Doubts raised over new Holstein UK dairy index

1 February 2002

Doubts raised over new Holstein UK dairy index

By Marianne Curtis

PRODUCERSfrustration at the failure of the PLI breeding index to adequately address dairy cow longevity concerns has led to development of a new functional type and production ranking by Holstein UK, but researchers claim it is unscientific.

Speaking at the Cattle Breeders Club conference, held near Telford, Shrops, ahead of the launch of Holstein UKs total overall profitability ranking (TOP) in February, organisation board member and producer Tim Harding outlined its objectives.

"There will be a strong emphasis on type traits associated with cow welfare and longevity. When formulating the ranking, we have avoided using a financial value, as modern producers are selling milk under many different contracts."

Development of the ranking began in response to producer demand for trouble-free cows, not addressed by current indexes, believes Mr Harding.

"There is only £4 difference between the production orientated PIN index and PLI; this does not even begin to cover the longevity issue.

"There is a serious number of minuses for important type traits for bulls topping the PLI list." The current number one bull on PLI scores -0.23 on overall type merit, having negative scores for the individual components of body, dairy, feet and legs and mammary.

In the new ranking, production will be given a weighting of 50%, type 40% and health and longevity 10%. The type figure will comprise 18% mammary, 14% feet and legs and 8% body. "We will avoid an overall type figure as it tells little. The current type index places too much emphasis on angularity and too little on feet and legs, yet a cow that cant walk is no damn good."

Applying the TOP index means many bulls ranked high on PLI fall out due to poor type scores, leaving bulls with broadly positive type scores. This should result in more profitable cows, according to Mr Harding.

"Taking into account replacement heifer, lameness, infertility and mastitis costs, a trouble free cow is worth the equivalent of 1000kg of milk a year."

But SAC researcher Mike Coffey believes using TOP will not produce more profitable cows and is unscientific. "There is profit in selecting the right animals using correct information, but the consequences of getting it wrong are disastrous.

"PLI has brought a 15% profitability improvement on PIN through taking lifespan into account. So using it leads to a reasonable return on investment. Indexes should be produced by a qualified group of people with the long term interest of the dairy farming industry at heart."

But it is the failure of PLI to capture the interest of dairy producers that has led to the development of TOP, argues Holstein UKs Lucy Andrews.

"TOP was devised in response to growing frustration from dairy producers that PLI was not doing the job. PLI needs revising, but hopefully this index will provide an acceptable alternative in the interim. Our aim is to stimulate discussion on future breeding policy and convince the Milk Development Council PLI is not currently acceptable."

MDC chief executive, Kevin Bellamy, believes the TOP ranking epitomises a failure in communication between scientists and producers. "Scientists must understand producers have a valid point of view on breeding issues and producers should recognise scientists understand breeding indexes. It is disappointing there is no dialogue between the two groups to take them forward to a common goal."

A recent MDC survey showed only 2% of producers used PLI and PIN information from the Animal Data Centre to steer their breeding programme, says Mr Bellamy. "They may be using it indirectly through breeding companies, but this is bound to be presented in a selective manner."

Producers choosing to do so will be able to use the TOP ranking, published by Holstein UK and the Animal Data Centre, from next month, said Mr Harding. "We need to review the way it is calculated more often than currently. PLI has stayed the same for 5-6 years." &#42

More than a handful… Orphan lambs are being bucket-reared at Reaseheath College, Cheshire, after 90 early lambing ewes averaged 2.3 lambs a head. Farm manager, Sam Grundy (pictured), is investigating the economics of taking the 30 lambs through to slaughter. Labour costs are minimised with each bucket catering for 15 lambs and being refilled three times a day, says Mr Grundy. Lambs are also offered a dry ration mix including sugar beet pulp, barley, soya and minerals.

&#8226 Production traits 50%.

&#8226 Type traits 40%.

&#8226 February launch.