Modern Bovine Breeding is Match.com Meets Mendel
Behind closed barn doors, dairy farmers are breeding for the crème de la crème of cows, using millennia-old techniques and modern technology to customize their calves.
Depending on the needs of their business, some farmers may breed for volume of milk, while others select for specific milk components like fats or protein. Some want beautiful cows to show at events from county fairs to the annual World Dairy Expo in Madison. Longevity, fertility and ease of calving are also in play.
Many larger farms outsource their breeding operations to genetic companies. But for smaller farms like Wildweed Holsteins and Jerseys in Columbia County, selecting a sire may be as straightforward as online shopping.
Wildweed farmer Mara Budde can choose a sire based on the traits she wants in the offspring, then order a “straw” of semen for anywhere from $15-$500, depending on the factors like the legacy lineage of the bull.
Outsourcing breeding is expensive, Budde says, but the quicker, surer results may be worth it. “The way we breed, we won’t see results until the calf that is born has her own calf,” says Budde. “That’s about two years down the line. Then, you’re taking a gamble on breeding her with the next best sire that will work in your program. These companies can really cut that time in half.”
A major breakthrough in the field came in 2009, when the bovine genome was sequenced. Since then, the use of genetic breeding technology has skyrocketed. Businesses like Shawano’s GENEX offer strategic breeding (think science-based matchmaking) and genetic evaluation to help dairy farmers select their preferred traits for their herd.
“When I’m out doing checkups, I’m thinking, what do I want to breed her with next, or what can I do to improve this trait?” says Budde. “Now, since everything’s digital, you can just pull up a catalog on your phone and find a bull who could be the one.”
Breeds of Dairy Cows
Holstein
Wisconsin’s iconic black-and-white cow is the industry’s most prolific milk producer. Since the World Dairy Expo began in Madison 57 years ago, 39 Holstein cows have earned the title of Supreme Champion.
Brown Swiss
This beautiful breed leads the charge for cheese production thanks to their milk’s high fat-to-protein ratio. Their lineage is ancient, perhaps back to the Bronze and
Iron ages.
Jersey
These brown and black cows have “personalities as big as their eyes,” according to Wisconsin farmer Mara Budde. Smart and kind-tempered, the breed is so beloved that Borden made Elsie the Jersey their mascot.
Ayrshire
Ayrshires are found all over the world, but their red and brown coloring best represent their country of origin – Scotland. If they aren’t de-horned at birth for dairy production, a polished Ayrshire horn is quite a sight at a show or competition.
Milking Shorthorn
Milking shorthorns are known for their versatility – they’re ideal for crossbreeding, calve easily, produce an impressive volume of milk and due to their increased muscle mass, fetch good prices when they’re eventually sold for slaughter.
Guernsey
Guernseys’ high levels of beta-carotene are responsible for their famous golden milk, which offers more calcium than any other type. Their offspring are large and easy to care for, making them a great choice for breeding.
