A new stage of genetic technology will allow farmers to test cattle on-farm and rank and select their own cows based on their immune status, in addition to the usual genomic proofs.
It might sound like something of the future, but Semex has already introduced the technology.
Named ‘Elevate’ – on the grounds that it will elevate herds to the next level of genetic gain for disease resistance – the move comes five years after Semex’s Immunity+ was first introduced to the market.
Since then, the technology has established itself worldwide by reducing disease in cows by up to 20%, depending on which disease is assessed.
Because Immunity+ has a relatively high level of heritability – similar to that of milk production – dairy producers report seeing healthier animals.
Benefits are said to include lower treatment costs, reduced drug and antibiotic use and less time spent dealing with sick cows.
Up until now, though, the technology has only been available on the male side of the genetic equation.
Elevate changes this and brings the technology to the female side for the first time, thus markedly speeding up genetic progress in improving disease robustness.
The cows are categorised as high, average or low immunity for a list of diseases, and management decisions can then be taken according to the rankings.
“With Elevate and its Immunity+ genomic test producers no longer have to guess which cows are their healthiest,” said Gordon Miller, Semex senior vice president, sales and business development.
They’re able to make faster genetic progress towards a stronger, more disease resistant herd, reducing losses and drug use.”
Michael Dennison, UK sales manager for Semex explained how the technology works.
“All an Elevate client needs to do is take an ear tissue sample from each animal and ship it to the lab,” he said.
“A specific Semex app collects and identifies the genomic samples and minimises labour and time invested.
“No paperwork is involved, and there are no hairs to pull. The transfer of information is all automated between the App, the Elevate test.”
