean Smith cow family, debuted at +698 CM$ and +205 JPI™. With

impressive component yields (+95 Fat, +54 Protein) and a +22.7 JUI™, USAIN BOLT

{3} will improve components and udders. He is available in GenChoice™

semen only.

1JE00973 CROWDER {3} is another impressive VANDRELL son. CROWDER {3}

earned a spot in the lineup at +203 JPI™ and +692 CM$. He’s a health trait specialist

with +0.8 DPR, +1.7 CCR and +2.9 HCR while also posting a +142 CFP and +10.1

JUI™. CROWDER {3} is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00985 REEF {3}, a VANDRELL out of a 1JE00791 DIVIDEND, joins the active

list at +196 JPI™ and +689 CM$. He adds yield (+136 CFP) while improving udders

(+12.2 JUI™). Use REEF {3} to improve longevity (+5.8 PL) and increase livability (+2.5

LIV). REEF {3} is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00993 DELUCA {3}, a Harris out of a Magnum, is a yield specialist at +1586

Milk and +155 CFP. He is +192 JPI™ and +652 CM$ while coming in at +10.3 JUI™.

DELUCA {3} is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00963 MAGLIO {5}, another Harris son, comes in at +175 JPI™ and +614 CM$.

He is +131 CFP and over +1450 Milk. Available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00982 TEX {3}, a Marlo son, earned a +182 JPI™ and +604 CM$. With a Topeka

dam, TEX will improve udders (+26.9 JUI™) and yield (+125 CFP). TEX {3} is available

in GenChoice™ semen only.

Another new Marlo son, 1JE00977 ANTERO {3} makes the lineup at +168 JPI™ and

+595 CM$. He is a component improver (+133 CFP) while also improving daughter

fertility (+0.6 DPR). ANTERO {3} is available in GenChoice™ semen only.

1JE00978 HEINSOHN {4}-P rounds out the new releases. He’s an exciting polled

bull sporting a +140 JPI™ and +511 CM$. Look to HEINSOHN {4}-P as a tremendous

improver of daughter fertility (+1.1 DPR) while adding longevity (+5.8 PL). A Dillan-P

son out of a Galvanize, this bull will add some exciting pedigree diversity among

polled Jerseys.

JPI™ Leaders                                   

1JE00892 VANDRELL {2} +243

1JE00889 PROP JOE {3} +209

1JE00979 TONY ALLEN {3}* +207

1JE00984 USAIN BOLT {3}* +205

1JE00973 CROWDER {3}* +203

1JE00981 HORFORD {3}* +201

1JE00964 JODECI {3} +197

1JE00935 WORLD CUP {5} +197

1JE00985 REEF {3}* +196

1JE00922 RONALDO {3} +196

CM$ Kings                                         

1JE00892 VANDRELL {2} +814

1JE00889 PROP JOE {3} +741

1JE00979 TONY ALLEN {3}* +706

1JE00971 CURRY {3}* +701

1JE00981 HORFORD {3}* +699

1JE00984 USAIN BOLT {3}* +698

1JE00973 CROWDER {3}* +692

1JE00985 REEF {3}* +689

1JE00964 JODECI {3} +681

1JE00966 FUTURE {3} +680

Fertility Updates                                        

1JE00966 FUTURE {3} 101 PregCheck™

1JE00962 DEGROM {3} -1.1 SCR

98 PregCheck™

1JE00961 FRODO {3} 99 PregCheck™

1JE00958 NICO {5} 103 PregCheck™

1JE00955 DIMMER {4} +2.3 SCR

105 PregCheck™

1JE00942 JEROME-UR +0.2 SCR

102 PregCheck™

1JE00939 NEYMAR {3} -2.8 SCR

95 PregCheck™

*Denotes New Sires

GENEX Jersey April Sire Summary Highlights

It was an exciting proof run for GENEX as our Jerseys captured 14 of the top 25 spots on both the genomic Cheese Merit $ and genomic JPI™ lists!

New Sires

1JE00966 FUTURE {3} leads the new releases. He debuts with an impressive +208 JPI™ and tops our Cheese Merit (CM$) list at +733. An early Marlo son out of an impressive Marvel dam, FUTURE {3} is an elite Combined Fat & Protein (CFP) sire at +125, carrying positive percentages for both Fat and Protein as well. He will also add daughter fertility with a +0.5 Daughter Pregnancy Rate (DPR) and elite udders with a +29.4 JUI™. His full brother, 1JE00962 DEGROM {3}, was also activated. He transmits elite production and impressive udders. He comes in at +697 CM$, +194 JPI™ and +27.0 JUI™. With positive component percentages, DEGROM {3} adds production profit (+114 CFP) and also longevity (+7.4 Productive Life).

