HISTORY OF THE RED HOLSTEIN BREED AND “ABC GENETICS”

1964: Inauguration of the “first” Red Holstein association in the USA

 

Red and White  dairy  cattle  association  (RWDCA): 

–  First director: Elmer Carpenter from Pennsylvania

–  Second director:  John Carpenter  (son of Elmer )

    3  Members:

–  Larry Moore RH breeder of mink in Suamico Wisc.

–  John Gage, lawyer in Manhatten  Kansas

–  Dr. Doc Ostrander, veterinarian in Illinois

 

RED & WHITE REFLECTIONS

The First Fifty Years of the

Red & White Dairy Cattle Association

By Ronald F. Eustice

Founded in I964, the Red & While Dairy Cattle Association (RWDCA) was located in Crystal Spring, PA from 1975 until 2009 when the headquarters were moved to Clinton, WI. The RWDCA strives to encourage and promote the progressive breeding and development of superior Red & White dairy cattle by providing breeders with information, programs, and

services to help track, evaluate, and improve the breed from one generation to the next. The Association is based on the principle of an open herdbook and currently serves over 1’300 members.

The dairy cow was added as Wisconsin’s official “domestic animal” by Chapter 167. Laws of 1971, in recognition of the animal’s many contributions to the state. In keeping with a succession plan adopted by the Wisconsin Purebred Dairy Cattle Association, whose

members represent the seven major dairy breeds; the Red & White Holstein was designated as the 2011 Cow of the Year.

 

FIFTY YEARS OF RED & WHITE DAIRY CATTLE PROGRESS

In 1963, as a University of Minnesota freshman, I purchased my first Red and White females. During high school, I spent my summers working with show cattle at Mor-Ayr Farm owned by Dr. R. B.Graves, a physician at Red Wing, MN. He purchased and bred some of North America’s finest Ayrshires. One of Dr. Graves’ animals was Mor-Ayr Bell Bellidina, who at EX-97.2 is still the highest classified Ayrshire of all time. Jerry Strandlund, then a recent graduate of the University at Minnesota, became manager of Mor-Ayr in I964. He worked at Mor-Ayr several years before becoming herd manager for Larry Moore in Suamico, Wl in 1965-66.

In 1962, Dr. Graves donated several heifers to the University of Minnesota with the understanding that the Ayrshire herd would be developed. Dr. Clarence Cole, Dairy Department Head, graciously accepted the gift and promptly bred each of the heifers to Red Holstein bulls: Larry Moore Pioneer and Larry Moore Nobile, then on loan to the University from Larry Moore. From those matings, four heifer calves were born. At the time, Dr. Cole was my college advisor and one day I asked him what his plans were for the Red and White calves? His response was, “I’ll sell them to you and cheap.” I negotiate a deal and as a university freshman at 18 years old, I owned my first Red and Whites.

In those days, there was limited domestic demand for Red and Whites. While still a student at the University of Minnesota, I was able to purchase some well-bred calves at very reasonable prices including daughters of SRD Advancer Three, Arlinda Ace, Pineyhill Majority, Center Field Ivanhoe Trustee, Walkway Monitor Joel and Citation R. Maple as well as a son of Reflection Brauns Ace. Many of these animals found a new home in Brazil. The proceeds helped pay my college tuition and living expenses.

My passion for Red and Whites raised a few eyebrows. Some of the prominent Holstein breeders in Minnesota and elsewhere were not happy to see these red and white outcasts legitimized. The US. and Canadian Holstein Associations were considering by-law changes that would allow red and white offspring of purebred black and white parents to enter the Holstein herdbook. Efforts at national conventions failed several times before the membership decided it was time to open the Holstein herd book to Red and Whites.

There were many who were openly hostile to the Red and Whites. One Imminent Holstein breeder, a Minnesota Holstein Association past president, took me aside one day for some fatherly advice and said “Ronnie, you have a good future ahead of you, but if you keep on with those Red and Whites, you might ruin your reputation.” l politely thanked him and completely ignored his advice.

During the next few years. I became acquainted with nearly all of the early Red and White cattle breeders. Several times I was invited to be a guest in their homes and I traveled with some of them, most notably Elmer Carpenter, from farm to farm to select consignments for the National Red and White Sale held at Waterloo, IA in 1969. I served on the RWDCA board from 1979 until 1982. In 1965, l purchased a Red and White heifer from Apple Acres Farm, Hastings, MN. This cow, Color Crest Miss Scarlet-Red (VG-87) was named Reserve Grand Champion at the first National Red and White Show in 1968 at World Dairy Expo. Later in this week, she topped the 1968 National Sale at World Dairy Expo. Scarlet-Red was purchased by Cliff and Claudine Boatright, Wellington, KS and gave birth to six daughters. A head shot of Scarlet appeared on the cover of Farm Journal magazine and three times on the cover of the American Breeder‘s Service Red and White sire directory.

