1	Overview of Animal Improvement Programs Laboratory
2	AIPL mission Conduct research to discover, test, and implement improved genetic evaluation techniques for economically important traits of dairy cattle and goats Genetically improve efficiency of dairy animals for yield and fitness
3	AIPL research objectives Maintain a national database to support research on genetics and management Provide data for research compatible with industry needs Increase accuracy of genetic evaluations through improved methodology
4	AIPL research objectives (cont.) Develop bioinformatic tools to support of quantitative trait locus detection, marker testing, and mapping methods Improve genetic rankings for overall economic merit Characterize dairy industry practices
5	National Dairy Genetic Evaluation Program
6	DHI statistics (2004) 4.1 million cows 97% fat recorded 93% protein recorded 93% SCC recorded 25,000 herds 164 cows/herd 21,250 lb (9640 kg)/cow 3.69% fat 3.09% (true) protein
7	U.S. progeny-test bulls (2000) Major and marketing-only AI organizations plus breeder-proven Breeds Ayrshire 10 bulls Brown Swiss 53 bulls Guernsey 15 bulls Holstein 1436 bulls Jersey 116 bulls Milking Shorthorn 1 bull
8	Traits evaluated Yield (milk, fat, protein volume; component percentages) Type/conformation Productive life/longevity Somatic cell score/mastitis resistance Fertility Daughter pregnancy rate (cow) Estimated relative conception rate (bull) Dystocia and stillbirth (service sire, daughter)
9	Genetic trend – Fat
10	Index changes
11	Senior research staff