The IHFA pavilion at this year’s Ploughing Championships will be a showcase of the unique genetic diversity and efficient production of the Holstein Friesian breed.

As dairy farmers brace themselves for the seminal date of 1 April 2015, heralding a new era without quotas, the Holstein Friesian remains the most adaptable and most resilient breed of choice. Visitors to the IHFA pavilion will be in with the chance of winning some fabulous prizes, a pedigree-registered Holstein Friesian heifer calf, €1,000 worth of Megalac and more.

Promotion of IHFA services – Whole Herd Grade Up (WHGU) and type classification – will be a central theme, with special offers for new members. A balanced team of seven cows will be on display showcasing the efficient production, profitability and wide genetic diversity of the Holstein Friesian. This selection of Holstein and Pure Friesian genetics bred by local IHFA members, encapturing high milk solids production, VG/EX conformation, deep maternal ancestry, high fertility and regular calving intervals.

Prizes worth €5,000

Visitors to the IHFA pavilion are invited to enter a competition for prizes worth €5,000. The first prize is a pedigree-registered Holstein Friesian heifer calf. This calf is an example of the elite genetic merit and wide genetic diversity of the Holstein Friesian.

Backboned by a strong maternal line, this heifer calf will be a welcome addition to the herd of its lucky winner, a timely boost with the removal of quotas next year.

Other prizes include €1,000 worth of Megalac from Volac, vouchers from Weatherbys laboratory towards genomic tests and a voucher for BVD testing from the Irish Equine Centre. Entry to the draw is free. Simply complete a questionnaire based on the Holstein Friesian cows on display. In addition, a promotional offer on WHGU and type classification for new members will be running.

Genomic technology

IHFA embraced the new DNA-based technology – genomics – from the outset as an aid toward the progression of better breeding.

All males registered with IHFA receive genomic breeding values, in addition to parentage verification based on groundbreaking DNA scientific analysis. This means that the breeding values for stock bulls is underpinned by an improved level of reliability. This has positive implications for the national dairy herd as approximately 50% of all replacement heifers in the national herd are sired by stock bulls.

Data analysis from 2014 registered males indicates further positive trends in breeding values and genetic merit.

Services Promotion

IHFA Services’ Whole Herd Grade Up (WHGU) and type classification help as information-based, management tools towards improving the genetic merit and functionality of your herd.  WHGU completes the registration of your herd to pedigree status by adding value to the records built up over many generations and years.

Once established, the registration process is easy to continue, leading to enhanced breeding decisions. Type classification is an unbiased, linear assessment of the biological traits that characterise the physical conformation of cows on an individual basis. A total of 16 body traits are assessed, leading to the calculation of overall composites for the key working components of dairy cows; udder structure, rump structure, foot and leg conformation. Type classification is the final score, a calculation based on the computation of the individual scores.

Classification adds value to cows reflecting improvements in conformation (VG/EX) standards, building up over many generations, adding value to progeny and family members.  Type classification is a useful benchmark for dairy farmers, an evidence based bank of data helping herd owners make informed breeding decisions for the next generation of dairy replacements.     

IHFA has said that staff are looking forward to meeting everyone at the Ploughing and helping with queries.