Episode 315 - How Genetics Drive Dairy Profitability: Insights from Minnesota Herds - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

Host Brad Heins welcomes Becca Weir, a Minnesota native and newly appointed assistant professor of agricultural economics at Penn State. Growing up on a dairy farm near Sauk Centre, Rebecca developed a passion for applying economics to dairy management decisions.

In this episode, she shares findings from her University of Minnesota research with Jolene Hadrich, which connected genetic selection (sire Net Merit) with farm-level profitability using data from 2012–2018 Minnesota dairy herds.

Key insights:

• A $100 increase in sire Net Merit was linked to roughly $12,000 more in net farm income—about $87 per cow, higher than expected.
• The positive relationship held across small, medium, and large herds, showing that investing in genetics pays off for all farm sizes.
• Traits related to longevity and health—such as livability and milk fever resistance—were the most consistent contributors to profitability.
• Selecting based on the Net Merit index is more effective than focusing on single traits.
• Genetics explained about 3% of profitability variation, a small but meaningful share alongside market conditions, management, and input costs.

Rebecca also discusses her new role at Penn State, where she’ll continue exploring dairy farm management, risk management, and programs like Dairy Margin Coverage to help producers improve economic resilience.

Brad closes by reminding listeners that genetics are just one piece of the profitability puzzle—but an important one that can deliver measurable returns for dairy farmers.

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