Genomics drives new trait development Dairy producers and genetic enthusiasts eagerly await the next release of dairy genetic evaluations on Tuesday, April 6. These triannual evaluations – on April 6, August 10, and December 7 this year – incorporate genomic data along with updated performance, or phenotypic, data to assess the genetic merit of dairy animals.
Updated values for 50 individual traits and four selection indexes will be published by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) for nearly 70 million individual animals.
Among those 50 traits are these 11 relatively new and economically important traits that have been launched in the past four years.
Cow livability
Genomics opens more doors
Geneticist’s research predicts and improves animal health and performance
This article originally appeared on CAHNR Newsroom. By Kim Colavito Markesich Breno Fragomeni, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science, conducts genetic research to enhance animal production, breeding and health. “My current research is focused on animal genomics to improve selection and breeding decisions,” says Fragomeni. “Our goal is to find the right animals […]
Breno Fragomeni
Breno Fragomeni, assistant professor in the Department of Animal Science, conducts genetic research to enhance animal production, breeding and health.
“My current research is focused on animal genomics to improve selection and breeding decisions,” says Fragomeni. “Our goal is to find the right animals to improve the herd and be able to predict performance while the animals are very young.”
Feed Saved trait can vary 1,600 pounds
Dairy producers are now able to breed for more feed-efficient cows. The trait Feed Saved debuted with the genetic evaluations published on December 1 by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB). This new tool can help reduce dairy’s environmental footprint and enable producers to save on feed costs, the largest expense item on most U.S. dairies.
Cows vary in the ability to convert feed to milk, and the Feed Saved trait documents those differences. It is the first national evaluation in the U.S. to help dairy producers leverage genetic variation to develop a more feed-efficient herd.