Since then, my career has included nearly 50 years of service to American agriculture including management positions at Minnesota Holstein Association, where in 1984, l helped start the Minnesota Red and White Club; Carnation/Genetics: American Breeder’s Service; Land 0′ Lakes; and, the Minnesota Beef Council. I have continued to be involved in cattle activities during the pant 50 years and have thoroughly enjoyed watching Red and Whites gain worldwide acceptance and popularity.

In 1961, who could imagine that descendants of heifers that narrowly missed the butcher block could sell at public auction for a million dollars? Who could imagine that in 2013, there would be almost as many spectators at the International Red and White Show as there were watching the Black and White judging later the same day? No one could imagine that a Red and White, Lavender Ruby Redrose-Red (ex-96) would be crowned Supreme Champion at World Dairy Expo in 2005 and that in 2013, KHW Regimen Apple 3-Red-ETN (EX-96), a cloned female, would be selected as Grand Champion at the International Red and White Show at World Dairy Expo and named Reserve Supreme Champion.

As the RWDCA enters its 50th year, I have been asked by the organization’s History Committee to share some of my recollections of the early years of the Red and White Dairy Cattle Association. I am highly honored for the opportunity to reflect upon 50 years of Red and White dairy cattle progress.

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

 

The author is grateful to the following people who have been willing to share their extensive experience, knowledge and research with me to make this publication possible. These experts have one thing in common; they share a passion for Red and White dairy cattle and as a result have helped the breed reach a position of worldwide prominence and respect.

Dr. Larry Specht, Professor Emeritus Dairy Science, Pennsylvania State University, has compiled a history of Red and White Holsteins. The history provides an overview of how the existence of Red and White dairy cattle evolved in the United States when all of the early Holsteins imported from the Netherlands were black and white. From a series of interviews and research into existing documentation, Dr. Specht explained the emergence of the red trait, and how Red and White Holsteins came to be accepted as eligible for registration first in Canada and then in the United States. The research centers on the introduction of the red gene into the United States and then the migration of the red hair color trait between the United States and Canadian Holstein populations. He identifies the primary bloodlines and “carrier” animals that succeeded in keeping the trait viable. Dr. Specht tried to use three primary sources to confirm the information he found, as he traced the pedigrees of Red and Whites as known Red. His research included studying old herd books, and reading extensively in the Canadian and US. breed publications, as well as other printed materials referencing early reports about red and White cattle.

Dr. David Selner, is a globally recognized dairy geneticist, who operates his own dairy consulting business that specializes in dairy genetics, dairy management, and dairy software both domestically and internationally. He worked in the Al. industry for over 30 years, holding positions as Vice-President and Senior Manager in Genetics, and in sire procurement, progeny testing, training and marketing. Dr. Selner has presented genetics seminars and papers in over 20 countries, educating producers and industry personnel. Every major US. dairy breed and many international dairy cattle breeding associations have sought his expertise to aid their genetic development. He remains actively involved in managing his family’s dairy operation, is an international dairy cattle judge and served as the Chairman of the Dairy Show at World Dairy Expo. Dr. Selner has a special interest in Red and Whites and has a unique knowledge of red and red carrier sires that have influenced the breed.

Maurice Leduc, was partner of the Granduc Holstein herd until 2002 when the herd was dispersed. This Quebec herd twice received the prestigious title of “Master Breeder”, 1994 and 2005. The Granduc herd has developed internationally Cloverlands Skylar Cherry-Red (VG-87—CAN DOM 12*). Maurice has been the first Canadian to accept two important RWDCA awards: the Larry Moore Master Breeder Award and the Don Albrecht Distinguished Achievement Award in 2007. Maurice Leduc has been the Club Resource Officer for the Canadian Red and White Holstein Club since 2002. He has written numerous articles on the transmission of the Red Factor which have been published in Canadian dairy journals. The province of Quebec has been a leader in organizing Canadian Red and White Holstein activities. The driving force behind these activities has been Maurice Leduc.

