Breed Selection, Getting the Cow you Want

Product/Service Being Reviewed

CRV bull catalog / CRV genetics (breeding selection for dairy farms), presented via CKL Kenya (Land Lander / CL Africa context). The emphasis is on:

• How to select the right bull/genes
• How to interpret the CRV bull catalog to improve farm outcomes

Note: This is more of an educational presentation than a hands-on “review,” and it doesn’t include traditional user ratings or direct comparisons to specific rival brands.

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Main Features Mentioned

Breeding selection aligned to farm goals

• Select bulls to achieve breeding objectives such as:
  • Health
  • Efficiency
  • Longevity
  • Confirmation / linear traits

CRV catalog interpretation framework

• The catalog uses a relative scale:
  • 100 = average (NL/Europe benchmark)
  • >100 = above average
  • <100 = below average
• Direction matters:
  • “Benefits” depend on whether the trait is supposed to be higher or lower.
• Positive/negative values indicate genetic potential above/below average for that trait.

Trait categories used for decision-making

The presentation groups traits into practical categories:

• Health traits
  • Examples referenced: mastitis-related impacts, fertility/genetic health implications
• Efficiency traits
  • Feed conversion / producing more with less input
• Longevity
  • Represented in days (how long daughters remain economically productive)
• Daughter management traits
  • Example: ketosis
  • Also referenced: milking speed / “optimum rate”
• Confirmation traits
  • Somatic cell count (SCC) and mastitis risk directionality
  • Linear traits
    • Positive vs negative selection depends on the target (e.g., too tall vs too short)

Genetic transmission explanation

• About 50% of the breeding value is transmitted to offspring (particularly daughters).
• The session includes examples converting catalog points into expected offspring impacts.

Support tools / services

• SATCH / S-match
  • Matching breeding goals to bulls
  • No charge stated for S-match services
  • Requires pedigree information
• Genomic testing
  • Offered as a service (pricing mentioned but not confirmed as free)
• Training and record guidance
  • Training on data recording and interpretation, including use of apps/Excel/manual records

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Key Pros (Claims Made)

• Helps improve herd outcomes by balancing:
  • Health and efficiency in “perfect harmony”
• Supports long-term productivity and profitability through:
  • Health: reduced risk of mastitis and other disease challenges
  • Efficiency: improved feed conversion and production per input
  • Longevity: daughters remain productive longer (profit impact)
• Clearer selection decisions from the catalog
  • The speaker argues the catalog becomes easier once you understand:
    • your goal, and
    • which trait categories to prioritize
• Health focus claim with quantified impact
  • CRV health focus (starting 2011 per speaker): 21% reduction in “challenges”
  • The exact definition of “challenges” is not fully specified in subtitles
• Genetics vs environment framing
  • Genetics are presented as important, but management is still dominant
  • Claimed breakdown: 20% genetics / 80% environment & management

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Key Cons / Limitations (As Stated)

• No single-trait optimization
  • Trade-offs exist, e.g.:
    • selecting only for milk production can negatively correlate with health (mastitis) and fertility
• Catalog interpretation complexity
  • Farmers may feel confused by plus/minus and trait meanings (the video attempts to clarify)
• Genetics aren’t enough without management
  • “Promised genetic potential” can underperform if farm conditions are weak (housing, feeding, cleanliness, timing, etc.)
• Timing matters
  • Breeding is described as a long-term “marathon”—delays reduce return
• Silent heat / insemination timing challenges
  • Q&A highlights that even with strong genetics, missing correct heat timing can harm conception/fertility outcomes

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User Experience (How It Feels to Use the System)

• Audience training format
  • Designed to teach farmers how to interpret the bull catalog
• Practical explanations
  • Averages and meaning of scores like “+100/+1000”
  • Calculating expected offspring impact using the ~50% transmission concept
• Decision process encouraged
  • Define breeding goals (recommended: no more than three points)
  • Choose bulls based on the highest relevant scores (health/efficiency/longevity, etc.)
  • Verify trait directionality for confirmation/linear traits

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Comparisons Made

• No direct competitor comparisons (e.g., “CRV vs company X”)
• Indirect contrasts
  • Mating vs breeding
    • Mating: achieving conception
    • Breeding: strategic selection to improve long-term traits
  • Catalog-driven selection vs guessing
    • The speaker discourages leaving bull choice to chance or uninformed selection

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Unique Points Mentioned (Consolidated)

1. CRV mission framing: “better cows, better life,” emphasizing cows/farmers/world.
2. Health outcomes: healthier hooves, improved fertility, healthier udders/utters.
3. Efficiency outcomes: higher production, longer-lasting cows, improved feed conversion.
4. Profit dependence on milk, fat, protein.
5. CFV production traits built on milk recording, expressed as breeding values.
6. Production traits include:
   • persistency (the within-lactation performance curve)
   • maturity rate (how performance develops across lactations)
7. Relative scale: 100 = average; higher is “better” but depends on trait direction.
8. Absolute scale example:
   • “+1000 kg milk” above average
   • Offspring receives about half (~+500 kg)
9. Longevity expressed in days above average; daughters inherit ~half.
10. Feed efficiency framed as critical because feed is a major cost.
11. Recommended approach: choose bulls using the highest relevant scores tied to the farm’s biggest goal (health vs efficiency vs longevity).
12. Daughter management traits used for secondary outcomes (e.g., ketosis, milking speed optimum).
13. SCC explained as reducing mastitis risk; direction guidance given in Q&A.
14. Subclinical mastitis highlighted as common and costly (speaker claims ~70% of farms/cows affected).
15. Confirmation/linear traits: - positive vs negative selection depends on whether you want to increase or decrease the metric - example: target stature around 145 cm at first calving (with average 147 cm referenced), and first insemination size ranges (e.g., 130–132 cm mentioned)
16. Genetics vs environment emphasis: ~20% genetics / ~80% environment & management.
17. Business model timeline: - calves consume from birth; profitability comes later - aim for cows to be profitable for more than two lactations - example timing mentioned: first calving ~24 months, next within ~40 months
18. Early action is needed due to slow genetic progress (“marathon”).
19. Records/data emphasized: - keep records using notebooks, Excel, or apps - use data to guide decisions and adjustments
20. Services: - S-match (Satch): matching breeding objectives using pedigree info; stated no charge - Genomic testing: paid service (pricing not fully confirmed / mentioned as TBD)
21. Q&A highlights: - Silent heat management: watch for other signs (temperature, discharge, milk drop) and avoid poor timing - Kenya semen use: speaker claims multi-generation impact (e.g., “great-granddaughters”) and long-term performance

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Verdict / Overall Recommendation (Based on the Video Content)

Recommended for dairy farmers seeking a structured, genetics-focused breeding strategy rather than simply inseminating.

The session positions the CRV catalog as a decision-support tool for selecting bulls based on:

• health
• efficiency
• longevity
• conformation

At the same time, it stresses that results depend heavily on:

• farm management, and
• proper insemination timing

If you have (or can maintain) good records and can define clear breeding goals, the approach is presented as highly actionable. If you lack data/management control, the presentation warns you may not realize the genetic potential.

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Speakers / Perspectives

• Benson (CKL Kenya / CL Africa limited, Land Lander) Main presenter. Provided the breeding-goal framework, explained the 100-average scale, discussed trait trade-offs, gave practical examples, and handled Q&A (including silent heat and somatic cell scoring).

• Facilitator(s) / Session host (Rabuka platform / Young stock management series) Framed the session, encouraged catalog access, asked/relayed questions, and summarized takeaways—especially “breeding vs mating.”