German Holstein Association
The umbrella organization of the different Holstein breeding companies is the German Holstein Association (DHV = Deutscher Holstein Verband e.V.). DHV is mainly responsible for:
- Promotion of the German Holstein and Red Holstein breed
- Harmonization of working procedures of the Holstein breeding organisations
- Education, training and monitoring of classifiers for linear assessment and cow classification
- Definition of the breeding goal and co-ordination of the uniform breeding criterias
- Publication ot the magazin milchrind
- Collecting facts and figures to construct statistics of the German holstein breed
- Advisory co-operation within the German Cattle Breeder´s Federation (ADR)
Powerful breeding companies
During the past years most of the former independent herdbook organizations and A.I. centers have merged to powerful breeding organizations, uniting herdbook, breeding program, artificial insemination and marketing under one roof. Most of the DHV members are organised in such merged breeding companies. TopQ and NOG (North-East-Genetics) are large nation-wide co-operations between different breeding companies. To become more efficient, the co-operation partners run together sizeable breeding programs. Furthermore, the partners work close together on the field of research, product development, and scientific analysis of the breeding programs.
Independent milk recording
The milk recording organizations are independent. With about 85% the density of milk recording is higher than in any other country of the world. Among others, their staff members register all animals and transmit the data to the United Data systems for Animal Production (VIT).
Breeding values estimation under governmental supervision
On federal demand, the computer centre VIT in Verden is responsible for the estimation of breeding values for Holsteins and Red Holsteins and processes all data registered. VIT publishes regularly the breeding values as well as data for the business analyses of the dairy farms. VIT also connects all breeding organizations within widespread online-communication system.
German Cattle Breeders´ Federation has expert committees
ADR is the head organization of the entire German cattle breeding. Within ADR exist special committees of experts, which develop recommendations and guidelines for the following sectors:
- Estimation or breeding values
- Recording of milk performance
- Recording of meat performance
- Recording of fertility
- Animal health
- Artificial insemination & Embryo transfer