Jean-Louis Schrago, Crans, Switzerland, has spent his entire adult life promoting Red and White dairy cattle. As an employee and later sales representative for American Breeders Service, he was a pioneer in the introduction of Red Holstein genetics in Switzerland, throughout Europe and many other countries. Jean-Louis Schrago established his own dairy breeding company, ABC Genetics, and has developed several outstanding proven Red Holstein sires that have had a major impact on Red and White genetics worldwide. Jean-Louis works closely with his brothers in the development of their Red and White herd in Switzerland.

 

1968:  First RH semen exported to Switzerland from Larry Moore bulls

Larry Moore Transmitter Jack Red, Pioneer Red, Lad Red, James Red.

 

LZ

Schrago brothers had 2 passions:

Football (soccer) and animal breeding

 

 

April 24th, 1972:  Hanover-Hills Triple Threat Red was born in New York State, USA.  

(Telstar  x  Hanover-Hills Pride Lucky Barb RF  EX-94)  x John Lucky Barb  RF  EX 97)

Famous breeder: Peter Heffering, Hanover-Hills Farm

1971:  Jean-Louis Schrago advised the mating to the breeder Peter Heffering to produce this famous bull.

After buying Triple Threat, ABS (American Breeders Service) hired Jean-Louis Schrago as European Manager during 10 years,

to develop semen sales of the Holstein bulls Bootmaker, Valiant and especially the top Red Factors bulls like Citation R Maple RF

and H.H. Triple Threat Red.

 

Picture: 2 first daughters of Jack Red at the Schrago farm in Middes, Fribourg, Switzerland.

On the halter: André and Aloys Schrago

Behind the 2 cows: Larry Moore and Jean-Louis Schrago

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanover Hill Triple Threat-Red

By Dr. Robert E. Walton

“The story of Hanover Hill Triple Threat is so intertwined with the story of Jean-Louis Schrago that I must first tell part of the Schrago story.  I first met Jean-Louis in August 1968 when he appeared at the receptionist desk at ABS with two of his fellow graduates from the Agriculture University in Switzerland.

They had first come to Canada to learn more about Red & White Holsteins there as some R&W semen had already been imported to Switzerland.  Schrago was already an avid enthusiast of the R&W breed.  They had just been at the Roundtree Holstein Farm near Toronto from which ABS had recently acquired the ABS Reflection Sovereign son Emperor.  The Roundtree’s had told Schrago that if he really wanted to find out what was going on in the cattle breeding world they should visit ABS.”

On their way down, Schrago and his Swiss friend Arthur Darbellay, decided to first visit the famous farm Hanover-Hills in New York State. Peter Heffering the owner of this dairy received them. He showed them his famous cow Hanover-Hills John Lucky Barb EX-97 (she was one of the first Holstein cows with the highest score in the USA EX-97 and she had the “red factor”.  One of her daughters was Hanover-Hills Pride Lucky Barb. When Schrago asked Peter Heffering to breed his best cow, John Lucky Barb to Roybrook Telstar RF to produce a red son, he asked him if he was joking because the US and Canada only had a few red cows in 1968. For Peter there was no R&W market at this time!

“After this nice visit, they took the Greyhound bus again and travelled to Madison, Wisconsin and De Forest to visit ABS. Thinking ABS was right on the edge of town, they endured a 3 mile walk.  The receptionist wasn’t sure what to do with them so she called me and I invited them to my office and learned about their mission – or rather Schrago’s mission as the other two were agronomy majors.  After hearing his story and being impressed with his dedication to the cause of the R&W, I told them they should really return to Wisconsin in a couple of months to attend the World Dairy Expo.  I then took them to dinner and to the YMCA in Madison where I paid for their rooms for a couple of days as they looked pretty tired and bedraggled from their travels.

Schrago did return to attend the World Dairy Expo which had R&W classes for the 1st time and which coincidentally a guy named Ron Eustice was showing a cow who became Reserve Grand Champion.

    About a year later I was in Switzerland selecting Simmental bulls to import for our burgeoning beef AI program when I was able to visit the university where Schrago had studied.  His major professor there named Weber attested that Schrago was indeed one of their prize graduates and that he was then getting an MBA from a major business school in Paris.

    The next time I heard from Schrago was when he appeared in Madison about 1971 to study for a M.S. Degree in Animal Breeding & Genetics at the University of Wisconsin.  We kept in touch and when he graduated I hired him to take the lead in my initial efforts to open up the A.I. market in Europe.”

