Gains for humans, cows, and the environment: breeding the socially acceptable cow

Dairy cows could be genetically selected to produce “niche” milk to improve human health, including a component that provides some benefits of human breast milk.

Agriculture Victoria principal research scientist Professor Jennie Pryce said there was “great science” behind the opportunity to breed cows to produce human milk oligosaccharides.

Making the most of assisted reproduction

A fixed time insemination program is the most cost-effective way to achieve more artificial pregnancies if the semen isn’t too expensive.

But for those wanting to get the most out of the reproductive technology, following some quality assurance protocols can help limit pregnancy rate losses.

When the heat is on, there’s less pregnancy loss

Establishing the level of estrus activity at joining could help lift fertility and – most importantly – decrease the rate of pregnancy loss.

Texas A&M University Department of Animal Science assistant professor Ky Pohler told the 2020 Genetics Australia online conference that late embryonic or early fetal loss – about day 45 to 60 – was extremely costly for beef and dairy producers.

Beef on dairy rise in US herds as sexed semen conception increases

Up to 4 million less dairy semen straws were sold into the US market last year as producers embrace “beef-on-dairy”, according to a leading technology manufacturer.

This comes as new research showing “basically identical” conception rates between the new sexed semen product and conventional semen was unveiled to the 2020 Genetics Australian online conference audience last night.

Breeding for adaption – the best way to future-proof dairy

“Genomics is the biggest change that can keep our industry relevant,” he said. “It opened the book for us to be able to see inside (an) animal and change that population in a very short time.”

Gene editing and genomics are breeding tools that will help the dairy industry adapt and thrive.

That’s according to World Wide Sires and Select Sires director of global training Joel Mergler.