With the birth of Corra being announced, It's really becoming apparent the differences between Asian and African program management.
There have been five African births at four different facilities this year alone, with 5+ on the way next year too. Several of these come from well represented lines, but a handful are much more valuable and some on the way are valuable as well (Renee and Titian's calf for example). After years of several of these facilities seeming "duds" (IE Dallas), I think we finally are seeing a positive upward trend.
One of the weakest parts of the African breeding population was/is the lack of proven bulls and lack of AI trained bulls. While the problem hasn't gone away (Jackson and Mabu continue to be very popular sires), I believe that as these younger bulls come of age we will see more stepping up as proven breeders. There are a few now from valuable lines just beginning to sire offspring, so I don't see the popular sire effect being an issue long-term. Only a handful of Jackson's calves have successfully reproduced, and several are pushing reproductive age themselves. I think Callee will be the most successful spreader of his genes lol, with four calves already, one on the way and very likely an additional two at Sedgwick (the timing is just too fitting after his arrival for them NOT to be his). Mabu may be more of a problem yet, but what's important now is that he's ensuring that these females are proven.
Asians on the other hand have seen much fewer, with only two confirmed pregnancies thus far in the next two years. This isn't to say we won't see more of course, but I think it's safe to say we are in the middle of a frustrating pause in breeding with several facilities right now. With Cincinnati JUST getting breeding cows, Smithsonian's girls being relatively new, Columbus' girls just recently being put with a proven bull, and several other facilities either at capacity or cows raising calves currently, a slight in births isn't altogether unexpected tbh.
The Asian breeding program for years has notoriously left proven bulls to sit in facilities with aging cows when they could and should make even temporary moves for breeding. So many facilities have waited far too long to breed their young cows and now it very well may be too little, too late for some of them. We are finally seeing the consequences of that. Even after announced upcoming moves, that still leaves Billy, Ongard and Sneezy without females to breed as arguably the most valuable males in the region.
That being said, I think we'll see the slack picking up in a few years. Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, Houston and Syracuse will no doubt continue their success with another calf or two each within the next three years. Cincinnati and National, just recently gaining proven cows for their proven bulls, will also very likely see calves in short order. I don't think we can discount Columbus' chances between Sabu and the upcoming arrival of two proven bulls as well. Oregon and STL of course have calves on the way, and my assumption is we will hopefully see at least one more AI calf out of St Louis before Samudra's arrival. I think White Oak, Endangered Ark and ALS will prove to be breeding powerhouses once bulls are transferred (ALS) and time allows calves to be on the ground (Endangered Ark and White Oak).
I think genetics-wise both populations are doing fine, but ssp coordinators need to be careful. I'm not an expert on the studbook and nor to I pretend to be, but allowing bulls to breed in excess is dangerous, especially when more options are readily becoming available (especially on the Asian front).
The African population got a much needed supplement from the Swaziland imports though, well-managed wild blood is priceless and facilities are just beginning to utilize it.
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