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Episode 310 -Faster Cows, Faster Parlors: New Genetic Evaluations for Milking Speed - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

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Manage episode 503741469 series 2890870
Content provided by University of Minnesota Extension. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by University of Minnesota Extension or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this Labor Day episode, Brad highlights the history of the holiday in the U.S. and Canada before diving into a brand-new genetic evaluation for Holstein dairy cattle: milking speed. Released in August 2025, this trait provides an objective way to measure how quickly cows milk—expressed in pounds of milk per minute—with the Holstein breed average set at 7 lbs/min.

Brad explains how this evaluation was developed using parlor sensor data (not robot milking systems) from over 165 herds and 43,000 cows, making it more accurate than traditional subjective scoring methods used in other breeds. With heritability at 42%, milking speed is a promising selection tool for improving parlor efficiency and labor use.

The episode also covers:

  • How milking speed correlates with traits like somatic cell score and mastitis.
  • The range of variation in bulls and what that means for selection decisions.
  • Why milking speed isn’t yet included in the lifetime merit index.
  • Practical implications for farmers considering faster vs. slower milking cows.

Brad wraps up by reflecting on how this new tool could impact herd management at the Morris research herd and encourages producers to watch for milking speed in future bull proofs.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

  continue reading

316 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 503741469 series 2890870
Content provided by University of Minnesota Extension. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by University of Minnesota Extension or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

In this Labor Day episode, Brad highlights the history of the holiday in the U.S. and Canada before diving into a brand-new genetic evaluation for Holstein dairy cattle: milking speed. Released in August 2025, this trait provides an objective way to measure how quickly cows milk—expressed in pounds of milk per minute—with the Holstein breed average set at 7 lbs/min.

Brad explains how this evaluation was developed using parlor sensor data (not robot milking systems) from over 165 herds and 43,000 cows, making it more accurate than traditional subjective scoring methods used in other breeds. With heritability at 42%, milking speed is a promising selection tool for improving parlor efficiency and labor use.

The episode also covers:

  • How milking speed correlates with traits like somatic cell score and mastitis.
  • The range of variation in bulls and what that means for selection decisions.
  • Why milking speed isn’t yet included in the lifetime merit index.
  • Practical implications for farmers considering faster vs. slower milking cows.

Brad wraps up by reflecting on how this new tool could impact herd management at the Morris research herd and encourages producers to watch for milking speed in future bull proofs.

Questions, comments, scathing rebuttals? -> [email protected] or call 612-624-3610 and leave us a message!

Linkedin -> The Moos Room
Twitter -> @UMNmoosroom and @UMNFarmSafety
Facebook -> @UMNDairy
YouTube -> UMN Beef and Dairy and UMN Farm Safety and Health
Instagram -> @UMNWCROCDairy
Extension Website
AgriAmerica Podcast Directory

  continue reading

316 episodes

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