WEBVTT 00:00:10.509 --> 00:00:13.369 Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, where we decode 00:00:13.369 --> 00:00:16.489 the battles shaping dairy genetics. Today we're 00:00:16.489 --> 00:00:19.890 diving into Stud Wars, April 2025, The Genetic 00:00:19.890 --> 00:00:23.109 Force Awakens, a galactic showdown where AI companies 00:00:23.109 --> 00:00:26.309 clash for Holstein supremacy. In this episode, 00:00:26.489 --> 00:00:30.269 sexing technologies. 53 .5 % net merit dollars 00:00:30.269 --> 00:00:32.810 takeover. The death star of profit genetics, 00:00:32.950 --> 00:00:36.670 ABS Global's 68 .5 % polled coup. The Vader -like 00:00:36.670 --> 00:00:39.729 grip on horn -free markets. PTAT's rebel alliance 00:00:39.729 --> 00:00:42.210 fighting for diversity in a consolidating galaxy 00:00:42.210 --> 00:00:45.149 strap -in. This isn't just May the 4th, it's 00:00:45.149 --> 00:00:47.759 May the Herd. all right so uh we've got this 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:51.000 report and uh it's like someone snuck us the 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:54.700 uh the holstein genetic playbook for uh you know 00:00:54.700 --> 00:00:58.840 april 2025 it's uh it's called stud wars april 00:00:58.840 --> 00:01:02.119 2025 the genetic force awakens and honestly it's 00:01:02.119 --> 00:01:05.989 a real page turner if you're uh you know If you're 00:01:05.989 --> 00:01:08.150 making breeding decisions these days. Yeah, I 00:01:08.150 --> 00:01:10.510 could see that. This isn't just, you know, looking 00:01:10.510 --> 00:01:14.129 at sire catalogs. This is like watching a live 00:01:14.129 --> 00:01:16.170 battle for market share, you know, between all 00:01:16.170 --> 00:01:18.329 the big AI companies. Right. And there are some 00:01:18.329 --> 00:01:21.189 big changes happening. Who's on top? Who's maybe 00:01:21.189 --> 00:01:23.250 not doing as well? Yeah. And the big question 00:01:23.250 --> 00:01:25.469 for all of us is, what does this mean when you're 00:01:25.469 --> 00:01:28.790 at the tank picking out straws? Yeah, for sure. 00:01:28.829 --> 00:01:31.250 That's the bottom line. Think of this like a... 00:01:31.679 --> 00:01:34.620 Ringside seats to the genetic main event of the 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:38.079 year. So this report, it digs into all the big 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:39.900 numbers, you know, the stuff that matters. We're 00:01:39.900 --> 00:01:42.560 talking TPI. That's the total performance index. 00:01:42.599 --> 00:01:45.400 Still a big deal for a lot of breeders. And then 00:01:45.400 --> 00:01:49.000 there's NM1 net merit dollars because you got 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:50.719 to make money, right? Of course, profit's the 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:53.359 name of the game. Exactly. And then for those 00:01:53.359 --> 00:01:56.400 who like a good looking cow, I've got PTAT, you 00:01:56.400 --> 00:01:59.299 know, type and confirmation. But wait, there's 00:01:59.299 --> 00:02:01.950 more. We're even breaking it down by red and 00:02:01.950 --> 00:02:04.829 white and polled genetics, which are getting 00:02:04.829 --> 00:02:07.329 more and more popular. Right. So our mission 00:02:07.329 --> 00:02:10.930 today is to take apart all these genetic battles, 00:02:11.069 --> 00:02:14.770 you know, metric by metric. Okay. And see what 00:02:14.770 --> 00:02:17.490 the big picture is for all of us, you know. Sounds 00:02:17.490 --> 00:02:19.550 like a plan. And to help us make sense of all 00:02:19.550 --> 00:02:22.409 this data and what it means for the future of 00:02:22.409 --> 00:02:24.750 our herds, we've got a resident expert here. 00:02:25.189 --> 00:02:26.830 Well, I don't know about resident, but I'll do 00:02:26.830 --> 00:02:30.099 my best. Always the humble one. Well, you know, 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:32.939 it's definitely a busy time in the genetics world. 00:02:32.979 --> 00:02:36.719 What we see in this report is a real shakeup 00:02:36.719 --> 00:02:40.460 in market share. Shows you how AI companies are 00:02:40.460 --> 00:02:44.919 changing their game and maybe even how the whole 00:02:44.919 --> 00:02:47.039 industry is shifting its priorities when it comes 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:48.500 to breeding. Okay, so you're saying it's not 00:02:48.500 --> 00:02:50.680 just about the numbers themselves, but like... 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:52.949 But what's behind them, yeah. Gotcha. All right, 00:02:52.969 --> 00:02:55.629 well, let's jump right into the thick of it and 00:02:55.629 --> 00:02:58.889 talk about genomic TPI. Okay. Looks like there's 00:02:58.889 --> 00:03:04.469 a new top dog in town. Sexing Technologies, they've 00:03:04.469 --> 00:03:09.009 made a pretty massive jump going from 20 % of 00:03:09.009 --> 00:03:12.530 the sire share back in June 2024 to a whopping 00:03:12.530 --> 00:03:18.789 39 .5 % now in April 2025. Wow. That's a big 00:03:18.789 --> 00:03:20.930 move, like going from the minors to the World 00:03:20.930 --> 00:03:23.550 Series, you know. Yeah, that's a huge jump. So 00:03:23.550 --> 00:03:25.349 what's the secret here? Is it just a couple of 00:03:25.349 --> 00:03:27.210 superstar bulls or are they doing something different 00:03:27.210 --> 00:03:31.289 in their program? Well, it's pretty unlikely 00:03:31.289 --> 00:03:33.469 that it's just one or two bulls, you know. Right. 