STtalks #385 - STgenetics® Newest Traits: STurdy & Mature Live Weight with Kevin Ziemba, Jocelyn Johnson & David Kendall
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In this episode of STtalks #385, Kevin Ziemba, Jocelyn Johnson, and David Kendall introduce two groundbreaking new traits from ST Genetics: 'Sturdy' and 'Mature Live Weight.' The discussion centers on how these traits help producers balance cow size, structural strength, and efficiency. Sturdy is presented as a revolutionary index that combines linear type traits—particularly strength and stature—adjusted for body weight, effectively breaking the traditional correlation between height and strength. This allows breeders to identify 'little freight trains'—cows that are compact, robust, and structurally sound relative to their size. When paired with Mature Live Weight, which predicts a cow's final body weight, producers can select for smaller, more feed-efficient animals without sacrificing durability or longevity. The hosts emphasize that these traits are not just theoretical but practical tools, already integrated into ST Genetics' chromosome mating programs and available to breeders via their online platforms. Producers are encouraged to shift their mindset from simply selecting for size or type to optimizing for a balanced, profitable, and sustainable cow. The episode concludes with a strong message about ST Genetics' commitment to listening to producers and innovating solutions to real-world challenges in dairy farming.
Sturdy is a new index that measures structural robustness by combining strength, stature, and body weight, helping identify cows that are strong relative to their height and size.
Mature Live Weight predicts a cow's final body weight, enabling producers to select for smaller, more feed-efficient animals without sacrificing durability.
Together, Sturdy and Mature Live Weight allow producers to optimize for both efficiency and longevity, avoiding the risk of frail, high-maintenance cows.
These traits are integrated into ST Genetics' mating programs and can be used in customized selection indexes.
The industry is moving toward defining an 'optimum-sized cow,' and ST Genetics is leading the way by combining data-driven science with producer feedback.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to STgenetics' New Traits: Sturdy and Mature Live Weight
Laura introduces the episode and the focus on two new ST Genetics traits: Sturdy and Mature Live Weight, setting the stage for a deep dive into their science and application.
The Science Behind the Sturdy Index
“Sturdy is strength minus stature adjusted for body weight. And when you look at this trait and you look at the animals in the population, I can tell you for the last week, I've been studying linear bar graphs and animals in the population, male and female. And I've had numerous producers reach out like this trait makes sense. So pretty excited about it.”
How Sturdy Differs from Traditional Type Traits
“It's a one trait because it's a combination of numerous different linear traits. It gives you that overall picture of what the cow looks like, and that's very different. There really isn't any trait that we have except for mobility that does anything close to this.”
What an Ideal Sturdy Cow Looks Like in Practice
“If I ended up with a cow that was 1500 pounds in lactation three, that was 57 and a half inches tall with more strength than stature, I'm thinking I won the lottery.”
Data, Research, and Integration with Mature Live Weight
“We really see these two traits as working in combination together where we can select for those smaller cows that again, we don't just want smaller cows. We want smaller cows that are more feed efficient and still productive.”
“If I ended up with a cow that was 1500 pounds in lactation three, that was 57 and a half inches tall with more strength than stature, I'm thinking I won the lottery.”
“Sturdy is strength minus stature adjusted for body weight. And when you look at this trait and you look at the animals in the population, I can tell you for the last week, I've been studying linear bar graphs and animals in the population, male and female. And I've had numerous producers reach out like this trait makes sense. So pretty excited about it.”
“We can't, even with mature weight, we can run into problems in continuing to make a smaller cow. So this is a great foundation that has been laid with sturdy and mature weight.”
Host
Guests
ST Genetics
organization
Sturdy
other
Mature Live Weight
other
Kevin Ziemba
person
David Kendall
person
Jocelyn Johnson
person
GBI
organization
Journal of Dairy Science
other
GeneStream
organization
Holstein Association
organization
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