New Sensor-Based Milking Speed Trait from CDCB Debuts August 2025

Ditch subjective milking scores. New sensor genetics deliver $13K savings while conventional methods become obsolete August 2025.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The dairy industry’s century-old reliance on subjective milking speed scoring is about to become obsolete, thanks to CDCB’s revolutionary sensor-based Milking Speed (MSPD) trait launching August 2025. Built from an unprecedented dataset of 50 million individual milking observations across 300 herds and 31 states, this isn’t another incremental genetic improvement—it’s a complete paradigm shift from guesswork to precision. While traditional MSP traits depend on classifier opinions during type evaluation, MSPD harnesses real-time data from in-line sensors to deliver objective Predicted Transmitting Abilities measured in pounds-per-minute. The implications are staggering: with Holstein averages at 7.1 pounds per minute, even modest genetic gains could dramatically improve parlor throughput and reduce labor costs across millions of milkings annually. However, the 0.37 genetic correlation with Somatic Cell Score reveals why selecting for speed alone could backfire—successful implementation requires integrated breeding strategies that balance efficiency with udder health. For progressive producers ready to abandon subjective assessments and embrace data-driven milking efficiency, the August launch represents a critical competitive advantage. The question isn’t whether you’ll adopt sensor-based milking speed genetics, but whether you’ll be among the first to capitalize on this revolutionary selection tool.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Objective Data Trumps Human Opinion: MSPD’s foundation of 50 million sensor-recorded milkings from 250,000 cows across 11 equipment manufacturers eliminates the subjectivity plaguing traditional speed classifications, delivering 69% average reliability for proven bulls—a massive improvement over subjective scoring systems.
Parlor Efficiency Revolution: With Holstein milking speeds averaging 7.1 pounds per minute, genetic selection for optimized flow rates could reduce milking time per cow by 15-20%, directly translating to increased throughput capacity and reduced labor costs in existing facilities without capital investment.
Balanced Selection Critical for Profitability: The 0.37 genetic correlation between MSPD and Somatic Cell Score demands integration within comprehensive indexes like Net Merit rather than standalone selection—producers focusing solely on speed risk increased mastitis treatment costs that could offset efficiency gains.
Data Flow Determines Success: Implementation success hinges entirely on consistent submission of novel data points (milking duration, equipment manufacturer, session timing) from participating farms to the National Cooperator Database—making early adoption contingent on robust data collection protocols.
Global Competitive Positioning: U.S. entry into Interbull evaluations alongside 14 other countries positions American Holstein genetics for enhanced international competitiveness, potentially opening new export markets for bulls with superior sensor-verified milking efficiency genetics.

The dairy industry stands on the cusp of a significant advancement in genetic selection with the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding’s (CDCB) upcoming release of two groundbreaking traits. Most notably, the new sensor-based Milking Speed (MSPD) trait for Holsteins promises to revolutionize parlor efficiency when it debuts in August 2025. Alongside this innovation, new genetic evaluations for calf health resistance are also in development, both representing critical steps forward in breeding more efficient and resilient dairy herds.

A New Era in Milking Efficiency Measurement

The new Milking Speed (MSPD) trait for Holsteins marks a substantial departure from traditional subjective scoring methods. Unlike the existing Milking Speed (MSP) trait available for Brown Swiss and Milking Shorthorn breeds, which relies on producer-assigned scores during classification, MSPD utilizes objective data collected directly from in-line sensors in milking systems.

“This trait is designed to increase efficiency in parlors and milking facilities across the country,” explains Dr. Asha Miles, Research Geneticist at USDA’s Animal Genomics & Improvement Laboratory (AGIL). “Predicted Transmitting Abilities for MSPD will represent the average pounds of milk per minute a cow or bull’s offspring is estimated to produce.”

The average milking speed for Holsteins is currently 7.1 pounds per minute, providing producers with a clear benchmark against which to evaluate potential breeding stock. By selecting for optimal milking speed—neither too slow nor too fast—dairy farmers can significantly improve parlor throughput, reduce labor costs, and potentially enhance udder health.

From Subjective Scores to Sensor Data: A Scientific Evolution

The development of the MSPD trait followed a comprehensive research approach that began in October 2021, when CDCB established a Milking Speed Task Force chaired by Dr. Miles. The research team outlined four key objectives: assembling diverse data, characterizing milking speed across different systems, examining biological effects, and standardizing the trait definition.

The foundation for MSPD development was an extensive dataset comprising approximately:

300 herds across 31 states
250,000 cows and 320,000 lactations
50 million individual milking observations
Data from 6+ breeds and 11 Original Equipment Manufacturers

This shift from subjective scoring to sensor-based data represents a significant advancement in the science of genetic evaluation. “If quantitative milk flow rates were available, classification data were intentionally discarded,” noted researchers, underscoring the preference for objective measurements over subjective assessments.

Technical Foundation and Genetic Parameters

The proposed MSPD trait is based on a robust dataset of 50,406 lactation records from 1,642 bulls. The data underwent rigorous cleaning to ensure quality, with filters removing erroneous recordings such as milking durations outside reasonable ranges and extreme milk yield values.