00:03:33.569 --> 00:03:35.449 To nearly double their market share in that time 00:03:35.449 --> 00:03:37.169 frame means they've got a really successful strategy 00:03:37.169 --> 00:03:39.650 going on. It probably comes down to how they're 00:03:39.650 --> 00:03:41.509 choosing their sires. Maybe they're focusing 00:03:41.509 --> 00:03:44.030 on specific genetic markers or using some really 00:03:44.030 --> 00:03:46.759 advanced tools to predict. genetic merit. And 00:03:46.759 --> 00:03:48.659 they can also be really good at marketing, you 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:50.460 know, getting the word out to producers who are 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:53.680 really focused on TPI. Yeah, makes sense. Now, 00:03:53.699 --> 00:03:55.800 on the other side of that coin, we've got, you 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:57.680 know, the companies that have been the big names 00:03:57.680 --> 00:04:00.060 for a while, SelectSires and Cemex Alliance. 00:04:00.539 --> 00:04:03.759 And they've both seen their shares drop. SelectSires 00:04:03.759 --> 00:04:08.360 went from 32 % down to 21 .5%. And Cemex went 00:04:08.360 --> 00:04:13.699 from 24 % down to 15%. That's a noticeable dip. 00:04:14.030 --> 00:04:16.850 Yeah, it is. Is this just a case of, you know, 00:04:16.850 --> 00:04:19.649 one company figuring things out better or are 00:04:19.649 --> 00:04:21.569 there bigger trends happening in the industry 00:04:21.569 --> 00:04:24.069 that are causing this shakeup? It's most likely 00:04:24.069 --> 00:04:26.550 a combination of things. You know, more competition 00:04:26.550 --> 00:04:29.290 for sure. Sexing technologies is on the rise 00:04:29.290 --> 00:04:32.149 and there are others too. And maybe select sires 00:04:32.149 --> 00:04:35.189 and semics are, you know, shifting their focus 00:04:35.189 --> 00:04:36.810 a bit. Maybe they're putting more effort into 00:04:36.810 --> 00:04:39.149 other traits or indexes that they think will 00:04:39.149 --> 00:04:41.069 be important down the road. Interesting. Or maybe 00:04:41.069 --> 00:04:43.019 they're concentrating on different. types of 00:04:43.019 --> 00:04:45.100 breeders you know yeah different markets exactly 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:47.459 and let's not forget gnsx they're coming in at 00:04:47.459 --> 00:04:49.620 eight percent definitely shows you how dynamic 00:04:49.620 --> 00:04:52.050 things are becoming All right. So now let's talk 00:04:52.050 --> 00:04:56.790 about the veterans, the proven TPI sires, the 00:04:56.790 --> 00:04:59.209 bulls with daughters out there producing milk. 00:04:59.310 --> 00:05:01.470 Right. So sexing technologies, they're still 00:05:01.470 --> 00:05:06.269 gaining ground here up to 25 .5 % from 20%. But 00:05:06.269 --> 00:05:10.769 select sires is holding pretty steady. And look 00:05:10.769 --> 00:05:13.209 who's made a strong entrance. All to genetics 00:05:13.209 --> 00:05:17.310 with 13 .5%. Okay. What's the story with these 00:05:17.310 --> 00:05:19.709 bulls that have stood the test of time? Well, 00:05:19.730 --> 00:05:21.110 you know, proven sires, they kind of show you 00:05:21.110 --> 00:05:22.910 the long game. You know, it's not just about 00:05:22.910 --> 00:05:25.410 the initial genomic predictions. It's about how 00:05:25.410 --> 00:05:27.750 those predictions actually pan out with real 00:05:27.750 --> 00:05:30.629 daughters in real herds. Right. So all the genetics 00:05:30.629 --> 00:05:32.850 doing so well here tells you that they're not 00:05:32.850 --> 00:05:34.670 just picking bulls with good genes on paper. 00:05:34.930 --> 00:05:36.949 They're picking bulls whose daughters are actually 00:05:36.949 --> 00:05:40.199 delivering the goods. you know, for TPI. Okay. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:41.899 So it's about real world performance. Exactly. 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:43.920 Now it's interesting that the others category 00:05:43.920 --> 00:05:46.959 still has a pretty big chunk of the proven TPI 00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:50.160 market, 30%. Yeah. So if we look at the big picture. 