Building on strong foundations, with a view to the future V ikingGenetics Australia has been active for over 10 years, and the work done to develop and measure the potential positive influence of the Nordic cattle for the Australian dairy industry is becoming even more evident. Using an evaluation that is foreign to most Australian breeders, but world leading in its accuracy and ground-break- ing data, VikingGenetics Australia has grown a bull program we are proud of across VikingHolstein , VikingJersey and VikingRed , even though it doesn’t appear obvious in the local evaluation right away. This year, we are seeing the fruit of that work as more VikingHolstein bulls emerge stronger and stronger for BPI as the data accumulates. We always knew the cattle were right and now everyone can see their value. VikingRed bulls have enjoyed a dominant position for some time in the evaluation, and VikingJersey is ready to pounce as their outcross pedigree and inherent fertility and health traits assist Jersey breeders to tackle their key challenges. Farewell old friend This Spring we will release our updated sire catalogue which will be missing the amazing VikingRed sire V Foske for the first time since we began business. Still at the top of the BPI evaluation his semen has finally run out. As you would expect we have numerous options to go on with. What’s important… What is important on a farm is evolving. While farmers have always cared for the environment, the welfare of their animals and the profitable sustainability of their business there are new terms and technologies entering the conversation, and the community at large has their opinions of how we should manage these issues. As community expectations play a bigger role in what we do, VikingGenetics long term strategy of selection for healthy cattle that require less treatments, feed efficient cattle that have lower emissions, selection for hoof health to minimise discomfort and now increased emphasis on poll are all moving to centre stage. VikingGenetics is 40 years ahead of the indus- try in recording and selection in many of these key areas. Merging into a major global force In this issue we explain more about our breeding and business strategies that strive for solutions to the challenges of dairy customers today, and those challenges that we see laying ahead. Strength of investment in research and development of products and supporting technologies will be enhanced by our intended merger with two of the most solid European AI companies: Evolution of France and Masterrind of Germany. There will be new faces in the VikingGenetics Australia team this Spring. Make sure you say hello! What’s your Beef? We are starting to offer beef semen for dairy cows through VikingBeef , that will do more than get them pregnant. As the industry embraces the reliable performance of our X-Vik sexed semen the door has opened to offer a beef product that adds value to the growing number of dairy beef calves. Our short ges- tation Danish Blue sire VB Nito starts our journey into a beef offering that will follow the VikingGenetics philosophy of being science based, tested, and measured to benefit dairy farmers. I hope you enjoy our magazine! Jim Bruce Country Manager VikingGenetics Australia 2
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