Innovative Breeding News

Highlights of innovative breeding in June 2023

10 Tips to Make Your Farm More Profitable

If you could turn your dairy farm into a?more profitable business, how would you do it? This question is one of the most difficult to answer.

It would be best if you had a solid plan that considers the strengths and weaknesses of your herd and makes room for innovative practices. To give you a head start, we have ten tips to help you achieve this.

Rearing too many replacement heifers can be costly. Use X-Vik sexed semen to secure the correct replacement heifer numbers. This way, and build a profitable, sustainable herd.

Encouraging better feed efficiency is also a great way to be more profitable. Feeding costs dramatically affect your bottom line; up to 88% of a dairy farm’s variable costs relate to feed. Tools such as the Saved Feed Index can help you identify your most feed-efficient cows. The higher the index, the more efficient a cow is at turning feed into milk.

To get all ten tips, read the full story on our website.

Take your dairy farm from more to better (vikinggenetics.com)

VikingGenetics Becomes Exclusive Genetics Partner for Arla in Nigeria

VikingGenetics will exclusively supply genetics to Arla Foods' first-ever dairy farm outside Europe, situated in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Arla's newly launched farm has received 216 Danish VikingHolstein heifers, via a partnership with VikingLivestock, which will be inseminated with 100% sexed semen from VikingGenetics bulls.

Addressing Nigeria's burgeoning population and soaring dairy demand, Snorri Sigurdsson, Arla Farm Manager, says, "With this project, we share our knowledge, create an economically viable market for local milk and show a way a way for the future of Nigerian dairy farming." As well as enhancing local dairy production, the farm will act as a training hub for Nigerian dairy farmers.

The partnership aims to boost Nigeria's dairy industry through Nordic dairy cattle genetics. "With a daily production of 30-40 litres of milk, VikingGenetics' breeds can benefit areas where farmers experience average yields of 1-2 litres daily. This will greatly help farmers and their communities, increasing yields, boosting income, and enhancing access to nutritious food," says VikingGenetics CEO Louise Helmer.

The collaboration offers Arla and Nigerian farmers a comprehensive solution, combining livestock, semen and expert guidance. In addition to growing milk output, Arla's strategy to use 100% sexed semen will expand the herd, further unlocking Nigeria's dairy industry potential.

Read the full press release: VikingGenetics selected as Arla's exclusive partner in Nigeria

VikingRed's Growing Success in South America

Interest in the VikingRed breed is growing among South American farmers, especially in Chile. But what's driving this surge in popularity? VikingReds are naturally healthy cows with the highest production of milk and solids for red cows.?Their resilience, robustness, and longevity make them well-suited to thrive in South America's diverse climatic conditions.?

Chilean farmers are backing this interest in VikingRed with meaningful action. Earlier this month, more than 30 local producers gathered in Puerto Varas, southern Chile, to learn more about VikingRed.

The event, organised by Cooperativa Cooprinsem , included technical talks from VikingGenetics breeding experts on the breed's genetic development and tips on how to get the most out of the breed. Participants also visited Domingo Urzúa's Hue?auca Farm, with over 400 VikingRed cows, which was recently named Ambassador Farm for VikingRed in Chile.

The event's success was evident when the farmers purchased 750 doses of VR Frape P , one of the best new VikingRed sires from early 2023.