The reasons dairy producers invest in genomic testing are as unique as the print patterns in a herd of Holsteins.
Hear four dairy producers from across the United States discuss different reasons behind their decisions to introduce genomic testing on their operations in a webinar, “Genomic Testing in Action: How Dairies Use Data to Improve Herd Productivity and Profitability”, held Nov. 30, 2016. The four panelists also share the progress made with CLARIFIDE® and CLARIFIDE Plus, new offerings that provide direct indication of the genetic risk for six of the most common and costly animal health diseases: mastitis, lameness, metritis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum and ketosis.
Participating panelists were:
- Brian Houin — Homestead Dairy in Plymouth, Indiana
- Paul Van Warmerdam — PH Ranch in Winton, California
- Brian Fiscalini — Fiscalini Farms in Modesto, California
- Simon Vander Woude — Vander Woude Farms in Merced, California
Their reasons for investing are unique, but all producers share one thing in common — positive results. This includes the ability to make earlier culling decisions to right-size their heifer inventory or improvements to production, reproduction or herd health progress. Some shared that they have a new stream of income for the farm as a result. For Fiscalini Farms, examples of progress made with the help of genomic testing include earlier culling of lower-ranking heifers and a higher, more productive proportion of third-lactation or higher cows, which are contributing to $300,000 in feed savings and improved production, respectively.
Watch the webinar to learn more about how you can unlock your herd’s genetic potential and increase your dairy’s profitability, just like these producers.
