Young Dairy Leaders Sought

Two identical, genetically-engineered calves, recently born in Texas may lead to the mass production of drugs for humans in cows' milk. The two calves, named George and Charlie, were created through a combination of cloning and genetic engineering (transgenics) by Dr. James Robl at the University of Massachusetts and Dr. Steven Stice of Advanced Cell Technology Inc.

Although the calves aren't the first animal clones with altered genes, they are unique because cows produce more milk and proteins than sheep, like the famous Dolly. Researchers said the cows mark an achievable step toward 'pharming' - developing pharmaceuticals using farm animals.

Researchers hope future transgenic animals will be able to produce very large quantities of therapeutic human proteins, such as albumin, in their milk. Estimates are that cows could produce up to 175 lbs./year of albumin, as opposed to a pint at a time from blood donors. The proteins can either be extracted and purified, and taken in the form of a pill or injection - or even by drinking a glass of enhanced milk. Albumin is essential to people suffering from liver disease, malnutrition, burns and other conditions.

There are 13 other pregnant cows waiting to give birth to cloned calves at the ranch near College Station, TX. Six will be identical to George and Charlie; the rest are females.

ABS Global Inc. is proposing a unique "agriscience village" development to integrate business and commercial activities with residential and recreational space on land currently owned by ABS Global. The proposed 700-acre site would include the company's existing headquarters and would be known as Windsor Center and the International Center of Agricultural Trade and Technology (ICATT), according to an ABS Global announcement. ABS Global and Infigen, a sister company created to commercialize proprietary cattle cloning technology, would be two of the anchor businesses with ICATT, according to the report. The proposed ICATT development has four components: the ICATT trade and applied business research park to commercialize ongoing biotechnology and research efforts within ICATT and the region; Windsor Marketplace, an area for retail businesses; Windsor Place, a residential component; and a recreational and environmental area. ABS is currently working with town, city and county officials to get zoning approvals for the project.

Maple-Flat Ares Rosie, the 1997 All-American 5-year-old cow was raised to EX-96 January 22 at Carrousel Farms, Orangeville, IL. Rosie had an undefeated show season and was pulled forward as Honorable Mention in the Championship class at the International Holstein Show in Madison, WI. She has a 3-7 record of 365d 2X 44,530m 3.8% 1685f 3.0% 1339p (2X) and has produced over 120,000 lbs. of milk in three lactations to date.

Nu-Wing Commander Wimpy (3E-93) is the foundation of a cow family at Nu-Wing Holsteins, Sarona, WI, which now includes 43 descendants in their 65-cow milking herd.

"Due to the high type and production this family transmits, they last in the herd and are not culled. So they’ve just slowly taken over the herd," explains Howard Furchtenicht, owner. Wimpy produced 267,000 lbs. milk and 11,309 lbs. fat before dying several years ago at age 15. Her daughters qualified her for Gold Medal Dam (GMD) and Dam of Merit (DOM) recognition, including Nu-Wing EK Wilma (5E-95). Wilma received her fifth "E" at 15-years-old, and classified 100 points for the feet and legs breakdown the same day. She produced over 300,000 milk and 13,000 fat lifetime before she died at 16-years-old in the fall of 1997. She was also GMD and DOM and her best daughter to date is Nu-Wing Citation Willie (4E-93). Willie has produced 219,000 milk and 10,114 fat lifetime to date and is due in May at 14-years-old.

Among other outstanding members of the family are Wimpy’s 2E-91 Mars Tony daughter, with over 214,000 milk and 9,299 fat lifetime to date, and Wilma’s 3E-92 Hardys Starwars daughter, Willie, who has over 244,000 milk and 8,964 fat to date and is bred back at 11-years-old.

Because high butterfat has attracted merchandising attention for this family, Furchtenicht has carefully selected matings to protect that trait, along with high type. Calves have sold well at sales, five to six bulls from the family have entered AI, a Sexation heifer was sold to Japan and embryos from Wilma have recently enjoyed domestic demand.

Furchtenichts strive to harvest high-quality forage as the primary ingredients of the ration which supports the herd’s 22,400-lb. 4.0% rolling herd average. There is no TMR or BST used and members of the Wimpy family consistently rise to the top of the herd, Furchtenicht explains.