The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) invites producers, industry representatives and genetic enthusiasts to discuss how technology is shaping phenotypic data and genetic evaluations. The CDCB Industry Meeting will be conveniently held during World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wis., on Tuesday, Oct. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Exhibition Hall (Mendota Room 4). Register and review the agenda HERE.
“We’re in a new era of precision dairy, big data and genomics. As these innovations influence the day-to-day management of dairy herds, technology also holds growing potential to capture data and develop quality genetic evaluations,” said João Dürr, Chief Executive Officer of the CDCB. “Adopting innovation has improved the health and productivity of our dairy herd, and that progress can rise to a new level with improved data flow, enhanced genetic information and promise of new genetic traits.”
The meeting will be headlined by three keynote presentations on dairy data.
How sensors and automation are changing dairy data for good
By Steven Sievert, Manager of Quality Certification Services Inc.
Value of cooperative phenotypic databases in the genomics era
By Dr. Albert DeVries, Associate Professor, University of Florida
Producer needs and opportunities for data recording
By Paul Trierweiler, President of the Board of Directors, NorthStar Cooperative Inc.
These future-forward presentations will be followed by discussion on how “big data” for cow performance, health, body measures and activity can flow into a national database and continue serving the common good through public research and independent assessment services. The panel will be moderated by event emcee, Corey Geiger of Hoard’s Dairyman.
Staff from CDCB and USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory will also provide progress updates on research and future developments, with ample time for questions and discussion.
“In the past 10 years, genotyping and genomic evaluations have revolutionized dairy cattle breeding in the U.S. and worldwide, resulting in significant genetic progress,” stated Dürr, “The U.S. has an exceptional reputation – a world leader in dairy cattle genetic improvement with an envious legacy and 100-plus year history of cooperation. That spirit of collaboration and drive for continuous improvement will help tap the limitless potential of big data and genetic progress as we work to breed a healthy, productive and sustainable dairy herd.”
While pre-registration is appreciated, walk-ins are welcome on October 2 with registration and refreshments at 8 a.m. and program start at 8:30 a.m.
The Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB), in Bowie, Md., provides premier dairy genetic information services through industry collaboration centered around a mission to help optimize cow health and productivity in herds worldwide. The CDCB drives continuous improvement and maintains the integrity of the world’s largest animal database, building on a quality foundation with more than eight decades of recorded U.S. dairy animal performance. The CDCB is a collaborative effort between four sectors of the U.S. dairy industry: Dairy Records Providers (DRP), Dairy Records Processing Centers (DRPC), National Association of Animal Breeders (NAAB) and Purebred Dairy Cattle Association (PDCA).