Yarram Herd Services Mission

We are the regions first choice for all herd improvement products and services

Setting industry standards for herd recording and all bovine related services

Offer the best independent breeding advice

Recommending value for money genetics that match your breeding goal Yarram Herd Services Goals

Make improving your herd easier

Add value to your business

Become a business partner in your future success In late 2016 the Australian Herd Improvement Industry formed the centre of excellence under the name DataGene. The industries unification with a centralized data base that had been discussed for many years is now a reality. Data processors, scientists, researchers, breed societies and genetic evaluation, are all working together for the industry to achieve improved outcomes for dairy farmers. We were delighted to become a foundation member of DataGene as we are committed to better outcomes for our farmer members. The formation of DataGene strengthens the Australian industry, with the aim of achieving the additional $25 million in genetic gain annually that is being underutilized. When “Feeding the Genes” investigated the interaction between genetic merit and milk solids production, it was no surprise. High genetic merit cows do produce more than low genetic merit cows across all feeding systems. What corrected the industry myth was high genetic merit cows also lasted longer in dairy herds. Today survival and fertility are critical components of individual cows staying in the herd, and collectively the herd’s economic value. These profitable genetic traits are now expressed in the Balance Profit Index (BPI) $ For the first time we have access to December breeding values, giving us an insight into the best genetics for 2017. Following is a group of bulls who’s daughters are designed for lifetime production and profitability. All the bulls have very good sound functional type, leaving cows’ dairy farmers love as they; produce, get back in calf and last many lactations. They will all have many milking daughters in our area. In the Jerseys TAHBILK was used heavily last season on the performance of locally milking daughters, he is the new number 1 bull BPI $347 and one of the most complete bulls the breed has seen. Other bulls with many local daughters that have added milking daughters include; Elton $324, Valentino $292, Navarian $286 and our recent centre stock bull Shaq $322. What is evident at a quick glance with the Holsteins is the genetic diversity from a range of suppliers. This group reinforces our goals of best independent breeding advice and value for money, with an average RRP of $28, compared with YHS price for the same group of under $21. Herd Recording Data – Improving your herds’ value

People informed better make better decisions Regular Herd recording data gives farmers access to individual cow data which can assist in making management decisions that improve profitability and milk quality. If you are looking to improve milk quality consider a spot test at any time. We now offer SMS messages of your highest Cell Count cows as your herd is processed. Please ensure we have your correct mobile number to receive this service Thank you to the farmers that return clean herd recording equipment, it is appreciated. If there are any ways we can help to improve your herd recording experience please let us know. New Dashboard Reports The industry has been looking at ways of assisting farmers to better utilised herd recording data. Industry standards have been used to highlight the relevance and economic importance of data produced form herd recording The dashboard looks at your herds individual traits, giving you a summary with the % of cows affected and any herd trends. Then a detail report is produced on individual cows that may need attention. This information is additional to the current data information supplied with each test which includes; individual test data on each cow, age, calving date, sire, dam, milk production, protein kgs, protein %, fat kgs, fat %, cell count, production lactation to date and production index (herd ranking). Other reports include; highest and lowest SCC and PI – test day history report – farm production per ha vs district average – cow and farm production compared to the last 4 years – individual cell count with a 4 year comparison - terminated lactations - % of cows infected by age group – mastitis levels of pervious tests by age group – Herd recording farms have better QUALITY milk Dr Jo Newton, Research Scientist, Agriculture Victoria is studying data from the ImProving Herds Project. Jo looked at 7 farms that had not recently been herd recording and analysed how they used the data, along with the associated economic impacts over the 2015-2016 season. Focus farmers reported benefiting from using their information for a range of activities including: • Making informed drying off decisions • Making informed culling decisions • Improving identification of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis cases • Maximising return from infrastructure • Managing seasonal changes in diet • Identifying high merit animals for joining to high value straws/ sexed semen • Refining breeding programs

The economic benefits appeared across all farms but was highlighted with Peter from WA, who was facing restricted feed availability in Autumn 2016. Using herd recording information and mating records from his 400 cow, Peter identified 67 lower producing cows that there were sold, or put into the dry cow herd depending on if they were pregnant or not. This informed decision improved the herds’ production and profitability. Over the duration of the project, farmers’ attitudes of the value of having herd recording information has changed. All 7 focus farms found herd recording information to be a useful tool for making routine management decisions. Despite a tough 2016–2017 season forecast all focus farms have voiced their intent to continue herd recording Andrew Fear CM Operations & Service manager LIC spoke at the recent Herd17 conference. Andrew spoke about the challenges farmers faced in difficult economic times, with the 2016 milk price less than half of what farmers were paid in 2014. Andrew reinforced the power of herd recording data and the positive contribution management information can have on individual farms. The New Zealand dairy industry uses herd recording information to make improved productivity decisions on; genetics, herd health and reproduction with the total calculated to be over $350M into a contribution to value on farm.

The Power of Information The DataGene smartphone application ‘HerdData’ is an easy-to-use dairy farm software application designed for use on iPhone, Android devices or iPad’s. HerdData enables the dairy farmer to enter or view data whilst in the paddock or the dairy shed. As long as there is an active internet connection then this data is automatically transferred to Yarram Herd Services. With HerdData a dairy farmer can perform the following functions: • calve a cow • dry off a cow • sell or cull a cow • enter mating data • enter pregnancy test data • enter treatments and health events • enter workability scores. Information about cows such as: • treatments • lactations • herd test history is also available. Talk to us about HerdData and getting access to this convenient and cost effective management tool. Repro Project – Identifying and treating problem cows well before Mating Start Date Ten Victorian dairy farms participated in the Repro Project, conducted by Magnus Johansson of Viking Genetics. The cows were categories as follows: ‘A.I. ready Cows’, ‘Cystic Cows’, ‘Problem Cows’, ‘Non-Cycling Cows’ and ‘Cows not suitable for A.I. During the project, two different reproductive service approaches were compared for the autumn joining of 2016: Group 1 the on-demand with a rectal survey of non-cycling cows at the beginning of joining and Group 2 The proactive approach included two rectal investigations before the start of the joining period of all cows to be mated. Each individual cow was examined prior to joining and was categorised based on her ability to suitable for A.I.,.+87 cows classified not suitable had a very low pregnancy rate. Cows in group 2 that had recovered after treatment had the same pregnancy rate as cows ready for A.I., at the first rectal survey. The results were exciting. The proactive approach showed a significant increase above the results from 2015 in the 6-week in-calf rate. There are real economic benefits from an increased interest in fertility and reproduction services within the milking herds. The project outcome shows that we have been able to make significant reproductive gains with a proactive approach, taking problem cows from the empty group and having them ready to conceive to AI

Yarram Herd Services Phone 51 826 319 or 0427 826 319,

54 Rodgers Street, Po Box 126, Yarram Vic 3971

Alan Blum yherds@bigpond.com

Peta Barlow admin.yhs@bigpond.com

Gabby Porter htyherds@bigpond.com

Limitation of Liability: Yarram Herd Services Inc has attempted to make the information as accurate as possible, the information is provided in good faith without any expressed or implied warranty. The information is from sources we believe to be reliable; nevertheless Yarram Herd Services Inc. gives no warranty and makes no representation as to the accuracy of such information. Any person relying on any information set out herein does so entirely at their own risk and shall not have any claim against Yarram Herd Services Inc. for any loss or damage which they thereby sustain.