News

Cattle export 2008

A total of 47,126 Holstein cattle was sold into 32 countries worldwide in the last year – about 23 % less than in 2007. The export was intensely restricted by the shipment constriction because of the blue tongue disease (BT). The German northwest breeding regions were highly affected. A high amount of BT serotype 8 onsets were registered there in the last year.

The EU export was almost completely shut down in the regions affected additionally by the first BT serotype 6 onsets. More than 50 percent of the animals were exported into non-EU countries. Principal customers were – as in 2007 – Russia followed by Morocco and Croatia. The biggest numeral customers within the EU were Belgium, Spain and The Netherlands. The bumper sale into The Netherlands and Belgium could clearly be increased compared to 2007.  The demand of the southern European countries’ traditional markets could not be accommodated adequately because of the blue tongue disease.

Most frequently used bulls in 2008

The German cattle breeders’ federation has published the list of most used bulls in 2008 based on 1st inseminations (FI). Gibor was the most used Holstein sire in Germany followed by Stylist and Minister. No sire was able to exceed 40,000 first inseminations in 2008. There were three bulls in the previous year. Seven out of the most frequently used bulls were already found in the Top 10 in 2007. Carmano kept his top position for Red Holstein ahead of Stabilo and Malvoy.

World Holstein Friesian Federation elects new President and Secretary General

 

The WHFF Council announced the appointment of Dr Egbert Feddersen, Germany, as President and Matthew Shaffer, Australia, as Vice President of the organization.

New logos for the umbrella organisations of German cattle breeding

With the introduction of new logos on 01 September 2008 the umbrella organisations of German cattle breeding present a uniform appearance. The logos are composed of a stylized head of a cow and a bull on a coloured rectangle and differ only in the colour of this rectangle. With this standardized design the unity and close cooperation of the federal organisations of organised cattle breeding shall be demonstrated resulting in greater clearness and transparency and making them easier to recognize.

 

Under the umbrella of German cattle breeders' federation (ADR) in green colour

• Southern German organisations of cattle breeding and insemination (ASR) red 
• Federal organisation of German beef cattle breeders and producers (ASR)) in cyan
• German Holsteinassociation (DHV) in blue and
• German association for milk recording and quality control (DLQ) in light blue.

 

Breeding goal for German Holsteins modified

The General Assembly of the German Holstein Association has modified the breeding goal for German Holsteins:

• Profitable and productive dairy-type cows
• High milk production and good growth rate
• High feed intake capacity, solid health, and good fertility
• Production: 10,000kg milk at 4.0% fat and 3.5% protein
• Life time production of more than 40,000 kg milk
• Stature: 145–156cm
• Body weight: 650–750kg
• Sound and robust feet and legs
• Healthy and easy to milk udders that, regarding quality and functionality, enable to high daily production over many lactations and meet the demands of modern milking systems

 

New Weighting of Breeding Values for German Holsteins

On the occasion of its General Assembly on March 6th, 2008, the German Holstein Association (Deutscher Holstein Verband e.V. – DHV) has decided on substantial changes in the composition of the relative breeding values for conformation (RZE) and fertility (RZR) as well as of the total merit index (RZG).

German Holsteins – Unbroken Demand

In 2007, a total of 61,046 breeding heifers have been sold to 32 countries. It gets even more impressive when you look at the results of the past 5 years. Since 2003 a total of over 310,000 Holstein breeding heifers have been exported.

Official authorities decide on a repeated run for breeding value estimation

The official German authorities responsible for the approval of breeding values have decided to repeat the evaluation run for German Holsteins from August 2006

Saxonian authority withdraws breeding values of eight SRV sires

Following the German animal breeding law, official authorities of the federal states are in charge of and responsible for the approval of breeding values for bulls and cows.