Traits

Reproductive performance evaluations enter a new era

taylor.mcwhorter@uscdcb.com — Fri, 22 May 2026 16:32:07 -0400

Ateam from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) and the USDA’s Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory (AGIL) began a review process to find a way to modernize the traits to make sure genetic ability was being accurately measured.

From the experts: A genetic planning guide for dairy producers

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Progressive Dairy interviewed genetic experts from across the industry with one goal in mind: to arm you with the knowledge and questions needed to make an effective genetic plan.

Today’s measurements build tomorrow’s cows: Why one dairyman invests in data

atie.schmitt@uscdcb.com — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Idaho dairyman Greg Andersen elevates herd efficiency with better production, fertility and fitness. For him, the most successful way to do this is through genetic selection, backed by quality data.

New calf traits will allow producers to select for disease resistance

kristen.gaddis@uscdcb.com — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Genetic and genomic evaluations for Resistance to Diarrhea (DIA) and Resistance to Respiratory Problems (RSP) will represent the expected resistance of an animal’s offspring to these issues in a herd with average management conditions. Final approvals are being wrapped up, with the goal of introducing these traits for Holstein and Jersey breeders soon.

Is this the best dairy in the world?

alvaro@dellait.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Is this the best dairy in the world? That depends on how excellence is defined. If success is measured by scale or throughput, perhaps not. But if it is measured by how long cows remain healthy, comfortable and economically productive, this family-scale herd makes a compelling case.

Use of polled genetics builds momentum

cgsattler@selectsires.com — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Breeding for polled animals is the only real way to effectively manage the pain caused by disbudding. It also is an effective way to eliminate this problematic calf management chore.

The value of genomics in dairy cattle

aling@neogen.com — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Genomic tools help us manage genetic defects

john.cole@uscdcb.com — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

There is perhaps nothing more discouraging on the farm than visiting the maternity pen and finding a calf that displays an abnormality. Developmental defects like this can be caused by something in the environment. Other times, they’re caused by changes in an animal’s DNA that can be passed on from parent to offspring.

Selecting for greater parlor efficiency is possible

kristen.gaddis@uscdcb.com — Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Dairy farmers now have a more powerful, long-term tool to affect the milking time of their herds with a new trait developed by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB): milking speed, which became available for Holsteins in the August triannual genetic evaluations.

Unlocking dairy genetic potential: The role of selection indexes in enhancing productivity and profitability

vpedrosa@neogen.com — Tue, 20 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

In the ever-evolving dairy industry, genetic selection plays a crucial role in shaping the future of herd productivity, efficiency and profitability. Understanding the principles of genetic selection and the value of selection indexes is key to making informed breeding decisions that yield long-term benefits.

Genetic evaluations: Change is in the air

atie.schmitt@uscdcb.com — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

On April 1, the routine five-year genetic base change was implemented for the U.S. genetic evaluations produced by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). Here is what farmers and industry professionals need to know.

Selective breeding could help farmers lower enteric methane emissions in dairy cows

asky8720@gmail.com — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Francisco Peñagaricano, with the University of Wisconsin – Madison, believes selective breeding could provide practical and effective options for dairy farmers seeking to mitigate emissions from their future herds.

Modern udders: What does ideal look like?

philip.bachman@peakgenetics.com — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Long before function and performance were the main drivers of genetic selection, form (better known as “conformation”) was the driving method of genetic analysis. However, less than 1% of cows today leave the herd for udder problems or undesirable conformation. As the evolution toward function rather than form continues, what role should udders play in modern dairy selection criteria?

Selecting for mastitis resistance and improved udder health

cgsattler@selectsires.com — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Mastitis incidence is a management challenge on every dairy. While environment and milking management play key roles in maintaining low levels of mastitis, genetic selection for improved mastitis resistance can play a valuable complementary role in a successful mastitis control strategy.

A different perspective on linear selection

lschirm@wwsires.com — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The question is: How much should the linear selection factor be used to identify the mothers of your replacement females? In other words, how one uses or doesn’t use linear type traits will influence the females you identify as having the genetics you wish to propagate.

