ABS Global unveils new genetics tool to help combat transition cow disorders

ABS Global, a leader in bovine genetics, reproduction services and artificial insemination technologies, introduced TransitionRight Genetics, its revolutionary genetic selection tool for global dairy farmers, on Monday.

This patent-pending technology will help resolve struggles of how to prevent and react to health issues that arise during the transition cow period. ABS customers can now use TransitionRight to select genetics that minimize the need for preventive and reactionary measures often necessary during this time.

Before and after a cow gives birth, its health is impacted by a negative energy balance and immune system suppression. This can lead to serious health issues such as metritis, ketosis, mastitis and other transition disorders.

Transition cow disorders take a major toll on dairy farmers, with 75 percent of disease in dairy cows occurring during the first 30 days in milk and as much as 50 percent of cows affected. In one year, farmers can lose up to 10 percent of their herds in the first two months following calving. 

"Producers have done their best year after year to manage health issues during the transition cow period with the various tools that have been available to them," ABS Global Chief Operating Officer Saskia Korink said. "Now, our customers can change their approach and start selecting TransitionRight Genetics to break this costly cycle, saving them time and up to $100 over the life of the cow."

Since 2008, ABS Global has dedicated a team of researchers to gather data and develop a proprietary genetic database - Real World Data. Consisting of more than 20 million cow records from around the globe, Real World Data provides the foundation for genetic selection tools including ABS Sire Fertility and TransitionRight, both created to help customers make better-informed genetic selections.

"By using real producer data from commercial herds, ABS geneticists have developed a solution for a very serious problem that all dairy farmers are faced with," ABS Global Lead Research Scientist Katie Olson said. "TransitionRight measures health traits related to the transition cow period and scores sires with an economic ranking."

"We've equipped our customers with an easy-to-use tool to choose genetics that improve a herd's robustness against metritis, ketosis, mastitis and other transition cow issues. The introduction of these genetics will help prevent multiple post-calving metabolic disorders that occur during transition- the most crucial period in a cow's life," Olson continued.