ABS Global Announces Jersey TransitionRightTM

Preventing Transition Cow Disorders through Genetics

PUNE, India (April 1, 2016)— ABS® Global, the world’s leading provider of genetic improvement solutions and reproduction services, is excited to introduce the second installment of a revolutionary genetic selection tool to help dairy producers resolve age-old struggles during the transition cow period—Jersey TransitionRight Genetics. This patent-pending technology, originally released in August 2015 with Holstein TransitionRight Genetics, allows producers around the world to choose genetics that minimizes the need for preventative and reactionary measures often necessary during the transition period.

Right before and after a cow gives birth, her health is impacted by a negative energy balance and immune system suppression. This can lead to serious health issues such as metritis, mastitis, and other transition cow disorders. With 75 percent of disease in dairy cows occurring during the first 30 days in milk and as much as 50 percent of high-producing cows affected1, transition cow disorders take a major toll on dairy farmers. In one year, farmers can lose up to 10 percent of their herds in the first two months following calving2. Prevention through genetics is now available to help reduce multiple post-calving disorders—and only through ABS.

“With the release of Holstein TransitionRight last August, producers around the world quickly incorporated our disease resistance genetics into their overall herd improvement plans—and many of the very first TransitionRight calves will be born in May and entering the milking herd in early 2018,” said Saskia Korink, ABS Global Chief Operating Officer. “Our customers work very hard to manage health issues during the transition cow period with countless tools available to them. Producers can now choose confidently with ABS Global’s Jersey TransitionRight Genetics to break this costly cycle—saving them time and up to $50 per cow with each lactation.”

Since 2008, ABS has dedicated a team of scientists and geneticists to gather data and develop a proprietary genetic database—Real World Data®. Consisting of more than 20 million cow records from around the globe, Real World Data provides the foundation for genetic selection tools including the ABS Sire Fertility and TransitionRight indices—both created to help customers make better-informed genetic selections.

“TransitionRight has been scientifically validated by our team of geneticists using a robust database of cow records—real data from commercial herds around the world,” said Katie Olson, Ph.D., Global Director for Dairy Product Development. “The data proves that our customers can improve efficiencies and their bottom lines by simply using 4 and 5-star TransitionRight sires.”

Each month, ABS will use Real World Data to provide an economic ranking for both the Holstein and Jersey breeds—and that information can be found on the ABS website and in upcoming sire directories. For more information about TransitionRight and other ABS Global genetic tools visit the ABS website at www.absglobal.com.

1. Major Advances in Disease Prevention in Dairy Cattle. 2006. LeBlanc, S.J. et al. Journal of Dairy Science, Volume 89, Issue 4, 1267 – 1279 and Monitoring metabolic health of dairy cattle in the transition period. 2010. LeBlanc. J Reprod Dev. 2010 Jan; 56 Suppl:S29-35.
2. Reproductive performance of North American dairies by geographic region. 2015. C. F. Vergara*, F. Bitencourt, L. Johnson, D. Vallejo, and H. Lopez. J. Anim. Sci. Vol. 93, Suppl. s3/J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 98, Suppl. 2