“Genetics are so important because when you breed for healthier, fertile, longer-lasting cows, that’s going to give you a better ROI for the dairy in the future.”
– Craig Gerrits, Country Aire Farms, Greenleaf, Wis.
Every dairy has traits that matter more than others. At Country Aire Farms, those priorities include health, fertility, longevity, and components. Their breeding program is built around producing cows that stay healthy, breed back efficiently, work well in their rotary parlor, and remain productive for multiple lactations.
That focus has helped build a herd where 34% of cows are in their third lactation or greater, despite ongoing herd growth. Those mature cows are often the most productive and profitable animals in the herd.
Country Aire Farms uses genomic testing and places a strong emphasis on Herd Health Profit Dollars® (HHP$®), an index that rewards traits related to health, fertility, and longevity. The impact can be seen throughout the herd. A comparison of second-lactation cows (Table 1) showed those ranking in the highest HHP$ quartile had lower mastitis incidence, fewer abortions, higher pregnancy rates, and greater energy-corrected milk production than cows in the lowest quartile.
These results reinforce a simple principle. Identify the traits that create value in your operation and make them a priority in every mating decision.
Read the full Country Aire Farms story and watch the video.