WEBVTT 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:15.060 Breaking free from the chains of the past Where 00:00:15.060 --> 00:00:18.820 truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:21.660 waiting on some printed page We're charting new 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:25.300 ground in the digital age From genomic codes 00:00:25.300 --> 00:00:29.120 to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:32.460 them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight 00:00:32.460 --> 00:01:02.960 we're sparking Welcome to the Bullvine Podcast, 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:06.400 where dairy producers and industry insiders come 00:01:06.400 --> 00:01:09.540 together for real talk about the future of dairying. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:13.400 I'm your host, and today we're diving into the 00:01:13.400 --> 00:01:16.400 numbers and the stories behind the hidden genetic 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:19.239 risks that are shaping herd health, profitability, 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:22.159 and the decisions we make in the barn every day. 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:25.200 If you've ever wondered... why your milk checks 00:01:25.200 --> 00:01:27.420 aren't growing as fast as your herd's genetic 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:30.400 merit, or if you're questioning whether chasing 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:33.319 the highest genomic proofs is really paying off, 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:36.359 you're in the right place. We'll break down the 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:39.060 latest research, share practical insights from 00:01:39.060 --> 00:01:41.780 producers across North America, and give you 00:01:41.780 --> 00:01:44.519 the tools you need to make smarter breeding decisions, 00:01:44.900 --> 00:01:48.180 without the jargon. So grab a cup of coffee, 00:01:48.299 --> 00:01:51.480 settle in, and let's get started with this week's 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:54.359 episode of The Bullvine. Welcome back to The 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:56.700 Deep Dive, the show where we unearth the most 00:01:56.700 --> 00:01:59.739 critical insights for dairy producers. If you're 00:01:59.739 --> 00:02:02.019 constantly chasing efficiency, battling rising 00:02:02.019 --> 00:02:04.280 costs, and trying to get every ounce of profit 00:02:04.280 --> 00:02:06.840 from your herd, then today's Deep Dive is definitely 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:10.259 for you. It absolutely is. Today, we're tackling 00:02:10.259 --> 00:02:12.259 a really interesting feature article from The 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:15.800 Bullvine that, honestly, it shook me a bit when 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:18.120 I first read it. We're going to uncover a silent, 00:02:18.240 --> 00:02:21.870 multi -billion dollar problem that might... be 00:02:21.870 --> 00:02:24.650 quietly eroding your profits, even if you think 00:02:24.650 --> 00:02:27.069 you're using the most advanced genetics available. 00:02:27.330 --> 00:02:30.270 Yeah, we are diving into a piece titled Inbreeding's 00:02:30.270 --> 00:02:33.610 Hidden Costs Protecting Dairy Herd Profits. Our 00:02:33.610 --> 00:02:35.930 mission today is to reveal some truly surprising 00:02:35.930 --> 00:02:38.990 facts about how current breeding practices, even 00:02:38.990 --> 00:02:41.569 with the best intentions, the best tools, might 00:02:41.569 --> 00:02:44.129 be impacting herd health and, well, your bottom 00:02:44.129 --> 00:02:46.150 line. It's really about what your bull proofs 00:02:46.150 --> 00:02:47.909 aren't telling you and why that matters for every 00:02:47.909 --> 00:02:50.770 single cow in your barn. And that hidden information, 00:02:51.009 --> 00:02:53.289 I mean, once you see it, it is game -changing. 00:02:53.389 --> 00:02:56.169 We're talking real money, real herd performance, 00:02:56.389 --> 00:02:59.389 and really making absolutely sure that our genetic 00:02:59.389 --> 00:03:02.810 progress isn't coming at an unforeseen and, frankly, 00:03:02.990 --> 00:03:05.030 an unacceptable cost. Okay, let's unpack this. 00:03:05.229 --> 00:03:07.250 Have you ever had that nagging feeling like... 00:03:07.719 --> 00:03:09.599 You're running faster just to stay in the same 00:03:09.599 --> 00:03:12.039 place. You're pouring over bull proofs, chasing 00:03:12.039 --> 00:03:14.919 those top genetic numbers. Maybe on paper your 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:17.599 herds never looked better, yet conception rates 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:20.139 might be slumping, health issues seem to creep 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:22.539 up, and something just doesn't quite add up to 00:03:22.539 --> 00:03:24.400 that promised genetic leap. Yeah, that feeling. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:26.819 It's not just in your head. I've heard echoed 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:29.439 by producers from California dry lots all the 00:03:29.439 --> 00:03:31.939 way to Wisconsin tie stalls. It's not isolated. 00:03:31.979 --> 00:03:35.039 It's a quiet trend, but it's pervasive. The article 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.879 calls it a multi -billion dollar genetic reckoning. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:40.360 It suggests there are costs here that go way 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:43.219 beyond just milk price or feed costs, even though, 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:45.280 yeah, those certainly keep us up at night. Okay, 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:47.080 here's where it gets really interesting and honestly 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:49.500 a bit shocking. Let me hit you with a number 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:52.780 that genuinely stopped me in my tracks. A 2020 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.680 study from Penn State. It showed that between 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:59.439 2011 and 2019, the U .S. Holstein industry lost 00:03:59.439 --> 00:04:03.360 somewhere between $2 .5 and $6 billion. Wow. