Select Sires, Inc., announced the debut of StrataGEN, a unique, sequential breeding system that offers optimal use of genomic insights to help dairy producers achieve individual breeding goals while also minimizing inbreeding. StrataGEN uses genomic insights to categorize both daughter-proven sires and young sires into one of five unique genetic lines, based on common traits they’ve inherited from their ancestors, as confirmed by individual genomic testing. Each line is identified with a single color – orange, blue, green, yellow or red, for easy understanding and implementation into any dairy breeding program.
Following an initial consultation with a StrataGEN specialist, a herd’s probable, existing genetic base is evaluated and long-term herd goals are considered to develop a three- to five-line rotation of sires that will provide the greatest genetic intensity with minimized inbreeding.
“Inbreeding and the potential financial losses it causes is a real problem in dairy operations today,” says Jeff Ziegler, genomic program manager at Select Sires. “With the intensive use of genomics now being applied to sire selection, the risk of inbreeding is even greater.
However, a program like StrataGEN allows us to use this technology to actually reduce inbreeding by creating a minimum number of genetic lines that are very closely related – and then crossing those lines with others that are much different. It brings heterosis back into the breeding program without the need for crossbreeding.”
Effects of inbreeding include decreased cow health and vigor, lower lactation production, reduced reproductive performance, decreased calf vigor, increased calf morbidity and mortality, as well as a much higher risk of recessive genetic disorders.
Research has indicated that for each 1 percent inbreeding increase in a herd, performance is impacted by:
- -24 Lifetime NM$
- +.36 days of age at first calving
- -13 days Productive Life
- -790 pounds lifetime milk production
- -25 pounds lifetime protein production
- +.26 month first calving interval
Together, these issues make a significant impact on a dairy producer’s bottom line.
“We know that dairy operations need highly-effective programs to help them take advantage of genetic technologies,” notes Lyle Kruse, vice president U.S. market development at Select Sires.
“StrataGEN is the first program of its kind that allows these technologies to be used in a simple to implement and easy to confirm system that allows each herd to uniquely develop their protocol.
Using all sires from one line for the first generation makes it easy to switch to the next desired color – or line – for the next generation, without concern or consideration for individual pedigree evaluation; StrataGEN will have done that for them."
All bulls used in the StrataGEN program have been or will be proven through Select Sires’ progeny test program, with special emphasis on increased production, moderate body size, and the ability to maintain body condition score and fertility.
StrataGEN is a breeding program designed for multi-generational commitment, allowing each generational cross to become more uniform in genomic make-up, thus allowing optimal performance with minimal inbreeding. PD
—From Select Sires news release
