Importance of Performance Testing and Record Keeping
Kevin Weaver
Weaver Farms
49th Annual Grey Bruce Farmer’s Week
You cannot improve what you do not measure!!!
Introduction
• The goal of every goat producer is to be profitable; therefore, they need to be managing profitable goats
• We are increasingly interested in quantifying the factors that contribute to the profitability of our herd• Profits = Data + Knowledge
• One important element is the relationship between genetics and profit.
Questions we all ask
• Which does do I breed?
• Which buck(s) do use?
• How do I avoid inbreeding?
• How do I correct that does’ faults?
• Which kids do I raise?
• Which kids do I breed?
• Which does do I milk?
Who is Who, How is Who Doing?
Records
• Accurate and detailed records
• What you put in greatly effects what can come out
• Insight into the performance over the animals lifetime
• Visual appraisal is not enough
• Assist with selection decisions• Parents of the Next Generation
What to Capture
• Animal ID
• Birth Date
• Birth Weight
• Pedigree
• Gender
• # born
• Birthing difficulties
• Health
• Vaccinations
• Milk Records – M, F & P, SCC
• Classification
• Heat
• Breeding Dates
• Pregnancy Checks
No Excuses
• Smart Phones
• Tablets
• Clip boards & Paper
• Various Software Programs• Dairylive
• bioTrack
• Capture it as it happens
Dairylive
Herd in Brazil
Registration
• Registration is the first requirement for inclusion in any genetic evaluation system• Full Pedigree data
• Known Birthdates
• Herd Genetic Reports
• The Level of purity can vary
• Only animals with a known sire can be included
Milk Recording
• Measures the fundamental component for recording the herd’s performance of traits that directly affect profitability
• Measures:• Milk
• Fat
• Protein
• Somatic Cell Count
Classification
• Evaluation of the physical structure of the goat
• Improve the functional conformation of their herds
Functionally sound goats are put together for:
• optimal workability
• more resistant to breakdown or disease
• trouble free and lower maintenance
• are instilled with a natural ability to produce higher volumes of milk over a longer life
Score Card
• Mammary System (42%)
• Feet & legs (26%)
• Dairy Strength (22%)
• Rump (10%)
Canadian Dairy Goat Improvement
• The Canadian Goat Improvement Program• Develops EBVs
• Production and type traits
• Index• Type, Production, Combined
• Aids producers to evaluate genetically superior animals
Estimated Breeding Values
• Estimation of the genetic value of an animal
• They indicate its value as a parent. Individual animals with the best EBVs for a given trait have the highest probability of producing superior progeny for that trait
• EBVs are expressed in the same unit as the trait is measured in (EBVs for milk production are expressed in kilograms per lactation).
• Example:• A doe with EBVs
• +50kg milk• 1kg protein• 1kg fat
Selection Index
• Combine all important traits into one overall value or index
• Production Index • (PINDX) = 50 % Milk (kg) + 50% Fat (kg)
• Type Index • (TINDX) = 25% S/R + 15% SL + 12% RU + 12% FU+ 10% DC + 4% TE + 10% BC +
12% FL
• Combined Index • (CINDX)= 60% PINDX + 40% TINDX
BLUP Indexes
100 125 1507550
Breed Improvers
66%
95%
Average = 100
Standard Deviation = 25
Top5% ~ >140
Top10% ~ >130
Top20% ~ >120
Top30% ~ >110
Cost of Records + Evaluation Services
• Per Animal Cost• Registration = $8
• Milk Recording = $21
• Classification = $13
• Total = $42
• Ongoing yearly cost = $30
150 Does 186 Does Difference
305d Milk 965 kg 780 kg - 185 kg
Total Milk 144750 144750 -
Feed Cost 46500 57660 + $11 160
Evaluation $ 6300
Required to feed 36 more does$4860 Less to enter Breed Evaluation Services then to
feedWhat about cost of labour, equipment?
Summary
• Utilizing the information to make sound breeding and management decisions
• The true gauge of value and benefit from Evaluation Services• Return on investment by making more well informed and profitable decisions
• Herds with higher levels of genetic merit also have higher profit margins
• Superior genetics selection is a worthwhile investment that contributes to herd profitability
You cannot improve what you do not measure!!!