If only our tests were comparable with yours Inger I would be an advocate for testing, as it is the hurdle is much too high, and we are losing our diversity and breed numbers. I hope Clive you will be advising the future Council to reconsider. I cannot understand why the difference with southern breeders should be so great; our cattle prices are certainly not higher. I also agree with the point continually made here that if we confine it to the one test we will gradually build up a data base at a lot less expense, to insist on the two extra tests for parent verification means losing the bulls and the subsequent heifer calves.
Beryl (Woodmagic)
Bull Registrations (UK) - ....falling through the floor
Its a starting point. First we made it necessary to DNA profile all new bull registrations, then a few years later the Society asked breeders to mop up the rest of the existing bulls in circulation. As a number of us had sent samples in for Chondrodysplasia testing, we also asked for a DNA profile at the same time and were able to send that in to the Herd Registrar. So many of the breeders had had the test done, by the time that profiling was made mandatory for all bulls, that there were only a few left to get info from. Even the frozen semen from dead bulls, in the A. I centres were able to be checked.
So now we have a reasonably complete data base of bull DNA profiles for most of the Dexter cows in NZ. There are still the older cows, from semen of dead overseas bulls, but eventually that generation will die out.
It seems that the way the NZ Dexter Society organised the change, made compliance much more acceptable to a great number of its members. Change without too much pain. Its a better way to go in the long run. You can't afford to upset too many of your members, or they will vote with their feet and wallets I'm afraid. Taking small steps towards the goal is better, if most of the society are happy to walk along with the idea. After all, the Society is there for its membership, not the other way around, surely. :D
So now we have a reasonably complete data base of bull DNA profiles for most of the Dexter cows in NZ. There are still the older cows, from semen of dead overseas bulls, but eventually that generation will die out.
It seems that the way the NZ Dexter Society organised the change, made compliance much more acceptable to a great number of its members. Change without too much pain. Its a better way to go in the long run. You can't afford to upset too many of your members, or they will vote with their feet and wallets I'm afraid. Taking small steps towards the goal is better, if most of the society are happy to walk along with the idea. After all, the Society is there for its membership, not the other way around, surely. :D
Inger
NZ
NZ