Progeny Testing of Dairy Cattle Bulls Used in Artificial Insemination

Abstract

In 1945 the Milk Marketing Board (M.M.B.) of England and Wales undertook responsibility for the development of an A.I. service to cover large areas of the two countries.By 1951, a total of 24 main Centres had been set up, housing some 600 dairy and beef bulls and supplying semen to 77 Sub-Centres. During the year ending 31st March, 1952, approximately 707,000 first inseminations were carried out, representing 25% of the available cattle population. Further progress continues to be made and it is estimated that this proportion will be raised to 30% for the corresponding year ending in 1953.From the outset it has been agreed that the rate of cattle improvement through A.I. will be largely dependent upon the use made of the older progeny-recorded bulls available to the scheme. Here it should be noted that the M.M.B. took over responsibility for milk recording under ‘ National Milk Records ‘ in 1943. By adopting a system based upon lactation record cards, it was possible to establish in 1947 a central clearing house for milk records of animals registered with Breed Societies, viz. the Bureau of Records. One of the main services operated by the Bureau is that of progeny recording for sires and summaries of bulls fulfilling certain requirements are now published annually.