In 1971, Schrago came back to visit Hanover-Hills farm with a group of European dairy farmers.  At that time, Peter Heffering owner of the dairy, was ready to breed his best red factors cows with a red factor bull. During the 3 years after Schrago’s first visit, Peter had heard from different people that the R&W market was coming worldwide. After visiting his best cows, Heffering invited Schrago to have lunch. During the meal Peter asked Schrago which Red factor bull should be used? Schrago told him to use Roybrook Telstar RF. He answered that the bull was in Japan. Schrago then said he had the number where Telstar was housed and proposed to Heffering to call and ask for 2 Units. Peter called Japan and a secretary there was able to speak some English. She said that she would ask her boss for availability and price.  They waited for long minutes till suddenly they heard a voice on phone asking for $ 2’500 for 2 units of Telstar! Peter dropped the phone on the table and told Schrago the requested price!  Schrago answered “Peter it’s a done deal!”. After more discussion Schrago advised Peter to no longer breed John Lucky Barb (who was old) but to breed her best daughter H.H. Pride Lucky Barb EX-94 with Telstar.

10 months later on April 24th 1972, Triple Threat Red was born. Schrago was at the University of Madison when Professor Tyler received a phone call from Peter Heffering asking to speak with him. Peter told him “John-Louis, not only is the bull born from Pride Lucky Barb…but he’s red!”. They had a 25% chance and won!

 Schrago was so happy at this point about this new red bull being born that he asked his student friend Bill Backman from Seymour Wisconsin if they could drive to Hanover-Hills farm in New York immediately. Bill Backman agreed with no hesitation and they drove across Illinois, Michigan nonstop.  They arrived one day after and Peter was surprised to see them. He showed them the young bull who looked like a small dear as he was entirely red. They took many pictures and drove back to Madison convinced that an exceptional red bull was born!

At this time, they did not know that Telstar was carrier of the Black-red gene named later Mahogany.  Triple Threat Red received this gene “BR” from his father. For this reason, he turned black at 9 months at ABS. This “BR” information had never came out because Roy Ormiston, owner of the Roybrook farm had killed all red calves born from his famous cow Roybrook Model Lass EX, mother of Telstar. At that time, the Red factor was considered as a gene defect by many American and Canadian breeders. That is why Telstar was sold to Japan as young bull and Citation R to Mexico.

    “Schrago strongly pressed that ABS should buy Hanover Hill Triple Threat.  Schrago then returned to Switzerland and Ken Young from my Dairy Cattle Breeding staff went to the Hanover Hill sale.  I had authorized him to go up to $60,000 if necessary but he actually had to bid $62,000 to get him and I was not too pleased at the time.  As he later told me, “It was easier to ask for forgiveness then to ask for permission”.  A few months later Triple Threat began changing color from Red to Black and the so called Black-Red gene was first identified and expressed.  I was really upset with Schrago and Young at that point!  The bottom line is that was probably one of the best investments we ever made and Schrago and Young were forgiven many times over the years!

    Schrago really succeeded in opening the European market and Triple Threat became a major factor in that success – whatever breed and whatever kind of cow he was bred to, he caused a dramatic improvement. 

Hanover Hill Triple Threat-Red, one of the greatest sires in Holstein breed history was born in 1972. He was the result the skill of Master Breeder Pete Heffering who bred Roybrook Telstar*BRC to John’s Lucky Barb*RC. Hanover Hill Triple Threat-Red sold to ABS for $60,000 and burst on the scene with an outstanding pedigree and the ability to create tremendous brood cows. He created excitement and interest in Red & Whites and the red gene. He came close to being the ideal bull and was heavily used in North America and Europe.

Forty years after his birth, Hanover Hill Triple Threat-Red is still one of the most influential and respected sires of any breed. Although he was marginal for milk production, he was one of the Holstein breed’s best bulls for type improvement and also increased butterfat. His daughters were tall, with good udders and sound feet and legs and developed into high lifetime production cows. Triple Threat saw extensive use all over the world. His only fault was that he carried the black-red gene, which caused about half of his red and white offspring to turn mostly black before they reached six months of age.

When Triple Threat was about 5-6 years old he developed lameness on one front leg and was really a 3-legged bull the rest of his life.  That never prevented him from doing his job, though, as he would hobble into the collection room and then immediately come to life and produce semen with the best of them.  It was a remarkable story and he was a most remarkable character.  He probably did more for the R&W movement than any bull in history.  Thank goodness for Schrago’s confidence in him!”

