Dairy Knowledge - Genetics Edition - August 2025 AUGUST PROOFS: ADVANCING GENETICS FROM CALF HEALTH TO PRO$ MILESTONES.
Dairy Knowledge
- Genetics Edition -
August 2025
AUGUST PROOFS: ADVANCING GENETICS FROM CALF HEALTH TO PRO$ MILESTONES
The August 12th, 2025, proof release brought exciting updates to dairy genetics, including the launch of Calf Health evaluations and a celebration of Pro$!
This edition also highlights rising polled genetics, updated Muscle Weakness carrier probabilities, and the upcoming introduction of monthly female evaluations. Explore the latest tools and trends shaping herd improvement. Happy reading!
Calf Health
Dairy farmers can now align superior calf management practices and genetic potential using Calf Health (CH) evaluations combining Diarrhea and Respiratory Problems. Every 5 pt increase in a sire’s RBV for CH equates to 5.4% more healthy daughters without a case of either disease.
Did you know, polled gene carriers in Canadian Holsteins rose from 1.5% to 12.5% in the last decade? With more elite polled sires available, farmers have more opportunities to select for hornless cattle, improving welfare and management practices.
Lactanet updated Carrier Probability calculations after a review of gene test results, changing probable carrier (Code 3) animals designated by the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) from 99% to 40% Carrier Probability for the haplotype for Muscle Weakness (HMW).
The August 2025 evaluation release marked 10 years of Pro$, Canada’s economic selection index designed to help producers maximize lifetime profitability! This anniversary offers a moment to reflect on the impact of Pro$ including a comparison of top and bottom Pro$ sires and the key performance indicators that contribute to daughter lifetime profit curves.
Lactanet will soon be offering monthly genetic evaluations for cows and heifers in milk-recorded herds. These more frequent female evaluations, which are scheduled to start in October 2025, allow for faster access to up-to-date data and greater accuracy to support confident herd decisions! Keep an eye out for more information.
.jpg?1756391833519)
