Our bull Earnie tests positive for PHA

[Olga]

Well, that was a "bummer" moment when I opened the VGL email. I had been hoping that since the 2 offspring that tested PHA positive were both out of Macy, that it was she who had inherited PHA from our first herd sire, Sam. Alas, I was wrong...

I doubt anyone is ever happy to find out that their cattle tested positive for PHA - here is one genetic condition we all wish to go away. But while the first thought that comes to mind, "What are we going to do?" it may be a good idea to stop and think.

I remember getting into Dexters... We bought a breeding pair: a shortie bull Sam and a long-leg heifer. As our bull grew we were impressed with both his looks and his character. But as we were small and our calves so few, it was that much more important that they were of the kind that the local market demanded. We'd always envisioned raising the bull calves for beef and selling the heifers to offset the hay costs. And when it came to heifers, long-legged ones sold better. So as the years went by we wondered if we would be better off with a long-legged bull instead... So we waited for the right one and after Earnie was born we kept a close eye on him, as a potential replacement.

Earnie did turn out a good one. We are happy with his looks, his character, and the quality of his offspring. Yet we are in the same boat again - a genetic trait that needs to be selected away from. Call it rationalizing but I'm not going to "jump ship" and change bulls overnight. I will do same as before: wait for the right successor to replace Earnie... in time.

Impromptu herd is a small one. Each year we have between 1 and 4 calves for sale. All of them are tested and genotyped, so there is never any surprises for the new owners. We've been so happy with our calves in fact, that only one has ever made it to our freezer. Granted, 3 of our bull calves were sold as steers for oxen, but 2 more were sold as potential bulls. "Clearly, culling has not been your strong point", say you? I agree. I root for all of them to have a long and productive life, lol. So with culling, I hope, PHA will be of some assistance. I don't have any reservations sending PHA+ bull calves to the freezer camp. And I'll have to learn to do the same for the heifers, unless of course there is an experienced knowledgeable breeder who is willing to work around the PHA+ status.

So far out of 7 of Earnie's calves, 2 had tested PHA+ : Pretzelle and Pistol Polly. Pretzelle has bloomed into a gorgeous young cow and Polly has been a doll since day one. This year I have 3 more yet to be tested. Wish me luck

[Julie]

Wow, major bummer for you and Earnie. But it sounds like you are dealing with the situation perfectly. Kudos to you for testing and sharing the results! I guess they say knowledge is power...

[zephyrhillsusan]

I'm so sorry, Olga!

[lakeportfarms]

Sorry to hear Olga. As Julie said you're doing it right, and I'm sure one day he will pass on the torch to a worthy replacement ...minus PHA.

[rhonda]

Olga, sorry it was Earnie--but sounds like you have a plan. Pretzelle is prettier all the time. I know I will have to test her calves BUT won't it be great when I get the right results back on a beautiful little heifer!

[Deleted]

Wow I was really warmed by your story Olga.

We sit outside the ‘norm’ with our ideas and preferences for our Dexters so it was nice to know there are others out there who have similar preferences for their herds.

While we were waiting for our PHA results to be returned for our entire herd, we would sit there and surmise on the ‘what if so and so returns a positive’ or ‘this one does’, and our answer was always the same – we would work with the physical traits and take the test result under consideration, working our way towards an eventual PHA free status.

Fortunately all tested PHA free and so it has been one less thing to consider in our breeding plans.

[legendrockranch]

Feb 24, 2014 0:26:51 GMT -5 Olga said:

All of them are tested and genotyped, so there is never any surprises for the new owners.

Great comment Olga, wish we had more breeders that felt this way.
Sorry to hear about Earnie.
Best of luck with the remaining 3 you still have to test.

Barb

[dexterlady]

So sorry to hear about Ernie , Olga....But your a smart girl , best of luck with the 3 left...Donna J.

[Olga]

Rhonda, when is Pretzelle expecting?

[rhonda]

March..she is moving slower and is starting to show quite a bit.

[djdewetsa]

Hi. Why is PHA not acceptable but chondro is? Both are lethal?

[Olga]

Both PHA and chondro are accepted. At this point all animals from 2 registered parents can be registered, independent of test results. Testing for genetic conditions is voluntary.
The decision to eventually cull my herd sire based on positive PHA status is a personal choice based on my breeding strategy. I find it cost-prohibitive to keep a PHA+ sire that necessitates all progeny to be tested for PHA. I would however be willing to keep a PHA+ cow if she was high-quality.

[lakeportfarms]

PHA and Chondro are two different things. Whereas PHA is difficult to economically justify unless you have an exceptional animal that has traits that you wish to reproduce in your herd, you immediately steer the bulls and either test or make terminal the heifers depending on their status, I and others have made the case in prior threads where a chondro positive Dexter, even when considering the cost of testing, can be an efficient producer for a small operation.

There is a healthy demand for chondro carriers here in the US. The same can't be said for PHA positive Dexters.  In the majority of cases, the chondro gene is visibly identifiable with observation of the Dexter.  The PHA gene is not visibly identifiable.

[outofthebox]

There is a healthy demand for chondro carriers in Australia too.

[Olga]

Jupiter tested PHA+. This will give my boys the opportunity to show him as a steer - we've never had a Dexter steer at the Pope Co. Fair - not to mention the prospect of tasty beef in the end. Should be able to show him at the MO show in October also.