Breaking free from the chains of the past Where
truth moves faster than a Holstein calf No law
waiting on some printed page We're charting new
ground in the digital age From genomic codes
to robot facts We cut through the noise, no hold
them back not your daddy's dairy news tonight
we're sparking Hey, folks. Welcome back to the
Bullvine Podcast, where the future of dairy gets
real, and we don't shy away from the tough conversations.
Today, we're digging into a strategy that's changing
the way producers think about herd genetics,
the no -holes sire approach. Forget chasing just
one big number. This method is all about balanced
breeding for profitability and cow health, and
it's getting results Canadian and global dairies
can't ignore. Whether you're pouring that first
cup of coffee or heading out to scrape the lanes,
you'll want to hear what's working in real herds
in 2025 and why the old ways might be costing
you more than you think. Let's dive in. Welcome
back to the Deep Dive. The show where we unpack
the sources you've sent us to make you truly
well -informed. That's right. Today, we're diving
deep into a feature article you highlighted from
The Bullvine titled, No Whole Sires, The Balanced
Breeding Profit Maximizer. Yeah, this one's generated
some buzz. It really has. And look, this isn't
just an interesting read. It's a direct challenge
to some conventional wisdom in dairy genetics,
and it could genuinely reshape your breeding
strategy. That's right. our mission today really
is to distill this material for your specific
questions and challenges on the farm we'll be
exploring A scientifically validated approach
that suggests bulls without a single hole on
their proof sheet might be the real keys to maximizing
profit. And long -term sustainability, too, right?
And sustainability for your herd, exactly. We're
moving beyond sort of the allure of simply chasing
those megagenomic sires and instead focusing
on a more holistic, balanced perspective for
optimizing future dairy herd performance. So,
if you're looking for a shortcut to being deeply
informed about the latest in balanced breeding,
and crucially, how it directly impacts your bottom
line, Stick with us. Yeah, we're going to break
it down. We're going to unpack the science, dive
into the compelling economics, and lay out the
practical steps for implementing this strategy
on your farm. It's about building a herd that
doesn't just produce, but thrives. Well said.
Let's get into it. Hashtag, tag, tag, tag, I.
The problem with chasing numbers and the introduction
of no -hole sires. Okay, let's unpack this. The
article starts by identifying a common, yet often
subtle, pitfall many producers fall into. The
powerful allure of single trait selection, or
maybe focusing too narrowly on just one total
merit index, like a high LPI or TPI. Why is this
approach, which seems so, I don't know, logical
on the surface, actually creating problems down
the road? Well, what's truly insightful here,
I think, is that these imbalances aren't just
minor dips in performance. They're often insidious
creepers. Creepers. Explain that. Yeah. I mean,
a producer might look at stellar milk numbers
and feel incredibly successful, right? Seeing
that daily milk check come in strong. But beneath
the surface, the genetic debt of reduced fertility
or compromised health or maybe poor longevity
is quietly accumulating. Oh, okay. It's like
rust on a bottle machine part. It doesn't show
up in the initial performance metrics, but it's
silently eroding the long -term profitability
and resilience of the entire operation. So you're
pushing milk production through the roof. Exactly.
But at what cost? What cost to the overall health
and reproductive efficiency of your animals?
Research consistently shows that while everyone
brags about those high -ranking individual traits,
this hyper -focused approach often creates significant
genetic imbalances over time. You think you're
getting ahead. But you're not really. But you
might actually be creating these genetic holes
in your herd. It's not just about what you gain
in one area, but critically, what you inadvertently
lose or compromise in others. That analogy of
rust on a machine part, or maybe a car with a
super fast engine but no brakes, that really
paints a vivid picture. It suggests these holes
might not be immediately obvious. You're not
at all. So how do these genetic holes actually...
manifest themselves on the farm? What does that
silent erosion look like in practical day -to
-day terms? And why are they so detrimental to
long -term profitability? Because, you know,
a producer might be looking at their milk truck
numbers and thinking they're doing great. Right.
They see the volume. But these holes could be
quietly, persistently draining their bottom line.
You've hit on the core challenge there. These
genetic holes aren't always glaringly obvious
in the daily milk weigh -in, but they certainly
show up. They show up in the ledger, the vet
bill, and just the overall health and management
of the herd. Okay, so where first? Fertility.
First, yeah, you will inevitably notice reduced
fertility performance. Despite having cows with
incredibly high production potential, they struggle
significantly to breed back. And look, this isn't
a minor inconvenience. It translates directly
to longer open days, those costly days when a
cow isn't pregnant and not on track for her next
lactation. Every day costs money. Absolutely.
Longer open days mean fewer calves per year,
a less efficient reproductive cycle, and extended
periods in less profitable stages of lactation.
Every extra day a cow is open translates to lost
milk income, increased breeding costs, and ultimately
a less efficient use of your resources. It's
a direct hit to your cash flow, compounding silently.
And I can see how that compounds quickly. If
a cow takes longer to get pregnant, she's spending
more time in those less profitable later stages
of lactation or worse. Or worse, she's culled.
Right. Culls before she's truly given her full
economic value to the farm. That's a significant
financial drain. Precisely. Next, and often closely
related, we frequently observe increased health
issues. We're talking particularly about prevalent
and costly problems like mastitis, lameness,
various metabolic disorders. Usual suspects.
