Production Performance of Artificially and Nonartificially Sired Herd-Mates in Wisconsin

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Abstract
The 2X, 305-day, Mature Equivalent records of 84, 691 Holstein and 20, 742 Guernsey cows were evaluated and the performance of AI (artificially inseminated) progeny and their contemporary non-AI herd mates were compared on an intra-herd-year-season basis. Among Holsteins, AI progeny were significantly superior to their non-AI herd mates by 131b of fat and 2701b of milk. These differences were maintained at 3 levels of herd production. Significant AI vs. non-AI X herd interaction was found in many herd-seasons. AI progeny in Guernsey herds were non- significantly superior to their non-AI herd mates by 5 lb of fat and 22 lb of milk yield. There was general evidence that more emphasis was placed on fat test and possibly fat yield than on milk yield in the selection of AI sires for both breeds.