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Passion and vision fuel the future for Holstein Association USA’s 2025 Distinguished Young Breeder

Tim Rauen of GenoSource believes hard work and having a vision aids in 2025 Holstein Association recognition.

December 8, 2025

Tim Rauen took his passion for pedigrees, excitement for genomics and a vision for genetic success to grow a dairy operation and influence the A.I. industry.

The value of genomics in dairy cattle

Genomic testing furthers the genetic progress of dairy herds across the country, eliminates identification mistakes and identifies high-value animals early in life.

November 11, 2025

Anthony Ling

Advancements in technology are the fuel behind every leap in dairy efficiency. Just like the machines in the field and the barn, today’s cows carry more power under the hood than cows of a decade ago – more milk, better fertility and stronger resistance to disease.

Which traits make an efficient dairy cow?

Understanding how to make indexes work for you will aid in your herd's profitability.

January 14, 2025

Albert De Vries

Which traits make an efficient dairy cow? To answer that question, it is useful to carefully think about what a very efficient dairy cow looks like. One definition of an efficient dairy cow is cow that maximizes milk production while maintaining good health and fertility, thereby optimizing profitability for the producer.

Capitalizing on genetics: Vanden Berge Dairy

Genomic testing allows Vanden Berge Dairy to market embryos across the country. Utilizing IVF provides the opportunity for the dairy to advance genetics sooner.

June 12, 2024

Matti McBride

One hundred miles north of Los Angeles, almond trees bloom, the sun shines and a Holstein cow leisurely walks back to her dry lot pen after her second of three milkings. She’s a member of Vanden Berge Dairy’s herd of Holsteins and is a product of an impressive genetic strategy.

Genetic tools have reversed cow fertility decline

April 25, 2023

Kristen Parker Gaddis

2000 was a turning point for U.S. dairy cow fertility. Despite the negative correlation between production and fertility, current genetic trends are favorable for both.

En matière d’indices de sélection, il n’y a pas de solution passe-partout

Les indices de sélection sont la méthode de reproduction privilégiée pour de nombreux caractères, tout particulièrement quand leur utilisation concorde avec les objectifs de reproduction de la ferme.

January 1, 2023

Sophie Eaglen

Tous les éleveurs de bovins conviendront que les indices de sélection sont le moyen privilégié pour sélectionner simultanément plusieurs caractères qui affectent la rentabilité du troupeau.

When it comes to selection indexes, there is no one size fits all

Selection indexes are a preferred method to breed for multiple traits, especially when their use aligns with a farm's breeding goals.

September 3, 2022

Sophie Eaglen

All cattle breeders will agree that selection indexes are the preferred way to simultaneously select for multiple traits that affect herd profitability.

Net Merit revised with August genetic evaluations

September 15, 2021

Joao Durr

The national genetic index, Net Merit, was updated with the genetic evaluations on Aug. 10, 2021 – delivering an improved tool to breed profitable and feed-efficient cows.

Net Merit Index to be updated in August

April 30, 2021

The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) board approved an update to the Net Merit (NM) selection indexes effective for the next triannual evaluations on Aug. 10, 2021.