In Switzerland, only one cow reached the highest classified score of EX-98: Guex Triple Tulippe Red. She was a daughter of Hanover Triple Threat Red. Schrago selected her to be presented with 3 others Triple Threat daughters at Paris agriculture show in 1979 inside the HFA pavilion. This show was the real starting point of the red Holstein breed in Europe. During this show, the French veterinarians were suspicious about this new dairy breed and they infected intentionally these 4 red cows with IBR. When Schrago came back to Switzerland, which was free from IBR disease, he was asked to slaughter immediately the animals. They slaughtered 3 of them but by luck, Anton Van Nieuwenhuize from Holland who was impressed by Tulippe EX-98 at the show, came to Switzerland and bought her. Tulippe EX-98 lived till she was 15-year-old in Holland and strongly contributed to the promotion of the new red Holstein breed.

    “As an aside, Schrago was later my key agent in establishing initial contacts in the U.S.S.R., in meeting Gorbachev, and in opening up that huge market.”

 

 

How Telstar Semen from Japan Led to the Breakthrough of Red Holsteins

When he was born on April 24, 1972, all insiders were elated. Even though there was only a 25% chance, this Holstein calf was red & white! An exceptional calf was born! A year later when he went to the sale, Swiss Red Holstein pioneer Schrago was able to convince the American Al giant ABS to purchase him. For no less than $60,000 the Red Holstein who was already generating a lot of discussion went to ABS. There his colour soon changed from red to black – to the great dismay of the ABS management team. Nevertheless, he became one of ABS’ best investments at the time. Here is the story of the patriarch of the Red Holstein breed.

JAN BIERMA

 

It was impossible for us to make a different choice for this edition of “Forgotten Holstein Heroes”. For this Red Review issue we searched for a defining Red Holstein bull. Elsewhere in this issue, nine influential Red Holstein sires from the pre-DNA era are presented. Without exception, all nine trace back to… Hanover-Hill Triple Threat-Red-BR. Indisputably one of the most popular Holstein sires from the 1970s and 80s, in the turbulent early phase of Holsteinization in Europe. For both black and red & white! While Triple Threat may have developed into the patriarch of Red Holstein breeding, he also plays an important role in Holstein breeding. Thanks to his daughter Tora Triple Threat Lulu EX-96 (yes, EX-96 – the fabulous strength of Triple), Triple also became immortal in black & white breeding. Lulu became the dam of Hanover-Hill Inspiration, the bull that was not only one of the first millionaires of the Holstein breed but whose descendants led to top bulls like – don’t be startled – Goldwyn, Shottle, Storm and Laudan. Right: Triple Threat’s influence is greater than what is often realized.

JOKE

As tremendous as Triple’s influence was on the Holstein breed (black and red & white), so small was the likelihood that he would ever see the light of day. Now we go back to 1968, the year in which the Swiss Red Holstein pioneer (and founder of ABC Genetics) travelled around North America. While he was on his way from Canada to ABS in Wisconsin, Schrago visited the well- known Hanover-Hill breeding enterprise which was still located in the US at the time. There he met the powerful type cow Johns Lucky Barb – one of the first cows to score EX-97. And… Barb also carried the red factor. Schrago became enthusiastic and asked Pete Heffering (together with Ken Trevena the owner of Hanover-Hill) if he wanted to breed a red & white son out of Barb. Heffering started laughing and asked if Schrago was joking. After all, the red & white times red factor: 25% chance of a Red Holstein. colouring was certainly not popular in North America at the time. So Schrago continued to ABS, where for the first time he met Robert Walton, the CEO of ABS at the time. As a result of that visit, Walton would later ask Schrago to help him with ABS’ plans to market semen in Europe.

JAPAN

Three years later, in 1971, Schrago visited Hanover-Hill again. Barb was still there, and in the meantime, Heffering had noted that the Red Holstein market world-wide was growing. So Heffering asked Schrago which bull he would recommend. The answer was: Roybrook Telstar RC. Heffering responded that this Canadian star had been exported to Japan in the meantime, but also now Schrago had a solution: he had the telephone number of the Japanese Al company! Heffering instantly decided to make a phone call – and a little later he had a chance to purchase two Telstar doses… for $ 5’000! After some discussion, he decided to jump on it – the Telstar doses came to the US. Given the price of the semen, Schrago offered Heffering some new advice: since Barb was already so old, it was probably better to breed her daughter Tara-Hills Pride Lucky Barb EX-94 – who also carried the red factor – to Telstar. So it happened: red factor times red factor: 25% chance of a Red Holstein. Just less than a year later, the miracle was born: a red & white bull calf, with the giants Telstar and Pride Lucky Barb as parents! Of course, Schrago was overjoyed with this news and asked his study friend from Madison, Bill Backman, to look at the bull calf. From Wisconsin, Backman made the long trip via Illinois and Michigan to the state of New York. Walton explains: ‘Heffering was surprised to see Backman, but showed him the young bull calf, which looked like a young deer because he was totally red! Backman took a lot of pictures and his story only made Schrago more enthusiastic.

