A.I. & BREEDING

That semen tank sitting in the corner of the barn office or vet room generally goes unnoticed except for the times you are pulling out a dose of semen from one of your favourite sires.

From stud to straw, and all the way to the milking string, a recent bus tour in the U.S. Midwest showcased each step of the process of creating elite genetics.

Twinning rates are on the rise for high-production cows, and you don’t have to look hard or long to see that is bad news, says Paul Fricke, professor of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin.

The rapid rate of genetic progress may leave some dairy producers questioning the risks and rewards of inbreeding and how to manage it at a herd level.

When reproduction rates drop, it’s easy to point the finger at your breeder. Naturally, we want to assign blame; finding the source of the issue means we can work toward a solution that much faster.

Genomics has been an incredible accelerator for genetic progress in dairy cattle. Not only has it caused changes on the farm, but it has also been the driving force behind many changes in the semen production and bull management processes at A.I. studs and semen production facilities throughout the industry.