National Dairy Genetics Workshop The National Dairy Genetics Workshop is scheduled for March 29 - 31, 1998 in Orlando, FL, and  open to dairy producers, geneticists, AI representatives, breed association representatives, educators and others involved in the dairy industry. The mission of the workshop is to provide technical and practical information on pertinent genetics topics and offer opportunity for industry discussion and strategic planning. Originally held once every 10 years, the decision was made at the 1995 workshop to hold them more frequently due to the rapid changes in the dairy industry, explained Chuck Sattler of the National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB). The 1998 workshop offers presentations by several speakers for each of five general session topics which include: How have we changed the dairy cow?; Matching products to the market through genetics; How will we meet the educational needs of the U.S. dairy industry on genetic topics?; What is new in dairy genetics research?; and Globalization of dairy cattle genetics. Among the geneticists, educators and AI representatives speaking will be Holstein breeders Hadwen Kleiss, Stardell Farms, Inc., Fredericksburg, IA and Don Bennink, North Florida Holsteins, Bell, FL. Kleiss’ presentation is titled, “Have we reached a point of diminishing returns on ‘improving’ the dairy cow through genetics?” and Bennink’s topic is, “Just what do farmers need to know about genetics?”. Presentations are limited in length in order to allow ample time for questions and discussion from the audience, according to Sattler. He stresses that one of the greatest values of the workshop is the networking that takes place among the cross-section of industry people who attend.  The registration fee of $150 (due by March 1) includes all workshops, two lunches, one dinner and a copy of the proceedings. For information and reservation forms contact Mary Derby at NAAB by phone (573-445-1033), fax (573-446-2279) or e-mail (naab-css@naab-css.org). A hotel rate of $95 per night has been secured for those attending the conference (Hotel reservations must be made directly to Adams Mark Hotel and Resort by February 18, phone: 1-800-444-2326.)

Select Sires Opens Embryo Division One month after discontinuing operations at its wholly owned subsidiary, Select Embryos Inc., the Select Sires Board of Directors voted on Dec. 10, 1997 to continue its embryo marketing service as a division of the parent company, with a focus on the international market, according to a Select Sires report. Directors cited the global strength of the Select Sires marketing program as the catalyst in its decision to form an embryo division.

Monthly Internet Embryo Auction Debuts March 4 “Our goal is to expand the buying arena — to bring buyers from a number of countries together in one sale arena,” explains Dave Rama of The Cattle Exchange, Delhi, NY, who is launching a monthly embryo auction series on the Internet. Cattle Offerings Worldwide (C.O.W.) is working with The Cattle Exchange on the project, providing the technical support and Internet site for the sale. Health regulations and/or cost often prohibit the exportation of live cattle from the U.S. to many countries, but merchandising embryos is a viable alternative, Rama explains. He hopes this auction will make embryos more readily available to potential buyers around the globe and provide an additional merchandising avenue for breeders who have embryos to sell. Sales will be held the first Wednesday of each month, beginning March 4, 1998. Each sale will begin at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) and all bidding will be live at the C.O.W. site. Bids will be taken in U.S. dollars. Bidders must register prior to the sale at the Internet site (http://www.cattleofferings.com/cowexchange.htm) and may bid via Internet or phone during the sale. A pedigree and available photos for each consignment will be posted. Breeders interested in consigning should submit pedigrees to The Cattle Exchange (Fax: 607-746-2911) along with information on the number of embryos available and the countries for which they meet health protocol. Only embryos harvested by AETA-approved ET practitioners rated #1 for quality will be eligible for the sale. Consignors can require minimum bids on consignments. Fifteen percent commission will be charged on all lots sold. “We’re still working out the logistics for shipment of embryos, but all embryos will be collected at one centralized distribution point and then shipped to buyers. Payment must be received before any shipping process is initiated and buyers will be responsible for shipping fees,” Rama explains.

