The Idaho DHIA is having its annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 19. This year it will be held in the fine arts auditorium at Elevation 486 in Twin Falls, Idaho. Speakers include Dr. Dean Lusk and Joe Dalton; Rick Naerebout will give the UDI update.

RSVP by Friday, Nov. 14, by calling (208) 539-4104 or email the Idaho DHIA.

The program is below:

10:30 a.m. – Annual Meeting

11:00 a.m. – Joe Dalton, “Survey of genomic management practices of dairy producers”

Advertisement

11:30 a.m. – Dr. Dean Lusk, “Maximizing your herd potential through embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization”

12:00 p.m. – Lunch

1:00 p.m. – Rick Naerebout, UDI Update

1:15 p.m. – Provo Update

1:30 p.m. – Resume Annual Meeting

2:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Joe Dalton, “Survey of genomic management practices of dairy producers”
Our research and extension project is focused on the discovery and use of novel genetic fertility markers in heifers and lactating cows. The objective of the survey was to examine current producer opinions, awareness and management strategies regarding genomics to provide a foundation for the extension component of the project. A workshop curriculum has been developed that will facilitate understanding and adoption of relevant, economically sound, genomic management strategies.

Dr. Dean Lusk, “Maximizing your herd potential through embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization”
With current technology such as genomic testing, the genetic value and production ability of our dairy animals is now so much easier to determine at a very young age. Once we know their value, the big questions become: "What do we do with this information? How do I apply it to improve my herd’s profitability?"

With dollar values now measurable on our high genomic animals, reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer and in vitro fertilization are now more than ever applicable and affordable on the commercial level. We use these technologies to create replacement heifers out of the most profitable animals in our herds. With these technologies and others, the number of replacement heifers out of our top 10 percent can be dramatically increased in a year’s time, and the bottom third of our herd can be used as recipients instead of adding more bottom-third calves back into our dairy herds. PD

—Information from Idaho DHIA