By Andi Anderson
The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team will host its next monthly dairy webinar on Thursday, May 29, from noon to 1 p.m., focusing on the impact of inbreeding in Holstein dairy cattle. This free educational event will feature John Cole, chief research and development officer at the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding.
Cole will explore how inbreeding affects the genetic base of Holstein cattle, including the adjustments made for genetic trends and the increased rate of Estimated Future Inbreeding in today’s population. He will also explain why current Predicted Transmitting Ability (PTA) values may differ from base change values more than in previous years.
With extensive experience in dairy cattle breeding, Cole brings valuable insight to the webinar. Before his current role, he served as senior vice president of research and development at PEAK Genetics, the world’s largest cattle genetics producer.
Cole has authored over 150 peer-reviewed research papers and has mentored numerous graduate and postdoctoral students.
The webinar offers practical knowledge for dairy producers, consultants, and industry professionals. Attendees can gain a deeper understanding of how inbreeding affects animal performance, long-term herd health, and genetic progress.
Participation is free, but registration is required at least one hour before the webinar begins. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register online through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
This session promises to deliver timely information that supports informed breeding and herd management decisions in the dairy industry.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle