E580 The Proof You Waited Three Years For Averaged a $72 Markdown

About this episode

The episode discusses the findings of a Virginia Tech analysis on genomic-tested Holstein bulls and the implications of daughter-proof results on breeding decisions.

A Virginia Tech analysis of 2,400+ genomic-tested Holstein bulls found the average daughter-proof came in $72 lower in Net Merit than the genomic prediction they were already sold on. Three years of waiting on a proof — and the headline news was a markdown. The Bullvine Podcast breaks down the real cost of holding bulls to a daughter-proof, why genomics nearly doubled genetic gain by cutting the wait rather than sharpening the prediction, and what it means for your next mating run. The semen sells the whole time the bull stands. So what does the wait actually buy? What You'll Learn Why a daughter-proof averaged $72 below the genomic figure bulls were sold on How genomics moved Net Merit gain from ~$40 to ~$85 a year — by halving generation interval When ~80% genomic reliability beats a 99% proven bull a generation behind Why A2A2, kappa-casein BB, and polled read at ~99–100% off the DNA — no proof needed What 9.99% Holstein inbreeding costs: ~40 lbs of milk per cow per 1% Whether you're still breeding to a bull that died in 2008 Holding a bull to proof runs roughly $36,000 in maintenance over ~1,200 days — overhead on top of the semen he's already selling. The proof, on average…

People in this episode

Host: The Bullvine

Topics covered

• genomics
• dairy cattle
• genetic gain
• daughter-proof
• Net Merit
• breeding strategies

Keywords

• genomic prediction
• Net Merit
• A2A2
• kappa-casein
• Holstein inbreeding
• semen sales
• breeding costs

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Virginia Tech

Products: Holstein bulls

Books & works: The Bullvine Podcast

More episodes of The Bullvine

• E584 Brookview Tony Charity: A $47,000 Gamble That Outlived Everyone Who Doubted Her · June 13, 2026 · 41 min
• E583 Outlook Dairy Lost 35 of 55 Workers Before Lunch. Then the Cows Lined Up. · June 12, 2026 · 18 min
• E582 H5N1 Is Back in 15 Dairies in 30 Days – and Only 1 in 4 Parlor Workers Wore a Respirator · June 11, 2026 · 20 min
• E581 Falling Semen Sales Aren’t Bad News – They’re Proof You Bred Better · June 10, 2026 · 25 min
• E579 Microsoft Got a “Tolerance Decision.” Dutch Dairies Got Closure Orders. · June 8, 2026 · 34 min
• E578 Against All Odds: The Dreamers, Rebels, and Risk-Takers Who Built the Modern Holstein · June 6, 2026 · 39 min