336 | April Proofs, Real Cows: Why ‘Milk What You Make’ Is Redefining Genetic Progress
Jeff King & Tom Mercuro on genetics, longevity, and why ‘milk what you make’ is the future
On this episode of the Uplevel Dairy Podcast, we are joined by Jeff King of Kings Ransom Farm in New York and Tom Mercuro from Mercuro Farms in Maryland—two dairymen who are redefining what real genetic progress looks like. We find out what they are doing to create the kind of cows they want in their barns and why they believe other dairy producers want them too.
This isn’t about chasing the top of a list… it’s about milking what they make - breeding cows that last, perform, and put milk in the tank.
Plus, Jeff and Tom provide their hot takes on the April Holstein Sire Summary and recent changes to the TPI formula.
United Sires is a partnership of well-known Holstein breeders from the United States bringing genetic solutions to dairy producers worldwide. Our mission, “Breed the Best, Better,” reflects the work we have been doing on our farms for generations. As multi-generational dairy farmers, we adhere to a simple yet powerful principle: We Milk What We Make. We understand the importance of breeding cattle that are profitable throughout their lifetimes, functional across all dairy enterprises, and aesthetically pleasing.
Learn more at Unitedsires.com and follow on Facebook at United Sires and Instagram @unitedsiresofficial.
06:12 What Is United Sires
08:21 Early Bulls and Origins
12:30 April Proof Highlights
14:10 Milk What You Make
16:57 TPI Formula Changes
20:12 Processor Perspective
23:57 Index Priorities and Selection
28:01 Breeding The Total Package
28:49 Longevity Versus Genomics
32:10 April Proof Headlines
36:27 Balance And Practical Cows
37:31 Bulls To Watch Now
38:12 Genetic Diversity Long Game
40:09 Spotlight On Whoops Sons
43:12 United Cires Future Impact
