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STtalks #396 - Protein: Dairy’s Next Frontier with Kevin Ziemba
This week, we're joined by STgenetics®' Kevin Ziemba to discuss his article, "The Story of Fat and the Future of Protein: How Genetics Influence Components." We explore how changing consumer preferences are shaping processor demands, influencing genetic selection decisions on dairies worldwide, and creating new opportunities for producers to capture more value through strategic breeding programs. Tune in to learn why protein may be the next frontier in dairy genetics.
Duration:
00 hours, 26 mins
Release Date:
2026-06-12
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STtalks #395 - Innovation, Nutrition, and the Future of Dairy with Tim Doelman, former CEO of fairlife®
A special June Dairy Month episode of STtalks is now live! In this STtalks taped during STgenetics®’ Elite Dairy Summit in Puerto Rico, Tim Doelman, former CEO of fairlife®, joins us to discuss building one of the fastest-growing beverages over the past 12 years by “unlocking” milk’s nutrition and creating products based on consumer needs rather than commodity thinking. With the belief that milk contains the building blocks of life, especially proteins, we dive into the great opportunities that lie before dairy producers and how we can meet consumers' needs and demands today.
Duration:
00 hours, 11 mins
Release Date:
2026-06-10
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STtalks #394 - Farmfit® in Action: Helping Felling Dairy Make Earlier, Smarter Herd Decisions with Mitch Hockett & Jason Felling
In this episode of #STtalks, we visit with Jason Felling of Felling Dairy and Mitch Hockett from #STgenetics to discuss how #Farmfit is helping turn real-time temperature and activity data into smarter decisions on the farm.
Duration:
00 hours, 24 mins
Release Date:
2026-06-05
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STtalks #393 - Decisions that Matter for World Milk Day
Happy World Milk Day and Happy June Dairy Month! In this STtalks we celebrate the dairy story, which all starts with one smart decision. One straw, calf, cow, and future. From innovative genetics to healthier, more efficient cows, every breeding decision helps dairy producers create more sustainable, profitable farms while producing one of the world's most complete foods: milk!
Duration:
00 hours, 03 mins
Release Date:
2026-06-01
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STtalks #392 - Tudo sobre o NOVO sêmen Super Conventional® com Rafael Ribeiro
Neste episódio do STtalks, você vai conhecer o Super Conventional® da STgenetics, uma nova tecnologia de sêmen otimizado para gênero. Rafael Ribeiro, Gerente da Linha Leite da STgenetics Brasil, apresenta este produto desenvolvido especialmente para inseminação de vacas em lactação, com 75% de pureza de gênero, visando mitigar o nascimento de machos e potencializar os rebanhos leiteiros que ainda não adotaram o uso do sêmen sexado no Brasil. Ouça agora!
Duration:
00 hours, 11 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-27
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STtalks #391 - The Impact of EcoFeed®cow at Barrington Dairy with Pete Gelber
Pete Gelber of Barrington Dairy is back with us to share about the proof-of-concept trial he and his STgenetics® representative, Ron Jackson, put together with 460 2-year-old fresh heifers to show the impact of STgenetics® EcoFeed®cow trait. After 4 months, Pete states, “ This EcoFeed® thing is definitely true, according to me. You know, we did this trial…and it's like, holy cow, this is really working, you know? It was pretty obvious. It wasn't like it was a half a pound or a quarter pound. It was substantial.”
Duration:
00 hours, 15 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-22
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STtalks #390 - Eco$ Performance at Cottonwood Dairy with James Bailey and Eric Zwiefelhofer
“It starts with the feed…but it really helps to be working with good genetics to maximize that,” states James Bailey in this STtalks! James, a co-founder of ProAgtive Dairy Nutrition, joins STgenetics® Eric Zwiefelhofer to share about the on-farm trial they put together at Cottonwood Dairy in South Wayne, Wisconsin, to prove the impact of selecting for STgenetics®’ Eco$ Index. After splitting first lactation heifers into two separate pens based on their Eco$ value, there was an easy difference noticed in the data that supports that good genetics make more efficient, profitable cows.
