Contents:

• Demystifying the black box
  Genetic evaluation of dairy cattle might seem like a black box - data comes in, fancy mathematics occur and genetic information comes out. But there really is much more to the national genetic evaluation system.
• Value of genetic improvement
  The effect of genetic improvement of dairy cattle is an often forgotten component of a farm system. Genetic improvement is about incremental, long-term gains.
• Forage Value Index: the PW for pasture
  The DairyNZ Forage Value Index can be described as the pasture equivalent of the production worth (PW) index for dairy cows, with a few twists.
• Breeding robust dairy cows
  This project is currently evaluating on-farm recording of animal parentage, including whether a greater rate of genetic gain for fertility is possible.
• New research to improve cow fertility and lifetime productivity
  DairyNZ’s new research programme to improve cow fertility and lifetime productivity aims to improve the herd reproductive performance in New Zealand dairy systems.
• References
• Science snapshots
• Snippets of hot science