Dairy Genetics
Changing market signals are pushing one Arizona dairy to move away from Jerseys, using IVF embryos to quickly build more Holsteins and reshape the herd for better profitability.
The era of the average cow is over. Learn how 2026 genetic innovations are bulletproofing dairy herds against heat stress, rising feed costs and evolving supply chain demands.
A large Holstein dataset confirms bovine spastic syndrome is moderately heritable and highlights genetic markers that could help producers reduce risk through breeding.
Acquisition strengthens Zoetis’ leadership in precision animal health by integrating Neogen’s global genomics capabilities, expanding predictive insights and individualized care worldwide.
Beef-on-dairy has rapidly evolved into a major contributor to the U.S. beef supply, reshaping how dairy and beef sectors work together and positioning itself as a lasting force in the marketplace.
Cornell University’s Daryl Nydam explores balancing short-term beef-on-dairy profits with the three-year investment of replacement heifers to ensure long-term herd efficiency and sustainable management flexibility.
As America’s beef cow herd hits a 75-year low, dairy farmers are stepping in with beef-on-dairy calves to help fill feedlots and keep the beef supply moving.
With their recent accolade of being named the 2026 IDFA’s Innovative Dairy Farmer of the Year award winner, the Waddell family showcases what it truly means to be modern dairy producers.
The next phase of beef-on-dairy is all about creating a reliable, efficient supply chain.
When replacement heifers are limited, every pregnancy counts.
As dairy producers increasingly use beef semen to capitalize on calf value, longer gestation lengths are straining pre-fresh pens, pushing the industry to rethink cow flow, facilities, and future genetics.
The U.S. bovine semen industry’s resurgence in 2024 signifies more than just a recovery. It represents a transformative wave of growth that is poised to impact livestock reproduction on a global scale.
A decade into the partnership, GenoSource has grown into more than the original partners ever imagined. The dairy now involves eight families, who all love Holsteins and share a goal of creating a more sustainable future for the next generation.
How this Iowa dairy boosts their bottom line with genomics and crossbreeding.
With beef-on-dairy calf prices through the roof, making the right beef semen selection has the potential to push those sky-high prices even higher.
Among the mix of technologies, management factors, and strategies to raise healthy calves: genetics. There is growing evidence that calves can inherit the ability to resist calfhood diseases like pneumonia and scours from their parents.
Beef “recip” cows are extremely expensive to purchase. Could renting dairy uteruses be an avenue for beef producers to explore?
As beef-dairy crossbred calves become a more widespread industry staple, they present their own set of specific benefits and challenges to the marketplace. A recently published study by Iowa State University researchers explored both.
Since 2011, dairy cows evaluated using genetic testing has doubled every five years to exceed 1 million annually. That reduced sire generation interval to the point where genetic improvement is at the biological limit.
As beef-on-dairy animals within the feedlot system continue to rise, feedlots are craving two key pieces of information to help ensure these crossbred cattle thrive.
No matter when beef cross calves are being sold, steps can be taken to make them more marketable.
Beef cross calves are currently generating healthy profits for dairies. They also are a welcome addition to the beef supply chain, according to Dr. Zeb Gray, Beef Technical Feedlot Specialist with Diamond V.
Beef-on-dairy is arguably the most significant advancement for America’s beef industry in a generation.
Recently, the board of directors from Select Sires four individual cooperatives voted unanimously to merge together as one full-service A.I. cooperative.
One Holstein sire born in 1962, Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief, sired 16,000 daughters, 500,000 great-granddaughters, and more than 2 million great-granddaughters.
The dairy cattle of the future may be more comfortable and less susceptible to heat stress thanks to genetic alterations to change the physical characteristics and color of their hair coats.
The Holstein breed is wrestling with the phenomenon of a newly identified genetic defect for Recumbency.