Husbandry

I have received a few email questions about what traits I think are important to breed for in dairy cattle and what my general philosophy is. I will respond to the emails in more detail privately, but here are a few ideas everyone my find useful. You have to breed cattle that will work in your management system. If you are like me and graze your cows and feed a mostly forage based diet in the barn, the kind of cow you want will be different than what our freestall/TMR type neighbors are breeding for. I breed for Chest width, spring of rib, and depth of body. We need cows that can consume large volumes of cheap forage and turn it into milk. Shallow udders with a good deep center crease. Walking up and down these hills hunting for grass all summer will wear out an udder. People today want a 2 year old that is a mature cow, then they are surprised that she doesn't last. Your born, you mature, you die. Steep foot angle and a good leg are very important as well. Bellow are some random thoughts....

Pay more attention to maternal lines, don't just rely on bulls. Great herds are built on strong maternal lines that transmit.

It takes years to breed on a good udder and one poor sire choice to lose it.

Animals generally breed the average of their inheritance. Pay less attention to "numbers" and more on what the ancestors actually did.

Learn to be critical of your cows. You must find the faults if you are going to improve them. Mate each cow as an individual, finding bulls that are strong in the traits that need improving.

Be patient. It takes many years to see the the fruit of your labor. Remember the grandkids!