Abstract #346

# 346
Impact of genomic selection and sexed semen on the economics of longevity.
D. Kendall*1, C. Heuer1, C. Sun1, J. Deeb1, 1ST Genetics, Navasota, TX.

The impact of genomics combined with Advanced Reproductive Techniques including the improved performance of sexed semen has revolutionized the rate of improvement in dairy cattle genetics and milk production in the last 10 years. According to CDCB, the rate of improvement in production traits doubled in the first 5 years of genomic selection compared with the previous 5 years. Further management traits such as PL have doubled the rate of improvement while DPR has increased by 10-fold (0.17 to 1.74) with genomic selection during the same period as PL. Combining genomic selection with IVF embryo production from heifers as young as 6 mo and improved utilization of early cell production from bulls has decreased the generation interval in the elite genetic population from 7 years for sires of bulls and 5.1 years for dams of bulls to approximately 26 mo for both. As Dechow and Rogers note (2018, J. Dairy Sci. 101:4312–4316), the effect of this shortened generation interval and genetic improvement will migrate rapidly to the commercial population. Sex-sorted semen used on the highest genetic merit animals in a herd has been modeled by STG (Kendall, Heuer, Sun, Deeb) to lower the generation interval for commercial cows to 2.5 years. This rate of genetic improvement combined with a shortened generation interval changes the economics of longevity. This presentation will review the combination of genomics, sexed semen and beef on dairy which will contribute to a longer productive life for the commercial dairy cows

Key Words: genomics, longevity, economics

Speaker Bio
David Kendall is Director of Genetic Advancement at ST Genetics.