To a large extent achieving genetic progress within the herd does depend on the youngest age group of females, in this case the two year olds out performing their older sisters. This year twelve sons from first calf two year old heifers have been selected in the “U” sale draft. This is a very rewarding statistic as it represents a similar number to the thirteen sons from the ten year old plus set of dams catalogued.
Breeding bulls is a more complex task than that of matching sets of numbers that report on a set of trait performances. It is also about achieving an acceptable balance, in this instance youthfulness and so the concept of genetic progress with maturity where maturity is seen as promoting that all important concept of stay-ability/longevity.
The twelve bulls from the “S” heifers have recorded a superior value determining index (VDI) to that of the thirteen bulls from the “J” plus set of cows. Both these subsets are superior to the performance of the sale draft average.
| 12 “S” Heifers Son | 13 “J” + Cow Sons | 81 Total Draft | |
| Average VDI | 64.9 | 62.9 | 61.7 |
| VDI Range | 60 – 71.5 | 56.5 – 69.5 | 48 – 74 |
The above table illustrates:
- Genetic progress is most definitely occurring. The twelve sons form the heifer subset (64.9) have significantly out performed both the mature cow subset (62.9) and the overall sale group average (61.7).
- The range in VDI score is too great particularly for the total draft (48 – 74). The teams aim over the next couple of years is to limit the range to 58 – 75.
Teams Challegene
Balance breeding is an imperative at Dulverton. The team most definitely acknowledges that genetic progress is a must and so the younger cattle and their progeny must express the important genetic superiority. Importantly though that superiority must be balanced in such a manner that stability/longevity two essential profit drivers with any commercial enterprise aren’t compromised.
The Team is excited by the “balance” achieved to date. The goal now is to maintain such a balance and significantly reduce the range in total sale draft VDI performance from 48 – 74 to 58 – 75.