Duration:
00 hours, 26 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-19
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STtalks #389 - The Slick Difference from STgenetics® with Sara Westberry, Kevin Ziemba & Yuri Utsunomiya
In this STtalks we learn more about the genetics behind heat-tolerant cattle by diving into the slick gene. The group outlines how slick was introduced into the Holstein breed, and why heat tolerance matters for productivity in tropical and heat-stress regions. They also cover potential benefits for Beef on Dairy calves, recent progress in building higher-merit slick sire lines, and practical implementation using genomic testing, STrategy™, and Chromosomal Mating® to track and increase slick frequency over time.
Duration:
00 hours, 26 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-16
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STtalks #388 - STgenetics Canada April 2026 Portfolio Outlook with Mike Barnum & Maxime Ten-Have
After the April 2026 genetic evaluations, Canada experienced a rollback and changes to the LPI formula, we visit with Mike Barnum and Maxime Ten-Have to discuss how STgenetics® Canada is prepared to meet producer’s needs and handle industry change and market trends. Focusing on a few sires like BREEZER, RHETT, BECK, MYLO, BEATBOX and more, we dive into some unique offerings from the various portfolios like Eco$ and RCI sires. Additionally, we hear about the success of CAPTAIN daughters in Canada and what his release off the Legend™ program means to Canadian dairy producers.
Duration:
00 hours, 27 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-14
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STtalks #387 - Farm Moms: The Heartbeat Of It All
To every farm mom wearing countless hats behind the scenes, this STtalks is for you. In this special Mother’s Day episode, we celebrate the moms who do it all long before the sun rises; feeding calves, packing lunches, balancing books, driving kids to school and supporting the farm team, while somehow still making home feel warm and cared for!
Duration:
00 hours, 03 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-08
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STtalks #386 - Laser-Measured Precision Traits added to RCI with Kevin Ziemba, Natalia Rodrigues & Piush Khanal
Let’s take a closer look at STgenetics®’ new laser-measured udder traits that are bringing even greater accuracy to the industry-leading Robotic Cow Index (RCI). Join Kevin Ziemba, Natalia Rodrigues, and Piush Khanal as they discuss these innovative new traits, their heritability, and how this selection can benefit not only robotic milking systems, but dairy operations as a whole. The conversation also dives into labor shortages, the growing need for more precise udder conformation data, and how technology is reshaping genetic selection on today’s dairy farms.
Duration:
00 hours, 37 mins
Release Date:
2026-05-08
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STtalks #385 - STgenetics® Newest Traits: STurdy & Mature Live Weight with Kevin Ziemba, Jocelyn Johnson & David Kendall
In this STtalks we discuss how the dairy industry defines and breeds for true efficiency beyond simply reducing cow size. Kevin Ziemba, Jocelyn Johnson and David Kendall join us to introduce two new STgenetics® traits; Mature Live Weight (MLW), built from over 1.8 million robot-recorded body weight records from more than 5,000 Holstein cows, and STurdy, an index combining linear type traits with MLW to identify cows that are wider and more robust relative to height and weight, designed to help producers moderate size while maintaining durability and functionality. This STtalks takes a deep dive into the concept of truly STurdy cows and how selection with these two new traits can achieve athletic, durable and profitable herds.
Duration:
00 hours, 40 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-28
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STtalks #384 - Journey of Genetics Part 7: Technology & Genetics Driving Profitability with Jack Hippen
In the final episode of our Journey of Genetics Series, we are joined by Jack Hippen, STgenetics® North American and EU Sales Director, to break down what really happens when a producer buys that final straw and why it matters. From advancing gender-sorted semen performance to packing more female cells per straw, Jack shares how STgenetics® is pushing beyond sorting and driving true genetic progress. He dives into the power of Beef on Dairy as a third revenue stream and how genomics is reshaping herd decisions, boosting production, improving health and longevity and tightening efficiency from the ground up. It’s a fast-paced look at how smarter genetics translates to stronger profitability and a more sustainable future for dairy producers.