00:05:50.720 --> 00:05:53.959 you know, combine the genomic and proven TPI 00:05:53.959 --> 00:05:57.399 numbers, sexing technologies, they're clearly 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:01.879 the leader going from 21 % to 32 .5%. Yep. Select 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:04.160 sires and simics, they're kind of neck and neck 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.980 for second place. Uh -huh. And autogenetics is 00:06:06.980 --> 00:06:09.439 a solid contender. Definitely. So for someone 00:06:09.439 --> 00:06:11.879 like you or me, you know, trying to decide which 00:06:11.879 --> 00:06:13.879 bulls to use, what's the takeaway message from 00:06:13.879 --> 00:06:16.639 all this TPI back and forth? Well, if your main 00:06:16.639 --> 00:06:19.480 goal is to get the highest TPI you can, especially 00:06:19.480 --> 00:06:22.160 if you're really into genomics, then sexing technology 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:24.800 looks like the way to go right now. But Selexaires 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:26.920 is still strong, especially with proven bulls. 00:06:26.920 --> 00:06:29.680 And AltaGenetics is coming up fast in the total 00:06:29.680 --> 00:06:32.519 TPI rankings. So there are good options out there. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:35.759 So how do we choose? It depends. You know what's 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:38.500 important to you. Do you want the absolute highest 00:06:38.500 --> 00:06:41.579 genomic potential or do you want the reassurance 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:43.720 of daughters that have already proven themselves? 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:46.220 Okay. So risk tolerance comes into play. Exactly. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:48.480 And you know who you trust, which programs you've 00:06:48.480 --> 00:06:50.759 had success with in the past. Makes sense. All 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:52.480 right. Now let's get down to brass tacks and 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:55.420 talk about the moneymaker net merit dollars. 00:06:55.819 --> 00:06:58.740 Right. The bottom line. And folks, this is where 00:06:58.740 --> 00:07:00.579 things get really interesting. Sexy Technologies, 00:07:01.019 --> 00:07:04.410 they've basically pulled off a... a major heist 00:07:04.410 --> 00:07:07.990 in the genomic NMMM arena. They've gone from 00:07:07.990 --> 00:07:12.730 20 % to a mind -blowing 53 .5 % of the genomic 00:07:12.730 --> 00:07:16.870 NM sire share. Wow. That's like winning the lottery 00:07:16.870 --> 00:07:19.329 twice in a row. Yeah, that's an incredible jump. 00:07:19.490 --> 00:07:21.230 So what's the secret formula here? Have they 00:07:21.230 --> 00:07:23.529 found the magic recipe for breeding money -making 00:07:23.529 --> 00:07:25.709 cows? Well, it seems like they've gotten really 00:07:25.709 --> 00:07:27.949 good at pinpointing those sires that are predicted 00:07:27.949 --> 00:07:30.579 to be the most profitable. Okay. And that huge 00:07:30.579 --> 00:07:32.579 increase in market share tells you that they're 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:34.600 doing something right. They must be really focused 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.040 on those traits that are heavily weighted in 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:40.040 the NMM formula. Which are? High milk production, 00:07:40.360 --> 00:07:43.740 good components like fat and protein, and really 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:46.180 important things like health and fertility. So 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:47.879 they're hitting all the key points. Exactly. 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.819 They've found what the market wants and they're 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:52.639 delivering it. Now on the flip side, Cemex, who 00:07:52.639 --> 00:07:54.800 used to be a big name in NMO, has really taken 00:07:54.800 --> 00:07:58.689 a hit down to just 8%. And meanwhile... Genenex 00:07:58.689 --> 00:08:00.949 and ABS Global, they're coming in strong in this 00:08:00.949 --> 00:08:04.449 genomic NM modal game. Okay. So what's this telling 00:08:04.449 --> 00:08:06.670 us about what's important for profitability in 00:08:06.670 --> 00:08:09.529 the industry these days? Well, it could be that 00:08:09.529 --> 00:08:13.230 Cemex has shifted their focus a bit. Okay. Maybe 00:08:13.230 --> 00:08:16.490 they're prioritizing other trades. Sexing Technologies 00:08:16.490 --> 00:08:20.709 is still in the lead at 26 .5%. Okay. But get 00:08:20.709 --> 00:08:23.769 this, ABS Global has made a huge comeback going 00:08:23.769 --> 00:08:28.029 from practically nothing. to 16 .5%. Wow, that's 00:08:28.029 --> 00:08:31.310 impressive. Altogenetics and GeningX are also 00:08:31.310 --> 00:08:33.389 doing well here. Exactly. And it shows you that 00:08:33.389 --> 00:08:35.809 while sexing technologies is good at finding 00:08:35.809 --> 00:08:37.970 bulls with high predicted profitability, ABS 00:08:37.970 --> 00:08:40.409 Global is doing a great job too. And not just 00:08:40.409 --> 00:08:42.110 with genomics, but with proven sires as well. 00:08:42.440 --> 00:08:43.919 So they're covering all the bases. Pretty much. 