The usual suspects, exactly. And these aren't
just minor inconveniences. They're major setbacks
that have profound impacts. They directly compromise
animal welfare, leading to discomfort and reduced
productivity. And they add substantial costs.
vet bills medication expenses the later required
for diagnosis treatment recovery it all adds
up it really does a cow suffering from lameness
or mastitis simply isn't performing at her peak
her milk quality might be affected and her overall
longevity is definitely at risk it's a continuous
often hidden expenditure. Which then inevitably
impacts their stay in the herd. That brings us
directly to shortened productive lifespans, doesn't
it? It does. If cows are constantly battling
health issues or struggling to rebreed, they're
simply culled earlier than optimal before they've
truly paid back that investment made in them.
Exactly. When cows are culled earlier, it dramatically
undermines their lifetime profitability. Think
of the investment you've made. raising that heifer
from birth, feeding her, housing her, bringing
her into the milking string, just as she's hitting
her stride, reaching her most productive and
profitable lactations. She's gone. She's gone.
And with rising replacement costs, and we're
seeing those costs climb significantly, this
early culling is a huge drain on the farm's finance.
It's a really big drain. They're constantly having
to invest in new animals instead of reaping the
sustained benefits of older, more experienced,
and often more profitable cows who have paid
their dues and are now contributing pure profit.
The ultimate goal... for long term financial
health should always be to maximize the number
of healthy, productive lactations from each animal.
And these extreme trait combinations, I imagine,
can also create significant management and labor
challenges for your team on the farm. Oh, definitely.
If you're breeding for one super specific characteristic
without balancing it, you can end up with cows
that are just plain difficult to handle or milk
efficiently. That's a very real and often overlooked
concern, especially, you know, in today's tight
labor market. Extreme trait combinations can
indeed make cows harder to manage, adding unnecessary
friction to daily operations. Like what specifically?
Well, consider a cow with an udder so large or
so low slung that attaching milkers becomes a
constant struggle, slowing down your entire parlor
routine and causing frustration for staff. Yeah,
I can picture that. Or an animal with a flighty
temperament that creates stress for your team,
potentially compromises safety and increases
the time needed for handling. These aren't just
minor annoyances. They're daily frictions that
add up to real labor hours, increased staff turnover,
even costly mistakes in the barn. It's a system
issue. It's a systemic issue, yeah. As the article
quotes, This really drives home the point that
you cannot just push one genetic lever without
consequences rippling through the entire animal
system. by extension, your entire farm operation.
That quote truly resonates with the idea of a
whole system. It's about respecting the animal's
natural homeostatic balance. So if blindly chasing
these megagenomic numbers is leading us down
this path of hidden costs and frustration, where's
the new blueprint? How does the no -hole sire
philosophy emerge as the antidote? This is precisely
where the no -whole -sire philosophy comes in.
And look, it's not just a faddish new term. It's
presented as a scientifically sound antidote
to these growing genetic imbalances. Okay. The
article clearly defined it as a breeding approach
rooted in Lactonet's robust six subindexes and
critically using a 50 % percentile rank or RK
threshold. The 50 % RK. We'll come back to that.
We will. It represents a fundamental and strategic
shift. We're moving away from the narrow pursuit
of maximizing one or two specific traits to ensuring
a comprehensive balance across the board. This
philosophy acknowledges and is supported by data
that true, enduring profitability and long -term
sustainability stem from a cow that excels reliably
in many areas, not just stands out in one. It's
presented as a superior strategy over those traditional
narrow approaches because it built an animal
that is robust, resilient, and fully equipped
to withstand the inherent rigors of modern dairy
production without falling apart in other critical
areas like health, reproduction, or longevity.
It's about building a foundation of strength.
So essentially, we're talking about looking at
the entire genetic picture, a comprehensive multidimensional
view rather than just a simplistic snapshot of
one or two numbers. Exactly. This approach aims
to build a robust, resilient herd that can handle
the intense demands of high production, stay
healthy. breed back efficiently rather than just
a high producing one that might be inherently
fragile and prone to breaking down in other equally
critical areas. It really sounds like a much
more sustainable and ultimately far more profitable
long -term strategy for any dairy operation.
That comprehensive view leads us directly to
the next big question then. Yeah. How do we effectively
identify these no -hole sires? Right, the how
-to. If we're moving away from just looking at
a single LPI or TPI number, what precise genetic
metrics do we evaluate instead? The article highlights
Lactanet's modernized LPI system, launched back
in April 2025. This system was specifically designed
to address the very concerns we just discussed
about imbalanced breeding. Okay. providing a
much more granular, transparent, and comprehensive
view of a bull's true genetic potential across
all economically important traits. And what's
truly fascinating here and quite uh ingenious
really is how lactana has structured this new
framework they've meticulously broken down what
used to be a somewhat opaque complex genetic
evaluation into six distinct yet interconnected
sub -indexes specifically for holstein tattle
six of them each subindex has a very clear focus
and a carefully determined weighting within the
overall lpi this isn't just a list of numbers
this is our essential toolkit for balance selection
a precise map to guide us towards those elusive
no -hole sires it's no longer or just a single
overwhelming number, but a detailed practical
breakdown of precisely where a bull truly excels
or conversely, where it might possess a concerning
weakness or hole. Precisely. Let's dive into
those six sub -indexes because they truly are
the core of this enlightened breeding approach,
offering a level of detail and control for you,
the producer, that wasn't previously available
in such a standardized format. All right, let's
break them down. First up. First, we have the
production index, or PI. Now, this index still
holds the largest weight at 40%. Still important.
