Breeding program
Bull dams - Sire of sons
The German Holstein breeding program aims at the realization of the breeding goal of a functional dairy cow with a high production potential and conformation power. When it comes to the selection of both bull dams and sires of sons, this goal is of immediate importance. Therefore, the total merit index (RZG) is the most heavily assessed selection tool on the female as well as on the male side.
A special feature of the German breeding program is its variety. On account of the regional structure of organization, selection of the next generation of sires is not carried out centrally but is up to the different breeding organizations. This allows the implementation of breeding philosophies varying in details. The result are sires that, on the one hand, meet the common goal of a high total merit index while, on the other hand, being able to meet the demand of markets with distinct priorities.
The decisive advantage of this approach lies in the variety of bloodlines. Especially considering the global alignment of today’s Holstein breeding, this is a criterion not to underrate for tomorrow’s competitiveness.
Elite cows strictly selected from the German breeding population form the majority of bull dams. Contract matings with international top cows that are personally sourced and selected by German sire analysts complete this potential.
The age distribution of bull dams is chosen in a way that combines the advantages of a rapid generation interval with the indispensable reliability. The majority of bull dams is selected subsequent to first calving. Simultaneously, the German breeding organizations also make use of heifers with a high pedigree index as well as of some older cows that have already proven their capability over several lactations.
To optimize the reliability of selection decisions, some of the potential bull dams are gathered in test herds where they have to compete under the same management conditions.
From the German sampling programs, only the very best sires are selected as sires of sons. In addition, international top sires from other leading Holstein countries are used. Only bulls are considered for the use as sires of sons that rank among the best 1% of all bulls available. Moreover, for the functional traits, they have to meet a sufficient minimum level, with particular weight put on the traits feet & legs, udders, and somatic cell count.
Young sires
The realization of breeding programs in compliance with the latest findings are the basis for the population’s genetic improvement. Genetic progress will be achieved through the transfer of the elite animals’ genetic potential to the entire population. The active participation of German dairy farmers in the breeding programs guarantees comprehensive and reliable data collection for progeny testing.
Within the German Holstein industry, young sires are mainly used on first calvers, and they count for between 18% and 23% of all inseminations. The random mating of young sires prevents that sampling results are biased by pedigree information.
The objective of the sampling program is to produce between 100 and 120 daughters with production information as well as at least 50 classified daughters per bull. The regular exchange of young sires between the regional AI organizations guarantees that the bulls are sampled under varying management conditions.
With around 1,000 young sires per year, the German Holstein industry has one of the largest sire procurement capacities in the world. Resulting are proven AI sires that are used for around 1.72 million inseminations per year. This figure corresponds to almost 70% of all first inseminations and emphasizes the dairy farmers’ confidence in the German breeding program.
