STtalks #381 - Colored Breeds April 2026 Genetic Evaluations with Kevin Ziemba and David Kendall

In this episode of ST Talks, hosts Laura Demmer, Kevin Ziemba, and David Kendall dive into the latest genetic evaluations for ST Genetics' colored breeds, focusing on significant advancements in Jersey, Brown-Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire portfolios. Kevin highlights the strong performance of the Jersey program, spotlighting bulls like Garland, Gorman, Canadian Club, and the upcoming high-impact sires such as Chapman and Chat Box—emphasizing balanced, stable genetics with high JPI and JUI. David underscores the strategic value of chromosomal mating across breeds, especially in Jersey, for improving herd-wide productivity and consistency. The Brown-Swiss lineup shines with standout bulls like Team Magic, Hawkins, and the emerging star Suzuki, who is gaining traction for his exceptional type and maternal lineage. The Guernsey and Ayrshire breeds also see strong new additions, including Landers and Jocko. A major highlight is the evolution of the Stamina F1 program—originally a proof-of-concept—now validated by multi-generational daughter data showing sustained performance, reduced variation, and enhanced profitability. The program’s success is attributed to intentional breeding using BBR (balanced breed ratio) and genomic data, proving its value for crossbreeding-focused dairies. Both Kevin and David stress the importance of listening to producer feedback and investing in long-term genetic development for industry-wide progress.