Very important, because let's be honest, milk
production, specifically butterfat and protein
yields, remains a primary and absolutely critical
driver of profitability for dairy farms. However,
and this is the fundamental shift, it's no longer
the only focus. It's a significant component,
yes, but it is now viewed critically in context
with other equally crucial traits. We're still
actively aiming for high production, but crucially
not at the expense of everything else that contributes
to a cow's overall value and longevity. It recognizes
that raw milk volume isn't the sole measure of
success. Right. Still absolutely vital, but now
appropriately balanced, not the all -consuming
focus it maybe once was. Then, a huge one for
long -term herd longevity, reducing those crippling
replacement costs, and truly maximizing a cow's
lifetime productivity, we have the Longevity
and Type Index, or LTI. LTI, yeah. Yeah. Weighted
significantly at 32%. This index places a strong
emphasis on herd life and critically functional
conformation. This is absolutely crucial for
keeping cows in the herd longer, ensuring they
possess the inherent structural soundness and
the physical resilience required to endure multiple
high -production And when we say functional confirmation.
Yeah, let's clarify that. We're not just talking
about a pretty cow for the show ring, as some
might stagnantly assume. We mean true structural
integrity. Utters that are firmly attached, high
and wide. capable of withstanding the rigors
of high milk production for multiple lactations
without sagging. Causing milking issues or increasing
mastitis risk. Exactly. And strong, well -angled
legs and feet that keep cows mobile, comfortable,
and sound, drastically reducing those lameness
cases which are so costly. These are the tangible
physical attributes that directly allow a cow
to stay healthy, productive, and comfortable
in your herd for many years, actively reducing
those costly, premature replacement rates that
eat away at your profits. You've perfectly captured
the essence of functional confirmation there.
Then we move into an area that directly tackles
those incredibly costly health issues we discussed
earlier, issues that erode profit silently. The
Health and Welfare Index, HWI, accounts for a
vital 8 % of the LPI. This index focuses intently
on disease resistance, a proactive genetic defense,
as well as metabolic health and crucial hoof
health. So it's proactive. It's a direct... proactive
genetic measure against common and highly expensive
ailments like mastitis, lameness, metabolic disorders
like ketosis or milk fever. A strong HWI score
directly impacts animal welfare, reducing discomfort
and stress for your cows, and significantly cuts
down on your vet bills, medication expenses,
and the labor associated with treating sick animals.
Makes sense. A bull with a high HWI score means
a future herd with less time spent training sick
cows and more time focusing on other productive
aspects of farm management, enhancing overall
herd resilience. That's about genetic resilience,
isn't it? Building in that natural resistance.
It is. And crucial for overall herd efficiency
and... perhaps most directly tied to cash flow
reproductive success, we have the Reproduction
Index, or I. Or I, weighted at 10%. This index
focuses specifically on female fertility and
critical calving performance. This is absolutely
key for reducing those expensive open days, significantly
improving conception rates, and ensuring your
cows breed back quickly and calve easily with
fewer complications. Which saves a lot of headaches.
Oh yeah. Better fertility directly translates
to a tighter calving interval, more total milk
produced over a cow's entire lifetime, and a
more consistent, predictable supply of replacement
heifers. It's one of the most immediate and tangible
ways to boost the financial health and consistent
cash flow of your farm. Indeed, a healthy reproductive
cycle is the engine of profitability. Then there's
the Milkability Index, MI, at 5%. Only 5 %? Seems
small. While it might seem like a smaller component
in terms of weighting, but its practical importance
for daily farm operations and labor efficiency
cannot be overstated. This index focuses on milking
efficiency, desirable temperament in the parlor,
and optimal udder form. Okay, the practical side.
Think about it. Cows that milk out quickly and
efficiently exhibit good temperaments in the
parlor, reducing stress for both the animal and
the milker, and possess udders that are easy
to attach milkers to, contribute immeasurably
to a sleuther, less stressful, and faster milking
routine. Saves time. Not only makes your operation
more pleasant, but also reduces wear and tear
on your milking equipment and significantly cuts
down on valuable labor time. Every minute saved
per cow per milking cycle adds up across the
herd. Good point. And finally, the sixth one.
Finally, a truly forward -thinking index that
addresses both modern sustainability concerns
and, let's be honest, increasingly volatile input
costs, we have the Environmental Impact Index,
EII, also at 5%. E -I -O. This focuses on feed
efficiency, the reduction of methane emissions,
and a lower body maintenance requirement. This
index is about breeding cows that are inherently
more efficient at converting feed into milk,
which is paramount when feed is your largest
input cost. By selecting for better feed efficiency,
you're not only reducing your herd's environmental
footprint by potentially lowering methane production,
but you're also requiring less feed for cows'
basic body maintenance, freeing up more of that
valuable intake for milk production. With feed
costs being a major, often unpredictable expense,
this index is becoming increasingly vital for
both long -term profitability and meeting evolving
environmental goals. So those are the six. Production,
longevity and type, health and welfare, reproduction,
milkability, and environmental impact. That's
them. And here's where the genius of this system
truly shines for you, the producer. Each of these
six sub -indexes is rigorously standardized.
