Genetic data - Articles - Page 5

Phenotypic data’s critical role in genetic selection

The rise of genomics has given the industry a plethora of information on which to base genetic decision-making. But good, old-fashioned phenotypic selection still plays a significant and important role in genetic progress.

January 20, 2023

Esther Tarpoff

Whether we are looking to purchase a new truck, determine how much hay will be needed for the winter or decide which NFL team is favored to win the Super Bowl, we use information to make those decisions.

Doing your homework to make bull buying easy

Few decisions have as big an impact on your operation as which bull to purchase. Given due attention to detail beforehand, that choice can pay both short- and long-term dividends.

January 17, 2023

Troy Rowan

Purchasing a bull is one of the most consequential decisions a cow-calf operation can make. Bulls play an outsized role in the long-term genetic progress of our herds, especially when females are retained.

Composite sires offer opportunity for seedstock and commercial producers

Composite and hybrid cattle are becoming more common and are increasingly offered at sales. Today, these crossbreds can compete alongside their purebred counterparts thanks to a greater understanding of heterosis and better genomic analysis.

January 9, 2023

Jaclyn De Candio

As the genetics business becomes increasingly competitive, commercial cattlemen and seedstock producers are ramping up their efforts to market the most desired traits as efficiently as possible. Among the ways they have accomplished this is developing composite herd sires.

Multibreed database serves commercial cattle industry

While International Genetic Solutions’ multibreed database is filled with purebred cattle, its primary purpose is to bolster the commercial industry. As the database grows, the result will be faster genetic progress for the commercial cow-calf producer.

December 27, 2022

Ryan Boldt and Jackie Atkins

Simply put, serving something bigger than oneself provides meaning and helps ensure integrity and satisfying work. International Genetic Solutions (IGS), a genetic service provider, doesn’t exist to serve individual breed associations but the commercial beef cattle producer.

Where does selecting to utilize feed fit into your genetic plan?

Traits and indexes can aid in genetic planning, especially when it comes to feed efficiency.

December 26, 2022

Larry Schirm

Saving money on feed costs is never a question to be debated. In 2020, the Council for Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) began offering a genetic indicator designed to aid in creating dairy cows able to utilize the feed they consume more efficiently for the level of milk, fat and protein they produce.

How much have you been investing into your future herd?

Factors involved in creating a profitable genetic breeding strategy.

November 11, 2022

Murilo Carvalho

The daily routine in a dairy farm is something unique to our industry, and so much happens in a day that it is impossible to describe the variety of things that get done, including numerous decisions that are made on the go.

Combien investissez-vous dans votre futur troupeau?

November 1, 2022

Murilo Carvalho

La routine quotidienne d’une ferme laitière est une particularité propre à notre industrie. Il se passe tellement de choses en une journée qu’il serait impossible de décrire tout ce qui est accompli, y compris les nombreuses décisions qu’il faut prendre en un instant.

How does animal welfare tie into your genetic plan?

Fertility, antibiotic use, touchpoints and social sustainability all play into the status of animal welfare on your dairy. Being cautious of each of these topics and understanding their effect on your herd's performance is a crucial management practice.

October 22, 2022

Mandy Schmidt

In modern society’s regulatory climate, the public increasingly influences day-to-day management procedures. Your “Big Brother” managers have hardline opinions. Their operating guidelines come in the form of propositions, government-led regulations and processor demands.

Turn genetic potential into real performance

Including oregano oil in the calf ration can help keep calves healthy without the use of antibiotics. This in turn can help keep calves on track to reach their full potential.

July 5, 2022

Mike Opperman

A newborn calf is a blank slate of opportunity, full of unrealized genetic potential built by generations of meticulous matings to achieve genetic improvement. The right nutrition and immunity support for that calf will play a large role in helping it unlock and realize its genetic potential.