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:07.080 Think about that. Billions. Not from market crashes, 00:04:07.099 --> 00:04:09.240 not feed crises, but from something much more 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:13.000 insidious. Rising inbreeding. Quietly eroding 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:16.540 profits right under our noses. Just as genomic 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:19.000 selection was really hitting its stride. That's 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:21.060 an astonishing figure. Almost unbelievable when 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:22.740 you first hear it. And to really put it into 00:04:22.740 --> 00:04:24.279 perspective for your operation, the American 00:04:24.279 --> 00:04:26.560 Holstein Breeders Association quantifies it even 00:04:26.560 --> 00:04:28.899 more precisely. They say every 1 % increase in 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:32.500 inbreeding costs you about... $23 per cow annually 00:04:32.500 --> 00:04:35.759 per lactation. $23. Imagine that for a moment. 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:38.680 You're milking, say, 1 ,000 cows. That's $23 00:04:38.680 --> 00:04:41.639 ,000 a year lost for every single percentage 00:04:41.639 --> 00:04:43.740 point of inbreeding your herd picks up over five 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:46.639 years. That's a staggering $115 ,000, enough 00:04:46.639 --> 00:04:49.360 to replace, what, 40 solid cows? That's a direct 00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:51.259 hit to your bottom line, and a lot of folks aren't 00:04:51.259 --> 00:04:53.379 even aware it's happening. It really is a paradox, 00:04:53.540 --> 00:04:55.360 isn't it? Because genomic selection, I mean, 00:04:55.399 --> 00:04:58.060 it's been a game changer. Right. It's slash generation 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:01.139 intervals, you know, from maybe 5 .5 years down 00:05:01.139 --> 00:05:04.069 to less than two. And research from the Council 00:05:04.069 --> 00:05:07.389 on Dairy Cattle Breeding, CDCB, shows genetic 00:05:07.389 --> 00:05:09.610 gain jumped anywhere from 12 percent to over 00:05:09.610 --> 00:05:12.129 100 percent compared to the old progeny testing 00:05:12.129 --> 00:05:15.649 days. It feels like rocket fuel for genetic progress. 00:05:15.870 --> 00:05:18.629 So how can something so beneficial simultaneously 00:05:18.629 --> 00:05:22.269 create such a huge problem? That is the million 00:05:22.269 --> 00:05:24.149 dollar question or maybe the six billion dollar 00:05:24.149 --> 00:05:26.009 question, right? Yeah. Because that same rocket 00:05:26.009 --> 00:05:29.029 fuel. Well, it's speeding up progress. Has inadvertently 00:05:29.029 --> 00:05:31.569 driven down the effective population size of 00:05:31.569 --> 00:05:33.870 U .S. Holstein bulls. It's down to a historic 00:05:33.870 --> 00:05:37.990 low. Just 43 to 66 animals. Yeah. Think about 00:05:37.990 --> 00:05:40.170 that number. The genetic diversity of the world's 00:05:40.170 --> 00:05:42.389 most dominant dairy breed is now resting on fewer 00:05:42.389 --> 00:05:44.769 animals than most high school graduating classes. 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:47.290 We're concentrating our genetic base like never 00:05:47.290 --> 00:05:50.470 before. And that creates a systemic vulnerability. 00:05:50.889 --> 00:05:54.430 A big one. Okay, we've seen the staggering cost, 00:05:54.670 --> 00:05:58.689 but how exactly is this inbreeding working its 00:05:58.689 --> 00:06:02.250 silent magic? It's not just one simple number, 00:06:02.370 --> 00:06:05.189 is it? Understanding the nuance here is absolutely 00:06:05.189 --> 00:06:07.110 critical if you want to fight back. We've traditionally 00:06:07.110 --> 00:06:09.550 looked at pedigree -based inbreeding. That's 00:06:09.550 --> 00:06:11.769 like, you know, cattle genealogy. Right, pedigree 00:06:11.769 --> 00:06:14.149 -based inbreeding. It calculates the odds an 00:06:14.149 --> 00:06:16.670 animal inherited identical genes from a common 00:06:16.670 --> 00:06:19.709 ancestor way back when. But here's the critical 00:06:19.709 --> 00:06:22.689 part the article highlights. It often underestimates 00:06:22.689 --> 00:06:25.490 what's truly happening genetically. Genomic inbreeding, 00:06:25.569 --> 00:06:27.269 on the other hand, uses what scientists call 00:06:27.269 --> 00:06:30.990 runs of homozygosity or ROH. Picture it like 00:06:30.990 --> 00:06:34.230 scanning the cow's entire DNA blueprint and highlighting 00:06:34.230 --> 00:06:36.170 these long stretches where the genetic code from 00:06:36.170 --> 00:06:38.230 both parents is identical. It gives us a much 00:06:38.230 --> 00:06:40.970 more precise real -time picture. A real -time 00:06:40.970 --> 00:06:43.550 picture of the animal's actual genetic makeup, 00:06:43.629 --> 00:06:45.389 not just the probability based on ancestors. 00:06:45.930 --> 00:06:48.110 Exactly. And what's really fascinating is that 00:06:48.110 --> 00:06:51.189 genomic inbreeding can distinguish between old 00:06:51.189 --> 00:06:53.569 inbreeding, you know, stuff from way back in 00:06:53.569 --> 00:06:56.329 the pedigree, and recent inbreeding, which comes 00:06:56.329 --> 00:06:59.269 from repeatedly using those popular high -ranking 00:06:59.269 --> 00:07:01.389 sires we just talked about. This distinction 00:07:01.389 --> 00:07:04.209 is vital. Why is that distinction so important 00:07:04.209 --> 00:07:07.970 between old and new? Well, a 2023 study from 00:07:07.970 --> 00:07:10.170 the University of Gulf showed that this recent 00:07:10.170 --> 00:07:12.870 inbreeding, the kind accumulating under genomic 00:07:12.870 --> 00:07:15.730 selection, has a sharper, more detrimental impact. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:19.000 It hits both production and fitness traits harder 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:21.180 than the older sort of traditional inbreeding 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:23.439 our breeds have carried for generations. Okay. 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:25.079 So when you're looking at your numbers, you really 00:07:25.079 --> 00:07:27.199 want to use genomic measures if you can get them. 00:07:27.319 --> 00:07:29.660 Absolutely. Because they give you the truest 00:07:29.660 --> 00:07:31.620 picture of what's happening in your herd right 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:34.800 now. Which naturally leads to the next question. 