Standardized, meaning? Meaning in practical terms,
they all have a mean of 500 and a standard deviation
of 100. Okay, why does that matter? Why is this
statistical standardization incredibly helpful
for you? It means you can compare apples to apples
across different bowls and different traits with
immediate clarity. If a bull has a score of 600
in the production index, you immediately know
it's performing a full standard deviation above
the average for that specific crate. Ah, easy
comparison. Represents a significant genetic
advantage you can confidently bank on. Critically,
percentile ranks are also assigned, providing
clear comparative metrics. It's like getting
a comprehensive report card for each bull, not
just an overall letter grade, but a detailed
breakdown across all these critical areas. So
you see exactly where a bull stands relative
to the entire population for each specific economically
important trait. Exactly. And this standardization,
particularly the use of percentile ranks, brings
us to the absolute core strategy for selecting
these no -hole sires, the 50 % RK threshold.
A magic number. The Bullvine article emphatically
recommends selecting sires with at least five
of the six subindexes above 50 % RK. This isn't
just an arbitrary number. It's the key, the golden
rule for creating that balanced, robust genetic
foundation we've been emphasizing. It's not about
finding a bull that is perfect in every single
trait that's a unicorn. But it is absolutely
about systematically avoiding significant weaknesses
or holes that can undermine your herd's overall
performance. A 50 % RK means that a bull performs
genetically better than 50 % of the entire population
for that specific trait. So, by setting this
threshold, you're ensuring above -average performance
across most, if not all, crucial aspects of your
herd's profitability and sustainability. And
it's vital to understand that this isn't just
an arbitrary guideline. There's a strong, undeniable
scientific basis underpinning this recommendation.
The article highlights that multi -subindex selection
consistently and demonstrably outperforms single
-trait or single -total merit index approaches
for achieving overall genetic progress. So the
science backs it up. Yeah. To quote directly
from the source, the research shows that multi
-subindex genomic prediction can be more beneficial
than a single total merit genomic prediction.
This means that by considering multiple balanced
traits simultaneously through these six subindexes,
you consistently achieve more robust, more sustainable,
and ultimately more profitable genetic improvement
than by hyper -focusing on just one LPI or TPI
score, which often masks deeper issues. That
percentile interpretation is absolutely key for
practical application on the farm then. It means
you're not just chasing a top line LPI number,
but you're actually identifying sires that perform
above average in that specific genetic evaluation
category. Right. As Lactenit states, it allows
producers to compare values for each subindex
and identify the elite sires. So you're not just
looking for a high overall LPI, you're actively
ensuring that the components that make up that
LPI are strong, balanced, and robust across the
board. It's about finding the all -around athletes
for your herd, isn't it? Yeah, exactly. The ones
who can perform consistently well in every aspect
of the game, not just the sprinters who might
burn out quickly or the specialized long -distance
runners who lack other vital attributes. And
this strategic approach is also fundamentally
about sophisticated risk management for your
operation. The article points out, with clear
evidence, Compound. How so? Well, these weaknesses
aren't just isolated. They get passed down and
amplified, leading to a buildup of those holes
we discussed earlier, making your herd increasingly
susceptible to persistent health issues, recurring
fertility problems, and significantly shorter
productive lifespans. So it gets worse over time.
It does. This disciplined approach is about proactively
avoiding costly mistakes down the line, preventing
genetic debt from accumulating, and safeguarding
your future profitability. It's about being incredibly
strategic for the future, not just reactively
addressing immediate needs or chasing fleeting
single -trade games. Okay, so this isn't just
an intriguing theoretical framework or a clever
new way to categorize bulls. The article presents
solid empirical evidence validating this no -hole
-sires approach. Yeah, the proof is in the pudding,
so to speak. Let's talk about the economic impact
first, because that's often the loudest and most
persuasive voice for producers in their day -to
-day operations. When you're considering any
significant change on the farm, the direct impact
on the bottom line is paramount, right? Absolutely.
And here's where it gets really compelling, translating
directly into real dollars and cents for your
farm. Research on Irish dairy farms and their
production system is remarkably similar to many
operations here in Canada found a truly powerful
correlation. Okay, what did they find? Every
euro increase in herd eBuy was associated with
1 .96 net profit per cow when producers actively
utilized balanced selection indices. Wow, nearly
2 to 1 return. Almost a 2 to 1 return on investment
for improving a balanced genetic index. And this
isn't just abstract European research. The executive
summary of our source article explicitly confirms
that Canadian data now robustly supports this
finding, showing direct improvements in reproductive
rates and a measurable reduction in health setbacks
when balanced breeding is implemented. So it
works here too. It translates to real tangible
money in the bank for producers adopting this
strategy. That's a significant financial gain
per cow, especially when you multiply it across
an entire herd. It's hard to argue with nearly
double the return on investment. It really is.
And the article dives into even more specific
economic impacts beyond that general profit figure,
doesn't it? It directly and powerfully links
improved fertility to immediate, tangible profitability.
