Put genomic tests to work for you

The gains you can make in your herd's  genetic merit more than pay for the cost of genomic testing, especially in the absence of pedigree information, Tom Lawlor, director of research and development for Holstein Association, USA told audiences at World Dairy Expo last month.

“The key profit of a genomic test is an earlier and more accurate measure of genetic merit,” he says. Knowing where an animal ranks in your herd and within the breed allows you to make important management decisions on how much money to invest in an animal, their future profitability in your herd and which animals you should consider culling or changing breeding criteria, like using beef sires on lower genetic merit heifers.

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