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Two separate comments I live in Florida and when we register a car we can either get an electronic title or a paper one. I always choose electronic. If I sell a car privately, the local DMV can print one in a few minutes. Not quite this simple for Holstein papers, but a model to think about. As for out of age heifers in the show ring, in the 70s I ran a registered Angus operation. The joke around the show ring was born in January, found in the pasture in March. If the senior yearling bull from the previous year showed up as a same size 2 yr old, no one was surprised, it was just the way things were done. As long as everyone cheats using the same rules, who cares?

Not worth it. We have sold thousands of breeding stock and embryos/oocytes and <1% want reg transferred. A genomic test provides more accurate parentage than reg paper. Classification system has driven extremes-too tall, teats too short, teats too close, legs too straight with thurls too far back. Hard to argue shows are legit when virtually no show heifers are shown in the class that matches their true birth date.

I think it's worth the cost. It does create alot of papers. However we as an association owe it to our predecessors and much more important to the future breeders to continue this.work. Take this opinion from someone who's Holstein bill gets smaller every month, but has kids and even more relevant grandkids following behind.

Every dairy exists to produce milk. However, each dairy is unique in its objectives and its tactics to achieve those objectives. For many of us, we make milk to pay for what we really like to do--improve the breed we utilize. This may exhibit in many ways--higher genomics, higher type, increased longevity, show ring wins or all of the above. The emphasis on genetic identity and measuring genetic or phenotypic improvement are crucial to success. The person committed to breed improvement will always find ways to pay for his/her endeavors--animal sales, embryos and semen. Those committed to just making milk are an important part of our industry but we need these other producers with other goals to be a healthy and prosperous industry.

I think that is a good idea Tex! I live and breathe Reg. Holsteins, but yet I too sometimes wonder what place the reg business should fill. The show ring adds a lot of interest and needed enthusiasm to the business, but I think we Reg breeders need to remember that the cows first business is to produce milk. In recent years, I have noticed that the farmers with Reg cattle, are better producing and have better longevity. That is my perspective from Pennsylvania, and it may be different else where. To me the future of Reg cattle looks bright and I look forward to promoting them to my neighbors and friends.

I ask myself this question all the time. I think it depends on how you make money. If you sell a lot of embryos or show heifers, then it's necessary. But, if you mainly just sell milk for a living, you really have to wonder why you register your calves. I wish Holstein could come up with a way of allowing us to "register" our calves but just not send a paper until we need it. Say a discounted price for these herds that don't want to quit identifying our animals and don't want stacks of papers to handle.