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:46.799 And Alta Genetics and GenadX are right up there, 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:49.279 too. So there are some solid options for breeders 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.559 who are really focused on the economic side. 00:08:51.700 --> 00:08:54.799 Absolutely. Now, this report, it uses some pretty 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:56.740 colorful language to describe all this economic 00:08:56.740 --> 00:08:59.559 competition. Oh. It talks about an economic theater 00:08:59.559 --> 00:09:02.799 where sexing technologies pulled off a Death 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:06.159 Star -level takeover of the NMDA galaxy, reaching 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:10.220 40 % share. That's a 14 % jump. Okay. And ABS 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:13.779 Global is the rebellion surprise hero, blasting 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:18.600 to 11 .5%. I like it. Alta Genetics and GeneXX 00:09:18.600 --> 00:09:21.440 are in a fragile alliance. A fragile alliance, 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:23.779 huh? That's what it says. Interesting. And even 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.820 the others, they're losing ground. Okay, so it's 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:28.240 getting pretty intense. Yeah, it is. So what 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:30.440 does all this economic consolidation mean for 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:33.230 us? Well... I think it highlights just how fierce 00:09:33.230 --> 00:09:36.190 the competition is for those sires that are predicted 00:09:36.190 --> 00:09:38.590 to be the most profitable. Right. And when a 00:09:38.590 --> 00:09:40.909 few companies control a big chunk of the NM1 00:09:40.909 --> 00:09:43.769 market, it does make you wonder about genetic 00:09:43.769 --> 00:09:46.850 diversity. If everyone's chasing the same traits 00:09:46.850 --> 00:09:50.039 to get that high NM1. it could lead to a narrower 00:09:50.039 --> 00:09:52.580 range of variation in those traits. Okay, so 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:54.700 less diversity. Potentially, yeah. And that's 00:09:54.700 --> 00:09:56.379 why it's more important than ever to look beyond 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:58.820 just the overall NMO number. Okay, so what should 00:09:58.820 --> 00:10:00.919 we be looking at? You got to dig deeper. Look 00:10:00.919 --> 00:10:03.159 at the individual traits that make up that NM 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:05.799 value. See what each company is emphasizing and 00:10:05.799 --> 00:10:07.720 make sure it aligns with your farm's goals. So 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:10.360 it's about being more selective. Exactly. Don't 00:10:10.360 --> 00:10:13.059 just chase the highest number. Find the genetics 00:10:13.059 --> 00:10:14.980 that are the best fit for your operation. All 00:10:14.980 --> 00:10:16.840 right, let's shift gears now and talk about P 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:20.049 -TAP. You know, type traits. Yeah. And it's like 00:10:20.049 --> 00:10:22.929 we've entered a whole different world here. There's 00:10:22.929 --> 00:10:25.789 a lot more diversity in the top players. Interesting. 00:10:25.990 --> 00:10:28.370 CEMEX Alliance, they've actually gotten stronger 00:10:28.370 --> 00:10:31.669 in genomic. PTAT Ascol is a new name to watch. 00:10:31.909 --> 00:10:34.389 Okay. And surprisingly, Sexing Technologies has 00:10:34.389 --> 00:10:37.289 actually lost ground here. And the others, they 00:10:37.289 --> 00:10:40.769 still control almost half the market. Wow. So 00:10:40.769 --> 00:10:43.809 why is PTAT such a different story compared to 00:10:43.809 --> 00:10:47.720 TPI and NMO? Well, you know, PTAT, it's all about 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:50.620 the looks, the confirmation, those visual traits. 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:52.759 Right. And that often appeals to a different 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:54.799 type of breeder. Okay. Some people prioritize 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.940 short -ring success. Some want cows that just 00:10:56.940 --> 00:11:00.279 look really good. And those traits, they don't 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:02.860 always line up with high TPI or NMO. So it's 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:05.259 a different set of priorities. Exactly. And the 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:08.100 fact that smaller companies and new players like 00:11:08.100 --> 00:11:10.620 ASCOL are doing well in genomic PTAT shows you 00:11:10.620 --> 00:11:12.340 that there's a real demand for that specialized 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:15.019 type genetics. So it's a niche market. In a way, 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:17.950 yeah. Now, the proven PTAT results, they're even 00:11:17.950 --> 00:11:20.730 more surprising. Blonde and Sires Inc. has jumped 00:11:20.730 --> 00:11:24.370 into the lead. And once again, sexing technologies 00:11:24.370 --> 00:11:27.690 