DAIRY farmers are being encouraged to report on the workability scores of first lactation heifers who calved this spring.
Whether she’s a slow milker, a kicker or wonder cow in the dairy, DataGene wants to hear about her.
Michelle Axford from DataGene said the reports are essential to calculate Australia Breeding Values (ABVs) for ‘workability traits’ such as milking speed, temperament and likeability.
“Every dairy farmer cares about workability. Cows that kick are a safety hazard and slow milkers extend the milking routine. And we know that bulls with high likeability ABVs produce daughters that are more likely to stay in the herd for longer,” she said.
Workability reports are fed into DataGene’s genetic evaluation system through the HerdData App, herd test centres or on-farm software such as Mistro Farm or Easy Dairy.
For more information contact: DataGene03 9032 7191 or enquiries@datagene.com.au or www.datagene.com.au.
DataGene is an initiative of Dairy Australia and the herd improvement industry.
Wonder cow or workability nightmare?
Sharon and Darren Parrish have been recording workability traits for first lactation heifers for 20 years. They use the information in their cow breeding decisions and it is also fed back to DataGene’s genetic evaluation system to calculate workability ABVs on bulls.