00:07:34.959 --> 00:07:37.079 Where do you actually find these critical numbers 00:07:37.079 --> 00:07:40.579 for your herd? Good question. For U .S. herds, 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:43.800 the CDCB website Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding. 00:07:44.110 --> 00:07:46.790 That's your primary resource. They publish current 00:07:46.790 --> 00:07:49.970 Holstein inbreeding reports offering both pedigree 00:07:49.970 --> 00:07:53.230 and genomic levels for AI sires. And it's a free 00:07:53.230 --> 00:07:56.089 resource. You just need to look. Okay, CDCB for 00:07:56.089 --> 00:07:58.589 the U .S. What about Canada? For Canadian producers, 00:07:58.930 --> 00:08:01.370 the info is actually integrated right into their 00:08:01.370 --> 00:08:04.379 genetic evaluation system through Lactanit. So 00:08:04.379 --> 00:08:06.379 potentially easier to access there. That's good. 00:08:06.540 --> 00:08:08.279 But here's an interesting point the article makes. 00:08:09.079 --> 00:08:12.620 Most breed associations don't routinely put these 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:15.480 inbreeding levels front and center in their regular 00:08:15.480 --> 00:08:17.720 communications. You often have to dig for it, 00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:20.480 which the article argues really needs to change 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:22.620 if we're going to tackle this head on as an industry. 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:24.759 Yeah, it needs to be more visible. So when you 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:26.939 do dig, what do you find? Are there big differences? 00:08:27.629 --> 00:08:29.170 You find some really interesting comparisons. 00:08:29.470 --> 00:08:31.910 Top genomic sires, those young bulls everyone's 00:08:31.910 --> 00:08:34.830 chasing, they're averaging around 4 -6 % inbreeding. 00:08:34.909 --> 00:08:37.110 Okay. Proven sires, the ones with daughter data, 00:08:37.289 --> 00:08:40.549 typically run maybe 3 -5%. Slightly lower. Slightly 00:08:40.549 --> 00:08:42.769 lower. Now, it's really important to clarify, 00:08:43.009 --> 00:08:45.889 these are the bulls' own inbreeding levels. The 00:08:45.889 --> 00:08:48.509 average Holstein cow walking around today is 00:08:48.509 --> 00:08:51.870 already at about 11 % genomic inbreeding. 11%. 00:08:51.870 --> 00:08:54.590 Wow. So AI companies are actually managing this 00:08:54.590 --> 00:08:57.350 to some extent. They're selecting elite bulls 00:08:57.350 --> 00:09:00.750 that are often less inbred than the general female 00:09:00.750 --> 00:09:03.269 population they'll be bred to. So why are the 00:09:03.269 --> 00:09:05.950 genomic bulls still slightly higher in inbreeding 00:09:05.950 --> 00:09:08.220 then, if they're managing it? It really comes 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:10.360 back to that selection intensity. When you can 00:09:10.360 --> 00:09:13.440 identify the quote -unquote best animals at six 00:09:13.440 --> 00:09:15.539 months old instead of waiting five years for 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:17.820 progeny tests, well, the temptation, the economic 00:09:17.820 --> 00:09:20.720 pressure, is to concentrate selection on a smaller, 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:24.100 very elite group. Right. Get that gain faster. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:27.100 Exactly. The math for immediate genetic gain 00:09:27.100 --> 00:09:29.360 looks great until it creates these longer -term 00:09:29.360 --> 00:09:31.639 diversity issues. The bottleneck gets tighter. 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:34.139 This trend also highlights some really interesting 00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:36.279 breed differences, doesn't it? Holsteins versus 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:39.240 jerseys, for example. It really does. Holsteins, 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:41.639 like I said, average around 11 % genomic inbreeding 00:09:41.639 --> 00:09:44.500 globally. Jerseys typically run closer to 9%. 00:09:44.500 --> 00:09:48.059 Okay, 11 % and 9%. Doesn't sound like a massive 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:50.100 difference, but you're saying it has real implications. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:53.139 It absolutely does. That seemingly small 2 % 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:55.519 difference means Holsteins bear the brunt of 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:58.440 that $23 per cow hit much more significantly. 00:09:59.539 --> 00:10:01.700 Jerseys... partly because of their more regional 00:10:01.700 --> 00:10:04.320 breeding patterns historically, and maybe less 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:06.539 reliance on just a handful of global superstar 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:09.379 sires experience less inbreeding depression. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:12.399 Interesting. So smaller economic losses for them 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:14.419 just from that factor. Exactly. Holstein genetics 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:17.399 flow globally, very interconnected. Jersey breeding, 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:19.399 while it's international, is often a bit more 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:22.179 regionalized, which seems to foster more diverse 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:24.759 sire usage, naturally buffering things a bit. 00:10:24.919 --> 00:10:26.279 Okay, let's bring this down to something really 00:10:26.279 --> 00:10:28.120 practical, something you can picture on your 00:10:28.120 --> 00:10:30.539 own farm. The article shares this compelling 00:10:30.539 --> 00:10:35.759 tale of two neighbors, two 80 -cow Holstein herds, 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:38.620 both using genomic selection but with vastly 00:10:38.620 --> 00:10:40.740 different philosophies. Yeah, it's a great illustration. 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:43.779 So you've got Farm A. They are laser -focused 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:46.679 on maximizing milk volume, just sheer pounds 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.720 in the tank. They've chased the highest -ranking 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:51.700 genomic bulls for milk yield, and their cows 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:54.399 average a really remarkable 100 pounds per day. 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:56.759 Sounds incredible, right? 100 pounds a day average? 