Before he earns a glossy page in a proof magazine, a bull must prove himself. However, the A.I. bull selection and proving process is not what it used to be.

From its humble beginnings with nine cows in 1945, Homestead Dairy of Plymouth, Indiana, has embodied steady and continued progress. It’s a value that third-generation owner-manager Brian Houin takes seriously.

Identifying cows in heat is the first basic step in a good breeding program. While activity monitors can be quite helpful in this task, many herds find success when this new technology is combined with a timed-A.I. program.

Some dairymen are looking for ways to grow their herd, while others are concerned about maintaining herd size. Yet, all producers are concerned about generating revenue and maximizing profit on their farm business.

Will genomic selection be the key to improving feed efficiency in dairy cattle? That was the question addressed by Dr. Kent Weigel, a geneticist at the Department of Dairy Science at the University of Wisconsin during his presentation at the Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference held June 11 and 12 in Dubuque, Iowa.

The topic of inbreeding has received quite a bit of attention over the years. Trends by breed and the negative effect inbreeding has on the bottom line have been well documented.

Progress is a good thing, and in regards to genetics it’s no different. Genetic progress has been the topic of conversation as much in the past five years as ever before because of how it relates to and results from genomics.

For a variety of reasons, dairy heifer reproductive performance is not a primary focus on many dairies even though it is critical to future success.

Are there technologies now, or potentially in the future, that will be more cost-efficient to drive pregnancy rate equivalent to or greater than current synchronization or fertility programs?

When it comes to your herd’s reproduction program, you might be satisfied with a 20 percent pregnancy rate, considering the national 21-day rate average is between 13 and 15 percent. But even 20 percent no longer sets the bar – that’s yesterday’s number. Today’s top herds are pushing that figure higher and higher into the upper 20s and even past 30 percent.