Rare Cattle Breed Goes To College

2016 - Volume #40, Issue #3, Page #36

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Dan Hays recently sent his rare herd of Hays Converter cattle off to the University of Alberta. They were donated to the university for genetic testing and research.
    “It seemed like a good idea, given the herd’s history and the research work that has already been done,” says Hays, son of Harry Hays, who developed the breed in the 1950’s.
    Previous research has already analyzed growth rates, carcass traits and management of genetic diversity and inbreeding.
    In 1975, the Hays Converter was recognized as the first Canadian pure breed. The elder Hays crossed Hereford, Holstein and Brown Swiss to create a breed with fast growth and the ability to handle severe winters. Other goals were sound feet, easy calving, good milk production and fertility. While several large commercial herds and a number of smaller herds continue with the breed, total numbers are limited.
    Hays believes the influx of European breeds like Simmental and Charolais in the 1970’s was one reason the breed didn’t gain greater popularity. Ironically, the senior Hays was very involved in importing and promoting those other breeds as well.
    “He undercut a big marketing opportunity by bringing in those breeds,” says his son.
    The death of Harry Hays in 1982 also affected herd promotion. “He was a marketer, and if he had had a longer run, I think the breed would have been more successful in terms of numbers,” he says.
    Hays sold his home ranch in 2000 to concentrate on politics and his law practice. However, he retained ownership of the herd at several custom cattle operations. He is confident the herd still has much to contribute to Canadian beef production.
    “The University is getting into a full genetics-based program that will benefit the industry by making these genetics available,” he says. “We’ve been able to invest in research to create an index based system to quantify higher performing individuals within the larger population. Improving efficiency is the focus of agriculture and most of the time is very rewarding.”
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Canadian Hays Converter Association, 201, 1600 - 15 Ave. SW, Calgary, Alta. Canada T3C 0Y2 (ph 403 245-6923; haysconverter@shaw.ca; www.haysconverter.com).

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Rare Cattle Breed Goes To College LIVESTOCK Beef Dan Hays recently sent his rare herd of Hays Converter cattle off to the University of Alberta They were donated to the university for genetic testing and research “It seemed like a good idea given the herd’s history and the research work that has already been done ” says Hays son of Harry Hays who developed the breed in the 1950’s Previous research has already analyzed growth rates carcass traits and management of genetic diversity and inbreeding In 1975 the Hays Converter was recognized as the first Canadian pure breed The elder Hays crossed Hereford Holstein and Brown Swiss to create a breed with fast growth and the ability to handle severe winters Other goals were sound feet easy calving good milk production and fertility While several large commercial herds and a number of smaller herds continue with the breed total numbers are limited Hays believes the influx of European breeds like Simmental and Charolais in the 1970’s was one reason the breed didn’t gain greater popularity Ironically the senior Hays was very involved in importing and promoting those other breeds as well “He undercut a big marketing opportunity by bringing in those breeds ” says his son The death of Harry Hays in 1982 also affected herd promotion “He was a marketer and if he had had a longer run I think the breed would have been more successful in terms of numbers ” he says Hays sold his home ranch in 2000 to concentrate on politics and his law practice However he retained ownership of the herd at several custom cattle operations He is confident the herd still has much to contribute to Canadian beef production “The University is getting into a full genetics-based program that will benefit the industry by making these genetics available ” he says “We’ve been able to invest in research to create an index based system to quantify higher performing individuals within the larger population Improving efficiency is the focus of agriculture and most of the time is very rewarding ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Canadian Hays Converter Association 201 1600 - 15 Ave SW Calgary Alta Canada T3C 0Y2 ph 403 245-6923; haysconverter@shaw ca; www haysconverter com

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