In conjunction with the National Holstein Convention, held at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois, Holstein Association USA conducted a well-rounded panel on genomics that provided both technical insight and practical advice for Holstein breeders in attendance.

Your best cow is in standing heat this morning. Just two weeks ago, she was diagnosed pregnant. Bummer! The first thing you want to do is find someone to blame. Usually, the veterinarian is first on the list. Just so you know, it is not likely to be the veterinarian’s fault. Please don’t blame the veterinarian.

When I get onto a dairy struggling to get cows bred, fingers start pointing. Often, it’s an outside person who is blamed: the nutritionist, the breeder or the veterinarian. From my experience, I can tell you the problems are more likely to stem from within – but then again, sometimes they don’t.

A dairy cow’s immune system, along with reproduction, is an important fitness trait. It’s a trait that’s of major consideration for producers because the ability to find and identify cows with a superior immune response can reduce disease incidence and improve milk quality and farm profitability.

Everything in life is a balance; even too much of a good thing can be bad. When breeding cows, farmers often tip the balance in favor of high yields and components, but a growing number of dairymen are using aAa analysis to not only improve the structural balance of their cows but also their bank account balance.

Optimal age at first calving has been debated for many years. There are many factors that can influence when a heifer calves for the very first time. Having a good heifer-raising program, coupled with an effective breeding program, are key elements.

Whether you concentrate on developing elite genetics or producing milk for the market, genomic data can be a valuable tool in achieving your goals. In this article, we will examine testing options and how both breeding herds and commercial herds might use those options differently.