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Genomics testing costs are starting to fall

A university professor says it’s getting financially easier for dairy farmers to take advantage of genomic testing.

Professor Joseph Dalton from the University of Idaho tells Brownfield genomic testing is costing producers less than it used to.  “The costs per animal, the tests that are offered are less expensive than they were two or three years ago, yes.”

And, Dalton says there are a couple of ways to recover those costs.  “For example, from the sale of excess heifers if that is a strategy, from the generation of perhaps elite cattle.  You would reap those benefits across time.”

Dalton tells Brownfield, “Genomics offers you the ability to almost literally look into the future by getting an idea of the traits that your animals have, even before raising them and having them calve and actually having production records.”

Dalton says producers should talk with veterinarians, consultants, and extension educators to see if genomics can improve their herd’s performance and profitability.