A new ‘code of advertising’ adopted by the dairy genetics industry will ensure farmers have the most meaningful information with which to make breeding decisions.
Every major AI company has signed up to the new code, which means they have each committed to using UK or UK-equivalent data when promoting dairy bull semen.
“There’s a huge amount of breeding information available for dairy bulls which farmers have to sift through when making breeding choices, and the only way they can accurately compare the breeding potential of one bull against another is if they can compare like for like,” says Marco Winters from DairyCo Breeding+, who developed and introduced the code.
“For UK farmers that means expressing all genetic indexes on a UK base, such that a bull from, say North America, can be easily compared with a bull from Europe, and have his index expressed as a figure that reflects his performance potential when used on a UK farm,” he says.
The code has been devised in consultation with the entire AI industry, with all major companies now signed up and fully committed to working from a common base.
Its key points include:
· Official UK evaluations published by DairyCo (for production and fitness) and Holstein UK (for type) must be used in preference to any other.
· Information shown in the advert must be dated and comprise the latest data available.
· The source of the information must be stated, (eg DairyCo, Holstein UK or the country responsible for foreign evaluations).
· The genetic reference base must be stated, such as Holstein, British Friesian or Ayrshire.
· The reliability of any genetic index and the status of the bull must be given, whether he’s a young sire with or without genomic information or a daughter-proven sire.
· If a bull is a known carrier of a genetic defect, this must be stated.
· Where photographs are used, the relationship of the pictured animal to the bull must be stated (eg daughter, sister, dam).
· The advertiser must state that the company abides by the code.
Lucy Andrews from Holstein UK says the breed society fully endorses the code of practice, adding: “It’s vital that dairy farmers understand the information available in order to make the best breeding choices, so we have been keen to work with DairyCo to develop this code.
“UK indexes are the most accurate estimate of UK performance, whether for production, fitness or type, and we’ve always encouraged advertisers to use these figures in preference to any others.”
With almost the whole industry signed up to its use, the aim for the code is that it will be self-policing, as any company that doesn’t comply will soon be spotted by the others.
“I’d also urge every dairy farmer to look out for the statement that the company abides by the DairyCo and Holstein UK established code of advertising on any advertisement for a bull they are considering,” adds Mr Winters.
The new code of advertising is published in full, including the names of signatories, on the DairyCo website (through the links for Breeding+) and on the Holstein UK website.