has taken a hit. And the others are still the 00:11:27.690 --> 00:11:30.509 majority here. So what's going on with proven 00:11:30.509 --> 00:11:33.070 type Sires? Yeah, what's the story there? Well, 00:11:33.129 --> 00:11:35.509 proven PTAT, that's all about what those Sires 00:11:35.509 --> 00:11:38.190 daughters actually look like. Right. The real 00:11:38.190 --> 00:11:40.929 deal. Exactly. So blonde and sires being at the 00:11:40.929 --> 00:11:43.490 top means they're producing daughters that are 00:11:43.490 --> 00:11:46.629 consistently scoring high for type. OK, so they're 00:11:46.629 --> 00:11:49.230 really focused on confirmation. Seems like it. 00:11:49.250 --> 00:11:51.610 And the others still having such a big share 00:11:51.610 --> 00:11:53.710 shows that a lot of breeders who care about type 00:11:53.710 --> 00:11:56.110 are going to those smaller, more specialized 00:11:56.110 --> 00:11:58.029 programs. So they're looking for that specific 00:11:58.029 --> 00:12:01.340 expertise. Exactly. The report. It gets pretty 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:03.279 poetic when describing this P -Tat situation. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:06.580 It calls it a confirmation galaxy's last stand, 00:12:06.759 --> 00:12:09.279 with Blonde and Sires as the Luke Skywalker of 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:11.679 type traits fighting against the Empire's homogenizing 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:13.940 forces. That's pretty good. And it says the others 00:12:13.940 --> 00:12:16.720 dominate with 52%, making P -Tat the hoath of 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:19.659 diversity. Okay, so it's a real battle for diversity 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:22.259 in type traits. Yeah, it's a big contrast to 00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:24.080 what we're seeing with NM Hole. Right, right. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:26.720 So as a breeder, what do you do? Do you have 00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:29.159 to choose between high production and good looks? 00:12:29.740 --> 00:12:32.779 Well, you know, it can feel like a balancing 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:35.340 act sometimes. You have to figure out what's 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:38.960 most important for your operation. Right. If 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:41.379 your main goal is milk production and profit, 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:43.879 then animal is probably going to be your focus. 00:12:44.480 --> 00:12:47.019 But if show ring success or having cows that 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:49.580 just look great is important to you, then PTAT 00:12:49.580 --> 00:12:52.360 is going to matter more. The good news is that 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:54.960 if you're focused on PTAT, there are a lot of 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.179 diverse options out there. So you have more choices. 00:12:57.440 --> 00:13:00.179 Exactly. Okay, let's zoom in on some niche markets 00:13:00.179 --> 00:13:02.840 now. All right. First up, red and white PTAC. 00:13:02.919 --> 00:13:05.740 Okay. CEMEX Alliance, they've really solidified 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:08.240 their position here. Select sires and others 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:10.759 are still around, but CEMEX is the clear leader. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:14.120 So what's behind their dominance in red and white 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:17.000 type? It looks like they've been really dedicated 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:19.340 to breeding high type red and white sires. Okay, 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:21.820 so it's a deliberate strategy. Yeah, and they've 00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:24.539 clearly built a good reputation with breeders 00:13:24.539 --> 00:13:26.600 who are looking for those red cows. With good 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:29.419 confirmation. Makes sense. Now, for another area 00:13:29.419 --> 00:13:33.320 that's seen a big change, polled NMA. Right. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:36.360 ABS Global has basically taken over this sector. 00:13:36.519 --> 00:13:39.620 They've gone from 22 percent to a whopping 68 00:13:39.620 --> 00:13:43.019 .5 percent. Wow. The report says it would make 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:46.350 even the Death Star envious. Uh -huh. Some X, 00:13:46.409 --> 00:13:48.490 who is a player here, has practically disappeared. 00:13:48.889 --> 00:13:51.590 OK, so ABS is the go to for polled and profitable. 00:13:51.809 --> 00:13:53.789 Yeah, it looks like it. So what's the big deal 00:13:53.789 --> 00:13:57.669 about ABS having this near monocle on polled 00:13:57.669 --> 00:14:00.539 genetics that are also high NMLA? Well, it shows 00:14:00.539 --> 00:14:02.220 you how much demand there is for polled genetics 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:04.840 these days. Nobody wants to dehorn calves anymore. 