Holstein Association Gets Green Light on National F.A.I.R. Pilot Program Holstein Association USA was recently given funding support from USDA-APHIS to proceed with the development of National Farm Animal Identification and Records (F.A.I.R.), a model for a national identification system for dairy. Holstein will take the model to a practical level by administering a pilot program involving selected dairies in New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and California.  Through area offices, USDA-APHIS will help involve key veterinary practitioners interested in the program who can identify approximately 20 herds in each state which represent different management styles and which all use the same marketing organizations and slaughter houses for dairy sales and cull cows, according to Neil Hammerschmidt, coordinator of the project. The next step will be implementing ID systems at these farms which combine the use of visible ID (tags) and electronic radio frequency devices. Automatic reading equipment will then be put in the participating marketing organizations and slaughter houses and also on the farms for management purposes. “The other part of the equation is the data base, data elements and data flow system. We will determine what pieces of information the system should collect and then establish a data base and build the procedure and design to make the data flow and make it accessible,” explains Hammerschmidt. Hammerschmidt expects the three-year pilot project to be ready for implementation at the farm level this spring. USDA-APHIS has approved reimbursement of up to $500,000 in expenses incurred by Holstein on the project for 1998. Countries around the world, including Canada and the countries of the European Union (EU), have already developed national ID programs as a way of tracking livestock due to human health concerns such as tuberculosis and BSE (“Mad Cow Disease”). In addition to the human health issue, Hammerschmidt sees a national livestock ID program benefitting genetic improvement through a more accurate farm-level identification program. He also believes a program like National F.A.I.R. may help avoid trade barriers since the U.S. would be better prepared to meet required health protocol of importing countries.

South African Cow Produces 276 lbs Milk Rendal Superstar, has risen to the top of Ludwig van Deventer’s 120-cow dairy herd in South Africa and is claiming a world record for daily milk production. Born February 21, 1994, Rendal Superstar produced 25,020 lbs. of milk her first lactation and calved for the second time August 30, 1997 at age 3-06. On October 25, she produced over 100 kg. (220 lbs.). On November 16, she peaked at 125.6 kg. (276.9 lbs.). She gave 125 kg. (275.6 lbs.) on November 26, 123.8 kg. (272.9 lbs.) on December 1, 116 kg. (255.7 lbs.) on December 8 and 114.8 kg. (253.1 lbs.) on December 9. These weights were officially recorded by personnel from the National Milk Recording Scheme of South Africa, according to Christian Cruywagen, professor of dairy cattle nutrition at the University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, South Africa. She is sired by Masdel SWD Ivanhoe 5, a South African Friesian/Holstein AI bull. Rendal Superstar is fed 80 pounds of a Total Mixed Ration (TMR) daily along with 13 pounds of alfalfa hay. The ration is 15% protein (as fed). She is housed in a stall with one other cow and, while she is not dominant or aggressive, she eats continuously — “like a silkworm,” says Cruywagen.

NAAB Announces New Recommendations for Labeling of Genetic Evaluations In publishing genetic evaluations, The National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) Code of Ethics requires members to identify the source and date of the evaluations, the evaluation unit and the reliability factor. Now, with evaluations being calculated by a number of sources (USDA, INTERBULL, Holstein Association, Canadian Dairy Network, etc.), the NAAB International  Marketing and Dairy Sire Evaluation Committees have recommended a more uniform way for members to label the source of genetic evaluations in U.S. advertising and marketing materials. Following are their recommendations: Label Source USDA 8-97 Genetic evaluation calculated by USDA based on domestic data. IB-M.USDA/8-97 Production evaluation released by INTERBULL using MACE, expressed on US genetic base. IB-C/USA/8-97 A converted production evaluation using formulas developed by INTERBULL expressed on US genetic base. HA 8-97 Type evaluation calculated by Holstein Association USA based on  domestic data. HA-M/USA/8-97 Type evaluation from Holstein Association MACE for type traits expressed on US genetic base. HA-C/USA/8-97 Converted type evaluation using formulas developed by Holstein Association expressed on US genetic base.

ABS, Infigen and Pharming Join Forces ABS Global Inc., Infigen Inc., both of DeForest, WI and Pharming Holding N.V., the Netherlands, have formed a partnership to produce human therapeutics from the milk of transgenic cattle, according to an Infigen report. Infigen will provide its cell culture and nuclear transfer expertise and Pharming its gene construct and transfection expertise. They aim to generate or expand production herds of transgenic cattle capable of cost-effectively producing various pharmaceutical products, says the report. ABS formed Infigen in August 1997 to commercialize its nuclear transfer technology. Pharming is involved in the development of human health care products from milk.

Nominees Sought For World Dairy Expo Awards Leaders from the dairy industry are being sought for World Dairy Expo’s annual recognition awards. “We’re encouraging people to nominate someone who has demonstrated exceptional leadership,” says general manager Tom McKittrick. “Recognizing these individuals during World Dairy Expo showcases the leadership present in the dairy industry.” Nominations will be accepted through April 1, 1998 in four categories: Industry Person of the Year; Dairyman and Dairy Woman of the Year; and International Person of the Year. Winners will be honored at the Dinner With the Stars during World Dairy Expo, Sept. 30-Oct. 4, 1998, in Madison, WI. Official applications are available through the World Dairy Expo office by calling 608-224-6455.