Canada remains at the forefront of new and innovative research into dairy genetics. Genotyping provides an animal's DNA profile, which through analysis, allows Canadian Dairy Network (CDN) geneticists to determine each animal's potential for a particular trait. Genomic evaluations are currently estimated for over 60 different traits. On a trait-by-trait bais, each animal's Direction Genomic Value (DGV) is combined with its traditional genetic evaluation, in proportion to their respective reliabilities, in order to produce a genomic evaluation published by CDN.*

Canadian dairy genetic exports reached a value of $140.7 million in 2015. Dairy semen exports generated the most revenue at $110.97 million and accounted for 78.9% of total genetics exports in 2015. The export of cattle generated receipts of $22.6 million, while exports of embryos generated $7.1 million in 2015.

Dairy Animal Registrations in Canada

*Produced by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Dairy Section, July 2009.