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Pfizer Animal Genetics recently launched e-learning opportunities for dairy and beef producers as well as veterinarians to advance their knowledge and understanding of genetic testing. Brad Kolstad, senior marketing manager at Pfizer Animal Genetics, explains these new introductory courses. Q. What is the web address? KOLSTAD: www.learncattlegenetics.com Q. Why was it developed? KOLSTAD: Pfizer Animal Genetics developed the first two of three e-learning sessions, currently offered at no charge, to help beef and dairy producers, veterinarians and anyone involved in the cattle industry understand how to utilize genetic testing.

It isn’t every day that a simple concept replaces a management practice that has been carried out for many years in the dairy industry. California, the country’s largest dairy state, became the first state in the U.S. to ban tail docking of dairy cattle in early 2010 as a way to improve animal welfare. When the bill was signed into law in January of 2010, California dairy producers were no longer able to “dock” or amputate the tails of dairy cattle, which created a need for other alternatives.