The Good Bulls Guide

Calf in a calf rearing paddock in Western Victoria

Farmer profile:

Owners: Greg and Joanne Ault
Location: Northern Victoria
220 Holstein cows

Situation:

Northern Victorian farmers Greg and Joanne Ault’s 220 cows earn up to $12,700 more a year than a similar herd. The Ault’s use genetic data compiled
through Dairy Australia's Australian Dairy
Herd Improvement Service (ADHIS).

"Dairy Australia's ADHIS program helps the Ault's
earn up to $12,700 more a year."

Action:

Mr Ault said: “We usually buy a team of about four proven bulls from different family lines, selected from the list of the top 50 Australian Profit Ranked (APR) bulls. It’s a good place to start because we know that high APR/Good Bulls Guide-bulls have the genetic potential to produce daughters that will perform well under Australian conditions.”

The Rochester herd’s ASI reflects its genetic merit based on the commercial value of production. It’s calculated from a combination of protein, fat and milk production and accounts for the Australian milk payment system and feed costs.

Results:

Based on the Australian Selection Index (ASI) the Ault’s Holsteins are each $58 more profitable a year than the average Australian cow.