By Julie (Orchard) Bacon on June 30, 2018

We all strive to breed the “perfect cow.” The one that has high type, makes lots of milk and has incredible longevity. Perfect cows don’t always exist, but the Church family of Cresco, Iowa, has bred countless cows that have come close.

The Church’s Oak Knob Guernsey Farm is home to 110 registered Guernseys that are housed in a freestall environment. The Church family has bred more than 46 animals Excellent cows. Even more impressive is that more than 100 of their cows have exceeded the 100,000-pounds of milk mark.

The Church’s breeding plan is focused on raising cows with outstanding longevity. They emphasis strength, feet/legs and udders.

Oak Knob has used a tightly focused genetic plan to select AI service sires since 1964. They have a true breeder’s herd (only two of the milking cows we saw on Thursday’s tour were purchased animals). This gives them much less variation than a herd that has purchased animals with unknown pedigrees.

Breeding strategies that we observed on Thursday’s tours include:

1. Setting a genetic plan and sticking with it. There are many ways to make genetic progress. The Churches are successful by placing selection emphasis on the traits that matter the most to them and they do not deviate from the plan. Progress is made in the direction of their goals and, ultimately, makes them more profit.
2. Choosing the best sires to suit your management style. The Churches are very selective on the bulls they use.  Sires must meet the goals of their genetic plan. This allows them to take advantage of the amplified selection intensity put into place by AI companies (knowing that AI companies are selecting only the most elite for the next generation). By using elite sires that fit their criteria, the Churches are maximizing their on-farm selection intensity when compared to using just any bull off the proof list.
3. Using genomics. K-Valley is another farm we visited on Thursday’s tours. The Kime family is embracing genomics as a way to decrease the generation interval and step up the genetic selection intensity on their farm. The Kimes use genomic testing as a way to improve milk, fat and protein pounds and keep the bulk tank full on fewer cows.

The bottom line is that there are countless ways to make genetic progress. These were three simple strategies we observed during Thursday’s tours. Remaining focused, increasing selection intensity and decreasing the generation interval is allowing these breeders to capitalize on the genetic profit and progress potential.