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:59.500 Yeah, that sounds great on paper. Look at their 00:10:59.500 --> 00:11:02.860 components. Their herd averages 4 .1 % butterfat 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:05.860 and 3 .0 % protein. You do the math, that works 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:08.559 out to about 7 .2 pounds of combined solids per 00:11:08.559 --> 00:11:11.419 cow per day. Okay, 7 .2 pounds of solids. Now, 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:14.080 Farm B. Farm B takes a different approach. Their 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:16.600 main goal is maximizing component yield and herd 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:19.159 health, not just sheer volume. They strategically 00:11:19.159 --> 00:11:21.720 select bowls based on fat and protein percentages. 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:24.320 Their cows average 90 pounds of milk per day, 00:11:24.399 --> 00:11:26.700 a bit less volume on paper. 10 pounds less. 10 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:29.000 pounds less. But... With significantly higher 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:32.740 percentages, 4 .6 % butterfat and 3 .4 % protein, 00:11:33.059 --> 00:11:36.299 they also produce 7 .2 pounds of combined solids 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:38.980 per cow per day. Exactly the same amount of solids 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:41.779 shipped as Farm A. Precisely. They're matching 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:44.379 Farm A on the actual product they get paid for. 00:11:45.299 --> 00:11:47.860 But here's where it gets really profound. Think 00:11:47.860 --> 00:11:49.840 about the difference in their daily lives, the 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:53.399 cows' lives. Farm bees' cows are under significantly 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:55.899 less metabolic stress. Right. Pushing for that 00:11:55.899 --> 00:11:58.639 extra 10 pounds takes a toll. A huge toll. So 00:11:58.639 --> 00:12:01.000 think about what that means. Less stress for 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:04.320 the cow translates directly to fewer health issues, 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:06.700 better fertility, easier breeding. Lower vet 00:12:06.700 --> 00:12:09.320 bills. Lower vet bills. Cows staying in the herd 00:12:09.320 --> 00:12:11.919 longer, probably lower cull rates. And think 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:14.700 about the staff. Less burnout, lower turnover. 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:17.139 Absolutely. A less stressful operation overall. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:20.009 When you pencil it all out. Farm B is just as 00:12:20.009 --> 00:12:22.549 profitable, very likely more profitable, running 00:12:22.549 --> 00:12:24.129 a less stressful, more sustainable operation. 00:12:24.450 --> 00:12:26.429 The lesson there is just incredibly clear, isn't 00:12:26.429 --> 00:12:29.190 it? Chasing maximum milk yield isn't always the 00:12:29.190 --> 00:12:32.429 path to maximum profit or herd health, especially 00:12:32.429 --> 00:12:35.149 when you focus on what truly matters, pounds 00:12:35.149 --> 00:12:37.309 of fat and protein shipped, cow well -being, 00:12:37.389 --> 00:12:39.450 and a system that actually works for both people 00:12:39.450 --> 00:12:41.639 and animals in the long run. And this isn't just 00:12:41.639 --> 00:12:44.159 a nice story and anecdote. There are hard numbers 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:46.179 backing this up from research all over the world. 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:48.740 It paints a consistent picture of what inbreeding 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:51.139 depression actually costs you. Okay, let's get 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:54.059 specific. What are the direct hits? Well, for 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:57.019 production, every 1 % increase in inbreeding 00:12:57.019 --> 00:13:01.320 typically knocks off 26 to 41 kilograms of milk 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:05.460 annually. That's, what, 57 to 90 pounds less 00:13:05.460 --> 00:13:08.899 milk per cow per year. Per cow. Multiply that 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.700 across the herd. Exactly. And for fat and protein, 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:14.039 you're looking at losses of maybe one to two 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:17.240 kilograms each per percent inbreeding. Again, 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:19.980 multiply that out. It adds up fast, silently 00:13:19.980 --> 00:13:22.279 draining profits. Okay. Production takes a hit. 00:13:22.360 --> 00:13:24.720 What else? The article mentioned fertility. Fertility 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.460 takes the biggest hit. That's what the article 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:28.659 really emphasizes and what many studies show. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:31.240 Calving intervals stretch out by about a quarter 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:34.779 of a day, 0 .25 days for every 1 % of inbreeding. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:37.039 A quarter day sounds tiny, but... It sounds tiny, 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.700 but when you're already fighting to get cows 00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:41.539 bred back on time, every single day matters to 00:13:41.539 --> 00:13:43.399 your bottom line. Those open days are expensive. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:46.120 Definitely. And then there are the hitting costs. 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:49.080 Yeah, the less obvious stuff, but just as costly. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:52.100 Increased somatic cell counts, higher culling 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:55.080 rates for vague reasons, more stillbirths, and 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:59.779 those frustrating mystery ailments. Cows that 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.820 aren't clinically sick with something obvious, 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:04.279 but they just don't thrive. They don't perform 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:06.559 like they should on paper. Right. They're just 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:09.379 not doing well, cows. Exactly. And what's particularly 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:11.320 concerning, especially from recent research coming 00:14:11.320 --> 00:14:14.120 out of places like Australia and Europe, is that 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:17.019 the inbreeding we're accumulating now under intense 00:14:17.019 --> 00:14:20.080 genomic selection seems to be more detrimental 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:22.919 than the traditional inbreeding from past generations. 