Dollars and Data

The Financial Impact of Female-Driven Genetics

By Chelsea Abbott, Trans Ova Genetics Dairy Consultant

Genetics isn’t just about breeding charts — it’s about the bottom line. The numbers prove that focusing on females delivers measurable economic returns.

Milk Production

In one 15,000-cow herd, first-lactation animals were divided by genetic quartile (based on PTA Milk). The top 25% averaged 82 pounds of milk per day, while the bottom 25% averaged just 70. That’s a 12-pound difference, solely due to genetics. Over a full lactation, that gap translates to nearly $400,000 in additional milk revenue.

Fertility

Genetics also impact conception. Higher-ranking cows consistently required fewer services per conception compared to lower-ranking cows. Over time, even small improvements in fertility save thousands in semen costs, labor, and lost days open.

Cull and Death Losses

Poor genetics don’t just reduce output — they increase losses. In the same herd, bottom-quartile cows were sold or died at significantly higher rates than top-quartile cows. For first-lactation animals alone, shifting replacements from average cows to elite females could reduce losses by hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Lameness and Health Events

Health costs add up quickly. In this dataset, 88% of bottom-quartile cows experienced lameness, compared to just 20% of top-quartile cows. Each lame event costs roughly $333 — meaning genetics directly tie into animal welfare and profitability.

The Bottom Line

If you’re not improving, you’re falling behind fast. Traditional breeding practices can’t keep up with the progress needed to succeed in today’s market. Today’s leaders become tomorrow’s standard. Are you keeping up?

When you zoom out, the conclusion is clear: every breeding decision carries a financial impact. By strategically using elite females, and Trans Ova’s toolbox of reproductive services, dairies can not only produce better cows but also reduce costs, increase efficiency, and grow profitability.

Genetics are dollars in disguise, and female-driven programs unlock more of them.

Focus on your females—get in touch with our team of dairy consultants today:

Seth Carpenter

Lead Dairy Consultant | seth.carpenter@transova.com

Chelsea Abbott

Dairy Consultant, West | Chelsea.abbott@transova.com

Jake Jantz

Dairy Consultant, Plains | Jake.jantz@transova.com