The 2026 Breeders Seminar brought dairy farmers and dairy enthusiasts together across South Dakota and Minnesota for a timely conversation on how genetics can directly impact the bottom line. Held February 2–5, the seminar featured Kevin Ziemba, Global Applied Genetic Consulting Manager at STgenetics, who challenged attendees to think differently about the role genetics play in today’s dairy operations.
Kevin traveled to SDSU, Stewartville, Glencoe, Willmar, Wadena, and St. Paul. We are incredibly grateful to our following members for taking the time out of their day to volunteer to drive Kevin across the state; Darrel Rennich, Dennis Devore, Tracy Schaefer, Spencer Hackett, Natalie Schmitt, and Eric Houdek. Additionally, thank you to Gopher Dairy Club members Jacob Harbaugh, Shelby Swanson, and Tyler Ratka for helping us organize this event at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.
Kevin covered a wide range of topics in his presentation, “The Changing Landscape of Genetics.” Rather than viewing genetics solely through the lens of milk production or show ring success, Kevin emphasized a broader, more strategic approach. His message was clear: a cow’s earning potential extends well beyond her milk check, and farms that treat genetics as a revenue generating asset are better positioned for long term profitability.
A major theme of the seminar centered on the growing opportunity for beef on dairy programs. Kevin outlined how improved reproductive efficiency, longer lactation curves, extended voluntary waiting periods, and increased herd longevity have reduced the overall need for replacement females on many farms. As a result, strategically crossing beef on dairy cows has become a profitable avenue, allowing producers to capture additional value without compromising herd performance.
Kevin also addressed the often misunderstood role of inbreeding. When used intentionally and supported by data, he explained, inbreeding can help lock in desirable traits more quickly. The key is disciplined selection and a clear understanding of genetic goals, rather than blanket avoidance or overuse.
Another point that resonated with attendees was the importance of protecting genetic value in the marketplace. Kevin cautioned against the industry wide race to the bottom on semen pricing, noting that continually discounting genetics undermines their perceived value. If producers and companies believe in the strength of their genetics, that value must be supported through pricing discipline and ongoing performance data.
Data collection and validation were recurring themes throughout the seminar. Kevin stressed that continuing to gather meaningful data is critical to proving genetic merit and supporting marketing efforts, whether farms are selling replacement heifers, crossbred calves, embryos, donors, or show cattle.
The overarching takeaway from the 2026 Breeders Seminar was the need for diversification. Kevin encouraged farms to look beyond a single revenue stream and evaluate how genetics can contribute in multiple ways. By viewing genetics as a tool for income generation, risk management, and long-term sustainability, producers can build more resilient operations in an increasingly complex dairy economy.
We are so grateful to Kevin Ziemba for traveling to our state to share his wealth of knowledge with us. His insights left attendees with practical takeaways and a fresh perspective on the role genetics can play in today’s dairy operations.