It absolutely does, and the numbers are quite
striking. The key takeaways from the research
cited mention that herds actively adopting this
balanced breeding rule are projected to cut open
days by up to 22 % in 2025. 22%. Think about
the profound impact of that for a moment. A 22
% reduction in open days directly translates
to a significant boost in cash flow on every
single fresh cow. Fewer open days mean your cows
are getting pregnant sooner, spending more time
in their peak lactation phase, making more milk
more consistently, producing milk far more consistently
throughout their productive cycle. This isn't
just an abstract genetic improvement. It's an
immediate tangible financial benefit that you
will see reflected directly in your mill checks
and your overall farm accounts. It's the difference
between a cow being a continuous income generator
and a potential drain during extended non -productive
periods. And those costly health challenges we
discussed earlier, mastitis, lameness, metabolic
issues, balance selection helps there too, which
means even more savings on the expenditure side
of the ledger. Exactly. This balanced selection
strategy is explicitly and demonstrably linked
to a significant reduction in the incidence of
costly mastitis and lameness cases. Fewer vet
calls, which translates directly into substantial
savings on your vet bills, a considerable decrease
in medication costs, and a reduction in the labor
associated with identifying, isolating, and treating
sick animals. More importantly, and this is crucial,
it keeps your cows productive, comfortable, and
actively milking, avoiding the milk loss and
premature culling that are so commonly associated
with these prevalent, costly diseases. So it
saves money and makes money. Imagine the cumulative
savings over an entire herd in a year, not just
in direct costs, but in maintained milk production
and reduced stress on your management system.
It's a proactive approach that pays dividends.
Beyond the immediate tangible profit gains, there's
also the absolutely crucial aspect of long -term
genetic progress and the overall sustainability
of your operation. How does balanced selection
specifically support that, particularly when
we talk about the significant investment that
many producers are now making into genotyping?
Yeah, that's a critical point for the future
viability and long -term success of any modern
dairy operation. Studies unequivocally demonstrate
that reallocating valuable resources to genotyping
does indeed increase genetic game. Okay, so genotyping
helps. But, and this is the crucial nuance, only
when that selection remains rigorously balanced
across all economically important traits. Ah,
there's the catch. It's not just about having
more data or spending more money on genetic testing.
It's profoundly about how you intelligently use
that data. If you invest heavily in genotyping
but then still fall back into the habit of chasing
only one or two isolated traits, you are simply
not maximizing your return on that substantial
investment. You're wasting potential. Balance
selection ensures that the genetic improvements
you make are holistic, robust, and therefore
truly sustainable, meaning your cows perform
consistently better across their entire lives.
Not just excelling in one fleeting metric for
a short period before breaking down in another
area, it's about building enduring value. So
it's really about optimizing the entire breeding
program for maximum sustained return on investment
rather than just getting more data for data's
sake. Precisely. In -depth analysis of breeding
programs clearly indicates that breeding programs
should optimize investment into phenotyping and
genotyping to maximize return on investment through
these multi -focus balanced approaches. This
strategy ensures that your herd not only remains
robust in the face of various challenges, but
also stays adaptable to changing market conditions,
evolving environmental pressures, and continues
to make consistent all -around genetic progress
generation after generation. Building for the
future. It's about building a solid, unshakable
genetic foundation for generations to come, not
just for the next lactation cycle. It's about
designing a cow that works efficiently and profitably
in all aspects, from the parlor to the pasture
year after year, for a truly sustainable future.
And for Canadian producers specifically, there's
a unique and powerful advantage with Lactanet's
comprehensive evaluations, which seem expertly
designed to facilitate exactly this type of balanced
breeding approach. Oh, absolutely. This isn't
just generic advice. It's tailored to their tools.
Absolutely. Lactanet's system provides a really
powerful and invaluable suite of tools that are
truly at your fingertips. First, there's the
universal coverage. Meaning? Every single sire.
regardless of its country of origin, receives
a consistent and comprehensive evaluation across
all six sub -indexes. This means you're never
limited in your selection by where a bull comes
from. You get a complete, transparent, and comparable
genetic picture for every single option available
on the market. Level playing field. Exactly.
Second, The standardized metrics, with that consistent
500 -point scale and precise percentile rankings,
make direct comparisons incredibly straightforward
and unambiguous. You are always comparing apples
to apples across all trades and all bulls, eliminating
guesswork. That consistency in metrics must make
the complex process of sire selection so much
more manageable and confident for a producer.
It truly does, removing a lot of the ambiguity
that used to exist. Third, Lactanet offers regular
updates with three annual evaluations. Three
times a year. Yep. This crucial frequency ensures
that all genetic assessments are always current,
reflecting the very latest data, new research,
dynamic population trends. Genetics are a constantly
moving target, right? Right. And having such
up -to -date, reliable information is absolutely
vital for making informed, forward -looking breeding
decisions. And finally, there are sophisticated
integration tools available. Like software. Yeah.
Many mating programs and herd management software
solutions can be optimized specifically to leverage
this balanced trait improvement strategy, making
the practical implementation of this no -holes
approach much easier and more intuitive for producers.
You can input your specific herd's genetics and
lactantate's detailed data, and the software
actively helps you identify and select the best
sires to complement your individual cows and
achieve that desired So the tools are there to
make it easier. The tools are definitely there.