WORLD RECORD

During the same fall, Heffering and Trevena decided to hold a sale. Among others, Tara-Hills Pride Lucky Barb and her son Triple would be offered for sale. That year, North America was hit by sale fever; more and more syndicates with investors outside of the Holstein world were making their entrance into the breed – with a lot of money at their disposal. And thus the Hanover-Hill sale was a magnificent success, with two new world records – obtained precisely by Lucky Barb and her son! Lucky Barb, good for EX-94, with an EX-97 dam, was one of the most praised cows of the breed and obtained the highest price ever paid at a sale: $ 122,000. Later at the sale, her red & white son Triple appeared, who with $60,000 reached the highest price ever obtained for a Red Holstein! The buyer: ABS. Walton about this: ‘Schrago had convinced us to purchase him. I asked Ken Young to bid up until a certain amount – but with $61,000 Young surpassed that bid! And so I was not very pleased, but Ken said: “I would rather ask forgiveness than permission…” But then it happened! After a few months, Triple Threat began to change colour: from red to black! Now the “Black-Red gene” which he carried, but about which little was known, came to expression. When Triple was nine months old – so even before he could start being used for breeding – he was nearly all black! At that moment, I was really upset with Schrago and Young! But I have to say: later it turned out that he was probably one of our best investments ever – and I have forgiven Schrago and Young many times!’

LAME

Yes, from the moment that Triple Threat came into service as a young sire, until the time of his death in 1982 (10 years old), he would produced non-stop. At the time, it was normal that after their “sampling period”, bulls were given four years of “waiting”. If their daughters were producing well, they came back into service. That was not the case with Triple, who stayed incredibly popular around the entire world. As such, he was a true predecessor of today’s genomic sires – nearly 40 years earlier! At the same time, Triple was one of the most talked about bulls. After all, he not only transmitted the red colour but also the Black-Red gene, so that a portion of his descendants changed from red to black. But regardless of the colour of the Triple daughters – nearly uniformly, they all had nice to fantastic type – the unique aspect that made Triple unceasingly popular worldwide. Triple would eventually produce more than 500,000 doses, which were sold all over the world. Nevertheless, it must be said, that he became lame on one front leg as a 5-year-old! Walton: ‘That never hindered him from his work. He limped into the collection barn, came to life, and produced semen like one of the best. He was truly a remarkable individual!

HONOUR SALUTE

It goes too far for us to name the many deserving Triple descendants here – there are simply too many. But: our story elsewhere in this HI is a true honour salute to all that Triple has done for red & white Holstein breeding. He is rightfully the foundation sire of the modern Red Holstein cow. We give the last word to Robert Walton: “Triple Threat probably did more for the Red & White movement than any bull in history. Thank goodness for Schrago’s confidence in him!’

This is the world’s most special Triple daughter! In Switzerland, officially you were not allowed to use Triple on black & whites (only on red & white), but Marcel Ecoffey did so in 1979. He was fond of Triple’s family. At the time of insemination, he recorded: “herd bull”. As such, for years Riante was a semi-official Triple daughter, also when as a 12-year-old she became the National Black & White Champion of Switzerland! Fortunately – many years after her death – she was still officially registered as a Triple daughter, thanks to her outstanding transmitting ability.

 

On left side: Michel Guex from Matran Switzerland with his cow Guex Triple Tulipe Red  EX-98
On the right side: André Schrago with his cow Schrago Triple Tella Red EX-92

 

Larry Moore was very impressed  to see the famous  daughter of Triple Treat: Guex Triple Tulipe Red  EX-98

On Halter: Michel Guex, the breeder of Tulipe Red

 

At this time, Triple Threat was the hottest bull at ABS in semen demand worldwide.  Triple Threat Red produced 510’000 units during his life. More than 200’000 units were sold to Europe.  That is why during the WDE in Madison in 1980, Dr. Robert Walton (Director of ABS) and Jean-Louis Schrago, European manager of ABS at this time, took this picture in front of the most famous daughter of Triple Threat in Europe Guex Triple Tulipe Red EX-98.  Another Triple Threat did a famous job in North America: Hannover-Hills LuLu RF EX-96.  She was the mother of the famous bull Hannover-Hills INSPIRATION.