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:06.960 It's a welfare issue and it's just a hassle. 00:14:06.960 --> 00:14:09.220 So polled is the future. It's looking that way. 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:11.500 And ABS has really positioned themselves as the 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:14.039 leader in that area. Okay. They're offering polled 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:16.600 sires that also have the genetics for high production 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.320 and profitability. So they're hitting all the 00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:20.200 right notes. Yeah. They've really tapped into 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:22.340 what the market wants. All right. Let's step 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:24.320 back now and look at the overall sire landscape. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:28.639 When we talk about total genomic sires, sexing 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:31.360 technologies is in the lead, but ABS, Global, 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:35.139 and Cemex are up there too. And the others still 00:14:35.139 --> 00:14:37.720 represent a good chunk of the genomic sires available. 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:40.779 The report says sexing technologies might have 00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:44.470 a strategic vulnerability here, meaning... Their 00:14:44.470 --> 00:14:46.389 dominance in genomic share doesn't necessarily 00:14:46.389 --> 00:14:48.929 mean they have the most individual sires to choose 00:14:48.929 --> 00:14:51.309 from. I see. So what's the potential downside 00:14:51.309 --> 00:14:53.870 there? Having a lot of high -ranking genomic 00:14:53.870 --> 00:14:55.909 sires is great, but having a lot of different 00:14:55.909 --> 00:14:58.009 genomic sires to choose from is also important. 00:14:58.450 --> 00:15:01.649 Okay. So it's about options. Exactly. And while 00:15:01.649 --> 00:15:04.269 sexing technologies might have the top bulls, 00:15:04.649 --> 00:15:07.909 ABS Global and Cemex, they have a wider selection 00:15:07.909 --> 00:15:10.289 overall. So that gives breeders more flexibility. 00:15:10.690 --> 00:15:12.929 Right. You can avoid inbreeding. You can find 00:15:12.929 --> 00:15:14.950 those specific combinations of traits that you're 00:15:14.950 --> 00:15:17.429 looking for. And you can adapt to changes in 00:15:17.429 --> 00:15:20.070 the market. You know, what's important today 00:15:20.070 --> 00:15:22.590 might not be what's important tomorrow. Right. 00:15:22.649 --> 00:15:25.009 So it's about having a deep bench. I like that 00:15:25.009 --> 00:15:27.950 analogy. Now, if we look at proven sires, sexing 00:15:27.950 --> 00:15:30.629 technology is at the top again. Alta Genetics 00:15:30.629 --> 00:15:33.029 and Select Sires are right there with them. And 00:15:33.029 --> 00:15:35.529 the interesting thing here is that the Others 00:15:35.529 --> 00:15:40.210 category makes up a huge 45 .4%. Wow. That's 00:15:40.210 --> 00:15:43.289 a lot of smaller AI companies. It is. The report 00:15:43.289 --> 00:15:48.090 calls ABS Global and GeneX sleeper cells. Sleeper 00:15:48.090 --> 00:15:50.669 cells. Yeah. And it highlights Blondin Sires 00:15:50.669 --> 00:15:54.710 and CRV in their specific niches. Okay. So what 00:15:54.710 --> 00:15:56.899 does all this tell us about? the proven sire 00:15:56.899 --> 00:16:00.059 market yeah are these smaller players still relevant 00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:02.440 in the age of genomics i think they definitely 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:04.519 are you know proven sires they offer that real 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:06.620 world proof right it's not just about predictions 00:16:06.620 --> 00:16:08.200 it's about what those daughters are actually 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:10.379 doing out in the herds and there are a lot of 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:12.120 smaller companies that are doing a great job 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:13.879 with that absolutely and that's why the proven 00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:16.139 sire market is still so diverse okay so what 00:16:16.139 --> 00:16:18.019 about those sleeper cells well it sounds like 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:20.639 abs global and genex they might not have the 00:16:20.639 --> 00:16:23.299 biggest overall share of proven sires but they 00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:25.690 have a lot of bulls with Good daughters. So they're 00:16:25.690 --> 00:16:27.629 ones to watch. I think so. And then you have 00:16:27.629 --> 00:16:30.649 companies like Blonde and Sires