CRV places great importance on healthy and efficient cows and reliable breeding. That is why we handle hereditary defects in a conscious and transparent way.
Thanks to genomic selection, we are increasingly able to identify hereditary traits. This also means that new genetic defects are occasionally discovered. For the Holstein population, two hereditary defects have recently been identified:
Affected animals have an abnormality in the immune system of the gastrointestinal tract. This results in growth retardation and a higher risk of mortality or early culling. The status of an animal is published as follows:
• LR- free of the defect
• LR+ carrier
• LR* affected
Affected animals show muscle weakness and have difficulty standing up. This leads to reduced mobility and growth, and an increased risk of mortality. The status of an animal is published as follows:
• MW- free of the defect
• MW+ carrier
• MW* affected
For both Blird (LR) and Muscle Weakness (MW), only affected animals show symptoms and actually cause losses within the herd.Carriers themselves do not show any symptoms.CRV supports you in reducing risks. By using our mating program SireMatch, risky matings are automatically excluded. This prevents the pairing of two (potential) carriers, which could result in an affected calf.Would you like to work even more precisely? Then genomic testing/HerdOptimizer of female animals offers a smart solution. It provides exact information about the genetic status of your cows.
This means:
• Certainty about carrier status
• Fewer unnecessary exclusions of valuable sires
• Maximum utilization of genetic potential
In short, with SireMatch and CRV HerdOptimizer, you can stay in control of hereditary defects without compromising genetic progress.
Find out more about SireMatch
Find out more about HerdOptimizer
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