Genetics Drive the Future at Country Aire Farms

“Genetics are so important because when you breed for healthier, fertile, longer-lasting cows, that’s going to give you a better ROI for the dairy in the future,” says Craig Gerrits, partner at Country Aire Farms. Their ideal cow is moderate in size, with correct teat placement and a strong udder cleft-traits that support efficiency in the rotary parlor. Health and fertility are top priorities, and the Gerrits family selects sires that excel for fitness, fertility and disease resistance traits to reduce treatment costs and extend productive life.

As of October 2025, 34% of the herd consisted of cows in their third lactation or greater with 7% in their fifth lactation. “Even with a growing herd, their percentage of third lactation or greater cows is very high. It’s a testament to their focus on genetics and outstanding management,” says Laura Styczynski, CentralStar Cooperative records analysis consultant. These mature cows are the operation’s profit drivers, producing significantly more milk than first-lactation animals. The goal: breed cows that stay healthy, breed back efficiently and thrive well into their third lactation and beyond.

Strategic partnerships for genetic progress

To achieve these goals, Country Aire partners with Zoetis and CentralStar Cooperative, including Brandon Kruswick and Laura Styczynski. Professional A.I. Technician Brandon Kruswick plays a key role in executing their genetic strategy in regard to inventory management. “Knowing that we have healthy cows with good genetics gives us wiggle room to improve the herd,” Kruswick explains.

The farm genomic tests its entire herd, using that data to assign matings for sexed semen, including NxGEN^® and beef sires. Lactating cows are split equally between the top and bottom half, based on genomic data and herd records. The top half is bred to sexed dairy semen with the bottom half bred to beef semen. In the heifers, 85% are bred to sexed semen while 15% are bred to beef. This strategic approach ensures that every mating decision supports long-term herd improvement. It also gives recognition to older cows that are thriving in the environment at Country Aire and an opportunity to create pregnancies from successful, profit-boosting, multiparous cows. 

Data-driven health gains

Genetic information is central to decision-making at Country Aire, especially as the herd incorporates more health traits into its selection criteria. Validating the expression of these traits, and the cost savings they deliver, has proven invaluable.

VALIDATING HEALTH TRAIT EXPRESSION AND INFLUENCE ON PROFITABILITY

In addition to health and fertility, Country Aire leverages genetics to improve components, specifically protein. Milk solids have experienced extreme genetic progress across the nation, and feedback from milk processors in northeast Wisconsin indicates a need to increase emphasis on protein. Styczynski says “It’s easy to feed for fat, but very expensive to feed for improved protein percents. Fortunately, Protein is highly heritable.” 

The sick pen doesn’t lie

There’s one pen every dairy manager hopes to keep empty - the sick pen. At Country Aire Farms, its vacancy speaks volumes. Craig Gerrits credits Select Sires’ Herd Health Profit Dollars^® index for helping drive this success. He values the index’s emphasis on mastitis resistance and udder conformation, traits that directly impact cow health and milking efficiency. A quartile analysis of second-lactation cows revealed that animals in the highest HHP$^® group had significantly lower mastitis incidence, fewer abortions, higher pregnancy rates and superior energy-corrected milk production. The farm’s commitment to health-focused genetic selection is reflected not just in records, but in real-world results: fewer treatments, healthier cows and better profit margins.