Normande Genetics

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Normande Genetics is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.. Its mission is to promote the Normande breed in the U.S. and Canada and bring the top French Normande genetics to North American dairymen.For many years, American dairy genetics has been dominated by the drive for always higher quantities of milk, regardless of any other trait, be it components, fertility or strength. Furthermore, the so-called "dairy character", specially sought out on the ring, has become synonymous with the capacity to milk. However, it has also resulted in an animal that seems to be very weak and with very little body condition. In addition, the only acceptable rump has been the flat one, if not the inverted one (high pins). That trait, in turn, has complicated the fertility and calving functions. While the Holstein breed has set the standards, all U.S. dairy breeds have followed example. In addition, these morphological modifications have been accompanied with a dramatic increase of inbreeding in all U.S. breeds.By contrast, in France, the Holstein model arrived later (70s) and never completely displaced the older sounder model that pre-existed. While the local black & white population was quickly replaced by North American Holsteins, the Normande, the second largest dairy breed in France, eventually held its ground and proved its adaptability to economic dairy production. The dual-purpose quality has remained and, yet, the Normande has been able to considerably improve its milk production and udder structure. It proves that it is possible to produce good quantity of milk of good quality without compromising sound structure with too much frailness.

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