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Post by wagradexters on Mar 9, 2015 5:42:07 GMT -5
Hi Folks, Au classification for Dexters has been fine-tuned Carol. HFAA worked with DCAI to weight the scoring for dual purposeness and desirable Dexter characteristics. Also,a significant difference with Au & UK classification is that our bulls are required to have 5 daughters scoring VG85 or over before the sire can move on from VG89 into Ex category. We had 18 calved cows and a bull classified late August, another 16 to do now if the classifiers will come this far out of their way again. We scored well above breed average in every category but need to work on heel depth and front teat placement. Expecting miracles in the next generation! MargaretW
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zephyrhillsusan
member
Caught Dexteritis in Dec. 2009. Member of this forum since Oct. 2013.
Posts: 1,502
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Post by zephyrhillsusan on Mar 9, 2015 8:03:42 GMT -5
wagradexters, is your classification system in a form that you can share a link to online? It sounds like your association has some good guidelines operating, and it sounds like you all are really putting them to use.
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Post by Cascade Meadows Farm - Kirk on Mar 9, 2015 23:03:49 GMT -5
Here's a couple of other things I'd want to give a cow lots of points for that classifiers would completely miss:
1. Always looks great even without de-worming 2. Never has needed any vet work at all 3. Raises a solid healthy calf, unassisted, on-time each year in all sorts of terrible weather with no shelter. 4. Never bloats, even when on 75% clover pastures 5. Never has a limp, even when regularly running through rough terrain 6. Never gets pinkeye, or respiratory illness (with no vaccines/no shots) 7. Very friendly and calm (can slip a rope halter on her out in the pasture).
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Post by nicosteintjesholland on Mar 11, 2015 17:40:54 GMT -5
When I served on the ADCA Classification committee, we got the document to the Final Draft form, it was approved by the memberbship in attendance at the 2007 AGM in Colorado and there were very few edits left to do to get it into final form. The Holland Dexter Cattle Association was so impressed by it, that they translated it into Dutch and they are currently using it as part of their Classification program. The ADCA, on the other hand, had only a few participants and virtually no support or participation from any of the ADCA Board members, so that was that. Not worth my time to continue pursuing something that ADCA members weren't interested in actually participating in and using. The ADCA used to have those documents on the ADCA website, but they don't anymore. The ADCA also doesn't have a working Classification committee anymore. So I keep the documents available on my own website. I learned alot preparing those documents and it made me a better Dexter breeder, so it was worth the time and effort, if only for that. Live and learn. Patti Hello Patti, We run the secretary of "Society Holland Dexter". We are using the Classification program for 6 years now, and it works very well. People are sometimes suprised about the exact points. But they are always satisfied with the ranking. The Dexter with the highest points in their herd was always their own favourit. We have found a holstein classifier who classifies the Dexters for a hobby (just for traveling we pay some money). During the classification work we have made some changes. The biggest was the way to come to a final score. In your program there were points to win in the linear classification. We have left that. Our classifier has the full freedom to give points for Type, Race, Legs Udder and Final Score. The height of the animal is measured, but not an issue in classifying. Everyone can see the measurements and make his own choice in what he/she thinks is important. Measurements of short-legged animals say nothing about their genetic capability. A non-short can be to tall, but sometimes he or she is to small, even for a Dexter. But I admit, mostly they are to tall. For those who can read Dutch: www.hollanddexter.nl look right under " Keuring" you find several information about our lineair assesments. If you want more information about lineair assesment, please open a new thread, so everyone can find it easily! Patti, thanks for giving us such a good start, it's a shame USA doesn't use this! (PS even DCS uses lineair classification, they have seen how nice it worked out in Holland)
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Post by kansasdexters on Mar 11, 2015 22:35:57 GMT -5
Hello Nico,
Thank you for your kind words. I'm so happy that the Holland Dexter Society has made good use of those documents, and that all the work we did amounted to something valuable and useful in the international Dexter community. Perhaps the ADCA can get a translation of the Holland Dexter Society's working classification program put back into English some day!
Patti
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Post by cddexter on Mar 12, 2015 0:25:24 GMT -5
Patti, vindication!!! Can't get much better than that. Congrats. c.
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