Using EPDs in your beef-on-dairy program

lkimble@selectsires.com — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

While dairy producers are heavily driven by fertility and calving ease when it comes to a beef breeding, there are additional traits that can create cattle desirable to the beef market, creating valuable relationships for the longer-term profits.

Breeding for the ideal milking robot cow

dmeihak@lely.com — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

The purpose of this article is to identify the traits that make an ideal robot cow. I would like to shift it to a call out to industry: Let’s define the personality traits that impact feeding and milking behaviors in robot herds.

Do old genetics hold the key to reduced mastitis susceptibility?

kaitlyn.sarlodavila@usda.gov — Thu, 23 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Research at the USDA National Animal Disease Center (NADC) is focused on using genomic and mitigation strategies to control mastitis. A key aspect of this research is a herd of Holsteins from the University of Minnesota that have not undergone any genetic selection since 1964.

Creating the ideal cow for your herd

adrianne.trennepohl@genusplc.com — Tue, 21 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Every cow you create might not be right for your market. To withstand market ebbs and flows, you need to create cows that meet the needs of your operation.

Implementing a fertility first approach at Rocking S Dairy

rsmith@virtusnutrition.com — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Breed for fertility, feed for fertility, manage for fertility – this phrase encapsulates the approach Siebren Jacobi has taken to capture greater herd performance and profitability at Rocking S Dairy in Modesto, California.

What you need to know about early onset muscle weakness syndrome

matti@agproud.com — Thu, 22 Feb 2024 14:23:28 -0500

Determining the prevalence of the early onset muscle weakness syndrome in your herd can aid in management decisions and avoid costly matings.

3 Open Minutes with Doug Blair: Holstein shows from 1906-2023

katie@agproud.com — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Doug Blair shares his knowledge of pedigrees in his book containing information about 117 years of North American Grand Champions.

[Podcast] Improving your dairy cow’s rumen genetics with Galaxis Frontier

Thu, 18 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

While it’s known that improving a cow’s genetics can improve animal productivity, recent research shows that rumen genetics can be a more effective predictor of cow traits, including health and productivity. Cornell Kasbergen of Rancho Teresita Dairy and Brooke Anderson of Native Microbials discuss how feeding native rumen microbes are impacting a commercial dairy herd.

Genomic testing: Undesirable genetic factor discoveries

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 17:45:57 -0500

“No animal is perfect; every animal has multiple genetic defects in it. So do we, all of us have them,” Matt McClure of ABS Global stated during the Undesirable Genetic Factors and Genomics’ Role in Discovery panel discussion, held during the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) annual meeting.

Creating genetically marketable surplus replacement heifers

mandy@thecattlesource.com — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0400

If you were in need of replacements, would you be excited to buy your heifers?

Searching for the environmentally friendly cow

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 16:08:47 -0400

“Can we address environmental concerns and meet consumer preferences by breeding more environmentally friendly cows?” So far, the answer is “yes.”

Genetic tools have reversed cow fertility decline

kristen.gaddis@uscdcb.com — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:48:15 -0400

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.

Three reasons genomic testing can help improve calf programs

geoffreywilson.smith@zoetis.com — Fri, 17 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0400

A dairy producer’s dream and goal is a low-maintenance herd with minimized disease instances, great fertility and longevity. Where can they achieve these results?

Developing genetic, management tools to improve hoof health

kristen.gaddis@uscdcb.com — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:05:07 -0500

The U.S. has high-quality data pipelines for the flow of production, fertility and health records, but there is not currently a pipeline of hoof health information. As an essential first step, CDCB, the University of Minnesota (UMN) and several collaborators are working to consistently identify and record hoof health traits.

Combining immune response with disease traits for maximum disease reduction

slarmer@semex.com — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 10:39:59 -0400

A healthier herd. It’s a simple-sounding concept that’s proven difficult in practice. Finding genetics that resist routine pathogens across environments on dairy farms has been a focus of the industry over the last 10 years