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Holstein Association USA’s mission is to provide leadership, information, and services to help members and dairy producers worldwide be successful. To further that mission, Holstein Association USA invites research proposals with expected outcomes to benefit the profitability from Holstein cattle. Research may involve traditional production disciplines of genetics, nutrition, or reproduction as well as dairy foods or economics. Principal investigators at United States universities or non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grant funds. The deadline to submit proposals is August 15, 2020.

Supporting research is a top priority for Holstein Association USA, the world’s largest dairy breed association. Dr. Roger Shanks, dairy genetics consultant, explains. “I’m excited about the research program that Holstein Association USA has ongoing,” Shanks says. “We are getting into our fourth request for proposals this year. The overall objective of the whole program is really to try to increase the amount of research that’s done on Holstein cows, so we can then help Holstein members be able to implement and take advantage of those research results as they come along.”

Holstein Association USA is particularly interested in research that advances the profitability and health of Holstein cattle through genetics, but proposals researching other areas of improvement are also invited. Research on the economic benefits of Holstein cows or their products are welcome as well. Research funded with HAUSA grants are expected to be innovative, exploratory and based on sound science. Research proposals of all sizes will be considered, but Holstein grants are expected to be funded within the range of $10,000 to $80,000 per year. Grant durations are expected to be one to three years.

Holstein Association USA has funded three projects to date. One at North Carolina State University looking at how genomic information can be used to manage inbreeding; a second project at the University of California-Davis exploring the opportunity to breed Holstein cows for heat tolerance using the slick hair gene. The third project is being completed at University of Wisconsin-Madison, researching genetic and physiological aspects of double ovulation and twinning in Holstein lactating cows. These research projects hold great potential for future progress with U.S. Registered Holsteins.

More details about the grant guidelines and process can be found on the Holstein Association USA website,www.holsteinusa.com/programs_services/research_grant.html. With questions or for more information, contact Holstein Association USA dairy genetics consultant Dr. Roger Shanks, at rshanks@holstein.com.