Management
Which Traits Should You Focus On When Choosing Bulls for Beef-On-Dairy?
The use of beef sires on lower-end genetic-merit cows has become a widespread trend in dairy herds around the world. Extensive use of sexed semen has enabled producers to breed...
Heat Stress – It Can’t Be Beat Without Fans!
Avoiding heat stress for cows and the associated decreases in production and fertility is a main management topic in dairy farming, and this by now in almost all climatic zones....
Who Are the UK’s Top Star Brood Cows?
In this investigative article HI explores the UK’s Star Brood system and discovers more about its leaders, as well as some select position holders.
Slick Gene - The Genetic Answer to Reduce Heat Stress
That heat and humidity cause stress for cows and reduce production is nothing new. But it is a phenomenon whose economic impact even in moderate climates is being ever-better explained...
Fertility: How is it Evaluated in Different Countries?
Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, the global popularity of the Holstein cow continued to climb in line with her improved performance. Heavy selection emphasis on production resulted in impressive...
Trend or Purpose Driven? The Good Reasons for a Longer Calving Interval
HI traditionally keeps a close eye on breeding developments and reports on new trends which can be reasonably expected to make a positive contribution to the breed. A trend that...
Blondin Sires: Bringing Reliable, Solid Genetics to the Genomic World
The success of the Ferme Blondin herd in Quebec, Canada is world-famous. Many great type and index cows have passed through its barn including Blondin Redman Seisme, RockyMountain Talent Licorice,...
Shocking Drop for DNA Bestseller Ranger: An Analysis
Notable. During the Dutch December release, Double W Ranger plummeted to 288 gNVI (-117). With 110,000 first inseminations during the past two years, he was the most used sire in...
Genomics & Genetic Selection: Key Areas in Cattle Breeding, and Corn Breeding too!
We all know that cattle breeding and genetic selection can be complex, but have you ever considered the process outside the Holstein arena? Here we discuss the different breeds of...
SOP Lagoon: Mitigating Greenhouse Gas... and it Gets Rid of the Smell Too
In modern farming, environmental regulations controlling farming practices are becoming more and more restrictive in many regions of the world. Climate change and the contribution of agriculture to global warming...
Heat Tolerance: A Trait That Should be in our Genetic Evaluations
In 2017 Australia became the first country to publish genetic evaluations for Heat Tolerance. At first glance it would seem that a trait such as Heat Tolerance would really only...
A closer look at milk components When Balance is Bad
Picture a glass of JERSEY milk… rich & creamy! Picture a glass of GUERNSEY milk… golden & flavorful! Now, picture a glass of HOLSTEIN milk… nothing coming to mind yet?!...