Duration:
00 hours, 17 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-24
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STtalks #383 - Journey of Genetics Part 6: The Logistics of Distribution with Jim Chapman
After a short break during April Genetic Evaluations, we’re back with our 6th episode of our Journey of Genetics Series! In this STtalks episode, we cover the logistics of distribution with Jim Chapman, STgenetics® Distribution Manager. He walks us through how semen moves from lab approval to your farm while maintaining temperature and quality, ensuring traceability as well. Jim goes over safeguards as well as improvements in tracking to ensure the product gets to where it needs to go when it needs to get there!
Duration:
00 hours, 16 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-20
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STtalks #382 - April 2026 New Release Sires with Logan Voigts & Alan Kruse
New release sire news is here! We have 33 New Sires, 10 of which are in the Legend™ program, the group averaged +3330 TPI with 15 bulls are over +1100 NM$, 23 bulls over +170 CFP, 23 bulls over +3.0 PL, three new Red sires and two new polled sires. The diversity and genetic impact this group of sires brings is exciting not only for the STgenetics® portfolio but also for our customers and the Holstein breed!
Duration:
00 hours, 26 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-17
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STtalks #381 - Colored Breeds April 2026 Genetic Evaluations with Kevin Ziemba and David Kendall
More proof news is here! David Kendall and Kevin Ziemba join us to review the results of STgenetics® Colored Breeds following the April 2026 Genetic Evaluations. They highlight strong Jersey momentum with bulls like GARLAND and GORMAN, additional high JPI young sires in the pipeline, and STyle™ standouts such as CANADIAN CLUB and LASPADA, plus new additions MR. BRIGHT and more. We learn more about the exciting Brown Swiss portfolio as well as how STgenetics®' STamina™ program has proven to be profitable and consistent for those who are breeding in that direction.
Duration:
00 hours, 31 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-14
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STtalks #380 - April 2026 Holstein Genetic Evaluations with Dan Carroll, Tim Rauen, David Kendall & Kevin Ziemba
Proof news is here and this time we are joined by four members of STgenetics® Genetic Advancement team as we deep dive into the April 2026 genetic evaluations. Together they break down the impact of the latest TPI® updates, how the industry responded, and what these changes mean for the future direction of genetic progress. The team shares insights across key indexes, including TPI®, NM$, and STgenetics® Robotic Cow Index and Eco$ index, offering both a technical perspective and practical interpretation for breeders. From evolving emphasis on protein to the reliability and consistency of our proven sires as well as advancements in polled, this conversation covers the trends, bulls, and strategies that matter most right now.
Duration:
00 hours, 43 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-11
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STtalks #379 - From Legacy to Future: Transition Planning for Farm Families with Rena Striegel
“Let’s not lose any more family farms to lack of planning!” strongly states our next guest, Rena Striegel of @Transition Point Business Advisors. Rena joins us to share how farmers can take the initial step into transition planning and helps us understand some of the mindset behind why this business transaction can be so uncomfortable, though essential. We cover a lot of information in this STtalks, from why it’s never too early to begin, and how succession includes cultural, psychological, management, financial, continuity, and estate planning. Rena also outlines who should be involved at different stages, common pitfalls, strategies for tough conversations, and the importance of qualified CPAs, attorneys, bankers, and facilitators.
Duration:
00 hours, 48 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-07
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STtalks #378 - Understanding the April 2026 TPI® Adjustment with David Kendall
Pre-proof news is here! With Holstein Association USA’s adjustment to the Total Performance Index® (TPI®), we sit down with David Kendall, STgenetics® Director of Genetic Advancement, to break down how this will guide genetic direction. In this discussion, we learn what exactly changed, what influenced this adjustment, why it matters and what it means for the future of the Holstein breed.
Duration:
00 hours, 19 mins
Release Date:
2026-04-02
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STtalks #377 - Journey of Genetics Part 5: Importance of Quality Control with Candis McCleary
In the fifth episode of our Journey of Genetics series, Candis McCleary joins us to share about the extensive Quality Control (QC) process all semen undergoes before being shipped out of the facility. In this STtalks, we learn about how QC has been standardized to be delivered accurately throughout more than 45 production labs and the numerous teams at STgenetics® who have a part in making sure our producers have a high-quality and accurate product when it arrives at their farm.
Duration:
00 hours, 32 mins
Release Date:
2026-03-31