focusing on PTAT. 00:16:31.129 --> 00:16:34.490 And CRV, maybe they're strong in specific international 00:16:34.490 --> 00:16:36.509 markets. Okay, so there's a lot happening under 00:16:36.509 --> 00:16:38.690 the surface. Definitely. So when we add it all 00:16:38.690 --> 00:16:41.870 up, Genomic and Proven Sires, Sexing Technologies 00:16:41.870 --> 00:16:45.470 is the overall leader. But ADS Global has made 00:16:45.470 --> 00:16:48.610 a big jump to second place with Cemex and Select 00:16:48.610 --> 00:16:51.870 Sires following. And the others, they still have 00:16:51.870 --> 00:16:54.960 a big piece of pie. Right. So what's the final 00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:57.519 word on the Holstein genetics landscape as of 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:00.980 April 2025? Well, it definitely confirms that 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:03.259 sexing technologies is the big player, especially 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:05.940 when it comes to genomics. Right. And ABS Global, 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:09.420 they've made a big comeback. But the traditional 00:17:09.420 --> 00:17:12.640 powerhouses like Select Sires and Cemex, they're 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.960 still strong contenders. Okay. And the fact that 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:17.680 the others are still so relevant shows you that. 00:17:17.930 --> 00:17:19.630 There's a lot of value in those smaller companies. 00:17:19.849 --> 00:17:22.130 So it's a more complex picture than just a few 00:17:22.130 --> 00:17:24.450 big names dominating. Exactly. There's room for 00:17:24.450 --> 00:17:26.450 everyone. Now, the report wraps up with some 00:17:26.450 --> 00:17:28.730 pretty big statements about the future of breeding. 00:17:28.970 --> 00:17:31.869 Let me quote a bit here. It says, the force of 00:17:31.869 --> 00:17:35.170 progress is stronger than ever. And these changes 00:17:35.170 --> 00:17:38.990 are heralding a new era in dairy breeding. It 00:17:38.990 --> 00:17:40.809 talks about challenges and opportunities for 00:17:40.809 --> 00:17:43.309 everyone, from the Jedi masters of dairy cattle 00:17:43.309 --> 00:17:46.369 breeding to the Padawans of genomic matings. 00:17:47.369 --> 00:17:50.009 I like that. The consolidation at the top might 00:17:50.009 --> 00:17:52.630 seem daunting, but the report says even small 00:17:52.630 --> 00:17:55.150 farms can make a difference. So what's the bottom 00:17:55.150 --> 00:17:57.250 line here for the average dairy farmer trying 00:17:57.250 --> 00:17:59.309 to make breeding decisions? Well, I think the 00:17:59.309 --> 00:18:02.130 key message is that things are changing fast. 00:18:02.269 --> 00:18:04.609 Right. You've got to stay informed. You've got 00:18:04.609 --> 00:18:06.109 to understand what's driving these changes. And 00:18:06.109 --> 00:18:08.190 what is driving these changes? Well, genomics 00:18:08.190 --> 00:18:11.970 is a big part of it. And the focus on certain 00:18:11.970 --> 00:18:15.109 traits, like polled. Okay. But even though the 00:18:15.109 --> 00:18:17.519 big companies are getting bigger, There are still 00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:20.019 a lot of options out there. So it's not all doom 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:21.759 and gloom. Not at all. You just have to be more 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:24.700 proactive. Proactive how? Do your research, set 00:18:24.700 --> 00:18:26.920 clear breeding goals, and look at all the options, 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.980 not just the ones from the big names. So be more 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:31.359 strategic? The report ends with a quote from 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:33.900 Yoda. You know, do or do not, there is no try, 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:36.099 especially when building the perfect herd. Hmm. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:39.779 Wise words. So in this new era of Holstein genetics, 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:43.049 what does... doing actually look like? Well, 00:18:43.130 --> 00:18:45.750 it means taking all this information and using 00:18:45.750 --> 00:18:47.650 it to your advantage. Got to know your herd, 00:18:47.690 --> 00:18:50.369 know its strengths and weaknesses, then set goals 00:18:50.369 --> 00:18:52.269 that make sense for your farm. And don't be afraid 00:18:52.269 --> 00:18:54.089 to try different strategies and explore different 00:18:54.089 --> 00:18:56.670 genetic lines. So be open -minded. Exactly. All 00:18:56.670 --> 00:18:58.529 right, let's do a quick recap of the key takeaways 00:18:58.529 --> 00:19:01.549 from this report. Okay. Sexing Tech's genomic 00:19:01.549 --> 00:19:05.829 NMU dominance, plus 33 .5%, reshapes profit genetics. 