This program provides an official type
classification program for breeders of Dutch Belted cattle. The
program is in cooperation with the Brown Swiss Association (BSA) with
services provided by their field staff. (The BSA currently
coordinates classification services for the Milking Shorthorn and
Guernsey breed associations.) The program features are outlined
below:
* The program's purpose, at this time, is for the
advertising/marketing value that a classification score provides and
for the breeder's own use as a tool for breeding and selection.
Currently, it is cost prohibitive for the type data to be used in sire
summaries.
* Classifiers score 16 body traits on a 1-9 scale using hand-held Palm
Pilots. Some traits are considered "two-way traits", which means
either an extreme high (8-9) or low score (1-2) is considered a fault,
with 5 being ideal. Examples are rump angle, stature, and rear
legs side view. Other traits like strength and body depth are
simple linear traits-the higher the number the better.
* After traits are scored, categories are weighted according to
relative importance:
Strength & Substance 15%
Dairy Quality 15%
Rump 10%
Mobility 20%
Mammary 40%
*Data is printed at the farm and provided to the breeder
immediately. Final scores are assigned as follows:
90 & above "Excellent"
85-89 "Very Good"
80-84 "Good Plus"
75-79 "Good"
70-74 "Fair"
69 & below "Poor"
* Herds are scored in major dairy states on a 9-18 month
rotating
schedule to avoid seeing cows at the same stage of lactation.
Some states with low dairy populations (Southeast US, Colorado,
Wyoming, Montana) are scored every 12 months.
2010 Classification Schedule
May: OH, MI
– App. Due March 15 June: WI
–App. Due
April 15 July: AR, KS,
MO, & NE – App. Due May 15 August: IA,
MN, ND, SD–
App. Due June 15 September:
CT, ME, MA,
NH, RI, VT & NY – App. Due July 15 October: PA,
NJ, DE,
MD, VA, & WV – App. Due August 15 November: OR,
WA, ID,
MT, & UT – App. Due September 15 December: OK,
TX, CA,
& NV – App. Due
October 15
Breeders interested in classifying should contact Jim Versweyveld for an application,
noting the deadlines above.
* Cost to classify is $12 per cow with a $100 herd minimum.