The BreedCast - innovative dairy breeding in your ears

Hosted by VikingGenetics

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May 2024

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About the show

Get an insight into the future of cattle breeding. Learn from experts in beef and dairy farming. Listen to The BreedCast — your podcast series on innovative breeding. Are you running out of time to read all the stories and tips on innovative dairy farming? How about taking the latest news with you where ever you go — right in your ears? The BreedCast is a podcast series for dairy and beef producers around the world — produced by VikingGenetics. We invite experts to share their best tips on how to breed healthy, efficient, trouble-free cows. Get updated on:•Solutions that can help you breed for better fertility, healthier cows, higher production, and a greater quality of life•Technologies that can make your dairy or beef business more profitable•Future trends in innovative cattle breeding are on the horizon. We like to keep the vibe of The BreedCast warm and informal — just like a skilled advisor visiting your farm. Do you have a topic in mind for a future BreedCast episode?We'd love to hear from you! Enjoy the BreedCast - innovative breeding in your ears.

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29 recent

May 23, 2024Episode 740 min

Episode 07 (Season 3) - Ice Cream & Cheese - Why VikingJersey Excels in USA

Jersey cow populations across the world are booming. Their cost-effectiveness, feed efficiency, good fertility, and high solids production make them highly desirable. In effect, it’s a cow built for the dairy industry of tomorrow.But what makes Jersey milk so desirable for cheese and ice cream production? And what do Nordic genetics have to offer for American dairy farmers?To learn more and get tips on how to get the most out of your Jersey cows, we invited a Jersey breeding expert and an American dairy farmer to the studio. They share their knowledge and explain why VikingJersey milk is favoured by American cheese and ice cream producers.Guests:Peter Larson, Senior Breeding Manager for VikingJersey at VikingGeneticsTom Seals, Owner of Legendairy Farms, Oregon, and Board Director at Tillamook County CreameryHost: Tomás De La Rosa

March 11, 2024Episode 628 min

Episode 06 (Season 03) - Genomic vs. Daughter-proven Bulls - What Are Their Merits?

Daughter-proven bulls have been a staple in cattle breeding for generations; they have bred many world-class bloodlines. However, with technological development, more reliable tools have become available. Today, more and more farmers use genomic solutions to fully understand their herd’s potential.So, is this why farmers are transitioning away from daughter-proven bulls toward genomic sires? And do these bulls differ in their breeding values and roles in cattle breeding?To take a deep dive into the cattle breeding of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we invited a dairy farmer and a genetics expert to share their knowledge and experiences with breeding bulls.Guests: Casper Koldkjær Pedersen, Owner and Manager at Tronsmark Holstein, DenmarkLars Nielsen, Chief Breeding & Production Officer at VikingGeneticsHost: Tomás De La Rosa

January 29, 2024Episode 536 min

Episode 05 (Season 03) - Animal Welfare - Why Breed for Natural Health?

The Nordic countries have the world’s healthiest cows, supported by high production and the lowest use of antibiotics and hormones. Since the 1980s, they have focused on balancing health with production traits. The goal? Breeding long-lasting cows to make dairy farming more profitable and easier.So, how can dairy farmers effectively breed for health to improve fertility, longevity, and production? And how can better animal welfare improve your herd’s efficiency and profitability?To take a deep dive into the importance of naturally healthy cattle and get management tips for improving animal welfare on your farm, we invited two expert veterinaries to share their experience and insights on the value of breeding healthy dairy cows. Guests: Peter Raundal, Senior Specialist and Veterinary Team Leader at SEGES InnovationKasper Werner Johanssen, Supervising Veterinary at VikingGenetics.Host: Tomás De La Rosa

November 13, 2023Episode 422 min

Episode 04 (Season 03) - Holstein Excellence - Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Dairy Herd

Holstein Friesian cows are one of the symbols of dairy farming; nearly 75% of dairy cows worldwide belong to this breed. However, many Holstein farmers who used to select traits to boost production now struggle with herd health, fertility, and cows too large to be efficient.So, how can dairy farmers effectively balance health, fertility, and longevity with milk production? And what can you do to make your Holstein herd more profitable and efficient?To take a deep dive into the breed and get management tips for having healthier, more fertile Holstein cows, we invited a dairy farmer and a breeding expert to share their experience and knowledge on all things Holstein cattle.Guests:Leo Hansen, Dairy Manager at Härjanurme Mõis, EstoniaHanna Driscoll, Product Manager for VikingHolstein at VikingGenetics.Host:Tomás De La Rosa