Key genetic parameters for Holstein MSPD include:

PTA range: -0.95 to 1.17 pounds per minute
Mean PTA: 0.09 pounds per minute
Standard deviation: 0.31 pounds per minute
Mean reliability: 69.07%

For young Holstein animals, MSPD predictions averaged 47% reliability—a solid starting point for a new trait, though lower than the typical 70% reliability seen in more established traits. This highlights the importance of continued data collection to enhance prediction accuracy.

The Critical Data Flow Challenge

Despite the rigorous scientific methodology and formal approval by the CDCB Genetic Evaluation Methods Committee and Board of Directors, routine data flow from farms remains the primary hurdle for successful implementation.

“With the Board approval of new data flow, CDCB is one step closer to releasing Milking Speed for Holsteins in August,” states a recent CDCB announcement. “As with the release of all new traits, this timeline is still tentative until new data is flowing into the National Cooperator Database and a test run of the trait has passed review.”

For MSPD evaluations to succeed, specific novel data points must be consistently submitted from dairy operations, including:

Observation date and milking session time
Milking frequency and attachment method
Equipment manufacturer information
Milk yield and duration per individual milking
Flags for abnormal milking events

To address this challenge, CDCB has developed a new data format in cooperation with Dairy Records Processing Centers (DRPC) to streamline integration into existing systems.

Balancing Efficiency with Health: Understanding Genetic Correlations

An important finding during MSPD development was its genetic correlation with other traits. Notably, MSPD showed a 0.37 correlation with Somatic Cell Score (SCS) for Holsteins, suggesting that selecting solely for faster milking speed could potentially impact udder health over generations.

This finding underscores the importance of balanced breeding strategies. Rather than selecting for MSPD in isolation, producers should integrate it within comprehensive selection indexes like Net Merit $ indicates a positive contribution to overall profitability while highlighting the need for careful consideration.

Parallel Development: New Calf Health Traits

Alongside MSPD, CDCB is also advancing genetic evaluations for calf health traits, specifically focusing on resistance to diarrhea (DIAR) and respiratory problems (RESP). These traits address a critical need, as 75% of pre-weaned calf mortality is attributed to these two conditions.

Preliminary research shows promising genetic parameters:

DIAR: Heritability of 0.026 based on 207,602 observations
RESP: Heritability of 0.022 based on 681,741 observations

While these heritability estimates appear low, they are deemed sufficient for evaluation purposes. More importantly, researchers found favorable correlations between genetic resistance to these diseases and overall heifer livability—DIAR showed a 0.13 correlation with heifer livability, while RESP showed a stronger 0.35 correlation.

“CDCB is asking producers and the industry to affirm that calf health data is flowing from farms into the National Cooperator Database,” notes a recent announcement. “As new traits move from research to operational implementation, access to contemporary data in the national database is imperative.”

The Power of Producer Participation

Both the MSPD and calf health traits highlight a fundamental truth in dairy genetic improvement: progress depends on producer participation in data collection and submission. The success of these new traits relies on farms across the country regularly submitting high-quality data to the National Cooperator Database.

“Together, dairy producers, the industry at large, and CDCB ensure that accurate data flows into the engine that produces genetic evaluations and fuels valuable resources that create better cows today and into the future,” explains a recent industry publication.

This collaborative effort involves more than 60 organizations spanning the dairy industry, from on-farm data collection and milk testing labs to breed associations and genomic nominators. In 2024, the database reached a significant milestone with the recording of the 100 millionth animal linked to performance data.

Looking Ahead: Timeline and Industry Impact

If all proceeds according to plan, the new MSPD trait for Holsteins will debut in August 2025. The immediate next step is a test run being conducted this month, which will be reviewed by the Dairy Evaluation Review Team and Genetic Evaluation Methods Committee.

The introduction of MSPD is expected to significantly benefit dairy producers through:

Improved parlor management and efficiency
Reduced labor costs through optimized milking times
Enhanced utilization of milking facilities
Greater overall farm profitability

Furthermore, the U.S. will join fourteen other countries participating in Interbull evaluations for milking speed, including Australia, Canada, and various European nations. This global alignment underscores the growing recognition of milking efficiency as a key component of dairy profitability.

The Bottom Line: Data-Driven Breeding for Tomorrow’s Dairy Industry

The upcoming introduction of the sensor-based Milking Speed trait and calf health evaluations represents more than just new selection tools—it signifies a broader shift toward data-driven decision-making in dairy breeding. By harnessing objective measurements from advanced milking systems and comprehensive health records, these traits promise more precise genetic selection for economically important characteristics.

However, the full potential of these innovations hinges on one critical factor: consistent data flow from dairy farms into the national database. As these new traits transition from research to practical implementation, producer participation becomes the determining factor in their success.

For dairy farmers looking to prepare for these new selection tools, now is the time to ensure that milking system data and calf health records are being captured and submitted through appropriate channels. The investment in data collection today will pay dividends in more efficient, healthier herds tomorrow.

Learn More:

Maximize Dairy Efficiency and Animal Health: Harnessing Precision Technology in Milking – Reveals practical strategies for implementing precision milking technology beyond genetics, showing how automation and equipment optimization deliver immediate efficiency gains and improved udder health outcomes.
Modernized LPI: How Canada’s New Genetic Selection Framework Will Transform Dairy Breeding in April 2025 – Demonstrates how international genetic selection frameworks integrate milking efficiency traits, providing strategic context for understanding global competitive pressures and breeding index evolution.

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