Holstein Australia recently held an open day to showcase updates to the classification system and post-visit reporting.
Hosted by Suz and Rob Gundry at Gunwilla Park Holsteins, Gunbower, the day included a demonstration, Q and A session, lunch, and finished off with a herd walk.
Holstein Australia chief executive officer Rohan Butler said the update has been all about improving the classification process and turnaround time with two major changes implemented — hand held units replaced by tablets and presentation and usability of classification data.
“At the conclusion of each visit the class report can now be sent direct from the classifier’s tablet,” Rohan said.
“This addresses a key issue for members and for us as an organisation, with the age of the software behind the old system often leading to reporting delays.
“Among major changes, members will be able to view clear colour-coded reports on their results including top five animals by composite, herd inventory by lactation, and top and bottom traits across their herd and where this sits against the ideal and breed average.”
Rohan said the feedback to date had been positive, with the breeder development committee giving the new reports the thumbs up.
“These changes have all been about delivering transparent and unbiased information to our breeders as efficiently as possible, improving delivery time and access.”
Datagene’s Peter Thurn said class data remains increasingly important.
“This allows us to predict the genetic merit of young stock coming through and allows to continually update and validate our genomic models,” Peter said.
He said the changes will not affect genomics as such but will be better for registered breeders.
“This will flow onto bull breeding — the values are not going to change, which is good because farmers are always looking for consistency and I think these changes will help with that.”
Rob Gundry said it was pleasing to see so many breeders come out to the farm.
“It has been a great day and the changes will be great moving forward,” Rob said.
He said the day also allowed some breeders to air their concerns around genetics and the direction the industry is moving in.
“It is always good to listen to other people’s concerns.”
Gunbower dairy farmer Stu Modra took his teenage daughters Astre and Kendall along so they could learn a bit more about cow confirmation and how the classification system works.
Both Astre and Kendall, along with their cousin Hannah Dee, ran their own team at International Dairy Week this year and came away with a Holstein reserve intermediate champion win with Clydevale Doc Cleavage.
With the system now live, Rohan said Holstein Australia ws willing to host further events in other locations.