Improvement of dairy herd genetics can affect herd health, longevity, reproductive traits, and many other vital aspects of dairy cattle production. It can also lead to increased milk production, milk quality, and overall animal performance. Efficient sire selection is the primary avenue for an immediate impact on genetics in a dairy cattle operation.
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This article is part of our series of original articles on emerging featured topics. Please check here to see other articles in this series.
Commercially affordable sexed semen (since 2006) and genomic testing (since 2009) have added to the options that dairy farmers should consider when looking to increase profitability. These technologies, combined with good overall management, and older technologies such as embryo transfer or beef semen, lead to an expanded number of choices regarding genetic selection, breeding and …
This article is part of our series of original articles on emerging featured topics. Please check here to see other articles in this series.
Genetics is a branch of biology focused on heredity and variation of organisms. In simpler terms, genetics focuses on the characteristics or traits that are passed from parents to children, from one generation to another.
Genomics is a scientific discipline focused on genetic mapping, DNA sequencing, and …
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G.E. Seidel, Jr.
Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology Laboratory
Colorado State University
Genomic selection using SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) is a powerful new tool for genetic selection. Current SNP profiles for individual animals are generated using a small plastic chip that is diagnostic for up to 50,000 SNPs spaced throughout the bovine genome. Phenotypes, usually averaged over offspring of bulls, are matched with SNP profiles of bulls mathematically so that animals can be ranked for siring desirable phenotypes …
The periparturient period is especially important for the health of dairy cows. Among health problems occurring during this period is an accumulation of excessive interstitial fluid in extravascular spaces of the udder and adjacent tissues of some animals. Occurrence of udder edema varies greatly in different herds, with incidences ranging from 18 to 96% of all cows observed at calving (Al-Ani and Vestweber, 1986). Although the swelling usually diminishes after parturition without special care, management problems and permanent damage …
Currently, many nutritionists consider only …
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Major changes in genetic evaluations of dairy cows don’t come along every day. Producers …