 

4 Hannover-Hills Triple Threat daughters from Switzerland were brought to the Paris show by Jean-Louis Schrago inside of the USA pavilion. Unfortunately, they were infected by IBR disease.  When they came back to Switzerland, 3 of them were immediately slaughtered, as the country was IBR free.  To avoid to slaughter the best of these 4 cows, Guex Triple TULIPE Red EX-98, Jean-Louis Schrago had her transferred to Holland.  She survived until 15 years old and produced many famous offsprings. At the same time, Tulipe did a great promotion of the Red Holstein crossing program.  At this time, Holland started a large crossing program with the MRY red breed (Picture of Tulipe at the arrival to Hineke dairy farm in Holland).

Twenty-Year-Old Triple Threat Receives Standing Ovation at Swiss Expo.

In 1990, Noel Damon of Switzerland purchased To-Mar Blackstar embryos from Jo-Dan C. Starval And Glory from RuAnn Dairy, Riverdale, California. Two heifer calves resulted and were named Salnois Gloria and Salnois Glorie. Gloria was sold at the Club Holstein Sale in 1993 and Salnois Glorie went on to produce a daughter of Hanover Hill Strabuck named Salnoise Istasia. In 1995, Patrick Demond, Vaud, Switzerland went to the Paris Agricultural Expo to care for animals shown by the Rey family. He saw a 15-monthold heifer at the show and purchased her. The heifer was left in France to be super ovulated to Hanover Hill Triple Threat-Red whose semen was not eligible to be imported into Switzerland. The result was Supreme Triple Strategy *RC, born April 16, 1996. Supreme Triple Strategy was shown at the Swiss Expo as a 2-yearold and returned to Swiss Expo at 20 years-old for a standing ovation from all in attendance. Supreme Triple Strategy has lifetime production of 150.102 M. kg (330, 224 lbs) 4.13% F. 6,200 kg. F. 3.31% P. 4,969 kg P.

           

 

 

Dino was the owner of  Magnetize Red who was one of the first RH bulls heavily used in Switzerland after Larry Moore Jack, Pioneer, James Red and Brandely Citation Topper Red.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JORDAN-RED

With more than 7,000 daughters in both the US and Switzerland and nearly 1,000 or more in France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada, the American Ja-Bob Jordan-Red is quite the globetrotter. The son of Phideaux RC (Blackstar-Enhancer-Pete-Triple Threat) out of an EX-91 daughter of Momentum (Skyler Chief-Cavalier-Triple Threat) is part of the long-time successful Sky-Hi Mars Helen family and represents the life work of the Swiss Red Holstein pioneer Jean Louis Schrago. Via Schrago’s AI, ABC Genetics, Jordan developed into a source of top type and breeding quality. The most prominent result was daughter Suard-Red Jordan Irene EX-96, two-time European Grand Champion, World Champion and Red Impact Cow, and dam the internationally esteemed sons Blitz and Jotan-Red.

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

July 2015:  Suard Jordan IRENE Red EX-96 at 11 years old 

with 3 milking daughters:

– Schrago Italia Indiana Red EX-93  4 years old

– Schrago Burns Iris Red EX-92  4 years old

– Schrago Butler Isa Red VG-85 2 years old

– with one granddaughter: Schrago Barbwire Billie Red  84 Points  2 years old

September 5th 2015: Swiss Red Holstein show  in Berne Switzerland

IRENE Red was selected as best udder cow and  champion cow of the show.

It is not to bad for a grand mother of 11 years old!

 

 

 

 

Height: 159 cm = 64 inches

This cow is the second daughter of Irene Red. Her production is:

3-08  2x  305   10’383 kg  (22’843 lbs.)   4,50 % F.    3,68 % Protein.                                                             The Schrago farm is optimistic about this superb cow with type, milk, fat  and especially high protein index!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                             At the ABC Genetics stand, Erika Schrago giving information                                                                                                                       to a Red Holstein breeder of Wisconsin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                           2015 : Michael Schrago visiting  Mr Luis Bermudez                                                         Red Holstein breeder near Bogota  Colombia

 

 

 

       The demand for “beef meat” has especially increased in China and India last few years.              Some  countries who were exporting beef  meat for many years are now in shortage.                    Exemple : USA. 

 

After 2015 , what can we expect?

The “red” and “polled” dairy cattle population will be still be growing worldwide due to:

– The need to decrease the inbreeding of some other dairy breeds.

   In the USA, the Holstein breed has clainmed over …7%.        The fertility is already  decreasing !

– The red color which gives better resistance for hot weather, intense  sun, high altitude and insects.

