Select Mating Service (SMS) genetic consultants from Select Sires’ member organizations, international guests and other staff met at the 39th annual SMS Evaluator's Conference, hosted by NorthStar Cooperative on May 4-7 in Michigan.
While at the conference, genetic consultants participated in a day of continuing education. The group discussed the latest Program for Genetic Advancement (PGA) developments, discussed on-farm observations and were updated about the strengths of the company's lineup and sires waiting for their first daughter proofs. They learned about enhancements to the SMS program, innovative technologies and recent trends.Now in its 41st year, SMS added more new animals (2 million) to the program than in any year in its history. SMS consultants continue to help dairy producers control genetic recessives, haplotypes, inbreeding levels and provide a means to create custom selection indexes based on customer goals.
The conference allows genetic consultants to view hundreds of Select-sired daughters and see the pattern each sire transmits to his daughters. Over the course of three days, consultants viewed progeny of the company’s current lineup and potential graduates in Michigan.
“This year’s conference provided attendees with an excellent opportunity to see progeny of several recent proven graduates and sires that are candidates for active service in the next two sire summaries,” stated Lon Peters, vice president of dairy sire product services. … Highly productive cows with near-perfect udders and feet and legs was the consistent message from these visits.” PD
—From Select Sires news release