It's clear the dairy industry as a whole is undergoing
a significant shift in its genetic philosophy.
The article mentions validation from industry
leaders, not just academic researchers. What
are these influential breeding organizations
saying about this balanced approach? Yeah, and
this is important. This isn't just a niche idea
being promoted by a few academics or a small
group of early adopters anymore. It's rapidly
becoming a mainstream, widely accepted principle
because the overwhelming evidence is simply so
compelling. The industry is catching on. Leading
breeding organizations around the globe are increasingly
recognizing that the goal is to identify a complete
package of top genetics, one that balances improved
production along with an outstanding blend of
efficiency, reproduction, functional confirmation,
and health characteristics. The whole package.
The whole package. This signifies a powerful
move away from the traditional superstar -in
-one -trait mentality to actively seeking out
the all -around genetic champion. This shift
genuinely reflects a deeper, more sophisticated
understanding of what constitutes sustainable
and truly profitable dairy farming in the modern
era. They're seeing the crusts of imbalance firsthand.
It sounds like the industry is realizing that
the incredible genetic tools we have at our disposal
now allow for a much more nuanced, precise, and
ultimately more effective approach than ever
before. We no longer have to make those trade
-offs. Precisely. The widespread shift toward
balanced breeding directly reflects a broader
industry recognition that genomic selection has
revolutionized breeding by reducing generation
intervals, while simultaneously democratizing
access to elite genetics. What this profound
statement means for you is that we now possess
incredible power to identify superior genetics
much faster and make them more widely accessible
than at any previous point in history. But the
critical emphasis is now firmly shifting to how
to best and most intelligently use that unprecedented
access for balanced, holistic, and long -term
outcomes. Not just chasing numbers again. Rather
than simply falling back into the old costly
trap of single -trait chasing. It's about optimizing
the application of these powerful cutting -edge
tools for the best, most sustainable long -term
results for your entire farm operation. Okay,
so we've thoroughly established the why. why
single trait selection creates problems and what
the no -hole sire philosophy and lactonet sub
-indexes are all about. Now for you, the farmer
listening today, the most important question
is, what does this all mean in practical terms?
Yeah, the rubber hits the road part. How do we
actually implement this 50 % RK and higher strategy
on the ground in the barn when you're making
those daily or weekly breeding decisions? That's
truly the critical part, isn't it? Taking this
robust theory and translating it into actionable,
tangible steps that any producer can implement
immediately. And the good news is? The article
provides clear, actionable steps, which is fantastic.
It moves this from an abstract concept right
into practical application, making it accessible
for any producer ready to make this impactful
shift in their breeding strategy. Let's walk
through those steps because they form a clear
roadmap for success. The first is step one. Evaluate
current sires. Know where you stand? Exactly.
Before you can even think about choosing new
sires or adjusting your breeding goals, you absolutely
need to know your starting point, your current
genetic baseline. This means a thorough review
of the genetics of your existing herd and, crucially,
your current bull lineup against all six of Lactanet's
subindex crimperia. Look at the numbers. Where
are your herd's genetic strengths right now?
Perhaps your cows have fantastic production,
but are you consistently seeing nagging issues
with fertility or health that are dragging down
overall profitability? Where are your undeniable
weaknesses? This initial honest evaluation helps
you understand your herd's unique genetic profile
and clearly identify specific areas that need
immediate attention or sustained improvement.
It's like a genetic audit of your farm. That
makes perfect sense. You simply can't effectively
set a new course for your herd without a clear
understanding of your current position. Then,
once you know your baseline, you move to the
absolute linchpin of this entire strategy, step
two, set selection standards. The big rule. This
is the critical non -negotiable threshold we've
been discussing throughout this deep dive. You
must require a minimum of five out of the six
sub -indexes to be above 50 % or care for any
new sire choices you make. Five out of six, minimum.
This becomes your unwavering, non -negotiable
rule, your primary filter for semen purchases.
If a bull does not comfortably meet this standard,
regardless of how exceptionally high its production
index might be, it simply doesn't make the cut
for your herd. This steadfast commitment to the
50 % RK threshold ensures that you are consistently
and systematically bringing in balanced, resilient
genetics that contribute to overall herd health
and profitability, rather than creating new problems.
And it's vital to understand that this isn't
a one -and -done process that you can set and
forget. Right. It's ongoing. The journey continues
with step three, monitor genetic progress. Are
things actually getting better? Keep score. It's
about seeing the real -world, tangible impact
of your breeding decisions and making sure you're
firmly on the right track towards building a
more robust, more profitable, and genuinely more
resilient herd for the long term. This feedback
loop is essential. And finally, because the dynamic
nature of farming means things are never static,
there's the crucial step four, adapt over time.
Things change. Your herd -specific needs can
and often will change over the years. Market
demands can shift dramatically, impacting what
traits become most valuable. You need to be ready
to intelligently adjust your emphasis based on
those evolving needs while still rigorously maintaining
a balanced approach. So keep the balance. For
instance, if you've been highly successful in
significantly improving herd fertility and now
your primary bottleneck is feed efficiency, you
might place a slightly higher internal weighting
or focus on the environmental impact. for a period.