00:14:23.440 --> 00:14:25.440 Why would that be? The thinking is we're making 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:27.580 genetic changes faster than natural selection 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:30.080 can comfortably keep up with. We're concentrating 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:32.919 not just good genes, but potentially hidden negative 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:35.100 ones, too, very quickly. And speaking of hidden 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:37.539 negatives, we can't forget the actual genetic 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:40.759 defects, the junk that can accumulate. Oh, yeah. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:44.200 There are over 130 known genetic defects in cattle, 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:46.340 and that's just what we have reliable tests for. 00:14:46.480 --> 00:14:48.919 And a lot of losses probably come from early 00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:51.779 embryonic death, right? Cows that just seem not 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:54.600 to settle. Exactly. That's a huge, often invisible 00:14:54.600 --> 00:14:58.379 cost. Organizations like Lactanet and CDCB are 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:00.139 tracking these and developing tests, which is 00:15:00.139 --> 00:15:02.460 great. Most AI companies now provide carrier 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:05.440 status for about 22 known defects on their bulls. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:08.379 Which is helpful. A good start, definitely. But 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.179 it's still a small fraction of what might be 00:15:10.179 --> 00:15:12.600 out there lurking in the gene pool. And the real 00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:16.059 nightmare scenario for geneticists. Is the possibility 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:19.940 of new influential mutations popping up. Especially 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:23.519 in a super popular AI sire. If a widely used 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:26.500 bull carries a new harmful mutation, maybe even 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:28.740 a mosaic one where only some sperm carry it, 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.120 that mutation can spread like wildfire through 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:33.740 the global population before anyone even realizes 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:36.059 it's there. Right, until you start seeing problems 00:15:36.059 --> 00:15:38.340 crop up everywhere. The classic, really stark 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:41.580 example is Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief. One sire, 00:15:41.600 --> 00:15:44.360 one mutation. It's estimated to have caused over 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:46.320 half a million spontaneous abortions worldwide. 00:15:46.580 --> 00:15:50.379 The economic loss. Around $420 million globally. 00:15:51.039 --> 00:15:53.159 From one bull. From one bull. That's a really 00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:56.039 sobering reminder of the risks we run with such 00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:58.860 a concentrated genetic base. Okay, so we've definitely 00:15:58.860 --> 00:16:00.960 laid out the scale of the challenge. It is a 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:03.960 sobering picture. But this isn't just about identifying 00:16:03.960 --> 00:16:06.879 problems, right? It's about empowering producers 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:10.139 with solutions. So let's pivot. Let's talk about 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:12.919 some truly smart strategies that are building 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:15.580 genetic resilience right now in the real world. 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.360 Absolutely. Because there are solutions. One 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.299 key strategy is called optimum contribution selection 00:16:21.299 --> 00:16:25.440 or OCS. OCS. OK, what is that exactly? It's essentially 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:28.860 informed genetic planning. Yeah. Taking a much 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:30.960 more holistic approach than just picking the 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:32.940 hashtag one bull. Yeah. Instead of just ranking 00:16:32.940 --> 00:16:36.460 bulls individually. OCS analyzes an entire group 00:16:36.460 --> 00:16:38.820 of candidate bulls together. It figures out the 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:41.419 optimal genetic contribution from each one. The 00:16:41.419 --> 00:16:43.600 goal is always maximizing genetic gain, yes, 00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.860 but doing it while keeping inbreeding firmly 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:47.740 under control across the whole herd, generation 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:49.740 after generation. Okay, so instead of putting 00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:52.100 all your eggs in one genetic basket, say using 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:55.200 the hashtag 1TPI bull on almost everything. Right. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:58.580 You might use that hashtag 1TPI bull, but maybe 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:01.399 only on 40 % of your herd. Then the hashtag 5 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:04.019 bull might go on 30%. And then you strategically 00:17:04.019 --> 00:17:06.859 use a few others, maybe lower ranking overall, 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:10.319 but bringing in different sire lines to add critical 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:12.480 diversity. So you're still getting tremendous 00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:15.140 genetic progress from that top tier. I feel like. 