The Dairy Podcast Show - #16 - Improving the efficiency of a dairy herd through genetics

Genetics can be a powerful tool for improving the efficiency of dairy herds, so it is vital that we keep up with the latest advances in genetic trait selection. With that in mind, there are two questions that are key. Firstly, what exactly are the right traits that improve efficiency? And secondly, what has been done so far, and what are the next steps in our selection programs? In this episode, Dr. Kent Weigel discusses what traits we can use to improve efficiency, how we can measure them, and how we are currently dealing with the evaluation of more complex traits – like resilience. Additionally, we talk about the future of our dairy students. How are researchers dealing with the fact that there are less kids who are interested in animal science? How do we keep our dairy scientists engaged in dairy fields?

What you'll learn:

1. The importance of health traits

2. Genomic impacts on trait selection

3. How do we measure feed efficiency traits?

4. Using technologies to measure feed efficiency on commercial farms

5. The next steps in the selection of feed efficiency traits

6. Perspectives on new dairy scientists and students

7. How do we engage our dairy scientists and students?

Meet the guest

Dr. Kent Weigel

Experience

      ○ Current: Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences at UW-Madison