Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

The S-1096 business meeting was called to order at 9:00 am on October 22 by chair Chad Dechow

Minutes from the 2023 informal meeting in Ithaca New York were reviewed and approved with Bailey Basiel moving to approve the minutes and Rebacca Cockrum seconding the motion.

Pre-meeting business items:

• Dr. Schrick congratulated us on our new project and provided background on why the multi-state research project has advantages relative to coordinating committees. We were encouraged to identify additional members. Dr. Schrick is our administrative advisor and the department head observer role is being finalized.
• Dr. Van Goor is primary NIFA representative and approves our reports. Dr. Steven Smith is the secondary representative. NIFA is operating under continuing resolution which complicates award funding and review packages.

New business

• Potential new members were identified, several of whom had been contacted and confirmed their interest in joining.
• Station reports: We were reminded to highlight joint research efforts to justify the multi-state aspect of S-1096.
• Email list: John Cole will work to clean and update the email list. It will also be renamed to reflect our new project number.
• 2025 meeting – we will meet September 29^th & 30^th (Monday and Tuesday of World Dairy Expo) at UW-Madison.
• Future meeting locations: There is continued interest in holding a meeting in New Zealand. Chad will follow up with Heather Huson about discussions with Nicolas Lopez-Villalobos from Massey University. We will explore the potential to host a NIFA conference meeting and will reach out to Dr. Angelica VanGoor about possibilities.
• Election of new secretary: Isaac Haagen was nominated by Bailey Basiel with John Cole seconding the nomination. John moved to cast a unanimous ballot which was seconded by Kristen Isaac was elected as secretary.  
• Resolution committee report

Whereas, the renewal of a Multistate Research Project requires considerable time, including drafting, review, and revision of the project plan; and

Whereas, all the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests benefit from the collaboration enabled by joint membership in said project;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, does hereby tender to Drs. Chad Dechow, Albert de Vries, and Bradley Heins its appreciation for their work in rewriting the project and shepherding it through the review and revision process.

Whereas, the organization and planning of the October 2024 meeting of Multistate Research Project S1096 resulted in a successful gathering characterized by open discussion and vigorous debate, to the mutual benefit of all participants;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, does hereby tender to the University of Minnesota Department of Animal Science and Drs. Bradley Hein and Isaac Haagen its appreciation for their hospitality and a job well done in the planning and execution of the October 2024 meeting.

Whereas, Dr. Leslie B. Hansen is retiring from his position as the Morse Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota at the end of 2024; and

Whereas, Les has been a passionate advocate of dairy cattle improvement, dedicated undergraduate educator, mentor of graduate students, and successful coach of Intercollegiate Dairy Judging teams; and

Whereas, Les has advanced the progress of dairy cattle genetics through his training of industry professionals, education of researchers, and vigorous participation in S1096 and its predecessor multistate projects for almost 40 years;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, would like to congratulate Dr. Hansen on his retirement and wish him well in all his future endeavors. His enthusiasm and dedication will be missed by all.

Whereas, Dr. Anthony J. (Tony) Seykora, is retiring from his position as Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Minnesota in the spring of 2025; and

Whereas, Tony has been a committed educator and mentor to students at both the Twin Cities and Waseca campuses; and

Whereas, Tony has contributed to the evolution and improvement of economic selection indices through his active participation in S1096 and its predecessor multistate projects;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, would like to congratulate Dr. Seykora on his retirement and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Whereas, Dr. Paul M. VanRaden, is retiring from his position as Research Geneticist (Animals) in the USDA Animal Genomics and Improvement Laboratory in May 2025 after a distinguished 37-year career; and

Whereas, Paul is a highly recognized international expert who investigates differences among dairy cattle for many traits; estimates trait economic values in genetic merit indexes; and develops efficient statistical methods to process phenotype, genotype, pedigree, and DNA sequence data for very large national and international populations; and

Whereas, Paul always shares generously of his time and expertise with students, researchers, and industry personnel;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, would like to congratulate Dr. VanRaden on his retirement and wish him well in all his future endeavors.

Whereas, Dr. Dan Carlson, Chief Scientific Officer and Senior Vice President of Research and Development of Recombinetics, contributed to the success of the October 2024 meeting by sharing his knowledge of precision breeding and opportunities to apply those tools to dairy production worldwide;

Therefore, the Resolutions Committee, on behalf of the members of Multistate Research Project S1096 and their guests, would like to thank Dr. Carlson for his contribution to the meeting.

Whereas, external attendees from the CDCB add valued input and collaboration with Multistate Research Project S1096;

Therefore, we thank our external attendees for their valuable contributions to the project.

Respectfully submitted,

Bailey Basiel, USDA-ARS-AGIL

Rebecca Cockrum, Virginia Tech

John B. Cole, CDCB

Kristen L. Gaddis, CDCB

• The resolutions were unanimously approved.
• Bailey Basiel moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 9:31

Submitted by Chad Dechow, 11/22/24

Research stations made significant progress toward meeting milestones of evaluating the quality of field data used in genetic assessments concerning reproduction, health, and survival in dairy cattle (2025 milestone) and estimating genetic parameters using such data as well as methane and feed efficiency data (2026 milestone).

Collaborative research efforts across stations (WI, FL, IA, MI, PA, USDA, CDCB) have facilitated improved genetic parameter estimates for feed efficiency. Datasets have been developed to explore effects on feed efficiency from feeding pattern variation (WI), body temperature (WI), heat stress (WI), methane (WI, MN), and growth based on dam diet (WI). PA developed a method to determine diet digestibility that can be obtained from commercial cattle breeders. CDCB is developing reports on farm sustainability, and MN is developing feed efficiency comparisons across breed groups in grazing and organic herds.

In cooperation with NC, USDA characterized quantitative measurements of milking speed coming from parlors and their suitability for genetic selection. This research identified breed, lactation number, and stage in lactation as biological parameters impacting milking speed phenotypes, as well as the system influences of meter manufacturer and milking frequency. Meter manufacturer had a particularly large effect in robotic milking systems.

A mutation causing muscle weakness in calves was discovered by PA and a haplotype test was developed by USDA and CDCB. Another recessive condition causing poor digestion, growth, and production in Holsteins called BLIRD was discovered in France. Similar methods were used at AGIL to trace inheritance and confirm the phenotypic effects of BLIRD. Both conditions are more difficult to monitor than previous defects due to partial penetrance and recent mutations within common haplotypes. USDA and CDCB validated the benefits from genomic selection of dairy heifers.

FL and PA explored longevity of dairy cattle. FL developed software to calculate optimal culling and insemination decisions. Model improvements included improved prediction of milk production (yield, fat, protein) in the remainder of the lactation, given observed test day or weekly milk weights, and recommend mating decisions such that the resulting number of dairy heifer calves per week is similar to the farm’s target number of dairy heifer calves. PA evaluated the long-term economic impact of selecting for longevity.

MN, NC, PA, CDCB, and USDA are developing methods to enhance genetic diversity and control inbreeding through model development (NC), germplasm exchange (NC, CDCB, USDA), use of germplasm repositories to reintroduce lost lineages (PA), and characterization of African dairy cattle populations.

PA, MN, VA, and WI explored methods to fertility through exploration of the genetic relationship of fertility in organic and conventional herds (PA, MN), novel methods to optimize oocyte and sperm compatibility, and new trait development (WI).

In terms of milestones for 2027 and beyond, PA and MN have begun assembling records on parasite resistance in pure and crossbred organic dairy cattle. To date, fecal samples from several hundred calves, heifers, and cows have been collected and evaluated for the presence of parasites. This database building will continue into future years.