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:17.299 But you're not concentrating all your risk into 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:19.480 just one or two pedigrees. You're spreading it 00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:21.900 out, building resilience. And does it work? Is 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:24.119 there proof? Yeah. The research really backs 00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:26.759 this up. Studies, including work involving Cornell 00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:29.880 University, have shown OCS programs can actually 00:17:29.880 --> 00:17:33.599 achieve higher long -term genetic gain than traditional 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:36.680 selection methods. All while keeping those inbreeding 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:39.460 rates squarely in check. It's not just theory. 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:42.119 It's proven science. It balances that immediate 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:45.420 game with future sustainability. OK. OCS is one 00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.200 powerful tool. What else? The article mentions 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:49.259 crossbreeding. Crossbreeding is another strategy 00:17:49.259 --> 00:17:51.240 that's definitely gaining traction, especially 00:17:51.240 --> 00:17:53.400 for commercial producers, particularly those 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.380 paid primarily on components, not just fluid 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:58.519 milk. Right. If fat and protein are king. Exactly. 00:17:58.660 --> 00:18:02.140 A well -planned three -way. Cross, maybe Holstein, 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:04.880 Jersey, and then something like a Montbelliard 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:07.500 or a Brown Swiss can deliver significant measurable 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:10.420 improvements. You get that hybrid vigor, which 00:18:10.420 --> 00:18:13.099 often translates to better fertility, better 00:18:13.099 --> 00:18:16.500 health, more robustness. So healthier cows, fewer 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:19.000 vet visits, easier breeding, cows staying in 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.019 the herd longer. That's real money saved, real 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:25.039 efficiencies gained. Even if your specific market 00:18:25.039 --> 00:18:28.140 demands purebreds, maybe it's not for you. But 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:30.259 for commercial operations focused on profit per 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:33.099 cow and herd robustness, it's definitely worth 00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:35.759 a serious look. And gene banking. That sounds 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:38.019 a bit sci -fi. It might sound that way, but it's 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:40.059 becoming more practical. Think of it as genetic 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:43.079 insurance. Storing semen and embryos from diverse 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:45.619 animals, maybe older lines or... different breeds, 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:48.180 just provides vital options down the road if 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:50.319 current breeding trends create unforeseen problems 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:53.039 or if needs change. It's about keeping options 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:55.859 open. Okay, OCS, crossbreeding, gene banking, 00:18:56.099 --> 00:18:59.039 these sound fantastic on paper, but we both know 00:18:59.039 --> 00:19:01.119 the real world throws up hurdles. What are the 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.400 challenges to actually doing this? Oh, for sure, 00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:06.829 logistics is a big one. If you commit to an OCS 00:19:06.829 --> 00:19:09.109 program, for example, you might get a breeding 00:19:09.109 --> 00:19:11.970 plan calling for very specific matings. Bull 00:19:11.970 --> 00:19:17.009 A to cow 123, bull B to cow 456. Yeah, that requires 00:19:17.009 --> 00:19:19.809 serious organization. Meticulous record keeping. 00:19:19.930 --> 00:19:23.170 A super organized semen tank. Knowing exactly 00:19:23.170 --> 00:19:26.250 which straw goes to which cow. It's more complex 00:19:26.250 --> 00:19:28.809 than just using one or two main bowls. And inventory 00:19:28.809 --> 00:19:31.410 costs, using more bowls. That's another one. 00:19:31.470 --> 00:19:33.910 Using a more diverse group of sires often means 00:19:33.910 --> 00:19:36.450 keeping more different bowls in your tank, which 00:19:36.450 --> 00:19:39.269 ties up more capital in semen inventory. And 00:19:39.269 --> 00:19:41.250 then there's the human element. Always the human 00:19:41.250 --> 00:19:43.670 element. It takes discipline. It takes a significant 00:19:43.670 --> 00:19:46.690 mindset shift, really. Moving away from maximizing 00:19:46.690 --> 00:19:49.609 every single mating for immediate, short -term 00:19:49.609 --> 00:19:52.119 milk yield. Of course, optimizing the long -term 00:19:52.119 --> 00:19:54.700 health, production efficiency, and welfare of 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:56.779 the entire herd. That needs buy -in from everyone 00:19:56.779 --> 00:19:58.759 involved. From the owner, the herd manager, the 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:01.240 AI technician, everyone has to be on the same 00:20:01.240 --> 00:20:03.099 page. Absolutely. It's a team effort. Yes, here's 00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:05.500 the encouraging news, right? Producers who have 00:20:05.500 --> 00:20:07.619 made this transition, who've embraced these strategies. 00:20:07.940 --> 00:20:10.180 They consistently report that, yeah, it might 00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:12.400 be tricky at first, but it gets easier with time 00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:15.079 and the results. They absolutely speak for themselves. 