– Polled Gene with the advantages of having fewer accidents, fewer losses and easier calving.

– More demand of semen from bulls positive in Kappa Casein BB and Beta Casein A2A2.

   Exemple :  Ja-Bob ROBIN  PP  Red  Ja-Bob Ronaldo PP Red  : Kappa Casein  BB,   Beta Casein  A2 A2.

– In many countries, milk is in high demand and it will stay the best source of protein in the years to come. 

– The increase in milk production will be achieved increasingly by selecting for  :                                                                                     

   full-coated dark Red and… Polled dairy cows!

– There is a great future for the dairy farmers because the demand for milk is still increasing in many countries!

 

 

Article from the Holstein International magazine (Author: Stephan Schneider), HI 01/2018 33

“10 Questions for Michael Schrago

‘Red and Polled are the Topics of the Future!’

АВС Genetics is headquartered in Crans, Switzerland, and was founded in 1984 by Jean-Louis Schrago. The concentration is on Red and polled genetics. ABC markets around 100,000 doses on a yearly basis in 22 countries worldwide. Among the most important markets are the USA, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Switzerland, Germany, and France.

When talking about pioneers of Red Holstein breeding, one cannot forget the name of Jean-Louis Schrago. The Swiss, whose breeding sense gifted his former employer ABS with the exceptional bull Triple Threat, founded his own business in 1984: ABC Genetics. And with success, as shown by top-sellers like Ja-Bob Jordan-Red, Gold-N-Oaks Italia-Red, and currently Pine-Tree Gold-PP-Red. And now, over 30 years since its establishment, ABC has a firm place on the international breeding scene. And it is now in its second generation. HI has 10 questions for Jean-Louis’s son and business partner, Michael.

Michael, ABC Genetics markets semen in over 20 countries worldwide. Where are your most important markets?

‘Our traditional markets were and are of course North America and Europe. Latin America is becoming ever more important. Dairy farming there is becoming more professional. That is why we are working to put together teams of veterinarians and technicians who will be able to directly market and breed with semen from our bulls. India and Africa are two other markets that we have recently advanced in.’

So away from traditional Holstein strongholds and into regions with extreme climatic conditions?

‘Yes and no. It is true that these are the regions where dairy farmers are becoming more professional, and as such, genetics plays an important role. In our breeding program we do not concentrate on Red Holsteins out of a love for the color. In extreme climates, animals with primarily red hair have clear advantages. Red hair reflects UV light more than black hair. The animals are more resistant to heat and are therefore able to graze longer’

Red-Holstein offers the opportunity to access some different pedigrees, so does outcross also play a roll?

‘Yes, of course! We see inbreeding as one of the biggest problems in Holstein breeding. At a comparable breeding quality, Red Holsteins offer much opportunity to explore alternative bloodlines. We are constantly looking for new families.’

What about polled genetics?

‘Polled and Red Holsteins unquestionable belong together and both are fast-growing markets. For the past 12 years we have focused on polled genetics.

How many sires does ABC Genetics buy on a yearly basis?

‘On average, we buy 7-8 young sires. Most of them are born in the USA; a few in Switzerland. Semen collection is done at Interglobe Genetics in Illinois and Hawkeye Breeders Service in lowa.’

But despite that, the headquarters of ABC is in Switzerland?

‘Yes, Switzerland is the home of my father and while I live in Colombia, I spend two months a year in the USA and Switzerland. The operating base for ABC Genetics is in the USA, which offers clear advantages in terms of genetics and marketing.’

Despite this, you don’t see breeding as a pure numbers game?

‘No; many breeding companies buy bulls based only on their numbers without questioning the quality of the animal. For us, presentation and classification results have and continue to play a large role. We are trying to combine high genomics with attractive, economic dams from good cow families!

What about your trust in genomic breeding values?

‘About 60% of ABC’s marketed semen comes from genomic young sires and I think this number will rise. The problem with genomics is the over-estimation of several top bulls, but that is a purely technical problem. The more data we bring to genomic breeding valuations in the future, the more reliable the results will be.’

SO ABC will still be active in 30 years…

‘Naturally, we are not staying away from the modern methods offered by breeding. We see an exciting future for Red Holsteins and polled genetics and we are offering genetic alternatives. We have a long history, but also a big future ahead of us.’

The success of Suard Jordan Irene-Red at the European Show in 2013 was also a milestone for ABC Genetics. Irene is at the home farm of ABC founder Jean-Louis Schrago in Switzerland, and her sire, Ja-Bob Jordan-Red, is now one of the most important sires for the company.”