Source: Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding
written by: John Cole
Genetic base changes include both corrections for observed genetic trends in the population and adjustments to account for future inbreeding. When reviewing the calculations before the April 2025 run, members of...
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is playing a key role in a new $27.4 million global initiative aimed at reducing methane emissions from livestock—without disrupting everyday farm operations. Funded by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, the...
To get the most out of every cow, dairy producers must focus on both genetics and environment. Great performance doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from breeding cows with strong genetic potential and giving them the right conditions to thrive.
It...
Source: Lactanet
by: Hannah Sweett, Ph. D. and Brian Van Doormaal
To improve producer understanding of the Lifetime Performance Index (LPI), Lactanet has removed the mathematical formula nature of our annual communications, replacing it with visual aids (see below). For each...
According to a recent CoBank report, genetic improvements in the U.S. dairy herd are fueling unprecedented growth in key milk components essential for cheese, butter, and other dairy products. While overall milk production has remained steady, butterfat and protein...
Genetic evaluation tools help simplify the interpretation of dairy genetics.
Sire selection is the most effective method for improving herd genetics quickly.
Breed choice and crossbreeding impact farm productivity and profitability.
Farm-specific genetic goals should be identified to...
Understanding BANNs: A New Approach to Genomic Prediction
Biologically Annotated Neural Networks (BANNs) are an advanced type of artificial intelligence designed to improve genetic predictions. Unlike traditional machine learning models, BANNs use a structured neural network approach that incorporates biological...
DFC | PLC: Paths to On-Farm Excellence · Genetic Evaluations and Heat Tolerance with Ivan Campos
Hoof diseases are a major issue in the dairy industry, affecting cow comfort, milk production, fertility, and overall farm profitability. Conditions like digital dermatitis, sole ulcers, and white line lesions lead to lameness, requiring costly treatment and management. This...
Source: Journal of Dairy Science
ABSTRACT
Twin births in dairy cattle is generally unfavorably associated with reproductive performance and calf survival in dairy cows. Genetic selection to reduce twinning rate in dairy cattle may be desirable, provided no undesirable correlated responses...
