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Related: About this forumMost Dairy Cows Are Kissing Cousins, and Scientists Are Worried
Selective breeding of Holstein cows, which give more milk than any other dairy cow in the country, has led to so much inbreeding that virtually all of them descend from just two bulls. Why some geneticists think thats a problem. https://wsj.com/articles/the-dwindling-diversity-of-americas-most-productive-dairy-cows-11622194200?reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter via
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Most Dairy Cows Are Kissing Cousins, and Scientists Are Worried
Selective breeding helps Holsteins produce 94% of the nations milk, but can also lead to the proliferation of diseases
{snip photo}
Nearly all Holsteins in the U.S. and abroad descend from just two bulls.
PHOTO: CINDY SCHULTZ FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
By Jo Craven McGinty
May 28, 2021 5:30 am ET
Trick question: How many Holsteinsthe black-and-white dairy cows prized for the quality and quantity of their milkare in the U.S.?
a. Nine million
b. Fewer than 50
c. Both a and b
Holsteins give more milk than any other dairy cow in the country, with the average female producing around 23,000 pounds of milk over 305 days, according to the Holstein Association USA. The entire population provides 94% of the nations milk.
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Most Dairy Cows Are Kissing Cousins, and Scientists Are Worried
Selective breeding helps Holsteins produce 94% of the nations milk, but can also lead to the proliferation of diseases
{snip photo}
Nearly all Holsteins in the U.S. and abroad descend from just two bulls.
PHOTO: CINDY SCHULTZ FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
By Jo Craven McGinty
May 28, 2021 5:30 am ET
Trick question: How many Holsteinsthe black-and-white dairy cows prized for the quality and quantity of their milkare in the U.S.?
a. Nine million
b. Fewer than 50
c. Both a and b
Holsteins give more milk than any other dairy cow in the country, with the average female producing around 23,000 pounds of milk over 305 days, according to the Holstein Association USA. The entire population provides 94% of the nations milk.
TO READ THE FULL STORY
SUBSCRIBE
SIGN IN
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jo.mcginty@wsj.com
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Most Dairy Cows Are Kissing Cousins, and Scientists Are Worried (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
May 2021
OP
TlalocW
(15,382 posts)1. And by definition
They're all lesbians? What are the implications?
Me: Reading headlines is good enough.
TlalocW
PoindexterOglethorpe
(25,857 posts)2. That kind of inbreeding is a huge problem
with thoroughbred horses, as well as most dog breeds.
Bayard
(22,073 posts)3. Its called line breeding
Its supposed to intensify and preserve desirable characteristics. Its more than TB's, its been a real problem in Quarter Horses from certain lines, for instance, producing spindley legs with tiny hooves.
If it works, its line breeding. If it doesnt, its inbreeding.