00:19:06.410 --> 00:19:10.769 ABS Global's pulled coup plus 46 .5%, creates 00:19:10.769 --> 00:19:13.970 near -monopoly and horn -free sires. Etat remains 00:19:13.970 --> 00:19:17.410 rebellion territory, 51 .7%, others favoring 00:19:17.410 --> 00:19:20.109 specialty studs. Market consolidation crushes 00:19:20.109 --> 00:19:22.529 small players. Others outside the top five shrinks 00:19:22.529 --> 00:19:25.609 from 30 % and 12 .8%. Strategic breeding now 00:19:25.609 --> 00:19:27.789 requires balancing genomic powerhouses versus 00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:30.450 new specialists. So of all those points, which 00:19:30.450 --> 00:19:31.950 one do you think is the most important for our 00:19:31.950 --> 00:19:33.970 listeners to really take to heart? I think the 00:19:33.970 --> 00:19:36.349 one about market consolidation and how the smaller 00:19:36.349 --> 00:19:39.240 players are losing ground. is really crucial. 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:41.799 It doesn't mean there aren't choices out there, 00:19:41.880 --> 00:19:44.119 but it does mean that the big companies are having 00:19:44.119 --> 00:19:46.180 a bigger influence. So you've got to think about 00:19:46.180 --> 00:19:49.119 where you're getting your genetics from and what 00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:51.059 the long -term effects of this consolidation 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:54.200 might be on genetic diversity. So it's something 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:56.039 to keep an eye on. Definitely. And it says that 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:58.460 producers need to navigate this new world where 00:19:58.460 --> 00:20:02.880 genomic prowess battles proven reliability. Okay. 00:20:03.630 --> 00:20:05.769 So what do you think about that battle? Is it 00:20:05.769 --> 00:20:08.130 really one against the other? You know, I don't 00:20:08.130 --> 00:20:11.190 see it as a battle. Okay. I think both genomics 00:20:11.190 --> 00:20:13.369 and proven reliability, they're both important 00:20:13.369 --> 00:20:15.769 tools. So it's about using them together. Exactly. 00:20:15.990 --> 00:20:18.170 Figure out what works best for you and your farm. 00:20:18.269 --> 00:20:21.480 Right. and use both approaches to build the best 00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:23.160 herd you can. All right. Well, that was a deep 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:25.660 dive into the world of Holstein genetics. It 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:28.079 was. Hopefully it's given all of you out there, 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.039 you know, the dairy farmers and industry folks, 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:32.880 a better sense of what's happening and what to 00:20:32.880 --> 00:20:34.819 consider when you're making breeding decisions. 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:37.759 That's the goal. It's a fast moving world and 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:40.279 you got to stay informed. Absolutely. Now we've 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:42.599 covered a lot of ground here today, but I'm sure 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.680 you all have your own thoughts and experiences. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:49.480 So what stood out to you? What are you seeing 00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:52.599 in your own herds? Head over to the Bullvine 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:55.299 and let's keep this conversation going. Sounds 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:58.420 good. As you're navigating this new genetic landscape, 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:01.440 the big question isn't who's winning the stud 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:05.500 wars. It's how can you use these changes to build 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:09.039 a herd that's profitable, productive, and perfect 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:11.420 for your farm? That's the real challenge. Until 00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:13.019 next time, good luck with your breeding decisions 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:16.369 and may the genetic force be with you. All right, 00:21:16.410 --> 00:21:18.109 that's it for today. Thanks for listening. Take 00:21:18.109 --> 00:21:20.150 care, everyone. And that's the state of our genetic 00:21:20.150 --> 00:21:23.569 galaxy. Empires rising, rebels regrouping, and 00:21:23.569 --> 00:21:26.210 dairy commanders facing tough choices. Whether 00:21:26.210 --> 00:21:29.029 you're Team Jedi, Proven Sires, or Sith genomic 00:21:29.029 --> 00:21:32.109 dominance, one thing's clear. The stud wars are 00:21:32.109 --> 00:21:34.849 far from over. For the full battle maps and data, 00:21:35.009 --> 00:21:38.369 visit thebullvine .com. Until next time, may 00:21:38.369 --> 00:21:41.410 your breeding strategies be with the Force. This 00:21:41.410 --> 00:21:43.710 is the Bullvine, signing off from the front lines 00:21:43.710 --> 00:21:45.009 of Dairy Genetics.