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Tag Archives livestock genetics

All genomic testing will still be conducted south of the border through the U.S. Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB).
Dairy, Genetics, Livestock

Canadian genomic option coming for non-herdbook dairy breeders

Testing will still be done in the United States

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Canadian dairy breeders may be able to acquire genomic evaluations within Canada later this year for domestically bred cows not registered in national breed association herdbooks. Why it matters: The change will allow all Canadian-born dairy cattle to receive a genomic evaluation based on Canadian calculations. The proposed change was outlined by Lactanet chief services […] Read more
Owner-sampled dairy cattle herds will see earlier genetic evaluations
Dairy, Genetics

Owner-sampled dairy cattle herds will see earlier genetic evaluations

Lactanet proposes move to monthly official evaluations for Canadian cows in early 2025

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More dairy cows in Canada may have the potential to achieve top-rated status in publicly released genetic rankings, thanks to a change being introduced by the Lactanet organization in early 2025. The change will be of particular benefit to herds in which monthly milk samples are collected unsupervised by the herd owner. Why it matters: […] Read more
Jeff Stanton stands in one of the Stanton family’s dairy barns near Ilderton.
Cow health, Dairy, Genetics

New players find way into dairy genetics markets

Some Canadian farms are now selling bull semen

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New service providers and technology allow some large dairy farmers to sell genetics from their own bulls. Stanton Farms, one of Ontario’s largest dairy farms, now sells its bull semen directly to farmers. The Stanton family has a tradition of marketing cattle to other farmers. It has purchased some of the top-performing cows in the […] Read more
DanBred acquired Alliance Genetics Canada last summer. Shown here are Danbred boars at the company’s facility in Denmark. From back to front: Landrace, Duroc and Yorkshire.
Livestock, News

Danish genetics supplier targets improved feed conversion

DanBred launches Canadian division through AGC takeover

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A tweet from the first Canadian pork producer to have pigs born using Danish genetics led to the collaboration now known as DanBred Canada. At DanBred Canada’s official launch Dec. 21 in Stratford, Gilt-Edged barn manager Charlie Illick said in 2017, the Orangeville-area farm was planning a new sow building and took a trip to […] Read more
VIDEO: Improving immunity in dairy cows
Genetics

VIDEO: Improving immunity in dairy cows

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Nitric oxide levels in cows have a significant impact on their immunity. Researchers have shown that two per cent of cows have serious health impacts due to their nitric oxide levels. Semex is working with the University of Guelph to integrate nitric oxide measurements into its immunity genetic index. In this video, Steven Larmer, Director […] Read more
North Americans have evolved to prefer marbling in their beef cuts, a trend also spreading to other parts of the world.
Livestock

Genetics, feed help build top cows

Nutritional developments in the beef sector have evolved in step with producers’ genetic and mating decisions

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Glacier FarmMedia – Cows and race cars have something in common. Their build and their inputs are part of a winning formula and optimum performance. “Making modifications to your car is like making genetic improvements to your cow. Make sure you are also putting in the right kind of fuel (nutrition),” said Kajal Devani, director […] Read more
The climate efficiency of milk production has dramatically increased over the past 50 years.
News

Editorial: New dairy genetic direction will have multiple benefits

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The speed of genetic improvement in livestock is one of the modern miracles of agriculture. The systems, which involve farmers, farmer-driven groups and researchers, have shown that great leaps in productivity improvement can be created, but the systems can pivot when needs change. I grew up fascinated by making genetic improvement recommendations on my family’s […] Read more
Dairy farmers in Canada will have access to new animal health and feed efficiency traits.
Livestock

Dairy resiliency index to encompass several traits

New traits are expected to be available for farmer use in 2023 or 2024

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A program that has worked to create an elusive feed efficiency genetic index for dairy cattle has new funding to add more traits. The Resilient Dairy Genome Project (RDGP), to be co-led by University of Guelph-based Canada Research Chair in Livestock Genomics Dr. Christine Baes, is funded through Genome Canada, and directly involves researchers in Guelph, […] Read more
(Photo courtesy ARS/USDA)
Livestock, Markets

Georgia to accept Canadian breeding cattle, hogs

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Canada may be able to move up to $2.5 million more in live breeding cattle and live breeding swine to the Black Sea region each year, with new market access to Georgia. The former Soviet country’s government will allow imports of Canadian breeding cattle and hogs effective immediately, Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Trade Minister […] Read more

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