Is data collected for udder quality?

[kjonesel]

As a former dairyman A.I. was used extensively in our breeding programs and I have carried it over to my beef heard. My question is does the beef industry collect data on udder traits when evaluating the offspring of beef sires?

 

[dun]

Some of the breed associations do and at least one of the studs. Not sure how wide spread it is but it should be universal as far as I'm concerned

 

[hillsdown]

Most I think do collect it however it is optional to submit it not like the mandatory BW ,WW etc. They do encourage breeders to record all udder info .I wish more AI sires had info on udders though it sure would give us more info to choose from.

 

[kjonesel]

Currently we are working with the Gelbvieh breed I will check with ABS and see if they have additional data available. The reason I was asking is I noticed that the females with large front quarters have them ignored by the newborn calves because they are more difficult for them to suckle. Then in turn they become enlarged and sore to the touch for the dam and when the calf finally tries they get kicked and it quickly snowballs into masititis since the Gelbvieh (which we have) produce more milk.

 

[RD-Sam]

ABS lists and udder trait bar for black angus, but I think they are the only one as far as I have seen.

 

[cow pollinater]

With beef cattle it is pretty breed specific. Try contacting the Gelbvieh association and asking them what system they have in place. Since their job is to promote GV cattle, they may start putting a little pressure into the breeders to start reporting udder information.

 

[hillsdown]

I have am a purebred registered GV breeder and it is optional to submit the data.

 

[Amo]

Genex also has been putting out data on stuff. Height, depth, width, leg set, udder size and quality, muscle, sheath, scrotal size, etc. Select Sires has just started putting it out now. Accelerated has a few bulls with info. Once again all black angus and older bulls.

 

[Amo]

Well I cant edit my post I guess. Looked last night at my current Accelerated book and they don't show anything. 2010 they did which is what I was looking at. Genex has had it for quite a while.

 

[kjonesel]

I never heard of Genex but I will check it out.

 

[dun]

Since there are a lot of young bulls in the semen catalogs these days, you have to keep in mind that a bull has to be around 4 years old before the first data even starts to come in on his daughters.