Livestock biotechnology is a growing business. Not only are farmers interested in making the most money from their livestock, consumers want leaner, healthier meat products. The fields of swine and cattle biotechnology are changing rapidly as the knowledge base for genetics grows.

Information about livestock biotechnology covers a wide range of topics. A lot of information relates to biotechnology in cattle. Recent outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as made cow disease, have led to increased research into the causes of the disease. Livestock genetics companies are using testing effectively to improve their knowledge of mad cow disease. They can now pinpoint specific traits they should look for in cattle breeds, traits that make the cow less genetically disposed to get certain diseases.

As you work with livestock biotechnology to improve your herd, you should consider these things:

1. Make sure the livestock genetics companies provide you with the freshest possible supplies.

2. Make sure the livestock genetics company you choose to partner with has a proper handling protocol in place, and that you use that same protocol once you get the genetic materials.

3. Make sure you purchase top-quality genetic products designed to endow your livestock herd with desirable traits.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase top-quality cattle biotechnology products

This is especially important if you're using artificial insemination (AI) for your cattle herd. To improve the quality of beef produced by your cows, you need to shorten the rate of time it takes to get a calf to market. You want to sell calves that have good musculature but provide tender meat. Look for cattle genetics companies that offer that to you.

I recommend: Bovine Elite is an industry leader that offers semen for all breeds of beef cattle. Select Sires is another company that offers semen for all breeds.

Use livestock biotechnology to improve your dairy herd

While people typically recoil at the idea of genetically modified milk, dairy cattle breeds are constantly improving thanks to biotechnology. Also, dairy cattle biotechnology is responsible for improving herd health and providing safer milk for us to drink.

I recommend: ABS Global is a dairy cattle breeding company that offers a full line of services to help you manage the genetics of your dairy herd. ImmuCell offers line of biotechnology products that help protect dairy cattle from mastitis, a disease that lowers milk production.

Use livestock biotechnology in your swine herd

Producing a long, lean hog that takes the fewest number of days to get to market is the ultimate goal of a productive hog farmer. Using swine genetics to achieve that goal is just good business sense.

I recommend: Newsham Choice Genetics provide a line of swine semen to help improve the quality of pork from your herd. Babcock Genetics also offers genetics to improve your herd.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  More and more cattle farmers are using livestock biotechnology to synchronize their entire herd's breeding cycle. A synchronized breeding system gives the cows more chances to get pregnant on schedule, which means they're more likely to send bigger calves to market. A synchronized herd also produces calves that are genetically similar, in not only looks but size as well.