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!!!