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University of Wisconsin-Extension

Genetics

Topics / Reproduction and Genetics / Genetics

Articles

▶️ Watch: Higher Fertility Success for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers: Panel Discussion

▶️ Watch: Higher Fertility Success for Wisconsin Dairy Farmers: Panel Discussion

Dr. Paul Fricke moderates a Wisconsin dairy farmer panel consisting of David Jauquet, Mike Martin, Jeff McNeely, and Chuck Ripp. These dairy farmers give highlights of protocols used on their dairies that help them achieve higher fertility success.

Cómo obtener el hato que desea a través de una mejor selección genética

Cómo obtener el hato que desea a través de una mejor selección genética

Elegir animales para su granja es una de las decisiones más importantes que puede tomar para mejorar la rentabilidad a largo plazo.

Selección genética para una lechería más sostenible

Selección genética para una lechería más sostenible

Selección genética para una lechería más sostenible Presentador Resumen Presentador Dr. Francisco Peñagaricano Profesor asistente del departamento de Ciencias animales y lecheras Universidad de Wisconsin – Madison Resumen La selección genética es una herramienta poderosa para mejorar la productividad y la sostenibilidad de los sistemas ganaderos. En el caso de la producción de leche, la […]

▶️ Watch: Selection of dairy cows for consistent performance under predictable conditions

▶️ Watch: Selection of dairy cows for consistent performance under predictable conditions

Kent Weigel, Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension, presents on current research on the day-to-day consistency of dry matter intake, milk yield, and the genetics behind it.

Quick Reference: Reading Dairy Sire Proofs

Quick Reference: Reading Dairy Sire Proofs

Advances in dairy genetic research have created an ever-increasing amount of information for dairy farmers to take into consideration for sire selection. Dairy sire proofs contain a mix of numbers, acronyms, and other terminology. This reference guide covers common sire proof information and what it means.

It’s Proof Time! How You Can Decode Dairy Sire Summaries

It’s Proof Time! How You Can Decode Dairy Sire Summaries

The Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding releases updated dairy sire summaries in April, August, and December. The science of sire summaries has changed in recent years. More traits, especially for health, longevity, and efficiency can now be evaluated and included for selection.

Calf Recumbency aka Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome

Calf Recumbency aka Early Onset Muscle Weakness Syndrome

In 2020, there were multiple calves found unable to stand at birth or shortly after and were then seen by veterinarians in Pennsylvania. Calves were either weak and unable to stand immediately after birth, could stand with assistance, or lost the ability to stand within the first two weeks of life.

Single Gene Traits in Dairy Cattle

Single Gene Traits in Dairy Cattle

Early in April, the Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) released one of the three-times-a-year updates to sire summaries.  It can be a lot like looking through seed catalogs to find what bulls to select for the future of your herd. The rankings of bulls keep on getting better, and fast! 

Beef genetics on dairy females and examining the care of newborn calves: Results from a 2021 survey

Beef genetics on dairy females and examining the care of newborn calves: Results from a 2021 survey

The use of beef sires on dairy females has continued to be a common and growing management practice on dairy farms.  During the summer of 2021, UW-Madison Division of Extension educators surveyed 40 dairy farms known to be using beef sires to breed dairy females to assess their beef x dairy sire selection criteria, selection of dairy females to breed to beef sires, newborn calf management, milk feeding practices, and how they market their beef x dairy cattle.

Cow fertility in the post-genomic era: progress, challenges, and perspectives

Cow fertility in the post-genomic era: progress, challenges, and perspectives

Dairy cattle selection programs aim to improve the profitability and sustainability of the dairy industry, either by targeting traits that increase revenue or traits that reduce expenses. Fertility is one of several major trait categories that includes production, longevity, health, calving ability, conformation, and sustainability.

What kind of dairy cow should you be creating?

What kind of dairy cow should you be creating?

In 2019 Cargill conducted a Feed4Thought survey of consumers from the United States, China, Mexico, and Spain. In this survey, they asked consumers to identify the word that best described what they wanted a farmer to be. The survey showed 30% of respondents wanted farmers to be “sustainable.” The second most-used word to describe what […]

Getting the Dairy Herd You Want Through Improved Genetic Selection

Getting the Dairy Herd You Want Through Improved Genetic Selection

Picking animals for your farm is one of the most important decisions you can make to improve long-term profitability. Whether it is choosing replacements, or deciding who will become parents, without proper consideration the decisions could end up giving you the genetics you did not want.

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