The Kentucky Dairy Development Council works to provide resources and programming that supports Kentucky dairy producers and encourages growth of the industry. Currently, we offer a variety of programming, including focuses on reproduction management, milk quality, genetic merit, and diversifying income with beef on dairy calves. The new Management Plus Program ties all of this together and puts a focus on producing high-quality heifer replacements.
Replacement numbers are at a 20-year low and KDDC seeks to help producers maintain heifer numbers and improve quality of heifers by offering the Management Plus Program, which will offer cost share of sexed semen and herd bulls, as well as updates on heifer raising, breeding decisions, and using sexed semen. |
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Producer Requirements:
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Program Parameters:
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Sire Requirements:
Sire requirements were selected with the goal of producing heifers that contribute to a herd’s long-term success, while allowing for an operation’s specific management goals. Therefore, our guidelines focus on functionality and have different options to fit a variety of goals.
All sires must be genomic tested and meet one minimum trait requirement: milk, daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), or productive life (PL), as well as one of the indexes that best represents the goals for your operation. For Holstein, these indexes are net merit (NM), total performance index (TPI), and dairy wellness profit (DWP). For Jersey, these indexes are net merit (NM), Jersey performance index (JPI), and Jersey udder index (JUI). For Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey, and Milking Shorthorn sires, contact your KDDC consultant to review sire eligibility.
Sire requirements were selected with the goal of producing heifers that contribute to a herd’s long-term success, while allowing for an operation’s specific management goals. Therefore, our guidelines focus on functionality and have different options to fit a variety of goals.
All sires must be genomic tested and meet one minimum trait requirement: milk, daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), or productive life (PL), as well as one of the indexes that best represents the goals for your operation. For Holstein, these indexes are net merit (NM), total performance index (TPI), and dairy wellness profit (DWP). For Jersey, these indexes are net merit (NM), Jersey performance index (JPI), and Jersey udder index (JUI). For Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Guernsey, and Milking Shorthorn sires, contact your KDDC consultant to review sire eligibility.
Instructions for Participation and Receiving Cost Share:
- Complete the Producer Agreement and Self-Certification Agreement Form
- Submit semen invoices that include sire information, cost per straw, number of straws purchased, and date of purchase.
- For herd bull purchases, submit invoices that include proof of genomic test, genetic information, date of purchase, and purchase price.
- Work with your area KDDC consultant to submit required documentation, including your heifer inventory calculation and producer operation goals survey.
