The GMS genetic management system combines herd goals with each cow's phenotype and genotype to recommend matings to bulls that can improve weaknesses. Trained evaluators gather information on cows and work with producers to determine goals. The program gives 2-3 sire recommendations per cow based on genetics and allows producers to customize indexes and conformation formulas to their operation. Key features help control inbreeding and recessives through pedigree analysis and producer-set limits.
In this chapter we will take a look at a program designed to maximize genetic improvement while minimizing your risks. You will find this chapter beginning on page 14-1 of your manual.
The program was developed and started in 1968. It was the first computerized mating program in the industry and allowed us to gather information on type traits linearly. The summary of the linear information is what we use today to help make breeding decisions.
A good breeding program should focus on 1) the economical importance of the trait, 2) the heritability of the trait (can selection impact it), 3) protection against inbreeding, and 4) prevention of undesirable or lethal traits. This is the basis for GMS.
Every dairy is an individual and may have different goals, the program is flexible enough to meet the needs and goals of producers without diluting the genetic tools it uses to achieve results.
Few mating programs have the stringent requirements and monitoring system for their evaluators that ABS has. What does this mean to you? It means that the program maintains objectivity in the mating process and is not biased by likes and dislikes.
As mentioned earlier, ABS published the first linear type information in the dairy industry in 1975, it was soon adopted by all breed associations as the standard for type.
Here are the traits that our professional evaluators will score. Would you agree that these are core traits to developing a sound dairy animal? Would you agree that they have economical value? Would you agree that the heritability of the traits allow for selection to have an impact?
This factor is a huge difference in mating programs. Because we have collected information on thousands of bull’s daughters we have the tools to utilize genotype in the mating process. Combined with the phenotype, we produce the most accurate matings possible. Would you agree the more information you have to make the mating, the better the odds of it turning out the way you’d like?
Every cow in your herd receives equal attention during the mating process. All the information on the mating is used for every cow in the herd.
Daughters of bulls from competitors and other countries are in the database. In some cases we may have more daughters evaluated of a competitor’s bull than they do. You can rely on the integrity of the data in the database. Your production information and herd pedigree information will be used to formulate the HPR. This is a powerful tool to help determine semen usage. It differentiates heifers too.
Let’s put the odds in our favor. The program doesn’t pick a bull for the mating, it eliminates all bulls that don’t fit the selected criteria, ending up with a mating.
This is the blue print for your unique herd. You have the controls, and can lay out the course.
This is the form used to collect your information and set the direction.
More examples of the control you have to qualify or disqualify any bull.
This is the fine-tuning of your program.
This control lets you tell the computer how your cows are to be prioritized.
More fine tuning, here you tell us and the computer what kind of cow you need for your specific environment.
Here you tell us and the computer how fast you want to improve type or production or both.
Tell us what level of concern you have for these things and it will be entered.
When not controlled, inbreeding can be expensive in terms of lost production, lower calf livability, etc.
Tell us what your level of concern is for calving ease and we’ll enter it.
As with any mating option you can set criteria or select bulls to qualify. The criteria can be the same or different for each option, it’s your choice.
We realize your time is valuable, utilizing this worksheet will minimize evaluation-day inconveniences.
Pretty straight forward.
Here are some suggestions on when and which cows to evaluate. Genomate works well for heifers that may not be easily accessible to the evaluator; they can still be mated.
To be most effective remember the adage “garbage in, garbage out”. Providing accurate information will get the most from your mating program.
You will have a better handle on these codes than someone that doesn’t work with the herd daily.
A visit with the parlor workers and your records should help. Here are the linear numbers that correspond to the specific management traits to be coded. Record the extremes, not every cow in the herd.
Rank the cows based on the production priorities for your herd, the best ones being 9 and the poorest 1. Non-fresh heifers will get more differentiation in the mating process if you can give them their dam’s ranking — if not available, score them at 6.
This will help determine when cows will be bred, helping with semen inventory needs.
The information will help us provide you with graphs and other materials to help measure the genetic progress of the herd.
Manage and budget your inventory.
When cows are scored multiple times your paperwork or reports can be kept simple by combining results. Matings are also accessible electronically.
These are the items you will get once the process is complete. These are your tools.