MADISON, Wis. — Dairy producers and allied industry members are invited to the 11th annual Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) Industry Meeting on October 1, 2025, in The Tanbark at World Dairy Expo. A livestream option is also available for those unable to travel to Madison, Wis.
The event, “Introducing the Next Genetic Tools,” will feature updates from CDCB researchers on new and upcoming genetic selection traits. Milking Speed (MSPD), the first trait of its kind to utilize standardized in-line sensor measurements, was released to the industry in the August 2025 triannual genetic evaluations. Attendees will learn how to apply this new trait in breeding programs as well as how new calf health, hoof health, mobility, and female fertility traits are being developed to further enhance efficiency and profitability on dairy farms.
To wrap up the presentations, a panel of dairy producers will discuss applying these new tools and how they strive to make genetic decisions that result in long-lived, productive cows.
Dairy farmers, on-farm consultants, researchers, genetic enthusiasts, and other industry personnel are invited to participate in the free meeting. The program will begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 11:30 a.m. Attendees are welcome to join for the entire event or any sessions that fit their schedule:
7:30 a.m. Registration opens
8:00 a.m. Welcome, Jay Weiker, Chair, CDCB Board of Directors
8:05 a.m. 2025 Annual Report, João Dürr, Ph.D., CEO, CDCB
8:20 a.m. Calculating Milking Speed (MSPD) PTAs Using Sensor Data, Kristen Gaddis, Ph.D., Geneticist, CDCB
8:40 a.m. Genetic Tools for Healthier Calves, John Cole, Ph.D., Chief Research and Development Officer, CDCB
9:00 a.m. Improving the Wheels on the Car – Hoof Health and Mobility, Ashley Ling, Ph.D., Support Scientist, CDCB
9:20 a.m. Refreshment Break
9:50 a.m. Modern Herds, Modern Hurdles: Aligning Fertility Evaluations, Taylor McWhorter, Ph.D., Geneticist, CDCB
10:25 a.m. Additional Research in Progress and Traits of the Future, John Cole, Ph.D., Chief Research and Development Officer, CDCB
10:35 a.m. Cows Can Live Longer—Are We Letting Them?, Albert De Vries, Ph.D., Professor, University of Florida Animal Sciences Department
10:40 a.m. Cows Can Live Longer – Are We Letting Them?, Producer Panel with Eric Grotegut (Newton, Wis.), Glenn Kline (Troy, Pa.), Kristen Metcalf (Milton, Wis.)
11:25 a.m. Closing Comments, João Dürr, Ph.D., CEO, CDCB
11:30 a.m. Adjourn
There is no cost to attend, but registration is requested for planning purposes. Register at www.uscdcb.com/events/. Registered participants may choose to join in person or via livestream; that link will be emailed to registrants the day prior to the meeting.
Since 2013, the Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding (CDCB) has been responsible for publishing genetic evaluations, stewarding the National Cooperator Database, and providing national dairy performance benchmarks. CDCB works in conjunction with the USDA-ARS Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory to research new genetic methodologies, selection traits, and tools for reporting genetic conditions. For more information, visit uscdcb.com or follow CDCB on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.
—Council on Dairy Cattle Breeding