By Larry Kleiner

People have often said that they thought Genomics should uncover some new cow families; well here is an example of a family that genomics put into the spotlight.

    To date the descendants of Wilra Ramos 598-ET have accounted for 9 females and 7 males over 800 NM$.   A cow that would have likely been passed over prior to genomics, Ramos 598 calved early several years ago with twins during the summer heat and her herdmate deviation plummeted. The previous system would have limited the propagation of her genetics but after genomics were good to some other family members, Ramos 598 was tested and she turned out to have very good genomics.  Ramos 598 is still a very productive member of the herd. Currently milking 150 lbs per day, she has just crossed the 200,000 lb. mark with no signs of slowing down. The dam of Ramos 598 was an Etazon Addison daughter. No doubt some of the genetics for production in the family come from Addison. Born 20 years ago this month, Addison is still +1436 milk and +42 protein after numerous base changes. Ramos 598 also had a full sister that is the dam of Wilra Boliver Sequoia, an active proven bull in the Genex lineup at 565 NM$.

  Selling as Lot 1 in the 40^th Clinton County Classis is one of but a few female offerings ever made from this family with an amazing transmitting record for NM$.

   Lot 1 offers the 1^st choice of 12 Montross transfers that will be preg checked before the sale. The dam of this choice is Wilra Shamrock 294 ET. She is performing as her genomics indicated she would. Currently at 75 lbs per day, her 1^st three tests average over 5% fat. She had her 3^rd heat at 79 days in milk and made 12 good embryos after that heat. The sellers guarantee one female over parent average. The current parent average for the mating is 794 NM$ and to date, 12 siblings to Lot 1 average in excess of 100 NM$ over parent average.  Wilra Shamrock 294-ET has 9 daughters and one son to date over 800 NM$.  Three Supersire daughters of Shamrock 294 rank 3^rd, 4^th, and 15^th for NM$ among heifers that are 8 months of age or older. Those 3 sisters are 938, 978 and 987 NM$ and a full brother is 909 NM$.

Udder of Wilra Shamrock 294-ET.

 

Above-Wilra Shamrock 294-ET on the right with 3 full sisters on her left

 

Udder shot above is Wilra Massey 997-ET GP-83 VG-MS, scored with her 1^st calf, pictured 2^nd lactation. She is the dam of the 4 Shamrock daughters pictured and a daughter of Ramos 598 above.

This outstanding cow family is owned by Wilra Farms Inc. of Nashville, Illinois. Wilra Farms is owned by the Wilmer Harre Family. Wilra Farms milk 300 Holsteins. They just made the switch to 3X milking and previous to that the herd was averaging 89 lbs on 2x. The breeding focus for sometime has been on functional type and high Net Merit. They currently average 1.76 lbs of milk per pound of dry matter. All animals are enrolled in Holstein’s Basic ID program and those that are considered to have marketable genetics are put into the Herdbook. Cows are classified when it is felt that value can be added.