Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council Annual Meeting Features Digital Technologies & Genomics - Cowsmo

Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council Annual Meeting Features Digital Technologies & Genomics

Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) members from 27 U.S. states, five Canadian provinces and 26 countries gathered virtually, Nov. 10-12, for the group’s 2020 annual meeting. Nearly 300 attendees, representing reproductive physiologists, animal health researchers, dairy producers, bovine veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dairy industry partners, reflected on the past, learned about present dairy reproduction technologies and gazed into the future of what lies ahead in improving dairy cattle fertility and animal welfare.

“This year’s DCRC Annual Meeting showcased dairy cattle reproduction topics that capitalize on genomics, high-quality animal care, digital technologies and big data,” said DCRC Annual Meeting Program Chair Eduardo Ribeiro, University of Guelph associate professor in the department of animal biosciences. “With the virtual format, DCRC more than tripled the number of countries it typically reaches during its annual meeting.” All sessions were recorded, so DCRC Annual Meeting attendees may access the recordings. In addition, DCRC members may access all of the recorded research poster presentations.

“While many presentations focused on reproduction strategies, we also addressed related topics, such as data analytics, economics, dry cow management, leadership development and personnel management practices,” added DCRC President Julio Giordano, Cornell University. “Our goal is to help attendees understand the available tools, protocols and technologies that may help improve dairy cattle fertility and dairy farm profitability, and foster high standards of animal care.”

Outgoing DCRC President Julio Giordano, Cornell University, passed the gavel to Mike Overton, Zoetis. Other DCRC board members are: Vice President Matt Utt, Select Sires; Secretary-Treasurer Jeff Stevenson, Kansas State University; Past President Giordano; and director members Luis Mendonca, Merck Animal Health; Natalia Martinez-Patino, Zoetis; and Eduardo Ribeiro, University of Guelph. Committee chairs include: Awards Chair Corey Geiger, Hoard’s Dairyman; Program Chair Ralph Bruno, Zoetis; Education Chair Luciano Caixeta, University of Minnesota; Membership Chair Fernanda Ferreira, 

University of California, Davis Veterinary Medicine Teaching & Research Center; and Nomination Chair Giordano. DCRC thanks outgoing board member Glaucio Lopes, Alta Genetics, for his devoted service to DCRC.

DCRC thanks its annual meeting sponsors who contributed to the professional development program’s success. Silver sponsors included ABS Global, Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, Estrotect, Nedap Livestock Management, Parnell and Select Sires. Bronze sponsors were Adisseo, Alta Genetics, CRV, Genex, IMV Imaging, Jefo Nutrition Inc., Merck Animal Health, Semex, STgenetics, Trans Ova Genetics, Valley Ag Software and Zoetis.

Next year’s DCRC Annual Meeting is set for Nov. 10-11, in Kansas City, Mo. Watch the DCRC website for program updates.

The Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council is focused on bringing together all sectors of the dairy industry – producers, consultants, academia and allied industry professionals – for improved reproductive performance. DCRC provides an unprecedented opportunity for all groups to work together to take dairy cattle reproduction to the next level.

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