October 16, 2023Episode 334 min

Episode 03 (Season 03) - Supporting Dairy Farmers - How Journalists Help Inform Consumers

The world has put dairy farmers and cows under a magnifying glass. How our food is produced has never been under so much scrutiny from governments, media, and consumers.But what is the best way to inform everyday people about dairy farming? And how can journalists help by promoting the efforts of farmers?To learn more and hear great stories about dairy farmers worldwide, we invited two journalists with over 20 years of experience to share their knowledge of the press’s role in bridging the gap with consumers and boosting support for dairy farming in times of pressure.Guests:Christian Friis Hansen, Director and Senior Editor at LandbrugsMedierneChris McCullough, Freelance International Agri-journalistHost:Tomás De La Rosa

September 18, 2023Episode 224 min

Episode 02 (Season 03) - Switching Breeds - Are Jersey Cows the Solution?

The number of Jersey cows across the world is growing; more dairy farmers are switching from traditional breeds to Jerseys. As larger cows require more space and management costs increase, the smaller yet high-performance Jerseys provide a sustainable alternative.But how can switching breeds be beneficial for your dairy business? And what makes Jersey the ideal breed for this purpose?To learn more and get tips on making the transition go smoothly, we invited two Jersey cow experts to share their experience and knowledge on how to breed healthy and profitable Jersey cows.Guests:Peter Larson, Senior Breeding Manager for VikingJersey at VikingGenetics Lauge Jakobsen, Herd Manager at Gram & Nybøl EstatesHost:Tomás De La Rosa

August 14, 2023Episode 133 min

Episode 01 (Season 03) - Innovative Farming - The Key to Sustainable Dairy?

Arla has opened its first innovation farm in Denmark to accelerate the development and demonstrations of new solutions for animal welfare, biodiversity, and the transition to more sustainable farming. VikingGenetics is collaborating in this, helping identify and breed more climate-friendly cows with fewer emissions.But does an Arla innovation farm do differently from other dairy farms? What opportunities will this offer to future-friendly farming?To learn what innovative dairy farming looks like and what developments are critical for a transition to be more sustainable, we are joined by an organic dairy farmer with over 25 years of experience and two innovation experts in the studio.Guests:Tatiani Bula Sundgaard, Agriculture Innovation Manager at Arla FoodsTorben Sønderby, dairy farmer, owner of Klink ØkologiJan Lassen, PhD, Senior Project Manager at VikingGeneticsHost:Tomás De La Rosa

July 12, 2023Episode 1119 min

Episode 11 (Season 02) - Summer Special - New Zealand Edition

The majority of dairy cows in New Zealand are crossbred. This “national herd” consists primarily of Friesian x Jerseys. However, over the last four years, VikingRed has become the number one option for farmers looking to boost their crossbreeding with healthier, more robust genetics. But why is crossbreeding dominant in New Zealand? And what are the main traits farmers aim for? To learn more, we sat down for an informal, improvised chat with a local expert on New Zealand’s unique dairy farming industry, crossbreeding and genetic trends, and other things Kiwi farmers should be on the lookout for. Guests:Jim Bruce, Country Manager for Australia & New Zealand at VikingGeneticsHost:Hielke Wiersma

July 4, 2023Episode 1024 min

Episode 10 (Season 02) - NTM – What is the Nordic Total Merit Index?

When it comes to dairy farming in the Nordic countries, we are always talking about the NTM – the Nordic Total Merit Index. But what makes the NTM one of the most progressive breeding value systems in the world? How can using the index boost the health and profit of your dairy herd?To explain the index simply and practically, we’re joined by a leading veterinarian with more than 30 years of experience and an expert Holstein cattle breeder.Guests: Kaj Abrahamsen, Chief Veterinarian, at VikingGeneticsHanna Driscoll, Product Manager for VikingHolstein, at VikingGeneticsHost: Hielke Wiersma

June 6, 2023Episode 927 min

Episode 09 (Season 2) - Future-friendly Farming - Dairy Farming in 2040

Consumer trends are constantly changing. What consumers think and want impacts the food supply chain and, as a result, your farm and cattle breeding. But how will societal and consumer trends affect cattle breeding in the future? What will farming look like in 2040?To discuss the trends and technologies that will define the farming of tomorrow, we invited an expert geneticist and cattle breeder and an international, award-winning journalist specialising in all aspects of agriculture.Guests:Lars Nielsen, Chief Breeding & Production Officer, at VikingGeneticsChris McCullough, Freelance International Agri-journalistHost: Hielke Wiersma