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Post by wabbitworld on May 22, 2013 10:31:44 GMT -5
I am looking for recommendations for semen for AI.
My two MUSTS is that they must be chrondo and PHA free (since I don't know the status of mine) and they must have EXCELLENT udder conformation.
We have one unregistered purebred Dexter who is on the older side and her bag is NOT great; LARGE milk amount but her front nipples are ballooning after 9 years. Then we have some half Dex and half Mini Hereford that have nice bags and beautiful, showy builds; we are really wanting to breed back to Dexter and eventually get mostly 100% Dexters that will be easy to milk (plus for our personal meat use).
Our main qualifications: HAVE to be PHA and Chrondo Free HAVE to have good milking lines, particularly in shape of udder and teats/ease of milking.
Other traits from more important to less: Nice, calm personality Would like to have a shorter cow Polled would be great.
Less important: Smaller, easy births would be great. Would love variety in color; I'm pretty sure ours carry red since we have a red heifer from our purebred Dexter x a Mini Hereford (not our choice of breeding, LOL!) Nice showy shape would be great; ours already have it (prob. from the Hereford) so I would like to keep that in our lines.
I do not care about the A2/A1;
Again, not looking for anything fancy, this is just going to be for our personal use for milk/meat; but I do want to improve our little herd slowly over time and want to use an appropriate bull to counter our deficiencies. We will be AI-ing three of them this year so cheaper straws are better as long as they meet our requirements.
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Post by cddexter on May 22, 2013 10:44:07 GMT -5
specific requirements but don't want to spend much. probably not a lot out there for you.
shorter could mean anything. ditto showy builds. are you thinking dwarf, but you say you don't want chondro. confusing.
if she is selling any, you might think about semen from Warlord, with Paula Maras. You might also do better to pick up a young bull, use it for a couple of years and then eat it. either way, I'd check with Paula as she's been talking about collecting Benjamin, who has what you are looking for.
some thoughts, anyway, cheers, c.
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Post by wabbitworld on May 22, 2013 11:31:07 GMT -5
Well, obviously there is always a balancing act when it comes to price versus what you want; I didn't say I am not willing to pay anything, just would prefer something less than the 75/straw I've seen around on some sites. LOL Like, I would prefer to pay 25/straw as opposed to 75. ;D
And I see on the ADCA that there is a range of 39" to 48", all Chrondo/PHA free, so I don't see how wanting something on the smaller side but also being Chrondo free is confusing.
Thank you for the recommendation, though, I'll definitely look into Warlord!
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jamshundred
member
Help build the Legacy Dexter Cattle "Forever" Genotype database
Posts: 289
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Post by jamshundred on May 22, 2013 14:02:45 GMT -5
I would also recommend Armstrong as I know that blood line and it throws consistent calves. There is another bull that has been around for a while that carriers red and is known to throw dairy characteristics and that is Jamie O'Callen. His semen is either $20 or $25 and you have to contact either Jim Johnson or Rosemary Fleharty of PDCA.
Carol, what is the current height of Benjamin?
Judy
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Post by lakeportfarms on May 22, 2013 14:12:52 GMT -5
How tall was Jamie O'Callen at what age, and was he a chondro carrier?
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Post by kansasdexters on May 22, 2013 15:15:48 GMT -5
Hans,
The advertisement for Jamie O'Callen semen in the the ADCA 2002 Membership Directory indicates that he was 42-inches at 3 years of age and a long-legged Dexter. I have semen and I'll eventually get it tested and reported for Chondrodysplasia and PHA. I just haven't used it yet, and I didn't want to waste a straw just for testing.
Patti
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Post by wdd on May 22, 2013 17:21:51 GMT -5
Gene,
Do you have picture of the udders that Armstrong throws? Or are there some posted already. Has he been collected yet?
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jamshundred
member
Help build the Legacy Dexter Cattle "Forever" Genotype database
Posts: 289
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Post by jamshundred on May 22, 2013 18:14:40 GMT -5
Jamie O'Callen is archived at UCD-VGL and Legacy is more than happy to provide that sample for anyone who wishes to use it for testing. Just let me know and I will give the permission and it can be ordered direct by any interested party.
Jim Johnson, ( O'Briar Hill herd) calved his first Dexter in the early to mid 1970's and his herd was respected throughout the breed. He told me personally when I met him at a show about 5 or 6 years ago that Jamie O'Callen was the best bull he ever owned.
To the person looking for semen. I note that you state you want animals to use for milking yet you do not care about the A1/A2 status. From my own personal opinion - -I am NOT drinking A1 milk. Do you realize that YOU produce A2 milk? As would your mother and your daughters? That is the milk of nature. A1 is a mutation and I am not taking a chance that the science is wrong on this one.
Judy
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Post by lakeportfarms on May 22, 2013 19:00:14 GMT -5
Judy and Patti,
I notice Jamie O'Callen is not genotyped either, has it been done but just not submitted to the ADCA? I'd probably be interested in purchasing some of his semen, but I'd like to have some of the test results first including A2.
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Post by Morning Star Farm on May 22, 2013 19:19:10 GMT -5
We decided to AI when we were looking for our herd bull. I used Jamie O'Callen semen to produce my bull, Morning Star Houdini, he is negative for chondro, pha and he is A2/A2 - I would love to know Jamie O'Callen's test results as well.
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jamshundred
member
Help build the Legacy Dexter Cattle "Forever" Genotype database
Posts: 289
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Post by jamshundred on May 22, 2013 21:56:34 GMT -5
Hans,
Jamie O'Callen . . IS. genotyped and registered in the Legacy genotype registry. LEG00388TH-77HH. Goodness, look at that date of birth. (77). That fellow is older than some of you folks reading this.
Jamie's genotype is available for parentage confirmation and if someone wishes to order other tests . . Legacy will be pleased to share sample.
Judy
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Post by wabbitworld on May 23, 2013 13:36:11 GMT -5
Wow, you guys are awesome! Thank you for all the great pictures and info... can't wait to figure it all out and decide!
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Post by lakeportfarms on May 24, 2013 4:35:26 GMT -5
Does anybody have a photo of Jamie O'Callen?
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Post by kansasdexters on May 24, 2013 7:12:49 GMT -5
Here's a photo of Jamie O'Callen: Patti
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Post by Morning Star Farm on May 24, 2013 8:49:56 GMT -5
Patti, do you know how old Jamie O'Callen was in this picture? thanks, Carole
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