Dam of FUTURE {3} and DEGROM {3}: Faria Brothers Marvel Messi {4}, VG-84%

1JE0967 FRANKY {4} is a Harris out of an Aztec that adds elite component yield at +80 Fat and +54 Protein for a +134 CFP. He is +632 CM$ and +172 JPI™. Use FRANKY to also improve milk quality with his low +2.77 Somatic Cell Score (SCS).

1JE00967 FRANKY {4}

1JE00961 FRODO {3} joined the lineup at +173 JPI™ and just over +600 CM$. A VANDRELL out of a Very Good Galvanize, FRODO {3} adds balanced production at +1189 Milk and +120 CFP. He will be ideal to use in the heifer pens with a +2.6 Heifer Conception Rate (HCR).

1JE00956 RUTH {3} is a production powerhouse. This Harris son tops the production list at +1951 Milk and an impressive +144 CFP. RUTH {3} is +578 CM$ and +176 JPI™. He will also improve udders with a +15.7 JUI™. Note RUTH {3} is JH1C.

1JE00965 RUTH {3}

1JE00958 NICO {5}, another Harris son, provides a balanced genetic profile for production and type. He is +175 JPI™ and +573 CM$ with +118 CFP. NICO {5} also improves udders (+18.5 JUI™), longevity (+4.7 Productive Life) and milk quality (+2.82 SCS).

1JE00968 INTEL {3} another VANDRELL son, earns a spot in the lineup at +164 JPI™ and +561 CM$. He is +108 CFP and adds fluid production at nearly +1400 Milk. With a +0.7 Cow Conception Rate and a +2.0 HCR, INTEL {3} should add some fertility to any breeding program. Note INTEL {3} is JH1C.

1JE00968 INTEL {3}

1JE00937 BIRDMAN {3} rounds out the new releases. This Harris out of a Renegade is another elite production sire. BIRDMAN {3} is +146 JPI™ and +509 CM$ with +1650 Milk and +121 CFP.

1JE00937 BIRDMAN {3}

Other Highlights

Continuing her elite genetic stamp, JX Faria Brothers Action Dean Smith {1}, EX-92 family members remain at the top of the elite lists. 1JE00892 VANDRELL {2} maintains his elite CM$ yield at +713 and is our highest JPI™ sire at +217. From the same maternal line as VANDRELL {2} is 1JE00922 RONALDO {3}. He posts our highest CFP value at +153 and is +206 JPI™ and +696 CM$

Simplified Jersey Breed Registry

By Leah James, Dairy Marketing Manager, Genex Recent decisions by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA) board have made deciphering Jersey registrations easier. With the March 2016 board action, the AJCA simplified the registration recording process. The two major changes are the incorporation of Generation Count and Breed Base Representation (BBR). Generation Count Under the new Generation Count system, you will no longer see OA, PR and GR or J-levels on papers. Instead, there will be a straight numeric counting system following the animals full registered name representing the point at which the animal was first recorded in the AJCA herd book. This new system starts with a ‘1’ designation and moves through a ‘6’ before no designation is needed on a pedigree.  The graph below lays out how generation counts will be handled for resulting offspring of generational sires. The general rule of thumb is to add one count to the dam’s generational level. Breed Base Representation (BBR) The Council of Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) has distributed Breed Base Representation (BBR) values to the respective breed associations. The disclosure and publication of these values is up to the individual breed associations. AJCA is the only breed association that has chosen to publish BBR values at this time. In very simplified terms, BBR is a reference number (up to 100) of an individual’s relation to a known (genotyped) reference population. Because the base population is always changing, growing and adding new data points, it is the CDCB’s policy that a BBR of 94 or greater will be reported as 100. Under the new system, a sire needs to have a BBR of 83 to be listed on the AJCA active reports. 100% of our active sires meet this requirement. Once again, this is ONLY a reference number and should be used as such. *Please note these Generation Count and BBR changes can potentially affect a few of our active sire’s ability to be recognized by the AJCA registration standards. Any sire that does not meet these standards will be clearly designated in the sire catalog and in any marketing materials with a UR (Un-registered) suffix following the given short name.  For more detailed information, check out the  AJCA  fact sheet.