CONTACT: Sarah Galdi (608)846-1432 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
IMPORTANCE OF SELECTION FOR LONGEVITY DISCUSSED AT EDUCATIONAL SEMINARDEFOREST, WISCONSIN – October 15, 2008 – The ideal Holstein cow has a number of qualities she needs to possess. She needs to produce a calf, breed back quickly, produce high quality and quantity milk and be trouble free. During the educational seminar, “Longevity, What should we be selecting for?” how to select and produce this genetically superior, long lived cow was discussed. Nearly 90 dairy producers and industry personnel attended the seminar held in conjunction with World Dairy Expo and sponsored by ABS Global. “Longevity is becoming an increasingly important focus on dairies around the globe today as it is a large profitability influencer,” stated Marj Faust, ABS Global Director of External Research. “ABS would like to thank the three panelists for providing their industry expertise to our seminar attendees. The seminar was well-received, discussed a variety of selection tools available, gave attendees the opportunity to discuss questions and comments with industry experts, and offered attendees practical information that they can use on their dairies.” The seminar included a panel of three industry experts—Bennet Cassell, Virginia Tech University; Tom Lawlor, Holstein Association USA and Lucy Andrews, Holstein UK. Andrews began the seminar explaining the importance and relation between longevity and linear traits. Lawlor followed with how selecting for type traits and the TPI formula can aid in producing a long lived cow. Cassell concluded the presentation with how health & fitness traits along with an index like Net Merit can aid in selecting for longevity. A question and answer period followed the presentation. This seminar was recorded by Trent Fredenburg with a podcast being available from Dairy Cast - http://www.dairycast.com/2008-world-dairy-expo-dr-tom-lawlor-longevity-selection. Headquartered in DeForest, Wisconsin, ABS Global is the world-leading provider of bovine genetics, reproduction services, technologies and uddercare products. Marketing in more than 70 countries around the globe, ABS has been at the forefront of animal genetics and technology since its founding in 1941. ABS Global is part of Genus Breeding, a division of Genus plc.
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