ABS Global, Inc. services

Genetic Assessment – Validation, guidance and intelligence for genetic progress. As much as we’d like it to be otherwise, genetic progress cannot be seen overnight. Because of this, it can be hard to see the improvement in your herd on a day-to-day basis. Genetic assessment is a way to validate that genetics are moving in the right direction. This process is done by analyzing an animal’s pedigree or genomic information. This is a way to assure that the next generation is better than the last when comparing traits determined in your initial genetic plan. Knowing that not all cows are created equal, it also allows us to help you to rank your animals from best to worst. This can help you then segment the herd and identify which females will be used to make your next generation. Whether you’re evaluating your herd on your own or relying on a genetic advisor, genetic assessment is a crucial step to keep you on track with your genetic goals.

Reproductive efficiency in a herd is related to the capability of get the cows pregnant in a timely manner. Reproduction is key for success on a dairy farm and it’s highly associated with profitability. The relationship between reproduction and profitability can be easily understood. A dairy that is unable to consistently get cows pregnant will neither have cows freshening, nor will they have cows milking. This, in turn, means no money coming in. Although this can sound like simple math, the process becomes more complex when efficiency is considered. As much as milk production is crucial for a dairy farm, the investments made to get a cow pregnant and the time it takes between calvings also determine a sustainable operation.

The newest tool in the genetic services portfolio – the ABS genetic audit – perfectly complements GMS 2.0 to get the greatest return on your genetic investment. Similar to a report card, this annual audit provides an overview of your herd’s genetics. With this baseline, you can make future comparisons and see genetics in action like never before.