But crucially, never at the expense of creating
new genetic holes in other critical areas like
health or longevity. It's a dynamic living strategy,
not a rigid, unchanging formula. It requires
thoughtful, ongoing management. And the article
truly brings this concept to life by giving us
some tangible real -world examples of these no
-hole sires in Table 1. Ah, the examples. Good.
Featuring eight elite, that's 99 % RK, LPI sires
actively being marketed in 2025. This shows that
these bulls aren't theoretical constructs. They
exist and are available right now for your breeding
program. Okay, let's look at one or two. Yeah,
let's look at a few, starting with Impulse. 200
-H01 -33063. This bull boasts an impressive LPI
of 4067 and a very strong 77 % reliability. What
stands out immediately and perfectly illustrates
the no holes concept are its incredibly high
sub -indexes. A staggering PI of 99 % RK, LTI
at 98 % RK, HWI at 97 % RK, and EII at 96 % threshold.
So all six are above 50. This is a pristine example
of a bull that not only meets our 56 subindex
criteria, but actually hits all six categories
well above 50 % RK. Plus, for those interested,
it's noted as A2A2BB, which is an added bonus
for specific market niches. That truly is a complete
genetic package demonstrating exceptional balance.
What about another one? Another excellent example
from the list that showcases this all -around
strength is Cobot 014HO17486. With a robust LPI
of 30925 and 76 % reliability, Cobot is another
powerful performer across the entire spectrum
of traits. Let's see the numbers. Look at these
consistent numbers. PI at 99 % RK, HWI at 99
% RK, LTI at 87 % RK. RI at 78 % RK, MI at 82
% RK, and EII at 72 % RK. Again, all six well
above 50. Again, all six subindexes are not just
above, but significantly above the 50 % RK threshold,
making Cobot a prime textbook example of a no
-hole sire that offers a genuinely balanced genetic
profile, and it too is A2A2BB. Good question.
And for those producers specifically looking
to integrate polled genetics into their herd,
Apollo PP724HO002040 is a fantastic practical
example of a no -hole sire in that category.
It carries an LPI of 3924 at a high 79 % reliability.
High LPI for polled. What's particularly notable
here is that it's highlighted as the highest
ranking PP sire that still comfortably meets
our stringent no -holes criteria, boasting 5
out of its 6 sub -indexes over 50 % RK. So 5
out of 6 here. Right. Its PI is at a strong 95
% RK, LTI at an elite 99 % RK, HWI at 78 % RK,
MI at 85 % RK, and EII at 58 % RK. Only its reproduction
index is at 41 % RK, which is below the 50 %
threshold. That still makes the cut. But critically,
it still comfortably meets the at least 5 of
6 rule. This vividly illustrates that even if
one specific area isn't above average, if the
other five are consistently strong, it still
qualifies as a highly desirable no -hole sire
that avoids creating detrimental genetic imbalances.
It shows the practical flexibility of the rule.
That's a great illustration of how the guideline
allows for a practical rather than absolute interpretation
without compromising the overall balanced goal.
And there's one more mentioned prominently, Altazazl.
Ah yes, Altazazl 011 -H015036 with an LPI of
3 to 716 and a very high 96 % reliability. This
bull truly demonstrates the lasting generational
impact and legacy of such balanced genetics.
How so? Its subindexes are all exceptional. PI
at 98 % RK, LTI at 90 % RK, HWI at 90 % RK, RI
at 67 % RK, MI at 85 % RK, and EII precisely
50 % RK. All are at or above the 50 % RK threshold.
All six meet the mark. And the article specifically
notes that AltaZazzle has one son and one great
-grandson on this very no -whole sire list, plus
an impressive five daughter -proven sons currently
ranking in the top LPI listing, averaging very
strong numbers across the board. Wow. Passing
it on. This truly emphasizes how these balanced
genetics aren't just for one generation. They
can powerfully build a strong, sustainable, and
highly profitable genetic line through multiple
generations, securing your herd's future. That's
the long game. Absolutely. These exemplary sires
offer total trait coverage, promoting genetic
uniformity within your herd, and delivering superior
consistent performance to optimize sustainable
herd performance across the board. They are not
merely high in one or two isolated metrics, but
provide a truly robust and comprehensive genetic
package that profoundly supports the overall
health, longevity, reproductive efficiency, and
profitability of your herd. So when you look
at these tangible examples, it becomes abundantly
clear How this sophisticated no -holds strategy
transitions from an intelligent concept to concrete,
highly informed choices on your next semen order,
directly impacting your farm's success. Hashtag
tags, hashtag V. Actionable insights. So after
this comprehensive deep dive, what are the absolute
most critical takeaways for a farmer listening
today? If they could only implement one or two
things. What would be the non -negotiable actions
based on all the robust evidence we've explored?
That's a great and vital question. The article
provides some incredibly clear bottom lines that
resonate deeply, especially when you consider
today's challenging and volatile market conditions.
Okay, bottom line number one. First and foremost,
internalize this. Balanced genetics directly
translates to real dollars in your bank account.
Herds that consistently use sires with at least
five of the six subindexes above the 50th percentile
are demonstrating up to a remarkable 15 % longer
herd life, according to findings cited from the
Journal of Dairy Science in 2025. 15 % longer
life. Think about that. A 15 % increase in how
long your cows stay productive in the herd. That's
a massive improvement in cow longevity and lifetime
productivity, reducing your replacement costs
and maximizing return on investment per animal.
