It is projected that the Norwegian Red breed will be 100% polled in 20 to 25 years. The polled gene seems to rise and fall over time and currently it is estimated that over 50% of the calves in Norway are born polled. When Geno, the Norwegian Farmer's Cooperative, has to choose between a polled bull and a horned bull with the same TMI, the polled bull is often selected.
In the last quarter of 2011, 21 out of 59 of the available elite Norwegian Red sires are polled including the 3 homozygous polled bulls Nordbo (10553), Skjenaust (10558) and Naxbie (10632). Nordbo is marketed in the U.S. and Canada by ABS Global and is great all-around bull for these markets. No disclaimer needed here... All of Nordbo's offspring will be born polled!
Jon Lundgren - 12 years ago
Agreed, I think crossbreeders have a unique opportunity to become polled faster without having to inbreed by utilizing polled bulls from a variety of breeds. Other breeds with more polled options would only be a good thing. But you are correct, certain breeds are already be ahead of the curve.
Jon, you phrased this question very well with the word "increased" in it: "Should All Breeds Place Increased Emphasis on the Polled Gene?". Those dairy breeds that have heterozygous, or better yet homozygous, polled bulls will be ahead of the curve if dehorning calves becomes a "farm animal protection issue." Read the article and listen to the audio posted by Anna-Lisa Giannini, Advocacy & Social Media Assistant Editor of Farm Journal, from the 2011 Food Summit in Chicago on Oct. 25, 2011:
http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/article/hsus_americans_rely_on_us_to_protect_farm_animals/
It is projected that the Norwegian Red breed will be 100% polled in 20 to 25 years. The polled gene seems to rise and fall over time and currently it is estimated that over 50% of the calves in Norway are born polled. When Geno, the Norwegian Farmer's Cooperative, has to choose between a polled bull and a horned bull with the same TMI, the polled bull is often selected.
In the last quarter of 2011, 21 out of 59 of the available elite Norwegian Red sires are polled including the 3 homozygous polled bulls Nordbo (10553), Skjenaust (10558) and Naxbie (10632). Nordbo is marketed in the U.S. and Canada by ABS Global and is great all-around bull for these markets. No disclaimer needed here... All of Nordbo's offspring will be born polled!
Agreed, I think crossbreeders have a unique opportunity to become polled faster without having to inbreed by utilizing polled bulls from a variety of breeds. Other breeds with more polled options would only be a good thing. But you are correct, certain breeds are already be ahead of the curve.
How long until Norwegian Red is 100% polled?
Jon, you phrased this question very well with the word "increased" in it: "Should All Breeds Place Increased Emphasis on the Polled Gene?". Those dairy breeds that have heterozygous, or better yet homozygous, polled bulls will be ahead of the curve if dehorning calves becomes a "farm animal protection issue." Read the article and listen to the audio posted by Anna-Lisa Giannini, Advocacy & Social Media Assistant Editor of Farm Journal, from the 2011 Food Summit in Chicago on Oct. 25, 2011:
http://www.agweb.com/livestock/dairy/article/hsus_americans_rely_on_us_to_protect_farm_animals/