Finding Balanced Holstein Conformation Selection

 Following a successful World Dairy Expo and a whirlwind trip to the UK, Mike Duckett and Tim Abbott join the Select Sires Podcast to reflect on standout cows, promising young stock and the growing global momentum behind the Showbox Sires program. The conversation explores emerging sire patterns, exciting new genetic releases and how a focus on longevity, balance and cow families is helping shape the next generation of elite dairy cattle around the world.

Interested in gaining hands-on experience in the genetics and livestock industries? In this episode, Talent Development Specialist Kassidy Oliger shares details about Select Sires' upcoming internship opportunities, while recent interns discuss how their summer experiences helped shape their career goals, expand their industry knowledge and build valuable professional connections. Select Sires career page: https://www.selectsires.com/our-company/careers 

Host, Ethan Haywood, and Senior Holstein Sire Analyst, Kevin Jorgensen, recap an outstanding World Dairy Expo, highlighting championship-winning Showcase™ genetics, standout cows, and the breeding trends shaping the future of the dairy industry. They also discuss the growing demand for balanced cows that excel in both the show ring and commercial environments, and preview exciting new Showcase sires set to join the lineup in the coming months.

From health, fertility, and calf wellness to production, polled genetics, and genetic diversity, today's top young sires are proving that balanced breeding is the key to long-term profitability. In this episode, we highlight several standout genomic bulls and the influential cow families behind them while exploring what these genetics mean for Jersey breeders moving forward. Whether you're focused on components, longevity, or herd efficiency, this conversation offers valuable insight into where Jersey genetics are headed next.

Discover the latest NxGEN® and GForce™ sires from Select Sires as experts break down the genomic bulls making waves across the dairy industry. From elite health, fertility, and component traits to influential cow families, listeners will get an inside look at the genetics shaping the future of profitable dairy herds. Plus, hear why bulls like 614HO1813 BAELUM, 550HO18402 HI-BALLER-P, 14HO17486 COBOT, and 507HO18102 RICHARD CHICHESTER are generating excitement among breeders around the world.

The latest genetic evaluations delivered some of the most significant updates the dairy industry has seen in years. In this episode, our genetic experts break down the major changes affecting both Jersey and Holstein breeders, including new industry traits and updates to profitability indexes. The discussion also highlights several newly graduated proven sires and established breed leaders that continue to deliver outstanding results through daughter performance, production, fertility and functional type.

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, Host Ethan Haywood sits down with Dr. Jeffrey Bewley, Executive Director of Genetic Programs and Innovation, and Dr. Jason Graham, Genetic Evaluation and Research Scientist at Holstein Association USA, to discuss the research, producer input, and data analysis behind Holstein Conformation Composite (HCC).Additional resource: https://www.holsteinusa.com/pdf/Holstein_Conformation_Composite.pdf 

Learn how the Genetic Data Partner (GDP) Program from Select Sires helps drive dairy genetic progress through real-world data collection and young sire sampling. In this episode, Preston Sheets, Dairy Development Programs Advisor, explains how partner herds contribute fertility, production and type data to develop more reliable, proven sires. Discover how the program benefits producers with early access to genetics while shaping the future of the dairy industry.

In this episode of The Select Sires Podcast, experts from the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding break down major updates to female fertility evaluations, including improvements to DPR, CCR, HCR, and EFC, as well as the introduction of a new trait, First Service to Conception (FSC). They explain how modern dairy management and data collection are shaping more accurate genetic predictions. Tune in to learn how these changes can help producers make better breeding decisions and improve reproductive efficiency.Additional Resource: https://uscdcb.com/august-2026-evaluations/ 

In this episode, Herby Lutz, Jersey Development Manager, and Marc Bolen, Dairy Sire Marketing Coordinator, break down the top genomic Jersey young sires dominating today’s rankings for HHP$®, JPI™, production, and wellness traits. With 10 of the breeds top 25 HHP$ sires represented, the GForce™ lineup showcases elite genetics designed for profitability, longevity and herd health.