“If you’re not on a track for improvement, you’re going out of business,” said Kevin Tlucek, owner at Snake River Dairies in Melba, Idaho. 

Four years ago, Tlucek put genetics in the driver’s seat and pushed down on the accelerator. Improving the herd’s genetic base became a top priority for the 2,200-cow operation. Tlucek built an ovum pick-up (OPU) facility on-farm, partnered with local veterinarians and reached out to Select Sires to train the herd’s independent technician to perform embryo transfers (ET). Then, he developed an aggressive genetic strategy using high-profile sires and enrolled in NxGEN^® for early access to the most elite genetics. 

“I’ll be transparent and share that our genetics were below average just a few years ago,” said Tlucek. By combining elite genetics with the herd’s ET strategy, the herd has experienced exceptional genetic advancement. Tlucek added, “We haven’t changed our management. We haven’t changed our facilities, and yet, we have become more profitable with better cows.” 

Changing the business model 

The increased focus on genetics has put Snake River in the fast lane in just a few generations. Tlucek shared that he’s changed the dairy’s business model because the herd had an opportunity to sell elite young cows. Entry into this new market influenced his breeding strategy and the lactation makeup of their herd, but it was a welcome bonus to the operation’s bottom line. 

Tlucek recently stopped using beef semen on the herd’s bottom quartile cows and is currently finishing the final group of beef x dairy steers. Tlucek said, “We needed more recips! We had this new market to sell young cows and we needed more uteruses for embryos – the shift just made sense.” 

Utilizing Zoetis CLARIFIDE^® Plus genomic test insights, Tlucek has developed a very aggressive strategic breeding program. Today, 22% of both cow and heifer groups are confirmed pregnant with embryos, most of which are harvested on-farm from the herd’s best cows. For the rest of the herd, 17% are confirmed pregnant with conventional semen while 61% are confirmed pregnant from sexed semen. 

The need for more recipients has influenced the herd demographics. Currently, 40% of the herd is first lactation cows, while 30% are in their second lactation and 30% are third lactation and greater. Tlucek’s next move will be to grow the percentage of older cows by emphasizing health traits, specifically mastitis resistance. 

Genetic goals 

Tlucek was blunt in saying that boosting milk production is not an explicit goal for Snake River. They are laser focused on components. In fact, feed costs and component yields are his main metrics for measuring profitability. He believes that the best way to increase fat and protein is a combination of nutrition and genetic selection and puts heavy emphasis on Combined Fat and Protein (CFP) in his selection index. His approach is paying off with recent herd tests at 4.8-5.0% Fat and 3.4-3.5% Protein. 

Mastitis resistance comes in as a close second on his list of priorities. Sires are vetted using Somatic Cell Score (SCS), CDCB Mastitis Resistance and Zoetis Mastitis Resistance. Tlucek said, “I know that older cows are more profitable in the long-term, but they also have more health issues.” He went on to explain that mastitis events flare up between the second and third lactation. Sure enough, the quartile analysis shows those older cows flagged for mastitis events are high for SCS and low for both mastitis resistance evaluations. 

Reproductive efficiency is third on Tlucek’s hot list. Especially with the herd’s embryo strategy, fertility traits are of high importance and heavily considered in the selection criteria. 

Sire selection 

Tlucek’s exclusive use of NxGEN sires has accelerated the herd’s success. Having enrolled in similar programs from other genetic companies, he shared that he prefers NxGEN’s genetic offering and realistic contractual obligations. 

He currently has pregnancies from 30 different sires, most of which are NxGEN graduates or current NxGEN superstars. A few of Tlucek’s favorite sires include: 7HO15977 HAYK, 7HO16276 SHEEPSTER, 14HO15926 VAN GOGH, 14HO16082 FRAMPTON and 14HO16391 EASTON. 

“Like most things in the dairy industry, it takes a little bit of time to see the payoff,” said Tlucek. “But I believe that investing in genetics pays you back many times over.” 

Proof of his success? There are currently six heifers with the Snake River prefix that are more than +3000 GTPI^® and 120 heifers over +2900 GTPI. 

The next generation of cows and decision makers 

“The cost to raise a heifer that’s +500 Cheese Merit (CM$) is exactly the same as the cost to raise a heifer that’s +1,100 CM$,” said Tlucek. “But that +1,100 CM$ heifer will bring your herd more profitability in the long run.” 

Genetics are driving profitability for Snake River Dairies and this strategy influences the next generation of cows, as well as decision makers. Three of Kevin Tlucek’s four children are involved in the operation and his son, Isaac, is very interested in.