Comparison of Mates of Sires Used Artificially and Naturally in Michigan DHIA Holstein Herds

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Abstract
Michigan DHIA Holstein records from 1944 to 1956 were analyzed to compare production levels of mates of sires used artificially (AB) and naturally (non-AB). Purebred and grade mates were analyzed separately, since the former had higher levels of production and a higher average number of records than the latter. Purebred mates of AB sires did not produce significantly more milk or fat but did have significantly more records than non-AB purebred mates (12,794 lb. milk, 452 lb. fat, and 2.79 records for AB mates, and 12.711 lb. milk, 449 lb. fat, and 2.60 records for non-AB mates). Grade mates of AB sires did not produce significantly less milk or fat or have significantly more records than non-AB grade mates (11,537 lb. milk, 421 lb. fat, and 2.43 records for AB mates, and 11,659 lb. milk, 422 lb. fat, and 2.34 records for non-AB mates). Since AB and non-AB sires were mated to equally productive mates, and other workers have found no difference between AB and non-AB daughters, this study supports the conclusion that significant differences in transmitting ability have not been present between groups of AB and non-AB sires studied.

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