2020 CDCB Industry Meeting

Event Details

Feed Saved Launched at 2020 CDCB Industry Meeting

More than 300 individuals from 26 countries joined CDCB’s first virtual Industry Meeting on Monday, November 2, 2020. The meeting featured feed efficiency and opportunities to improve stewardship and profitability of dairy production through genetic selection and the new Feed Saved trait.

The meeting was opened by CDCB Chair Neal Smith, who recognized three individuals whose terms on the Board of Directors completed in 2020.

• Dave Hallberg, dairy producer from Pennock, Minn.
• Chuck Sattler of Select Sires, Inc., Plain City, Ohio
• Bill Verboort of AgriTech Analytics, Visalia, Calif.

Three renowned geneticists presented the research, data collection, methodology and expected results for Feed Saved, and then answered audience questions on a panel moderated by Dr. John B. Cole of USDA AGIL. Dr. Kent Weigel presented an overview of global research on feed efficiency, along with U.S. data collection on feed intake. Dr. Paul VanRaden described Feed Saved Methodology, and Dr. Kristen Parker Gaddis shared expected results from the trait being launched in December 2020.

Mitloehner Outlines Facts on Methane, Environmental Footprint of Dairy 

“Genetics is actually the key to further improvements of our carbon footprint,” said Frank Mitloehner of University of California-Davis, as he concluded his presentation Rethinking Methane: The Path to Climate Neutrality.

In the U.S., the carbon footprint of a glass of milk has shrunk by two-thirds in the last 70 years. “We went from 25 million dairy cows (around 1950) to now 9 million cows, and with this much smaller herd, we are producing 60% more milk,” shared Mitloehner, crediting improved genetics, reproduction, veterinary care, feed efficiency and quality. “As long as we do not grow livestock numbers, as long as we keep them relatively constant, the amount of methane produced, and the amount of methane destroyed are in balance. This is a total change in narrative around impact of ruminant livestock on climate.”

“If we continue to reduce methane, we will be viewed as less of a liability around climate,” stated Mitloehner. “Animal agriculture will be viewed as a potential solution, because we can actually pull carbon out of the atmosphere by reducing methane.”

Mitloehner was joined by Corey Geiger, Lloyd Holterman and Juan Tricarico in a panel discussion moderated by João Dürr that unpacked how U.S. dairy can demonstrate and share how improved productivity and efficiency is beneficial to achieving goals for reduced negative impacts on the environment.

• Corey Geiger is managing editor of Hoard’s Dairyman, President of Holstein Association-USA, and a member of the CDCB Board of Directors.
• Lloyd Holterman is owner of Rosy-Lane Holsteins, recipient of a national award in April 2020 for Outstanding Dairy Farm Sustainability.
• Juan Tricarico is Vice President of Sustainability Research at Dairy Management Inc., Rosemont, Ill.

“Many dairyman view sustainability as something that’s going to cost money and take effort,” said Holterman, who chairs CDCB’s Producer Advisory Committee. “I would argue that sustainability is something that creates more profit. That is a redirection of our thinking. And it’s the real direction of our genetic programs.”

CDCB extends sincere thanks to all the presenters and attendees at the 2020 Industry Meeting.

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