Huge. So what's the action step? The single most
actionable step you can take today is to immediately
check the subindex spread of your current bull
lineup. Don't just assume. Actively look at the
detailed data for the bulls you're currently
using and identify where you might have hidden
weaknesses or perhaps unexpected strengths. Awareness
is the first step to profit. That 15 % longer
herd life is truly a game changer when you factor
in the spiraling costs of raising or purchasing
replacement heifers. What's the next critical
insight? Next, and directly impacting your daily
cash flow, is the fact that better fertility
equals significantly less downtime for your herd.
Farms that have rigorously adopted this balanced
breeding rule are projecting to cut their open
days by an impressive up to 22 % in 2025. 22
% fewer open days. That's huge for cash flow.
This directly and immediately boosts cash flow
on every fresh cow by ensuring they get pregnant
sooner, maintain a tighter calving interval,
and stay in their most profitable lactation stages
for longer. For an immediate and tangible impact
on your farm, the actionable step here is clear.
What is it? Set that 50 % RK threshold as a mandatory
standard for all new bull choices, starting right
now. Make it an absolute, non -negotiable rule
for any semen you order going forward. It's a
remarkably simple rule to implement, but its
power to positively impact your farm's finances
and efficiency is incredibly profound. Make the
rule and stick to it, okay? And we absolutely
cannot overlook the impact on those pervasive
and costly health issues that seem to plague
every dairy operation at some point. Exactly.
This proactive, balanced selection strategy...
dramatically reduces costly disease calls to
your veterinarian. It's demonstrably linked to
fewer cases of mastitis, which saves on antibiotics
and milk disposal. Saves treatments. And fewer
lameness incidents, which means less pain for
your cows and less labor for you. This translates
into significant direct savings on vet bills,
medication, and the labor involved in treatment
and recovery. More importantly, it keeps your
cows healthy, productive, and consistently milking
without interruption. So the practical step.
The practical step here is critical. When you're
sorting through sires, actively prioritize the
health and welfare index, not just hyper -focusing
on fat or PTAT. Make strong HWI scores a non
-negotiable factor because it's fundamentally
about proactive prevention, saving you substantial
money, reducing stress, and preventing significant
headaches down the line. Look beyond the production
numbers. Got it. And all of this seems incredibly
relevant, perhaps even more so given the current
volatile economic climate facing dairy producers
globally. Absolutely. This isn't just about better
cows. It's about robust business strategy. It
absolutely is. And this point cannot be overstated.
This no -holds strategy works specifically for
today's challenging market conditions. With replacement
costs for heifers up a staggering 18 % in recent
times and feed prices remaining stubbornly volatile.
Costs are up everywhere. Building a herd of cows
that consistently last for many lactations and
breed back efficiently isn't just a good idea.
It's rapidly becoming absolutely crucial for
your farm's survival and sustained profitability.
The investment required to bring a heifer into
the milking string is increasing dramatically,
making it paramount to keep existing cows healthy
and productive for as long as possible. So the
final crucial action. Therefore, the most critical
immediate step you can take today that directly
impacts your farm's future solvency is to make
no -holes bulls your top priority on your very
next semen order. Your future profit margin,
your operational efficiency, and indeed your
farm's long -term sustainability genuinely might
depend on this fundamental shift. This isn't
merely about breeding better cows. It's an essential
strategy for business survival and robust growth
in a challenging economic landscape. It's abundantly
clear, then, that breeding a truly super -performing,
resilient, and profitable herd isn't a one -trait,
single -number solution. It requires a comprehensive,
balanced, and deeply optimized approach, especially
with the sophisticated genetic tools and sub
-indexes that Lactonet has now so thoughtfully
provided. Ultimately, it presents you with a
stark choice. You can either continue to silently
pay for genetic holes you can't immediately see
slowly but surely eroding your profits and resilience,
or you can wisely invest in a robust, genuinely
profitable future by wholeheartedly embracing
the scientifically validated balanced breeding
philosophy. Well put. The data, the economics,
and the practical farm outcomes are overwhelmingly
on the side of balance. Great points. And that
wraps up today's deep dive into No Whole Sires,
the balanced breeding profit maximizer. For more
articles and valuable insights, be sure to visit
www .thebullvine .com. And for those of you who
want to keep getting these targeted deep dives
into the topics that matter most to your operation,
make sure you hit that subscribe button wherever
you get your content. Don't miss out. It ensures
you never miss out on the critical knowledge
that helps you thrive. Thank you for joining
us, and we encourage you to take these insights
and truly scrutinize your breeding program. What
unseen holes might you be inadvertently breeding
into your future herd, and how might a balanced
approach transform your profitability? Consider
that for your next decision. That's it for this
episode of the Bullvine Podcast. We hope you
picked up a few ideas worth chewing on, and maybe
a couple of questions to take back to your breeding
plan. Big thanks for listening and for being
part of a community that isn't afraid to rethink,
rework, and keep raising the bar in dairy. If
you got value out of today's chat, pass it on
to a friend or share your thoughts with us online.
I'm Andrew, and from all of us here at The Bullvine,
here's to better cows, better herds, and a better
tomorrow in dairying. Catch you next time.