BRITISH FRIESIAN FOCUS
our futures, that should alarm us as the relentless march continues towards the critical loss of bio-diversity. The launch of animal genomics raises the same question over intellectual property rights. There will surely be aggressive marketing of this new technology from the commercial companies and whilst there are clearly potential uses for this new science, it would be wise to be wary of the control issues, the danger of the further narrowing of genes and the myriad consequences as yet unforeseen. We should not forget that ‘index’ has encouraged rapid turnover of cattle by promoting the breeding from the younger animals in the herd, and through the publication of league tables. It was an experiment in manipulation and flies in the face of the ‘survival of the fittest’ theory, where previously replacements were bred from animals carefully selected for traits other than just yield, such as fertility and trouble-free longevity. Gone are the days of regular reduction sales from major pedigree herds! So what has all this to do with Breed Societies? Just as plants have been bred from proven sustainability, so have animals. Although no one would deny the tremendous advantages that artificial insemination has brought to the industry, there were many concerns at the time of its launch, regarding the spread of a comparatively small number of bulls over the dairy cow population which has now fallen from 3 million in the early 60’s to nearer 1.5 million (excluding N. Ireland). Although in the early years of the introduction of black and white cattle, bio-diversity was increased due to the crossing of British Friesians on Shorthorn, Ayrshire and other native breeds, but more recently the Holstein has come to dominate over the much smaller cattle population. Scientists tell us that bio-diversity is critical for survival, as the more diverse the gene base, the greater the likelihood
that the animal will be able to cope with the future challenges of new diseases and climate change. DairyCo have taken this on board and funded the cross-breeding project for evaluations, presumably in response to concerns over fertility and associated problems, although mysteriously, they consistently fail to mention the proven advantages of the British Friesian. We look to the society for support! Crossing back with a British Friesian will again increase the bio-diversity of dairy cattle and retain animals within the herd book, now and in the future. This wide diversity of genes that breeders of pedigree cattle can provide is invaluable to the Society. One conference speaker even dared to challenge the need for Breed Societies, so convinced was he that genomics would take over the world! We have a wide spectrum of dairy farming systems in the UK and we need to have the confidence to breed cattle best suited to those conditions. We need to support and strengthen the Society and not become pawns in others games.
Mary Mead DAIRY EVENT PRESENTATIONS
ABOVE The British Friesian Club’s Herd Competition winner was the Stockdale family’s Castledale herd from County Down. Club Chairman Ben Pullen (left) and HUK President Philip Davies (right) presented the award to Gordon and Gavin Stockdale.
RIGHT Lakemead herd owner Mary Mead was runner up in the prestigious RABDF/NMR Gold Cup competition.
88 THE JOURNAL OCTOBER 2010
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