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:18.500 They see it in improved herd health, better longevity, 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:21.299 and ultimately, more sustainable profitability. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.900 The payoff is there. Okay, looking forward then. 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:27.880 What's next? How is the future of genetic diversity 00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:30.079 management shaping up? It's only getting more 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:34.039 sophisticated. Artificial intelligence, AI, is 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:37.250 starting to play a really crucial role. AI algorithms 00:20:37.250 --> 00:20:40.049 can analyze vast amounts of data to optimize 00:20:40.049 --> 00:20:42.829 breeding strategies, not just for gain, but simultaneously 00:20:42.829 --> 00:20:45.670 managing inbreeding and diversity across multiple 00:20:45.670 --> 00:20:48.470 generations. They can see complex patterns humans 00:20:48.470 --> 00:20:50.910 might miss. That's fascinating. And sequencing. 00:20:51.190 --> 00:20:53.589 Whole genome sequencing. It's rapidly becoming 00:20:53.589 --> 00:20:55.569 more affordable. It's dropped from thousands 00:20:55.569 --> 00:20:57.750 of dollars per animal down to just hundreds now. 00:20:57.930 --> 00:21:00.750 That's a huge drop. It is. Yeah. And it means 00:21:00.750 --> 00:21:03.230 we'll soon be much better at identifying harmful 00:21:03.230 --> 00:21:05.509 mutations before they spread widely. through 00:21:05.509 --> 00:21:07.549 the population. We could potentially head off 00:21:07.549 --> 00:21:10.450 the next Pawnee Farm Arlinda Chief scenario before 00:21:10.450 --> 00:21:13.250 it happens. Proactive rather than reactive. Exactly. 00:21:13.490 --> 00:21:15.849 And what's truly exciting, I think, are the combined 00:21:15.849 --> 00:21:18.569 strategies of herging. Research is looking at 00:21:18.569 --> 00:21:21.369 using multiple approaches at the same time. Things 00:21:21.369 --> 00:21:24.269 like combining OCS with maybe weighted selection 00:21:24.269 --> 00:21:27.450 for rare but beneficial genes, some strategic 00:21:27.450 --> 00:21:30.650 outcrossing, and active management of known genetic 00:21:30.650 --> 00:21:33.089 defects. Layering the approaches. Precisely. 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:35.720 Early research suggests these combined, integrated 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:38.180 approaches might deliver the best of both worlds. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:42.140 Continued, strong genetic progress with much 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:44.259 better, more deliberate diversity maintenance. 00:21:44.970 --> 00:21:47.430 So what does this all boil down to for you, the 00:21:47.430 --> 00:21:49.730 listener? It feels like we're truthfully at a 00:21:49.730 --> 00:21:52.569 crossroads in dairy genetics. We can continue 00:21:52.569 --> 00:21:54.670 down the path of chasing maximum short -term 00:21:54.670 --> 00:21:56.769 genetic gain and just kind of accept the hidden 00:21:56.769 --> 00:21:59.869 costs of genetic erosion as, well, the price 00:21:59.869 --> 00:22:02.769 of doing business. Or we can get smarter about 00:22:02.769 --> 00:22:04.910 how we breed our cattle. We can capture that 00:22:04.910 --> 00:22:18.339 incredible... And the evidence is just unequivocally 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:21.339 clear on this. Producers who take genetic diversity 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:24.799 seriously, they don't sacrifice genetic progress. 00:22:25.460 --> 00:22:27.900 Not in the long run. In fact, they optimize it 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:30.420 for the long haul. They're not accepting lower 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:32.480 profits. They're building more sustainable, more 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:35.180 robust operations, ultimately more competitive 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:38.259 advantages for their farms. That multi -billion 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:40.839 dollar hit the industry has already taken. It's 00:22:40.839 --> 00:22:43.579 both a stark warning. And an incredible opportunity. 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:46.680 The producers who heed that warning now are going 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:48.599 to be the ones who capture the opportunity and 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:50.400 build a more resilient future for their dairies. 00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:52.579 So here's our challenge to you, our listener. 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:54.700 Next time you're sitting down to select sires, 00:22:54.759 --> 00:22:57.619 ask yourself and maybe ask your genetics advisor 00:22:57.619 --> 00:23:00.059 some tough, specific questions. Like, what's 00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:02.579 my herd's current inbreeding level, really? And 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:05.779 how is it trending? Is it going up? And how can 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:08.420 we apply some of these OCS principles, even in 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:11.059 a simplified way, to strike a healthier balance? 00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:14.240 a balance between our genetic goals and maintaining 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:17.579 diversity. And maybe, what outcrossed Sires, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:20.440 if any, would be suitable for my system to introduce 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:22.920 some fresh genetics without wrecking my overall 00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:25.859 goals? Because the real question here, the provocative 00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:28.440 thought the article leaves us with, isn't whether 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:30.579 you can afford to implement these strategies. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:33.720 It's whether you can afford not to. Oof. The 00:23:33.720 --> 00:23:36.740 smartest, most forward -thinking producers in 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:40.019 2025 and beyond are actively protecting their 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:42.640 herds and their profits by thinking beyond just 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:45.119 the next bull proof. They're planning for genetic 00:23:45.119 --> 00:23:48.240 resilience. So after all that, what's the key 00:23:48.240 --> 00:23:50.539 takeaway? If a farmer listening today only does 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:53.400 one thing, what should it be? Give us those actionable 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.380 insights. Okay, yeah, let's boil it down. Here 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:57.039 are the key takeaways to really chew on, the 00:23:57.039 --> 00:24:00.099 immediate actions you can consider. First, stop 00:24:00.099 --> 00:24:02.420 those silent profit leaks. Just remember that 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:05.440 number. Every 1 % rise in inbreeding costs you 00:24:05.440 --> 00:24:09.279 about $23 per cow per year. 23 bucks. Action. 00:24:09.380 --> 00:24:11.359 Check your herd's inbreeding numbers. Go to the 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:14.299 CDCB or LactaNet website today or ask your advisor 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:16.200 to pull them. Know your number. Okay, know your 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:19.019 number. Got it. Second, understand that genomic 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:21.299 testing is powerful, but it's a double -edged 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:23.599 sword. Yes, it boosts genetic gain like crazy, 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:26.779 12 to 100%. Amazing. But it's also shrinking 00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:29.960 your genetic base fast. Action. Ask your genetics 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:32.200 rep for the inbreeding coefficient on every single 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:34.599 bull you consider buying. Aim for bulls below 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.839 the breed average if you can. That's around 11 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:39.359 % for Holsteins right now. Be picky about the 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:43.220 bull's own inbreeding. Makes sense. Third, components 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:46.119 consistently beat sheer volume for real ROI. 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:49.339 Remember the tale of two neighbors. Same solid 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:51.619 shipped, vastly different operations. Don't just 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:54.420 chase milk pounds. Action. Shift your sire selection 00:24:54.420 --> 00:24:56.559 index, or at least how you mentally weight it, 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:58.920 to prioritize fat and protein percentages and 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:01.339 yield, not just total milk yield. Focus on what 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:02.920 you get paid for and the cow's health. Fourth, 00:25:03.299 --> 00:25:06.619 diversify or pay the price down the line. Herds 00:25:06.619 --> 00:25:08.940 using OCS principles or strategic crossbreeding 00:25:08.940 --> 00:25:12.039 are seeing better health, lower vet bills, longer 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:15.640 cow lifespans. Even if daily milk isn't record 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:18.960 shattering, action. Maybe try OCS planning for 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:21.200 a portion of your herd or introduce one suitable 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:24.099 crossbred bull. Just observe. See how it impacts 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:26.619 your call rate, your vet bills, even your staff 00:25:26.619 --> 00:25:29.019 workload and morale. Experiment a little. See 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:31.720 the results. Exactly. And finally, number five. 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:35.200 Resilience is the name of the game for 2025 and 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:37.599 beyond. Feed costs aren't dropping. Labor is 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:40.000 tight. Your genetics program has to deliver more 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:42.380 than just big numbers on paper. It needs to build 00:25:42.380 --> 00:25:44.940 a robust, healthy, efficient herd that lasts. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:48.150 Action. Review your entire breeding plan. Look 00:25:48.150 --> 00:25:49.710 at it through the lens of long -term genetic 00:25:49.710 --> 00:25:52.470 diversity and operational sustainability. Don't 00:25:52.470 --> 00:25:54.569 get left behind focusing only on short -term 00:25:54.569 --> 00:25:57.029 index gains. Powerful points. Build resilience. 00:25:57.170 --> 00:25:59.410 That's the key message. Great points. And I think 00:25:59.410 --> 00:26:00.990 that's about all the time we have for today's 00:26:00.990 --> 00:26:02.750 Deep Dive. For more articles and insights that 00:26:02.750 --> 00:26:04.890 matter to your dairy operation, be sure to visit 00:26:04.890 --> 00:26:08.890 www .thebullvine .com. And don't forget to subscribe 00:26:08.890 --> 00:26:11.170 wherever you get your Deep Dives so you don't 00:26:11.170 --> 00:26:13.329 miss the next one. Thanks so much for listening. 00:26:13.569 --> 00:26:15.750 That's it for this episode of the Bullvine Podcast. 00:26:16.430 --> 00:26:19.150 We hope today's discussion gave you new ideas 00:26:19.150 --> 00:26:21.990 and maybe a few tough questions to bring back 00:26:21.990 --> 00:26:24.990 to your next breeding meeting. Remember, the 00:26:24.990 --> 00:26:27.369 choices you make in your genetics program today 00:26:27.369 --> 00:26:29.710 will shape your herd's health and profitability 00:26:29.710 --> 00:26:33.650 for years to come. If you enjoyed the show, don't 00:26:33.650 --> 00:26:36.349 forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share 00:26:36.349 --> 00:26:38.450 this episode with your fellow dairy producers. 00:26:40.680 --> 00:26:44.940 research, and resources, head over to www .thebullvine 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:47.759 .com. Thanks for listening, and until next time, 00:26:47.839 --> 00:26:49.900 keep your cows healthy, your milk check strong, 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.619 and your genetic decisions smart.